University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
Big South Championships
10/30/2026 6:48:00 PM | Cross Country
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The USC Upstate men's and women's cross country teams wrapped up their 2026 campaigns Friday morning at the Big South Conference Cross Country Championships, hosted at Milliken Arboretum in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
The Spartan women finished eighth in the nine-team field, totaling 201 points in the women's 5K race, while the men's squad earned a fifth-place finish with 160 points in the 8K competition. Both teams were led by strong individual performances, with senior Jordan Thornton pacing the women and freshman Aiden Abrahams leading the men.
WOMEN'S 5K RECAP
USC Upstate finished eighth overall in the women's 5K championship with 201 points and a combined scoring time of 1:37:26.
Senior Jordan Thornton led the Spartans with an impressive performance in her final Big South Championship appearance, finishing 21st overall with a time of 18:27.0. Thornton was Upstate's lone runner to finish inside the top 30 and led the team by more than a minute.
Freshman Alice Taylor was the next Spartan across the finish line, placing 47th with a time of 19:28.6. Fellow freshman Breanna Sturtevant followed closely behind, finishing 49th in 19:32.8.
Senior Sophia Outhous placed 52nd overall with a time of 19:57.9, while sophomore Jada Makis completed Upstate's scoring five with a 53rd-place finish in 19:59.6.
Sophomore Alexandra La Rue finished just behind Makis, placing 54th in 20:00.4, while senior Grace Glassmeyer followed in 55th with an identical time of 20:00.4.
The Spartans placed seven runners within a span of 31.8 seconds from their second through seventh finishers, showcasing the depth of the women's lineup.
MEN'S 8K RECAP
USC Upstate placed fifth overall in the men's 8K championship, finishing with 160 points and a combined time of 2:09:17 from its five scoring runners. The Spartans edged Longwood by just two points, as the Lancers finished sixth with 162.
Freshman Aiden Abrahams led the way for Upstate, crossing the finish line in 31st place with a time of 25:39.8. Junior Nick Brooks followed closely behind, placing 32nd in 25:40.9, just 1.1 seconds behind Abrahams.
Freshman Yariel Ferretti continued the Spartans' strong showing, finishing 34th overall with a time of 25:46.8. Junior Cameron Moors rounded out Upstate's top four finishers, placing 37th with a time of 25:54.0.
Senior Eric Perry completed the Spartans' scoring five, crossing the finish line in 45th place with a time of 26:15.3. Just behind Perry, senior Mason Parish placed 46th in 26:18.5, while junior Jason Heusinger finished 49th with a time of 26:22.9.
The Spartans placed four runners inside the top 40 overall, with their top three finishers separated by just seven seconds. Upstate's five scoring runners finished within 35.5 seconds of one another.
USC UPSTATE INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
Women's 5K – 8th Place (201 Points)
| Athlete | Overall Finish | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Thornton | 21st | 18:27.0 |
| Alice Taylor | 47th | 19:28.6 |
| Breanna Sturtevant | 49th | 19:32.8 |
| Sophia Outhous | 52nd | 19:57.9 |
| Jada Makis | 53rd | 19:59.6 |
| Alexandra La Rue | 54th | 20:00.4 |
| Grace Glassmeyer | 55th | 20:00.4 |
| Sofia Strom | 57th | 20:09.2 |
| Maureen Ortiz | 63rd | 20:17.9 |
| Laureana McCann | 64th | 20:22.2 |
Men's 8K – 5th Place (160 Points)
| Athlete | Overall Finish | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Aiden Abrahams | 31st | 25:39.8 |
| Nick Brooks | 32nd | 25:40.9 |
| Yariel Ferretti | 34th | 25:46.8 |
| Cameron Moors | 37th | 25:54.0 |
| Eric Perry | 45th | 26:15.3 |
| Mason Parish | 46th | 26:18.5 |
| Jason Heusinger | 49th | 26:22.9 |
| Connor Herold | 51st | 26:28.6 |
| Elias Harrison | 57th | 26:38.6 |
| Trent Manning | 65th | 27:09.7 |
