University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
Brevard XC Classic
Cross Country Set to Race at Brevard XC Classic
9/17/2026 2:06:00 PM | Cross Country
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – USC Upstate cross country returns to action Friday morning as the Spartans travel to Brevard, N.C., to compete in the Third Annual Brevard XC Classic.
The meet is set for Friday, Sept. 18 at the Brevard AirStrip, with competition scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. It marks the second meet of the 2026 campaign for the Spartans following their season-opening appearance at the Eye Opener in Spartanburg.
Event Information
Meet: Brevard XC Classic
Date: Friday, Sept. 18, 2026
Location: Brevard AirStrip | Brevard, N.C.
Start Time: 10 a.m.
Last Time Out
Upstate opened its season Sept. 4 at the Eye Opener at the Roger Milliken Center, with Cameron Moors leading the Spartan men and Jordan Thornton pacing the women's squad.
Moors crossed the line first for Upstate in the men's 8K, finishing 30th overall in 26:45.6. Senior Eric Perry followed closely behind with a time of 26:50.8, while freshman Aiden Abrahams posted a 27:04.0 in his collegiate debut. Freshmen Yariel Ferretti and Trent Manning completed Upstate's scoring five with times of 27:09.4 and 27:14.5, respectively.
On the women's side, Thornton led the Spartans with a 19:59.2 in the 5K, becoming Upstate's lone runner to break the 20-minute mark in the season opener. Grace Glassmeyer followed in 20:20.4, while freshman Alice Taylor made her collegiate debut with a 20:27.0. Alexis Plaster and Jada Makis rounded out the Spartans' top five.
Building Toward the Postseason
Friday's trip to Brevard is the second of six scheduled meets for Upstate this fall and the Spartans' first competition away from the Roger Milliken Center. Following the Brevard XC Classic, Upstate will have two weeks before traveling to Louisville, Ky., for Live in Lou on Oct. 3.
The Spartans will then return to Spartanburg for the Upstate Invite on Oct. 17 before hosting the Big South Championships on Oct. 30 and the NCAA Southeast Regional on Nov. 13.
Friday provides another early-season opportunity for head coach Carson Blackwelder's squads to build on their opening performances as the Spartans continue progressing toward the championship portion of the schedule.
