University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
Eye Opener
Cross Country Opens the 2026 Season at the Eye Opener
9/3/2026 8:46:00 AM | Cross Country
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – USC Upstate cross country opens the 2026 season on familiar ground Friday evening as the Spartans host the annual Eye Opener at the Roger Milliken Center in Spartanburg.
The season-opening meet is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 4, with the collegiate women's 5K beginning at 7:00 p.m. before the collegiate men's 8K gets underway at 7:40 p.m. Both races will take place over the rolling terrain of the Roger Milliken Center course.
Event Information
Meet: Eye Opener
Date: Friday, Sept. 4, 2026
Location: Roger Milliken Center | Spartanburg, S.C.
Women's Race: 7:00 p.m. | 5K
Men's Race: 7:40 p.m. | 8K
Results: TimingInc.com
The Field
USC Upstate welcomes a 15-team field to Spartanburg for the annual Eye Opener, bringing together programs from throughout the Southeast.
Joining the Spartans are Augusta, Brevard, Clemson, East Tennessee State, Emory & Henry, Liberty, Longwood, South Carolina, Southern Wesleyan, Spartanburg Methodist, Tusculum, UNC Pembroke, USC Aiken and Wofford.
The field provides Upstate with an early-season test featuring several NCAA Division I programs, including Clemson, ETSU, Liberty, Longwood, South Carolina and Wofford, along with a strong collection of regional programs.
Familiar Ground for the Spartans
Friday's meet gives the Spartans an opportunity to begin their season on their home course at the Roger Milliken Center. The women's team will compete over a 5,000-meter course, while the men's race covers 8,000 meters, with both courses featuring rolling terrain.
The Eye Opener serves as the first opportunity of the 2026 campaign for the Spartans to establish a baseline heading into the remainder of the cross country season.
Eye Opener Notes
- The Eye Opener serves as USC Upstate's season-opening competition.
- The collegiate women's 5K begins at 7:00 p.m., followed by the men's 8K at 7:40 p.m.
- Both races will be contested on the rolling terrain at the Roger Milliken Center.
- B-Tag timing will be used to score and time the meet.
- The top 10 individual finishers in each race will receive awards.
- Awards will also be presented to the top two teams in both the men's and women's races.
- USC Upstate is one of 15 programs scheduled to compete Friday.
- The field includes seven Division I programs: USC Upstate, Clemson, ETSU, Liberty, Longwood, South Carolina and Wofford.
