University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
Eye Opener
Cross Country Competes at the Eye Opener
9/5/2026 10:13:00 AM | Cross Country
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – USC Upstate cross country opened the 2026 season Friday evening on its home course at the Roger Milliken Center, competing in the annual Eye Opener. The Spartan men took on an 8K course while the women raced 5K, with Cameron Moors and Jordan Thornton pacing the Spartans on both sides.
Men's 8K
On the men's side, Cameron Moors led the Spartans across the finish line, placing 30th overall with a time of 26:45.6. The junior was the first of five Upstate runners to cross the line within a span of less than 30 seconds.
Senior Eric Perry followed Moors in 39th, clocking a 26:50.8, while freshman Aiden Abraham finished 45th in his Upstate debut with a time of 27:04.0.
A pair of freshmen rounded out the Spartans' top five. Yariel Ferretti crossed the line 48th at 27:09.4, followed closely by Trent Manning, who placed 53rd at 27:14.5. Freshman Sam Howran wasn't far behind, finishing 57th in 27:27.0.
Upstate's depth continued with freshman Aidan Rogers taking 59th in 27:29.9, while senior Elias Harrison crossed in 27:48.9.
The Spartans also had Jackson Williams finish in 28:11.0, Jason Heusinger in 28:16.0 and Mason Parish in 28:30.9. Senior Connor Herold recorded a 28:38.0, while Nick Brooks finished in 28:48.6.
Women's 5K
Senior Jordan Thornton led the way for the Upstate women, becoming the Spartans' first finisher with a 19:59.2 to place 50th overall. Thornton was the lone Spartan to break the 20-minute mark in the season opener.
Fellow senior Grace Glassmeyer was next across the line for Upstate, finishing 62nd with a time of 20:20.4. Freshman Alice Taylor followed three places later, making her collegiate debut with a 20:27.0 performance.
Sophomore Alexis Plaster finished fourth among the Spartans and 73rd overall in 20:47.4, while sophomore Jada Makis rounded out Upstate's scoring five with a 21:05.9. Freshman Breanna Sturtevant crossed just six-tenths of a second behind Makis in 21:06.5.
Arabella Brownlee followed in 21:09.8, with senior Maureen Ortiz posting a 21:24.7. Seniors Sophia Outhous and junior Sofia Strom finished in 21:29.5 and 21:40.5, respectively.
Upstate's Top Five – Men
- Cameron Moors – 26:45.6 – 30th
- Eric Perry – 26:50.8 – 39th
- Aiden Abraham – 27:04.0 – 45th
- Yariel Ferretti – 27:09.4 – 48th
- Trent Manning – 27:14.5 – 53rd
Upstate's Top Five – Women
- Jordan Thornton – 19:59.2 – 50th
- Grace Glassmeyer – 20:20.4 – 62nd
- Alice Taylor – 20:27.0 – 65th
- Alexis Plaster – 20:47.4 – 73rd
- Jada Makis – 21:05.9 – 79th
