The University of South Carolina Cross Country team is set to begin its 2026 season on Friday evening, September 3, at the Eye Opener event in Spartanburg. This marks the Gamecocks’ first return to the Eye Opener since 2003, when the team finished fourth.
The 5K event is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. and will feature 15 participating teams. Notable programs competing alongside South Carolina include Clemson and Liberty, as well as the host institution, USC Upstate. Other NCAA Division I teams participating are East Tennessee State, Longwood, and Wofford.
Under the leadership of head coach Tim Hall and cross country coach Brock Moreaux, both in their fourth year with the program, the Gamecocks have seen significant program elevation. The 2025 team achieved a third-place finish at the SEC Championship and was runner-up at the NCAA Southeast Regional, securing the program’s first-ever team appearance at the NCAA Championship. Last season, the team won the Covered Bridge Open and the Crimson Classic, placed second at the Joe Pianne Invite, and finished third at the Adidas XC Challenge. Their only non-podium finish was 15th at the NCAA Championship.
The 2026 roster sees the return of all seven Gamecock runners from last year’s Southeast Regional and NCAA Championship. The team has also added three new athletes to enhance its depth. Among the newcomers is Louise Bailly, a World Triathlon Athlete from France, who placed 12th in the Women’s Europe Triathlon Duathlon Championship. Freshmen Ella Demmerle and Ella Nighbor also join the team. Nighbor, who previously ran for Clover High School, ranked 13th nationally in the 5K in 2026 with a time of 16:40.44.
Twelve student-athletes will represent South Carolina at the Eye Opener. The lineup includes two-time All-SEC and All-Region honoree Teresa Cherotich, along with 2025 Southeast All-Region member Anya Arroyo. Returning runners include Emma Ashley, Mary Frances Iseman, Hattie Jennings, Siobhan Joyce, Sofie Kurzawa, Allie Matasich, Emma Torbert, and Abigail White. Ella Demmerle and Ella Nighbor are slated to make their collegiate debuts at the event.
