Colleen Cirillo
Abigail Sorrenson Alexis Harvin
Cross Country 2014 Brittany May
Kayla Millholland
Table of Contents 02 USC Aiken Info About the Conference About USC Aiken Meet the Staff
12 The Season Season Preview Team Photo Roster
14 The Coach Kara Kreutzer
16 The Players Seniors Juniors Sophomores Freshmen
22 The Archives 2013-14 Review Record Book
Quick Facts School Address City, State Founded Enrollment Nickname Colors Arena Capacity Affiliation Conference Chancellor Athletic Director Department Phone Ticket Office Phone
USC Aiken 471 University Parkway Aiken, S.C. 29801 1961 3,250 Pacers Cardinal, Navy, White Convocation Center 3,600 NCAA Division II Peach Belt Dr. Sandra Jordan Randy Warrick 803-641-3486 803-641-3486
Credits The 2014 Women’s Cross Country media guide is a publication of the USC Aiken Sports Information office. It was written and edited by Brent C. Hager, Sports Information Director. Photography was provided by Scott Webster, Milledge Austin and CSI Photography. The guide was designed by Cody Keisler. A special thanks to head coach Kara Kreutzer for her assisstance with the publication.
The Peach Belt Conference The Peach Belt Conference is committed to providing, through its dependent collegiate members, a forum for student participation in athletic, academic and co-curricular events under the auspices of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, Division II. We will exemplify the characteristics of a premier intercollegiate conference that prides itself on the inclusion of students of all demographic groups who wish to participate in a well-rounded sports program. Our institutions, our academic goals, our athletic aspirations reflect a communality of purpose and a commitment to excellence in the classroom and on the playing field.
This is USC Aiken ď„–
The University of South Carolina Aiken was chartered in 1961 after entering into an agreement with the University of South Carolina to establish a two-year center in Aiken. The Aiken Center opened its doors in September 1961 to 139 students. Temporarily housed in Banksia, a renovated mansion in Aiken, the Center consisted of three full-time faculty members (one of whom served as Director of the Center). In 1968, the Center underwent an institutional self-study and was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools as a branch of the University of South Carolina and as a junior college. The first associate degrees were awarded in June 1968. The campus of USC Aiken moved from Banksia to its present site in 1972 and physical changes began to occur rapidly. At first, the permanent campus consisted of 100 acres and one multipurpose building which housed all university operations. A library was completed in 1975, and additional land was donated that increased the campus to 144 acres. In October 1977, the Student Activities Center was opened. A classroom building was occupied in 1978, and one year later, an auxiliary services building was added.
An apartment complex for students, Pacer Downs, was ready for occupancy in the fall of 1984. More construction additions to the campus included completion of the Etherredge Center, Ruth Patrick Science Education Center, the Business and Education Building, and the Alan B. Miller Nursing Building. Additional land was acquired increasing the campus to 400 acres. Academic and organizational changes also occurred rapidly. The faculty formalized its organizational structure and redefined its role in the governance of the institution in 1974-75. Also, the students reorganized their governing body and more precisely defined their role on campus; the administration and staff structures were overhauled and expanded to meet the demands of the growing academic programs. When the full-time equivalent student enrollment reached 1,066 in the fall of 1975, the USC Aiken campus was permitted to plan for senior level courses and to create a number of baccalaureate degree programs. In that same year, USCA received approval as a four-year branch campus by the Board of Trustees of the University of South Carolina, and USCA was designated a Recognized Candidate for Senior College
Accreditation. In September 1976, the Board of Trustees granted academic autonomy to the Aiken Campus. The first bachelor’s degrees were granted in May 1977, and USCA became a fully accredited senior college. Presently, the college community is comprised of more than 3,200 students, over 100 full-time faculty, approximately 110 staff members, and 28 administrators. USCA awards bachelor’s degrees in more than 20 major areas of study, master’s degrees in two areas, and offers a varied program of continuing education courses for the wider community. Today USC Aiken offers students a liberal education designed to develop an understanding of human experience which will equip them for life in a free society. To accomplish this, the University provides students with an opportunity to discover learning processes which enable them to grow personally and socially. It promotes students’ interaction within a community of active scholars and artists, and it encourages students to use the knowledge which they gain to deal with the problems of a rapidly changing world.
Meet the Staff Dr. Sandra Jordan University Chancellor
Sandra J. Jordan, former provost and vice president for
Jordan’s appointment marks a return to the state where her
academic affairs at Georgia College & State University, was
higher education career began. From 1986-1989, she was an
named chancellor of the University of South Carolina Aiken in
assistant professor of art history at Lander University and
2012.
director of the Monsanto Gallery of Art.
Jordan became the fourth chancellor of USC Aiken, succeeding
Jordan earned her bachelor’s degree in art from the University
Thomas L. Hallman who retired after 12 years in the position.
of Alabama, and her doctorate in art history from the
“I am tremendously honored and humbled by this opportunity to serve the campus, community and the University of South Carolina system,” Jordan said. “USC Aiken’s mission, unwavering dedication to student success and vibrant partnerships with the community, make this an exceptional and exciting position. I am thrilled to accept this invitation to join the Pacers during this pivotal time in the history of the institution and I look forward to working closely with
I am tremendously honored and humbled by this opportunity to serve the campus, community and the University of South Carolina system. President Pastides, the USC Aiken faculty, staff and students as well as our alumni and friends to build upon the successes that defined this university’s first 50 years.”
University of Georgia. She has also attended the Management Development Program at Harvard University’s Institute for Higher Education, the 21st Century Leadership Institute and was a summer fellow at Vanderbilt University’s Institute for Higher Education Management. A student of leadership, she is often asked to mentor new leaders at the state and national level. Jordan has been married for 30 years to Michael Jordan, an architect and graduate of Clemson University. They have a son, Matthew, who is a doctoral student in electrical engineering at Georgia Tech.
Randy Warick Athletic Director
Randy Warrick is in his 28th year as Director of Athletics at the
Education in 1977 and then his Master of Arts in Teaching in
University of South Carolina Aiken. He was hired at USCA in
1978.
1978 as head baseball coach and intramural director and has served many different duties during his tenure. While coaching baseball for 11 years, Warrick also served as an assistant basketball coach during the 1978-79 season and acting golf coach in 1989-90.
While earning his master’s degree, he served as a graduate assistant baseball coach. In the same season, the team advanced to the College World Series. Warrick is a member of the College Athletic Management’s Editorial Board, PBC Awards Committee, NCAA Division II AD’s
As baseball coach, Warrick compiled a 392-146 record, while
Association Board of Directors, Greater Augusta Sports Council
earning various coaching awards. In 1986 his team advanced
Board, and is the most recent past chairman of the NCAA
to the College World Series, the highlight of his coaching
Division II National Golf Committee.
career.
Warrick is married to Martha Blankenship Warrick of Augusta,
Warrick was born in Rocky Mount, N.C. and attended Rocky
Ga. They have one son, Tripp, who graduated from USC Aiken.
Mount High School. He was an All-Conference player in
The Warrick family resides in North Augusta, S.C.
football, basketball and baseball. Upon graduation from high school, Warrick went to Louisburg Junior College where he played baseball for two years. In 1975, Warrick earned his Associate of Arts degree from Louisburg and was drafted by the Kansas City Royals, but decided to stay in school. Warrick then moved on to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he received a two-year baseball scholarship. While at North Carolina he earned Atlantic Coast Conference All-Academic honors two straight years. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in
Tim Hall
Associate Athletic Director
Tim Hall is in his 24th year as a member of the USC Aiken
A 1990 graduate of the University of South Carolina, Hall
athletic department. Hall first joined the program in 1990 as a
received his Bachelor of Science in Sports Administration. In
graduate assistant. In 1993 he was hired on as the university’s
1992, he earned a Master’s in Student Personnel Services from
full-time NCAA Compliance Coordinator.
USC as well.
In August 1997, the Batesburg-Leesville native was promoted
In his time at USC Aiken, Hall has been on a number of campus
to Assistant Athletic Director.
committees including the first year academic advisor program
In September 2003, Hall was promoted again, this time to the
and the enrollment management action team in the strategic
position of Associate Athletic Director for Administration and
planning process.
External Services.
Hall is married to the former Jenny Fulmer and they have
In this role, Hall oversees NCAA compliance and academic
three sons, Jordan, Ethan and Wyatt.
support. In addition, he assists with home game administration and fundraising.
Angie Osbon
Assistant Athletic Director
Angie Osbon is in her 15th year as a member of the USC
received her Master’s in Business Administration from the
Aiken athletic department. Osbon became the department’s
University of South Carolina.
business manager in 1999. Through the years she has
In 2002, Osbon was named student organization advisor of the
earned a number of other titles, including Senior Woman Administrator, Student Athlete Advisory Committee Advisor and Cheerleading, Mascot and Dance Team Director.
year and was selected to the Who’s Who Among Cheerleading Coaches. In addition, she has been a member of the first year academic advisor program and a staff facilitator for
In 2007, Osbon received the Outstanding Committment to
orientation.
Student Development Award from the Office of Student Life.
The former Angie Mathis is married to Rick Osbon and they
In September 2003, the Aiken, S.C., native was promoted to
have three children, Reagan, Gemma and Sterling.
the position of Assistant Athletic Director for Business and Student Services. Osbon earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from USC Aiken in 1992. In 1996, Osbon
Brent Hager
Assistant Athletic Director
Brent C. Hager is in his second year as the Assistant Athletic
volleyball and men’s basketball. Hager spent two and a half
Director for Communications/Sports Information Director at
years at Gardner-Webb as the Assistant Sports Information
USC Aiken.
Director and handled 13 sports in his time there. He also
Hager comes to USC Aiken after serving as the Associate
spent two years at Virginia Tech as an intern in the sports
Commissioner for External Affairs at the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference where he handled the promotion of all 16 sports. During his time at the WVIAC Hager
information office where he handled all media requests for the nationally-ranked men’s soccer program and the school’s only national champion at the time. Hager got his start at UNC-
featured the league’s only two Division II National Champions
Pembroke in 2002.
and a National Player of the Year. In addition, he ran multiple
The Tallahassee, Fla., native attended Wingate University
championships and redesigned the WVIAC web site. Prior to
where he received a bachelors of science degree in business
the WVIAC, Hager spent two years as the Director of Sports
administration and sport management. He earned an MBA at
Information and Game Operations at Presbyterian College and
UNC-Pembroke in 2004.
was the primary contact for eight sports, including football,
Brandon Aiken
Assistant Athletic Director Brandon Aiken is in his 15th year as head athletic trainer and
Aiken also served as assistant and head athletic trainer at
16th overall at USC Aiken.
Hitchcock Rehabilitation Center in Aiken, S.C., for more than
Aiken, a native of Sturgeon Bay, Wis., joined the USC Aiken
three years. At Hitchcock, he worked with high school, college,
training staff in 1997 as a graduate assistant. He served in that
and professional athletes as well as general outpatient
capacity for three years until stepping into the head position
rehabilitation.
in 2000.
Aiken guided the USC Aiken athletic training staff to back-to-
He was promoted to Assistant Athletic Director for Sports
back (2007-08 and 2008-09) Peach Belt Conference Athletic
Medicine prior to the 2009-10 athletic year.
Training Staff of the Year awards.
A 1997 graduate of Saint Andrews Presbyterian College in
Aiken, who resides in Graniteville, is married to Malinda and
Laurinburg, N.C., Aiken received his Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine. Aiken is certified by the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
the couple has a son, Liam.
Team Preview The University of South Carolina Aiken women’s cross country team has the most experience the program has seen in recent years. With four seniors, a redshirtjunior and a redshirt-sophomore, the squad, under the direction of fourth-year head coach Kara Kreutzer, understands what it will take in order to continue its recent progress over the last few seasons. The team has five regular-season meets, including the USC Aiken Invitational on Oct. 24 at 5:30 p.m. The Pacers open the 2014 campaign at the Bobcat Invitational on Friday, Sept. 12. Eight days later, the team travels to Augusta, Ga., where it will partake in the Jaguar Invitational before heading to North Georgia for a meet Sept. 27. After an Oct. 11 meet at the Royal Challenge, Kreutzer’s team hosts the USC Aiken Invitational, marking the third time during her tenure the Pacers have hosted a meet. “We should run fast on our home course as we are familiar with it,” Kreutzer said. “There will be a lot of good competition at the meet that includes teams from our region and teams outside our region.” The meet also marks the last regular-season competition for USC Aiken. The Pacers head to Augusta, Ga., for the Peach Belt Conference Championship Nov. 8 before traveling to Montevallo for the NCAA Southeast Regional Championship Nov. 22. Despite the loss of Keely Gillespie and Lauren Hodge to graduation, Kreutzer has a wealth of talent and experience returning in addition to a strong incoming class. “Colleen Cirillo has had very little cross country experience,” Kreutzer said. “However, she dropped over one minute off her 6k-time over the course of a season. “Alexis Harvin is likely to be our lead runner,” Kreutzer mentioned. “She came from a strong track background with very little cross country experience. Alexis steadily improved each season and last year she dropped almost a minute off her time over the course of the season.
“Brittany May has improved each season,” Kreutzer stated. “She dropped two minutes during one season on the same 6k-course and should have a solid senior season. “Kayla Millholland dropped almost three minutes off her 6k time from the pre-conference meet to the league meet at Georgia Southwestern last season,” Kreutzer stated. “She’s been working really hard in the off-season and I’m hoping to pick up where she left off from her training. “Abigail Sorrenson’s potential is very high as she ran a personal-best 26-minute 6k prior to transferring from Converse,” Kreutzer said. “It will be interesting to see what she can do now that she’s eligible after sitting out a season ago due to transferring. Abigail is a strong leader and wants to continue with that role this season. “Samantha Lisek, a redshirt-sophomore, is returning from an injury but is showing a lot of promise,” Kreutzer stated. “I think she will pick up where she left off her training but I’ll keep her mileage low to prevent another injury. “Kyah Owusu is a freshman from Locust Grove, Ga.,” Kreutzer said. “She has a strong track background from high school and runs a high 24-minute 5k. Kyah has great potential to harness that speed and increase her endurance, which will help her drop her 5k times.” Kreutzer knows that it is tough to prevent burnout across a long season – and the 2014 season is two weeks longer than just a season ago. However, she wants to challenge the team while keeping them healthy. “This year we want to improve on our team finish at the conference and regional meets,” Kreutzer said. “We really want to close the gap on the top five runners, which will help us in getting a better team score.” Should the Pacers continue improving over the course of the season like Kreutzer knows they can, the squad should peak at the right time and will see great results in 2014.
Roster 
Name
Class
Hometown/Previous School
Colleen Cirillo
Sr.
Fort Mill, S.C. / Nation Ford H.S.
Alexis Harvin
Sr.
Las Animas, Colo. / Las Animas H.S.
Samantha Lisek
r-So.
Zebulon, N.C. / East Wake Academy
Brittany May
Sr.
Augusta, Ga. / Greenbrier H.S.
Kayla Millholland
Sr.
Hampton, Ga. / Luella H.S.
Kyah Owusu
Fr.
Locust Grove, Ga. / Locust Grove H.S.
Abigail Sorrenson
Sr.
Galion, Ohio / Fort Dorchester H.S.
The Coach Kara Kreutzer Head Coach
Kara Kreutzer enters her fourth season in charge of Pacer cross
Kreutzer’s first year as the head of the Pacers in 2011 was a
country in 2014.
successful one.
Kreutzer guided the Pacers to a memorable season in 2013,
The Pacers hosted the 2011 Peach Belt Conference Cross
registering four top-five finishes and another top-10 effort.
Country Championship at Pacer Path. USC Aiken finished
She guided Keely Gillespie to all-conference and all-region
eighth in the competition and would go on to finish 25th at the
accolades while completing her career as the most domiant
NCAA Southeast Regional.
runner in school history.
Gillespie led the way for the Pacers by finishing 14th at the
Kreutzer coached Gillespie to the top three 5k times in school
PBC Championship. She earned All-Conference laurels via her
history and the top-five 6k times in the program’s history while
14th-place finish.
claiming three individual championships.
USC Aiken athletic director Randy Warrick announced in March
USC Aiken closed out its second season under Kreutzer in 2012
of 2011 that Kreutzer had been appointed as the new Pacer
having finished in the top-10 in three out of its five meets.
head women’s cross country coach.
The best finish of the year for USC Aiken came by USC Aiken
Warrick noted at the time of Kreutzer’s addition that “She has
winning the 5K Francis Marion Invitational on Sept. 14 at the
been a part of a great cross country program at Augusta State
Freedom Florence Recreational Complex.
and she will bring good knowledge and experience as a former
The team victory was the first for the Pacers since claiming the
collegiate runner to USC Aiken.”
team title at the Siemens Technologies/USCB Invitational in
Previously Kreutzer spent a year as a student assistant coach
2007. USC Aiken now has four team meet victories in program
for the men’s and women’s cross country teams. A December
history.
2010 graduate of Augusta State with a Bachelor’s of Science
Gillespie picked up her first career individual meet win in the
in Biology, Kreutzer ran cross country and track for the PBC
Francis Marion Invitational. Gillespie would go on to set USC
institution.
Aiken’s new 6K mark by claiming a time of 23:24.2 in the NCAA
Kreutzer was consistently a top five scorer for the Jaguar cross
Division II Southeast Region Championship at McAlpine Creek
country program under the direction of Adam Ward. Kreutzer
Park in Charlotte. For her efforts, Gillespie was tabbed to the
claimed all-academic honors in 2007 and 2008, while also
all-Southeast region team for the first time in her career.
being named to the PBC Presidential Honor Roll after the
2007-08 athletic year. Kreutzer was also a member of Augusta
director for the Glazes of Glory 5K. The event benefitted the
State’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee all four years.
Make-A-Wish foundation. Last summer, she was the road
An extremely well-rounded individual, Kreutzer was a member
race director for the Grassroots series, which benefitted the
of many other organizations during her time at Augusta State.
Augusta State cross country teams.
She was a member of the Biology Club, the Tri-Beta Biology
Still an avid runner, Kreutzer continues to run half marathons,
Honor Society and the Chemistry Club. Kreutzer was also a
marathons, half Ironman competitions in addition to road
Student Ambassador Board member and a member of the Iota
races. In May of 2014, Kreutzer earned her Master’s in clinical
Pi Chapter of Alpha Mu Gamma.
psychology from USC Aiken.
Through the years, Kreutzer has participated in several mission trips and has been the road race director for multiple causes. In February of 2010, she was the charity road race
The Players Colleen Cirillo Quick Facts
Bio
Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Fort Mill, S.C.
Previous School:
Nation Ford H.S.
2013: Recorded a 90th-place finish at the Pre-Conference Meet after crossing the line in 31:02.41 … Earned a 40th-place finish in a time of 28:43.8 at the Bobcat Invitational … Took 44th at the Jaguar Invitational with a time of 35:13.93 … Placed 27th at the BridgestonePacer Invitational … Was 27th at the FMU Invitational after finishing in 26:24.44 … Recorded a time of 30:54.33, taking 81st at the Peach Belt Conference Championship … Placed 202nd at the NCAA Southeast Region Championship in a time of 30:40.2. High School: Attended Nation Ford High School. Personal: Daughter of William and Margaret Cirillo … Has four siblings – Craig, Brian, Jaclyn and Eric … Majoring in nursing.
Alexis Harvin Quick Facts
Bio
Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Law Animas, Colo.
Previous School:
Las Animas H.S.
2013: Placed 66th with a time of 27:23.49 at the PreConference Meet … Earned a 19th-place finish at the Bobcat Invitational in a time of 24:05.3 … Recorded a 21st-place effort at the Jaguar Invitational after finishing in 29:28.43 … Garnered a 12th-place finish after crossing in 22:42.21 the Bridgestone-Pacer Invitational … Posted an eighth-place finish at the FMU Invitational with a time of 21:52.06 … Took 69th at the Peach Belt Conference Championship after finishing in 25:41.65 … Registered a 141st-place finish at the NCAA Southeast Region Championship after finishing in 26:30.2. 2012: Honored as a PBC Honorable Mention All-Academic selection … Finished 12th in the team victory at the Francis Marion Invitational on Sept. 14 … Picked up 64th place finish at the 6K Falcon Classic Pre-Conference race on Sept. 22 … Finished 40th in the Jaguar Invitational at Blanchard Woods Park on Oct. 5 … Earned a 74th place finish at the Peach Belt Conference Cross Country Championship on Oct. 20 … Finished 148th at the NCAA Division II Southeast Region Championship on Nov. 3 with her best 6K time of the year at 27:27.1. 2011: Started her career as a Pacer with a 21st place finish in the Gamecock Invitational, with a time of 25:09.33 … Was one of three Pacers to finish in the top-20 at the Erskine College Invitational, registering a time of 19:18, good for 18th place … Ran a time of 26:57.10 in her first home meet of the season on the Pacer Path at the Bridgestone-Pacer Invitational … Placed in all seven Pacer meets in 2011. Las Animas High School: Ran track, played basketball and volleyball in high school ... President of National Honor Society ... Secretary Treasurer of her high school Student Council ... Valedictorian of her high school class. Personal: Majoring in Biology ... Alexis is the daugther of Ernest Harvin and Darlene Lucero.
Brittany May Quick Facts Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Augusta, Ga.
Previous School:
Greenbrier H.S.
Bio 2013: Recorded a 75th-place finish at the Pre-Conference Meet with a time of 28:15.56 … Finished 23rd at the Bobcat Invitational after crossing in 24:52.2 … Posted a time of 32:22.45 at the Jaguar Invitational to place 38th … Was third on the team and 18th overall the Bridgestone-Pacer Invitational after a time of 23:56.34 … Notched a 12th-place finish at the FMU Invitational with a time of 22:20.92 … Placed 73rd at the Peach Belt Conference Championship with a time of 26:34.74 … Took 179th at the NCAA Southeast Region Championship after finishing in 28:24.4. 2012: Earned PBC Honorable Mention All-Academic plaudits … Finished in the top-10 at the Francis Marion Invitational on Sept. 14 … Earned a 77th place finish at the 6K Falcon Classic Pre-Conference race on Sept. 22 … Picked up a 44th place finish at the Jaguar Invitational on Oct. 5 and improved her 6K time … Knocked two minutes off her 6K time finishing 78th at the Peach Belt Conference Cross Country Championship on Oct. 20 … Posted best 6K time of the season at the NCAA Division II Southeast Region Championship on Nov. 3. 2011: Competed in six meets in her first season as a Pacer … Logged a 16th place finish in her first race of the season at the Gamecock Invite, completing the course in a time of 23:28.20 … Registered a sub-20 minute time (19:31) in the Pacers next race at the Erskine College Invitational … May’s best time of the year came at the Bridgestone-Pacer Invitational, where she conquered the 6K in a time of 27:57.20 … Completed three of the four 6K events in under 30 minutes. Greenbrier High School: Was a member of the track and cross country programs at Greenbrier ... Member of National Honor Society, serving as Secretary ... Also member of Beta Club ... Received the Wolfpack Award at Greenbrier. Personal: Majoring in Secondary Education ... Brittany is the daughter of Drew May and Annette Dixon.
Kayla Millholland Quick Facts Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Hampton, Ga.
Previous School:
Luella H.S.
Bio 2013: Finished 81st at the Pre-Conference Meet after crossing the line in 29:23.82 … Garnered a 31st-place effort at the Bobcat Invitational in a time of 25:58.8 … Earned a 31st-place finish at the Jaguar Invitational with a time of 30:51.29 … Notched a time of 24:32.84 to take 16th the Bridgestone-Pacer Invitational … Placed 13th at the FMU Invitational with a time of 22:27.03 … Recorded a time of 26:43.19 to take 74th at the Peach Belt Conference Championship … Completed the 6k course at the NCAA Southeast Region Championship in 29:19.4, which was good enough for 190th. 2012: Placed fourth at the Francis Marion Invitational on Sept. 14 … Finished 50th overall and second on the Pacers, running her best 6K time of the year, at the 6K Falcon Classic PreConference race on Sept. 22 … Picked up a 37th place finish overall, second on the team, at the Jaguar Invitational on Oct. 5 … Placed 75th at the Peach Belt Conference Cross Country Championship on Oct. 20 … Finished 158th at the NCAA Division II Southeast Region Championship on Nov. 3. 2011: Competed in all seven races in her first season at USC Aiken … Placed in the top-20 of the Gamecock Invitational, along with fellow teammates Keely Gillespie and Brittany May, with a time of 24:42.16, good enough for a 19th place finish … Placed in the top-third of finishers at the Erskine College Invitational with a time of 18:04 … Had the second best time (27:44.80) for the Pacers in the Jaguar Invitational … Registered her best 6K time of the season in the BridgestonePacer Invitational with a mark of 26:55.80. Luella High School: Member of the cross country and soccer teams at Luella ... Named All-Region and All-County in soccer ... Finished first in the region in cross country ... All-Region and All-County in cross country all four years ... Most Valuable Player on Luella soccer team. Personal: Majoring in Exercise and Sports Science ... Kayla is the daughter of Chuck and Wanda Hawkins.
Abigail Sorrenson Quick Facts
Bio
Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Galion, Ohio
2013: Redshirted.
Previous School: Fort Dorchester H.S.
Converse: Ran cross country at Converse College … Helped her team to a third-place finish at the conference meet … Posted a personal-best time of 20:38.95. High School: Four-year letterwinner at Fort Dorchester High School … Three-time all-Northern Ohio League honoree … Two-time first-team all-NOL … Established two school records … Two-time winner of the Coaches’ Award. Personal: Daughter of Scott and Stephanie Sorrenson … Majoring in primary education.
Samantha Lisek Quick Facts
Bio
Class:
r-Sophomore
Hometown:
Zebulon, N.C.
Previous School:
East Wake Academy
2013: Redshirted. 2012: Opened the season finishing 15th at the Francis Marion Invitational on Sept. 14 in the team victory … Finished 74th at the 6K Falcon Classic Pre-Conference Race on Sept. 22 … Followed that by finishing 44th at the Jaguar Invitational on Oct. 5 … Recorded a 76th place finish in the Peach Belt Conference Cross Country Championship on Oct. 20 … Posted best 6K time of the year at 27:52.6 at the NCAA Division II Southeast Region Championship on Nov. 3. East Wake Academy: Was Team Captain of the Eagles cross country program for three years ... Was President of Student Government for all four years ... Member of the National Honor Society and a North Carolina Scholar ... Awarded the American Legion Citizenship Award and the Principal’s Award. Personal: Majoring in Exercise and Sports Science ... Samantha is the daughter of Joseph and Lisa Lisek.
Kyah Owusu Bio
Quick Facts Class:
Freshman
Hometown:
Locust Grove, Ga.
Previous School:
Locust Grove H.S.
High School: Attended Locust Grove H.S. ... Four-year letterwinnerin track and field ... Two-time letterwinner in cross country ... Also played basketball ... Posted a time of 24:56.50 in the 5k as a senior ... Garnered a 100m hurdle time of 16.85 as a sophomore. Personal: Kyah Nan-Ama Owusu is the daughter of Neequaye and Ronay Wills ... Has three siblings, Kahlil, Jasmine and Jaden ... Majoring in exercise science.
The Archives 2013-14 Season Review The University of South Carolina Aiken cross country team had a solid campaign under the direction of head coach Kara Kreutzer with the help of a young team and outstanding senior leadership. The Pacers competed at five regular-season meets before entering conference and regional action. USC Aiken earned four top-five finishes and added another top-10 effort on the season. Kreutzer’s team opened the season in Americus, Ga., at the Pre-Conference Meet. There, senior Keely Gillespie posted a 14th-place finish after crossing in 23:56.04. Gillespie was the team’s top runner of the day, which she continued to be throughout the rest of the season. Alexis Harvin posted a second-place finish while Morgan Payne rounded out the top three place-winners for the USC Aiken squad. Less than a week later, the Pacers hit the course again, this time at the Georgia College Invitational. Once again, Gillespie led the pack of Pacers, but catapulted her effort into a top-five finish. The race was beneficial for the rest of the team as well since Alexis Harvin garnered a top-20 effort (19th) while Brittany May (23rd) and Payne (26th) posted top-30 efforts. Their times allowed USC Aiken to notch a fourth-place team finish at the event. On Sept. 20, Kreutzer’s team took the short trek to Augusta to compete in the Jaguar Invitational. Gillespie registered her second consecutive top-10
finish, this time placing sixth. Harvin, who was Kreutzer’s second runner in every race, narrowly missed another top-20 time, posting a 21st-place finish while Payne was 28th. Kayla Millholland, who continued to improve throughout the season, took 31st. The Pacers took a week off to rest for their one home meet of the season, which was Oct. 4. The squad placed third in a highly competitive field at the BridgestonePacer Invitational. Gillespie, trailing by 10 meters with just over 150 to go, overcame the deficit on the last hill to notch the winning time by less than two-tenths of a second. Harvin placed 12th while May snagged an 18th-place finish. Millholland and Lauren Hodge were 20th and 21st, respectively. Colleen Cirillo, who lowered her personal-best time by nearly a minute on the season, registered a 27th-place effort. Gillespie was not done with her winning effort. Two weeks later, she won the FMU Invitational for the second consecutive season. Harvin snagged an eighth-place finish while May recorded a 12th-place time. Millholland (13th), Payne (14th) and Hodge (18th) all posted top-20 finishes in preparation of the Peach Belt Conference Championship. At the conference meet, Gillespie earned second-team all-conference honors by earning an 11th-place finish. Her time in the 6k event was a school record. Hodge was also honored at the meet, earning a spot on the all-sportsmanship team.
The Pacers placed 25th at the Southeast Region Championship. Collectively, the squad was led by Gillespie, who earned all-region laurels. The regional marked the last time that Gillespie and Hodge would compete for the Pacers in their illustrious careers. Gillespie closed out her career by owning the top five 6k times in school history along with the top three 5k times. She won three individual titles in her four years with the Pacers. With such a talented group returning, Kreutzer’s 2014 team should be able to continue on the success that was laid before them by the graduating senior class.
Record Book
School Records Best Time (5K)
Top Five Times (6K)
Runner
Time
Meet
Runner
Time
Meet
Keely Gillespie
19:34
Lenoir-Rhyne Invitational (2010)
Keely Gillespie
22:21.59
2013 PBC Championship
Keely Gillespie
23:05.1
2013 NCAA Southeast Regional
Keely Gillespie
23:24
2012 NCAA Southeast Regional
Meet
Keely Gillespie
23:40
2012 PBC Championship
2012 NCAA Southeast Regional
Keely Gillespie
23:42
2011 NCAA Southeast Regional
Best Time (6K) Runner
Time
Keely Gillespie 23:24
Individual Meet Wins
Team Meet Wins
Runner
Meet
Keely Gillespie
Francis Marion Invitational (2013)
Keely Gillespie
Bridgestone-Pacer Invitational (2013)
2001
Keely Gillespie
Francis Marion Invitational (2012)
Nicole Maitland
Blue Hose Invitational (2008)
2000
Nicole Maitland
Siemens Technologies/USCB Invitational (dual meet) (2007)
Marcie Milner
ASICS/Winthrop Invitational (2006)
Meet
Year
Francis Marion Invitational
2012
Siemens Technologies/USCB Invitational (dual meet)
2007
12th Annual Patriot Cross Country Festival (dual meet) Augusta State University (dual meet)
Top Five Times (5K) Runner
Time
Meet
Keely Gillespie
19:34
Lenoir-Rhyne Invitational (2010)
Keely Gillespie
19:39
Francis Marion Invitational (2013)
Keely Gillespie
19:44
Charlotte Invitational (2011)
Nicole Maitland 19:47
Blue Hose Invitational (2008)
Marcie Milner
USC Gamecock Invitational (2006)
19:57
Kelley Shemansky 12th Annual Patriot Cross Country Festival (dual meet) (2001) Sarah Estrada
Augusta State (dual meet) (2000)
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