Samantha Lisek
Amanda Bruneio
Kyah Owusu 2015 USC Aiken Cross Country
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Table of Contents 02 USC Aiken Info About the Conference About USC Aiken Meet the Staff
10 The Season Season Preview Team Photo Roster
12 The Coach Kara Kreutzer
14 The Players Seniors Juniors Sophomores Freshmen
20 The Archives 2014 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 2015 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 Hager and CSI Photography. The guide was designed by Cody Keisler. A special thanks to head coach Kara Kreutzer for her assisstance with the publication.
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2015 USC Aiken Cross Country
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.
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This is USC Aiken
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
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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.
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Meet the Staff Dr. Sandra Jordan University Chancellor
Sandra J. Jordan, former provost and vice president for academic
Jordan’s appointment marks a return to the state where her higher
affairs at Georgia College & State University, was named
education career began. From 1986-1989, she was an assistant
chancellor of the University of South Carolina Aiken in 2012.
professor of art history at Lander University and director of the
Jordan became the fourth chancellor of USC Aiken, succeeding Thomas L. Hallman who retired after 12 years in the position. “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
Monsanto Gallery of Art. Jordan earned her bachelor’s degree in art from the University of Alabama, and her doctorate in art history from the 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.
working closely with President Pastides, the USC Aiken faculty,
Jordan has been married for 30 years to Michael Jordan, an
staff and students as well as our alumni and friends to build upon
architect and graduate of Clemson University. They have a son,
the successes that defined this university’s first 50 years.”
Matthew, who is a doctoral student in electrical engineering at
I am tremendously honored and humbled by this opportunity to serve the campus, community and the University of South Carolina system.
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2015 USC Aiken Cross Country
Georgia Tech.
Randy Warick Athletic Director
Randy Warrick is in his 29th year as Director of Athletics at the
While earning his master’s degree, he served as a graduate
University of South Carolina Aiken. He was hired at USCA in
assistant baseball coach. In the same season, the team advanced
1978 as head baseball coach and intramural director and has
to the College World Series.
served many different duties during his tenure.
Warrick is a member of the College Athletic Management’s
While coaching baseball for 11 years, Warrick also served as an
Editorial Board, PBC Awards Committee, NCAA Division II
assistant basketball coach during the 1978-79 season and acting
AD’s Association Board of Directors, Greater Augusta Sports
golf coach in 1989-90.
Council Board, and is the most recent past chairman of the
As baseball coach, Warrick compiled a 392-146 record, while
NCAA Division II National Golf Committee.
earning various coaching awards. In 1986 his team advanced to
Warrick is married to Martha Blankenship Warrick of Augusta,
the College World Series, the highlight of his coaching career.
Ga. They have one son, Tripp, who graduated from USC Aiken.
Warrick was born in Rocky Mount, N.C. and attended Rocky
The Warrick family resides in North Augusta, S.C.
Mount High School. He was an All-Conference player in 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 Education in 1977 and then his Master of Arts in Teaching in 1978.
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Tim Hall
Associate Athletic Director
Tim Hall is in his 25th 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 to
In his time at USC Aiken, Hall has been on a number of campus
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 three
In this role, Hall oversees NCAA compliance and academic
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 16th year as a member of the USC Aiken
received her Master’s in Business Administration from the
athletic department. Osbon became the department’s business
University of South Carolina.
manager in 1999. Through the years she has earned a number
In 2002, Osbon was named student organization advisor of the
of other titles, including Senior Woman Administrator, Student Athlete Advisory Committee Advisor and Cheerleading, Mascot and Dance Team Director. In 2007, Osbon received the Outstanding Commitment to Student Development Award from the Office of Student Life. In September 2003, the Aiken, S.C., native was promoted to 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
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2015 USC Aiken Cross Country
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 orientation. The former Angie Mathis is married to Rick Osbon and they have three children, Reagan, Gemma and Sterling.
Brent Hager
Assistant Athletic Director
Brent C. Hager is in his third year as the Assistant Athletic
volleyball and men’s basketball. Hager spent two and a half years
Director for Communications/Sports Information Director at
at Gardner-Webb as the Assistant Sports Information Director
USC Aiken.
and handled 13 sports in his time there. He also spent two years
Hager comes to USC Aiken after serving as the Associate
at Virginia Tech as an intern in the sports information office
Commissioner for External Affairs at the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference where he handled the
where he handled all media requests for the nationally-ranked men’s soccer program and the school’s only national champion at
promotion of all 16 sports. During his time at the WVIAC Hager
the time. Hager got his start at UNC-Pembroke in 2002.
featured the league’s only two Division II National Champions
The Tallahassee, Fla., native attended Wingate University
and a National Player of the Year. In addition, he ran multiple
where he received a bachelors of science degree in business
championships and redesigned the WVIAC web site. Prior to
administration and sport management. He earned an MBA at
the WVIAC, Hager spent two years as the Director of Sports
UNC-Pembroke in 2004.
Information and Game Operations at Presbyterian College and was the primary contact for eight sports, including football,
Brandon Aiken
Assistant Athletic Director Brandon Aiken is in his 16th year as head athletic trainer and
Aiken also served as assistant and head athletic trainer at
17th overall at USC Aiken.
Hitchcock Rehabilitation Center in Aiken, S.C., for more
Aiken, a native of Sturgeon Bay, Wis., joined the USC Aiken
than three years. At Hitchcock, he worked with high school,
training staff in 1997 as a graduate assistant. He served in that
college, and professional athletes as well as general outpatient
capacity for three years until stepping into the head position in
rehabilitation.
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 the
Laurinburg, N.C., Aiken received his Bachelor of Science in
couple has a son, Liam.
Sports Medicine. Aiken is certified by the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
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Team Preview The University of South Carolina Aiken cross country team is one of the youngest in the region with just three returners from the 2014 squad. However, fifth-year head coach Kara Kreutzer is excited about the 2015 season as the team has unlimited potential. Kreutzer has three returners from last year’s team, including redshirt-junior Samantha Lisek and sophomores Amanda Bruenio and Kyah Owusu. Departed are five student-athletes that graduated off of last year’s team. Lisek overcame an injury that forced her to miss the 2013 season. She finished seventh at the USC Aiken Invitational and ran in six meets in 2014. “I’m eagerly looking forward to her role as a leader on this team,” Kreutzer said. “I hope she’ll be able to reach her full potential after coming back from an injury.” Bruneio, a sophomore, walked onto the team after the season started in 2014, but proved to be a valuable asset. Her best finish was a fourth-place effort at the USC Aiken Invitational. “Amanda will have a really great season this year,” Kreutzer stated. “She had excellent performances as a freshman and her training is going well right now, so we should see even better times this year.” Owusu, a fellow second-year runner, had a strong background coming out of Locust Grove H.S. She had a solid rookie campaign that saw her best finish at the USC Aiken Invitational where Owusu placed eighth. “Kyah is still adjusting to cross country training,” Kreutzer said. “She did well as a freshman and I see her improving on her times again this season.” Brooke Inman is a newcomer to the team, but is a junior. “Brooke is a current student who decided to come out for the team,” Kreutzer mentioned. “She is a recreational runner who doesn’t have high school experience, but she trained with former USC Aiken cross country runners. Her passion and enthusiasm will carry her far.” Makayla Dudley and Amber Laughinghouse are also newcomers that were already enrolled at USC Aiken. Both are currently sophomores.
Brook Thomas is another newcomer to the mix for USC Aiken. “Brook is a local student-athlete that had a good senior cross country season,” Kreutzer stated. “I hope she transitions well to her collegiate running as her effort over the summer has been very successful. Brook has a solid foundation that will allow her to build off it immediately.” The Pacers have only four meets during the regular season. However, the team has plenty of time to become a more consistent squad than a year ago. USC Aiken opens its campaign at the Bobcat Classic in Milledgeville, Ga., on Sept. 4. “This is a quality meet for us to open the season with,” Kreutzer said. “It gives our team a chance to compete against conference opponents.” Two weeks later, the team hits the road for the 2nd Annual North Georgia Invitational (Pre-Conference Meet). “I feel good about this meet since our returners have competed here before,” Kreutzer stated. “We know the course and running it again will allow the student-athletes to become accustomed to it for the PBC Championship.” The Pacers host their meet on Friday, Oct. 2. Last year, the squad won the USC Aiken Invitational by a wide margin. “This season, we have some quality conference and non-conference opponents coming to our meet,” Kreutzer said. “Running in front of a home crowd allows our fans to watch us – as they don’t always get to due to how far away some of our meets are. Running in front of our crowd always pumps up the team and gives the Pacers a little bit more of a boost.” On Oct. 16, USC Aiken participates in the Francis Marion Invitational. “The course is a nice, shaded and scenic,” Kreutzer mentioned. “We hope to run fast times here, just like we’ve done in the past. This will give us a gauge of where we are and where we need to be for the PBC Championship. This meet comes at a great time as it is a good tune-up for the conference meet.” On Oct. 24, the Pacers return to North Georgia for the PBC Championship.
“Makayla comes from a track background with little distance-running experience,” Kreutzer said. “However, her times on a two-mile time trial have led me to believe she has good endurance and speed. Makayla will be a valuable asset to the team.
“It is always a very competitive meet,” Kreutzer said. “It’s good that our returners have run here before and we will have competed in the North Georgia Invitational earlier in the season. Running a course for the second time in a season will allow us to be more prepared.”
“Amber is a very enthusiastic, hard worker,” Kreutzer stated. “She doesn’t have high school experience, but has been a dedicated runner. Being a multi-sport student-athlete should also help Amber this season.”
The team will then compete at the NCAA Southeast Regional Championship in Wingate, N.C., on Nov. 7.
Bethany Fordham is a freshman from Groton, Mass. She was a four-year letterwinner in track and a two-year letterwinner in cross country.
“Unfortunately for our runners, we won’t see the course until the day before,” Kreutzer stated. “We will prepare by running on our course and over similar terrain, but we want to improve off of last year’s finish.”
“Bethany had an overuse injury in high school, but she has bounced back well from it,” Kreutzer said. “With some smart training, Bethany will reach her full potential at USC Aiken.”
Should the Pacers continue to improve throughout the season, Kreutzer should be able to guide her team to a strong finish at the PBC Championship and the NCAA Southeast Regional Championship.
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Roster 
Name Amanda Bruenio Makayla Dudley Bethany Fordham Brooke Inman Amber Laughinghouse Samantha Lisek Kyah Owusu Brook Thomas
Cl. So. So. Fr. Jr. So. r-Jr. So. Fr.
Hometown/Previous School Cheraw, S.C. / Cheraw H.S. Moncks Corner, S.C. / Cane Bay H.S. Groton, Mass. / Groton-Dunstable Regional H.S. Aiken, S.C. / Aiken H.S. Edgefield, S.C. / Strom Thurmond H.S. Zebulon, N.C. / East Wake Academy Locust Grove, Ga. / Locust Grove H.S. Ehrhardt, S.C. / Bamberg-Ehrhardt H.S.
Head Coach: Kara Kreutzer (5th Season)
2015 USC Aiken Cross Country
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The Coach Kara Kreutzer Head Coach
Kara Kreutzer enters her fifth season at the helm of the USC
Aiken’s new 6K mark by claiming a time of 23:24.2 in the NCAA
Aiken cross country team.
Division II Southeast Region Championship at McAlpine Creek
She led the team to the best finish in the program’s history as the
Park in Charlotte. For her efforts, Gillespie was tabbed to the
squad won the USC Aiken Invitational by claiming the top five
all-Southeast region team for the first time in her career.
positions. Kreutzer’s team recorded four top-10 finishes on the
Kreutzer’s first year as the head of the Pacers in 2011 was a
season.
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. She
Country Championship at Pacer Path. USC Aiken finished
guided Keely Gillespie to all-conference and all-region accolades
eighth in the competition and would go on to finish 25th at the
while completing her career as the most dominant runner in
NCAA Southeast Regional.
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 head
having finished in the top-10 in three out of its five meets.
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 for
2007. USC Aiken now has four team meet victories in program
the men’s and women’s cross country teams. A December 2010
history.
graduate of Augusta State with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology,
Gillespie picked up her first career individual meet win in the
Kreutzer ran cross country and track for the PBC institution.
Francis Marion Invitational. Gillespie would go on to set USC
Kreutzer was consistently a top five scorer for the Jaguar cross
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2015 USC Aiken Cross Country
country program under the direction of Adam Ward. Kreutzer
Through the years, Kreutzer has participated in several mission
claimed all-academic honors in 2007 and 2008, while also being
trips and has been the road race director for multiple causes.
named to the PBC Presidential Honor Roll after the 2007-08
In February of 2010, she was the charity road race director for
athletic year. Kreutzer was also a member of Augusta State’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee all four years.
the Glazes of Glory 5K. The event benefitted the Make-A-Wish foundation. Last summer, she was the road race director for
An extremely well-rounded individual, Kreutzer was a member
the Grassroots series, which benefitted the Augusta State cross
of many other organizations during her time at Augusta State.
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 Student Ambassador Board member and a member of the Iota Pi Chapter of Alpha Mu Gamma.
marathons, half Ironman competitions in addition to road races. In May of 2014, Kreutzer earned her Master’s in clinical psychology from USC Aiken.
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The Players Samantha Lisek Bio
Quick Facts Class:
r-Jr.
Hometown:
Zebulon, N.C.
Previous School:
East Wake Academy
2014: Took 51st place at the Bobcat Invitational after crossing the line in 17:32 … Was 94th at the Jaguar Invitational after finishing in 31:32.56 … Notched a time of 25:51.5 at the Royals Challenge … Recorded a seventh-place finish with a time of 25:43 at the USC Aiken Invitational … Garnered an 80th-place effort in a time of 29:51.56 at the PBC Championship … Crossed the finish line in 33:52.50 for 169th at the NCAA Southeast Regional. 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.
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2015 USC Aiken Cross Country
Amanda Bruenio Bio
Quick Facts Class:
So.
Hometown:
Cheraw, S.C.
Previous School:
Cheraw H.S.
2014: Posted a time of 23:02.8 for 165th place at the Royals Challenge … Placed fourth at the USC Aiken Invitational after finishing in 23:51 … Garnered a time of 27:01.68 to place 74th at the PBC Championship … Ran a 27:15.86 for 143rd at the NCAA Southeast Regional. High School: Attended Cheraw H.S. … Three-time all-region honoree in cross country … Four-time all-region selection in track … Was a state finalist on the track team as a sophomore … Three-time team MVP for cross country … Team MVP once for track … Posted a 20:59 5k time … Owns a 1,600m time of 5:50 and a 3,200m time of 12:26 … Scholar-athlete award winner. Personal: Amanda Elaine Bruneio was born on May 26, 1995 in Newport News, Va. … Daughter of Daniel and Amy Bruneio … Majoring in biology.
2015 USC Aiken Cross Country
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Kyah Owusu Bio
Quick Facts Class:
So.
Hometown:
Locust Grove, Ga.
Previous School:
Locust Grove H.S.
2014: Finished 52nd at the Bobcat Invitational … Notched a time of 30:30.11 at the Jaguar Invitational, crossing in 85th place … Registered a time of 28:32.2 at the Royals Challenge … Earned an eighth-place finish at the USC Aiken Invitational after finishing in 25:58 … Garnered a time of 29:48.09 to take 79th at the PBC Championship … Registered a time of 33:21.73 for 168th at the NCAA Southeast Regional. 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.
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2015 USC Aiken Cross Country
Brook Inman Bio
Quick Facts
High School: Attended Aiken H.S.
Class:
Jr.
Hometown:
Aiken, S.C.
Personal: Brooke Inman is the daughter of Bill and Mimi Inman
Previous School:
Aiken H.S.
... Has two siblings, Mimi and William ... Majoring in nursing.
2015 USC Aiken Cross Country
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Makayla Dudley Bio
Quick Facts
High School: Attended Cane Bay H.S.
Class:
So.
Hometown:
Moncks Corner, S.C.
Personal: Makayla Marie Dudley was born July 4, 1996 in
Previous School:
Cane Bay H.S.
Charleston, S.C. ... Daughter of Michael and Roberta Dudley ... Has three brothers ... Majoring in chemistry.
Amber Laughinghouse Bio
Quick Facts
High School: Attended Strom Thurmond H.S.
Class:
So.
Hometown:
Edgefield, S.C.
Personal: Amber Laughinghouse was born August 1, 1996 …
Previous School:
Strom Thurmond H.S.
Daughter of Lynn and Julia Laughinghouse … Has three younger siblings, Katelynn, Tori and Noah … Majoring in nursing.
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2015 USC Aiken Cross Country
Bethany Forhdam Quick Facts Class:
Fr.
Hometown:
Groton, Mass.
Previous School:
Groton-Dunstable Regional H.S.
Bio High School: Attended Groton Dunstable Regional H.S. ... Four-year letterwinner in track and two-year letterwinner in cross country ... Qualified for the divisional championship all four years for track and cross country ... Fourth in the league for the mile as a senior ... League all-star as a junior ... Captained the team as a senior. Personal: Bethany Charlotte Fordham was born July 5, 1997 in Cambridge, England ... Daughter of Jeremy and Roselyn Fordham ... Has three siblings, Nicholas, Olivia and Matthew ... Majoring in nursing.
Brooke Thomas Bio
Quick Facts Class:
Fr.
Hometown:
Ehrhardt, S.C.
Previous School:
Bamberg-Ehrhardt H.S.
High School: Attended Bamberg-Ehrhardt H.S. ... Four-time allregion selection for cross country ... Multi-sport student-athlete ... Won the region as a junior ... Finished in the top six in three events at the state meet as a senior ... Captained the cross country and track and field teams ... Awarded the Isaih Cann Athletic Scholarship. Personal: Aelxandra Brook Thomas was born Aug. 17, 1997 in Orangeburg, S.C. ... Daughter of Travis and Cara Thomas ... Has a younger brother, Kevin ... Majoring in exercise and sports science.
2015 USC Aiken Cross Country
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The Archives 2014 Season Review Under the direction of head coach Kara Kreutzer, the 2014 senior-laden squad produced another solid season for USC Aiken. Although it took a while for the team to come together, the Pacers registered one of the most impressive performances ever in NCAA competition – and the team became a huge building block for future Pacer cross country squads. Senior Alexis Harvin finished each of her races this season in similar fashion as Keely Gillespie did in 2013 – as the frontrunner for USC Aiken in every meet. Her ability to push forward, combined with the rest of the team running close to each other, helped the squad produce four top-10 finishes on the season.
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2015 USC Aiken Cross Country
The Pacers opened the season with three consecutive meets in the Peach State, starting with the Bobcat Invitational on Sept. 12. Kreutzer’s team posted a sixth-place finish at the season-opening meet against a talented field of competition. Harvin paced the team at the Bobcat Invitational by placing 26th. Fellow senior Kayla Millholland posted a 30th-place finish at the event. Kreutzer’s squad continued pushing forward, notching a 10th-place finish the following weekend at the Jaguar Invitational. Harvin once again was the first Pacer to cross the finish line and she was quickly followed by Millholland and May.
The North Georgia Invitational marked the third straight weekend that USC Aiken headed to Georgia and once again, the team finished with a top-10 performance, taking eighth. Harvin, Millholland and May completed the race first for the Pacers while rookie Kyah Owusu and Samantha Lisek were nearly right next to each other in the strong performance.
In a packed race at the Royals Challenge on Oct. 11, the Pacers recorded a 24th-place finish. Harvin was first, but she was quickly followed by Millholland, freshman Amanda Bruneio and May. Aside from regionals, no other meet had as many entries as the race at McAlpine Creek Park. Kreutzer’s squad had its lone home meet – the USC Aiken Invitational – on Friday, Oct. 24. Despite a pair of teams backing out, the Pacers were determined to put forth an excellent race in front of the home fans – and they did not disappoint. Tying a national record, five student-athletes crossed before any other team that day, giving the Pacers the lowest-possible score, which was 15. During the excellent race, Harvin earned her first collegiate victory on the 5k course. She finished nearly a minute ahead of the second-place runner, Millholland. Abigail Sorrenson, Bruneio and May rounded out the top five, becoming a part of history.
2015 USC Aiken Cross Country
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USC Aiken embarked on a trip to Fort Gordon for the second time in the season in order to compete at the Peach Belt Conference Championship. The squad garnered a 12th-place finish. Harvin completed the 6k course with a personal-best time of 25:19.99. Not far behind her was Millholland, who also raced past the finish line with a personal-best effort. Sorrenson posted a personal-best mark while May garnered a season-best effort. Owusu’s 6k time was a season-best mark for her as well. Despite a solid effort at the NCAA Southeast Regional Championship, the Pacers were unable to perform to their own expectations. Part of that was due to injuries that slowed the team down, but also because two were disqualified from the event. Kretuzer has a trio of solid returners in Bruenio, Lisek and Owusu. The three, in addition to the incoming class, should help the Pacers continue their ascent to the top of the ever-tough PBC and Southeast Regional. However, the 2015 team would not be able to compete on such a high level without the success – on and off the course – of the 2014 team.
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2015 USC Aiken Cross Country
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
Keely Gillespie
23:40
2012 PBC Championship
Keely Gillespie
23:42
2011 NCAA Southeast Regional
Best Time (6K) Runner
Time
Meet
Keely Gillespie
23:24
2012 NCAA Southeast Regional
Individual Meet Wins
Team Meet Wins Meet
Year
Runner
Meet
USC Aiken Invitational Francis Marion Invitational
2014 2012
Keely Gillespie
Francis Marion Invitational (2013)
Keely Gillespie
Bridgestone-Pacer Invitational (2013)
Siemens Technologies/USCB Invitational (dual meet)
2007
Keely Gillespie
Francis Marion Invitational (2012)
12th Annual Patriot Cross Country Festival (dual meet) 2001
Nicole Maitland
Blue Hose Invitational (2008)
Augusta State University (dual meet)
Nicole Maitland
Siemens Technologies/USCB Invitational (dual meet) (2007)
Marcie Milner
ASICS/Winthrop Invitational (2006)
Kelley Shemansky
12th Annual Patriot Cross Country Festival (dual meet) (2001)
Sarah Estrada
Augusta State (dual meet) (2000)
2000
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
19:57
USC Gamecock Invitational (2006)
2015 USC Aiken Cross Country
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2015 USC Aiken Cross Country
2015 USC Aiken Cross Country
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