ANDERSON, S.C. – On the heels of the Anderson women's cross country team winning the USC Upstate Invitational and Mason Hazel claiming first place on the men's side less than a week ago, the Trojans are slated to compete in the Royals Challenge, which will be hosted by Queens Friday afternoon at McAlpine Creek Park in Charlotte, N.C.
Friday marks the final tune-up for the South Atlantic Conference Championships on Oct. 22, and will be the Trojans' third consecutive appearance, and sixth appearance in the last seven seasons at the Royals Challenge. The men's 8K event will start at 4:30 p.m., followed by the women's 5K race at 5:15 p.m.
The regionally fourth-ranked women's team claimed the top spot in Spartanburg, S.C., last weekend on the strength of placing four runners among the top-10 finishers. Junior Haylee Love's fifth-place finish paced the Black and Gold, with senior Olivia Gardner just behind in sixth place. Sophomore Abigail Bozarth crossed the line in eighth place, with junior Alex Dixon finishing ninth.
Senior Grace Gerlock crossed the finish line in 10th place, with sophomores Martha Coleman and Maddie Buddenberg finishing 11th and 13th respectively.
The Trojan women have seen a different runner pace the squad in each of their four events this season, with freshman Breck Jones, Dixon, Gardner and Love each taking the honor.
The men's squad remained sixth in the latest U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) latest rankings for the third consecutive week, after the team finished third and Hazel won the individual title in Spartanburg.
Teammate Ben Boerma posted a season-best at USC Upstate to claim sixth place, while freshman Brooks Hovis finished seventh.
Senior Jesse Patrick finished in 14th place, with fellow senior Michael Burch claiming 17th place. Sophomore John Drummond finished 23rd, while freshman Luke Horne finished in 31st place.
