ANDERSON, S.C. - With a pair of young, but talented teams that boast just four upperclassmen in their ranks, the Anderson University men's and women's cross country teams will open the 2014 season Saturday night at the Royals Twilight Meet in Charlotte, N.C.
The meet, hosted by second-year South Atlantic Conference-member Queens, will have a unique format, as the event is slated to start at 8:30 p.m., with a festive atmosphere surrounding the runners as they compete under the lights.
The Trojan women's squad, tabbed fourth in the SAC Coaches' Preseason Poll, is dominated by five sophomores who gained a wealth of experience a season ago. They will be led by senior Sydney Hazel and are joined by redshirt junior Devan Fisher and four talented freshmen that add quality depth to the team.
Hazel and sophomores Olivia Gardner and Bari Robinson paced the Trojan cross country efforts a season ago, while sophomores Grace Gerlock, Amber Worthy and Mia Swiersz all had breakout track seasons in the spring. Robinson nearly garnered All-South Atlantic Conference and all-freshman honors last season, while Gardner led the Trojan efforts in four meets.
Comparable to the women's squad, the Trojan men's team lists graduate student Westley Wilson and senior Joshua Visi-Clark among four sophomores and a freshman on the roster. Sophomore Ben Boerma is one of the harriers returning for his second season after pacing the Trojans at the Charlotte Invitational and nearly capturing all-freshman accolades at last season's South Atlantic Conference Championships.
This year marks the inaugural run under the lights in Charlotte,
but the Trojans are certainly familiar with the territory, having
competed seven times in the Queen City over the past three seasons,
including five events that were hosted by the Royals.
