Clemson’s cross country team kicked their season off at the Upstate Eye Opener in Spartanburg, South Carolina, this past Friday. The women took second place overall in the 5,000-meter, while the men grabbed third place in the 8,000-meter. The competition consisted of 18 teams, with 346 total competitors.
Newcomers Gladys Chepngetich and Caelin Sloan paced the women. Chepngetich, who joins the Tigers all the way from Kenya, sped her way to a 17:11.2 finish to earn runner-up honors. Sloan, the in-state freshman out of Florence, finished in 17:31.9, earning her ninth place overall. Sophomore Maddie Dinneen crossed the line in 17:58.0 to finish 16th, with senior Brynne Sumner just behind her at 18:08.20 to earn 18th and round out the Tigers in the top 20 finishers.
On the men’s side, sophomore Victor Ndiwa charged to a 24:22.9, just three seconds behind the first-place finisher. Senior Corentin Serbource was the next to cross, earning 14th place in 25:09.4.
The freshmen duo of Paul Maguire (25:18.0) and Brandon Garcia (25:18.9) paced each other all the way, finishing 19th and 20th overall.
It is worth noting that the Tigers will be back at the same course for the NCAA regional held on Nov. 10. Sumner remarked, “Our course in November will be a little bit longer… but it is great (that) we could scope it out and see what the course is all about.”
Although the Tigers do not have a scheduled competition this weekend, head coach Vicky Pounds is excited about the future of the Tigers’ distance squad.
“I feel like this was by far our best season opener for both men’s and women’s teams,” she said after the meet.
“I’m looking forward to what the season has in store.”
The Tigers will be back in action Saturday, Sept. 16. Join them on the drive to Greenville as they look to compete in the Furman Invitational at 9:15 a.m.
