9/6/2008

Gamecocks Race to Second at Eye Opener Invitational

The course was still shrouded in darkness, as the Gamecocks arrived at 6:30 a.m. for their 8:00 a.m. race at the Eye Opener Invitational. They toed the line with racers from 35 universities from throughout the southeast. Tropical Storm Hannah spared the course at the Milliken Center in Spartanburg. The course was dry and the temperature was 75 degrees when 1964 Gold Medalist Billy Mills triggered the starter's gun. Like a thundering herd of mustangs, over 300 runners took off. Freshman Beatrice Biwott forged her way into the lead at the 400 mark. She was joined by a small pack of four. The following pack of 30 included sophomore Ashley Evens and freshman Shannon Walls. The main Gamecock pack was farther back and starting to work their way towards the front of the race. more