Outhous Leads SMC Women's Cross Country at 2024 Adidas/Winthrop Cross Country Invitational

ROCK HILL, S.C. – The Spartanburg Methodist College women's cross country team resumed its 2024 season at the 2024 Adidas/Winthrop Cross Country Invitational on Friday. For the Pioneers, it was the first time on the season that they took part in a 6k course which is the same distance that they will see in the post season at the upcoming Continental Athletic Conference Championship and NAIA Championships. 

In a field of entirely NCAA Division I competition, the Pioneers were fifth overall with Sophia Outhous being the first across the finish line in a time of 25:37.9 en route to 18th place. Lauren Johnston of Appalachian State was the first of eight-straight runners for the Mountaineers, crossing the line in 21:43.1, 19 seconds ahead of her closest teammate.

For the Pioneers, the second runner was Bella Shields, who was 28^th in 29:19.9, followed by the third runner in Averi Vance in 29^th (29:56.8) and the fourth runner was Polly Addington in 31^st (31:42.1). Rounding out the lineup for SMC was Nsimire Bahongwehre (32^nd, 32:36.5), Anna Altman (33^rd, 34:49.8) and Victoria Freeman (38^th, 43:04.2) 

Next, SMC will take part in the NAIA Appalachian Challenge in Knoxville, Tennessee on Friday, October 25