Sept. 1, 2007

Columbia, SC - The Clemson women's cross country team opened its 2007 season on Friday at the Gamecock Invitational. The Lady Tiger program finished fourth overall out of 13 Division I schools. Two student-athletes, Laura Laughlin and Sunday Ford, placed in the top 10 individually at Hilton Field.

Charlotte won the team title at the meet with a total of 35 points. The 49ers were followed by College of Charleston (60) and South Carolina (83).

Laughlin earned a career-best finish with a fourth-place showing. She completed the 5K course with a time of 18:11.18, easily her best over a 5000m distance. Ford was eighth in the race with a time of 18:45.33, also a collegiate best for the Piedmont, SC native.

Lauren Klas, a sophomore, was the Lady Tigers' #3 finisher Friday with a 26th-place finish. She posted a time of 19:32.19. Maggie Bernard (30th) and Lisa Brown (38th) rounded out the scoring for Clemson. Bernard's time was 19:47.69, while Brown clocked in at 20:03.79.

The next action for the Lady Tigers will be Friday, September 7 at the Seahawk Invitational hosted by UNC Wilmington. The meet is scheduled for 6:30 PM.