SALISBURY, NC (October 18, 2021) – The Claflin University men’s and women’s cross-country teams looked sharp in their final regular season cross country meet of the season. The team headed to Salisbury, North Carolina to take part in the Livingstone Cross Country Invitational.
The Panthers were hampered by injury through the meet, but it gave the younger team members a chance to step things up. Sophomore Chandar Anderson had his best finish of the season when he placed 15th with a 35:50.0 in the men’s 8K run. Freshman Darius Holmes added a 20th place finish with a 36:59.0 and fellow freshman Clarence Smith added a 21st place finish with a 37:33.0.
The Lady Panthers continued to show improvement as the team heads closer to championship form as well. Freshman Madison McDonald earned her first top-ten placement of her career when she placed seventh with a 23:41.0 in the women’s 5K run. Senior Esther Chukwunwike placed 16th with a 24:37.0 to place 16th while senior Sky Buie-Cox placed 20th with a 25:05.0.
The two teams will now turn their focus towards the 2021 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Men’s and Women’s Cross-Country Championship Meet on October 27, 2021. The two teams will head to Salem, Virginia to compete for the conference title.