Young Panthers Lead the Way at Koalas XC Challenge
MEN'S RESULTS
WOMEN'S RESULTS
COLUMBIA, SC - The Claflin University men's and women's cross country teams returned to the course, Saturday with some terrific performances at the 2021 Koala XC Classic. After a week to get healthy, the teams got look at the future of the program with some terrific performances by the younger members of both teams.
"The team ran well, the women's team was led by freshman
Madison McDonald, a freshman, in her first race of the year following some adversity early in the season," said Claflin Men's and Women's Cross Country Head Coach Garon Jackson. "The top four women look strong, but we need the fifth and sixth runners to step up."
Claflin freshman
Madison McDonald made the most of her debut on the course when she led the way for the Lady Panthers. She finished the women's 6K run with a 26:34.7 to lead the way for the Lady Panthers. Senior
Sky Buie-Cox added a 27:32.1 for the next top time for the Lady Panthers and senior
Esther Chukwunwike added a 28:27.1. Junior
Nytajah Smalls rounded out the Lady Panthers' quartet.
She ran a 30:49.4.
"The men were led by sophomore
Caleb Patterson and freshman
Chandar Anderson," Jackson added. "Both guys ran their personal bests, and the men's team improved their overall performances."
The Panthers men's cross country team saw a youth revolution with the top performances coming from Patterson and Anderson. Patterson led the way for the Panthers in the men's 8K run with a 30:13.3 while Anderson added a 33:00.3 to place second on the team. Another freshman
Jaiden Henderson added a 36:29.0 while freshman
Darius Holmes added a 40:06.8.
The two teams will return to action, Friday when the team takes part in the Royals Challenge hosted by Queens (N.C.). For more information on Panthers and Lady Panthers Cross Country, contact the Claflin University Office of Athletic Media Relations at (803) 535-5548 or log on to
www.athletics.claflin.edu.
