Landrum’s Alexus Atkins (20:02) finished third overall among runners from eight schools, to help the Lady Cardinals place first at Tuesday’s (Oct. 4) Grill Master Open cross country meet at Landrum High School.

Shortly after, Blake Butler’s 17:02 was good for sixth overall, to help the Cardinal men finish second among nine schools.

On the mostly sunny, and warm-enough afternoon, runners turned in fast times. Boiling Springs took the men’s meet, with multiple runners breaking 17 minutes.

Last Saturday (Oct. 1), the Cardinal women took first in the Schlotzsky’s Invitational meet at T.L. Hanna.

On Sept. 27, Atkins placed first, and Marley Dickson second, as the Lady Cardinals won the meet at St. Joseph’s Catholic. Landrum’s men placed second in that meet.

“I am very proud of how well the Landrum boys and girls’ cross-country teams are progressing,” said Cardinal head coach Jeremy Darby. “It was awesome to see so many personal records met at our last home meet of the season. It was especially cool to see so many of our outgoing seniors running fast in Landrum.

“I have high expectations for our athletes for the remainder of the season. It is well within the realm of possibility for our teams to capture a state championship. I hope we continue to dominate the competition, and win the big one (state title) in November.”

Next action for the Cardinals is tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 8), when they compete in the Red Devil invitational at Southern Wesleyan University, Central, S.C. Starting time is 8:30 a.m.

On October 15, they travel to Sandhills Park, Columbia for the Sandhills Invitational, which begins at 9 a.m.

Region 1 AA Championship meet is set for Oct. 18, at St. Joseph’s Catholic in Greenville.