Landrum’s formula for cross-country success seems to be on overall excellence rather than the spectacular.

While neither the Cardinal’s men or women placed first in their respective races in a multi-team meet at Cardinal Stadium Tuesday, Aug. 30, Landrum’s women took first, while the men placed second, both in crowded fields.

In the women’s division, the Cardinals’ Grace Furman (fourth place overall, 21:30.54), Kenslee Padgett (fifth place, 21:45.11), Alexus Atkins (sixth overall, 21:47.29) and Ashley Blanton (seventh, 21:59.72) were the top four finishers. Overall winner of the women’s event was Greer Middle College’s Morgan Summey who pace the field in 19:55.15.

Kyle Gilmore (third overall, 17:41.45), Clay Knight (fourth, 17:44.12) and Blake Butler sixth (17:52.26), paced the Landrum men. St. Joseph’s Ford McCoy took first with a 17:15.28 effort.

Along with the Cardinal rnners, students from Shelby, Chapman, Broome, Byrnes, Christ Church and Greer Middle College competed.

Last Saturday (Aug. 27), Landrum’s men took first place, and the Cardinal women second in the Skyhawk Invitational at Columbia.

There, Gilmore’s time of 17:06 was good for third place overall, among 362 runners, while the Cardinals’ Marley Dickson finished in 20:41, good for 13th overall among 291 runners.

“I was beyond pleased with how my girls and guys performed at the Skyhawk Invitational,” gushed LHS head coach Jeremy Darby.

“Their performances at Skyhawk were a testament to how powerful the Landrum cross country team can be when it’s on its game. It was extremely powerful pack running that we showcased at Skyhawk, and I know that will be the key to our success this season. This is the second year in a row my boys have won the Skyhawk Invitational, and the first time my girls have made it to the podium.”

Tomorrow (Sept. 3), the Cardinals compete in the Eye Opener tournament at Milliken Park, Spartanburg. Running begins at 9 a.m. On Sept. 10, Darby’s runners compete in the Coaches’ Classic at Sandhills Park, Columbia, starting at 9:40 a.m.