University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
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Cross Country Heads to Louisville for 25th Annual Swags Louisville Cross Country Classic
10/2/2026 9:00:00 AM | Cross Country
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – USC Upstate cross country returns to action Saturday, Oct. 3, as the Spartans travel to Louisville, Ky., to compete in the 25th Annual Swags Louisville Cross Country Classic at E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park. The meet features men's 8K races and women's 5K and 6K races, with collegiate competition beginning at 9 a.m.
Event Information
Meet: 25th Annual Swags Louisville Cross Country Classic
Date: Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026
Location: E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park | Louisville, Ky.
Start Time: 9 a.m.
Live Stats: Flash Results https://tinyurl.com/32c7k9xnÂ
Last Time Out
Upstate enters Louisville following a dominant showing at the Brevard XC Classic, where both the men's and women's teams earned perfect team scores of 15.
On the men's side, Mason Parish captured the individual 8K title in 26:55.3, leading a sweep of the first 12 finishing positions for the Spartans. Eric Perry finished second in 27:10.5, while Cameron Moors placed third in 27:15.8. Connor Herold and Elias Harrison completed Upstate's scoring five with fourth and fifth-place finishes.
The Upstate women were equally impressive, claiming the first six individual positions in the 5K. Jordan Thornton led the way with a winning time of 20:12.6, followed by Grace Glassmeyer in second at 20:34.0 and Sophia Outhous in third at 20:48.5. Sofia Strom and Alexis Plaster rounded out the Spartans' scoring five.
Next Challenge
The Louisville Classic gives the Spartans an opportunity to compete on one of the sport's notable championship courses. E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park has previously hosted multiple NCAA national championships and NCAA Southeast Regional meets.
Saturday's meet marks Upstate's third competition of the 2026 season as the Spartans continue building toward the championship portion of their schedule.
The Spartans will then return to Spartanburg for the Upstate Invite on Oct. 17 before hosting the Big South Championships on Oct. 30 and the NCAA Southeast Regional on Nov. 13.
Friday provides another early-season opportunity for head coach Carson Blackwelder's squads to build on their opening performances as the Spartans continue progressing toward the championship portion of the schedule.
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