Since finishing Class 5A runner-up last year, Zander Jeffcoat has gone through an array of challenges the past 12 months.

From overcoming injury to dealing with the rigors of a covid-19 world, the Lexington High School runner faced his share of hurdles in the pursuit of a SC High School League cross-country title.

“Not being able to train with anyone and having to stay socially distant in practices was definitely a challenge,” Jeffcoat said. 

Friday morning at Sandhills Research Center, Jeffcoat’s efforts paid off as he claimed the Class 5A individual title. Coupled with Owen Harries’ 5th place 1st helped Lexington place 4th overall behind champion Dorman, runner-up Fort Mill and 3rd place Spartanburg. 

River Bluff finished in 12th place. 

“I’m really happy and glorified that I was able to win the state championship,” he said. 

Jeffcoat trailed the 1st 1 ½ miles as he his competitors raced through hot, hilly conditions. He eventually took over the lead and raised his hands in triumphant fashion crossing the finish line in 15:24.93 without a late challenge.

Jeffcoat is the 4th individual boys cross-country champion in Lexington High School history and the 1st since Zach Langston won in 2013. 

“He was very driven to win this year after a second place last year,” Lexington head coach Bailey Harris said. “He had some early injuries and we really had to adjust his training, but he was very disciplined about it and was able to get healthy although definitely not as fast as he could have been. Very proud of him and the entire squad.” 

Lady Wildcats’ state runner-up

Under head coach Tanner Graham, the Lexington High School cross-country team has worked to reclaim the state title it last won in 2012.

On Friday, the Lady Wildcats continued their improvement as they finished 2nd overall to JL Mann in the Class 5A state final by a 43-55 count. 

“This has been a great group of girls,” he said. “We’ve had with all the covid stuff going on and starting in the summer, we just had a very committed, very strong group of girls. We had 4 great seniors on our varsity that have really kind of taken ownership of the team. They’ve coached up the younger girls. I just couldn’t be more proud of the group we had.” 

A couple of the seniors were among 4 Lexington runners to earn All-State honors. Sarae Rufener finished in 4th place and Ava Fowler was 14th. 8-graders Lydia Metz and Laurel Wells were 9th and 10th, respectively. 

Chapin finished in 5th place sparked by Abigail White’s 3rd place finish. Nation Ford’s Katie Pou won the event with a time of 18:27.25, followed by JL Mann’s Kennedy Roush at 18:36.13. 

Dutch Fork finished in 8th place.