This season has been moving as fast as runners are on courses all over the state and beyond.
A course record fell to begin the season, and staggering times have been recorded in following meets.
Greer senior Coen Roberts, who ranks No. 2 in the state's standings, set a new record with a time of 15:19.9 to win the Eye Opener in Spartanburg last month. The Wake Forest commitment has only gotten faster finishing with a 15:16.10 at the Hare and Hounds Invitational and then a personal record of 15:09 at the Great American Cross Country Festival.
Greer also has three other runners in the state's top 30 including senior Micah Gilpatrick (15:56.20) at No. 15, sophomore Rune Ledoux (16:05.8) at No. 23 and senior Dalton White (16:08.30) at No. 30.
Not to be outdone, Lexington sophomore Zander Jeffcoat, who ranks as the state's top runner, posted a personal-best time of 15:06 at the Mike Moore Lake Murray Invitational in Chapin last month. The time ranks 43rd in the nation.
The Wildcats are also led by senior William Johnson, who is sixth in the state with a time of 15:45.64.
Eastside appears poised for a strong finish with the No. 4 and 5 runners statewide. Senior Jonathan Fox posted a 15:26.30 to place as runner-up at Lake Murray, which was a personal best. Spain Vaughan, a junior, also set a personal record finishing narrowly behind his teammate with a time of 15:26.31 to finish third. The Eagles continued to set personal bests at the meet as Luc Sanchez (No. 22) came across the finish line in 12th place with a time of 16:04.13.
State individual rankings
Cane Bay senior Zane Jackson is third in the state with a 15:12.70 set at the Great American Cross Country Festival. The time was good enough for a 12th-place finish.
The remainder of the state's top 10 includes Palmetto Christian Academy senior Hamilton Blair (15:45.89) at No. 7, followed by Daniel senior Mismeh Balawi (15:46), May River senior Owen Andrews (15:47) and T.L. Hanna senior Austin Spencer (15:48).
Balawi is coming off of a medalist victory (15:52.10) at the Wendy's Invitational last weekend. Beaufort's Marlon Beldon was runner-up (15:56.40). Andrews took first place at the Warrior XC Invitational.
Eastside tops the boys team rankings, followed by Lexington, T.L. Hanna, Dorman, Wando, Wade Hampton, Greer, Spartanburg, May River and Summerville.
Team rankings
The Eagles are looking to improve on last year's Class 4A runner-up finish to Hilton Head. Only two points separated the two teams in the final.
Dorman is looking for a Class 5A repeat. The Cavaliers won the Eye Opener, as well as the Cavalier Classic. Both are part of the SCRunners XC Series presented by Go-Green Events.
Bishop England is the defending Class 3A champion. The Bishops placed second behind Philip Simmons at the Military Magnet Academy 5K Invitational. Five runners finished in the top nine, including runner-up Mark Richter.
St. Joseph's is the defending Class 2A champion. The Knights are led by senior Brendan McTigue, who has a season-best time of 16:33.15 set at Lake Murray.
The Bob Jenkins SCTCCCA Coaches Classic is next on the agenda this weekend in Camden. The state finals are set for Nov. 16 in Columbia.