Originally published Feb. 11, 2020
*scrunners.com would like to thank everyone that contributed to this article.
We drew inspiration for this amazing article, based on the GA Milesplit article that they did on The Georgia All-Decade XC Awards and found ourselves wondering: who would be the individuals, programs, and teams that would receive the South Carolina All-Decade XC awards? We went one step further and asked, which were the best coaches and assistant coaches.
With this in mind, we set about combing through mountains of stats. However, we did set some guidelines in place.
So here they are:
⦁ We compiled a spreadsheet that shows place at State (merged all classifications each year), along with notes about what classification(s) teams won in during the decade. This spreadsheet was part of the information we used for these awards. Tie-breakers took into account # of championships, years at state, and # of top individual team performances.
View the spreadsheet here
⦁ For the best individual teams of the decade, we decided to only include one team per program. This, of course, meant that some perennial powerhouses, who might have more than one contender for the list, were limited to one team. We wanted to include as many teams as possible, so we felt one per program was sufficient (if there were multiple contenders for a program, we left it up to a vote). Head to head competition played a factor in these rankings.
⦁ We decided to focus on State Championship teams and the State Championship Meet. Nine of the 10 meets were run at Sandhills, in Columbia with these past years being held at Carolina Cup in Camden. This change of venue was factored in as well.
⦁ Finally, along with stat analysis, we included a coaches vote. We contacted several coaches from top programs from all classifications across the state to get their input and see how they ranked the teams, programs, and individuals. We also opened up the individual runners of the decade and the coaches of the decade to the entire state's coaching body.
Of course, no "best of" list would be complete without some potentially controversial choices. We know you might not agree with this list, but hopefully, you will at least agree with the teams who are mentioned, even if you don't agree on the order. If nothing else, this will hopefully spark healthy discussion and debate about what makes a top team, program, individual, and coach.
Program of the Decade 2010-2019
Girls Program of the Decade: #1 Riverside
With their year in and year out dominance, the Riverside (Greer, S.C.) girls were voted as the top girls program of the decade by state coaches in a tight battle. Their average State Championship merge place is 3.8, which tied them with 2nd place Hilton Head. Riverside held a 6-4 advantage on the State Merge merges over Hilton Head, as well as State Championships and Top Individual Team Performances. They won 5 consecutive State Championships (13-17), 1 Runner-up (18), and had 6 of the top 15 yearly individual team performances (1-2014, 2-2013, 3-2016, 6-2015, 14-2017, 15-2018) while competing in the largest classification each season. They went through 2013, 2014, and 2015 without losing to a single South Carolina team.
Podium Programs: #2 Hilton Head, #3 Dorman, #4 St. Joseph's
The second place girls podium program is Hilton Head (Hilton Head). Their average State Championship merge place is 3.8, tieing #1 Riverside. They won four State Championships and five runner-ups and had five of the top 20 yearly individual team performances.
The third place girls program is Dorman (Roebuck) who had a State Championship Merge average of 5.40 and two of the top 20 yearly individual team performances while winning two State Championships and one runner-up.
The fourth place girls program is St. Joseph's (Greenville) who had a State Championship Merge average of 7.80 while winning nine State Championships in 1A & 2A and one runner-up.
Honorable Mention Girls Programs (listed in order 6-10):
#5: J.L. Mann (Greenville): 9.10, 1 top 20 Individual Team, 1 State title and 1 runner-up
#6: Eastside (Taylors): 9.60, 2 State Championships and two runner-ups
#7: James Island (Charleston): 11.22, 1 State Championship
#8: Wade Hampton (Greenville): 11.30, 1 Top 20 Individual Team, and one runner-up
#9: Daniel (Central): 11.60, 1 Top 20 Ind Team, 2 State title, and two runner-ups
#10: Dutch Fork (Irmo): 14.70, 1 Top 20 Individual Team and two runner-ups
Boys Program of the Decade: #1 Hilton Head
With their year in and year out dominance, the Hilton Head (Hilton Head) boys were voted as the top boys program of the decade by state coaches. Their average State Championship merge place is 2.8, which is two places better than the next best average of Wando. They won 8 State Championships, 3 Runner-up, and had 4 of the top 20 yearly individual team performances (5-2013, 6-2014, 7-2016, 17-2010) while competing in the second-largest classification each season. They held the top merge performance 4 of the 10 years this decade.
Podium Programs: #2 Wando, #3 Lexington, #4 Eastside
The second boys podium program is Wando, (Mount Pleasant). Their average State Championship merge place is 4.8. They won one 4A Championship and had three runner-up finishes. They had two of the top 20 yearly individual team performances.
The third place boys program is Lexington (Lexington). Their average State Championship merge place is 6.4. They won three 4A Championships this decade, after winning the 2009 championship as well. They hold four of the top 20 yearly individual team performances (#3, 4, 13 & 15).
The fourth place boys program is Eastside (Taylors). Their average State Championship merge place is 8.8. They finished as State Runner-up 7 times this decade and had the #10 individual team performance this decade.
Honorable Mention Programs (listed in order 5-10):
#5: Dorman (Roebuck): 9.50, 2 Top 20 Individual Team, 3 Championships
#6: Riverside (Greer): 7.50, Top 20 Ind Team, 2 Championships, 1 Runner-up
#7: Wade Hampton (Greenville): 7.00, Top 20 Ind Team, 3 Runner-ups
#8: T.L. Hanna (Anderson): 14.29, Top 20 Ind Team, 1 Runner-up
#9: Academic Magnet (North Charleston): 19.50, 3 Championships, 3 Runner-ups
#10: Stratford (Goose Creek): 19.40, Top 20 Ind Team, 1 Runner-up
Best Individual Teams of the Decade 2010-2019
Girls Team of the Decade: #1 2014 Riverside
Of all the great Riverside (Greer) girls teams last decade, the 2013 team claims the prize for the best team of the decade. Riverside held the top three spots (2014, 2013, 2016) in the Individual Team rankings. The 2014 team finished with five girls in the top 11 and six in the top 17 at the 4A State Championships and a team average of 18:42. They finished with the fastest team average this decade after finishing their 2013 campaign with the largest margin of victory, 127 points. They won Region 2-5A placing 6 of the top 7 runners (1-4, 6-7). They posted both Varsity and JV victories in the Disney XC Classic, Coaches Classic, Wendy's Inv, Low Country Invitational, Canned Food 5K, Lake Murray Invitational, Eye Opener, Greenville County, & 5A Upper State. They posted an undefeated season (along with the previous season 2013 and the following season 2015) in Varsity & JV competition in all meets regardless of state, only losing at NXR South East in their first-ever appearance. Riverside held 6 of the top 15 individual team slots (#1, #2, #3, #6, #14, & #15)
Podium Teams:
#2 2017 Daniel, #3 2014 Dutch Fork, #4 2014 Hilton Head
#2 Daniel (Central): 2017, had a state average of 19:00 in winning their 1st State championship of the decade. They were the first team since 2013, to take over the top of the merge from Riverside. Daniel had 1 of the top 20 Individual teams of the decade sitting at the #4 slot.
#3 Dutch Fork (Irmo): 2014, had a state average of 19:05 where they finished 2nd to Riverside in the 4A State Championship. Dutch fork had 1 of the top 20 individual teams of the decade sitting at the #5 slot.
#4 Hilton Head (Hilton Head): 2014, had a state average of 19:12 where they won their second State Championship of the decade over Eastside (Taylors). Hilton Head, even though was #4, they held 5 of the top 20 individual teams of the decade slots, (#7, #9, #10, #16, #19tie).
Honorable Mentions (listed in order #5-10):
2018 Dorman (Roebuck): 2 of the top 20, #8- 19:13 avg. and winning 5A State
2011 Wando (Mt Pleasant): 1 of the top 20, #11- 19:23 avg. and winning 4A State
2019 J.L. Mann (Greenville): 1 of the top 20, #12-19:24 avg. and winning 5A State
2012 Lexington (Lexington): 1 of the top 20, #17- 19:30 avg. and winning 4A State
2012 Wade Hampton (Greenville): 1 of the top 20, #18- 19:29 avg. and finishing 2nd
2010 Spartanburg (Spartanburg): 1 of the top 20, #19T- 19:36 finishing 2nd
Boys Team of the Decade: #1 2012 Daniel
The 2012 Daniel (Central) boys team claims the prize for best team of the decade. They had a state average of 15:57 in winning their only State championship of the decade. At the State Championships, they had a 59.21 split between their top five. Daniel had the fastest team average at Clemson Sandhills Extension this decade, which was contested all but one season (2019). They placed four in the top nine and their fifth guy was 13th. This is what gave them the nod over the 2019 Greer team.
Podium Teams: #2 2011 Lexington. #3 2013 Hilton Head, #4 2019 Greer
#2 Lexington (Lexington): 2011, had a state average of 15:58 where they finished won the 4A State Championship (2nd of 3 this decade, and part of 4 straight starting in 2009). Lexington had four of the top 20 individual teams of the decade sitting at the #3 slot (#3, 4, 12, & 15).
#3 Hilton Head (Hilton Head): 2013, had a state average of 16:03 where they won their third of 8 State Championships in this decade. Hilton Head, even though was #4, they held four of the top 20 individual teams of the decade slots, (#5, #6, #7, & #17).
#4 Greer (Greer): 2019, had a state average of 15:52 in winning their only State Championship of the decade (4A). They had the fastest team average in the decade at a State Championship, but it was on the first year Carolina Cup course. They had 4 guys 16:05 or faster but had a 1:46 gap within their top 5.
Honorable Mentions (listed in order #5-10)
2014 Riverside (Greer): 1 of top 20, #11- 16:18 avg & winning 4A State
2014 Wando (Mt Pleasant): 2 of the top 20, #12- 16:15 avg & 4A Runner-up
2019 Dorman (Roebuck): 2 of the top 20, #8- 16:18 avg & winning 5A State
2019 T.L. Hanna (Anderson): 1 of the top 20, #9- 16:17 avg & 5A Runner-up
2019 Eastside (Taylors): 1 of the top 20, #10- 16:15 avg & 4A Runner-up
2011 Stratford (Goose Creek): 1 of the top 20, #16- 16:25 avg, 4A Runner-up
Best Individuals of the Decade 2010-2019
Girl Runners of the Decade
Vote on by the coaches
First Team
#1: Ava Dobson - St Joseph's
#2: Logan Morris - Spartanburg Christian
#3: Katie Pou - Nation Ford
#4: Mari Cagle Lockhart - Daniel
#5: Cate Ambrose - Riverside
#6: Maggie Rhodes - Woodruff
#7: Caroline Jennings - Christ Church
Second Team
#8: Jessie Crowley - Riverside
#9: Amelia Jones - Waccamaw
#10: Laura Miller - J.L. Mann
#11: Morgan Summey - Greer Middle College
#12: Ashbrook Gwinn - Aiken
#13: Susannah Cate - A.C. Flora
#14: Ally Wilson - Daniel
Third Team
#15: Annika Bissinger - St Joseph's
#16: Sinead Haughey - Daniel
#17: Meredith Kilburn - Fort Mill
#18: Megan Stahlberger - Airport
#19: Mallory Liggett - Hilton Head
#20: Jasmine Polite - Stratford
#21: Emma Jennings - Byrnes
Boy Runners of the Decade
Voted on by the coaches
First Team
#1: Colin Baker - Academic Magnet
#2: Brent Demarest - Porter Gaud
#3: James Quattlebaum - Christ Church
#4: Roland Hakes - Dutch Fork
#5: Noah Ward - Philip Simmons
#6: Jackson Ellenburg - Ashley Ridge
#7: Coen Roberts - Greer
Second Team
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#8: Cristian Widenhouse - Bishop England
#9: Gabe Haughey - Daniel
#10: Ben Gilman - Hilton Head
#11: Wynn Johnson - Dorman
#12: Zane Jackson - Cane Bay
#13: Micah Williams - Greer Middle College
#14: Ford McCoy - St Joseph's
Third Team
#15: Sam Gilman - Hilton Head
#16: Hayden DiBona - Academic Magnet
#17: Zack Langston - Lexington
#18: Tony Morales - Lexington
#19: Andre Ivankovic - Daniel
#20: Dolan Owens - James Island
#21: John Ward - Wade Hampton
Coaches of the Decade 2010-2019
Coaches had to have coached for five years as a head coach to be eligible
Combined Boys & Girls Coach of the Decade: #1 Eric Cummings - Riverside
#1 Eric Cummings - Riverside: Claims the prize of Combined Boys & Girls Coach of the Decade. He is an 8 time SCTCCCA Coach of the Year, 3 time SCACA Boys Coach of the Year, 2 time SCACA Girls Coach of the Year, and the 2017 National Federation of High School Sports National Boys Cross Country Coach of the Year. He is only the 2nd coach to win this National honor in Cross Country (Eileen Kilbreth - Spartanburg Girls 2002) in South Carolina. He won 5 consecutive girls titles (13-16) and 2 boys titles in 2014 & 2016. He has served as the Shrine Bowl Ball Run Head Coach in 2011 as well as the Director of the Shrine Run from 2010-2018. He has served the SCTCCCA as President from 2010-2014 & 2016-2018, Vice President 2014-2016, and Treasurer 2018-Present. He was elected into the SCTCCCA Hall of Fame in 2014.
Podium Coaches: "All-Decade" podium coaches are a group of outstanding coaches, listed in order as voted by coaches from around the state.
#2 Bill Wrightson - Hilton Head: 7-time SCTCCCA Coach of the Year, 1-time SCACA Girls Coach of the Year. Won Championships in both boys and girls over the decade before retiring from the sport in 2017.
#3 Tony Colizzi - Bishop England: 5-time SCTCCCA Coach of the Year, 1-time SCACA Girls Coach of the Year and 1-time SCACA Boys Coach of the Year. Served as Shrine Bowl Run Coach (2009) and also served on the SCTCCCA Board as VP (2008-2010).
#4 Jeremy Darby - Landrum: 6-time SCTCCCA Coach of the Year, 1-time SCACA Boys Coach of the Year, 1-time SCACA Girls Coach of the Year. Served as Shrine Bowl Run Head Coach (2014).
#5 David Smith - Greer Middle College: 3-time SCTCCCA COY, Served as Shrine Bowl Run Coach (2016), was inducted into the SCTCCCA Hall of Fame (2015), served as the SCTCCCA VP 2014-2016.
Honorable Mention Coaches (in voting order)
#6 Ed Boehmke - Eastside: 1X SCTCCCA COY, 1X SCACA Girls COY. 1 Championship, 2 runner-ups, retired in 2015.
#7 Rick Zeller - Wade Hampton: 7X SCTCCCA COY, 1X SCACA Boys COY, 3 runner-ups.
#8 Delmer Howell - Mauldin: 1X SCTCCCA COY, 1X SCACA Girls COY. 1 Championship, 1 runner-up, retired in 2016.
#9 Rodney Adamee - Christ Church: 5X SCTCCCA COY, 1x SCACA Girls COY. Served as Shrine Bowl Run Coach (2010) and also served on the SCTCCCA Board as VP (2006-2012).
#10 Brian Gamble - Dixie: 3X SCTCCCA COY, 2 Championships
Girls
Coach of the Decade: #1 Eric Cummings - Riverside
#1 Eric Cummings - Riverside: Claims the prize of Girls Coach of the Decade. He is a 6-time SCTCCCA Girls Coach of the Year, 2-time SCACA Girls Coach of the Year, He won 5 consecutive girls titles (13-16) in the largest classification. He has served as the Shrine Bowl Ball Run Head Coach in 2011 as well as the Director of the Shrine Run from 2010-2018. He has served the SCTCCCA as President from 2010-2014 and 2016-2018, Vice President 2014-2016, and Treasurer 2018-Present. He was elected into the SCTCCCA Hall of Fame in 2014.
#2 Marie Kernell - St. Joseph's: 9-time SCTCCCA Coach of the Year, served as Shrine Bowl Ball Run Head Coach (2015), served as the SCTCCCA Secretary 2012-2018, won 9 straight Championships and 1 runner-up in 1A & 2A.
#3 Jerry Kimbrell - Dorman: 2-time SCTCCCA Girls Coach of the Year, 2-time SCACA Girls Coach of the Year, served as Shrine Bowl Run Coach in 2012, won 2 Championships and 1 Runner-up in 4A & 5A.
#4 Bill Wrightson - Hilton Head: 2-time SCTCCCA Girls Coach of the Year, 1-time SCACA Girls Coach of the Year, 3 Championships and 4 Runner-ups in 3A & 4A.
#5 Jeremy Darby - Landrum: 2-time SCTCCCA girls Coach of the Year, 1-time SCACA Girls Coach of the Year. Won, 2 Championships and 4 runner-ups in 1A & 2A, Served as Shrine Bowl Run Head Coach (2014).
Honorable Mention Coaches
#6 David Smith - Greer Middle College: 2X SCTCCCA Girls Coach of the Year, won 1 Championship and 3 runner-ups in 1A & 2A.
#7 Brian White - Waccamaw: 2X SCTCCCA Girls COY, 1X SCACA Girls COY, 2 Championships in 2A.
#8 Ed Boehmke - Eastside: 1X SCTCCCA Girls COY, 1x SCACA Girls COY, 1 Championship and 2 runner-ups in 3A.
#9 Ashley Perry - Daniel: 2X SCTCCCA Girls COY, 1x SCACA Girls COY, 2 Championships and 2 Runner-ups in 3A & 4A.
#10 Pam Wheeler - Pendleton: 2X SCTCCCA Girls COY, 2 Championships in 2A
Boys Coach of the Decade: #1 Jeff Buys - Dorman
#1 Jeff Buys - Dorman: Claims the prize of Boys Coach of the Decade. He is a 6-time SCTCCCA Girls Coach of the Year, 4-time SCTCCCA Coach of the Year, 1-time SCACA Boys Coach of the Year, won 3 consecutive Boys 5A Championships (2017-2019), elected into the SCTCCCA Hall of Fame in 2015, served on the SCTCCCA Board as VP (2010-2014) & Communication Director for the SCTCCCA (2005-Present), won 4 Region Championships, and 7 Spartanburg County Championships. Hosted the 4A and 5A Upper State Championships many times over the past decade.
#2 Eric Cummings - Riverside: 2-time SCTCCCA Boys Coach of the Year, 2-time SCACA Boys Coach of the Year, 2 Championships and 1 Runner-up in 4A & 5A. Was named the NFHS 2017 National boys Coach of the Year. Shrine Bowl Ball Run Head Coach in 2011 as well as the Director of the Shrine Run from 2010-2018. He has served the SCTCCCA as President from 2010-2014 & 2016-2018, Vice President 2014-2016, and Treasurer 2018-Present. He was elected into the SCTCCCA Hall of Fame in 2014.
#3 George Carr - St. Joseph's: 6-time SCTCCCA Boys Coach of the Year, 1-time SCACA Boys Coach of the Year, 6 Championships, 1 runner-up in 1A & 2A
#4 Bill Wrightson - Hilton Head: 5-time SCTCCCA Boys Coach of the Year. Won 7 Championships and 1 Runner-up in 3A & 4A, retired from the sport in 2017.
#5 (Tie) Brett Davis - Wando: 1-time SCTCCCA Boys Coach of the Year, 3 Championships and 3 Runner-ups in 4A & 5A.
#5 (Tie) Bailey Harris - Lexington: 3-time SCTCCCA Boys Coach of the Year, 1 time SCACA Boys Coach of the Year, 3 consecutive Championships (2010-2012).
Honorable Mention Coaches
#7 David Smith - Greer Middle College: 2X Boys SCTCCCA COY, 2 Championships, and 1 runner-up.
#8 Rick Zeller - Wade Hampton: 2X Boys SCTCCCCA COY, 2 runner-up in 4A
#9 Delmer Howell - Mauldin: 1X Boys SCTCCCA COY, 1X SCACA Boys COY, 1 Championship and 1 runner-up in 4A, retired in 2016.
#10 (Tie) Brian Johnson - Academic Magnet: 2X Boys SCTCCCA COY, 3 Championships and 2 runner-up in 2A.
#10 (Tie) Tony Colizzi - Bishop England: 2X SCTCCCA Boys COY, 2 Championships and 3 Runner-ups in 2A & 3A.
Assistant Cross Country Coaches of the Decade
These eight assistant coaches made all the above possible.
Here is the list of the SCTCCCA Assistant Coaches of the Year
voted on by the board after being nominated by their head coaches
Multiple Year Winners
Heather Greene - Riverside: 2013, 2014, 2016, & 2017
Jessica Collins - Dorman: 2010 & 2019
Single Year Winners
Hayes Cross - Seneca: 2018
Max Mayo - Hilton Head: 2017
Todd Lea - Riverside: 2016
Scott Lucking - Eastside: 2015
Dan Shonka - Daniel: 2012
Travis Alexander - Eastside: 2011