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LANDRUM—The Landrum High School cross-country team made significant strides this season, marking a memorable chapter in its history. The Cardinal girls finished first in 2A Region 1, and the Cardinal boys finished second in Region 2 A Region 1. 

Both teams competed in the SCHSL 2A State Championship meet this past weekend. The Cardinal girls secured third place overall, and the boys finished fifth overall. Jayden Phillips and Ruby Cain garnered All-State honors with their fourth-place individual finishes.

Reflecting on the journey, head coach Christian Solbee shared his perspective on the accomplishments.

“A region title is something we had our eyes on since the offseason,” he said. “This was my first full offseason with the team, and I knew we needed to focus on consistency in our training and building self-belief. After winning the Chapman meet, the athletes finally believed they could win meets and compete with the best programs around the state. It was a great feeling to end that region title drought, but my favorite part was watching our athletes get rewarded for their hard work and confidence throughout the season.”

The season reached a pinnacle, according to Solbee, during the Coaches Classic on October 12, where the girls’ varsity team triumphed in the Championship 5k race, outpacing 40 other teams. The boys’ varsity also showcased their skill, claiming a fourth-place finish among 45 competitors. The excitement didn’t stop there; the following weeks saw three school records shattered. Jayden Phillips set a new overall school record with a remarkable 15:32 at Greer HS, Ruby Cain broke the 8th-grade girls’ record with an impressive 18:53 at Riverside HS, and Avery Darby established a new 7th-grade girls’ record at 20:32.

At the County Championship on November 2, both Phillips and Cain earned All-County honors, further solidifying their status as standout athletes. The season concluded with eight All-Region athletes recognized across both teams, including five girls, Ruby Cain, Avery Darby, Anna Helton, Ava Helton, and Ava Campbell, and three boys, Jayden Phillips, Dalton Horton, and Fate Hall.

As this season ends, it’s hard not to acknowledge the bittersweet emotions tied to graduating seniors Lola Arrowood, Ethan Ridings, and Anthony DeCapio.

“Each of them is a massive loss to our program,”  Solbee said. “They’ve been exceptional leaders, and I’m proud of the amazing individuals they are.

“This season was unbelievably special for many reasons, and I hope this is just the start of something great for Landrum Cross Country. I’m surrounded by a phenomenal coaching staff and fantastic athletes who believe in each other. I truly believe we will look back on this season as the beginning of something special, and I’m confident that the coveted state title is within our grasp soon.”