Golden Groves: Adam Groves' Breakout Season for Chanticleer Cross Country
10/23/2025 10:44:00 AM | Track & Field/Cross Country
CONWAY - For Adam Groves, nerves don't kick in until the moments just before the gun goes off. The training? That's the easy part. It's the mental build-up in the days leading up to a race where his focus locks in. And once the race begins, his mindset narrows to a single goal: win.
"Even if it's unrealistic, I always say it in my mind, that I can win this meet," Groves said.
So far in his junior season, that confidence has paid off. Groves opened the year with a win at the Elon Opener 6k, beating 87 other runners. He followed that up with another first-place finish at the Chanticleer Challenge 8k — defending his title in Coastal Carolina's home meet.
It wasn't long before the nickname "Golden Groves" began to stick.
"I think it was a caption on an Instagram post," Groves said with a laugh. "It's so cool."
Groves entered this cross country season carrying momentum from his standout spring on the track. He earned a bronze medal in the 5000m at the Sun Belt Track & Field Championships in May — a breakthrough moment that helped shift his mindset.
"I think my confidence got a lot higher after track season," he said. "Especially believing that I could be a top contributor for the program."
That belief was built over the summer, as Groves leaned into a revamped training schedule. With a later start and slower buildup than in years past, he found himself more physically and mentally ready once race season began.
"I built up to close to 100 miles a week during the summer, which is a lot," Groves explained. "Last year, I had gotten pretty cooked toward the end of the year because we were starting stuff pretty early. This year, we figured out what works. And when you figure out what in training works for you and apply it to everything you do — that's how you make those jumps."
Those "jumps" were on full display when Groves clocked a winning time of 23:28.3 at the Chanticleer Challenge 8k — more than a minute and a half faster than his first-place time in the same event the year before.
Groves' cross country journey began in Waynesboro, Virginia, where he ran alongside his two brothers — triplets — at Waynesboro High School. He was the first to take up the sport as a freshman, and eventually convinced both brothers to join.
"When we got our third brother to start running, it was so much fun," Groves said. "I'm so glad I got them to do it."
A two-sport athlete in high school, Groves split time between basketball and running until late in his junior year, when a breakout win at a major meet shifted his perspective — and his priorities.
"It had me hooked," he said. "That set the tone for the rest of my career up until now, being that competitive during running."
Throughout his journey, Groves has leaned on the support of his close-knit family. His father, a Charleston resident, regularly travels to attend meets in person. His brothers — now spectators instead of teammates — show their support through social media and post-race calls. His mother and grandfather remain devoted fans as well.
"Those are the people that are super into it — they love it," Groves said.
Now firmly established as one of the Sun Belt's top distance runners, Groves is aiming higher. With his confidence growing and a trusted support system behind him, he has his sights set on becoming a conference champion.
"They've shaped me not only into a great athlete, but a great person as well," Groves said.
And with the season heating up, "Golden Groves" is living up to the name — chasing gold, one stride at a time.
"Even if it's unrealistic, I always say it in my mind, that I can win this meet," Groves said.
So far in his junior season, that confidence has paid off. Groves opened the year with a win at the Elon Opener 6k, beating 87 other runners. He followed that up with another first-place finish at the Chanticleer Challenge 8k — defending his title in Coastal Carolina's home meet.
It wasn't long before the nickname "Golden Groves" began to stick.
"I think it was a caption on an Instagram post," Groves said with a laugh. "It's so cool."
Groves entered this cross country season carrying momentum from his standout spring on the track. He earned a bronze medal in the 5000m at the Sun Belt Track & Field Championships in May — a breakthrough moment that helped shift his mindset.
"I think my confidence got a lot higher after track season," he said. "Especially believing that I could be a top contributor for the program."
That belief was built over the summer, as Groves leaned into a revamped training schedule. With a later start and slower buildup than in years past, he found himself more physically and mentally ready once race season began.
"I built up to close to 100 miles a week during the summer, which is a lot," Groves explained. "Last year, I had gotten pretty cooked toward the end of the year because we were starting stuff pretty early. This year, we figured out what works. And when you figure out what in training works for you and apply it to everything you do — that's how you make those jumps."
Those "jumps" were on full display when Groves clocked a winning time of 23:28.3 at the Chanticleer Challenge 8k — more than a minute and a half faster than his first-place time in the same event the year before.
Groves' cross country journey began in Waynesboro, Virginia, where he ran alongside his two brothers — triplets — at Waynesboro High School. He was the first to take up the sport as a freshman, and eventually convinced both brothers to join.
"When we got our third brother to start running, it was so much fun," Groves said. "I'm so glad I got them to do it."
A two-sport athlete in high school, Groves split time between basketball and running until late in his junior year, when a breakout win at a major meet shifted his perspective — and his priorities.
"It had me hooked," he said. "That set the tone for the rest of my career up until now, being that competitive during running."
Throughout his journey, Groves has leaned on the support of his close-knit family. His father, a Charleston resident, regularly travels to attend meets in person. His brothers — now spectators instead of teammates — show their support through social media and post-race calls. His mother and grandfather remain devoted fans as well.
"Those are the people that are super into it — they love it," Groves said.
Now firmly established as one of the Sun Belt's top distance runners, Groves is aiming higher. With his confidence growing and a trusted support system behind him, he has his sights set on becoming a conference champion.
"They've shaped me not only into a great athlete, but a great person as well," Groves said.
And with the season heating up, "Golden Groves" is living up to the name — chasing gold, one stride at a time.
Players Mentioned
Cross Country/Distance
/ Track & Field/Cross CountryWednesday, September 17
Saturday, June 25
Tuesday, March 15
Tuesday, March 15
