Chris Webber at Myrtle.
On Mississippi MileSplit most rankings use the top time run by each athlete that year. It does not matter which course it is run on or when the athlete ran it. It is almost impossible to compare cross country courses like the Myrtle XC which is flat with long straightaways or a hilly, twisting course like Clarkdale. Both courses were remeasured and reset so that they were at least 5K The weather the day a race was run can be a factor. At Myrtle this year is was almost a perfect 70 degrees with little wind or humidity where Clarkdale was very humid and 80 plus degrees.
Austin Bourne and J.J. Kaler just going into one of several 180 degree turns at Clarkdale.
Finally the level of competition can be a huge factor. If there are several runners that are close in time running together it can force new bests by all concerned. So keep all this in mind with looking at rankings.
Now for polls lets be honest most are going to be popularity contests that is won by the athlete who had the most people that go online and vote. Plus you can vote multiple times in a day just go to the article each time and vote. I am sure at some schools they get online to the article and have students and athletes come in and vote one after another. So why do them? Well it gives the readers a chance to vote for their athletes and frankly gets readers on the website. So have fun and enjoy the Polls.