Meet Recap: 2022 Watson XC Invitational (Gold Division)

Varsity Boys Gold 5K

As we stated in our meet preview, the Varsity Boys Gold 5K was quite possibly the best field ever assembled in Mississippi. 

After what went down on Saturday, we were right. 

*The lead pack of the Gold Boys 5K at the 2022 Watson Cross Country Invitational

Photo credits: Ben Woolhouse

Eight Mississippi preps broke 16 minutes in the 5K, with two of them doing so for the first time in their careers - Benjamin Owens of Madison Central(15:48.2) and Gavin Wheat of Oak Grove(15:56.5). We stated that there were going to be some runners that would surprise us, and Owens and Wheat, as well as several others, had breakout races that caught our eye. 

Eight is now the official record of most Mississippi preps under 16 minutes in the 5K in a single race. 

Walnut High School's Gabe McElwain led the charge, proving why he was chosen as the All-MileSplit Mississippi XC No. 1. 

McElwain said the field wanted a win, but he was one of the only runners that wanted a fast pace. After a 4:50 opening mile, McElwain took the lead and never looked back, throwing in surge after surge until it was just him and his footsteps. 

Once McElwain set a gap going up to the climb to 4K, the race was all but over. 

*Gabe McElwain stopping the clock at 15:30, taking the win at the 2022 Watson Cross Country Invitational

Photo credits: Ben Woolhouse

Heritage Academy's Sidney Stegall was the only runner brave enough to initially go with McElwain during the first change of pace at the 2K mark. It paid off with a runner-up finish of 15:38.5, a lifetime best for the Columbus, Miss. native. Stegall got swallowed at the 4K mark by the chase pack of Taylor Brown, Jaheim Bridges, and William Fugate, a very difficult position to be in, but bounced back to a second-place finish in the deepest Mississippi field in history. 

"I just focused on staying in the race. It helped to have in-class rival William Fugate there, and honestly, everyone had a great race.", quoted Stegall on how he stayed mentally engaged with one kilometer to go. "I can't wait for the MAIS State Meet and All-State Meet."

*Sidney Stegall finishing second overall, with Taylor Brown and William Fugate close behind

Photo credits: Ben Woolhouse

The team race at the 2022 Watson Cross Country Classic was just as exciting. 

Pearl High School versus Oak Grove High School, the top two programs in the state and the only undefeated teams in Mississippi competition, was a matchup that we were looking forward to. 

The Pirates were coming off one of the greatest Cross Country team performances of all time at the 2022 Jesse Owens Classic, and the Warriors had rolled through every Mississippi team that had stood in their way. 

Ultimately, the Pirates' depth proved too great for the might of Oak Grove, resulting in a 69-77 victory for Pearl, snapping the Warriors' undefeated streak while continuing theirs. 

It's safe to say that 16:09 5K runner and winner of The Opener, Oak Grove senior Bennett Ferguson, had a sub-par day, finishing in 16:29.8 in 21st place overall. 

However, it should also be noted that he took a short hiatus from racing. With that being said, both Ferguson and Wheat are gamers who are always there when it counts, and there is no doubt that Ferguson will finish where he deserves to finish at the 2022 MHSAA 6A Cross Country Championships. Their 3-4-5 of Luke Skinner,  Jaden Gray, and Grayson Taylor have come through every time. If the 2022 Watson Cross Country Championships showed us anything, the battle for the team title at the 2022 MHSAA 6A Cross Country Championships will be one for the ages. 

That said, we can't ignore the incredible depth the Pirates showcased on Saturday. With three under 16:30 and all scoring five under 16:50, they showed that they are the on-paper favorites to bring the MHSAA 6A crown back to Pearl, Miss. Led by JaQuavion Bryant, the boys of Pearl are debatably the deepest team in Mississippi history and will be a tough team to beat on the day. 

*Tanner Moore and Maxi Duran at the 2K mark at the 2022 Watson Cross Country Classic

Photo credits: Ben Woolhouse

Lastly, Madison Central HS is a program that has been on the rise for a few seasons now - The fruits of their labor showed on Saturday with a third-place team finish ahead of Saltillo High School, the No. 3 ranked High School boys team in Mississippi. 

Complete list of athletes that met the MileSplit USA High School Boys Second-Team Standard: