Distance
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Stars align in HSB 3200m at Pearl T&F Opener
The Pearl Track and Field Opener gave fans an unforgettable High School Boys 3200m race, as some of the best cross country teams in Mississippi lined up for some fast racing. With perfect weather conditions and a stacked field, fans knew they were in for a treat.
All eyes were on Pearl's Jaquavion Bryant, the reigning MHSAA 6A Cross Country Champion, and he did not disappoint. In a winning time of 9:31.50, Bryant delivered the fourth-fastest performance in the last five years, behind only Christian Balcer, Keegan Leverett, and Sidney Stegall.
Right behind him, Oak Grove's Gavin Wheat stopped the clock in 9:33.71, marking the fifth-fastest performance over the last five years.
But the excitement didn't end there. Madison Central's Colin Brannon finished third overall in a MileSplit Mississippi 1st-Team Standard of 9:46.64, which was also a lifetime best for the junior athlete.
The entire field put on a remarkable show, and fans couldn't help but be impressed by the level of talent on display.
It was reported that Bryant was simply using the 3200m to practice his tactics in a different race, but after his stunning performance at the Pearl Track and Field Opener, he may want to reconsider and go for the 3200m-1600m double at the 2023 MHSAA 6A Track and Field Championships.
*Bryant winning the 3200m at the Pearl T&F Opener
Regardless of what he decides, the High School Boys 3200m at the Pearl Track and Field Opener will go down in history as one of the most impressive season openers in Mississippi High School Boys Track and Field history.
Fast 1600m races across the state
The High School Boys 1600m at the Pearl Track & Opener was nearly as impressive, with Wheat doubling back and snagging a win in 4:33.61. Brannon went home with two lifetime bests, finishing second in 4:35.52. The Pearl Pirates showed impressive depth by having two sophomores under 4:40 in the 1600m, Karol Gonzalez running a lifetime best in 4:37.54, and another lifetime best in Jon Haralson, 4:39.03.
However, the fastest 1600m time of opening weekend came from the reigning MHSAA 6A Champion, Jaheim Bridges of Tupelo High School.
*Jaheim Bridges, Tupelo High School
At the South Panola Opener, Bridges put on a show in the High School Boys' 1600m, winning in a time of 4:29.72. This time was six seconds faster than his season opener from last year, and currently stands as the only sub-4:30 1600m performance so far this season.
RANKINGS: Mississippi High School Boys 1600m List
Bridges also doubled back to win the 800m race in a MileSplit Mississippi 1st-Team standard time of 2:05.80.
However, Bridges was not the only athlete to shine in the 1600m race.
Kaleb Tackett and Gavin Brown of Desoto Central High School both put down impressive performances, finishing in 4:36.47 and 4:37.78, respectively, and snagging the MileSplit Mississippi 1st-Team standard in the event.
With strong showings like these, it's clear that the competition in the distance events is heating up and that we can expect more fast times to come in the weeks ahead.
Brookelyn Morgan v. Kaitlyn Burge at South Panola Opener
Brookelyn Morgan caught our attention in the High School's 3200m run. The Tupelo sophomore won by almost a full minute in a state-leading time of 11:34.98.
RANKINGS: Mississippi High School Girls 3200m List
In the 1600m, Morgan finished second to Hernando's Kaitlyn Burge with a time of 5:28.26. Burge edged Morgan at the line with a winning time and state lead of 5:27.56. Both athletes, who broke 5:30 for the first time in their careers, nabbed the MileSplit Mississippi 1st-Team Standard in the event.
This race was a sneak peek at some of the talent that could be at the 2023 MHSAA 6A Track and Field Championships.
MSIAS Sweeps distance races at Pearl T&F Opener
The MSAIS had a great day on the distance side of things, especially in the High School Girls 1600m and 3200m.
*Olivia Smith winning the 1600m at the Pearl T&F Opener
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Jackson Prep's Olivia Smith won the 1600m, beating out the likes of indoor 1600m leader Katherine Neal from Pearl, MHSAA 6A star Alex Lee from Madison Central, and reigning MSAIS 5A Cross Country Champion Layla Warren from Simpson.
East Rankins's Leah Collipp and Emma Raines as well as MRA's Mae Ellen Mallet and Reese Johnson also had solid performances in these events.
Warren indeed got herself a win in the 3200m with in an impressive time of 12:02.9, leading the race from start to finish. Neal finished runner-up in a lifetime best and MileSplit Mississippi 1st-Team Standard of 12:15.14, and Oak Grove's Mari Alis Lyons finished third, 12:22.11.
Other notable performances:
*Emerson Yelverton of Biloxi won the Sabbatini Relays 800m in a time of 2:30.65, nearly nine whole seconds quicker than her season opener from last year. The middle school star now holds the state lead in the event as just an eighth grader.
*Christian Parks had an impressive solo performance on his home turf at the Clinton Season Opener, breaking the tape in a lifetime best of 10:06.61 and winning by a total of one minute and 44 seconds.
*The girls of East Rankin Academy had an impressive showing in the 4x800m relay, taking down reigning MHSAA 6A Champions Pearl High School in a state-leading time of 10:38.36.
*Clinton's Casey Wright won the weekend in the 800m, taking first at the Clinton Season Opener in 2:04.46. This is a state lead and a MileSplit Mississippi 1st-Team Standard, and is a sign that he is well on his way to breaking the sub-2 barrier in the Spring.