Fifth Runner How Important Are They


A lot of people just look at the top runners in cross country, but I love the fifth runner. This position is one of the most important runners on the team. Let's take a look at a few of the boys fifth runners so far this season. At Brookhaven, their number five is at 19:05 and helps the team rank number one in this early season. For number two Saltillo, it is 18:30, which offsets some of the faster Brookhaven runners times. Tupelo Christian has a problem with a 21:14 which puts the number one ranked preseason team at a distant third place. 

Brookhaven has to get the fifth runner under 19 minutes if they want to hold off hard charging Saltillo, and TCPS is in need of a fifth man. Now TCPS can win State in Class 1A, but to have a chance at an unofficial State team championship they have to find that fifth man.

To see all the team ranking scores and how all the fifth runners ran click here for the State Rankings.