Now we can pick the male cross country athlete of the year. Yes, there are some other meets but the regular season is over.
Preston Speed, Jackson Preparatory at MAIS
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Preston Speed, Jackson Preparatory was the top MAIS runner this season. Prestons won four out of five 5K races this season. He won MAIS Class 5A State with the fastest time of the meet. He set his personal record of 16:37 at the Watson High School Meet where he finished 10th in the Gold Division.
'Christian Balcer, East Central at Watson High School Meet
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Christian Balcer, East Central has won every race he competed in this season. He capped off his senior season winning the MHSAA Class 6A State Championship in 15:15.4. This ranks him first in the state and 85th nationally. I know that he plans to race postseason in at the RunningLaine National Championships in Huntsville, Al on November 21st.
Chase Rose, Oxford High at Watson High School Meet
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Chase Rose transferred from Kirk Academy this summer to Oxford High to get into some better races. It worked for him as he finished his last season of cross country with a personal record of 15:25.80 at the Watson High School meet.
Henry Richardson, Hattiesburg Forerunners at Forerunner Open
Henry Richardson, Hattiesburg Forerunners won the Homeschool Association State Championships with a nice 18:14.36 at Choctaw Trails. He set his personal record or 18:07.70 over the tough Simpson Academy home course. Not a bad season for the seventh-grader.
Taylor Brown, Tupelo High at Pontotoc
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Taylor Brown, Tupelo High is the number one ranked 8th-grader in the nation with his 16:03.20 on the fast Saltillo course. I hope he runs postseason at Huntsville.