Christian Balcer, East Central 1:53.93
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Your 2021 Most Valuable Performers in the 2021 edition of the Mississippi Meet of Champions were Kennedi Sanders, Madison Ridgeland, and Christian Balcer, East Central.
Kennedi Sanders, Madison Ridgeland
Sanders won the 400m in a blazing 53.19, running into a heavy headwind, in which she snagged the overall record in the 400m from Olympian and meet director Bianca Knight, and is also currently the #4 time in the nation. Sanders then came back to run a 23.96 for the win, again running into the wind.
Balcer, after just 2 days off of competing in the 5A MHSAA State Championships, in which he won the 800m, 1600m, 3200m, and he anchored his 4x400m to 2nd place, decided to focus on the 800m in the high caliber meet. After sticking with the pack for the first 400, Balcer went for it on the second lap, closed in a high 55, and covered the 2 lap race in a blistering 1:53.9. This time was good enough for #3 All-time in the state of Mississippi for high school boys.
Both runners closed out a historic season, in which both Balcer and Sanders have both represented Mississippi well as they placed high at the respective national championships, Sanders placing 4th in the 200m and 8th in the 60m at Adidas Indoor Nationals, and Balcer placing 6th at the RXC Championships in Huntsville, AL last semester during cross country.
Balcer plans to attend the RunningLane Track Nationals, where he will toe the line against some of the best in the nation in both the 1 and 2 miles. The meet is scheduled for June 11-12. Sanders is not sure where her schedule will take her, but she is sure to compete in summer track and will blaze the track wherever she and her coach decide to go.
There is no telling what these 2 studs will run when pushed, but do not be surprised if Sanders breaks 53 in the 400m, or if Balcer breaks 9 in the 2 miles against some fast competition.
Mississippi Milesplit would like to thank everyone that came out to support, as well as Bianca Knight, the meet director, Pearl High School, the meet venue, and all of the officials, coaches, medical staff, and volunteers that made this meet happen.
Athletes, this should be the meet you are shooting for next year, as there were all kinds of fast times and amazing marks in the field events in this year's edition of the meet, and it will surely grow even more in the future. Be sure to mark your calendars, and we will see y'all out there next year!