Starting off our list is Layla Warren of Simpson Academy. Warren is currently undefeated in her past two meets and put down a fast two-mile time of 12:43 at the Early Bird 2 Miler.
She is resembling that of her 2020 cross country season with a strong start. Last year, Warren competed at the MAIS 4A XC State Meet and took a second-place behind then fellow 7th-grader, Ella Rankin; she also finished behind Rankin in 2019 with a 7th place finish. She finished the season with a personal best of 19:38 in the 5k.
During the track season, Warren competed in a wide variety of events ranging from the 100m to the 3200m, as well as some jumping events. She has truly proved herself as a jack-of-all-trades. Her best distance marks from this past track season are equally impressive with an 800m time of 2:36, 1600m of 5:44, and 3200m of 12:02. Keep in mind that these are times from 7th grade.
Following is Andrew Brown of Tupelo High School. Brown competed in his first-ever race this past weekend at the Golden Wave Season Opener and won the JV 2 Mile division. Not only did he win his first race ever, but he did so in a blazing time of 11:15 as a 7th-grader. He also beat the next-best runner by over a minute.
Andrew Brown is the little brother of Taylor Brown and has shown to be following very closely in his brother's footsteps, as he has already stuck out from the rest of the field.