Julia Stradinger winning last year's meet at Jackson Prep
Starting off, we have the #2 ranked female runner in the state opening up her season on her home course, Julia Stradinger. Like I have mentioned time and time again, Stradinger hasn't dropped a race since the 2019 cross country season. She is the #1 seed by over 40 seconds going into this weekend, but the girl's race at Jackson Prep will be a very strong one, with some very interesting entries...
First off, we have the 2021 Ole Brook XC Invitational Champion Aubrey Britt driving up to Flowood to see some strong competition. We also have the Rankin sisters, Avery Rankin and Ella Rankin from Hartfield Academy, who have both run under 20 minutes in the 5k, along with their teammate Kaitlyn Elliott. Throw in the rest of Jackson Prep's very strong ladies squad, and we have ourselves a very competitive cross country race.
Finally, the 2 entries that will really throw this race for a loop are the recent transfers Kate Simms and Sophie Santucci. Simms, the 2021 MHSAA 3A 800m State Champion while at St. Andrews is now at Jackson Academy, and will make her season debut in Flowood this weekend. And then we have Santucci, the middle-distance ace from TCPS. Santucci will be racing unattached this weekend and has a 5k PR of 19:37. Santucci hasn't raced since the 2020 indoor season, and that was when she was throwing down times like 5:17 in the 1600m. It will be thrilling to see her back at it this weekend with some fierce competition.
Sophie Santucci
In the boy's competition, the #1 seed is Charlie Hight from Jackson Prep. Hight just recently 4:43 in the 1600m to finish 2nd behind Preston Speed at the MAIS State Meet. He will have some good competition in Clayton Mahaffey and Reid Travelstead, a strong duo from Jackson Academy.
Madison St. Joseph is scheduled to run this weekend, but sub-17 5k performer William Fugate is not in the entries.