3. Keegan Leverett - Saint Stanislaus High School
Last Ranking: #2
Last Performance: Has not raced
Next Race: Saltillo Invitational
Moving back another spot due to the lack of racing is Keegan Leverett of Saint Stanislaus. Leverett hasn't had a chance to race yet due to Hurricane Ida. With that being said, the reason Leverett hasn't moved so far back is because I still know what he is capable of, and I don't think a hurricane should affect his ranking. The next race Leverett is actually entered in is Saltillo, where he will go up against literally every other person on this list. I think there, Leverett is going to wake a lot of people up. With that being said, I think that the next 2 people on this list have earned the right to be top 2 in the state...
2. Sam Arnold - Brookhaven High School
Last Ranking: #3
Last Performance: 16:06 5k, 2nd place finish at The Opener 2021: Mississippi College
Next Race: Northwest Rankin XC Meet
Arnold has hopped up one spot every time the rankings get updated, and for good reason. Arnold opened up his season with a bang with a 15:59 5k on his home course. Arnold then backed that up with a 16:06 5k at Choctaw Trails. For Arnold to run these kind of times this early in the season is downright scary. There is no telling what he and Childress will do at Saltillo next weekend against the quality of competition that will be there. This guy is an absolute fighter, and has the ability to go to the well unlike any runner I have seen. It will be very exciting to see what he can do in the coming weeks.