HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS
On the girls' side, ranked at #4 on the All-State list, Brookelyn Morgan (All-State #4) of Tupelo comes in with the fastest time for this weekend. The freshman is coming off of an exceptional performance from the Mooreville Invitational with a time of 19:05. According to all the runners that are entered in this weekend's race, Morgan holds the fastest time by almost a minute.
On the team stage, Hernando and Saltillo both look to dominate. These two teams are exceptional pack runners and look to be the favorites for this Saturday.
Leading Hernando are Riley Jackson (All-State #6) and Jessica Cartwright. Both of these runners finished just one second apart from one another at their last race at the Hickory Flat Invitational. Even though these two have not broken 20-minutes for the 5k this year, they are no strangers to the 19-minute range. Both of these girls have run fast times in the past with Jackson's best time coming from the 2020 state meet and Cartwright's best coming from this very race back in 2019.
Note from the State Editor: Although Morgan is the heavy favorite going into this weekend, I would not at all be surprised to see Jackson and Cartwright up there with her. It was those 3 that finished so close together at last year's MHSAA 6A State XC Championships. Although Morgan is having a great year on the grass, Expect to see the Hernando duo go out hot with Morgan.
Jackson and Cartwright going 1-2 at the 2021 MHSAA 6A North State Championships
For Saltillo, Abby Covington and Anna Caroline Crouch lead the charge with a season-best for both runners at 20:54. Both of these girls' personal bests also come from this meet during the 2020 season. At that race, they both broke the 20-minute barrier. Just more reason to look out for fast times this weekend.
Some other top girls talents that are attending include Mia Dawson (All-State #7) of Lafayette High. Her best race of the season so far comes from the TCPS Twilight with a time of 21:00 on a very tough course. During the 2020 season she had a similar start and ended up running 19:26 at Saltillo.
Of course, Kate Gann (All-State #5) of Itawamba AHS returns after facing off with Brookelyn Morgan at the Mooreville Invitational. She scored a personal record of 20:22 last week and could possibly garner another big PR this weekend. Gann has already been more consistent with faster times than she has been last season and I have no doubt that she will be able to continue these feats.
Another top runner entering this weekend is freshman Lucy Littlejohn of French Camp. She returns this season after not competing during 2020. Her previous best stood at 25:07 and she dropped more than four minutes in her last race, which was also the site of her first win.