5. Jack Hewes - Saint Patrick High School
Previous Ranking: #7
Last Performance: 15:57 5k FTW at the 2021 Watson High School Meet (Blue Division)
Next Race: MHSAA Region 8-3A
Jumping up 2 spots at #5, and perhaps the biggest dark horse in whole state, is Jack Hewes of Saint Patrick. Hewes is seemingly getting better and better each time he steps on the line. This is literally his first ever year running cross country, as he is coming from basketball, and is basically running these times off of pure talent. He just ran the #3 fastest 5k time ever as a sophomore... And this is his 4th race ever. That is just downright scary. I can't wait to see the showdowns he will have with his in class rival Keegan Leverett in the coming weeks, and I would expect both of their PR's to drop.
4. Luke Johnson - Oxford High School
Previous Ranking: #3
Last Performance: 15:53 5k, 4th place finish at the 2021 Watson High School Meet
Next Race: MHSAA Region 1-6A
Coming in at #4 is the new member of the sub-16 5k club, Luke Johnson of Oxford. I knew Johnson didn't have best race at Pontotoc... and he still went 16:19. I figured that if that was his off day, then there's no telling what he can run if he is feeling good. Well, turns out, we do know - a 15:53 for 5k, currently #4 in the state right now in its deepest year it's ever been. Even on Johnson's off days, he is a force to be reckoned with, and he has reasserted himself as the favorite in MHSAA 6A as we head on into regional racing.