2021 Garmin RunningLane XC Championships Preview: HS Boys


Taylor Brown - Tupelo High School - Bronze Division

16:06 5k PR

3rd place at the 2021 MHSAA 6A XC State Championships

11th place at the Mississippi Meet of Champions

Fastest Freshman of All Time from Mississippi 

        One of the top seeds in the Bronze Division is a name that we all know, the freshman phenom Taylor Brown. What's crazy about this event is that it took a 16:02 to make the Silver Division. With that being said, there are a slew of guys in between 16:03 and 16:10 in this race, and it should be a good one for Brown as he could be in contention for the win on a very fast course which could possibly translate to a fast time. 



Gabe McElwain - Walnut High School - Bronze Division

16:13 5k PR

2021 MHSAA 2A XC State Champion

Has won 9 races this year

9th place at the Mississippi Meet of Champions

        Another Mississippi stud in the Bronze Division is one of the best small-school runners in the state, and that is Gabe McElwain of Walnut High School. McElwain is a big-time gamer that knows how to win, but also how to elevate his game when needed. He finished Top 10 at both Watson and the Meet of Champs, and I also really like that he and Brown are in the same race as they have worked through the field really well together. Gabe McElwain is another runner on the list that could go for the sub-16 5k barrier tomorrow. 



William Fugate - Madison St. Joseph - Bronze Division

16:15 5k PR

2021 MAIS 5A XC State Champion (State Meet Record Holder in that Class)

        One of the most consistent guys in the state and yet another Mississippi high school boy I think has a very realistic shot at breaking 16 tomorrow is William Fugate of Madison St. Joe. Fugate has HUGE second and third miles, which will work great for him tomorrow, as I could see him passing in between 60-70 runner on the back half. As long as he is able to navigate the first mile, as it will probably be a little packed, Fugate is due for a huge PR.         



Jake Thompson - Brookhaven High School - Bronze Division

16:18 5k PR

3rd Place at 2021 MHSAA XC State Championships

3rd Team All-State Meet of Champions Finisher

        Leading the charge in the Bronze Division for Brookhaven is the 16:18 5k man from Brookhaven, Jake Thompson. His 16:18 5k PR was run at Jesse Owens, which may not be quite as crowded at this one, but is still a big race and Thompson knows how to run in a crowd. As he long as stays calm and collected through the halfway mark, Thompson has a huge shot and snagging 1 more PR for the season. 



JJ Lincoln - Saltillo High School - Bronze Division

16:21 5k PR

Winner of Silver Division at the 2021 Watson High School Cross Country Meet

Has won 3 races this year

        One of the Mississippi entries I am most excited about is Saltillo High School's low stick and 16:21 5k man, JJ Lincoln. This will easily be the biggest field Lincoln has ever raced against, yet also still has some Mississippi runners he has been racing all year with him in the Bronze Division. Lincoln is more of a dark horse entry and I don't really know what to expect from him, but I definitely would not at all be surprised if he ended the day with a PR.