The Rundown
Duo to Watch: Jessica Woods and Carmen Owen
Jessica Owen winning the 2021 MHSAA 4A North State 400m title
A short sprint duo to watch at the 2022 Pontotoc Invitational is Pontotoc's Jessica Woods and Carmen Owen, looking to defend their home turf in the 100m dash on Thursday.
The pair is coming off of a 1-2 finish at the 2022 New Albany Invitational, in which Owen took first place in a PR of 12.44. Owen, generally a 400m runner as she is the 2021 MHSAA 4A North State Champion in that event, now sits at #2 in the 100m dash in MHSAA 4A.
Teammate Woods already has plenty of experience in the 100m dash, as she is the 2021 MHSAA 4A State Runner-up in that event.
The pair has already gotten off to a hot start, and will be looking to continue that momentum at their home meet, the 2022 Pontotoc Invitational, where they are seeded #1 and #2 going into the competition. Owen is also the #1 seed in the 400m dash, so look for her to try and complete the double.
The 1600m
Some of the best 'medium school' distance runners from North Miss. are coming out to play in the 1600m at the 2022 Pontotoc Invitational.
Ladies first, Leading the way in High School competition is
Highlighting the High School Boys 1600m is 2021 MHSAA 4A State Champion and 16:03 5k runner Cooper Parmer of Pontotoc High School. Parmer is the guy to beat in MHSAA 4A this season, as he is the favorite to take the 1600m/3200m distance double at this year's state meet.
Parmer and Legoff at the 3k mark at the 2021 MHSAA 4A Cross Country State Championships
Parmer will see some of that MHSAA 4A competition on Thursday on his home turf in Corinth's Parker Legoff, who placed runner-up to Parmer at the 2021 MHSAA 4A Cross Country State Meet, 4:48 miler Lukas Dykes of Mooreville, the 3rd place finisher at the 2021 MHSAA 4A Cross Country State Championships, as well as recent 4:47 miler Tracy Williams and 2021 MHSAA 3A 3200m State Champion Austin Winstead of Senatobia, both of whom made the All-MHSAA 4A Cross Country Team.
Finally, MHSAA 5A powerhouse will be putting in their A squad, with 4:47 milers J.J. Lincoln and Parker Shannon leading the way.
All in all, the throwdown in the 1600m in both High School Girls and Boys will be quite the show to watch, and should make for some exciting matchups at the 2022 Pontotoc Invitational.
Matchup to Watch: DeCameron Knox v. Kyleal McShan
Two MHSAA 4A State Medalists will be back at it again in their specialty event, the Triple Jump, at the 2022 Pontotoc Invitational.
DeCameron Knox, the 2021 MHSAA 4A Triple Jump State Champion, will be going up against MHSAA 4A rival Kyleal McShan of Pontotoc on Thursday in the High School Boys Triple Jump. In the last year, Knox has only taken one loss in the Triple Jump - McShan at their regional championship. However, Knox has an overall record of 4-2 against McShan.
As a matter of fact, the other loss on Knox's record to McShan is last year's Pontotoc meet, where McShan is the defending champion from this meet one year ago.
Will Kyleal McShan defend his meet title, or will the 2021 MHSAA 4A State Champion prevail... Find out tomorrow at the 2022 Pontotoc Invitational.
Other Notable Entries
- Maine Lund, teammate of Mia Dawson, is entered in the 800m where she is coming off of a 2:31 win at the 2022 New Albany Invitational.
- 2021 MHSAA 4A 100mH State Champion Mackaly Brown is the #1 seed in both the 100mH and the High Jump.
- Bralen Williams of Lafayette v. Brandon Williams of Senatobia in the High School Boys 800m (Sub-2?).
- MHSAA 4A Discus Leader Chavarius Garrett, entered in the High School Boys Discus and Shot Put.
- McShan v. Troupe v. EJ Fisk of Saltillo in the High School Boys High Jump.