High School Girls

Ella Rankin, Hartfield

Defending Champion: Julia Stradinger (Jackson Preparatory School)

Meet record: Julia Stradinger | 19:49.04

Course record: Julia Stradinger | 19:49.04

No. 1 seed: Ella Rankin (Hartfield Academy)

The Rundown: 

Highlighting a small, but decent girl's field at the 2022 Jackson Prep XC Invitational is All-MileSplit XC No. 3, Ella Rankin, out of Hartfield Academy. 

This is Rankin's second outing of the season after a 12:07 2-mile at the 2022 Early Bird 2-miler, placing second to Simpson Academy's Layla Warren. 

RESULTS: 2022 Early Bird 2-miler

Rankin's 2-mile was good for No. 2 All-time in Neely Farms course history. 

READ NEXT: 2022 Early Bird 2-miler Meet Recap

Rankin may have gotten beat, but not by much, and it was still a very impressive outing for the Hartfield freshman. 12:07 for 2 miles on grass this early in the season is wicked fast, and while she may not run that at Jackson Prep on Monday due to it being a tougher course, we would still consider her the favorite. 

Here is who she will have to look out for: 

Emily Williams and Audrey Mayatte, East Rankin Academy

The East Rankin Academy trio of Leah Collipp, Emily Williams, and Audrey Mayatte. All three finished in the top six at the 2022 Early Bird 2-miler, and they also all possess very impressive PRs on the track. 

The Jackson Prep quartet of Olivia Smith, Gracie Atkinson, Kimmons Sheppard, and Rachel Rutledge. Four very talented patriots, all four have run under 21 minutes in the 5K, led by Rutledge who has run 19:49. However, Smith is coming off of a phenomenal season which included a MAIS 6A 1600m state title, taking down Rankin. As a matter of fact, Smith is the only girl in this field that has beaten Rankin. 

Benton Academy's Lindsey Hogue, a 5 x MAIS State Champion, has gone 19:34 and will be gunning for the win at the 2022 Jackson Prep XC Invitational. Hogue is coming off a 2022 track season which included 2 PRs in the 1600m and 3200m, and looks primed and ready to rip a 2-mile on Monday. 

Here is our pick: We're a statistics-driven website, and we have to stick with what we know. Rankin has gone 19:01 in the 5K and looked too good at the 2022 Early Bird 2-miler for us not to call her the favorite. She took handily took down the East Rankin trio, and although Smith has gotten her in the past, it hasn't been in anything over 1600 meters. Rankin for the win. Smith grabs second place. Third place is wide open.