Weekend Preview: August 27, 2022

Eagle Claw Invitational

Lucy Littlejohn, French Camp High School

High School Girls

Defending champion: Macy Bain (South Pontotoc HS) | 22:39

Course record holder: Macy Bain (South Pontotoc HS) | 22:39

No. 1 seed: Lucy Littlejohn (French Camp High School) 19:45

The Rundown:

Lucy Littlejohn, the 3 x MHSAA 1A State Champion out of French Camp High School, is making her 2022 cross country debut on Saturday at the 2022 Eagle Claw Invitational. 

Those who know Littlejohn know that she is as fierce as they come when she is on the cross country course. Last season, Littlejohn garnered a total of four wins, a 5K PR of 19:45, and never once finished outside of the top two. 

Littlejohn is also on the watch list for the 2022 All-MileSplit Mississippi XC team, and will start her campaign to do so on Saturday. 

Littlejohn is the No. 1 seed by over 45 seconds and also has a huge shot to snag the course record in her season opener. If there is anything we know about Littlejohn and French Camp, it is that they have been putting in the summer miles and will come into the season fit as a fiddle. 

Led by Littlejohn and 4 x MHSAA 1A State Medalist Averie Jane Gundy, they are a small but mighty crew. 

They will, however, face some big competition on Saturday against MHSAA 6A school Germantown High School, who finished seventh overall at the 2021 MHSAA 6A Cross Country Championships. 

RESULTS: 2021 MHSAA 6A Cross Country Championships

The Lady Panthers are projected to go 1, 3, 6, 9, and 13, while the Lady Mavericks are seeded to finish in 2, 5, 7, 8, and 11. 

For the math gurus out there, that puts French Camp at 32, and Germantown at 33. 

Here is our pick: First off, we think Littlejohn is getting the course record. But who gets the team battle?

This isn't the first time French Camp has faced off against a top-tier MHSAA 6A squad. They beat Tupelo at the 2021 French Camp Invitational, and actually beat Germantown at the 2021 Mississippi XC Meet of Championships. With that being said, although it can't get much closer than this to call, we're going to have to go with French Camp for the win.

It could go either way, though, and we can't wait to see how it all plays out. 



High School Boys

Defending champion: John Thomas Frank (Eupora High School) | 18:14

Course record holder: Bryce Harrison (Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science) | 18:00

No. 1 seed: Kohl Griffin (Germantown High School) | 16:55

The Rundown: 

There is not as much to dissect in the High School Boy's competition at the 2022 Eagle Claw Invitational, as the prediction of the results seem very clear to call. 

Germantown High School is seeded to put six into the top seven, and they have at least four guys that could potentially break the course record. 

Kohl Griffin, Germantown HS

They are led by 16:55 5K runner Kohl Griffin, a senior who has also run 10:15 for 3200m. 

Griffin is the heavy favorite to take the 2022 Eagle Claw Invitational individual title, and could very well bring his teammates along with him. 

Germantown has a solid boy's team that could place inside of the top five at the 2022 MHSAA 6A Cross Country Championships. 

On Saturday, we will see where their fitness currently is. 

Here is our pick: Germantown has at least three guys under the course record, with Griffin leading the way. Germantown grabs the easy win.