New Albany XC Classic
High School Boys
Defending Champion: N/A
Meet record holder: Jackson Williams (Arlington High School) | 16:20
Course record holder: Tristan Orman (Oxford High School) 16:18
No. 1 seed: Brent Lyons (Arlington High School) | 15:57
The Rundown:
The might of North Mississippi will be opening up their season at the 2022 New Albany XC Classic on Saturday.
In the small school race, Gabe McElwain is the heavy favorite.
Gabe McElwain, Walnut High School
With a PR of 16:13, McElwain is seeded almost a minute and a half ahead of the rest of the field. If things go as expected, the 7th ranked runner on the All-Milesplit Mississippi Preseason XC Team should open up his senior season with a smooth sailing victory.
READ NEXT: All-MileSplit Mississippi XC Teams: No. 6 and 7
Following behind McElwain should be a close race between Brodie Moore of West Union and Bounds Simmons of TCPS. These are the only other two runners in the race with a PR under 18 minutes for the 5K.
Simmons is coming off a hot outdoor track season, winning the 2022 MHSAA 1A state title in the 800m and 1600m. He should toe that line with a lot of confidence.
RESULTS: 2022 MHSAA 1A Track and Field Championships
Moore did not compete in last year's outdoor track season.
In the large school race, the on-paper favorite is Brent Lyons from Arlington High School in Tennessee. He is listed with a 15:57 5K personal best. Lyons is bringing along a couple of fast teammates with him to put on a show in their neighboring state.
Graham Weiss of Hernando has the second fastest time on paper entering this race. Now, Weiss has an advantage over most of the field as he raced at the South Panola XC Classic last week. The rust should be knocked off and Weiss will be ready to take on the tough competition.
Graham Weiss, Hernando High School
The race will also feature Lukas Dykes and the boys of Saltillo High School, led by Parker Shannon and Jace Stanley. They will all be in a tight race with the Arlington team to finish in the top ten.
However, these runners have proved they can get it done on the grass and run fast times. It will be an exciting watch as they begin their seasons close to home.
This team battle will be a prideful fight between Mississippi and Tennessee.
Saltillo High School will be representing Mississippi well as it is one of the best returning teams that the state has to offer this year. With a returning team average of 17:04 and a 1-5 split of 36 seconds, the Tigers will be hard to beat.
Arlington will be the ones in enemy territory trying to steal a trophy. The Tennessee school could presumably have two runners in the top three, or even three runners in the top five. If that were to hold, it bodes really well for their team chances.
Here's Our Pick: While Lyons may get the individual win, Saltillo will take the team victory. Arlington does have a speedy top three, but they do not quite have the depth that Saltillo does. The compactness that Saltillo brings to the table in their 1-5 split should lead them to a thrilling victory in their first contest of the 2022 season.
However, it's going to be a close one...
What do you think?
High School Girls
Jessica Cartwright, Hernando High School
Defending champion: N/A
Meet record holder: Skylar Boogerd (Arlington High School) | 18:31
Course record holder: Ann-Marie Braese (Arlington High School) | 17:58
No. 1 seed: Jessica Cartwright (Hernando High School)
The Rundown:
Just like the High School Boy's race, the High School Girl's race is loaded with competition from Northern Mississippi.
Leading the field in the large school competition is the All-MileSplit Mississippi XC No. 1 out of Hernando High School.
Last week, Cartwright opened up her season with a win at the 2022 South Panola XC Classic in a time of 20:28.
RESULTS: 2022 South Panola XC Classic
She finished 40 seconds ahead of the next competitor.
MEET RECAP: 2022 South Panola XC Classic
Cartwright also led her team to a perfect score of 15, with All-MileSplit Mississippi XC No. 4 Riley Jackson finishing in fourth, as well as new Hernando transfer Kaitlyn Burge in second place overall.
Cartwright and Jackson are the top two seeds heading into the 2022 New Albany XC Invitational, but will be going up against some heavy hitters such as 19:58 5K runner Anna Caroline Crouch of Saltillo, 4 x MHSAA 4A State Champion Hannah Sanders of Mooreville, Rylee Blanchard of Lewisburg, among others.
Hannah Sanders, Mooreville High School
With the likes of Cartwright, Jackson, Burge, 19:58 5K runner Madison McMillen, and 8th-grade talent Kyleigh Carter, Hernando seems to have the team title locked down.
Lastly, keep an eye out for All-MileSplit Mississippi No. 6 Aubree Justice, the 3 x MHSAA 3A State Champion out of Alcorn Central.
READ NEXT: All-MileSplit Mississippi XC Preseason Teams: No. 6 and 7
Justice could potentially have an epic showdown against Eliza McCarley from Baldwyn High School, the 2021 MHSAA 2A Cross Country Champion.
RESULTS: 2021 MHSAA 2A Cross Country Championships
Both Justice, the 2021 Mississippi XC Meet of Champions winner, and McCarley are making their 2022 cross country season debut.
RESULTS: 2021 Mississippi XC Meet of Champions
Justice continued her momentum into the 2022 track and field season, winning nine total races, including the 2022 MHSAA 4A 800m and 1600m State Titles.
RESULTS: 2022 MHSAA 4A Track and Field Championships
We haven't seen McCarley since the 2021 cross country season, but there was no doubt that she was one of the best middle schoolers in the state last season.
Here is our pick: Cartwright is going to lead Hernando to their second team win. As for the small school girl's battle, we're going to say that Justice has a leg up due to competing during the track season