Ross Evans | Corinth High School
Ross Evans starts his senior year off hot with a massive PR at the Brooks High School Tennessee River Classic, placing top ten in a very competitive field. Evans led the Corinth High School boys on the day to a third-place team finish.
Traditionally an 800m specialist during the track season, this is the first time that Evans has ever achieved a top ten state ranking before in the 5k. He dropped a minute and thirteen seconds to pull off this feat.
RANKINGS: 2022 Mississippi High School Boys 5K List
Evans will surely continue to improve as he chases the 17-minute barrier, and could be a force to be reckoned with in MHSAA 4A this year.
The lone female whose stock is shooting up is the sophomore out of Corinth High School, Elsie Wilbanks.
At the 2022 Brooks High School Tennessee River Classic, Wilbanks led Corinth High School and hit a PR of 20:43 in the 5K, which currently places her No. 6 on the 2022 Mississippi High School Girls 5K List.
RANKINGS: 2022 Mississippi High School Girls 5K List
Wilbanks also ran over two minutes faster at this year's season opener versus last year's season opener.
With that being said, Wilbanks is already way ahead of schedule in regards to last year and could be one to watch come championship season in MHSAA 4A.
READ NEXT: Way Too Early XC Rankings: MHSAA 4A High School Girls
Chandler Ray | Falkner High School
Chandler Ray is returning with a vengeance this cross-country season. After making his transition to a true distance runner by dropping the 800m, he has found a great deal of success. He finished last track season as a state champion in the 3200m and a runner-up in the 1600m.
These accolades must have gathered a lot of momentum for the senior from Falkner High School, as he ran his 3200m PR pace of 5:15 per mile for another mile on the grass at the 2022 Brooks High School Tennessee River Classic.
RESULTS: Varsity Boys 1-4A
Be on the lookout for Ray this season, he could potentially tango with the best of the best and make for some entertaining racing.