Gavin Wheat, a 4:31 1600m runner and 16:12 5K runner, snagged his second win of the season in a new course record time of 16:27, achieving the MileSplit USA Second-Team Standard for the third time this season. 

The Warriors were without 16:09 5K runner Bennett Ferguson, yet still placed four in the top five and five in the top nine to come away with the victory in a phenomenal score of 18 points. 

Oak Grove placed three under 17 minutes for the 5K and probably would have been four with Ferguson competing. Sophomore Grayson Taylor, coming off a 16:59.8 at the 2022 Saltillo XC Invitational, placed fifth overall in 17:06.40. 

Luke Skinner and Jaden Gray both ran 16:58.50. 

Another impressive performance to note is the private school stud that broke up the Oak Grove pack, Dallas Stricker of Heritage Christian. 

*Dallas Stricker, Heritage Christian

Stricker placed second in a time of 16:40.70. However, perhaps even more impressive is that the Heritage Christian sophomore is only two days removed from his 16:27.4 PR and victory at the 2022 Pass Christian XC Invitational. 

That is two sub-17's in a row in three days from Stricker, and he is headed in the right direction in his progression. 

In summary, this was easily the fastest meet in Neely Farms history as four runners were under the course record of 17:05, and if Oak Grove's performance tells us anything, it is that we can't wait for the Oak Grove v. Pearl showdown.