Individuals to watch
*Jaheim Bridges and Taylor Brown winning the 2022 Tupelo Invitational
Photo credits: Drew Lewis
A host of Mississippi individuals are making their way to Alabama to race in the renowned Jesse Owens Classic.
Starting off is the best duo in Mississippi, Taylor Brown and Jaheim Bridges. They are coming off a dominant home performance at the 2022 Tupelo Invitational, where Brown and Bridges took the comfortable 1-2 finish, respectively.
As of right now, they have the second and third fastest 5k times in the state, with Jaheim having gone 15:44 and Taylor going 15:50. This weekend will be an excellent opportunity to add yet another top performance to their name with fantastic competition to race against and a fast course to race on.
Another top Mississippi performer going to Jesse Owens is Walnut High's, Gabe McElwain.
Gabe McElwain, Walnut HS
Photo credits: Drew Lewis
He has had two stellar back-to-back performances, soloing 16:01 and 16:03 to win both races, but he has yet to break 16 this season. However, with the consistency he has shown, Saturday will be the perfect opportunity.
Pearl High School's JaQuavion Bryant, who just joined the sub-16 club at the 2022 Clinton Arrow Invitational, is another Mississippi stud toeing the line at the 2022 Jesse Owens Classic.
*JaQuavion Bryant, Pearl HS
Photo credits: Ben Woolhouse
Bryant has only raced twice this season but has made the most of it in each race, and we don't expect anything different on Saturday.
Some others to keep in mind is Desoto Central's, Kaleb Tackett. He has made a big jump this season, running 16:22 to PR by over a minute. Additionally, Oxford High's Bailey Kosko has gone 16:20 this year for 5k, placing 6th at the Saltillo Invitational. Expect him to add to his run of form and look for yet another PR. Lastly, the Madison Central HS duo of Ben Owens and Colin Brannon will be chasing that MileSplit USA Second-Team Standard of 16:30.
Rounding off the individuals is debatably the best female distance runner in the state on the girl's side, Brookelyn Morgan. She has gone 19:08 this season for 5k and is ranked as the All-Milesplit No. 1. With The size and concentration of impressive athletes going to the 2022 Jesse Owens Classic, Morgan could push to break the 19-minute barrier for the first time.
Mississippi teams to watch on next page >>>