Blue Boys 5K
*Jack Hewes winning the Blue Division 5K at the 2021 Watson Cross Country Classic
In the Varsity Boys 5K blue division, Jack Hewes of Saint Patrick is the on-paper favorite.
This season, Hewes has shown consistent progression after a short hiatus. The Saint Patrick junior has bounced back with two victories so far coming from the 2022 Forerunner Lakeshore Run as well as the 2022 Admiral Brickyard Bayou Classic. Hewes has a season-best of 16:20 in the 5k, and his personal best is 15:54. He most definitely has the tools to run an impressive performance, and tomorrow is a great opportunity to really catch his stride this season and cement his name in the All-Milesplit Rankings.
Saint Patrick High School is also going for the team title as well. Tristan Davis, the Mississippi cross country 3k state record holder, accompanied by multiple sub 18 minute 5k guys, should be big point scorers for the Fighting Irish, giving them a clear pathway to victory in the Boys Blue Division.
State Editor's Pick: After analyzing the information above, I think it is safe to say that Jack Hewes is the clear favorite to defend his blue division title at the 2022 Watson High School Classic.
He is the class of this field - Obviously, we don't mean any disrespect to the rest of the field - Hewes is just that good. It was at last year's Watson High School Classic, where Hewes jumped onto the Mississippi high school running scene, and we expect something similar this year.
Silver Boys 5K
Similar to the blue division, Dallas Stricker is poised for victory.
Having won eight races in total this season, he is the favorite to defend his MAIS 2A state title and is the 3rd fastest runner in the entirety of MAIS. His season and personal best come from the 2022 Pass Christian Invitational, where he ran 16:27 for the win. Most recently, he competed at the 2022 Columbia Academy Caleb Coleman Invitational, where he comfortably won in 16:59.
Also, look out for Neshoba Central's Evan Hallford and MAIS 6A State Champion Elliot Davis from Jackson Prep, who could be in contention for a spot on the podium.
State Editor's Pick: We love that Dallas Stricker is racing up and taking his talents to the large school division.
He has been on a tear this season, and he definitely deserves a competitive race and potentially lower his 5k PR. There will definitely be others that surprise us on the day, and maybe even break 17 for the first time. However, Stricker is no stranger to winning, and we don't think that will change on Saturday in the boy's silver division