Meet Recap: 2022 Watson XC Invitational (Blue Division)

The day presented a plethora of challenges for the Mississippi runners in this field to overcome. Starting at 10:45 in the morning in some of the hottest conditions of the day against new competition they have never seen before was a potentially daunting task, but these girls came to race.

Taking the title of first Mississippi finisher in the Blue race was Samantha Edwards of Saint Aloysius HS and not close behind was teammate Hendrix Eldridge. Even without the possibility of an individual title, these girls still raced their hearts out all the way to the line. Both girls ran times that were consistent with what they have been running the last few weeks of this season.

The pair navigated the course very well and even held off Lindsey Hogue of Benton Academy. Hogue had herself a very strong showing at Choctaw Trails and finished with a new season best. She was the third fastest Mississippian of the blue race and was making a bid to win against the Saint Aloysius duo.

*Lindsey Hogue, Benton Academy, and Bradie Eppinette, St. Fredrick, going through the 2k mark

On the team side, Saint Patrick HS was the strongest team out of Mississippi that day. The team was led by Jayden Ware and had three girls finish in the top 20 overall runners. The team is setting up to make a run for the MHSAA 3A state meet. They are already arguably secured a second-place team finish and only have room to improve and close the gap on the projected first-place finisher, St. Andrew's.