Race of the day: Junior Varsity 3K
*The junior high races were won by Samuel Lewis and Emma Beckwith (pictured above)
The varsity races indeed offered some exciting racing - Especially the MAIS 5A High School Girls Championship race in yet another historical battle between Columbia Academy, Simpson Academy, and East Rankin Academy.
However, the most thrilling race of the day was the Junior High 3K for both genders; for this reason - Everyone came together for one race.
In essence, competition breeds competition. And people want to see just that.
Crowds lined the fences and flags of Choctaw Trails as the ground rumbled from the masses of runners that passed by. Moves were made to execute the individual and team win, and the audience was engaged.
There was something at stake, and everyone ran their all-out, 100% effort because of it. That simple concept is exactly what Mississippi Cross Country needs.
Is a state championship with 3-5 teams in each classification really a race that features the state's best? Should several minutes be separating the top finishers? Can the sport grow in the direction that it is headed?
Is it time to change how the Mississippi post-season is formatted in our sport?
MAIS XC State Meet Awards on next page >>>