The Weekend Ahead: Miss. Outdoor T&F Back in full swing

Pearl T&F Opener


*Farren Oberto and Jaquavion Bryant at the 2022 Jesse Owens Classic(AL)

Loaded fields in distance events

This weekend, the Pearl Season Opener will feature some of the top distance runners in Mississippi high school track and field. The meet will see a highly anticipated matchup in the High School Boys 3200m, with Gavin Wheat, a William Carey signee, Colin Brannon, and Jaquavion Bryant set to compete.

Bryant, the 2022 MHSAA 6A Cross Country Champion, is coming off a successful indoor campaign and is considered the favorite, but Wheat and Brannon have both proven themselves to be formidable competitors. It's possible we could see a sub-10 3200m time, or even faster, before the month of March even begins.

RESULTS: 2022 MHSAA 6A Cross Country Championships

Brannon and Wheat will also be racing in the 1600m run alongside Bennett Ferguson, the 2022 MHSAA 6A 1600m bronze medalist.

They will be joined by Tanner Moore, a 4:34 miler, Bounds Simmons, the 2022 MHSAA 1A 1600m Champion, and sophomore Grayson Taylor, another talented Oak Grove Warrior. This is a star-studded field and could produce some fast times, setting the benchmark for the 2023 Mississippi outdoor track and field season.

The High School Girls 3200m will feature Layla Warren of Simpson, the 2022 MAIS 5A Cross Country Champion, who is looking to dominate the event, as she is the only entry with a 3200m time under 12 minutes.

RESULTS: 2022 MAIS 5A Cross Country Championships

Other notable competitors in the field include Mari Alis Lyons of Oak Grove and Katherine Neal of Pearl, who will also be racing in the 1600m event.

*Layla Warren and Leah Collipp at the 2022 Pearl Season Opener

These will double back to compete in the High School Girls 1600m run, which is set to be another stacked field. Included in that field are Olivia Smith, the 2022 MAIS 6A 1600m Champion, Lauren Entremont, the 2022 MHSAA 6A 1600m runner-up, Leah Collipp, the 2022 MAIS 5A 3200m bronze medalist, and many other notable cross country athletes including Alex Lee, Mae Ellen Mallet, Reese Johnson, and Emma Raines. While it's unclear what kind of shape everyone is in, this field is sure to provide some thrilling racing.

Overall, the distance events at the Pearl Season Opener are shaping up to be some of the most competitive in Mississippi high school track and field history. With top in-state athletes like Jaquavion Bryant and Layla Warren, fans can expect some impressive performances and close finishes. It's sure to be a thrilling start to the 2023 outdoor track and field season, and one that fans won't want to miss.

Rkhyzon Cleveland at the 2023 Hattiesburg Season Opener

Cleveland looks to extend streak in hurdles

Rkhyzon Cleveland, an elite hurdler from Callaway High School, is looking to extend his winning streak this weekend at the Pearl Season Opener. The 2022 MHSAA 5A 300mH Champion is the No. 1 seed in the 110mH event and the heavy favorite in the 300mH, which is considered his specialty event.

RESULTS: 2022 MHSAA 5A Track and Field Championships

Cleveland opened up his season at the Hattiesburg Season Opener, where he won both the 110mH and 300mH events. His impressive performance served as a reminder of just how dominant he can be on the track.

However, Cleveland will have to be on his toes this weekend, as he faces tough competition in the 110mH from Markeith Thompson of Natchez. Thompson is a talented hurdler in his own right and will be looking to give Cleveland a run for his money.

Brandon's Stringfellow, McLaurin back in action

Kennedy Stringfellow and Addison McLaurin, two talented track and field athletes from Brandon High School, are back in action this weekend at the Pearl Season Opener. Both athletes are among the best in MHSAA 6A and are looking to make their mark early in the outdoor season.

Stringfellow, a Mississippi State signee and primarily a jumper, is the heavy favorite in the High School Boys Long Jump event. He has a lifetime best of 24 feet and 3 inches and is considered one of the top long jumpers in the state. Fans can expect him to put on a show and possibly set a new personal record this weekend.

McLaurin, on the other hand, is looking to sweep both the High School Girls 100m and 200m dashes. She is a talented sprinter and one of the best competitors in MHSAA 6A. Fans will be eager to see what kind of shape she is in and how she performs in these events.

Both Stringfellow's and McLaurin's performances this weekend will be a good indicator of what fans can expect from them throughout the rest of the season.

Gibson v. Ewing looks in multiple events

This weekend's Pearl Season Opener will feature an exciting matchup between two talented athletes, Gibson of Jefferson County HS and Ewing of MRA. Both ladies are looking to make their mark in multiple events and should provide some thrilling competition on the track.

Gibson is a young, talented jumper and sprinter who has already put down elite marks, including 59.56 in the 400m, 17-6.5 in the long jump, and 36-5 in the triple jump. She has earned multiple medals at the MHSAA 3A level and is eager to take on the competition at the Pearl Season Opener.

RESULTS: MHSAA 3A Track and Field Championships

Ewing, on the other hand, is a veteran from MRA who is the No. 1 seed ahead of Gibson in both the long jump and 400m dash. She has several medals at the MAIS 6A level and even has a long jump state title under her belt. Ewing is looking to build on her success and continue to perform at a high level.

RESULTS: MAIS 6A Track and Field Championships

The pair should provide exciting competition in multiple events, and it will be interesting to see how they perform against each other. Gibson's talent and potential make her a formidable opponent, but Ewing's experience and proven success make her a force to be reckoned with.

Other Athletes to watch: 

D'Iberville's Aryn Eady is set to compete in the High School Girls Discus at the Pearl Season Opener. As the No. 1 seed by over 20 feet and with a 2022 MHSAA 6A bronze medal under her belt, Eady is one to watch in this event.

Pearl's Kingi McNair will be competing in the High School Boy's High Jump and Triple Jump events at the Pearl Season Opener. As the No. 1 seed in both events and with a successful indoor season behind him, McNair is looking to continue his momentum and make a mark early in the outdoor season.

Pearl's Connor Mozee will make his debut in the High School Boys Discus at the Pearl Season Opener. As the 2022 MHSAA 6A Champion in the event and No. 1 seed by 15 feet, Mozee is a strong contender and is looking to continue his winning ways in the event. 

North Pike's Ri'Torion Vigne will be competing in the High School Girls' 100m dash at the Pearl Season Opener, where she will go up against talented sprinter Addison McLaurin. With a lifetime best of 12.35 seconds and a win in the 100m dash at the Hattiesburg Season Opener under her belt, Vigne could give McLaurin a run for her money. 

MRA's Rivers Godwin is looking to take on the might of Pearl in the High School Boys' 400m dash at the Pearl Season Opener. As the No. 1 seed at 50.37 seconds and with MAIS 6A titles in the 200m dash, 400m dash, and 300m hurdles, Godwin is a talented athlete who is sure to put on a strong performance on the track.

Written by: Chris Webber, Editor