Omari Hampton | Clinton High School
Clinton sophomore Omari Hampton has been a sprinting sensation so far in the 2023 outdoor track and field season. He is coming off a top-notch indoor season, going 6.98 in the 60m dash as well as 22.46 in the 200m, ending both events as the top-ranked performer in Mississippi.
RANKINGS: Mississippi High School Indoor Track & Field Leaderboard
In his last outdoor campaign in 2022, Hampton was a driving force for Clinton High School in MHSAA 6A, competing exceptionally, ultimately taking home his first MHSAA 6A state titles in both the 100m dash and 200m. And without a doubt, Hampton is picking up right where he left off. This past weekend, the Clinton, Mississippi native competed at the Rumble in the Jungle, hosted by Madison Central HS. Leaving the competition in his wake, Hampton took the victory in a new blistering lifetime best of 10.62, currently a Mississippi No. 1 in the event.
This weekend will be another great opportunity to showcase his talent in the 100m, as well as challenge himself against top talent in the 200m as he plans to make his 2023 outdoor season debut in the event.
Javarius Molden - Hattiesburg High School
Keep an eye out for Javarius Molden, the hurdler from Hattiesburg High, who won both the 110mH and 300mH at last year's Southern Miss High School Invitational. He is a 2021 MHSAA 5A state champion in the 300m hurdles and a multiple-time state medalist in both the 300m hurdles and 100m hurdles.
For multiple outdoor seasons, Molden has proven his talent on the Mississippi stage. In 2022, he was a Mississippi Track & Field Meet of Champions winner in the 300mH on top of a runner-up finish at the MHSAA 5A Track and Field Championships in the 110mH.
So far this season, Molden has competed in the 110mH at the Hattiesburg High Invitational, taking the win in a time of 15.06. He currently stands as the Miss. No. 2 in the event.
RANKINGS: Mississippi High School Boys 110mH List
With the ability he has consistently shown in seasons past, The Hattiesburg senior is in a prime position to excel in the 110mH and 300mH this year.
Heidi Hudson | Sumrall High School
Sumrall's Heidi Hudson is making her 2023 outdoor track and field debut. She is coming off a phenomenal indoor season where she staked her claim as the greatest indoor jumper in Mississippi history.
Holding personal bests of 5-8.5 in the high jump and 19-4 in the long jump, she obliterated the previous state records, elevating her game to the next level.
RANKINGS: Mississippi High School Girls All-time Indoor Track & Field Leaderboard
In addition, Hudson is also a four-time MHSAA 4A in the Long jump and High jump.
The Sumrall sensation is also competing in the 100mH, an event she has yet to compete in.
Heidi Hudson has continued to surprise in every opportunity year, and we should expect no different at this weekend's Southern Miss High School Invitational
Jaquavion Bryant | Pearl High School
2022 MHSAA 6A Cross Country Champion and 9:31 3200m runner Jaquavion Bryant of Pearl is making his season debut in both the 1600m and 800m at this weekend's Southern Miss High School Invitational.
In his cross country and indoor track campaigns, Bryant has steadily improved, showing his competition why he is one of the best distance runners in Mississippi.
His Cross Country season culminated with his first-ever MHSAA 6A state title at just a sophomore, taking down a stacked 6A field in the process. Carrying that energy onto the indoor oval, the Pearl sophomore ran a personal best of 4:22.2 at the 2023 Last Chance Meet, good enough for a Mississippi No. 1 in the event.
RANKINGS: Mississippi High School Boys Indoor 1600m
Carrying over into the outdoor season, Bryant kick-started his campaign at the Pearl Track & Field Opener, where he ran a historically fast 3200m; A 9:31.5, currently ranked at the top in the event and one of the fastest times Mississippi has seen over the last decade.
RANKINGS: Mississippi High School Boys Outdoor 3200m
He is now gearing up for the 1600m/800m double, and with the fitness he has exhibited, expect Bryant to be in main contention to take both victories.
Meagan Womack | Clinton High School
Four-time MHSAA 6A medalist Meagan Womack will bring lots of momentum for Clinton High at this weekend's Southern Miss High School Invitational.
Just two meets deep this season, Womack has already hit lifetime bests in the Shot Put and Discus. The superb season opener followed a historical indoor season for the Mississippi State signee, breaking the Mississippi High School Girls Indoor Shot Put record on numerous occasions.
ALL-TIME RANKINGS: Mississippi High School Girls Indoor Shot Put
Competing in the Shot Put and Discus, Womack has won nine straight competitions, and her streak could crack into the double digits after this weekend.
As the Southern Miss High School Invitational approaches, all eyes will be on senior Miguel Bankston of Clinton High. Bankston is currently undefeated this season and holds the No. 1 seed in the 800-meter run with a lifetime best of 1:55.50.
Bankston is the reigning MHSAA 6A 800m Champion and has been dominating the event all season. He holds the current No. 1 time in the state, and his performances have earned him a spot on the William Carey University track and field team for next year.
This meet will provide a great opportunity for Bankston to showcase his talent and further solidify his position as one of the best middle-distance runners in Mississippi. With his impressive resume and recent commitment to William Carey University, Bankston is poised to have an exceptional performance at the Southern Miss High School Invitational.
Kennedy Stringfellow, a senior at Brandon High, is making noise in the Mississippi high school track and field scene. He is a jumps specialist, but has also shown his speed on the track. He is the No. 1 seed in the HS Boys Long Jump and is also competing in the 100m dash at the Southern Miss High School Invitational. He owns a lifetime best of 24-3, and is undefeated this season, winning the 100m dash, 200m dash, and Long Jump at the Pearl Track & Field Opener.
Stringfellow's impressive lifetime best in the Long Jump makes him a strong contender to win the event at the upcoming Southern Miss High School Invitational. His current No. 1 seed position is well-deserved and his competitors will have to bring their best to challenge him.
RANKINGS: Mississippi High School Boys Long Jump List
Not only is Stringfellow a standout in the Long Jump, but he is also a force to be reckoned with in the 100m dash. He has shown his versatility by excelling in both the sprints and jumps, making him a valuable asset to the Brandon High track and field team.
In addition to his impressive high school track and field career, Stringfellow has also recently committed to run track and field for Mississippi State University. He is expected to continue his success at the collegiate level and is a valuable addition to the Bulldogs
Stringfellow's performance at the Southern Miss High School Invitational will undoubtedly be one to watch. With his impressive track record so far this season, he is a top contender for the Long Jump and 100m dash titles.
Maxiumus Littleton | Clinton High School
Maxiumus Littleton of Clinton High will be attempting all three jumps for the first time this season at the Southern Miss High School Invitational. The Clinton senior will have very stiff competition to contend with, yet has a solid chance of coming out on top.
During last year's outdoor season, Littleton walked away with the MHSAA 6A Triple Jump silver medal, a Triple Jump lifetime best, and the High Jump bronze medal all on the same day.
During the past indoor season, Littleton made significant improvement in his Long Jump, beating his best from last year's outdoor season by almost two feet.
All in all, we think it's safe to say to keep your eyes peeled for the Clinton star on Friday.
Lenasia Drummond | Hattiesburg High School
Hattiesburg's Lenasia Drummond has consistently performed as one of the top jumpers and hurdlers in Mississippi over the span of several seasons. As the reigning MHSAA 5A Champion in the 100mH, 300mH, Long jump, and Triple jump, she has stood out as arguably the most versatile female athlete in the state.
Over the indoor season, she even tried her hand at the pentathlon, finishing ranked No. 34 in the nation. She took four wins at her home meet, the Hattiesburg High Invitational, and will look to continue her long winning streak.
However, she will be challenged, especially in the jumps, with the likes of Heidi Hudson and Cheyanne Alston competing alongside her.
All in all, it will be thrilling to see her rise up to the level of competition across multiple events.
Tacherria Lawson | Clinton High School
Two-time MHSAA 6A medalist Tacherria Lawson is slated to compete in the HS Girls 100m and 200m dash at the 2023 Southern Miss High School Invitational on Saturday.
Lawson's track season started in early December where she demolished her 60m dash time by 0.6 seconds to run 7.71, finishing as the top Mississippi prep in the event.
RANKINGS: Mississippi High School Girls 60m List
Since opening up her outdoor season, Lawson had three very strong performances either ending with a win or a new personal best. She shares No. 1 in the 100m with a time of 12.03 with Valencia Watson of Ridgeland High.
RANKINGS: Mississippi High School Girls 100m List
In addition to this, Lawson also boasts a Miss. No. 3 in the 200m with a time of 25.58 from the 2023 Clinton Season Opener. Expect Lawson to be a main contender to take home the 100m and 200m double.
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