In our "Talk of the Town" section, we shine a spotlight on the Mississippi performances that have captured the attention and admiration of spectators, coaches, and fellow athletes alike.

We dive into the records shattered, milestones achieved, and the awe-inspiring feats that have left the state buzzing with excitement.

As we analyze the accomplishments of these exceptional athletes, we also look ahead, contemplating the potential trajectories of their budding careers and the impact they might have on the future of Mississippi track and field.

Abram/Crump could score over 60 points at 2023 MHSAA 4A Track & Field Championships

Performance #1: Senatobia's Jabrysten Abram won the High School Boys 110mH and 300mH at the 2023 Oxford Relays in 14.87 and 38.58, respectively.  

Performance #2: Senatobia's Carlando Crump won the High School Boys 100m in a time of 10.4, the 200m in a time of 21.87, the 400m in a time of 50.80, and the Long Jump in 22-0 at the 2023 Oxford Relays. 

For the Record: Carlando Crump walked away from the Oxford Invitational with lifetime bests in the 100m, 200m, and Long Jump. He is now Mississippi's No. 1 100m athlete, No. 3 200m runner, and No. 9 Long Jumper. Abram continues to lead the state in the 300mH with his new mark of 38.58, and sits 5th in the 110mH.

The Scoop: The 1-2 punch of Abram and Crump made a splash at the Oxford Relays, collectively taking home six event wins. Crump not only burst onto the Mississippi scene, but also the national scene. In the 100m, he ran an all-conditions 10.40, improving upon his previous best effort by a sizable four-tenths of a second, catapulting himself into the Mississippi lead. He also shot up the national ranks, and he now finds himself in a joint U.S. all-conditions No. 2 spot with Zamarii Sanders of Florida.

In the 200m, he cruised to a half-second victory, snagging yet another lifetime best by nearly a second. Abram had a similar day. He walked away with a slight personal best in the 300mH and a was nearly matched his best effort in the 110mH.

This combination of ability placed in these two athletes will be a force to be reckoned with on the MHSAA 4A front come championship season, and Senatobia High will look to both Abram and Crump as huge point-scorers for their side as they search for a MHSAA 4A team title.  

Clinton HS Boys own best jumps duo in the country

Performance #1: Clinton High School's Tyler Nichols jumped 6-10 in the high jump for the win at the 2023 Bianca Knight Invitational. 

Performance #2: Maxiumus Littleton of Clinton High School placed runner-up behind his teammate Nichols, leaping to a height of 6-8 at the 2023 Bianca Knight Invitational.

For the Record: Nichols performance comfortably places him as the best in the state, as well as No. 6 in the nation. Moreover, he also cracked the Mississippi top 10 All-time rankings. Littleton sits two inches from his fellow Clinton senior, and matched his personal best of 6-8 in the process. 

The Scoop: Combining Nichols and Littleton performances from Saturday, the Clinton pair now stands as the top high jump duo in the country. Without a doubt, the Bianca Knight Invitational was groundbreaking for the Mississippi high jumping scene. Both Nichols and Littleton continue to elevate themselves among their in-state competitors and even competitors across the country. Looking ahead into the postseason, this pair will be an invaluable arrow in the quiver of Clinton High as they seek another MHSAA 6A State Championship.  

Segroves raises Mississippi High School Girls Pole Vault record

Performance: Biloxi's Julie Segroves jumped a 13-7 personal best in the pole vault at the 2023 Gulf Coast Classic.

For the Record: Breaking her own state record with her jump of 13-7, Segroves now finds herself as the best vaulter in the state and the current No. 3 pole vaulter in the nation. 

The Scoop: After demolishing the state record once again, Biloxi's Julie Segroves has continued to raise her pole vaulting game to the next level. With the kind of momentum Segroves has swelled around her vaulting this season, she is setting herself up big-time to go after an MHSAA 6A individual title.

Look out for Segroves to be a competitor on the national stage as this Biloxi sophomore continues to have a fantastic season.

Gabe McElwain Becomes First Sub-4:30 in MHSAA 2A History

Performance: In the High School Boys 1600-meter run, Walnut's Gabe McElwain, a 4-time MHSAA 2A State Champion, ran 4:27.99 to beat Tupelo's duo of Taylor Brown and Jaheim Bridges.

For the Record: While McElwain already broke the MHSAA 2A 1600m State Record earlier this season at the NMMC Relays, this weekend he became the first in his classification to ever break the 4:30 barrier.

The Scoop: This was McElwain's third time competing against Brown and Bridges this season. Every time they race, it is must-see track and field action.

This past weekend, the three faced off in the 1600m at the Golden Wave Invitational. This time around, McElwain took the win with a time of 4:27.99, making him the first runner in MHSAA 2A history to ever go under 4:30 for the 1600m. In doing so, he beat Bridges (4:29.15) and Brown (4:32.59).

This was a fantastic performance by all three runners, but this time McElwain came out on top. 

Charve Gibson Shines at the Bianca Knight Invitational

Performance: Jefferson County's Charve Gibson places second in 300-meter hurdles, and wins the Long Jump and Triple Jump at the Bianca Knight Invitational.

For the Record: With these performances, Gibson is now the best eighth-grader in Mississippi history across the 300m Hurdles and Triple Jump.

The Scoop: Charve Gibson has been on a roll this track season. Since her incredible performances at the Armory for Nike Indoor Nationals, she has not slowed down since.

Just recently, the middle school phenom simply dominated the Bianca Knight Invitational. Starting with 300mH, Gibson placed second to Chrisiyona Quarles of Brookhaven, with a time of 44.65. This time moves her up to No. 1 all-time for eighth-graders in the state.

In the field events, Gibson took home two blue ribbons. Winning triple jump at 38-3.5, she is now the No. 1 eighth grader in MS history for that event as well. In the long jump, Gibson hit a winning mark of 17-6.

All in all, the Jefferson Country star is looking to bring home quite a few gold medals as just an 8th-grader at the upcoming MHSAA 3A Track and Field Championships. 

Chrisiyona Quarles Establishes 300mH Dominance

Performance: In the High School Girls 300-meter hurdles, Brookhaven's Chrisiyona Quarles, a fourth-place finisher at last year's MHSAA 5A State Championships in that event, ran a big lifetime best of 44.43 seconds to win the Bianca Knight Invitational.

For the Record: Quarles has the current state lead and is the fifth-fastest junior in Mississippi history for the High School Girls 300mH.

The Scoop: Quarles narrowly beat out Jefferson County's Charve Gibson by 0.22 seconds in a 300mH thriller at the Bianca Knight Invitational. This was a lifetime best and puts Quarles in the state-lead for the event. This is her third win for the 300mH this season and her fourth win in any event.

On the day, Quarles also placed third in the 100mH with a time of 15.20. Along with that was another third-place finish in the 200m dash at 25.69.

All in all, this has been a breakout year so far for Quarles as she is the favorite to win the 300mH event at the MHSAA 5A Track and Field Championships.

Heidi Hudson Ties High Jump State Record

Performance: In the High School Girls High Jump, Sumrall's Heidi Hudson, the 2023 Nike Indoor National Pentathlon Champion, jumped 5-11 to win the PCS Invitational.

For the Record: Hudson's performance ties a 14-year-old state record for the girl's high jump. She is now on par with Bria Rice, a 2010 Madison Central graduate.

The Scoop: Simply put, Heidi Hudson has been on a roll all season.

After her fantastic showing at Nike Indoor Nationals, it became clear that Hudson was ready for a record-breaking outdoor season. Her high jump performance this past weekend of 5-11 solidified her as one of the greatest high jumpers the state has seen.

This was a huge personal best for Hudson as her previous outdoor best was 5-8. With much of the season left ahead, she still has time to take that title outright while she is still a junior.

Sidney Stegall Runs 9:22 in Tallahassee, makes MSAIS History

Performance: In the High School Boys 3200-meter run, Heritage Academy's Sidney Stegall, a seven-time MAIS State Champion, ran 9:22.25 at the FSU Relays (High School).

For the Record: Sidney Stegall is now only the fourth Mississippi athlete to ever break 9:30 in the 3200m and is ranked third all-time.

The Scoop: Stegall competed in an absolutely stacked race in Tallahassee.

Stegall lowered his state lead and MSAIS record down to 9:22.25 against some of the south's toughest competition. This impressive time placed him 12th among runners from Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Louisiana, and of course Mississippi. As seen this past weekend, great competition can push Stegall to shave several seconds off his performances.

It will be enticing to see what he can do at his big meets throughout the rest of the regular season and postseason.