Mississippi T&F Athletes to watch at Mobile C.O.C.

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The upcoming Mobile Challenge of Champions Invite is all set to showcase the best high school track and field talent from across the Southeast.

This prestigious event, hosted by St. Paul's Episcopal School in Mobile, Alabama, promises to be a thrilling display of athleticism and sportsmanship.

As Mississippi athletes prepare to compete in this highly anticipated meet, let's take a look at some of the standout talents who are expected to make their mark on the track and field.

Maxiumus Littleton | Clinton High School | HS Boys HJ

Bringing some momentum to the upcoming Mobile Challenge of Champions is Clinton High School's Maximus Littleton.

Littleton will be taking a different approach than most athletes as he will be competing in only the High Jump and not coupling it with either one of the other jumping events, like he has normally been doing all season. Littleton is just coming off a fresh lifetime best in the Triple Jump at the Bianca Knight Invitational and yet another 6-8 mark in the High Jump. Both of those marks rank him second in the state-wide rankings, respectively.

Between the Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field seasons thus far, Littleton has jumped 6-8 a total of four times, so it's probable that the Clinton High School senior will be looking for the electric environment at the meet to push him higher than he's ever jumped before. 


        Cheyanne Alston | Biloxi High School | HS Girls LJ & TJ 

        Jumps specialist Cheyanne Alston is a force to be reckoned with in the Long Jump and Triple Jump.

        The Biloxi senior has consistently dominated the Mississippi high school track and field scene, boasting lifetime bests of  19-8 in the Long Jump and 39-8 in the Triple Jump, as well as state-leading marks in both events.

        The Biloxi star is expected to make a strong showing at the Mobile Challenge of Champions Invite and potentially secure a spot on the podium in not one, but two events.


          Kendrell Robertson | Tylertown High School | HS Boys 110mH 

          Another standout Mississippi athlete from Tylertown High, Kendrell Robertson, who has been making waves in the hurdles. With an impressive season so far, Robertson, the reigning MHSAA 3A 110mH and 300mH Champion, is poised to be a top contender in the upcoming Mobile Challenge of Champions

          Currently, the Tylertown senior sits at No. 2 in Mississippi in the 110-meter hurdles behind Ridgeland's Jamari Page. However, after a successful indoor season that included leading the state in the 60-meter hurdles, Robertson surely wants the top spot in the 110-meter hurdles, and has another opportunity to go after the throne once again. 

          Coaches and spectators alike will be keeping a close eye on Tylertown's Robertson as he takes on the competition.


          Heidi Hudson | Sumrall High School | HS Boys HJ, LJ, and 100mH

          Sumrall's Heidi Hudson is widely regarded as one of the best track and field athletes in the nation.

          Fresh off a pentathlon national title at the 2023 New Balance Indoor National Championships, Hudson is truly a force to be reckoned with. She recently tied the state record in the High Jump with an impressive mark of 5-11 and is also a four-time MHSAA 4A Champion. Competing in the High School Girls Long Jump, High Jump, and 100-meter hurdles at the Mobile Challenge of Champions, Hudson has her sights set on victory.

          With her undeniable talent and determination, she could very well pull off a remarkable triple-win at this prestigious event.


            Miguel Bankston | Clinton High School | HS Boys 800m

            Known for his consistency and confidence, Miguel Bankston is a shining example of what it means to be a student-athlete. Bankston, the reigning MHSAA 6A 800m Champion, remains undefeated this season. 

            As this middle-distance ace prepares to compete in the 800-meter run at the Mobile Challenge of Champions Invite, fans can expect to be in contention for the win and potentially improve upon his runner-up finish from last year's meet. 


            Tacherria Lawson | Clinton High School | HS Girls 100m & 200m

            Tacherria Lawson is preparing for a big-time double at the 2023 Mobile Challenge of Champions.

            Entered in the 100m and 200m, she will be able to challenge herself against solid out-of-state competition. The 2022 MHSAA 6A runner-up in the 200m, she currently sits at the Mississippi No. 3 in the event, in addition to being Mississippi's No. 2 in the 100m.

            Only .04 seconds off the 100m state leader, Valencia Watson, she is in perfect position to make some noise down the homestretch this weekend.


            Jaquavion Bryant | Pearl High School | HS Boys 1-mile

            Jaqauvion Bryant, The 2022 MHSAA 6A Cross Country Champion will be racing in the Boys 1 Mile Invitational as the only entry from Mississippi.

            Bryant has run 4:22.35 in the 1600m this year, good for No. 2 in all of Mississippi and No. 1 in MHSAA 6A. Bryant has already seen success racing the 1600m in Alabama this season, with a win at the Homewood Invitational. Bryant has not lost a race in the 1600m all season.

            In a field full of Alabama runners, Bryant will have quite the challenge to keep his winning streak alive, but it is expected to see a fast time.


              Jerquavious Lowery | Columbus High School | HS Boys 200m 

              Jerquavious Lowery's impressive performances throughout the season have earned him a reputation as a rising star in Mississippi high school track and field.

              According to our records, Lowery's first year of competition was last year, yet still has a lifetime best of 21.75 in the event, good enough to win the 2022 MHSAA 5A Track and Field Championships.

              With a season's best in the 100m of 10.86, currently No. 8 in Mississippi, the Columbus senior looks primed and ready to rip in the High School Boy's 200-meter dash on Saturday. 


              Kaitlyn Walker | Clinton High School | HS Girls SP & Discus

              Clinton High School's Kaitlyn Walker will be competing in the Shot Put and Discus at the upcoming Mobile Challenge of Champions.

              Walker, the reigning MHSAA 6A Discus Champion, owns lifetime bests of 136-7 in the Discus and 38-0 in the Shot Put. The Mississippi State commit currently sits at No. 4 in Mississippi in the High School Girls Discus along with another top-ten ranking in the Shot Put, but has a solid chance to climb up the rankings as she will compete in a stacked field in Mobile. 


              Gavin Wheat | Oak Grove High School | HS Boys 2-mile

              Oak Grove Senior and William Carey Signee, Gavin Wheat will be racing in the Boys 2 Mile Invitational section at the upcoming Mobile Challenge of Champions.

              Wheat has been on a roll all season and is hot off a 1600m personal best of 4:27.83 at the Carey High School Challenge. While he has only raced the 3200m once this season, Wheat boasts an impressive time of 9:33.71, ranking him No. 3 in Mississippi this season.

              Wheat is seeded sixth in his race and will be competing against some of Alabama's top talent, priming him for a fast time.

                Clinton High's Kaitlyn Jones is one athlete to watch out for at this year's Mobile Challenge of Champions Invite. Last year, she had her breakout race in the 300-meter Hurdles at this very event, and she's been making waves ever since.

                As the 2022 MHSAA 6A runner-up in the 300-meter Hurdles, Jones has proven her mettle and determination to excel in this challenging event. Currently ranked fourth in Mississippi, she'll be looking to make her mark once again at the Mobile Challenge of Champions Invite section.


                Omari Hampton | Clinton High School | HS Boys 100m & 200m

                Sophomore speedster Omari Hampton from Clinton High School is making a name for himself as one of the nation's top young sprinters.

                Currently ranked second in Mississippi for the 100m dash, Hampton's season-best time of 10.62, achieved with a victory at the Rumble in the Jungle, demonstrates his readiness for another blazing performance. Undefeated this season, Hampton is also the reigning MHSAA 6A 100m and 200m Champion, a remarkable feat considering he clinched those titles as a freshman.

                Expect Hampton to put on an impressive showing at the upcoming Mobile Challenge of Champions.

                Jenesis Williams | Clinton High School | HS Girls 100mH & 300mH

                Jenesis Williams from Clinton High School is gearing up to compete in both the 100m Hurdles and 300m Hurdles at the Mobile Challenge of Champions.

                Recently, she showcased her talent at the Bianca Knight Invitational, where she secured a commendable fourth place finish in the 100m Hurdles, clocking a time of 15.51-just shy of her personal best of 15.28. Williams also earned a third place finish in the 300m Hurdles, setting a new lifetime best with a time of 45.25, now ranked third in Mississippi in the event.

                Currently with a total of two wins and five Top 5 finishes on her 2023 Track and Field resume, Williams is eager to make a strong impression at the Mobile Challenge of Champions this weekend.

                Meagan Womack | Clinton High School | HS Girls SP & Discus

                Yet another athlete from Clinton looking to make some noise at the upcoming Mobile Challenge of Champions is Meagan Womack.

                Womack's season has been nothing short of spectacular, recently landing her fourteenth win in a row this season with a new lifetime best in the Discus of 145-9 at the Bianca Knight Invitational.

                Womack is ranked no. 16 in the High School Girls Discus and no. 28 in the Shot Put nationally, and compete in both of those events to go for the double-win whilst also raise her national ranking in the process. 


                Tanner Moore | Pearl High School | HS Boys 800m

                Mississippi's No. 1 ranked 800m runner is going to put his newfound fitness to the test against many other of the South's best half-milers. 

                Tanner Moore of Pearl High School blasted through the rankings two weeks ago when he not only broke the two-minute barrier in the 800m for the first time, but also ran the fastest Mississippi time of the season with a 1:56.4 at the Homewood Invitational.

                Moore has never made it to the state meet in the 800m, but it looks like he will be going from not going to state at all to contending for the win in one of the deepest fields of the season thus far. 


                Bennett Ferguson | Oak Grove High School | HS Boys 3200m

                Oak Grove Senior Bennett Ferguson will be competing in the Boys 2 Mile Invitational alongside his teammate, Gavin Wheat.

                Ferguson has raced the 3200m three times this season, all being under 10 minutes as well as two wins. His most recent was at the Carey High School Challenge, where he won with a personal best of 9:39.81. This time currently ranks as No. 7 in Mississippi.

                With the caliber of his opponents, and his proven ability to compete, Ferguson should be pushed to an amazing race.


                Connor Mozee | Pearl High School | HS Boys Discus

                A thrower to keep an eye on this weekend is the reigning MHSAA 6A state champion in the discus, Connor Mozee of Pearl High School.

                He currently sits as the Mississippi No. 3 only behind Roury McCloyen of St. Joseph and Brodie Ezell of Brookhaven High School. He threw a season best of 151-11 in the Discus at the Rumble in the Jungle.

                Stay tuned to his performance as Mozee's season continues to progress and he eyes another MHSAA 6A state championship.


                Julie Segroves | Biloxi High School | HS Girls PV

                Julie Segroves is big-time Mississippi athlete to watch this weekend at the upcoming Mobile Challenge of Champions.

                The Sophomore from Biloxi Mississippi will be competing in the Pole Vault this weekend where she currently ranks 1st in the state of Mississippi and 9th in the country. With a PR of 13-7 and an undefeated season so far she is certainly going to be a force to be reckoned with. 


                Tyler Nichols | Clinton High School | HS Boys HJ

                Tyler Nichols of Clinton High School is another very talented Mississippi jumper in the upcoming Mobile Challenge of Champions.

                The defending MHSAA 6A champion across comes into the meet with a PR of 6-10, just recently at the Bianca Knight Invitational.

                Currently ranked 15th in the nation, Tyler Nichols will surely be gunning for a big win this weekend in Mobile. 


                Ashton Rainey | Ocean Springs High School | HS Girls 2 mile run

                Ocean Springs' own Ashton Rainey, a distance runner committed to Lamar University, is gearing up for the High School Girls 2-mile run at the Mobile Challenge of Champions.

                Boasting season bests of 5:19 in the 1600m and 11:35 in the 3200m, Rainey currently holds the No. 2 ranking in both distance events in Mississippi.

                With her proven competitive edge, Rainey has the potential to capture the state lead in the High School Girls 3200m following her performance in Mobile this weekend.

                Keep an eye on this talented distance runner as she takes on the competition at the Mobile Challenge of Champions.


                Farren Oberto | Pearl High School | HS Boys 2-mile

                Sophomore sensation Farren Oberto from Pearl High School is quickly emerging as one of Mississippi's most promising young talents.

                Currently ranked 9th in the state in the 3200m, Oberto is in excellent form heading into the Mobile Challenge of Champions. His personal best of 9:42, achieved on March 18th at the Homewood Invitational, is a testament to his outstanding abilities and potential.

                Keep an eye on Oberto this weekend, as he's expected to deliver an exhilarating performance in the 2-mile event.