Grace Hoeniges dominates middle distance events for the ladies
Starting with the ladies, it was the Grace Hoeniges show at the 2023 MHSAA Middle School Track and Field Classic, winning both the 1600m and 800m in dominating fashion.
After competing in 12 individual races this outdoor season, the Northwest Rankin star has won every time she touched the track. The 800m and 1600m have proven to be her forte, as she won both events against the state's top young talents.
In the 1600m, Hoeniges placed first with a time of 5:35.66, a five-second personal best. The next finisher was Isabella Iles of Alexander Junior High, stopping the clock at 5:46.84. In the 800m, Hoenigas ran 2:34.79 for another first-place finish, making it two middle school state titles on the day and just 0.34 seconds off her personal best. Right behind her was Iles yet again at 2:39.77.
Cooper Wallace shines in boys' middle-distance races
The boys' middle-distance results mirrored the girls' results, as one athlete won both events - Brookhaven's Cooper Wallace established that he is truly one of the state's best future stars on the distance running scene.
Wallace, the 2022 MHSAA Middle School Cross Country Classic champion in the Medium School Division, decided that he wanted two more titles to his resume, as he took home the win in the 1600m and 800m. The Brookhaven runner is undefeated this year in both events.
In the 1600m, Wallace beat out his teammate, Coleman Knott, by three seconds for the win. Both runners set personal bests by going under five minutes with times of 4:56.24 and 4:59.15, respectively.
In the 800m, Wallace finished first with a time of 2:09.36. This was a major personal best for Wallace, as his previous was 2:15.42. Close behind Wallace was Miles Thompson of Oxford at 2:11.56.
Brookhaven's future stars: Wallace and Knott
Brookhaven having two sub-5 milers in middle school is certainly nothing to scoff at, and the future certainly looks bright for the future of the Junior Panther's program.
Delong and Sumrall battle it out in boys' 3200m
The boys' 3200m was battled out by Toshan Delong of Oxford and Pearl's Gage Sumrall. Delong came into the meet with just a few races under his belt in 2023 and a season's best of 11:02.25. On the contrary, Sumrall entered the race undefeated through five meets in the 3200m and a personal best of 11:14.17. Simply put, the scene was set for a middle school showdown.
The matchup did not disappoint as they finished just three seconds apart from each other. Delong came in first at 10:42.00 with Sumrall right behind at 10:45.95. The fierce competition pushed for major jumps for both athletes in the season. Another Junior Charger in this race broke 11 minutes, as Oxford's Graham Vaugn placed third with a time of 10:53.97.
Neal edges out Ano in girls' 3200m
Another exciting matchup took place in the girls' 3200m.
Caylee Ano of Ocean Springs, the 2022 MHSAA Middle School Cross Country Classic Champion in the Large School Division, had not lost a race all season, dominating the south-state region middle school meets. However, Pearl's Elliott Neal was also undefeated this season in the 3200m going into the meet. Both girls went under 13 minutes, making it a blazing-fast race.
Neal took the win on her home turf at 12:36.72. Ano was not far behind, running a respectable 12:52.18.