Nyla Flowers wins in jump off
Closing out the jumps, the Girls Triple Jump competition did not disappoint, with N.R. Burger Middle School's Nyla Flowers winning the middle school title in a jump off against the aforementioned Seals.
Jumping 33-7.5, Flowers set herself a new lifetime record in the event by over three and a half inches. With this jump, this places her at the No. 1 spot in the state for middle school girls in the event. As a seventh grader, Flowers has been undefeated so far in her young career, not only in the Triple Jump, but also in the High Jump, 300m hurdles, and the 100m hurdles.
With one more year left in middle school, there is no question that Nyla Flowers will continue to improve and stay dominant in the state, and potentially become the next Lenasia Drummond.
Maliyah Seals dominates Girls Long Jump
In the Girls Long Jump, Maliyah Seals, an eighth grade sensation from Pearl, took home the middle school championship win in this event, with an impressive jump of 16-5.5. This new lifetime best replaces her old one by over one and a half inches, while also securing her the win by eight and a half inches. Seals has been undefeated in the long jump this season, as well as in other events, such as the Triple Jump and the 400m dash.
To end off her incredible season, Seals has placed herself No. 1 in Mississippi in her speciality event, as well as being ranked No. 4 in the triple jump, amongst middle school girls in Mississippi.
All in all, Maliyah Seals will be a name that you will continue to hear in the years to come.
Madison Jones excels in Girls High Jump
Moving on to the high Jump, Byram's Madison Jones won the event with a mark of 4-10.
Simply put, Jones has been dominant in the high jump event this season, staying undefeated in every middle school competition she has competed in. Jone's personal best of 5-2 that she achieved at the 2023 Junior Mavericks Invitational ties her at No. 1 in the state for middle school girls. Jones has proven herself to be a great athlete and competitor, casting a bright future ahead of her in this sport.
Another notable performance in the High Jump was Pearl Junior High's 8th grader Tamerial Wilson, placing 2nd overall with a jump of 4-8. This jump ties her personal best that she achieved at the Little 6 Conference Championships. Wilson has placed in the top 3 overall in almost every event that she has competed in, including the triple jump and the 400m dash.
Expect Wilson to be a top competitor in the state as she begins her high school career.
De'Shawn Dillon's triumphant day in Boys Jumps
Moving on to the Boys Jumps, one young man had a day that we won't soon forget. De'Shawn Dillon of Northwest Rankin Middle School stood victorious on the boy's jumps in not one, but three of the contested jumping events.
He began his day with a new personal best in the Long Jump with a leap of 19 feet, 8.5 inches, winning the event by over 7 inches. Shortly after claiming his title in the Long Jump, Dillon hopped, skipped, and jumped to a mark of 39 feet, 5.5 inches in the Triple Jump, another personal best by over two feet.
To finish the day, Dillon competed in his best event, the High Jump. Entering Monday's competition, Dillon had a personal best in the event of 5 feet, 10 inches. It was clear that Dillon was not satisfied with just two personal bests. In the high jump, he cleared a bar of 6 feet even to earn his third victory and third personal best of the day. His mark of 6 feet sets him tied for the highest jump among all 8th graders in the state.
A remarkable day for sure, De'Shawn Dillon will be an athlete to keep a close eye on in the future of Mississippi Track and Field.
Zoe Williams breaks barrier in Girls Pole Vault
In the Pole Vault news, Biloxi's Zoe Williams broke the elusive nine foot barrier to win the MHSAA Middle School Classic title in a lifetime best of 9-0. This is Williams' third win of the season, and her first-ever career state title.
Biloxi is beginning to make a name for themselves as 'Pole Vault High School' with the likes of state record holder Julie Segroves, Addison Deeks, Kate Kuykendall, and now Williams.
Bennett McWilliams secures 3rd win in Boys Pole Vault
Moving to the Boys Pole Vault, Northwest Rankin's Bennett McWilliams secured his third win in a row in his specialty event, taking the MHSAA Middle School Classic crown in 9-0.