RETURNER RANKINGS: Mississippi Homeschool Girls Cross Country
As the dawn of a new season breaks, we take a step back to cast an anticipatory glance at the Mississippi Cross Country Championships, a contest eagerly awaited by athletes and fans alike.
Welcome to another summer the "Way Too Early" Cross Country Rankings series, where we shed light on emerging talents, predict potential powerhouses, and dive deep into the statistics that might shape the upcoming season. The promise of thrilling competition, the excitement of emerging talents, and the sheer love of the sport drive this series. So, lace up your running shoes, pull up a chair, and join us as we embark on this fascinating pre-season journey.
Today, we delve into the Mississippi Homeschool Boys Cross Country Championships!
Forerunners a force to be reckoned with
As the autumn air turns crisp and leaves begin their colorful fall transformation, the spotlight also shifts to the upcoming 2023 Mississippi Homeschool Cross Country Championships. And already, the murmurings of formidable contenders are gaining momentum.
This year, the Hattiesburg Forerunners appear set to make waves. The team's roster, brimming with talent, is led by a trio of standout athletes: Alyssa Frost, Sydney Moudy, and Kaylie Frost.
Rising sophomore Alyssa Frost heads into the season as a top returner, with a lifetime best of 20:45 earned at the 2022 All-Mississippi Cross Country Championships. Frost's performance, already impressive, could be the harbinger of a breakthrough season, considering she already clinched the 1600m title at the 2023 Mississippi Homeschool Track and Field Championships.
Hot on her heels is Sydney Moudy, a rising junior who shares a similar 5k(XC) lifetime best of 20:50, also set at the previous year's All-Mississippi Cross Country Championships. Her credentials are further solidified by her reigning title as the Mississippi Homeschool Girls Cross Country Champion, signaling that she will be a force to be reckoned with this season.
And let's not forget about the younger of the Frost sisters, Kaylie Frost. A rising seventh-grader with a 5k(XC) lifetime best of 21:05 under her belt, Kaylie's precocious talent, demonstrated at the 2022 Frank Horton Night Classic in Memphis, Tenn., adds depth to this already intimidating Forerunner squad.
Julianna Hamilton: The Dark Horse from Tupelo Spartans
Yet, the field is far from narrow. An honorable mention goes to Tupelo Spartans' Julianna Hamilton, a rising freshman. Hamilton currently ranks sixth on the 5k(XC) returners list, and she carries the title of reigning 3200m Champion from the 2023 Mississippi Homeschool Track and Field Championships. Her impressive track record suggests that she may pose a significant threat to the leading pack.
Looking Ahead: The Road to the All-Mississippi Cross Country Championships
Still, with such a powerful lineup, it's hard to look past the Hattiesburg Forerunners as favorites for the team title. They have the strength, the depth, and the titles behind them. As long as they can maintain their health, all signs point to the Forerunners successfully defending their team title and earning an automatic qualifier to the much-coveted All-Mississippi Cross Country Championships.
This season promises an exciting display of grit, talent, and competition. So, fasten your seatbelts, folks, as we await the electrifying action from the Mississippi Homeschool Girls Cross Country Championships!