RETURNER XC RANKINGS: MAIS 4A Girls
As we eagerly look forward to the 2023 MAIS 4A Girls Cross Country Championships, it appears the story of the event will revolve around legacy, tradition, and the potential of an unbroken streak. Kirk Academy's Charley Rose appears ready to uphold the Rose family tradition, initiated by Morgan Claire Rose and Chase Rose, and continue to be a dominant force in MAIS 4A cross country.
Charley, an accomplished runner who already has two MAIS 4A Cross Country Championship titles to her name, seems to be on track to claim her third in a row and overall ninth MAIS 4A title this year. Rose's remarkable track record extends beyond cross country; she has achieved the rare MAIS 4A distance triple crown two years consecutively, claiming the 800m, 1600m, and 3200m titles at both the 2022 and 2023 MAIS 4A Track and Field Championships. With a lead of about 30 seconds over the closest competition, she is undoubtedly the top contender to keep an eye on.
That's not to say the competition will simply step aside. Canton Academy's Mackenzie Mercer and Sterling Belle Brock, who completed the podium in the 3200m at the 2023 MAIS 4A Track and Field Championships, should not be underestimated. While Rose is expected to take the MAIS 4A crown, Mercer and Brock are likely to challenge and possibly upset the status quo.