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The excitement was palpable this weekend as Mississippi's beloved cross country season got underway. Simpson Academy hosted the annual Early Bird 2-miler, marking the official start of another eagerly anticipated year of cross country action in the state.
Girls Race: A Nail-Biter Finish
Though the 2023 Early Bird 2 Miler was the sole meet this weekend, it was chock-full of action. In particular, the girls' race was a competitive affair to remember.
The Varsity Girls race was packed with top-tier competition. East Rankin Academy, the No. 1 girls' team in the state, was in attendance and faced stiff competition from MAIS 5A rivals Simpson Academy and Columbia Academy, two other top-tier Varsity Girls teams.
In a thrilling turn of events, East Rankin clinched the victory, but not without a fight - They won by a mere 2 points over Simpson Academy, with Columbia taking a respectable third place. A fresh addition to the Simpson team, Charlee Franks, made a notable contribution. She was complemented by two of the state's top girls, Layla Warren and Lilly Overby.
But ultimately, it was the depth of the East Rankin Lady Patriots that made the difference. Led by Audrey Mayatte, who secured an impressive second-place finish, the Lady Patriots triumphed.
Meet Spotlight: Jewel Baker
Worthy of special mention is East Rankin's 6th-grader, Jewel Baker. Though she competed in the junior high race and took first place, her time would have made her the fourth runner on East Rankin's varsity squad. It's clear that East Rankin may have more depth than initially meets the eye.
Individual Triumph
Layla Warren of Simpson defended her title with authority, setting a new meet record time of 11:53. A remarkable feat, especially given the sweltering conditions.
Varsity Boys Race: Atkinson wins, East Rankin Shows Strength in Numbers
On the boys' side, Park Place's Christopher Atkinson, a favorite in MAIS 5A, kicked off his season with a resounding win in the Varsity Boys race. East Rankin's boys followed suit, showcasing exceptional pack running that resulted in a team win.
Junior High Spotlight
In the Junior High Boys division, the individual title was claimed by Simpson's Parker Payne. In the team competition, Park Place Christian secured the win, showing promise for the future of their program.
Final Thoughts
Though our correspondent sadly missed being at the Early Bird in person, the excitement for what's to come this season is palpable. With such a dramatic start to the season, cross country fans have much to look forward to as teams across Mississippi continue to face off.
As the old saying goes, "It's not how you start, but how you finish." If the Early Bird 2-miler is any indication, we are in for an electrifying season.