MileSplit MS Talk of the Town: Hot Temps & Fast Times

The Scoop: 

In what was anticipated to be one of the marquee races of the season, Madison Central's Alex Lee, yet to make her mark on the All-MileSplit Mississippi Girl's Cross Country rankings, delivered a jaw-dropping upset against Hartfield Academy's esteemed runner, No. 2 ranked Ella Rankin. The 2023 Victors Kickoff at the Quarry was nothing short of a grand stage, bustling with talent that included top contenders from MRA, East Rankin, and the formidable pairing of Samantha Edwards and Hendrix Eldridge from Saint Aloysius, last year's top two finishers.

The race saw Rankin, true to her reputation, setting a blistering pace from the onset. Yet, she found an unexpected companion in Lee, matching her stride for stride. As the halfway mark approached, the duo distinguished themselves from the pack, setting up for an exhilarating finish. Despite Rankin's valiant efforts, it was Lee, with a thrilling sprint, who claimed the crown with a remarkable 19:44.9, with Rankin close on her heels at 19:53.8. These times, especially amidst scorching temperatures in the mid to upper 90s, are a testament to their exemplary conditioning and fierce competitiveness.

While Lee and Rankin were the talk of the day, credit must also be given to East Rankin's Audrey Mayatte for a commendable third-place finish, MRA's prodigious seventh-grader Blair Britt securing the fourth spot, and fellow MRA Lady Patriot Anna Morgan Anderson completing the top five. With such a thrilling season opener, this Cross Country season promises unmatched excitement and unpredictability.

Performance:

Hernando High School's Kaitlyn Burge won the Varsity Girls 5K at the 2023 NMPHC Cross Country Classic, crossing the finish line in 19:14.9. 

For the Record:

For the second week in a row, Burge soloed yet another course record and improved upon her state leading mark over the 5K distance. Additionally, Burge achieved the MileSplit USA Second-Team Standard in the 5K for the second consecutive week.

The Scoop: 

Kaitlyn Burge, once again, proved that she's in a league of her own at the 2023 NMPHC Cross Country Classic.

Delivering a jaw-dropping performance, she clocked a phenomenal 19:14.9, narrowly skirting her personal best in what can only be described as a masterclass solo effort. Surpassing the competition with a lead of over 60 seconds, she didn't just win the race but also obliterated the course record set by her former teammate, Jessica Cartwright.

Burge's performances this season have been nothing short of dominant, and she's rapidly establishing herself as one of Mississippi's top distance runners. With her season-best standing 20 seconds ahead of the formidable Brookelyn Morgan from Tupelo High, Burge is sending a clear message to her competitors: she's here to conquer.

As the season unfolds, it's evident that she's a juggernaut on the course and will undoubtedly be a significant contender in the races to come.

The City of Brandon Cross Country course was alight with sheer athletic brilliance as William Fugate of Madison St. Joseph HS stole the show at the 2023 Victors Kickoff at the Quarry. Setting a scintillating course record of 16:09.7 - a venue revered for hosting the Homeschool Cross Country Championships - Fugate didn't just stop there. He clinched the individual title with a commanding lead of over ninety seconds.

This stellar performance has propelled Fugate to the coveted rank of the second-fastest 5K(XC) performance in  Mississippi, tailing only the celebrated Andrew Brown from Tupelo High School. But Fugate's feats aren't new. His record boasts of a blazing PR of 15:41 set last year at the Watson High School Cross Country Classic on the picturesque terrains of Choctaw Trails. And while his start this season at 16:15 at the Memphis Twilight had been impressive, his solo run at the Victors Kickoff, under the punishing heat of the nineties, shows a whole new level of determination and skill.

One thing's for sure - William Fugate's presence in any race this season promises thrilling action and suspense. Whether it's the Watson or the State Championships, he's unmistakably the one to keep an eye on.

Freshman Sensation Andrew Brown Wins 1st Race, MS#1 5K

Performance:

Tupelo's Andrew Brown won the 2023 Brooks High School Tennessee River Classic held out-of-state in Florence, Ala.

For the Record: 

Brown's time of 16:02.1 is not only a personal record, but also serves as the fastest time in Mississippi at this point in 2023 Cross Country season. Additionally, Brown's performance the MileSplit USA Silver standard in the Varsity Boys 5K(XC). 

The Scoop:

Andrew Brown not only ran his first race as a freshman- He dominated it.

Winning any race is an impressive feat, but Brown beat Alabama competition on their home turf. The next competitor did not come in for over 20 seconds after the Tupelo youngster finished.

Brown's performance narrowly surpasses his older brother's previous age group state record of 16:04.17, etching Andrew Brown as the fastest freshman 5k runner in Mississippi history, according to MileSplit databases).

Tupelo as a team performed very well, with Taylor Brown (4), Harrison Wampler (7), and Mac Wilemon (9), also finishing in the top 10. Burton Potts, another Tupelo freshman finished 14th to round out Tupelo's scoring. That said, the Golden Wave handily won the meet with a score of 35 points.

Jeb Hamilton and Sam Johnson go 1-2, secure fastest times of the day 

Performance(s):

Tupelo Spartans' Jeb Hamilton and Sam Johnson finish first and second at the 2023 NMPHC Cross Country Classic held in New Albany, Miss.

For the Record:

This was Hamilton and Johnson's first-ever race at an MHSAA-sanctioned meet due to a new rule change which allowed them to compete against MHSAA schools in the regular season.

The Scoop:

Until this year, Mississippi Homeschool teams were not allowed to compete against MHSAA-sanctioned teams. Thanks to a rule change this past summer, this season will see teams like the Tupelo Spartans and Hattiesburg Forerunners at premier Mississippi Cross Country competitions.

In their very first opportunity to race against MHSAA teams, the Tupelo Spartans made a splash with Jeb Hamilton and Sam Johnson finishing first and second with times of 16:31.30 and 16:36.38. Those times marked the fastest of the day across both the small school and large school divisions at the NMPHC cross-country classic. 

Hamilton and Johnson now rank as No. 3 and No. 4 respectively in the state so far this season. The Tupelo Spartans are slated to race at TCPS Twilight this Thursday against multiple 6A and 7A powers.

*At the 2023 Brooks High School Tennessee River Classic, the Junior High boys' 2-mile, Corinth 8th-grader Silvestre Lopez showcased immense potential. Lopez clocked an awe-inspiring 10:33 in the two-mile in scorching temperatures, marking him as a promising name to look out for in the near future.

*Meanwhile, amidst several standout showcases, young Samuel Lewis of Christ Covenant School stole the spotlight in the JV Boy's 2-mile. This ninth-grader was in a league of his own, capturing the individual title 10:52. Braving the sweltering heat, Lewis was the sole runner to break the 11-minute mark.

*The East Rankin Academy Lady Patriots, currently the No. 1 High School Girls team in Mississippi, proved their mettle by securing another illustrious team win, this time besting formidable opponents in the Hattiesburg Forerunners and Madison Ridgeland Academy(MRA). It's noteworthy, however, that MRA's performance deserves special mention. Even without their top two performers from last year on the Varsity Girls 5K(XC) track, they showed their depth and potential. Reese Johnson made a strong statement by effortlessly clinching the JV Girls 2-mile, whereas Mae Ellen Mallet was absent from the races.

*Switching gears to the boys' side, the Hattiesburg Forerunners delivered a masterclass in teamwork. Their leading trio, comprising Henry Richardson, Max Bowling, and Noah Moudy, displayed a masterful strategy. Adopting a reserved stance early in the race and then overpowering the competition, the trio clinched the 2-3-4 spots, spearheading their team to a comfortable 44-point victory. Their performance warrants attention: with cooler weather on the horizon, the Forerunners might just make history. If their current form is anything to go by, they could potentially be the inaugural Mississippi Homeschool team to see three of its runners clock under 17 minutes in the 5K(XC).