7. Grayson Taylor
School: Oak Grove High School
Grade: Junior
Class: MHSAA 7A
2023 5K SB: 16:24.4
Season Analysis:
Emerging as a strong contender this season, Grayson Taylor has been a revelation for the Oak Grove Warriors. With three victories under his belt, Taylor notably shone at The Opener, finishing as the second-fastest Mississippian. His recent course record at the 2023 Simpson Academy Invitational, achieved with seeming ease, underscores his rising stature in the state. Taylor's upward trajectory this season hints at even greater performances to come.
6. Taylor Brown
School: Tupelo High School
Grade: Junior
Class: MHSAA 7A
2023 5K SB: 15:58.9
Season Analysis:
Consistently upping the ante, Taylor Brown has moved from strength to strength this season. His stellar 5K time of 15:58.9 at the 2023 Southern Showcase positioned him among Mississippi's elite. Not to rest on his laurels, Brown followed up with a commendable fourth place finish amidst a highly competitive lineup at the 2023 Tupelo Invitational, clocking an impressive 16:00.7. Integral to the Tupelo Golden Wave's No. 2 state ranking, all eyes are on Brown as he seems poised to break into the 15:40s at the upcoming 2023 Jesse Owens Classic.
5. Graham Weiss
School: Hernando High School
Grade: Senior
Class: MHSAA 7A
2023 5K SB: 15:50.6
Season Analysis:
Perhaps one of the most consistent racers on the circuit, No. 5 on the All-MileSplit Mississippi Varsity Boys 4th edition drop is none other than Hernando's Graham Weiss. Weiss has yet to finish outside of the top three in Mississippi competition. His 2023 Cross Country resume includes three wins, and recently at the 2023 Frank Horton Night Classic, Weiss became the fastest Mississippian to cover the 5K course at Shelby Farms in Memphis, Tennessee. Weiss is the epitome of a gritty racer, and has a well-earned spot among the top five runners in the state.
4. JaQuavion Bryant
School: Pearl High School
Grade: Junior
Class: MHSAA 7A
2023 5K SB: 15:42.0
Season Analysis:
JaQuavion Bryant of Pearl High is making waves as the fourth-ranked distance runner in Mississippi. His staggering 15:42.0 at the 2023 Southern Showcase marks him as the holder of the third-fastest 5K in the state this season. Integral to the No. 1 state ranking of the Pearl Pirates, Bryant showcased his mettle finishing as the top Pearl athlete at the aforementioned Southern Showcase. His latest accomplishment? Shattering his own course record at the 2023 Clinton Arrow Cross Country Invitational with a time of 15:50.4, good enough for a runner-up finish and helping pilot Pearl to a triumphant team victory. As he gears up for the 2023 Jesse Owens Classic, spectators should brace themselves for a memorable showdown.
3. Farren Oberto
School: Pearl High School
Grade: Junior
Class: MHSAA 7A
2023 5K SB: 15:40.4
Season Analysis:
Marking his position as a formidable force, Farren Oberto of Pearl High clinches the top three ranking for the second time this season, reflecting his incredible form this season. Launching into the 2023 Cross Country season, he claimed the top Mississippian spot at The Opener with a remarkable 16:03.1 runner-up finish. But he didn't stop there-his 15:52.5 at the Southern Showcase and a stunning 15:40.4 at the 2023 Clinton Arrow Cross Country Invitational not only smashed the course record but also registers as the second-fastest 5K in the state this year. A recurring low stick for the No. 1 ranked Pearl Pirates, all indications suggest Oberto will set the 2023 Jesse Owens Classic ablaze.
2. Andrew Brown
School: Tupelo High School
Grade: Freshman
Class: MHSAA 7A
2023 5K SB: 15:39.4
Season Analysis:
A beacon of raw talent and determination, freshman sensation Andrew Brown from Tupelo has taken the Mississippi Cross Country scene by storm, cementing himself as a top-ranked runner in the state. With a dazzling resume that includes a state-leading 5K performance of 15:39.4, Brown has been the epitome of consistency. Even in the face of intense competition at the 2023 Tupelo Invitational, he snagged a commendable runner-up finish, his only loss to a fellow Mississippian of the season. His tenacity and fighting spirit make him not just one of the state's top contenders, but also a crowd favorite. As the 2023 Jesse Owens Classic approaches, the anticipation is palpable - with many expecting Brown to unveil yet another masterclass performance.
1. Bailey Kosko
School: Oxford High School
Grade: Junior
Class: MHSAA 7A
2023 5K SB: 15:43.2
Season Analysis:
Eclipsing all expectations and competitors alike, Oxford's Bailey Kosko reigns supreme as Mississippi's premier distance runner. Overthrowing the formidable Andrew Brown at the 2023 Tupelo Invitational, Kosko's recent form can be best described as breath-taking. With a tally of three emphatic wins, including besting three of the state's ranked elites, he has not just secured victories but left indelible marks with two course records. His relentless audacity as a racer makes him a force to be reckoned with. As the countdown to the 2023 Jesse Owens Classic begins, the anticipation is sky-high, with many eagerly awaiting another ground shaking Bailey Kosko performance.