Talk of the Town: Another Historical Watson Meet

Chris Webber, Editor

CLINTON, Miss. --- The dust has settled after an exhilarating week in Mississippi Cross Country, and it's clear that this was yet another historic Watson Meet to remember.

Hernando's Kaitlyn Burge Clinches the Coveted Watson Title

Hernando's Kaitlyn Burge showcased her elevated prowess this season, clocking an impressive 18:04 in the 5K, only a second off from the course record set by Brooklyn Biancamano at the 2021 MHSAA 5A Cross Country Championship. Notably, this was the fastest ever Watson Gold Girls race. Burge's dominant performance is certainly one for the history books and has set the stage for her potential record-breaking run at the upcoming MHSAA 7A Cross Country Championships.

Simpson's Lilly Overby wasn't far behind, securing an admirable runner-up spot with a personal best of 18:24. Other notable sub-19 5K performers was Madison Central's Alex Lee. 

MRA Lady Patriots Emerge as the Top Mississippi Team

The Madison Ridgeland Academy Lady Patriots, with their full squad present, demonstrated their supremacy by finishing as the top Mississippi team, handing both East Rankin Academy and Tupelo High School their first in-state defeats this season. This performance, led by middle school standout Blair Britt, was likely one of their most impressive to date. With six athletes clocking under 21:10, it's evident they're on track to defend their MAIS 6A title.

Pearl's Jaquavion Bryant - Mississippi's Star Runner at Watson

Bryant's noteworthy performance at the Watson High School Cross Country Classic saw him finish as runner-up, trailing only Ruston's Thomas Rogers of Louisiana. His contribution was instrumental in leading the Pearl High School Pirates to their second consecutive Watson team title, earning the Watson team title banner bragging rights for the next 365 days. With a commendable 5K team average of 16:00 and a score of 62 points, Bryant and the Pirates are pegged as the favorites to defend his MHSAA 7A title as the Championship season approaches. 

Other notable sub-16 5K performers include Pearl's Farren Oberto, Tupelo's Taylor Brown, Desoto Central's Gavin Brown, and Hernando's Graham Weiss. 

Quick Recaps from Across the State:

  • Watson Classic, Clinton, MS:

    • Saint Patrick Catholic's Joseph Ross exhibited a wire-to-wire performance in the Blue Boys 5K, clinching the title with a lifetime best of 16:53.8. His leadership also steered the Saint Patrick fighting Irish to a team victory in the Blue division.
    • Pillow Academy's duo, Emma Beckwith and Mary Laine Dyksterhouse, showcased a stellar performance in the Blue Girls 5K, spearheading the Pillow Lady Mustangs to a 1-2 finish. Yet, it was the Madison St. Joseph HS that secured the team title, narrowly edging out the Tupelo Spartans.
    • The Pearl High School Boys continued their reign of dominance, especially in the High School Boys silver division race, racking up a mere score of 25 points. Their depth was evident as the entire scoring five placed within the top seven with an astonishing 10-second 1-5 spread. Their remarkable average of 17:04 5K signals their supremacy. Notably, this B team's performance would've set them as arguably the best Mississippi team historically five years ago. Adding to their accolades, the Pearl Pirates also claimed victory in the junior high boys race - a promising sign for the forthcoming 2023 MHSAA Middle School Classic.
    • In the middle school girls 3K, Tupelo's Carrie Anne Brown reigned supreme, leading from start to finish with a clock-stopping performance of 11:42.7. Eupora High's Mary White also had a noteworthy performance, securing second place with a time of 11:50.8.

  • JPS XC Championships, Jackson, MS: Standouts Alana Harp and Jason Walker proved their mettle by clinching the top positions in the 5K Championship races.

  • Pontotoc XC Invitational, Pontotoc, MS:

    • Oxford's Bailey Kosko displayed a dominating performance in the large school boys race, finishing in 16:10.5, a significant 90 seconds ahead of the competition.
    • Brodie Moore and Aiden Patterson also marked their territories with notable wins in the day's other classification races.
    • The spotlight, however, was stolen by middle school prodigy Ally Murphy from Myrtle. She clocked the day's fastest winning time in the small school girls race with 20:13.4, leading Myrtle to a 1-2 finish.
    • Emma Ruffin and Maine Lund also made their mark as race winners during the invitational.

  • Canton Academy XC Invitational, Canton, MS:

  • Admiral Brickyard Classic, Gulfport, MS:

  • Delta Dash, Greenwood, MS:

  • Columbia Academy Invitational, Columbia, MS:

    • The Varsity Boys 5K saw a thrilling duel between Henry Richardson and Dallas Stricker. Richardson eventually edged out Stricker, clocking his third win of the season in 16:56, with Stricker closely following at 17:04.
    • Columbia Academy's Briley Speights was the star in the Varsity Girls 5K race, finishing in 20:36 and playing a pivotal role in the Lady Wildcats' team victory on their home turf.

  • Spartan Invitational, Blue Mountain, MS:

    • Brodie Moore added another feather to his cap, winning the Varsity Boys 5K in 17:23, marking his fourth victory for the 2023 Cross Country season.
    • The junior high races saw Cohen Moore and Anna Newell emerging victorious.

A Glimpse into Progress:

In a comparison between the 2020 and 2023 Watson Meets, the advancement in Mississippi's Cross Country scene is evident:

  • 2020 Watson:

    • 10th place boys: 16:37
    • 10th place girls: 20:13

  • 2023 Watson:

    • 10th place boys: 16:02
    • 10th place girls: 19:30

This week's events have set the stage for an exciting conclusion to the Cross Country season. As the athletes gear up for the upcoming championships, Mississippi is abuzz with anticipation.

For more updates, stats, and insights, stay tuned to MileSplit Mississippi!