BRANDON, Miss. --- In a showdown of athleticism, grit, and determination, the 2023 Mid South Homeschool Cross Country Championships is all set to unfold on October 21 at the scenic City of Brandon Cross Country Trails.
Boys' Division:
Spotlight Athletes:
Sam Johnson: The defending champion of the boys' 3200m run at the 2023 Mid-South Homeschool Track and Field Championships and boasts a lifetime PR of 9:55 in the long distance event. With a recent 16:12 5k PR at the Mooreville XC invitational and a close 16:20 at Watson, he's entering as the top seed.
Jeb Hamilton: Last year's defending champion with a time of 16:39 in the 5K, as well as a 2-time champion in the 1600m, Jeb has an impressive 16:17 5k PR from the Mooreville XC invitational a string of stellar performance on the grass heading into this one.
Henry Richardson: A 9-time Homeschool state champion, Henry has showcased consistent performance both on the track and grass since his 6th grade. He's coming fresh off a victory at the Columbia Academy Caleb Coleman Invitational with a time of 16:56.
Team Dynamics: The Hattiesburg Forerunners, with a legacy of four consecutive team titles on the boys' side and five on the girls', are expected to have a firm grip on the team championship. However, the Tupelo Spartans Pack might just spring a surprise if they can shave off about a minute from their cumulative timing.
Girls' Division:
Spotlight Athletes:
Julianna Hamilton: With a drastic improvement from her last year's performance, Julianna has emerged as the favorite, being the only girl in the field with a PR under 20 minutes.
Sydney Moudy: Last year's defending champion, Sydney, has her sights set on retaining her title, coming off a second-place finish at the Columbia Academy Caleb Coleman Invitational.
Lana Hester: Having just achieved her PR at the Watson XC classic, Lana is also the reigning champion in the 800m.
Kaylie Frost: Last year's third-place finisher at the Home School XC Championships is expected to be a strong contender for the podium.
Team Dynamics: The battle for the top spot in the team championship promises to be a nail-biter with Hattiesburg Forerunners expected to win by a narrow margin of just two points against the formidable Tupelo Spartans. The duel between Alyssa Frost and Lauren Paul for the sixth overall spot is anticipated to play a crucial role in the team score.
The action-packed day begins at 10 AM, starting with the Girls' 5K race, with the boys to follow at 10:30.
Fans, athletes, and sports enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the clash of titans at the 2023 Mid South Homeschool Cross Country Championships. The undulating trails of Brandon, Mississippi await the best of the Mississippi homeschool distance running community.