Tupelo Spartans' Sam Johnson: A Name to Remember
Emerging as a formidable force, Sam Johnson of the Tupelo Spartans sealed a spectacular victory at the homeschool championships with a time of 16:19.
Entering as the frontrunner with his impressive PR of 16:12 in the 5K from the 2023 Mooreville Invitational, this achievement marked his fourth win of the 2023 Cross Country season. Notably, Johnson's victory at the 3200m at the 2023 Mississippi Homeschool Track and Field Championships had already set the tone for his prowess. This recent win was his debut as an individual champion on grassy terrain.
Furthermore, his performance is now the second-fastest time ever recorded on the City of Brandon Cross Country course, just a few seconds shy of William Fugate's 16:09.
The Hernando Highlights: Weiss, Burge, and Jackson
Graham Weiss's exceptional talent was on full display at the Desoto County Championships. Clocking an extraordinary 15:26 in the 5K, Weiss not only set a new course record but also registered the second-fastest 5K performance this year. The gap between him and the runner-up? A whopping 46 seconds. His current record now sits comfortably as the 6th fastest 5K in the past decade.
Meanwhile, Hernando's female athletes were not to be overshadowed. Seniors Kaitlyn Burge and Riley Jackson posted times of 18:17 and 18:35, respectively. With their teammate Kyleigh Carter finishing third, it was a triumphant 1-2-3 finish for Hernando at the 2023 DeSoto County Championships. This victory has etched Hernando's name in history, becoming the third school to have two runners finish in under 19 minutes in the 5K. They now join the ranks of Simpson Academy and Tupelo High School.
One present coach shared some insights: "The competition in DeSoto County was fierce. Graham was exceptional, and the girls, especially Kaitlyn and Riley, showed immense determination. The race conditions favored the athletes, with mostly hard ground, and the sheer will to become County Champions pushed them ahead."
MAIS XC Championships: Overby and Fugate Take the Lead
The 2023 MAIS Cross Country Championships witnessed some outstanding performances.
Simpson Academy's Lilly Overby clocked 19:46, securing the MAIS 5A girls individual title and only female performer under 20 minutes in the 5K on the day. Leading from the start, Overby's strategy to widen the gap from the 800m mark worked in her favor. This strategy and her consistent performance throughout the season have made her a name to reckon with.
On the boys' front, Madison St. Joseph's William Fugate was unparalleled. Winning the MAIS 6A title by an astonishing 80 seconds, Fugate finished at 16:30, marking his third individual title on grass. Additionally, Fugate was the only performer who cracked the 17-minute 5K barrier on a hot day. What's intriguing is the diversity of his wins, having titles in MAIS 5A, MHSAA 2A, and now, MAIS 6A. As an unsigned senior, Fugate's future in the sport looks incredibly promising.
Tupelo High School's Dominant Performance
At the 2023 French Camp Invitational, Tupelo High School's athletes displayed exemplary commitment and skill, ensuring their names echoed throughout the event. The school's teams, both boys and girls, asserted their dominance, rightfully earning the varsity team titles.
Central to this story of success was Sophie Santucci, who clocked an impressive 18:30 in the 5K, a lifetime best for the unsigned senior. This wasn't just a victory; she shattered the existing course record, also snagging her first win for the season.
But the glory wasn't Santucci's alone. The Tupelo Lady Golden Wave scored an almost flawless score of 17 points. Their scoring five not only secured them finishing in the top six, but also that same scoring five all crossed the line in under 21 minutes. This team cohesion was further reflected in their remarkable top-five average time of 19:53.
Among the other standout performers was Carrie Ann Brown. Fresh off her victories at the Large School Girls MHSAA Middle School Classic and the Watson JH Girls 3K, Brown further solidified her reputation as a rising star. Completing her inaugural 5K in 20:29, she secured the third position overall, a testament to her talent and determination.
On the boys' front, Tupelo didn't falter either. Led by the formidable Taylor Brown, who clinched the meet with a time of 16:33, the boys showcased a masterclass in teamwork. Achieving a perfect score of 15 points, they secured a 5K average time of 17:06 and a closely-knit 1-5 split of just 52 seconds.
Quick Hits: Spotlight on Stellar Performance
Madison Ridgeland Academy's Unprecedented Victory: Madison Ridgeland Academy, hailed as the state's top girls team, celebrated their seventh consecutive MAIS 6A title. Their top 10 finishers included six from their team, and impressively, their leading light was seventh-grader Blair Britt, a name to watch out for in the coming years.
East Rankin Academy's Nail-biter Finish: Consistent with their reputation for edge-of-the-seat finishes, the East Rankin Academy Lady Patriots once again clinched a breathtaking victory. They narrowly surpassed Simpson Academy by a mere 2 points, showcasing their unwavering spirit.
PCS's Stunning Upset: Presbyterian Christian School left spectators and competitors stunned as they outperformed the MRA Boys in MAIS 6A, securing a victory by a significant 22 points.
Bryan Brothers' Smooth Win: The Bryan brothers, Tristan Bryan and Samuel Bryan from the Regents of Oxford, showcased a performance as smooth as butter. They clinched the top two positions in MAIS 3A Boys, pushing Regents of Oxford to the pinnacle with a team title.
Ella Rankin's Consistent Excellence: Ella Rankin, with her remarkable run, added another feather to her cap by securing her fourth title on the grass. Dominating the MAIS 6A, she led from the start and finished with a time of 20:01, a commendable feat on a sweltering day.
Providence's Rising Star: Baxter Carroll, a sophomore from Providence, has significantly elevated his game this season. He marked the culmination of his growth by winning his debut class title in MAIS 5A boys.
Other Notable Champions: Dallas Stricker, Isabella Bailey, Lindsey Hogue, Samuel Lewis, Natalie Payne, Charley Rose, and Kameron Willson also dazzled with their victories, setting the stage for their promising careers ahead.
Sydney Moudy's Peak Performance: Timing her peak to perfection, Sydney Moudy clinched the Homeschool Girls title with a PR of 20:10.0. Furthermore, under her leadership, the Hattiesburg Forerunners celebrated their sixth homeschool title in a row.
Hattiesburg Forerunners' Narrow Victory: Led by Henry Richardson, the Hattiesburg Forerunners secured their fifth consecutive title on the boys' side, edging out the Tupelo Spartans by a slender margin of just four points.
Desoto County XC Championships:
Weiss's Leadership: Weiss wasn't the only star of the show at the DeSoto County Championships. He led a group of athletes, including Gavin Brown, Caden Louder, freshman Trace Thornhill, and Jackson Dickerson, all finishing under 16:40 in the 5K.
Hernando's Clean Sweep: Hernando High School made a statement by bagging both the DeSoto County team titles, a testament to their consistent training and dedication.
Rankin County XC Championships:
- Pearl's Double Delight: Pearl's Jon Haralson retained his title at the Rankin County Championships with a time of 16:49. Hot on his heels was teammate Gage Sumrall, finishing just six seconds behind. Adding to Pearl's accolades, freshman Elliott Neal clinched the Varsity girls title with a lifetime best of 20:12. These individual performances culminated in Pearl sweeping the team titles.
- Oxford and Senatobia's Standouts: Oxford's Bailey Kosko effortlessly clinched his fifth win of the season, while Senatobia's Ella Oursler showcased her prowess on her home turf, winning in thrilling fashion over South Panole's Maine Lund.
Union County XC Championships:
- West Union and Myrtle's Dominance: Brodie Moore of West Union and Myrtle's Ally Murphy stood out with their dominant wins, leading their respective teams to championship titles.