As the dust settles on yet another high school girls' cross country season in Mississippi, we look back at a year of intense competition and remarkable performances. The championships have concluded, and it's time to celebrate the teams that have distinguished themselves in this thrilling race to the finish.
No. 1 Madison Ridgeland Academy Lady Patriots triumphed in style. Their impressive run at the 2023 Watson XC Classic, coupled with yet another defense of their MAIS 6A title, cements their place at the top. Finishing runner-up to Louisiana's St. Joseph Academy at the 2023 Watson High School Classic, they bested elite programs such as Tupelo High and East Rankin, boasting a squad average of 20:24 and a 1-5 split of just 1:05. This season's MRA squad may well be the finest we've ever seen from this historic program.
No. 2 Tupelo High School etched their name in history at the 2023 MHSAA 7A Cross Country Championships, winning the inaugural MHSAA 7A title. Led by the dynamic duo Sophie Santucci and Brookelyn Morgan, they clinched victory with a stunning 19:54 average for the 5K, the fastest of any title-winning team, and were a force to be reckoned with throughout the entire season.
No. 3 East Rankin Academy proved their mettle in a season that is marked by the most talent-filled Mississippi has ever seen. Their third straight MAIS 5A title and a solid performance at the Watson Classic underscore their ability to hold their own against Mississippi's best.
Here are the final top 10 teams of the season:
RANK | TEAM | TOP RUNNER | HEAD COACH | CLASS |
1 | MADISON RIDGELAND ACADEMY | Blair Britt | Pat Lovett | MAIS 6A |
2 | TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL | Brookelyn Morgan | Teneeisha Boyd | MHSAA 7A |
3 | EAST RANKIN ACADEMY | Audrey Mayatte | David Hopper | MAIS 5A |
4 | SIMPSON ACADEMY | Lilly Overby | Angel Overstreet | MAIS 5A |
5 | COLUMBIA ACADEMY | Briley Speights | Duan Powell | MAIS 5A |
6 | ST. ANDREW'S EPISCOPAL | India Mitchell | Elisabeth Gaillet | MHSAA 2A |
7 | HERNANDO HIGH SCHOOL | Kaitlyn Burge | Mary-Sada Foster | MHSAA 7A |
8 | MADISON CENTRAL | Alex Lee | Katie Shuster | MHSAA 7A |
9 | CORINTH HIGH SCHOOL | Elsie Wilbanks | Luke Hatcher | MHSAA 5A |
10 | HATTIESBURG FORERUNNERS | Sydney Moudy | Robert Pickering | Homeschool |
This season has been a showcase of the sheer depth in Mississippi this season. As we close the chapter on 2023, these teams have not only raced against each other but have also raced into the history books of Mississippi high school cross country.
Congratulations to all the athletes and coaches for a season well run!