*Tupelo High's Kailey Skaggs at the 2023 MHSAA 7A Cross Country Championships
In the competitive sport of Cross Country, the depth of a team often determines its success as much as its low sticks.
In this spotlight, we dive into an often-overlooked, yet crucial aspect of team performance: the fastest No. 5 runners of each team for the 2023 season. This analysis goes beyond the usual focus on lead runners, highlighting each team's No. 5 runners who solidify team standings and often make the difference in close contests.
Our criteria were simple, ranking only those who ranked within the top 250 individuals statewide in 2023.
Check out the analytics and rankings table below for a closer look at these standout No. 5 runners and the role they played in the Mississippi 2023 Cross Country circuit!
Analytics:
*A total of 21 teams met the criteria of having their No. 5 runner in the top 250 in the state. Four squads had their No. 5 inside the top 100 - Tupelo High, Ocean Springs, Madison Ridgeland...