*Pearl High School leading the pack at the 2023 MHSAA Central Mississippi Regionals
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 18 teams met the criteria of having their No. 5 runner in the top 250 in the state. Three squads had their No. 5 inside the top 100 - Pearl High, Tupelo High, and Corinth Hi...