This Saturday, the top Mississippi runners will take on the fastest course in the nation at the 2023 RunningLane Cross Country Championships. Engaging in the Gold and Silver races, they'll go head-to-head with the finest athletes nationwide. Facing their last chance for glory, which Mississippi runners will shine on this blazing course?
Gold Division
-The most dominant duo in the state, Taylor Brown and Andrew Brown of Tupelo High School will face off one last time this season. With the Brown brothers claiming 2nd and 3rd at the MHSAA 7A State Championships, expect them to work together on this crowded course and chase a sub-15:30 performance.
-Coming off an extraordinary season and finishing with the MAIS 5A individual state title, Lilly Overby from Simpon Academy has the fastest Mississippi girl seed time and is an athlete to look out for. She has had an exceptional latter half of the season and will be on the hunt for that elicit sub-18 mark this weekend.
-Recently crowned the runner-up in the most competitive state championships ever, Sophie Santucci from Tupelo High School will be close behind Overby. Santucci is a dominant runner on the flats, meaning this course gives her every opportunity to have the best run of her season.
Silver Division
-Facing off in a battle of state champions, Elsie Wilbanks from Corinth High School and Emma Ruffin of Caledonia High School will hit this course in stride. Fresh off the MHSAA 5A individual state title win, Wilbanks will continue to capitalize on her recent success and push for another fast performance to end her season. Likewise, with the MHSAA 4A individual state title under her belt, Ruffin will be on the lookout for a breakthrough race after teetering around the 20-minute mark all season.
-Led by Audrey Mayatte, East Rankin's MOVE Team is the only team entry from Mississippi. This squad recently claimed the MAIS 5A team title and will hope to secure another impressive team performance. With supporting runners like Emma Raines and Jewel Baker, there is no doubt that this group will make moves in the team standings.
-The Oak Grove duo Grayson Taylor and Matthew McGuire are shaping up to have stellar performances this weekend. Taylor is coming off of a huge performance at the 7A State Championships, earning 5th place against the deepest division in Mississippi. With both runners dropping time each race of the season, expect them to continue this trend and show out on this speedy course.
-In another duel between state title runners, Brodie Moore of West Union and William Fugate from Madison St. Joseph are two proven athletes to keep on your radar. Moore recently claimed the 1A individual title and boasts an impressive record of wins this season. For Fugate, this race is a chance for him to snag his first sub-16 performance of the year and prove his dominance after winning the MAIS 6A individual title.
-The Tupelo Spartan powerhouse duo of Sam Johnson and Jeb Hamilton from the Tupelo Spartans are no strangers to national-level races. Johnson has claimed big race wins throughout the season and Hamilton has been right beside him all season. Both runners are fresh off of impressive performances at the 2023 HXN Championships and will no doubt push each other during this brisk race.
-Hoping to capitalize on her great season, Sammy Kennedy from Oak Grove High School is a young star who will shoot for one more personal best to end her year. Dropping over a minute from her fastest race last year, Kennedy has beat some of the top racers in the state and is not someone you should doubt going into this weekend. Following closely behind her is Julianna Hamilton from the Tupelo Spartans. Hamtilon had a stand-out performance at this year's Mooreville XC Invitational, meaning she has the speed and experience to attack this quick course.