MileSplit Mississippi Best Moments of 2023

Kennedy Stringfellow's 2023 track and field season was a Hollywood-worthy spectacle, marked by a remarkable shift in his events. Known primarily as a jumper, Stringfellow decided to try his hand at sprints during his senior year, and the results were nothing short of spectacular.

With just two losses, both in the 100m dash, Stringfellow's transformation into a sprinter was a standout story of the season. His decision to diversify his events turned his 2023 season into quite the journey.

One standout moment from his season was his electrifying 200m dash at the 2023 Southern Miss High School Invitational. He set a personal record with a time of 21.57 seconds. What made this moment even more memorable was Stringfellow's showmanship. With 50 meters to go, he threw up a peace sign to the crowd, showcasing his confidence and charisma. This incredible performance followed his victories in the 100m dash and Long Jump earlier that day.

Now a freshman at Mississippi State University, Stringfellow's future in track and field holds great promise. While his high school days were filled with astonishing moments, we can't wait to see what he achieves on the collegiate stage. Stringfellow's journey from jumper to sprinter, highlighted by moments like the one at the 2023 Southern Miss High School Invitational, is a testament to the thrilling possibilities that track and field offers.

We eagerly anticipate the next chapters in his Hollywood-like career.

Julie Segroves: Mississippi's Pole Vault Phenomenon

In the world of pole vaulting, Julie Segroves of Biloxi High School is a name that has etched itself into Mississippi's track and field history. As a current senior, Segroves has consistently demonstrated unparalleled skill and determination, shattering records and setting new standards in the sport.

Segroves's journey to greatness was marked by a series of astonishing achievements. She not only broke the indoor and outdoor pole vault state records on multiple occasions but also made waves at some big time meets in the South. Undefeated at significant events like the Florida Relays and the Texas Elite Pole Vault Expo Explosion, Segroves proved herself as one of the nation's premier pole vaulters.

However, perhaps the marquee moment of Segroves's remarkable 2023 season came at the 2023 MHSAA 6A South State Track and Field Championships. In an extraordinary feat, she soared to a height of 13-8, a monumental achievement that not only secured her victory but also made her the first Mississippi girl in history to clear this height in the state. 

As Segroves looks ahead to her junior year in 2024, the track and field world eagerly anticipates what she has in store. 

Cooper Rodgers: Sprinting Sensation and Record-Breaker

In the world of Mississippi high school track and field, Cooper Rodgers emerged as a standout talent in 2023. What sets him apart? Not only is he one of the few 2024 returners on this prestigious list, but he's also arguably one of the best sprinters the Magnolia State has ever witnessed.

Rodgers, now a senior at Raymond High School and a committed athlete for Mississippi State University, is a versatile sprinter who can excel in various events. He showcased this versatility by achieving remarkable victories in the 200m and 400m dashes at the 2023 MHSAA 4A Track and Field Championships. Notably, he also secured a lane in the 100m dash, finishing fifth overall.

However, perhaps the most awe-inspiring spectacle of Rodgers' career was his breathtaking 46.98-second performance in the 400m dash at the 2023 AAU Junior Olympics in Des Moines, Iowa.

This remarkable achievement earned him a second-place finish on the national stage and catapulted him into the top 50 400-meter runners in the entire nation. Additionally, he claimed the No. 11 spot in the nation in the class of 2024. Lastly, it is definitely worth noting that this outstanding performance also etched his name into the annals of Mississippi track and field history as the second-fastest 400m sprinter of all time, second only to Starkville's Tavaris Tate and his record of 46.41 seconds. Given Rodgers' remarkable progress, it's entirely possible that he may surpass this historic mark in the upcoming season.

As Cooper Rodgers embarks on his senior year, the Mississippi track and field community eagerly anticipates what he has in store for us in 2024. 

Addison McLaurin: The Versatile Sprint Phenomenon

In the realm of Mississippi high school track and field, Addison McLaurin from Brandon High School emerged as a true sprinting sensation in 2023. Not only was she among the most versatile sprinters of the year, but her prowess on the track also earned her a place among the most versatile athletes seen in the last decade.

Now a freshman at the University of Southern Mississippi, McLaurin has always been a formidable presence in the world of sprinting. However, in 2023, she elevated her running game to bigger and better heights.

In her debut 400m race at the 2023 Southern Miss High School Invitational, McLaurin finished third in the 400m with a stellar time of 58.76 seconds.

What followed was nothing short of astonishing - McLaurin embarked on a remarkable streak of victories, proving unbeatable in every distance from the lightning-fast 100m to the grueling 400m. Not a single loss stained her record throughout the remainder of her 2023 season.

The pinnacle of McLaurin's success came at the 2023 MHSAA 6A Track and Field Championships, where she delivered a jaw-dropping performance. McLaurin accomplished a feat that can only be described as downright legendary - a triumphant triple victory in the 100m, 200m, and 400m dashes against the very best competitors at the MHSAA 6A level. This extraordinary achievement is reminiscent of the greatness exhibited by track and field legend Bianca Knight. 

As McLaurin continues her running journey at the University of Southern Mississippi, the Mississippi track and field community eagerly awaits the next chapters of her story. 

Roury McCloyen: Mississippi's Throwing Legend

Roury McCloyen, may forever go down as the most dominant thrower ever to hail from Mississippi.

As a 2023 graduate from St. Joseph Catholic School and a current competitor at Mississippi State University, McCloyen's throwing prowess has left an indelible mark on the state's track and field history.

McCloyen's accomplishments are nothing short of astounding. He became the first thrower in Mississippi to achieve marks exceeding 60 feet in the Shot Put and surpassing 180 feet in the Discus within a single season. What sets him apart is that he accomplished this remarkable feat not just once, but on several occasions, proving his consistency and truly extraordinary talent.

Selecting a single defining moment from McCloyen's illustrious high school career is a tall task, given the multitude of exceptional performances he delivered. However, one standout moment that deserves special recognition is his representation of Mississippi at the 2023 Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays, hosted by the University of Texas. In this highly competitive meet, McCloyen achieved something truly remarkable by clinching victories in both the Shot Put and Discus on one of the South's grandest stages.

McCloyen's excellence didn't stop there. He went on to set overall state records, reaching a staggering 66-4 in the Shot Put and an impressive 195-11.25 in the Discus. Along this journey, he secured multiple national titles, cementing his status as a force to be reckoned with on the national stage.

Witnessing the greatness of Roury McCloyen was a privilege for the track and field community in Mississippi. There is little doubt that he will continue to make waves in the NCAA scene, leaving a lasting legacy and demonstrating the true power of determination and talent. 

Pearl Cross Country: Unstoppable from Start to Finish

In the 2023 cross-country season, one team stood out far above the rest. This team was none other than Pearl High School. The Pearl Pirates have dominated the Mississippi cross-country scene for years, but this year was unlike anything before.

Starting their season strong, they won The Opener race at Choctaw Trails and beat out Louisana's Ruston High School. At their next race, the Southern Showcase in Huntsville, Alabama, they raced some of the best runners in the nation. Led by Jaquavion Bryant, they placed seventh in the Championship Division and had a blazing 16:07 team average for the 5000m distance. Shortly after this impressive performance, the Pirate squad made a quick stop at the Clinton Arrow Cross Country Invitational to snag another team victory.

This was just the beginning of this historic team. Next on the schedule was the Jesse Owens Classic, a hallmark race for fast times and phenomenal competition. Pearl High School put on a record-breaking performance and achieved a 15:54 team average with a fourth-place finish in the Gold Division. Bryant led the squad with a 15:24, followed closely by Farren Oberto with a 15:33. Just days later, the Pearl team went on to win the Watson High School Classic, Mississippi's most anticipated cross-country race of the year. They easily cruised to victory with another outstanding average of 16:00.

With an unstoppable force pushing them forward, the Pirates went on to win the first-ever MHSAA 7A Cross Country State Championships. To make it clear, they didn't just win this race;  they dominated. Their team score totaled 41 points, putting them 40 points ahead of second place. Not only did they win the team race, but Pearl's Jaquavion Bryant won the individual title as well. They also placed their entire 1-5 squad in the top 15 of the race.

From breaking records to claiming state titles, Pearl High School's 2023 cross-country season will go down as one of the best if not the best, season by any Mississippi High School team ever.

Heidi Hudson: Versatility Shines True in Pentathlon

Sumrall High School's Heidi Hudson, now a Western Carolina University athlete, has been known for some time now as arguably the best jumper in Mississippi. After her 2023 season, she claimed the undisputable title with her state record in the high jump. Not only has she become the best athlete in the state, but she has also become one of the best high school female athletes in the United States of America.

At the 2023 Indoor Nike Nationals, Hudson had one of the best performances by a Mississippi High School athlete in recent history. Although she competed in the individual high jump event and placed second overall, she had her sights set on winning a national title. Early in the day she held her own, running a PR 9.34 in the 60mH, and was able to stay in contention.

She had set herself up well going into her strong events and it paid off, jumping 18-8 in the long jump for a close second place, and then destroying the field in the high jump, jumping 5-8.75 and finishing 135 points ahead of second place.

As the day progressed, Hudson found herself 98 points back of first place going into the 800 meters. She had run 2:48 in this event before and to win, she had to run a time at least in the low 2:30s, which would have ranked among the top 800m runners in the state.

Fortunately for her, Hudson was able to dig deep in the final event and ran an enormous lifetime best of 2:28 to take the top spot and become a national champion. 

Winning a national title is a monumental occasion and cements Hudson as the pinnacle of jumping talent in not just the state but in the nation.

John Scott Kendricks: Flying to New Heights

John Scott Kendricks is without a doubt the best Mississippi pole vaulter in recent years and he is no stranger to success. His 2022 season was already outstanding, but his 2023 season was nothing short of historic.

During the 2023 indoor and outdoor track season, John Scott was undefeated in the pole vault, collecting 12 wins in total. Not only was he undefeated in the 2023 season, but he was also undefeated for all of 2022. This pole vault sensation has not lost in the pole vault in two years, an incredible accomplishment. 

One thing about John Scott is certain: he doesn't just win, he dominates. At the MHSAA 6A Track and Field State Championships, he won by a mark of 3 feet with his 17-0 performance, utterly smashing the competition. Just weeks before, John Scott broke the 13-year-old state record in the pole vault with a monstrous leap of 17-1. This record was previously held by his brother, Sam Kendricks, who went on to win numerous national titles, two world championships, an Olympic medal, and even set the American national record. 

If being the best in Mississippi wasn't enough, he was also one the best in the entire nation. His mark of 17-1 ranked him 7th in the nation and earned him a spot at the University of Arkansas, the reigning NCAA DI Men's Track and Field Championships runner-up.

If John Scott was able to best his older brother's high school marks, what could the future hold for this generational talent? Could we be seeing the beginnings of another Mississippi athlete making waves in the national and international track and field world?

Only time will tell, but all eyes will be on him in the years to come.

Written by: Chris Webber(Editor) and Bennett Ferguson