With the release of USFTCCCA's top coaches in every state, it is time to celebrate the person behind every team's success: their coach. Without the sacrifice and commitment of these coaches, we would not have some of the best team's Mississippi running has ever seen. Keep reading to have a deep dive into the success and future of Mississippi's best high school coaches.
Mississippi Boys Coach of the Year: Chris Barnett(Pearl High School)
Chris Barnett is no stranger to success as a coach, and this year he has once again claimed the USFTCCCA High School Boys Cross Country Coach of the Year award.
Barnett led Pearl High School to a dominant season from start to finish, being the top-ranked Mississippi team at every race they competed. At the pinnacle of the 2023 season, Barnett's team claimed the team and individual victory at the inaugural MHSAA 7A Cross-Cross Country Championships.
Barnett's coaching of the Pearl Pirates squad didn't just stop at winning but also poured over into record-breaking. With their historic team average of 15:54 for the 5000m race, they hold the fastest team average in Mississippi history. Not only did Barnett's athletes break records, but he has also broken a record for himself.
He now has the most USFTCCCA High School Boys Cross Country Coach of the Year awards of any Mississippi coach ever, totaling three titles(2015, 2022, and 2023).
Mississippi Girls Coach of the Year: Pat Lovett(Madison-Ridgeland Academy)
Pat Lovett of Madison-Ridgeland Academy has earned their first-ever USFTCCCA High School Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year award. Under the leadership of Lovett, this MRA team beat out every top-ranked team in the state on multiple occasions. Lovett's squad was the top Mississippi girls team at the Watson High School Classic and finished their season with a state title at the MAIS Overall XC Meet.
A unique factor of Lovett's team is the fact that it is an extremely young team, yet they have already been ranked the top team in Mississippi.
MRA's top five runners are all returning in the 2024 season, meaning Lovett is just getting started. With a returning champion team of this caliber, there is no doubt that this will not be the last time you hear about Lovett's success with the MRA team.