Clinton High School Sets the Pace
Opening the season up at its own Clinton Season Opener, Clinton High School is picking up right where it left off in the indoor season. On the boy's side, Howard Banks secured the fastest time in the state so far with his 22.04 200m dash. Cayden Wilson also snagged the top spot for the shot put after his 49-1.75 attempt. Both the 4x100m and 4x200m relays opened up the season on top as well, with their 41.81 4x100m team breaking into the top ten all-time rankings for this event.
RANKINGS: Mississippi High School Boys 4x100m All-Time Rankings
On the girl's side, the rankings speak for themselves. The girls' squad holds six individual MS #1 spots, ranging from the 100m race to the 3200m. Jenesis Williams controlled the hurdles this weekend and claimed both the 100mH and 300mH top spots. Their relay teams also snatched the state lead for the 4x100m and 4x200m events.
Jamari Page Off to a Hot Start
After claiming the 5A state title in the 110mH, Jamari Page of Ridgeland High School is already getting back into action. At the Clinton Season Opener, Page won both the 100m and 100mH races. He didn't stop there though. This sprint phenom tripled the day with his 2nd place finish in the 300mH. His impressive times in the 100m and 100mH have earned him the early number spot for both events.
Not only are these the fastest times in the state so far, but these are all personal bests for Page. He did not let the off-season slow him down, making him a clear favorite for another state title in the hurdles.
Lilly Overby Dominates Distance Side
At the Pearl Track & Field Opener, Lilly Overby laid down stunning times in both the 1600m and the 3200m distances. She recently claimed her second MAIS title during the cross-country season and boasted an impressive overall. Her talent on the grass has converted well to the track, as she beat her previous best by 15 seconds in the 1600m. In the 800m, she also earned a personal best of over 10 seconds, an outstanding jump for that event.
She now holds the number one spot in the state for both of these events and is currently ranked ahead of some of the top names in the state, including the reigning 7A cross country champion Kaitlyn Burge, and Pearl High School star Katherine Neal.
Bryant and Brannon Face off in 3200m Battle
Colin Brannon of Madison Central had an unreal 2023 track campaign, eventually coming away with the 6A title in the 3200m. For Jaquavion Bryant, a mid-season injury in 2023 caused him to just fall short of an individual track state title. Bryant had his comeback though and dominated the boy's cross-country scene last fall, capping his season off with the first-ever 7A individual and team titles.
At the Pearl Track & Field Opener, these two distance champions faced off and gave a glimpse as to what the 3200m state title could look like. Bryant secured the victory in a time of 9:37, with Brannon right behind him in 9:38. Bryant now holds the fastest time in the state and proved that he can hold off Brannon's dominant late-race kick.
The distance battle is already brewing in Mississippi, and will no doubt continue to grow as the rest of the state joins in on the competition next weekend.
Aryn Eady's Time to Shine
After placing third and fifth in discus and shotput at the 2023 MHSAA 6A State Championships, Aryn Eady of D'Ibervile High School was on the cusp of earning her first state title. This season, however, all eyes will be on her as she goes into this year with a strong chance to win both. With Mississippi State University commit Meagan Womack and several other seniors graduating, Eady is looking like the top contender for this year's state competition.
At the Harrison County 5th Annual Track Meet, she hit marks of 132-0 and 38.25 in the discus and shotput, respectively. She claimed first in both of these events and is sitting comfortably as the top mark in the state for both events. With experience behind her back and a strong start to her season, she will be a force to look out for at this year's state championships.