Jordyn Moody Strikes Again in the 400m
Hailing from Oak Grove High School, Jordyn Moody once again proves that she is the best girls 400m runner in the state right now. At the Carey High School Challenge, she pushed her state lead even further ahead with a time of 56.60 for the 400m distance. She holds the fastest time in the state by almost three seconds and is currently the fourth-fastest freshman in the nation.
On the Missississippi all-time rankings, she is the fourth fastest freshman to ever run the 400m and is closing in on a top three spot. This freshman phenom is on the move and will be a force to be reckoned with at this year's state championships.
Cooper Rodgers Drops a 48.00 400m at Season Opener
After a phenomenal 2023 track campaign and some impressive indoor performances, Cooper Rodgers of Raymond High School is no stranger to success. With all of his experience and talent, it is no shocker to see him open up his season with a new state lead.
At the JPS High School Meet, he won the 100m, 200m, and 400m races. In the 400m, he claimed a new MS#1 with a time of 48.00, just beating out Howard Banks' 48.47 from the Carey High School Challenge. He also ran a stunning 21.78 for the 200m, sitting second in the state behind Omari Hampton's 21.44. These marks are nothing out of the ordinary for Rodgers and set him right on the pace from where he ended last season. After finishing his season with a 46.98 at the AAU Junior Olympic Games, it is clear Rodgers has a lot more left in the tank for this year.
Pearl Boys Reveal Middle Distance Depth
At the Rankin County Championships, the Pearl High School squad showcased their versatile middle-distance crew. Tanner Moore, the reigning 800m and 1600m MHSAA 6A state champion, led the team with a winning time of 50.45, followed by Jon Haralson and Jaquavion Bryant. All three of them ran below 51 and took the 1-2-3 overall.
What makes this performance so significant is not the time, but the type of athletes that ran these marks. These are all distance-based athletes who are throwing down amazing times in an event that isn't even their specialty. Bryant leads the state in the 3200m and holds a personal best of 4:20 in the 1600m. Moore and Haralson both have broken the two-minute mark in the 800m. These are 3200m, 1600m, and 800m runners showing that they can dominate a massive variety of events.
When you have 3200m and 1600m runners that can clip off a time like that in the 400m, you have some extremely talented athletes. This Pearl team has already proven themselves to be one of the greatest distance teams to ever touch the track in Mississippi and these 400m performances continue to prove the insane talent and strength of these runners.
Boys and Girls 800m Ramps Up with New State Leads
There seems to be no stop in the Mississippi 800m race as the state leads continue to change every week. At the Charger Invitational, 7A Cross Country state champ Kaitlyn Burge of Hernando High School cruised to a new MS#1 with a time of 2:20. This new personal best marks her as the fastest girl in the state by over three seconds. Burge has already proven her ability on the grass and this impressive 800m shows that she isn't afraid to turn up the speed. It is only a matter of time before this mix of speed and endurance allows her to tear up the 1600m and 3200m distances.
On the boy's side, Luke Skinner from Oak Grove High School is back again with another phenomenal 800m race. At the Carey High School Challenge, he blazed through the track in a staggering 1:58. This new personal best earned him back his state lead as he continues his unprecedented 800m progression. Skinner is making his presence in the 800m known throughout the state, and who knows what times he could hit when he moves up to the 1600m race.
Sean Fairley Continues Discus Domination
Christian Collegiate Academy's Sean Fairley once again has extended his lead in the discus event. At the Carey High School Challenge, Fairley earned his fifth win of the season and keeps his undefeated streak alive. With a mark of 170-3, he pushes his state lead ahead by another foot. This throw doesn't just put him as the best in Mississippi but as one of the best in the nation. Fairley is now ranked as the second-best sophomore in the country for his event.
After five meets this year, he has earned five wins and five season bests. If he can keep this trend up, who knows what mark he could hit by the end of the season.
