Thirty-eight years ago, during the 1986 Track and Field Season, George Kersh of Pearl High School established himself as the number one high school 800-meter runner in the nation. Following his sophomore season in which he ran an astonishing time of 1:53.09, he soon after ran a personal best of 1:48.86-solidifying top honors at the TAC Junior Nationals in Baltimore, Maryland. The following year, George finished
another season undefeated in the prep 800 and was crowned the MHSAA State 400- and 800-Meter Run champion.
His junior year was just as successful as he captured major wins at the Shreveport Meet of Champions and the Golden South Classic. George also represented the United States on the US Junior National Team in the World Junior Championships in Athens, Greece. Other achievements include being named All American and finishing in the top five for the highly competitive National High School Track & Field Athlete of the Year Award. George went on to set three national high school records during his senior year in the Indoor 800, the Indoor 1000 and the Outdoor 800.
In setting the National High School Outdoor 800 record of 1:46.58, he became the very first high school athlete to break the 1:47.0 mark.
Today, he is the cover of our states premier 800 race and continues to set the standard on what it means to be a successful 800 runner.
After a few bumpy years of covid and weather cancelations, the George Kersh 800m race is back. This race has invited the fastest middle distance runners in the state to compete all in one place
Below is an introduction to the runners and their recent accomplishments.
Braxton Rea of Madison Central
Braxton Rea is a Junior at Madison Central who is a leader on both the cross-country and track teams. He currently has a PR of a 1:57.86 in the 800 meter and a 4:36.40 in the 1600. He was a member of the state runner up 4x800 relay last track season. Braxton is also competitive in cross-country with a time of 16:28.9 and will be Madison Central's top runner during the 2024 season. He also excels in the classroom and has an ACT score of a 31. When Braxton is not running, he is involved in his youth group at Madison Methodist Church.
Scott McDonnall of Starkville High School
Scott McDonnall, a sophomore at Starkville HS, has a PR of 4:37 in the 1600 and a 1:59 in the 800. As a freshman in 2023, he finished 5th in the 800 at the 6A State Track Meet. He also runs XC andmade the All-Region team with a 17:03 5K. In addition to running, Scott also plays on the varsity soccer team.
Kameron Wilson of Centreville Academy
Kameron Willson is a sophomore at Centreville Academy. He is a 2 time MAIS 4A state champion in the 800 meters, and also holds the MAIS 4A state record in the 800. He is the 2023 4A state champion in the 1600 and the 3200 - and the state champ in cross country. He has PR's of 11.6 in the 100, 51.08 in the 400, 1:56 in the 800 and 4:44 in the 1600. Kameron has a 4.0 GPA, is in the Beta Club,and is an active member of First Baptist Church of Zachary. In addition to running, he also plays football and basketball for Centreville Academy.
Ace Cosby of Ocean Springs High School
Ace Cosby is a senior at Ocean Springs High School. He has a PR of 1:58 in the 800 and is the school record holder for Ocean Springs in the 800. Last year, Ace finished 4th overall in the 800 at the 6A State Track meet. Besides track and field, Ace runs cross country and plays soccer for the Greyhounds. Ace has committed to continue his soccer career and play at Pearl River Community College in the fall.
Luke Skinner of Oak Grove High School
Luke Skinner is a senior at Oak Grove High School. Next year he plans on continuing his Track and Field career at William Carey University. Luke has a PR of 1:58 in the 800 and 4:26 in the 1600. In addition to being a vital member of the Oak Grove cross country and track team, Luke is also a pitcher for the Oak Grove baseball team. In his free time, Luke enjoys driving his Jeep with the top down on warm summer days.
Brendan Clark of Pearl High School
Brendan Clark is a senior at Pearl High School. He has a PR of 16:04 in the 5k along with being a part of the fastest cross country team ever in Mississippi. He is also a member of the 7A state record 4x800 relay team. Brendan has a PR of 4:21 in the 1600 and a 1:57 in the 800 and a 52 in the 400.
Jaquavion Bryant of Pearl High School
Jaquavion Bryant is a junior at Pearl High School.. He is a back to back individual state champion in cross country with a PR of 15:24. .He is the 2023-2024 XC Gatorade Player Of The Year for Mississippi and a member of the state record 4x800 relay team. .His PR's are 9:27 in the 3200, 4:15 in the 1600, and 50.9 in the 400.
Jon Haralson of Pearl High School
Jon Haralson is a junior at Pearl High School. He is the reigning 2-time champion for the Rankin County XC Championship and is a member of the fastest XC team in Mississippi history. He is also a member of the record-breaking 4x800 meter relay team for Mississippi. Jon's personal best in the 800 meters is 1:55. He also runs the 1600 with a personal best of 4:39, as well as the 400 with a personal best of :50.9.
Tanner Moore of Pearl High School
Tanner Moore is a senior at Pearl High School and is the 2023 State Champion in the 1600 and 800, running 4:32 and 1:55. Tanner is also a part of the Fastest XC team to ever come through Mississippi. Also was a part of the fastest 4x800 relay team ever to run in Mississippi. He has personal bests of 16:02 in the 5k, 9:49 in the 3200, 1:54 in the 800, 4:32 in the 1600, and 50.2 in the 400.