Izzy Craft from Simpson Academy at the Victors Kickoff at the Quarry 2025
Photo by Harrison Wampler
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For any new readers, welcome to Mississippi Future Stars. In this series, we highlight young runners who are already making waves across the state. Whether they're breaking records or steadily climbing the rankings, this is where we showcase the next generation of Mississippi athletes and put them on the map.
In this edition, we feature Izzy Craft from Simpson Academy! Izzy is currently in the 8th grade and has already opened her season with an impressive performance.
At the Victors Kickoff at the Quarry, Izzy clocked a 20:01 in the varsity 5K, good for 5th place overall. This was a major breakthrough for her, as she shattered her previous personal best of 22:25. Before this meet, she had already competed in three two-mile races, winning two of them. Her current two-mile PR stands at 12:22 from the NIKE Twilight XC Kickoff.
Izzy's talent isn't limited to cross country. During track season, she showcased her speed across multiple distances. At an MAIS Junior High meet, she ran a 2:33.85 in the 800m and a 5:42.06 in the 1600m. Compared to her marks from the 2024 outdoor season, she's already showing steady, exciting progress.
As just an 8th grader, Izzy Craft is proving to be one of the brightest young stars in Mississippi running, and her performances suggest that this is only the beginning.
Stay tuned for more editions of Mississippi Future Stars as we continue to spotlight the athletes shaping the future of the sport in our state.
Izzy Craft from Simpson Academy at the Victors Kickoff at the Quarry 2025
Photo by Harrison Wampler
---
For any new readers, welcome to Mississippi Future Stars. In this series, we highlight young runners who are already making waves across the state. Whether they're breaking records or steadily climbing the rankings, this is where we showcase the next generation of Mississippi athletes and put them on the map.
