The action began Monday at Drake Stadium, where Mississippi athletes recorded a national title, multiple top-20 finishes and several impressive performances against difficult headwinds.
Competition continues throughout the week, and fans can follow Mississippi's athletes through the livestream below.
Here are 10 Mississippi performances that stood out during Monday's opening track and field schedule.
Girls
Gibson delivered Mississippi's biggest performance of the opening day by winning the 17-18 girls long jump national championship.
The RADL Track Club standout produced a best mark of 19 feet, 6.25 inches on her final attempt. The jump moved Gibson past Taylor-Marie Wilson, who finished second with a jump of 19-3.50.
Gibson entered the final round outside the lead before producing the championship-winning mark when it mattered most.
Fortenberry turned in one of Mississippi's strongest sprint performances during the 13-year-old girls' 200-meter preliminaries.
Running into a strong headwind, Fortenberry crossed the line in 25.97 seconds. She finished second in her heat and ranked 10th overall among the national field.
The result was especially impressive considering Fortenberry faced one of the strongest headwinds recorded during the preliminary round.
Smith opened her AAU Junior Olympic campaign with a commanding heat victory in the 8-under girls 200-meter dash.
The seven-year-old completed the race in 31.25 seconds despite running into a headwind. Smith finished more than a second and a half ahead of the next competitor in her heat.
Harthoorn finished among the top 20 competitors in a loaded 17-18 girls 200-meter field.
The RADL sprinter recorded a time of 24.83 seconds en route to placing second in her heat. She finished the day tied for 20th overall in the preliminary standings.
Robin Pugh, Golden Triangle Xtreme Speed
Pugh represented Mississippi in the 15-16 girls 800-meter run.
The Golden Triangle Xtreme Speed athlete completed the two-lap race in 2:24.74, placing fourth in her heat and 28th overall among the national field.
Boys
Zandon Perkins, Trust the Process Track Club
Perkins produced one of Mississippi's strongest boys sprint performances in the 14-year-old 200-meter dash.
Perkins won his preliminary heat in 23.66 seconds, showcasing a solid performance into a headwind. His time placed him 22nd overall in a field featuring more than 70 finishers.
Robinson earned a top-20 national finish during the preliminary round of the 13-year-old boys 200-meter hurdles.
The RADL athlete completed the race in 29.79 seconds while running into a slight headwind. His performance placed him third in his heat and 20th overall.
Robinson entered the Junior Olympics after winning four events at the Regional 11 AAU Championships earlier this summer.
Collum competed against one of the deepest fields of the day in the 17-18 boys 400-meter hurdles.
The Golden Triangle Xtreme Speed athlete finished in 56.70 seconds, placing third in his heat and 25th overall. He finished just five hundredths of a second behind the competitor directly ahead of him in the standings.
Chambliss faced difficult conditions during the 17-18 boys long jump but still surpassed 21 feet.
The Trust the Process athlete recorded a best jump of 21 feet, 4.25 inches. His mark came while jumping into a powerful headwind of 3.5m/s.
Watch Mississippi's Best Compete Live
Monday was only the beginning for Mississippi's athletes at the AAU Junior Olympic Games.
Preliminary rounds, semifinals and national championship events will continue throughout the week at Drake Stadium. Mississippi athletes will have several more opportunities to advance, earn All-American honors and bring home national medals.
Follow every race, jump and throw live throughout the remainder of the meet.