The Columbia Academy Cross Country teams competed in the MAIS 5A State Championships at Choctaw Trails in Clinton on Oct. 24. The Lady Cougars tied with East Rankin Academy (ERA) for first but had to settle for the runner-up trophy due to a tiebreaker. In cross country, your top 5 runners are used for the score, and the sixth runner is used to break a tie.
It looked like ERA had an easy win until CA’s runners (dubbed the “Wolf Pack” by cross country online publication Milesplit) finished eighth, ninth, 10th, 11th, and 14th to tie the score. The Lady Cougars had placed their five scoring runners in the top 15 for a first place tie but were edged out when their sixth runner finished 18th behind ERA’s sixth runner in 16th.
They were led by team Captain Briley Speights in eighth, followed by Blair Pounds (ninth), Madelyn McKenzie (10th), Emmi Burrell (11th), and Macy Robertson (14th. Mendi Stringer finished 18th, and Bryleigh Robertson finished 33rd to round out the top-7. Speights and McKenzie received their third All-MAIS runner awards, and Pounds received her first.
Chris Webber, editor of MS Milesplit, has regularly referred to the Lady Cougars as the “Wolf Pack” due to their ability to run in a pack, which is a desired strategy among coaches. Milesplit is the nation’s top online source for cross country and track information and stats. The CA Girls wear the title as a badge of honor.
Even though the Lady Cougars had to settle for second place, their average finishing time qualified them for the Mississippi All-State Championship. State Champion teams from every classification (public, private, and home school) that meet a qualifying time are eligible for the All-State Championship. It’s the best of the best Mississippi has to offer, and CA's girls were the only girls team in MAIS to make it on the qualifying time.
“I couldn’t be prouder of these young ladies," head coach Duane Powell said. "They are a testament to the phrase, 'Never give up.' Despite a rash of sickness and injuries, including six of the top seven coming down with the flu less than two weeks before the championship, they stayed strong and determined.
Led by a strong performance from team captain Casey Haddox-Harvey, the CA boys team finished in third place. Haddox-Harvey finished fourth to earn his fourth consecutive All-MAIS team selection. Braden Ladd was 14th, followed by Jaxson Speights in 30th, Ethan Armstrong in 32nd, and Aiden Livingston in 37th. The Cougars failed to qualify for the All-State Championship. However, Haddox-Harvey made it as an individual for his time of 17:53 at Choctaw Trails.
“These kids are definitely overcomers. As with the girls, injuries and sickness also plagued the boys all season," Powell. "All five of them had to fight the flu, and Casey also suffered a lingering hip injury. I’m extremely proud of how they toughed it out to pull off a respectable third place at state. There’s no quit in the kids.”
CA concluded their 2022 season Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Mississippi All-State Championships.
The Lady Cougars had a strong showing taking third place. CA’s first runner, Pounds, set a school record with an awesome time of 20:18 for 12th place. She was followed by Speights in 15th with a time of 20:45. McKenzie finished 19th with a personal-best time of 20:51. Robertson was 28th with a personal best time of 21:32. Burrell developed a side stitch early but held on for a 35th-place finish with a time of 22:16. Stringer finished 42nd with a personal best time of 22:31, and Robertson was 52nd with a personal best time of 23:41. Ainsley Armstrong, who had a strong season, was the alternate runner but was not needed.
The team received t-shirts for their third-place finish. Pounds was awarded a Second Team All-State medal. Speights and McKenzie received All-State Honorable Mention medals.
The Cougars’ only qualifier, Haddox-Harvey, who was still struggling with the hip injury, made a valiant effort but only finished 52nd with 18:23, well off his personal best time of 17:45.
“Considering the roller coaster ride, I think we had a great season. What could have easily been a disastrous season for both teams was salvaged by the heart and pure guts of these kids," Powell said. "Every time they got knocked down, they jumped back up and worked harder. No coach could ever want a harder working more dedicated and determined group of young men and women. It’s an honor to coach kids like these. I’m so proud of them all. The great news is we don’t have a senior on either team, so 'Casey and the boys' and the 'Wolf Pack' will be back.”
