Women's Cross Country | 10/16/2024 8:06:00 AM

JACKSON -- The Clinton Lady Arrows' Head Cross Country Coach Allen Marett had one more task to complete at Choctaw Trails on a beautiful Tuesday afternoon.

As promised to his runners, Marett was doused by his team in a celebratory water cooler celebration that culminated a determined season.

The Clinton Junior High School (CJHS) Girls' Cross Country team was the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Middle School Cross Country Classic champions. Running in the Large School Division, the Lady Arrows, who placed all its scoring runners in the top 25, defeated Ocean Springs by nine points in the 3000m race.

"They are there everyday and ready to work at practice every day," Marett said. "This team loves one another, and they are such a fun group to coach. I am really excited to see where they end up in the next four to five years. Overall, I watched them practice and watched them give everything had at the practices and races.

"This is my 28th year of coaching, and it is my first (championship on any level) as a coach," Marett added. "This season isn't going to be taken for granted as these girls have worked so hard to get to this championship."

Olivia Gibbs, as she did throughout the season, led the way for the Lady Arrows, finishing in third place overall. The eighth grader ran the race in 12 minutes, 11 seconds. Payton Greer secured sixth place with a time of 12:25, and Lilly Sisson was the ninth-place finisher with her time of 12:48. The three, top-10 finishes were the difference in the event as CJHS was able to hang on to the top spot from a tough Lady Greyhound squad.

Eleanor Freeny was the fourth runner to score points for CJHS, completing the race in 13 minutes, 32 seconds. Eleanor Wilson was close behind Freeny as she was the final runner to cross the finish line, claiming 25th individual spot. Wilson ran a 13:32, as well.

FULL RESULTS

GIRLS 3K LARGE SCHOOL DIVISION