Photo credits: Christian Leach
7. Ashton Rainey (Ocean Springs High School)
Profile
Grade: Senior
Classification: MHSAA 6A
2022 5K SB: 19:07
Key performances
-Win at Ocean Springs Invitational
-Win at Admiral Brickyard Classic
-Win at Pass Christian Invitational
Season analysis
Starting off the 2022 Mississippi High School Girls' "end-of-the-year" Cross Country rankings is Ocean Springs senior, Ashton Rainey.
Part of potentially the best distance trio in Mississippi, Rainey had a standout season that included five wins, six Top 3 finishes, and a seventh-place finish at the 2022 MHSAA 6A Cross Country Championships after leading the first half. Only five girls broke 19:10 in the 5K this season, and Ashton Rainey was one of them.
Rainey's grit and determination will surely turn into a fast 3200m next season on the outdoor oval. 
Photo credits: Chris Bell
6. Kaydi Blanchard (Lewisburg High School)
Profile
Grade: Sophomore
Classification: MHSAA 6A
2022 5K SB: 19:21
Key performances
-Runner-up finish at Mississippi XC All-State Championships
-Third place finish at MHSAA 6A Cross Country Championships
Season analysis
We're not sure what Lewisburg's Kaydi Blanchard did differently from the beginning of the season to the end of it. However, one thing is certain: Whatever it was, it worked.
Dropping a total of three minutes and 28 seconds off her 5K SB through the 2022 Cross Country season, Blanchard finished very strong in the postseason, highlighted by a third-place finish at the 2022 MHSAA 6A Cross Country Championships, followed up by a runner-up finish at the 2022 Mississippi XC All-State Championships. In those races, the Lewisburg sophomore beat out Mississippi legends such as Layla Warren(Simpson, All-State #4), Ashton Rainey(Ocean Springs, All-State #7), Sarah Litton(Ocean Springs), Jessica Cartwright(Hernando), and Kaitlyn Burge(Hernando), among many others.
A promising, up-and-coming talent, Blanchard has a lot to look forward to in the 2023 Mississippi Track and Field season.
Photo credits: MileSplit Alabama
5. Brookelyn Morgan (Tupelo High School)
Profile
Grade: Sophomore
Classification: MHSAA 6A
2022 5K SB: 19:08
Key performances
-Runner-up finish at MHSAA 6A Cross Country Championships
-Win at Saltillo Cross Country Invitational
Season analysis
Coming in at No. 5 on the coveted end-of-the-year Mississippi High School Girls Cross Country rankings, the 2 x MHSAA 6A 3200m Champion from Tupelo High School, Brookelyn Morgan.
Brookelyn Morgan had a stellar sophomore season that included four wins and a runner-up finish at the MHSAA 6A Cross Country Championships. At the beginning of the season, she went on a tear, winning three meets in a row. It started at the TCPS Twilight meet, then continued through the Saltillo Cross Country Invitational and Tupelo Invitational, beating out stellar fields in the process.
Morgan is one of the best 3200m runners in Mississippi and will surely be on the right track to defend her MHSAA 6A 3200m title.
Photo credits: Chris Webber (Editor)
4. Layla Warren (Simpson Academy)
Profile
Grade: Freshman
Classification: MAIS 5A
5K SB: 18:59
Key performances
-Win at MAIS 5A Cross Country Championships
-Top Mississippian at THE OPENER: High School/Middle School
-Second Mississippian at Watson High School Classic
-Third place finish at Mississippi XC All-State Championships
Season analysis
No. 4 on the 2022 Mississippi High School Girls "end of the year" Cross Country rankings is 5 x MAIS 5A Champion from Simpson Academy, Layla Warren.
One-half of the best female distance duo in Mississippi, Warren is a fiery frontrunner who is ready to go to way when she steps on the starting line. During her 2022 Cross Country campaign, she garnered five wins, 13 top-five finishes, and her first-ever MAIS Cross Country individual title. Last but certainly not least, the Simpson freshman was one of three girls to break 19 minutes in the 5K this season, doing so at the Watson High School Cross Country Classic.
Whether it is the grass or the track, Layla Warren brings that competitive drive with her to every race, and we can't wait to see how her 2023 Track and Field season plays out.
Photo credits: Christian Leach
3. Addison Rainey (Ocean Springs High School)
Profile
Grade: Junior
Classification: MHSAA 6A
2022 5K SB: 19:10
Key performances
-Win at MHSAA 6A Cross Country Championships
-Win at MHSAA Southern Region Cross Country Championships
-Third Mississippian at THE OPENER: High School/Middle School
Season analysis
The leader of the three-headed dragon of Ocean Springs High School, Addison Rainey came through when it mattered.
After her season opener at THE OPENER - High School/Middle School, Rainey placed in the top three in every other race she competed. Even at her season opener, Rainey placed sixth but was the third Mississippian across the line. Her season best was a time of 19:10, which she ran twice: The 2022 Admiral Brickyard Bayou Classic and the 2022 MHSAA 6A Cross Country Championships, where she took home her first-ever MHSAA 6A individual title.
This was a breakout season for Addison Rainey, and she has a lot of momentum with her as she heads into the 2023 Mississippi Track and Field season.
Photo credits: Chris Webber (Editor)
2. Ella Rankin (Hartfield Academy)
Profile
Grade: Freshman
Classification: MAIS 6A
2022 5K SB: 18:23
Key performances
-Win at MAIS 6A Cross Country Championships
-Win at Rankin County Cross Country Championships
-Third Mississippian at Watson High School Classic
Season analysis
Hartfield Academy's Ella Rankin is hands down one of the best distance runners in Mississippi.
Perhaps one of the most consistent performers on the Mississippi Cross Country scene, Rankin ran lights out in her last three races of the season. Those consisted of a 19:01 5K and top 10 finish at the 2022 Watson Cross Country Classic, an 18:23 5K win at the 2022 Rankin County Cross Country Championships, and her third MAIS Cross Country title at the 2022 MAIS 6A Cross Country Championships. At her state meet, Rankin won in a 19:09 in the blazing heat and was the fastest winner in all of the classifications, public or private, at the Mississippi Cross Country Championships. Her win at the 2022 Rankin County Championships was the fastest 5K time in Mississippi and was only one of three to go under 19 minutes this season.
Ella Rankin is as tough as they come, and we can't wait to see her back in action during the 2022 Mississippi Track and Field season.
Photo credits: Chris Webber (Editor)
1. Lilly Overby (Simpson Academy)
Profile
Grade: Freshman
Classification: MAIS 5A
2022 5K SB:
Key performances
-Win at Mississippi XC All-State Championships
-Win at Simpson Academy Invitational
-Top Mississippian at Watson High School Cross Country Classic
-Top Mississippian at Garmin RunningLane Championships
-Runner-up finish at MAIS 5A Cross Country Championships
Season analysis
Well deservedly, finishing the 2022 Mississippi Cross Country season as the No. 1 ranked High School Girl in Mississippi, Lilly Overby of Simpson Academy.
Overby is the only runner on this list who has beaten every other athlete above. She first popped onto the Mississippi Cross Country as a top talent when she won the stacked 2022 Simpson Academy Invitational, taking down top Mississippi athletes such as Ella Rankin(Hartfield, All-State #2), Layla Warren(Simpson, All-State #4), as well as the might of East Rankin, Columbia Academy, and MRA. She continued that momentum to snag two more wins in the regular season, be the top Mississippian at the 2022 Watson High School Cross Country Classic, and add a runner-up title at the 2022 MAIS 5A Cross Country Championships.
Last but certainly not least, Overby polished it off in the postseason with a win at the 2022 Mississippi XC All-State Championships and the top Mississippian at the 2022 Garmin RunningLane Cross Country Championships.
Written by: Chris Webber(Editor) and Chris Bell