As it’s often happened since she burst on to the scene as an eighth grader, Loyd Star junior Aubrey Britt wasn’t closely challenged in the MHSAA 2A state cross-country meet Monday.

They’ve tweaked the course at Choctaw Trails but what hasn’t changed is Britt being the champ as she won her fourth straight state title with a time of 20 minutes and 10 seconds on the 5K course.

Britt was 20 seconds ahead of the second-place finisher — senior Isabel Leatherman of Saint Patrick.

“From the starting line to the finish line — she gives everything she’s got,” said Loyd Star cross-country coach Michelle Case. “For Aubrey her athleticism is a natural gift, but her work ethic and sportsmanship are the qualities that set her apart from so many athletes.”

As a team Loyd Star finished sixth overall in the 12-team field while Wesson came in ninth.

Wesson seventh grader Macy Loy was the next local finisher after Britt as she finished 31st in a field of 79 runners with a time of 24:57.

Freshman Madelyn Spring of West Lincoln finished 39th with a time of 25:51.

Also running for Loyd Star coach Michelle Case were eighth grader Ady Locke (26:01), sophomore Shannon Moore (26:10), eighth grader Avery Sellers (26:39) and eighth grader Josie Breakfield (27:29).

Sophomore Hannah Meredith (26:09), junior Vivian McRee (26:20), eighth grader Tiara Tronstad (26:46), eighth grader Courtney Carr (27:16), junior Alayna Westrope (28:50) and freshman Makenze Martin (29:24) all also competed for coach Vance Windom and Wesson.

West Lincoln has strong

showing in boys’ race

The West Lincoln cross-country team coached by Leann McEwen and Ashley Yelverton had a strong showing in the 2A boys’ race as the Bears finished fourth overall in an 11-team field.

Freshman William Fugate from Madison-St. Joe was the first-place finisher overall with a time of 16:58.

Junior Chase Spring (18:07) of West Lincoln finished in fourth place overall to lead all area runners.

His junior teammate Alex Leake (18:55) finished 11th and senior Tiler Castillo (18:56) came in 13th place.

Other competitors for West Lincoln were sophomore Zack Reed (22:04), freshman Carson Temple (22:12), senior Dakota Spring (22:19) and senior Caleb Myers (28:53).

Freshman Preston Selman (20:15) was the top finisher for Wesson in the race. Also competing for the Cobras were sophomore Gabe Selman (21:58), junior Sam McInnis (22:02), junior Turner Green (23:00), junior Logan Hux (23:14), seventh grader John Brayden James ( 23:26) and junior Brandon Gladon (25:11).