The MSMS cross-country team, led by Coach Madison Jones and senior captains Kyler Boothe, Spencer Goodlett and Nina Weinstein, kicked off the 2025-2026 season with three successful meets at Tupelo, Mooreville and Pontotoc.
At the Tupelo Invitational on Sept. 6, senior Jasmaan Banipal placed 29th overall, a top finisher in his division. At Mooreville, senior Anderson Chaney placed top 10 in his division and set a personal record, placing 35th overall.
“[The results] give me high hopes for the rest of the season,” Chaney said. “We are going to do great things.”
On September 27th, at South Pontotoc, Goen had three top finishers in the division: seniors Isabel Beckman and Nina Weinstein, and junior Elissa Wang, earning overall places of 30th, 37th and 33rd respectively. Banipal was also Frazer’s top division finisher, placing 34th overall.
Weinstein said she is excited to see how her teammates improve throughout the season.
“Overall, everyone raced super well and I’m very proud of everyone’s determination and drive to push themselves this meet,” Weinstein said.
Boothe said the addition of coach Jones has been positive for his running.
“She is very knowledgeable,” Boothe said. “She’s doing a very good job, and I feel more pushed to do well.”
Jones is both an experienced runner and coach. Running since she was in eighth grade, Jones set a state record at the Tupelo Invitational in her junior year of high school. She is currently taking a break from running while studying at Mississippi State University. Her previous coaching experiences consisted of one-on-one personal coaching, which mirrors her individualistic and personalized practice tactics.
Jones said the biggest challenge this year is making cross-country work for MSMS, meaning individualizing goals and creating spur-of-the-moment solutions. Early morning practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays, for example, allows members to take part in other extracurriculars while pursuing the sport.
The improvised K-loop Jones measured, which is a route running through the MUW and MSMS campus, allows the team to run a specific distance without an outside track. Individual timing and setting of expectations allow Jones to observe and guide the team at a challenging yet capable pace.
This focus on structure and adaptability reflect Jones’ confidence in the MSMS team.
“I think that our team as a whole can really surprise ourselves,” Jones said. “The kids here are so mature, and so different my expectations [for them] can be higher. I just wouldn’t [coach] anywhere else.”
The MSMS cross-country team competes next in Clinton on Oct. 23.
The upcoming meet dates are as follows:
Oct. 30 – Clinton (State)
