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The Simpson Academy Boys’ Cross Country Team won the MAIS state championship for the second year in a row on Monday, October 27, 2025, at Choctaw Trails in Clinton. Senior Lily Overby was the girls’ individual state champion, leading her team to a second-place finish in AAAA-Division 1.
The Cougars were led by Jayden Smith, who finished second with a time of 17:11.05 for the 5K course. Senior Denver Carter was not far behind, finishing 5th with a time of 17:36.26. Sophomores Brason Fox and Parker Payne finished 8th and 9th with times of 18:02.13 and 18:03.50, respectively. Hunter Smith was 20th with a time of 17:36.26, bringing Simpson’s team score to 42. Madison-Ridgeland Academy was the Division 2 Champion with a score of 71, followed by Jackson Academy with 84 and East Rankin Academy with 89.
Senior Thomas Martin finished 37th with a time of 19:58.55, Sophomore John Thomas White finished 43rd with a time of 20:20.44, Senior Zeke Scallorn finished 57th with a time of 21:21.45, and Blake Jordan finished 89th with a time of 24:47.92.
Overby finished a spectacular senior season, winning with a time of 18:55.08. Senior Layla Warren placed 5th with a time of 19:49.67, and 8th Grader Izzy Craft was not far behind in 7th place with a time of 20:21.24. Freshman Elle McNulty joined the team for the first time, finishing 25th with a time of 22:17.63.
Other Lady Cougars finished as follows:
- 51 – Ansley Jones – 24:17.16
- 53 – Madison Davidson – 24:23.70
- 55 – Sophie Grubbs – 24:28.05
- 57 – Moni Boyd – 24:43.90
- 59 – Annmarie Blakeney – 24:58.27
- 79 – Jayda Smith – 26:33.16
- 95 – Avery Weeks – 29:01.12
- 103 – Kylie Pringle – 29:48.33
- 107 – Danni Cooper – 32:23.18
- 109 – Stella Shoemake – 32:38.21.
The top 12 of each race were recognized as All-MAIS, and the following Cougars received that distinction:
- Lily Overby
- Layla Warren
- Izzy Craft
- Jayden Smith
- Denver Carter
- Brason Fox
- Parker Payne.
Overby and Warren have both been signed to continue running at college next year. Overby will be going to Mississippi State, and Warren will be running at the University of New Orleans.
The Cougars are coached by Angel Overstreet and Amarylis Carter.