MRA and JA win MAIS spring sports titles

The MRA golf and tennis teams added hardware to the school’s trophy case, with both teams bringing home state titles last week. The Jackson Academy boys tennis team also clinched the MAIS 6A state title, their first since 2003.

On the golf side, MRA was dominant both in the team and individual categories in the MAIS 6A state tournament last week at Reunion Golf and Country Club in Madison. 

As a team, the Patriots shot a 284, defeating second place Presbyterian Christian by ten shots to clinch the program’s second straight MAIS 6A team state championship. 

Individually, Max Hutchinson brought home the state title, shooting an outstanding 64 to bring home the title.

On the tennis side, the MRA girls brought home their first state title in school history with a tournament win at Ridgeland Tennis Center last week. 

It was a narrow victory for the Lady Patriots that came down to the wire, edging out Jackson Academy and Jackson Prep. MRA finished with eight points, while JA and Prep finished with 7.5. 

Anna Morgan Anderson and Stella Fuller came away with a huge win in doubles over PCS, which ended up playing a crucial part in clinching the title. 

Maddie Powell and Logan Phillips also stood out, knocking out the number one team from Hartfield Academy in the tournament semifinals, before falling to Bea Birdsall and Stewart Russ of Jackson Prep. 

Individually, Charlotte Lucas of Jackson Prep won the singles category and Ellie Hogue and Carolina Walker of Jackson Academy won the doubles category.

On the boys tennis side, Jackson Academy was able to clinch their first MAIS state title since 2003, defeating second-place Jackson Prep by five points. 

The Raiders won the team state title, along with the number one and number two doubles state titles. 

Matt Thomas and Nicholas Jones won the number one doubles title, while Willis Thigpen and Ian Hosch won the number two doubles title. 

William Wright Scott of Jackson Prep won the number one singles title.