2026 Clara Younger Signs with Jackson State
Senior Clara Younger has signed a letter of intent to run for the Cross Country / Half Marathon team at Jackson State Community College.
Younger has ran track all four years of high school, and according to Coach Jonathan Williams, is "the reason we have a cross country team at MCHS." After her freshman year, Younger approached Williams to ask about the lack of a cross country team. Williams checked with Athletic Director Brian Franks, and determined it had been several years since the school sponsored one. Coach Williams agreed to oversee the program, and Younger has been a competitor on the team for the three years since.
Younger qualified for the state track meet this fall, finishing 11th overall and 4th individually in the 5K race. At the state meet in November, she finished 72nd out of 176 runners, and set her own personal 5K record of 23:10. She finished 10th out of 80+ runners at the Covington Invitation 5K in September. Younger missed qualifying for state in her junior year by seconds, finishing 3rd in 3200 meter and 4th in 1600 meter.
Younger plans to major in accounting, with the goal of becoming a CPA. She is also a talented artist, with her artwork selected for a national exhibition sponsored by Missouri State University in 2024. She is an inducted member of both the National Honor Society and the National Art Honor Society. Her favorite memories of being a part of the track and cross country teams are the fun times spent with teammates after each meet, going to eat and hanging out together.
Younger is pictured with her parents Tracie Younger and Josh Younger, sisters Ella Younger, Amara Younger and Morgan Moore (best friend-sister), Kristie Younger (Nana), Jamie Wheeler (Aunt) and family, Shannon Johnson (Aunt), and several friends. Also pictured are MCHS Track & Cross Country Coach Jonathan Williams, Athletic Director Brian Franks, and MCHS Principal Jason Newman. Representing Jackson State were Arthur Priddy, Head Coach and Becky Bennett, Assistant Coach; they coach the Cross Country/Half Marathon team.
