Kirk Academy eighth-grader Charley Rose grew up in a family of runners.
Her father, Chuck, was a standout track athlete, who specialized in running distance races back in the day at Kirk Academy. Her mother, Lacy, was a standout sprinter at Simpson Academy in Mendenhall. Her sister, Morgan Claire, won five Midsouth Association of Independent Schools state cross country titles and is currently a standout for the Ole Miss track program. Chase, her brother, won two state titles at Kirk Academy and added one at Oxford High School last season. Now, he is a member of the Ole Miss men’s track program.
Following in her family’s footsteps, the youngest Rose has kept the family streak alive by winning her first cross country title back on Oct. 25, at Choctaw Trails in Clinton. As she neared the finish line, she started to think about her brother and sister.
“I was excited as I headed toward the finish line knowing I was going to win a state title like they did,” the youngest Rose recalled. “All the hard work since July paid off in a state title.”
Charley battled Clinton Christian senior Anne Maree Crechale for the top spot for most of the competition. The two runners were neck-and-neck after the first mile when Rose made her move pulling away. She finished the race with a time of 21:23, while Crechale turned in a 22:08. Her one-mile time was at 6:30.
Charley’s father, who also doubles as her high school coach, thought his daughter had a chance to bring home the title. It was quite an accomplishment. Charley had run most fun runs and kid races – not many 5K.
“Looking at the time on the Mile Split website, I felt like we had a chance to win it,” Chuck Rose said. “We started July 1 running and getting ready for the season. We build a base the first two months, then go to race pace workouts.”
Now, the younger Rose turns her attention to basketball before track season begins in the spring. Then, this summer training begins for the upcoming 2022 cross country season and sights on a second title.
