Editor’s Note: This week, The Dispatch will look at some of the top performances at the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) and the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) State meets.
By Adam Minichino
STEENS — Chris Webber wanted to go out on a high note.
Entering his final high school track and field meet, Webber had followed his usual routine and crunched the times to see how well the Columbus Christian Academy boys track and field team could do in the Class A portion of the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Overall State Championships at Jackson Academy.
According to Webber’s figures, CCA would battle Tunica Academy to the final event if everything went according to plan.
Webber’s breakdown didn’t account for the drama he helped create. Despite competing in two of the closest races of his prep career, Webber did his job and won the 3,200 meters (11 minutes, 4.06 seconds), the 1,600 (4:59.48), and the 800 (2:09.22) to help lead CCA to a third-place finish (81.5 points) behind Tunica Academy (124) and West Memphis Christian (91.5).
Webber also teamed with Ethan Sevier, Matthew Phillips, and Ian Misiak to win the 4×800 relay in a season-best time of 9:14.52.
For his accomplishments, Webber is The Dispatch’s Prep Player of the Week.
“I probably couldn’t have had a better day if I had wished it to happen,” Webber said. “It was really, really bittersweet. I am really, really going to miss that. I am truly blessed. There is no better feeling. Saturday was one of the most memorable days I have ever had.”
The drama Webber had to survive to win the 1,600 by .3 and the 800 by .08 was right out of a Hollywood ending. The performances capped a stellar prep career that saw Webber win the MAIS Class AA State cross country meet with a time of 19:27.86 as a sophomore and 19:00.41 as a junior. He closed his cross country last October by winning the Class A meet in a time of 18:29.87 to lead a sweep of the top four spots.
Webber, who also is a member of the school’s boys soccer team, was just as accomplished in track and field. In 2016, Webber was second in the 1,600 (5:08.56) and first in the 3,200 (11:28.62). Last season, Webber won the 1,600 (4:58.19) and the 3,200 (11:26.46).
This season, though, Webber faced two of the biggest tests of his career.
In the mile, Webber said he didn’t want to lead the race from the start but was forced into that position. As a result, he set the pace and was trailed by Tensas Academy’s Efrain Pena the entire race. Webber said he took off on the fourth lap and didn’t intend to lose.
“I thought, ‘If I am going to lead this thing I am going to lead it the whole way and not let them beat me,’ ” Webber said. “On the back stretch, I had to cover every move to take the lead.”
Webber admitted he didn’t think the race was going to be that close and that he was a little concerned about not being able to realize his goals of winning three individuals events in his finale.
Webber’s resolve faced an even bigger test in the 800. But Webber offered a glimpse of mental approach when he told CCA coach Greg Watkins he was going to go down swinging in his last race.
Turns out Webber had to absorb a few body blows from Delta Streets Academy Jonathan Brown, who went out quickly and set a fast pace. But Webber said “something just clicked” and kicked him into gear after he said he “opened up kind of slow.” Once in rhythm, Webber started passing people and was in third place with about 200 meters to go. He said he passed Briarfield Academy’s Undrea Spencer and set his sights on Brown. Once Webber caught Brown, he thought he had the race won.
That’s when Webber heard the screaming.
“You could see the surprise on Chris’ face,” said Watkins, who was one of the ones screaming that Spencer was coming up fast on the outside.
After taking the lead with about 100 meters to go, Webber said he saw Spencer out of the corner of his eye. He said he felt he had left Spencer behind, which is why he was surprised to see him making a move for the finish line.
“It was almost like that moment when you’re watching a horror movie,” Webber said when asked to describe the feeling when he saw Spencer edge into the lead. “I thought I already had it won. Talking to people after the race, they said they were screaming, ‘The guy is coming for you.’ My parents were screaming. I am glad I saw him when I did. I don’t think I could have left it any closer.”
Webber said he used whatever gear he had left to stay with Spencer in the final 50 meters and to use the best lean for the finish line of his career to win.
“The kid had the momentum and Chris just dug down deep and ended up passing him right at the line,” Watkins said. “It was a race for him to remember.”
Webber said he probably didn’t have the lead until the finish line when he said he nearly fell over in leaning to edge Spencer. After the race, Webber credited one of his competitors for saying you could tell at the finish which runner was the senior.
“I think it was senior experience because I think he let up at the line,” said Webber, who will compete in cross country and track and field at Mississippi College in the fall.
The day was a fitting end to the career of one of the area’s most accomplished cross country runners and track and field athletes. Webber admitted he even became a little emotional when the public address announcer listed his accomplishments for the crowd to hear when he was standing on the winner’s podium.
“I have worked really hard, so that moment after the 800 made everything worth it,” Webber said. “It was one heck of a day.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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