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Intro by Arkansas
TrackStats
With the 2001 high school season fast approaching, it might be
fun to see how the season may be shaping up. Unlike college where
coaches usually know well in advance who will be on the team, high
school coaches never really know until the first day of school who
will be back, who moved into the district and the like. Perhaps
an even bigger element for surprise is who progressed rapidly during
the summer or who is not ready to compete when the season begins.
With all that in mind, we will take a stab at who might be the teams
to look for this fall as the teams prepare themselves for the State
Meets to be held on Saturday, November 3 in Fayetteville at the
University of Arkansas Agri Park Course (Home of the Razorbacks
and LadyBacks).
Coach Clint Pevril of defending 5A Boys champions Mt. Home and
president of the Arkansas Track Coaches Association has prepared
a scouting report for each classification.
2001 Cross Country Scouting Report
by Clint Pevril (coach of Mountain Home)
Class 1A/2A Girls.....
Eight of the Top 10 from 2000 were 9th-11th graders which seems
to pave the way for a sort of rematch. In fact, there were only
five seniors in the Top 30.
Harding Academy continued their success in 2000 with a championship
by earning a narrow win over Decatur and Magnet Cove, 64-73-82.
As Harding ran only one senior last year, it would seem that they
should be the favorites going into the season. If Decatur can find
a 5th runner to squeeze into the Top 30, they could give Harding
a challenge. Likewise, Magnet Cove's first six from 2000 were 9th-11th
graders. They will need their 4th-5th runners to move up into the
12th-15th place range to have a legitimate chance. Shiloh Christian
could be the team to watch as they had only one senior in their
Top 9 last year with none in their Top 4. If Shiloh can move their
4th-5th runners up into the 25th-30th range, they could sneak away
with a trophy. Genoa Central also ran a very young team last year
but they have a lot of ground to make up to get into contention.
In the individual competition, Harding's then-soph Ashley Dixon
won a narrow one second victory over Pea Ridge frosh Dianne Miller
with Shiloh junior Annie Miller 20 seconds back. With Miller having
moved to Siloam Springs, the race appears to come down to Dixon
and Alpena's Ashley Henson mounting a challenge. Not to be overlooked
is Genoa Central's Leslie Priskey who turned in a 12:50 3200m run
last spring while Dixon was close behind at 13:01, Magnet Cove's
Shelley Holloway turned in a 13:03 and Danville's Joni Kreutzer
posted a 13:11 .
Early favorites......Harding Academy and Magnet Cove with Decatur
and Shiloh Christian in pursuit.....Dianne Miller of Pea Ridge with
Genoa Central's Leslie Priskey, Harding's Ashley Dixon and Magnet
Cove's Shelley Holloway vying for runner-up.
Class 1A/2A Boys......
Acorn clobbered the field last year with a 26-69-132 win over runner-up
Pottsville and 3rd place Crowley's Ridge Academy. Given that they
lost the 1st, 3rd and 17th place runners to graduation, it might
be tempting to believe Acorn would have to struggle to replace their
loss. Well, perhaps Acorn will struggle a little but on paper they
look like strong favorites to repeat as they placed six 9th-11th
graders last year in the Top 25. Pottsville again looks like a serious
contender for runner-up with Crowley's Ridge Academy possibly closer
than in 2000. If Wickes can find a 4th-5th runner to step up, they
could challenge for runner-up as well. Acorns' Brandon Cross finished
5th last year with a time of 18:30 which was well ahead of 6th place
senior-to-be Joey McGarrah of Winslow who posted a 10:29 3200m in
track.
Early favorites.....Repeat of 2000 with Acorn in 1st and Pottsville
and Crowley's Ridge fighting for runner-up....Joey McGarrah of Winslow
and Brandon Cross of Acorn look to be the favorites on the individual
side.
Class 3A Girls.....
With only seven seniors in last years Top 40, there should be plenty
of returnees in 3A looking to move up. Berryville took a close win
over Dover and DeQueen with a 49-64-68 win. With only one senior
among their Top 6 last year, Berryville should return a strong squad
with experience. However, Dover had only five finishers last year
but none were seniors. In a strict projection of last year's race
taking seniors out, Berryville and Dover appear to be neck-and-neck
in 2001. DeQueen ran a young team last year with only one senior
among their Top 9 and could surprise the field if they can step
it up a couple notches to get their 3rd-5th runners to finish in
the 14th-21st range. Sheena Metz and Megan Metz of Dover finished
1st and 3rd last year only nine seconds apart. Jana Derlikowski
of Pulaski Academy, only a junior this fall, was wedged in between
with Lauren Ellis of Berryville and Lauren Smith of Eureka Springs
not far behind the Top 3. Click here to see last year's order of
finish.
Early favorites....Look for Berryville and Dover to battle again
this year for the team trophies....Sheena Metz and Megan Metz of
Dover and Jana Derlikowski of Pulaski Academy bring the fastest
times back from last year with the potential for a very competitive
Top 10.
Class 3A Boys ....
Berryville won impressively last year with an easy 37-87 win over
runner-up Heber Springs. However, the good news for the other 3A
teams is that with 10 of last year's Top 20 graduating, the 3A Boys
offers an opportunity for surprises. The bad news for all but Berryville
is that the Bobcats lost only one of their Top 9 to graduation.
The race for 2nd might be where to watch for the action as DeQueen
and Eureka Springs appear to be the next closest with the outcome
largely depending on how their 5th runners finish. The next group
could see Heber Springs, Prairie Grove, West Fork and Central Arkansas
Christian in a close race. William Prettyman of West Fork stormed
to victory with a strong last 800m surge as a junior and has by
far the fastest times of last year's underclassmen. Berryville's
Michael Simpkins, Miquel Gil and Cesar Lemus had times last year
which would put them in the hunt for a Top 5 finish as would Ashton
Thurman of Eureka Springs and Zac Plair of Warren. Plair posted
the top 3200m time of the underclassmen in track this past spring
with a 10:37 clocking. Click here to see last year's order of finish.
Early favorites......Berryville should be the favorite to repeat
with the runner-up trophy likely to change hands with DeQueen and
Eureka Springs looking to be in contention....William Prettyman
of West Fork and Michael Simpkins of Berryville had top times last
year but watch for Warren's Zac Plair as well.
Class 4A Girls ....
Of the Top 30 finishers in last year's race, 13 were seniors which
would seem to open up the chase. In 2000 the Harrison Lady Goblins
brought a very experienced, senior team to State and did exactly
what an experienced is supposed to do....win big 34-69 over fellow
4A powerhouse Siloam Springs. This year it looks like the Goblins
have some rebuilding to do while the Lady Panthers could be loaded
as only two of last year's runner-up team were seniors....and this
is not counting Dianne Miller who was 1A/2A runner-up for Pea Ridge
last year but who has moved to Siloam Springs. The battle for runner-up
in 2001 could come down to whether Batesville can move their 5th
runner up into the 25-28 range to give Vilonia a run for the trophy
and whether Harrison and Watson Chapel can find solid 4th-5th runners.
The top underclassman from 2000 is Laura Insell of Batesville who
narrowly claimed 4th over Harrison sophomore-to-be Jessalyn Halstead
and Chapel's Allyson Robertson. With sophomore Dianne Miller running
for Siloam Springs she would be among the favorites. Miller posted
a time in the 1A/2A meet last year that would have been 4th in 4A
and had the 2nd best 3200m last spring at 11:52 compared to Insell's
12:04. Next come a half dozen runners from last year ....including
Heidi McBride and Natasha McBride of Siloam Springs and Brittany
McKnight and Phaylan Clements of Vilonia that on a good day could
figure in the mix.
Early favorites....Siloam Springs looks to have plenty of firepower
to improve on last year's runner-up place while Vilonia and Batesville
fight it out for runner-up......Laura Insell of Batesville and Dianne
Miller of Siloam Springs are the early favorites in what should
be a terrific race for the individual crown.
Class 4A Boys ....
Siloam Springs literally ran away from the field in shellacking
runner-up Hot Springs 35-114 and Hot Springs had the overall individual
champion! This year looks to be a little closer but the Panthers
look to have more than enough bullets for another convincing win
if they run like they are capable. The battle for runner-up could
produce a very competitive race as Vilonia, Greene County Tech and
Monticello look to be bunched tightly. Vilonia had no seniors last
year on a team loaded with freshmen and sophomores. Greene County
Tech looks to have an experienced team returning while Monticello
looks to return with only one senior. If Siloam Springs does not
take care of business, look for a wide open dogfight among these
four teams. In the individual race Chris Pentrancosta of Hot Springs
placed 5th last year and within 20 seconds were Steven Helmick of
Pulaski Robinson (10:37 for 3200m last spring) and Taylor Munro
of Vilonia.
Early favorites.....Siloam Springs is favored to repeat while Vilonia,
Greene County Tech and Monticello all appear to have legitimate
shots at runner-up......Chris Pentrancosta of Hot Springs has the
best returning time
Class 5A Girls ....
The 5A Girls has become one of the most competitive divisions year
after year with strong teams from the West, Central and South in
the hunt. Bentonville snuck away the win last year 62-71-75 after
Fayetteville and Rogers were only one runner away from an upset.
All three teams will return strong squads as does Lake Hamilton,
Mt. Home and Bryant. The teams that take home trophies will likely
be those that get a surprise from their 5th runner. Bentonville
and Fayetteville look to be the favorites with each returning strong
contingents plus the Lady Tigers seem to always have junior high
runners ready to step into departing seniors shoes. Fayetteville
had no seniors among their Top 7 last year which bodes well for
them in 2001. Lake Hamilton almost certainly will fare better as
last year their top runner ran with the flu and could only manage
29th. Rogers has its most experienced team in several years back
with their Top 5 all capable of 17:00 or better for 4K and three
strong candidates for Top 10 finishes. Bryant made great strides
forward in last year's indoor and outdoor track seasons with impressive
4x800m teams and a top 3200m runner. Mt. Home should have a solid
team returning and be only one runner away from being thick in the
hunt. Jamie Owensby of Bentonville ran away with the meet last year
with a 33 second win and this year should be no different except
that Lake Hamilton's sophomore Beth Madson could give her a real
race. Teammate Jessi Barnes and the Rogers's duo of Liz Santos and
Andrea Peerson should have a great race for 3rd with another chase
pack not far back that includes Gina Messina and Candice James of
Bryant, Erin Turrentine of Bentonville, Dawn Speaks of Mt. Home
and Meghan Urguhart of Mt. St. Mary's. This race could see a tightly
packed Top 20 as the field includes so many quality distance runners.
Click here to see last year's order of finish.
Early favorites....Bentonville and Fayetteville look to have the
inside track for trophies with Rogers very close behind...Jamie
Owensby of Bentonville would be favored to take the crown again
but Beth Madson of Lake Hamilton could make it interesting....should
either falter watch out for a slew of solid runners to take quick
advantage.
Class 5A Boys ....
By the talk around cross country circles in Arkansas, Russellville
has already sewed up the win and the only question is whether Rogers
can make it to the runner-up stand again in 2001. The Cyclones should
be loaded this fall with their Top 6 from last year returning, including
two in the Top 10. The Cyclone's depth should provide a margin of
safety even in the event of a slip up. Rogers can always be counted
on to compete hard and this year should be no exception as they
return five of their Top 7 from 2000 with two Top 10 finishers back.
The 5th runner will tell the tale for the Mounties. Not far behind
Rogers should be a tightly packed crowd of Lake Hamilton, Fayetteville
and Springdale waiting to take advantage of any Cyclone or Mountie
mistakes. Last year's champion Mt. Home would appear to have a rebuilding
team but count on them for some surprises. The only thing separating
Lake Hamilton, Fayetteville or Springdale from a trophy is their
5th runner so a surprise is certainly possible. The individual race
looks to be between favorite Erick Brock of Russellville and Jake
Conley of Rogers with Burt Hicks of Lake Hamilton and Erick Hensley
of Russellville close by. The crucial next pack will have a major
impact on the outcome of the team race as six returning runners
from last year were within 20 seconds......Sean Dewitt and Josh
McCandless of Springdale, Chris Snider of Rogers, Jordan Hamilton
and Nick Rew of Fayetteville and Ryan Garvin of Lake Hamilton. Click
here to see last year's order of finish.
Early favorites.....Russellville for the win and Rogers for runner-up
.....Russellville's Erick Brock is the favorite with Rogers' Jake
Conley and Lake Hamilton's Burt Hicks in the chase.
We are always interested in hearing from you, so please do not
hesitate to send your comments to [email protected].
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