AR: Preseason scouting report

This is a preseason scouting report from Arkansas.

5A Boys- Rogers looks tough...

Rogers, with 5 of its top 7 runners back from the '98 state championship 

team, looks for its 10 title under coach Carlton Efurd.  Mountain Home, 

runner-up in '98, will pack a strong punch at state time as well as Cabot 

and Russelville.

Individuals:  Eric Gross, Mtn Home junior, ran runner-up a year ago and will 

be one of many non-seniors who will give a championship title a run... 

Jeremy Thompson Jr.(Bentonville) 3rd in '98, Scott Swearingen Jr. 

(Rogers)4th in '98, & Eric Brock Soph. (Russelville)5th in '98, look strong 

for the '99 campaign.

5A Girls-  Bentonville: 3 in a row??

Bentoville is returing the top three finishers from a year ago when they won 

their second title.  Mtn Home, Bryant, and Rogers should figure in the top 

teams.

Individuals:  Kelly Bryson is looking for her 4th state XC title and will be 

hard pushed by her two team mates; sisters Jamie and Amanda Owensby who 

finished 2nd & 3rd respectively in '98.  Dawn Crawford(Mtn. Home junior) 4th 

in '97 & '98 and Gina Messina(Bryantsophomore)

will hope to break up the three Bentonville runners.

4A Boys-No equal?

Siloam Springs coach Bill Ward had 5 runners in the top 10 in '98 with a 

comparable team this year.

Individuals:  Jon Allen(Sr.) from Newport is the reigning 4A state champ and 

will be hard to catch

4A girls-"Get a Goblin"

Harrisons Mascot, a goblin, reflects the terror this girls team has been on 

its competition in recent years. They may place 5 runners in the top 10 to 

yet again, gain another championship.

Individuals:  Defending state champion, Candace Bowling from Siloam Springs 

will have a battle from Harrions Heidi Vondermeyden, the 4A state track 

1600m champ.

3A Boys- Berryville has a fine tradition that contiues to grow every year 

and with every state title.

Individuals:  Carlos Arrizon is one of Arkansas' finest runners regardless 

of classification.

3A Girls-  One could say "ditto" about the girls team of Berryville as the 

boys team.  These ladies will be very hard to beat.

Individuals:  Whitney Barr has always put together some fine races and 

should be able to notch a state title.

2A-1A boys-Smalltown of Acorn, Arkansas is nuts(sorry) over their XC teams. 

They consistly put 5 or 6 runners in the top 10 every year.

2A-1A girls-  Shiloh Christian seems to come around every year for the state 

meet with a strong team.