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DyeStat Cross Country 2000
Arkansas Preview
by Clint Pevril
BOYS: 5A - 4A - 3A
- 2A-1A
GIRLS: 5A - 4A - 3A
- 2A-1A
AAAAA Boys
The Mountain Home Bomber cross country team must be wondering what they can do to put an end to Rogers' dominance this past decade. Rogers has won 9 out of the last ten state championships. The Bombers have finished second the last two years, losing by only 11 points in 1999. Rogers used its depth in '99 to balance Mtn. Home's front runners. That may be the plan again as Mtn. Home returns Eric Gross, Logan Thomas, and Peter Marston(1st, 2nd, & 8th at the state XC meet '99). Rogers is led by senior Scott Swearingen(5th in '99). Russellville has some young but very talented runners that will help their team be competitive by season's end.
Individuals to watch:
Eric Gross (Sr.)-Mountain Home Gross is the defending state champion and is coming off a fabulous spring track campaign. He ran a 4:12.1 1600m equivalent at the Golden West Meet in California plus ran 9:20.4 3200m. He will be looking to improve on his 35th place finish at last years Midwest Footlocker regional.
Logan Thomas (Sr.)-Mountain Home After a 2nd place finish at last years state XC meet, Thomas capped off the year with a 9:48 3200m.
Scott Swearingen (Sr.)- Rogers Swearingen led the state XC meet in '99 for almost 2 miles. He's a "gutty" racer and is not afraid to push the pace. Ran a fine 9:33 3200m at the AAAAA track meet.
Eric Brock (Jr.)- Russellville After a disappointing Fall of '99, Brock put together a strong track season that finished with a runner-up finish in the "Meet of Champions" 1600m. Looks like he has the form that earned him a 5th place finish at the '98 XC state meet as a freshman.
AAAAA Girls
Four time State XC champion Kelly Bryson may be gone but Bentonville's talented youngsters should keep them as the favorite to once again win the team title in 2000. They will be led by sisters Jamie and Amanda Owensby who placed 3rd and 4th last year. Should Bentonville's depth falter, as many as six teams could pose a threat because of strong depth. Bryant placed 2nd in '99 and has most returning to this years squad. Lake Hamilton moved up in classification but with their returnees from a AAAA runner-up finish in '99 that change will not matter. Russellville is young but also has some talent laden youngsters. Mountain Home's team hopes will be led by this years top XC runner from '99. Dawn Crawford hopes a win will place the Bombers in contention to win as a team. Rogers and Fayetteville have always had strong girls teams and that will be no different this year.
Individuals to watch:
Dawn Crawford (Sr)-Mountain Home Crawford is the top runner coming back from '99. A runner-up finish at state XC and a state championship 1600m in the spring will give confidence to impressive racing ability.
Jamie Owensby (Jr.)-Bentonville After losing to Crawford at last years state XC meet, Jamie put together a 23rd place finish at the Footlocker Midwest regional to best Crawford's 51st finish.
Amanda Owensby (Sr.)-Bentonville Amanda has placed 2nd, 3rd, & 4th the last three years at the state XC meet. She is a proven contender in any race she runs.
AAAA Boys
With Lake Hamilton moving up a division, Siloam Springs should prove to be even more dominant in the AAAA division and be this years team favorite. Dennis Bowling (Sr.) placed 4th last year and will help pace Siloam in 2000. If healthy, Hot Springs Brandon Hodges (Sr.)(3rd in '99) will challenge for the individual title.
AAAA Girls
Harrison girls will be gearing up to win an 8th championship in a row. Senior Heidi Vondermeyden, defending AAAA champ from '99 will be one of the state's very best regardless of classification. Siloam Springs Candace Bowling (Sr.) was sick at the state meet in '99 and can challenge for the individual win.
AAA Boys
Berryville is the favorite once again. Drew Killingsworth (Sr.) will lead the Berryville team while West Fork's William Prettyman, Harrisburg's Brent Jennings, and Heber Spring's Jamie Rhoden will battle for what may be the best individual race of the day.
AAA Girls
Berryville returns three runners who were in the top 10 at the '99 state XC meet. Their top runner Brianna Smith will get plenty of help from the youth on this team. Smith and Sarabeth Baily (DeQueen) will be two of many that will contend for individual honors.
AA-A Boys
Eureka Springs and Pottsville have been the smaller class power houses for the last decade. Eureka Springs has 4 of the top 12 runners from the '99 team. Ashley Hill (Sr.) of Eureka Springs and Brandon Moore of Acorn should be the favorites to win the individual title.
AA-A Girls
Andrea Hobbs (Jr.) of Decatur was the class of AA-A in '99. She will have 3 other top 10 finishers from the state meet in '99 to gain yet another team title.
