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Boys - Girls
by Arkansas TrackStats,
the web site for Arkansas
Boys
With a forecast for absolutely terrible
cross country weather this weekend at Agri Park in Fayetteville
....that is, low 70s and fair conditions....where will we
get mud and wind and icy rain? Oh well, maybe next year. Until
then the teams will just have to persevere. The season has
been wonderful so far with good competition and some surprises.
If the wind cannot be at your back for the race, then, in keeping
with old Irish runner proverbs....may the wind blow into the other
guys face!
1A/2A BOYS
Last year Acorn won easily over
runner-up Pottsville and is looking to repeat the visit to
the awards stand. However, the gap may have closed as both
Pottsville (9th in Final Coaches Poll) and Lutheran High
appear positioned to take advantage of any Acorn (3rd in
Final Poll) falter. All of the teams have a first four who
have run solid times this year and, as is so often the case, the
5th position may be the deciding difference. This may be a
race that is won by whoever is the most fired up when they toe the
line.
The individual race should be competitve
with three runners posting sub-18 times for 5K so far this year.
If Joey McGarrah of Winslow (6th in 2000) can run as he did
in mid season at Siloam Springs, he will be a definite contender.
Acorn's Brandon Cross (5th in 2000) and Heath Phelps
were close together at Chile Pepper on the Agri Park course in about
17:55. Is there a sleeper in the crowd that could slip up
on the leaders?
3A BOYS
Berryville (1st in Coaches Poll
all season) won by a couple furlongs last year in a decisive 37-87
win over runner-up Heber Springs. Believe it or not,
the spread could be even bigger this year. The Bobcats
have five of the Top 10 times in 3A going into the meet and four
of those times were on the Agri Park course at Chile Pepper.
If one or two of the their Top 5 should fall off, their next three
are still in the Top 25 times! DeQueen (2nd in Final
Poll), Heber Springs (5th in Final Poll) , Eureka Springs
(6th in Final Poll) and West Fork (4th in Final Poll) appear
to be ready to rumble for the runner-up trophy. Heber
and DeQueen look to be pretty well matched for their Top
5 and may offer spectators an exciting team race. West
Fork's chances ride on their 5th runner's ability to close the
gate soon enough since their first runner is favored to tie down
the top spot.
Two-time defending William Prettyman
of West Fork is the solid favorite to repeat as champ. Prettyman
ran with two of the top 5A runners at the Mountie Classic and recorded
a 16:23 for 5K which is far ahead of the other 3A runners. The next
group is comprised of three Berryville runners....Michael
Simkins (3rd in 2000), Miquel Gil ( 4th in 2000) and
Cesar Lemus (7th in 2000) ....Jeremy Haley of Heber
Springs and Ashton Thurman of Eureka Springs (6th in
2000). .
4A BOYS
Last year's blow out by Siloam Springs
(35-114 over Hot Springs) is history and this year's
race promises to be more competitive. With over half of last year's
Top 20 lost to graduation, there are plenty of holes upfront looking
to be filled. The Panthers have been hot and cold this
year but are still the only ranked team in 4A this year in the Final
Coaches poll. Siloam will have to do well in the 3rd-5th
slot to nail down a win. The 30+ second gap in their last three
exposes them but their 4th-8th runner are only about 10 seconds
apart. Fair could offer a serious challenge if their
5th position can close up the ranks about 20 seconds and break up
the crowd from Siloam. Fair is favored to have one
of the Top 2 positions and possibly another Top 10 finisher.
Hot Springs could figure in the mix, especially in the runner-up
chase, as they boast three of the Top 10 times this year.
To have a chance, their 4th and 5th runners need to get down under
19 minutes.
Two runners .....Quincy Googs of Fair
and Steven Helmick of Robinson (6th in 2000) ....appear
to be the favorites with times under 17:30 this season. Helmick
might have a slight advantage as his best came on the Agri Park
course at Chile Pepper. The next group of Lucas Hanson
of Hot Springs, Nate Tubach of Siloam, Chris Pentracosta
of Hot Springs (5th in 2000) and Tyler Dees of Siloam
(10th in 2000) should expect a tough race and fans should benefit
as this will be important to each of the teams as they chase the
trophy.
5A BOYS
Is it true that Russellville got
a special invitation to the State Meet to be run at Oaklawn Park
this weekend? Maybe it's only rumor but a lot of 5A coaches would
be thrilled if the Cyclones took Highway 7 south instead of I-540
north. Unless something happens, the AAA might want to just drop
off the championship trophy on the way up to Fayetteville and save
time after the meet. Let's face it, Russellville (3rd in
2000) not only has terrific front runners but also terrific depth.
Russellville has the potential to put their first five in
the Top 10. While fans can bet that Fayetteville, Rogers,
Lake Hamilton and Mountain Home will not concede anything
to the Cyclones, there will certainly be a mighty race for
runner-up. Fayetteville upset defending runner-up and perrenial
power Rogers at the Mounties' home meet last week and have
been improving steadily all season. The Bulldogs should have
plenty of reasons to be motivated to run at their peak in their
hometown. Lake Hamilton and Mountain Home (1st
in 2000) are both long shots but each are well-coached and have
solid teams. Expect them to be ready to run at State. Rogers
is the big unknown. The Mounties have been hampered by illness
and injuries all season and have yet to run at full speed.
To take home a trophy this weekend the Mountie underclassmen
must step it up and run a complete team effort. The race will hinge
on Rogers' ability to get three of their young runners
to move up another notch into the 18th-25th range and put some distance
between themselves and Fayetteville's 4th and 5th. This should
be a terrific team meet for the top 3-4 slots.
The individual race should see a great
race involving 5-6 runners.....Chase Feltner of Russellville
who holds the season's best 5K time at 15:49 (20th in 2000),
Burt Hicks of Lake Hamilton (8th in 2000), Eric Brock
of Russellville (6th in 2000), Jake Conley of Rogers
(7th in 2000), Travis Feltner of Russellville and Tyler
Harlan of Fayetteville (25th in 2000). This race could be anything
from a fast first mile and "hang on" to a slow tactical race with
a torrid sprint the last 800m. The latter plays into the hands
of the Feltners who are both top 800m runners. The
remainder of the field would likely want to avoid having to play
Michael Johnson at the end and push the pace harder the first 2.5
miles. Someone will have to take the lead and quicken the tempo
if the Russellville twins hang back. Whoever leads the race will
have a heavy burden. All of these runners best times on good courses
are within 10-12 seconds of one another which is too close to call.
Harlan upset Conley at the Mountie Classic last week
and could edge into the Top 5 with another big improvement. Look
for Conley to be back at the 16 minute or below level as
he was at Chile Pepper. If the race goes well, this race could
see the Top 6 all under 16.
Girls
Well, the State Meets are fast approaching
and the weather is almost perfect for cross country. The course
at Agri Park in Fayetteville should be in fine shape for Saturday's
races. We started out the season with a preview that by necessity
was based heavily on last year's results. Now we know who is doing
what and have seen a lot of great competition so far. There
are new names among the leaders and a number of familiar teams as
well. All in all this has been a successful season with excitement
and great sportsmanship. Many of the runners Saturday will be graduating
and, hopefully, moving on to college cross country careers. Others
will be running their last race. Whatever the case, may the
wind always be at your back and all the paths run downhill.
1A/2A GIRLS
Based on reported results it would seem
that four teams are in the hunt for the 1A/2A crown.....Magnet
Cove, Decatur, Shiloh Christian and Harding
Academy. The Final Coaches poll has Decatur ranked one
spot higher than Magnet Cove. Trying to predict cross country
finishes at State Meets is by no means a science and cannot take
into account the surprises which always occur. Looking at reported
times we have these four teams all within a 25 point spread.
Decatur and Magnet Cove look to have four each in
the Top 20 with the all important 5th runner shaping up to make
the difference. Magnet Cove's 5th has run noticeably
faster than Decatur's 5th although not on the Agri Park course.
Watch for this place to make a difference. Shiloh looks to
have a solid first three and if their 4th and 5th can improve, they
can make a run for a trophy. Never count Harding Academy
out when it comes to the big meet but they have to show some markedly
faster times to move up into contention.
In the individual race, six runners
have times for 4K on known courses at about 17 minutes or
better......Megan Bradshaw of Lutheran leads at 16:45 with
Annie Miller of Shiloh (3rd in 2000) close behind at 16:49
and Kristen Kennerly of Magnet Cove (10th in 2000)
at 16:50.....Decatur's Melissa Arnold (13th in 2000) posted
a 16:57 while Ashley Dixon of Harding Academy follows at
16:59 and Andrea Hobbs of Decatur at 17:04. Dixon
and Hobbs are past champions in 2000 and 1999, respectively,
and winning a state meet is good experience in a close race.
3A GIRLS
Last year Berryville won in a close
three team finish and they look to have the inside position again
in 2001. While nothing is a given, the Lady Bobcats (ranked
No. 1 all season in the Poll) have six of the Top 23 best times
with half of those times run on the challenging Agri Park course
at the Chile Pepper. Consistency and depth often prove to
be powerful combinations in cross country and Berryville has a good
chance at repeating. Eureka Springs (ranked 3rd in
the Poll) would look to be chasing the runner-up trophy and have
to move their 4th and 5th runners up considerably to catch Berryville.
Batesville Southside (ranked 2nd in the Poll) and DeQueen
(6th in the Poll) look to be fighting it out for 3rd, each with
a chance to grab a trophy with a really good day. There could well
be some surprises here in the race for 2nd but it would be a shocker
for someone to topple the Lady Bobcats.
The individual race should be a
good duel between defending champion Sheena Metz of Dover
and Becca Wallis of Eureka Springs who posted a 16:53 time
at the Chile Pepper. Several runners could also challenge
the leaders including Megan Metz of Dover (3rd in 2000) and
Jana Derlikowsky of Pulaski Academy (2nd in 2000) who
ran a terrific race last year. The Top 10 could be a very
exciting race as 16 runners are within 45 seconds.
4A GIRLS
This was supposed to be a rebuilding year
for the Harrison Lady Goblins after winning in a convincing
manner last year over Siloam Springs. Well, they seemed
to have rebuilt posting six of the Top 16 times so far. The
Siloam Springs Lady Panthers have yet another solid team
with seven in the Top 25 best times while Vilonia looks to
field a very competitive team having four in the Top 20. The
race would seem to hinge on who can run a complete race and it could
come down to the 5th runner to determine the outcome. Harrison
is ranked 7th in the Final 4A/5A Poll, their highest ranking of
the year, while Siloam is ranked 10th after being as high
as 6th earlier. Although unranked in the Final Poll, Vilonia
had been ranked 9th earlier. Look for these three teams to
be close at the end.
The race for individual honors could be
the most competitive of the day. Dianne Miller of Siloam
placed 2nd at State in the 2000 1A/2A race while running at Pea
Ridge and posted a terrific 16:32 clocking as a freshman. Laura
Insell of Batesville is the experienced distance hand in the
race having placed 4th each of the past two years and ran an excellent
16:01 on the Agri Park course at Chile Pepper this season to best
Miller's 16:21 and Dodson's 16:26 in the same race.
Look for Insell to try to wear Miller and Dodson down
with her methodical style while Dodson is no one to let be
in the race the last 400m with her sub-2:20 800m speed. Miller
can go out fast and force the pace if she chooses. This could
be a race with all three near 16:00.
5A GIRLS
Unless Bentonville gets lost on
the short drive down the interstate they should be the heavy favorite
to win yet another 5A title. In spite of their talented first
five, the Lady Tigers (ranked 1st in the Final Poll) do have
a weak spot should their 5th runner not do well. However, short
of a total collapse, the AAA office could be pretty safe in engraving
the trophy. The Lady Tigers better not be looking
back as Fayetteville (ranked 2nd in the Final Poll), Mountain
Home (3rd in the Final Poll) and Rogers (4th in the Final
Poll) will be in hot pursuit. The Lady Bulldogs are
improved up front over last year's runner-up team and Mountain
Home has a solid first four. Rogers, ranked 1st
for two weeks until a late season slump set in with illness and
injury, needs a total team effort to slip by the others but certainly
has the talent to do so. While most eyes will be on the individual
race, the team race will be played out between 20th and 25th place
as Mountain Home and Rogers will have their eyes targeted
on Fayetteville's 4th and 5th runners. Any slippage by Fayetteville
in the last two scoring positions will give the Lady Bombers
and Lady Mounties the opening they need to grab the runner-up
trophy.
The race for the individual trophy
should be a real dandy as Senior Jamie Owensby of Bentonville
returns to defend her title for 2000. Owensby who ran
15:36 on the Agri Park course at Chile pepper will be challenged
by two sophomores, teammate Jessi Barnes (3rd in 2000 and 15:44
at this year's Chile Pepper)) and Lake Hamilton's Beth Madson
who ran with the flu last year in the cold rain at Oaklawn Park
for 29th, and Mount St. Mary's freshman, Ashley Williams (15:54
at Chile Pepper). All of these runners have legitmate times of less
than 16 minutes this year. Look for Madson to be ready to go this
year and make a strong challenge. This could be a terrific Top 10
with Andrea Peerson of Rogers (5th in 2000), Nikki Williams
of Fayetteville(10th in 2000), Alicia Owensby of Bentonville,
Julia Masotto (34th in 2000) and Brittany Beck (19th
in 2000) of Mountain Home, Jessica Winters (35th in
2000) of Russellville, Katie Howard (15th in 2000)
of Fayetteville and Erin Turrentine of Bentonville (9th
in 2000) battling it out.
We are always interested in hearing from
you, so please do not hesitate to send your comments to [email protected].
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