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2009 Arkansas High School Cross Country Championship Preview

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Mountain Home High School, Mountain Home, Arkansas


Race Times:

9:00am            3A Boys

9:30am            3A Girls

10:15am          4A Boys

10:45am          4A Girls

11:30am          5A Boys

Noon               5A Girls

12:45pm         6A Boys

1:15pm           6A Girls

2:00pm           7A Boys

2:30pm           7A Girls

3:15pm           1/2A Boys

3:45pm           1/2A Girls

 

 

Previews should be seen as trying to read tomorrow’s newspaper. That is, feel free to enjoy but realize it is nothing more than conjecture. The results depend on the runners and nothing else. This Preview is based on the Arkansas Track Coaches Association Weekly Coaches Poll which is compiled and hosted by ArkansasTrackStats.net.  The teams listed below are those who rank high in the last weekly poll.  Could someone else sneak up and win? Almost assuredly.  Could a “favorite” be upset?  No doubt.  Were it not so, the AAA could just mail the trophies and not even hold the meets.

 

Comments are provided for each race that, hopefully, add some background.  There are some races with strong favorites, intense rivalries and long traditions. All that is great but only one thing counts at State and that is who gets home with five runners tallying the lowest score.  Which races will be decided by those 4th and 5th runners or even the 6th and 7th?  Meets are often decided by the runners who do not score but who block.  After all, this is a team sport.

 

Thanks too coaches and others who provided meet results, performance data and prognostications on state.

 

Good luck to all.

 

Team Races:

 

Classification 1/2A (smallest schools):

 

Girls: Trinity Christian, Acorn, Greers Ferry Westside, Des Arc, Hackett

 

Boys:  Trinity Christian, Magazine, Eureka Springs, Caddo Hills, Crowley’s Ridge

 

Trinity Christian girls may not have the top times but they look to have the depth needed to win. With leader Sammy Jo Otwell at about 21 minutes, three in the 23s and another in the 24s provides the potential to win the team race. Look for Acorn to make a challenge. Hackett could finish with some hardware behind 2008 Top 10 finisher Chelsie Grizzle. Magazine and Des Arc could make it a race with a solid 5th runner. Watch out for Greers Ferry Westside. This should be an exciting team race with potential for some top times as well as three runners under 20 minutes will square off.

 

Trinity Boys have been atop the poll for several weeks and seems to have the times lead with its top 5 runners led by Tanner Elliot who won his District Meet. Magazine and Eureka Springs could challenge. Crowleys Ridge Academy has a strong top three and leader David Ramsey ran 17:50 last week. Travis Williams of Magazine has a season best of 17:18 season best. Magazine defeated Eureka Springs by one point at the district meet last week. Caddo Hills and Conway Christian have been lurking in the shadows slowly working their way up. This promises to be a very competitive meet.

 

 

Girls

Boys

 

1.

Emily Carroll, Melbourne, 2A, 19:28

 

Travis Williams, Magazine, 2A, 17:18

2.

Katy Carter, Magazine, 2A, 20:41

Jeffery Scott, Caddo Hills, 1A, 17:36

3.

Eden Randolph, Eureka Springs, 2A, 20:42

Lance Beckman, Conway Christian, 1A, 17:47

4.

Chelsea Grizzle, Hackett, 2A, 21:55

Tanner Elliott, Trinity Christian, 1A, 17:48

5.

Kacie Shoemaker, Hackett, 2A, 23:39

David Ramsey, Crowley’s Ridge, 1A; David Reed, Eureka Springs, 2A, 17:50

 

 

Classification 3A:

 

Girls:  Elkins, Prescott, Mansfield, Genoa Central, Cedarville

 

Boys:  Elkins, Green Forest, Mountainburg, Harding Academy, Genoa Central

 

Elkins has been on top in the polls almost all season and they have the top runners in the sister/brother duo of Grace Heymsfield and Christian Heymsfield. The question becomes one of depth. Green Forest Boys have two of the Top 5 as does Elkins and the race could be tied after the leaders are home.  Elkins is at risk with their 3rd-5th all being in the 20s as at Chile Pepper on a fast course while Green Forest’s 3rd-4th were solidly in the 19s at the Mountie Classic in the muck.

 

Elkins Girls has fielded a solid Top 5 all season but does have some exposure with their 4th and 5th .  Prescott could slip onto the stand as they have shown good depth but maybe too much spread to win.  Never rule out Genoa Central.

 

 

 

 

Girls

Boys

 

1.

Grace Heymsfield, Elkins,  18:24

 

Christian Heymsfield, Elkins,  16:45

 

2.

Sloan Scott, Harding Academy, 20:53

Ben Ashley, Harding Academy, 17:16

3.

Maddie Morton, Cedarville, 21:48

Kenny Rangel, Green Forest, 17:24

4.

Maria Sotnickzuk, Lamar, 22:09

Martin Maravillas, Green Forest, 17:59

5.

Shelbi Cottingham, Prescott, 22:58

Scott East, Elkins, 18:20

 

Classification 4A:

 

Girls:  DeQueen, Heber Springs, Berryville, Dover, Ozark, Pea Ridge

 

Boys:  DeQueen, Heber Springs, Shiloh Christian, Huntsville, Berryville

 

There are lots of familiar names in both races as DeQueen, Heber Springs and Berryville all are back to face off. Shiloh Christian Boys have the Top 4 times behind Andrew Evans and Lucas Peiser who rank in the Top 15 overall but their 5th is a question mark and laves a large gap that can fill up with runners from other teams.  The Girls race could be wide open.  Dover has two of the Top 5 times as does Heber Springs but finding 4th and 5th runners may be the trick.  Watch out for the Berryville Girls to make a bid to take the trophy as they have a solid lead runner in Katie Swofford and four others who could match up well with Heber.

 

 

Girls

Boys

 

1.

Grace Bodrun, Heber Springs, 20:32

Andrew Evans, Shiloh Christian, 4A-1, 16:13

 

2.

Lena Little, Dover, 21:23

Lucas Peiser, Shiloh Christian, 16:34

3.

Charla New, Dover, 21:23

Mason Richards, Shiloh Christian, 17:11

4.

Elizabeth Krug, Heber Springs, 22:39

Daniel Evans Shiloh Christian, 17:16

5.

Katie Swofford, Berryville, 22:41

Michael Dorsey, Heber Springs, 17:23

 

Classification 5A:

 

Girls:  Batesville, Siloam Springs, Greene County Tech, Harrison, LR Christian

 

Boys:  Vilonia, Siloam Springs, Harrison, Greene County Tech, Greenwood

 

This is another meet that should have fierce team competition.  Siloam Springs Boys put on a show at the Chile Pepper of consistency as they finished their five in a tight 22 seconds spread. At State, that wins meets if the top runner is anywhere near the leaders.  That should not be an issue as they have the 5th best time. LR Christian has a pretty solid Top 4 but that pesky 5th could be too much spread to hang with Siloam.  This would be a good time for a PR. Harrison, Greenwood and Vilonia have not shown the depth and tight spread needed but with a good day could challenge for runnerup.

 

LR Christian Girls have the potential to put this one away as they achieved a 3:14 spread at Chile Pepper but that was with Randi Ferguson’s 19:41. The next four were within 1:43 which narrows the race quite a bit. Greenwood has a solid Top 3 at Chile Pepper but their 4th and 5th would not the get the job done at State without really picking up the pace.  Do not be surprised if Batesville makes a statement.

 

 

Girls

Boys

 

1.

Kyandra Chandler, Nettleton, 5A-E, 19:33

 

Spencer Neblett, LR Christian, 5A-SW, 17:09

2.

Randi Ferguson, Little Rock Christian, 5A-SW, 19:41

Clayton Carter, Greenwood, 5A-W, 17:49

3.

Olivia Campbell, Harrison, 5A-W, 19:50

 

Zach Mann, Vilonia, 5A-W, 17:50

4.

Bailey Sisson, Vilonia, 5A-W, 20:44

Matthew Brosky, Vilonia, 5A-W, 17:52

5.

Natalie Meinzer, Batesville, 5A-E, 21:01

Marcos Gutierrez , Siloam Springs, 5A-W, 17:53     

 

Classification 6A:

 

Girls:  Lake Hamilton, Mountain Home, Marion, Benton, Watson Chapel

 

Boys:  Lake Hamilton, Mountain Home, Sheridan, Marion, Searcy

 

Class 6A seems to have settled into the Lake Hamilton vs Mountain Home showdown in recent years. Chris Marchman (Sheridan) has the best Boys time by far and ranks #1 overall among all classifications.   Lake Hamilton Boys may be able to get five in the Top 10 which should be enough.  With two in the Top 6, Marion could mount a challenge to Mountain Home but the Bombers will be at home and the hills, twists and turns of the home turf are an advantage not to be overlooked. Look for Wil Norris (Mt Home) and Amos Gerber (Lake Hamilton) to have quite a race and Jacob Shultz (Marion) with Brock Westerman (Lake Hamilton) could make it crowded at the finish.

 

The Lady Bombers have the two best times in 6A with Sam Mohler and Kelsie Harris in the low 19s.  However, Lake Hamilton has 6 of the Top 10 best times and if they can work over the hilly course, could well have a trophy at days end.  Caroline Tran (Lake Hamilton) and Irene Jadic (El Dorado) are poised to tie up in a race for 3rd that could be an exciting run to the finish.

 

 

Girls

Boys

 

1.

Sam Mohler, Mountain Home, 6A-E, 19:06

 

Chris Marchman, Sheridan, 6A-S, 15:55

 

2.

Kelsie Harris, Mountain Home, 6A-E, 19:21

 

Amos Gerber, Lake Hamilton, 6A-S, 16:08

3.

Caroline Tran, Lake Hamilton, 6A-S, 20:49

Wil Norris, Mountain Home,  6A-S, 16:44

 

 

4.

Irene Jadic, El  Dorado, 6A-S, 20:51

Jacob Shultz, Marion, 6A-E, 16:48

 

5.

Angel Crawford, Lake Hamilton, 6A-S, 21:03

Brock Westerman, Lake Hamilton,  6A-S, 16:49

6.

Lindsey Mills, Lake Hamilton, 6A-S, 21:05

Kolby Jones, Marion, 6A-E, 16:55

 

7.

Haley Martin, Lake Hamilton, 6A-S, 21:28

Richard Williams, Lake Hamilton, 6A-S, 17:03

8.

Carson Taylor, Lake Hamilton, 6A-S, 22:00

Caleb Parker, Sheridan, 6A-S, 17:10

9.

Emily Sinclair, El Dorado, 6A-S, 23:25

Scott Fredericks, Lake Hamilton, 6A-S, 18:06      

10.

Andrea Balfour, Lake Hamilton, 6A-S, 23:29

Charlie Martin, Lake  Hamilton, 6A-S, 18:22

 

Classification 7A:

 

Girls:  Bentonville, Rogers, Rogers Heritage, Bryant, Fayetteville

 

Boys:  Rogers, Bentonville, Fayetteville, Conway, Russellville

 

 

Let’s look at the Girls first.  Bentonville ran well at the 7A West meet and have 6 of the Top 19 times in 7A.  The Lady Tigers are well-positioned to score in the mid 40s to mid 50s which should be good enough for yet another 1st place trophy to head to Benton County.  After that, it gets interesting.  With a good day, and they have run the State Met course earlier this season, Rogers could slip into 2nd but they have little margin for error. Fayetteville is most likely to take advantage of any Rogers miscues with a solid first three. Rogers Heritage (oh, what Rogers would look like had the schools not split!!!) has a very tough Top 3 but there are a few question marks on the 5th placer that could be tough to overcome.  Bryant and Russellville should not be overlooked as they have shown over the season an ability to run with narrow spreads which helps top split the top teams 5th runners off and set the table for an upset.  SR Erika Setzler (Conway) and SO Valerie Reina (Har-Ber) should be stride for stride in the race of the day with FR Maggie Montoya (Rogers), Elenna Sanz (Bentonville) and Ashley Myers (Van Buren) in hot pursuit and provide plenty of excitement.

The question all season is whether the Rogers Mounties can keep the streak alive with an 8th straight state title.  An opening loss at the Carthage (MO) Invite added fuel to the fire as this has been almost a home meet for Rogers over the years where they rarely leave without the top trophy. Then the injury bug hit and they stumbled more, including the Chile Pepper where they normally excel against top competition. As the season came down the stretch the Mounties began to rebound although Fayetteville and Bentonville seemed clear conference favorites after the Pepper.   This race will come down to who steps up a notch and who runs as a pack. Rogers surged at 7A West and edged both Bentonville and Fayetteville and did not have their best race at the back although their middle was formidable. Even still, Rogers achieved a 47 second spread and has been below 30 second this season.. Fayetteville has been known as a team that runs tight spreads at state and Bentonville sorely wants to take the trophy to set alongside the Lady Tigers trophies. However, Conway looks to be right there with the 7A  West trio and with an improved 5th runner could win it all. Russellville, Cabot and Rogers Heritage should be very competitive but need to have something big happen to get to the medal stand.  This could literally come down to the last 400m and who holds off whom.  There is little doubt that the meet will be won on the shoulders of the 4th-5th and the blockers could make the difference. Jerry Melnyk (Little Rock Central) has the only sub-16 time of the year in 7A but Austin Simpkins (Fayetteville), Gabebriel Gonzalez (Springdale), Michael Allen (Russellville), Brendon Tucker (Cabot) and Will Aenchbacher (Bentonville) should be close behind and any could win.

 

Girls

Boys

 

1.

Erika Setzler, Conway, 7A-C, 18:23

 

Jerry Melnyk, Little Rock Central, 7A-C, 15:58

 

2.

Valerie Reina, Springdale Har-Ber, 7A-W, 18:27

 

Austin Simkins, Fayetteville, 7A-W, 16:02

 

3.

Maggie Montoya Rogers, 7A-W, 18:28

 

Michael Allen, Russellville, 7A-C, 16:10

 

4.

Elena  Sanz, Bentonville, 7A-W, 19:02

 

Brendon Tucker, Cabot, 7A-C, 16:11

 

5.

Ashley Myers, Van Buren, 7A-C, 19:12

 

Will Aenchbacher, Bentonville, 7A-W, 16:15

 

6.

Kelsey Wheelhouse, Bentonville, 7A-W, 19:19

Gabebriel Gonzalez, Springdale, 7A-W, 16:19

 

7.

Mary Kate Brelsford, Bentonville, 7A-W, 19:20

 

Matthew Friant, Conway, 7A-C, 16:24

 

8.

Kate Bucknam, Fayetteville, 7A-W, 19:31

Aidan Swain, Fayetteville, 7A-W, 16:30

 

9.

Hope Burrell, Rogers Heritage, 7A-W, 19:31

Alex Chaffin, Little Rock Catholic, 7A-C, 16:34

 

10.

Emily Myers, Cabot, 7A-C, 19:32

 

Jeremiah Fleeman, Rogers, 7A-W, 16:35

 

 

Individuals (all classifications combined):

Top 30 Girls:

1.      Erika Setzler, Conway, 7A-C, 18:23

2.      Grace Heymsfield, Elkins, 3A, 18:24

3.      Valerie Reina, Springdale Har-Ber, 7A-W, 18:27

4.      Maggie Montoya Rogers, 7A-W, 18:28

5.      Elena  Sanz, Bentonville, 7A-W, 19:02

6.      Sam Mohler, Mountain Home, 6A-E, 19:06

7.      Ashley Myers, Van Buren, 7A-C, 19:12

8.      Kelsey Wheelhouse, Bentonville, 7A-W, 19:19

9.      Mary Kate Brelsford, Bentonville, 7A-W, 19:20

10.  Kelsie Harris, Mountain Home, 6A-E, 19:21

11.  Emily Carroll, Melbourne, 2A, 19:28

12.  Kate Bucknam, Fayetteville, 7A-W, 19:31

13.  Hope Burrell, Rogers Heritage, 7A-W, 19:31

14.  Emily Myers, Cabot, 7A-C, 19:32

15.  Kyandra Chandler, Nettleton, 5A-E, 19:33

16.  Randi Ferguson, Little Rock Christian, 5A-SW, 19:41

17.  Kayla Nehus, Mount St. Mary’s, 7A-C, 19:49

18.  Olivia Campbell, Harrison, 5A-W, 19:50

19.  Maggie Pickhardt, Fayetteville, 7A-W, 19:54

20.  Shannon Sullivan, Bentonville, 7A-W, 19:55

21.  Dani David, Rogers Heritage, 7A-W, 19:57

22.  Hannah Raney, Bryant, 7A-C, 19:58

23.  Jordan James, Rogers, 7A-W, 19:58

24.  Taylor Estrada, Bentonville, 7A-C, 20:04

25.  Kaitlin Bounds, Russellville, 7A-C, 20:07

26.  Lauren Cowgur, Bentonville, 7A-W, 20:14

27.  Carlee Rodriquez, Rogers, 7A-W, 20:19

28.  Erica Owen, Rogers, 7A-W, 20:19

29.  Riley Hancock, Russellville, 7A-C, 20:22

30.  Anne Mitchell, Fayetteville, 7A-W, 20:32

 

Top 30 Boys:

 

1.      Chris Marchman, Sheridan, 6A-S, 15:55

2.      Jerry Melnyk, Little Rock Central, 7A-C, 15:58

3.      Austin Simkins, Fayetteville, 7A-W, 16:02

4.      Amos Gerber, Lake Hamilton, 6A-S, 16:08

5.      Michael Allen, Russellville, 7A-C, 16:10

6.      Brendon Tucker, Cabot, 7A-C, 16:11

7.      Andrew Evans, Shiloh Christian, 4A-1, 16:13

8.      Will Aenchbacher, Bentonville, 7A-W, 16:15

9.      Gabebriel Gonzalez, Springdale, 7A-W, 16:19

10.  Matthew Friant, Conway, 7A-C, 16:24

11.  Aidan Swain, Fayetteville, 7A-W, 16:30

12.  Alex Chaffin, Little Rock Catholic, 7A-C, 16:34

13.  Lucas Peiser, Shiloh Christian, 4A-1, 16:34

14.  Jeremiah Fleeman, Rogers, 7A-W, 16:35

15.  Morgan Warneke, Conway, 7A-C, 16:40

16.  Scott Compton, Bentonville, 7A-W, 16:40

17.  Wil Norris, Mountain Home,  6A-S, 16:44

18.  Christian Heymsfield, Elkins, 3A-1,  16:45

19.  Luke Lindsley, Bryant, 7A-C, 16:47

20.  Drew Storment, Fayetteville, 7A-W, 16:47

21.  Jacob Shultz, Marion, 6A-E, 16:48

22.  Brock Westerman, Lake Hamilton, 6A-S, 16:49

23.  Danny Saldana, Rogers, 7A-W, 16:50

24.  Matt Anderson, Ft Smith Southside, 7A-W, 16:54

25.  Calvin Jones, Conway, 7A-C, 16:55

26.  Kolby Jones, Marion, 6A-E, 16:55

27.  Adam Gibby, Rogers, 7A-W, 16:56

28.  Oscar Orralla, Rogers Heritage, 7A-W, 16:56

29.  John Gibson, Fayetteville, 7A-W, 16:56

30.  Noah Findlay, Little Rock Catholic, 7A-C, 16:57

 

 

Meet results expected to be posted at www.ArkansasTrackStat.net

 

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