Overall Boys - Top 20
Joseph Bariola - Lakeside
James American Horse - Bentonville
Owen Kelley - Bentonville
Eli Seavey - Bentonville
Jonathan Mendez - Har-Ber
River Hardman - Russellville
Matthew Shelly - Bentonville
Alan Gallardo-Lopez - Fayetteville
Tian Grant - Pea Ridge
Nate Rogerson - Fayetteville
Payton Brack - Bentonville
Brandon Waller - Cabot
Matthew Thurman - Shiloh Christian
Noah Gordon - Rogers
Wesley Marsh - Fayetteville
David Marsh - Fayetteville
William Hill - Mountain Home
Asher Found - Catholic HS
Grant TeBeest - Har-Ber
Henry Woods - Rogers
To nobody's surprise, Joseph Bariola finds himself at the #1 spot once again - this time undisputed. Since the last rankings, the Missouri commit has run 15:45 or faster at the Cowboy Jamboree, Chile Pepper Festival, and Lake Hamilton Cross Country Invitational, collecting top 3 finishes at all three races.
James American Horse, Owen Kelley, and Eli Seavey all maintain their positions from the last rankings as well. The three-headed monster from Bentonville has been stellar this season and anchors the best team in the state.
Jonathan Mendez moves up one spot from the last rankings following an impressive showing at the Chile Pepper Festival and a pair of wins at the Springdale Schools Invitational and Gravette Invitational. River Hardman, who announced his commitment to Missouri yesterday morning on Instagram, finished 33rd at the Chile Pepper Festival and 3rd at the Lake Hamilton Cross Country Invitational, the two most competitive meets in Arkansas this season.
Matthew Shelly continues to be a critical piece for the dominant Bentonville boys squad that appears poised to run away with a state title. Alan Gallardo-Lopez has the fastest time in Arkansas this season, having run a 15:03.47 in Texas earlier this year, and should be in the mix for an individual state title.
Tian Grant and Nate Rogerson wrap up the top 10, both having career years, and will be two more athletes to watch at this season's state meet.
Payton Brack is among one of the best #5 runners in the entire country and is more than capable of being any other team's #1 throughout the state. Brandon Waller has put together a sensational season, sitting with the 8th fastest time in the state and recently finished 7th at the Lake Hamilton CC Invitational.
Matthew Thurman is poised for a massive showdown with Grant for the 4A individual state title in November with just three seconds separating the two sensational talents. Noah Gorden has been great this season, most recently picking up a win at the Prarie Grove Tigers Invitational.
Wesley Marsh and David Marsh have become excellent pieces for Fayetteville this year and will be critical for their team's podium aspirations in two weeks. William Hill has done a terrific job stepping in for Mountain Home's low-stick role Ky Bickford, who departed for Central Arkansas this fall, recently picked up a win at the Bomber Invitational two weeks ago and will be a contender for a top-three spot at the 5A state race.
Asher Found sits with the 32nd fastest time in Arkansas but comes in ranked 18th in my power rankings thanks to two great races at Chile Pepper and Lake Hamilton. Grant TeBeest also rides momentum following a great showing at Chile Pepper, while Henry Woods wraps up this incredible group of 20 Arkansas distance runners.