6A Central Conference Championship
Girls Preview:
The Favorite: Lauren Thompson
There is something to be said about cross country runners competing on their home course and Lauren Thompson will be looking to capitalize on that advantage at the 6A Central Conference Championship. The Jonesboro freshman enters Tuesday with the fastest time entered to go along with the home course advantage.
Sleepers: Virginia Milwee, Cady Masters, Meg Swindle
Milwee has enjoyed a fantastic breakout season and will be right in the mix to win a conference title on Tuesday. Cady Masters has found herself in the limelight more and more recently and has a grand opportunity to build on that momentum by winning her first conference championship.
Swindle has not had the season she wanted, recovering from an injury she suffered earlier this year, but the senior from Conway is still one of Arkansas' most unique talents and is always a threat no matter the race or situation.
Team Favorite: Cabot
Teams to Watch: Conway, Bryant
Cabot is ranked 5th in the state as a team and enters Tuesday's championship meet as the favorite to win the 6A Central Conference Championship. Meanwhile, Conway has quietly put together a strong season and could emerge as contenders along with Bryant.
Boys Preview:
The Favorite: Brandon Waller
After starting the season undefeated, winning his first three races, Waller finished 7th at the Lake Hamilton CC Invitational, knocking off some of the best runners in the state, establishing himself as one of the top runners in the state and as the favorite to win Tuesday's conference title.
Sleepers: Myson McFall, Asher Found
McFall came close to dipping under the 16-minute mark at the Wampus Cat Invitational earlier this year and has another opportunity this week. Found has not had the opportunity to race alongside any as fast as Waller this season, which could pull Found to a personal best on Tuesday.
Team Favorite: Cabot
Teams to Watch: Jonesboro, Conway
This Cabot squad has picked up multiple wins this season against similar competition and should be the favorite to win the conference title. Cabot beat Conway and Bryant at the Wampus Cat Invitational convincingly.
While Conway has gotten a look at Cabot on multiple occasions this season, Jonesboro will get their first crack at the favorites and add another strong head-to-head victory to their resume entering the final weeks of the season.