Our Pick: Top Track Distance Runners for the Last 10 Year

Over the last few weeks Arkansas MileSplit has been running fan polls to see who is the top track distance runner of the last 10 years. ArMileSplit picked the top 16 girls and boys runners based on over all rankings in the 1600m and 3200m runs combined. The fans then came out in droves to vote for their favorite!

On the girls side, the #9 seed Gracie Hyde from Lonoke/Benton high schools, defeated Emily Myers from Cabot in the championship round. In the boys bracket, Noah Eskew the #12 seed from Jessieville, takes down Reuben Reina from HarBer for the win.

Now that the fans have spoken, Arkansas MileSplit wants play also.

Our Vote for Top Track Distance Runners over the last 10 years is........?


Maggie Montoya for the Girls

Maggie Montoya from Rogers High School, class of 2013, has the fastest 1600m and 3200m ever run by a female Arkansas HS athlete. Her high school personal best times of 4:52.30 and 10:36.65  are not the  official state records though. In Arkansas, state records can only be run at the State Meet or the Meet of Champs. Maggie won 17 individual state titles and was Gatorade Athlete of the year 3 times. "Maggie Montoya was the most talented athlete to run for the Mounties," says Carlton Efurd, head coach of Rogers High School. "She still holds the 800, 1600, and 3200 records at Rogers. One of the coolest things about Maggie was she was a team player and did whatever it took to help the Mounties win. She never let success go to her head."  Maggie had a stellar  college career running for the Lady Bears at Baylor University. Maggie is now running professionally.


Camren Fischer for the Boys


Camren Fischer, a 2019 graduate form Fayetteville High School, has the fastest 3200m time in Arkansas history and is the only boy ever to go sub 9 minutes at 8:55:04. His 1600m time is the second fastest in Arkansas HS history at 4:11.61 just behind the state and overall record holder Eric Gross from Mountain Home who ran 4:10.45. Camren was a 4 time Gatorade Athlete of the Year and won 18 individual state title in track and XC. "It was always special to watch Cam race," says Fayetteville coach Michelle Fyfe. " I always new he would give 100% and if racing at state, was more than likely going to win." Camren is now attending and running for Princeton University.

Wrap up

One thing for sure, Arkansas is steadily improving in track and field and these two runners are a big part of what helped Arkansas get on the National radar! "They both represented Arkansas well against out of state competition," said Carlton Efurd. Michelle Fyfe said, "the bonus about both Maggie and Cam was that they are two of the most humble and genuinely kind runners I've ever known!"

Here are their High School Stats from their senior years.