Over the course of the past three years, Russellville High School's River Hardman has patiently climbed up the Arkansas High School distance leaderboards. Now, in the midst of his junior season, things are finally coming together.
After his two victories in the 800m and 1600m races at the AANG/LRS Cyclone Relays, Hardman is this week's Arkansas Milesplit' "Distance Runner of the Week."
At last Thursday's event, Hardman ran the 3rd fastest 1600m in the state to this point of the season and the fastest recorded by a junior, clocking a personal best of 4:15.62 en route to his first victory of the season.
Hardman didn't stop there.
After winning the 1600m, the junior outdueled Mountain Home's Ky Bickford to win the 800m event, running another personal best of 1:55.19, which ranks 2nd in the state.
"I am really happy with how my races went this past week," Hardman said when I asked him about how he felt this week's races went. "I have really been eyeing the 1600 because our school record being a 4:16".
Hardman also commented on his 800m race saying "I did the 800 as well just to get points for the team and I didn't realize I was on pace for a PR until I finished my race...I will be shifting more towards the 800, trying to see how low I can get".
Hardman is a two-time state champion, winning the 2022 Arkansas Indoor HS Championship and 2022 5A State Championship in the 800m last season.
With less than four weeks left in the Arkansas track and field season, Hardman is primed to enter this season's state championship meet as a top contender in the 800m and 1600m distance races, as he is ranked #1 in both events in Division 5A, and potentially pull off the elusive double at this year's event.
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The Arkansas Milesplit 'Distance Runner of the Week' is a new series that will be published every Wednesday, awarding one distance runner from the state the unique distinction of being the best of the best. Statistics will be gathered every week, counting each meet from Monday to Sunday prior to Wednesday's publication. This week, performances from April 3rd-April 9th were considered for the award.
