Over the last few years, Arkansas has cemented itself as one of the most competitive and deepest states in high school distance running.
This season is no different as runners across the Natural State have only improved, making it increasingly difficult for underclassmen to receive the limelight they deserve.
While the state of Arkansas continues to grab national headlines, there is a group of freshman and sophomore athletes quietly making a name for themselves this season and could perhaps be the next star in the making.
Take a look at five of Arkansas' rising stars.
Lauren Thompson
Lauren Thompson's star first started growing last spring when she won the 800m and 1,500m events at the USATF Arkansas Association Junior Olympic Championships.
Since then, Thompson has enjoyed a great start to her high school career at Jonesboro. In five races, the freshman has picked up two wins and run 19:33 or faster in all five showings.
At the Bison XC Invitational, Thompson finished runner-up en route to her personal best time of 19:16.71, which is the 11th fastest time in Arkansas this season, 7th in Division 6A, and 3rd by a freshman.
Jonesboro is set to host two meets in October, including the 6A Central / 5A East Conference Championships, which should give Thompson an opportunity to run even quicker in 2023 and ascend further toward stardom as a freshman.
Nate Rogerson
Coming off a short, yet successful spring track season, I spoke highly of Nate Rogerson entering the 2023 cross country season, expecting him to break out in a big way in his sophomore year and the sophomore from Fayetteville has done just that.
In three races, the sophomore has gotten better in each outing, which includes a 15:47.50 at the Southlake XC Invite #2 (recently changed in a three-mile race).
Rogerson currently ranks 10th in Arkansas with his 15:47.50 mark, however, and owns the second-fastest time run by an Arkansas sophomore this season, only behind his teammate Alan Gallardo-Lopez who has already begun his rise to stardom.
As Rogerson' career progresses, his range should only improve, which makes him one of the most promising individuals in Arkansas for the next several years.
Rogers' Freshman 4
If you don't know about Rogers' four freshman girls, you are soon to know of them. Kayla Eggers, Katherine Scudder, Anna Scudder, and Elizabeth Scudder have been nothing short of fantastic this season.
The group of four, along with sophomore sensation Lilly Beshears, currently ranks tied for the best team in Arkansas with Bentonville, the five-time defending state champions, which consists of two seniors and three sophomores. That's pretty good company.
Eggers currently owns the fastest time of the four, having run an 18:54.80 at the Greg Wilson Classic in September, but these four have the ability to interchange on any given Saturday, not only making them the most dangerous team in the state, but the best group of freshman this state might ever see
While this group of freshmen await their chance to compete against one another on the oval this spring, one thing is for certain: with this core of five, Rogers will be competing for cross country state championships for several years to come.
Phoenix Smith
While the Bentonville boys team is carried by their upperclassmen presence in 2023, the Tigers have won six straight state championships for a reason. Their ability to produce championship quality athletes on a consistent basis to go along with their excellent culture and training is something you don't find often enough in our sport.
Phoenix Smith may very well be the next great Bentonville product.
On the track, the freshman flashed some speed, running a 4:42.88 in the 1,600m and as a sophomore, Smith has dropped 48 seconds on the grass over 5K, running a 16:21.80 at the Lovejoy XC Fall Festival last month.
Championship experience has become invaluable in high school cross country and currently running as Bentonville's #7, the best team in the state and perennial national contender, certainly gives Smith an advantage over much of the sophomore class in Arkansas as his high school career continues.
Elle Williamson
While her sister Zoe Williamson enjoys a fantastic senior campaign, Elle Williamson has also quietly put together a great season, already dropping nearly two minutes off her 5K personal best from last fall, running a 19:54.20 at the Chile Pepper Festival last weekend.
This spring, younger Williamson gained some valuable experience, reaching the 4A State Championship in the 1,600m and 3,200m, which seems to have only helped her take her running to the next level.
It can be a significant advantage having an older sibling on your cross country team. Not only can they help you become the runner you want to be, but their successes can drive you to achieve even better things. That might be what we see unfolding here.
Harding Academy has quietly begun piecing together a strong program and Elle Williamson appears to be the next star to come out of Searcy, Arkansas.