Mountie Classic & 6A West Conference Championship
Girls Preview:
The Favorite: Haley Loewe
Loewe has been tremendous this season, continuing her dominance from last season. The future Tennessee Volunteer is undefeated in races in the Natural State over the past two seasons and Tuesday's Mountie Classic should be no different.
Sleepers: Lilly Beshears, Devyn O'Daniel, Everly O'Daniel, Emelia Hesselgren, Kayli Fitzhugh, Cadence Hodge
Beshears is another big name in this race and Tuesday's tune-up is a perfect opportunity for the Rogers sophomore to see how she stacks up against Loewe. The O'Daniel sisters will play a critical role in determining how this race will shack out on both, the individual and team races.
Hesselgren and Fitzhugh have a great opportunity to throw their hat into the conversation for the best 1-2 punch in Arkansas on Tuesday and will look to continue their fantastic seasons. Hodge will be tasked with the responsibility of chasing the leaders and helping her team potentially sneak into the top 3, which could lead to a career day.
Team Favorite: Bentonville
Teams to Watch: Rogers, Fayetteville
According to the "Milesplt XC Team Scores," Bentonville is the best team in the state and is the favorite to win the 6A West Conference Championship. In a smaller field, they will face stiff competition from Rogers, who sits just six points behind them, and Fayetteville, another Arkansas powerhouse.
Boys Preview:
The Favorite: James American Horse
The preseason Arkansas #1 should be the favorite to win Tuesday's conference championship. The senior will be looking to bounce back from his 8th-place finish at the Lake Hamilton Cross Country Invitational last weekend and will be joined by his parade of teammates up front.
Sleepers: Owen Kelley, Eli Seavey, Matthew Shelly, Payton Brack, Jonathan Mendez
Regardless of the race they are in, the Bentonville boys are always contenders to take home the win, 1-5. Joining them this week is Jonathan Mendez, who recently won the Gravette Invitational, running a 15:54.60 and had a strong showing at the Chile Pepper Festival, finishing 16th.
Team Favorite: Bentonville
Has any team in Arkansas ever been this dominant? I am genuinely asking. The Bentonville boys have been nothing short of fantastic this season and will be looking to continue their winning ways this week by winning another conference title.
Teams to Watch: Fayetteville, Rogers, Har-Ber
As always, be sure to keep an eye on Fayetteville and Har-Ber, who appear to be slightly shorthanded this week and will hope their squads are in tip-top shape for the state championship meet in 9 days. Rogers is quietly gaining more momentum as the season progresses and should be in the mix for a podium finish.