As the 2024 cross country season nears, Milesplit Arkansas will spend one week previewing one of the six classifications in the state.
In Class 2A, Ozark Catholic's presence looms large as they enter their first season in their new classification as overwhelming favorites to win the team title, while Isaac Pohlmeier is the new favorite to take home the 2A state championship.
Take a look at the athletes, teams, and storylines to watch for in Class 2A boys this season. We will feature 3A next week, while 4A, 5A, and 6A will begin Monday, July 29th.
2024 ARKANSAS CROSS COUNTRY SEASON PREVIEWS
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Contenders:
Isaac Pohlmeier after winning his second straight 1A state championship last November
There was a lot of turnover in Class 2A during this reclassification cycle for the Arkansas Activities Association. As a result, there are brand new contenders at the top of the classification entering the fall.
Isaac Pohlmeier is at the top of the list.
The two-time 1A state champion is entering his senior season and leads one of the sneakiest teams in the state, Ozark Catholic, which is now positioned as the top team in Class 2A.
Pohlmeier is one of the best runners in the state. The rising senior finished in the top 5 in 10 out of the 11 races he competed in last season, which included an impressive 5th place finish at the Arkansas vs Oklahoma All-Star Race. This season, not only will Pohlmeier be seeking his first 2A state title, but perhaps the fastest 5K time in all of Arkansas.
His teammates are not too far behind and will be chasing All-State finishes as well. Joey Squillace and Ben Frederick finished 5th and 7th respectively at the 1A state meet last season and in a season full of transition, you should keep your eye on the pair from Ozark Catholic.
Ryan Barber was one of the fastest returners from Class 2A last season. Although the rising senior did not compete at the state meet, Barber ran a 17:12.07 en route to his first win in his high school racing career in 2023. After a year of training, if given the opportunity, Barber is a name that could sneak his way up the 2A rankings and possibly challenge Pohlmeier at the top of the division.
Caden Tarkinton might be the class's biggest X-Factor.
The rising senior finished 8th at the 2A state championship last fall and is the fastest returner from that race in 2024. This spring, the junior from Acorn won the 2A state championship in the 800m, beating some of the best distance runners in the class.
Entering his final cross country season, Tarkinton is just now starting to round into form and could be the ultimate sleeper in Class 2A this fall.
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Teams to Watch:
Ozark Catholic has won three straight state championships and they don't appear to be stopping anytime soon. To go along with their commanding Top 3, Liam Burney and Abe Sanchez round out Class 2A's best 1-5 which should win a 4th state title in 2024.
Cedar Ridge will be one team looking to claim a podium finish this fall. Kyle Provence and Easton Griffin each dipped under 20 minutes last season and will be important pieces to the Timberwolves' success once again in 2024.
Acorn, Ouachita, and Caddo Hills will be some of the teams that compete against Cedar Ridge for the final podium spot at the state meet this November.
Last fall, Acorn finished 4th at the state championship meet, while Ouachita finished 6th and Caddo Hills finished 7th. All three teams have positioned themselves to finish better than they did a year ago.