As the 2024 cross country season approaches, Milesplit Arkansas will spend one week previewing one of the six classifications in the state.
Class 5A graduates three of the fastest runners to ever compete in the classification, but a big group of runners remain and are capable of filling the holes left by the trio. Mountain Home has been the standard in 5A over the past five years, but as the Bombers replenish their roster, multiple teams wait to unseat the defending champions.
Take a look at the athletes, teams, and storylines to watch for in Class 5A boys this season. Class previews for 6A will begin next week.
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Contenders:
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Joseph Bariola, River Hardman, and William Hill have been at the top of Class 5A for much of the last two years. With the trio of stars now graduated, the competition to be the new No. 1 in 5A might be the most intriguing individual battle in the entire state.
At first glance, Zachary McMillon would appear to be the preseason favorite. The senior from El Dorado enters the season with the fastest returning time in 5A and is the top returner from last season's state meet.
McMillon competed in all three distance events at the 5A State Championships this spring and set three new personal bests in the 800m, 1,600m, and 3,200m in April as well.
Garrett Barr made big improvements in his sophomore season, finishing 6th at the cross country state meet and could be the next great distance runner from Mountain Home.
Over the past few years, the Bombers have developed some of the best distance runners in the state, producing multiple state champions. Barr enters the fall as the second fastest returner from last season.
Speaking of Mountain Home, Connor King put together a very strong junior track season and is carrying a lot of momentum heading into his senior year. King set three personal bests on the track this spring and finished 4th in the 1,600m and 3,200m events at the 5A state track meet.
Earlier this summer, Milesplit Arkansas received news that Jackson Free would be transferring from Missouri to Mountain Home, making this Bomber squad just as dangerous as it was during their two previous championship seasons.
Free instantly becomes one of the favorites in 5A as the rising junior ran a 15:53.90 at the Missouri State Championships last season, which would be the fastest returning time in 5A. Free set personal bests in all three distance events this spring as well, including a 4:27.90 and 9:45.70 in the 1,600m and 3,200m events.
Paul Rivera finished 10th at the cross country state meet last season and is the second fastest returner from last season. The rising senior enjoyed a junior campaign in which he was incredibly consistent, running 17:02 or faster in all six races. Expect Rivera to step into Hardman's role as Russellville's new #1 and lead one of the strongest programs in 5A.
Chance Cunningham owns the third fastest returning time from last season. The sophomore ran a 16:25.38 at the Sprindale Schools Invitational last October and will be another name near the front of the pack during the 5A state meet this fall.
Diego Martinez will be tasked with filling the void left by Bariola graduating in the spring. The senior finished 8th at last season's cross country state meet, setting a personal best time of 16:29.56.
Owen Sanders and Isaac Ortega finished 11th and 12th respectively at the state meet last fall and are back to lead Little Rock Christian once again in 2024. It should not be overlooked how advantageous having a training partner capable of running similar times can be so expect this pair of teammates to take full advantage of training together everyday.
Reece Smith was one of our sleepers to watch heading into last season and the sophomore did not disappoint - thank you Reece. After running a personal best time of 16.46.90 in the fall, Smith finished 6th in the 1,600m at the 5A State Championships this spring, while picking up five race wins throughout the season. Don't sleep on the rising junior from Valley View in 2024.
Other Individuals to Watch: Randall Bright, David Coggin, Nick Sherwood, Chris Hardin, Chase Kemper
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Teams to Watch:
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Mountain Home has won three of the last five state championships in 5A and they are once again positioned to compete for another title in 2024.
With Barr, Free, and King, the Bombers have one of the best 'Big 3's' in the state and are capable of scoring single digit points through their first three runners. Trenton Smith enters the season as the team's No. 4 and has dipped under 17-minutes before, but the biggest question for Mountain Home lies with their fifth runner, who will play the biggest role for Mountain Home at this year's state meet.
Van Buren is the top ranked team according to the 'Milesplit XC Team Scores' feature. The Pointers return their entire top 5 from last season's state meet and are a clear threat to Mountain Home's three-peat.
And don't forget about Lakeside. Despite losing one of the greatest runners in Arkansas state history, the Rams are still very deep, returning five runners that have run run under 18-minutes in the 5K.
Siloam Springs and Valley View are two more teams that will compete for a podium finish this November. Their strength lies in their depth, which will need to be exceptional if they hope to challenge one of the top contenders in Hot Springs this year.
Other Teams to Watch: Little Rock Christian, Greenwood, Lake Hamilton, Benton