As the 2024 cross country season approaches, Milesplit Arkansas will spend one week previewing one of the six classifications in the state.
There are more girls in 6A capable of winning the individual championship than in any other classification this season, which should make for a thrilling season. And while a potential Rogers and Bentonville rematch is lurking, up and coming squads from Fayetteville and Cabot are eager to assert themselves into the title picture.
We have made it to our sixth and final week! Take a look at the athletes, teams, and storylines to watch for in Class 6A girls this season.4
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Contenders:
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The 6A girls state meet was one of the most highly anticipated championship races I have ever been around and it did not dissapoint.
And in 2024, it should be just as good.
Lilly Beshears is back for her junior season and the underclassmen phenom has her sights on her first cross country state title. Beshears burst out on the scene her freshman season, finishing second at the cross country state meet and following that up with a pair of indoor titles in February.
As a sophomore, Beshears finished 4th at the cross country state meet and won the 1,600m indoor state title by a hair - literally. The three time indoor state champion enters the season as the fastest returner in 6A and will be chasing her first win in Hot Springs in November.
Who's the biggest threat to Beshears' coronation? Go ahead and pick between any four of her teammates.
Kayla Eggers is the second fastest returner in 6A and is coming off a pair of 800m state titles she won during the indoor and outdoor track seasons. Just a sophomore, Eggers is poised to build off her sensational freshman season and make a significant impact this fall.
And you can't forget about the Scudder's - Katherine, Anna, and Elizabeth. Has there ever been a faster set of freshman triplets?
Entering the fall, the Scudder's own the 3rd, 9th, and 11th fastest returning times in 6A. Together, the three round out one of the most terrifying teams the state of Arkansas has ever seen, and one that could be closing in on history.
Emelia Hesselgren owns the 4th fastest returning time in 6A and could be the classifications ultimate sleeper. The rising junior finished 8th at the state meet last fall and carried that momentum into the spring where she set three impressive personal best times in all three distance events.
Lauren Thompson finished 6th at last season's state meet and has her sights on the top of the podium this fall. As a freshman, Thompson won three races and even dipped under 19-minutes enroute to her victory at the Arvest Bank Blazer Invitational. The rising sophomore from Jonesboro will be someone you will want to keep a close eye this year.
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Virginia Milwee set a massive personal best at the state cross country meet last season, crossing the line in 7th and provided one of the best reactions you could ask for. After a pair of 9th place finishes in the 1,600m at the 6A State Championships and Arkansas Meet of Champions, the junior from Mount St. Mary Academy has positioned herself for an excellent season.
Everly O'Daniel and Hannah Hanson are the top two returners from Bentonville this season and will be right in the mix for an individual championship too. O'Daniel finished 4th in the 3,200m at the state meet this spring, while Hanson finished 6th in the 800m. Expect big things from this duo from the NWA this fall.
Other Individuals to Watch: Cady Masters, Eliana Harter, Madysen Hantuba, Abigail Huff, Samantha Schmersahl, Ivette Garcia
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Teams to Watch:
For much of last season, many believed Bentonville was on their way to their sixth straight state championship only to have it spoiled by Rogers, who won their 26th title in program history.
Could we have a rematch in 2024?
While the Mounties return their entire top 5 and a ton of depth, the Tigers must replace their top two runners from a season ago but if there's any team capable of overcoming the challenge, it's Bentonville.
Lily Aicklen and Lily Zakaras are just two potential replacements that could plug into Bentonville's top five this season, which leads me to believe you would be remised to count this team out in November.
Fayetteville returns a great deal of talent this season and will be looking to play spoiler to the two teams hogging the headlines. With four runners under 20-minutes, the Bulldogs are more than capable of earning a podium position this fall.
Cabot has one of the best 1-2-3 punches in the state and could ride that trio to incredible places in 2024. The Panthers finished 6th at the state meet a year ago, but are legitimate threats to finish on the podium this season as well.
Other Teams to Watch: Bentonville West, Ft. Smith Southside