What is up Arkansas! It's Jack from Milesplit Arkansas and am excited to officially hit the ground running for the 2024 cross country season.
One of my favorite parts about high school running, and something we just witnessed in the Olympic 1500m final when Cole Hocker shocked the world to win gold, is that ANYTHING is possible once the starting gun goes off.
Let's jump into it.
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Class 1A - Tucker Henry
Tucker Henry is heading into his senior year with his eyes on nothing but the top of that podium and will be attempting to break up the closely contested 1-2 battle between Peyton Jones and Nicholas Wheeler. Henry is coming off a great track season with a 4th place finish at conference and a top 10 finish last season at state. Some similarities are seemingly forming in this race just like that 1500m Olympic final I mentioned before. If Henry can stay healthy and consistent, he could be a danger to grab the championship in 1A this year.
Class 2A - Joey Squillace
In Class 2A, we have Ozark Catholics own Joey Squillace. Squillace' progression last season was everything a high school coach could ask for, dropping time in every meet and ultimately setting a personal best at the Van Buren classic with a time of 17:29. Squillace also has an excellent supporting cast around him in the powerhouse that is Ozark Catholic. This upcoming season it seems that everything is in place for Squillace to have a standout senior year and finish with a high podium position at the state meet.
ARKANSAS SENIORS: XC & TRACK SENIOR SPOTLIGHT INFORMATION HERE!!
Class 3A - G'Mar Britton
Hailing from Prescott is G'Mar Britton. Britton will only be going into his junior year and will be looking to turn himself into a household name for the next 2 years in Arkansas. Britton had an excellent sophomore season, finishing 4th at the cross country state meet and then going on to finish 2nd in the 3,200m and 4th in the 1,600m at the outdoor state meet. Britton also set a personal best at the state meet, which is every coaches dream to have their athletes peaking at the most important time. If Britton can replicate a great sophomore season in 2024, this season looks to a fun one for the rising junior.
Class 4A - Aiden Dellimore
Aiden Dellimore looks to be the snake in the grass this year. He showed his potential in a great outing at the Vilonia Inivtational this last cross country season, running a 16:44 and placing 4th. Dellimore is also looking to carry a heap of momentum going into this cross season from a very impressive 2nd place finish in both the 800m and 1,600m at this spring's outdoor state meet. Aidan is going into his senior year and will be looking to throw everything he has at this season for a shot at that top spot at the state meet.
INSIDE THE NATURAL STATE WITH JACK STANSELL: WATCH HERE!!
Class 5A - Garrett Barr
Garrett Barr will be the second rising junior on this list, looking to make a name for himself in what will be a very nerve racking and tightly contested season in the 5A boys division. Barr has shown excellent speed, running 54 seconds in the 400m while also showcasing his athleticism, running 44 seconds in the 300m hurdles, two very underrated attributes to have while running cross country. Barr also has an incredible supporting cast, which I'm told is to be a very close knit team in Mountain Home, who will also be looking to take home that team title this year.
Class 6A - Evan Smith
Rounding out this list for the Class 6A boys we have Evan Smith. Smith is an excellent racer and seems to find his way to a top placement in most of his races. Racing cross country isn't always about the times and as I said before, once the starting gun goes off anything can happen. Smith also placed 12th in the state 3,200m outdoors this past season. He shows great potential for this upcoming cross country season and is looking to mix it up with the top guys in 2024.