Welcome to the first ever Frick'n Mailbag!
This has been something I have been wanting to add for a while and I hope this is something we can continue to do regularly.
A few weeks back, I posted a question on our Instagram story asking you all to ask me anything. Whether that is about running or not, anything goes on the Milesplit Arkansas Frick'n Mailbag.
For those of you who don't already, be sure to follow @milesplitsouthwest on Instagram so you don't miss the next time. And if you don't have an Instagram, but would like to ask a question, feel free to email me: gwfrick21@gmail.com.
Today, I am going to answer a few questions that were asked last week. Let's jump into it.
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What meets will you guys be at this season? (@c_chadwick08, @matteo_thurman)
We will be attending five different meets this season. Four of them are locked in and we plan to open the season once again at the Little Rock XC Invitational. We are super excited to get out more this season and continue to experience everything Arkansas high school cross country has to offer.
There will be a post on the Instagram once we decide where we are going on the final weekend. There is also a chance we add a sixth meet for conference championship weekend, but that is still being discussed.
Who do you think has the best jerseys? (@jacksonrayfree)
I almost wish a Mountain Home runner did not ask this question because you can't beat the blue and white stripes. They're the best looking shorts in the state.
I really like Har-Ber's jersey's too. The Carolina blue on top of white shorts is very nice to look at. Rural Special also has a super clean jersey and is probably the jersey I remember best from last year's state meet. I think I would throw Cabot and Fayetteville into that conversation as well.
What are the chances Rogers wins Indoor State? (@brookstomlinson)
I am super excited to beef up our indoor coverage this winter and make a few trips to Fayetteville in 2025.
On that note, I would never count Rogers out. With that being said, the Mounties have a mountain to climb if they want to catch Bentonville, who doubled Rogers' team score in 2024, and Fayetteville.
In the running events, it looks like Rogers brings back a significant amount of boys this year and the same can be said about the jumping events. The real concern for Rogers comes with their throwing events as they lose their top scorers from last season, which will be an area they will have to improve throughout the winter and further into the spring.
The girls look capable of winning a title this season as they were only 16 points off of Bentonville last season and I believe their distance team can make up the difference, leaving the the other events free to chase other points. Losing Morgan Maier is a tough loss, not only as a sprinter but as a thrower too. Alexa Dost looks like she could be the next star sprinter for the Mounties and Dahana Tuomala had a strong sophomore season in the field events.
Who is a Darkhorse to win 6A Central in XC this year? (@josephmkollar_3)
There are a handful of runners capable of winning this one.
On the boys side, Asher Found from Catholic and Myson McFall from Cabot would be my first two picks so I will go Angel Vargas from Bryant. Vargas had a strong track season finishing 5th in the 3,200m at the 6A state meet. He looks like he is set up for a big senior season and should soar up the 6A leaderboards as the season progresses, I'll take Vargas on the boys side.
For the girls, I will take Amelia Byers. I mentioned her being a sleeper in 6A this season a few weeks back and I stand behind that pick today. Byers put her speed on display this track season and in a race full of big names including Virginia Milwee, Cady Masters, Makenzie Wood, and Abigail Huff, having 62s 400m speed can come in handy.
Don't forget her name, Amelia Byers could be the next big thing in the Natural State.
READ HERE: STANSELL'S TOP BOYS XC SLEEPERS IN EACH CLASSIFICATION
Prediction for winning time at the 5A state meet this year? (@garrett_barr15)
5A lost some of its horses from last season, but this race should still go under 16 minutes.
There's a handful of names capable of doing that in 2024: the four boys from Mountain Home, Zachary McMillon from El Dorado, Chance Cunningham from Siloam Springs are a few names off the top of my head. You can put Diego Martinez and Paul Rivera in the group as well. If you're looking for a deep sleeper, Chris Hardin from Marion is more of a middle distance runner, but he has the tools to put himself in that pack at state as well.
As for a time, I am optimistic this group will be faster than we are expecting so I will say the winner runs a 15:47.
On the girls side, I will say 18:32. Like the boys, I think the talent is evident in 5A this year. Aubrey Minton is back to defend her state title, Starlyn Edwards is chasing history, and there are others like Carole Werner and Audrey Herrell who are very capable of pushing this pack in the early stages of the race to a good time.
READ HERE: GAVIN'S PRESEASON BOYS TOP 21 RANKINGS
What are your Top 5 Team Predictions for the 6A Girls in 2024? (@alexa___g.l)
This is a tough one.
I definitely do not want to spoil tomorrow's article before I post it, but I am definitely back on the Rogers bandwagon for the 2024 season after picking them in the preseason last year. The Mounties return everybody from last year's team and that's not considering the emergence of runners like Samantha Schmersahl (to name just one).
Bentonville is going to be good again, so will Fayetteville. I think Cabot will surprise some people this season with their strong top 3, as will Bentonville West who brings back a strong team and has developed a few more runners since last cross country season. Har-Ber and Conway are two teams who lose a lot, but have proven in the past that they're capable of overcoming the loss of a few seniors.
I don't think I realized just how competitive the 6A girls team race will be this fall until now. Once again, this should be one of the best races at the state meet in November.
READ HERE: GAVIN'S PRESEASON GIRLS TOP 21 RANKINGS
Are there any sophomores that you guys are excited to watch this cross country and track season? (@curlyfries0903)
Luke Mbekenya and Cael Underkoffler from Bentonville West both had sensational freshmen season's last year and will be two boys cross country runners I keep an eye on this season. Lucas Brady is coming off a stellar year on the track and I am excited to watch his progression this year as well.
Tony Noble from Arkansas HS had a very strong freshman season in the jumps events and I would expect him to compete for a couple state titles next spring. Noble finished 8th at the 5A state meet in the triple jump this spring.
You could name any rising sophomore distance girl from Rogers and I would agree with you there. They all have a bright future in the Natural State.
On the track, Izzy Sategna from Fayetteville could be the next star in the state and is entering her sophomore season. Sategna finished 3rd in the 100m and 300m hurdle races, while also finishing 3rd in the long jump and 4th in the 100m dash. She's someone that could make an impact at the national level as soon as next year.
Jordan Cross from Episcopal Collegiate in the sprints and Tessa Trujillo from Thaden School in the jumps are two more names worth keeping your eye on this track season. Nettleton also has a few strong throwers, Sy'mone Smith and Kinsley Patterson. If their program continues to build strong throwers, this pair of freshman should be on your watchlist in 2025.