Gavin's Top 21 - Boys Individual Rankings
1. Owen Kelley, Bentonville
2. Alan Gallardo-Lopez, Fayetteville
3. Asher Found, Catholic
4. Jackson Free, Mountain Home
5. Matthew Thurman, Shiloh Christian
6. Carter Beasley, Bentonville
7. Paul Rivera, Russellville
8. Tishan Abeyagunawardene, Bentonville
9. Myson McFall, Cabot
10. Isaac Pohlmeier, Ozark Catholic
11. Connor King, Mountain Home
12. Logan Hurley, Bentonville
13. Rhett Moss, Ft. Smith Southside
14. Henry Woods, Rogers
15. Dean Pickett, Bentonville
16. Hudson Copeland, Jonesboro
17. Ryan Fernstrom, Bentonville
18. Garrett Barr, Mountain Home
19. Harper Jones, Bentonville
20. Diego Martinez, Lakeside
21. Nate Rogerson, Fayetteville
If this list tells you anything, it's that distance running in Arkansas is on the rise. Last season, just 17 boys dipped beneath 16:00 all season in the 5K. This season, 18 boys have already accomplished that feat.
No matter what you want to attribute that to, there's no denying the fact that distance running has taken center stage in the Natural State. And that's only made creating these rankings even more challenging than before.
Owen Kelley finds himself at the top of the newest midseason rankings which should not come as a surprise. The senior from Bentonville has picked up wins at the Olathe Invitational (KS) and Sugar Creek Showdown, as well as running under 15 minutes on three occasions. Kelley owns the 34th fastest time in the United States this season and will be looking to win his first state championship this fall.
Alan Gallardo-Lopez finds himself in the second spot behind Kelley in today's rankings. The junior from Fayetteville has been a coaches dream, running between 15:21-15:30 in all four outings this season. Gallardo-Lopez owns the second fastest time in the state and has only lost to one Arkansas runner (Owen Kelley) all year.
Asher Found and Jackson Free have been incredible this season. Found has been as consistent as they come, running between 15:32-15:36 in three races this season and that's including two wins. Jackson Free has made his mark so far as a Bomber, picking up two race wins at home this season and running under 15:30 twice. The pair of juniors are both poised to continue their great cross country seasons and compete for an individual title in November.
Matthew Thurman has gotten better every time he has raced this season. What started with a second-place finish at home has turned into a run of three consecutive sub 15:50 performances, including his most recent third place finish at the Frank Horton Night Classic, where he crossed the line in 15:38.00.
Carter Beasley and Tishan Abeyagunawardene have been spectacular up-front for the defending 6A state champions this season, stepping up in big moments. The same can be said about Paul Rivera, who cruised to a victory at home three weeks ago and followed that performance up with a 34 second personal best at Chile Pepper, running sub 16 for the first time in his career.
Myson McFall and Isaac Pohlmeier have both found success in different ways this season. While McFall was in the second high school boys heat at Chile Pepper, Pohlmeier has not been in attendance for every big invitational either. The two will get their chance to show their talent at the state meet and expect big days for these two seniors.
Connor King has had a strong fall, following up on his breakout season on the track last spring and helping lead Mountain Home, one of the best teams in the state, to what could be a 3rd straight state title. Logan Hurley has been just as good, bringing consistency and balance to a Bentonville roster trying to prove are the same team from a season ago.
Rhett Moss and Henry Woods are off to strong starts to the fall season and it would not be surprising to see these two ascend the rankings by the time the "Pre-State Rankings" are released. I would say the same thing about Dean Pickett, the sophomore from Bentonville, who has run under 16:05 on two occasions this season, including a 15:52.00 season opener.
Hudson Copeland has emerged as one of Jonesboro's two low-sticks this season, bringing the Golden Hurricanes back near the top of many team rankings. Garrett Barr completes the three-headed monster assembled by Mountain Home and his consistency at the top of their scoring lineup is what makes this team so dangerous.
Ryan Fernstrom and Harper Jones, two seniors from Bentonville, have been instrumental to their team's success this season. Like much of their teammates, Fernstrom and Jones have been consistent all season and are two runners you can trust when the lights are turned bright. These are two upperclassmen you can count on being ready for the biggest races of the season.
Diego Martinez and Nate Rogerson round out today's Top 21. Martinez has had a very strong season, picking up a convincing race win at home, while running between 16:20-16:22 in his other three races. Rogerson has just two races under his belt, but considering what we have seen from him in the past and the fact he wears the Fayetteville purple, the junior is more than ready for a big breakout on the grass.
Honorable Mentions:
Harper Huckabee, Jonesboro
Braden Palmer, Ft. Smith Southside
Vini Pimentel, Bentonville
Luke Mbekenya, Bentonville West
Rocky Stone, Harding Academy
Noah Gorden, Rogers
Nicholas Wheeler, Founders Classical