On paper, the girls 1,600m at the Arkansas HS Indoor Championships looked like it could be the distance race of the day, but it was the 800m that delivered the real fireworks on Saturday.
Helen Hesselgren set the tone early in the final heat of the girls 800m, coming through 200m in just under 30 seconds. While the junior from Fayetteville held the lead through 400m, the chase pack consisting of Gabbie Bishop, Anna Scudder, and Kayla Eggers was quickly closing in.
With 300m to go, Scudder made a strong move, passing Hesselgren and Bishop on the outside. The junior from Providence Academy latched on and the pair took the bell lap in stride at 1:39 and with 100m to go, Bishop unleashed an incredible kick, storming through the line in 2:11.44 - a new state and meet record, and US #22.
The sophomore from Rogers wasn't far behind, crossing the line in 2:13.66 - the 9th fastest time run by a sophomore in the country this season. Eggers finished 3rd, while Hesselgren and Maggie Bishop rounded out the top 5.
Saturday marked Bishop's first state title in the 800m, winning the 3A crown, while Scudder claimed her first individual championship with a victory in 6A. Aubrey Minton, the two-time 5A cross country state champion, added another title to her résumé with a 1.6-second win in the 5A race.
As we look ahead to the outdoor season, it's clear that Arkansas girls' distance running is as strong as it's ever been. With a wave of young talent and established stars continuing to rise, the future of the sport has never been brighter.