There is a significant amount of turnover from last season in the 4A girls classification, which leaves an opportunity open for a new star to be born.
Kai Killingsworth is the top returner from last season's state meet, while Alice Crum owns the fastest returning time, having run 20:03.40 in Clarksville just one month before finishing 4th at state in Oaklawn. The two rising juniors will be strong contenders to win their first cross country state title this November.
Keira Ralph will be another major player at the top of the 4A girls classification. The rising senior from Gravette will be looking to return her team to the top of the podium and win their 2nd state title in 3 years.
While Episcopal Collegiate School loses two of its strongest runners, they reload with 3 of the top 7 runners in Class 4A and will have three chances at scoring one point in Oaklawn this fall.
And don't count out Ellie Echols, who finished 5th at state last season and has dropped 7 minutes off her person...