Having won two state titles in two seasons, Aubrey Minton is staring down an unprecedented three-peat heading into her junior season.
Last year, Minton scored four wins across five races in the fall and she followed that up with another state title in the 1,600m in May. One of Arkansas' best, all signs point towards another big cross country season as the Valley View superstar continues to cement her history in Arkansas distance running.
A third championship, however, is far from a guarantee.
Perhaps the most dangerous challenger to any returning state champion, Emma Fowlkes is back with a whole year of high school running under her belt. Last fall, Fowlkes broke out on the scene, winning five times in ten races and finishing runner-up at her first state championships. Look for the sophomore from Vilonia to be up in the mix in Oaklawn this season.
Paxtin Lawlis and Brendal Brunet are two more names you will need to keep an eye on this season. Lawlis, 6th at last year's state meet...