It's that time of year again.
As the 2025-2026 academic year quickly approaches, Milesplit Arkansas is excited to feature our rising senior class that has given so much to our wonderful sport and we are excited to feature you on our site!
Today, we feature Stuttgart's Lane Saul, this year's second senior spotlight!
For those interested in participating in this year's senior spotlight, see here for more information.
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1) Where are you from and when did you first start running?
I'm from Stuttgart and I started running in the 10th grade
2) So far in your high school career, what is your most memorable running memory?
It would probably have to be the 2023 State Cross Country meet. It was my first year running, and I was just barely able to make the cut to receive All State Honors. It was pretty cool to experience something like that in my first year.
3) What has been the most difficult workout you've run during your running career?
It was toward the end of a Harding Track and Field camp on a hot June afternoon. We had 4x400m at mile pace with 400m jogging rest, right into 2x200m still at mile pace with 200m jogging rest. The workout was hard, but it was mainly what we did leading up to it that made it real tough. Up to that point we'd had about two days of three workouts along with 200m repeats the day prior, so needless to say we definitely had our work cut out for us.
4) Who are some of your greatest competitors you have raced throughout your career?
Some guys I've been in the same race as yet might not have actually competed with are Matthew Thurman and Ethan Lacy. I don't get to race against them a whole lot, but when I do meet them in season it's always fun to try and chase someone as good as those guys.
5) What has been your favorite cross country course or track to race on and why?
Probably the Josh Park Memorial course in Heber Springs. It's a pretty rough course through gravel and hills but the atmosphere is always great with the amount of people who show up every year along with the good competition. On top of that I kinda just like going through the woods.
6) What were some of the most difficult obstacles that you have faced during your career?
The first thing that comes to mind is last year's 4A State Cross Country race where I had a pretty bad performance to put it simply. After having such a good experience with the meet the year before it was definitely discouraging to finish off my Junior XC season in that way. Other than that I've struggled with a hip injury my Junior track season and have constantly found trouble balancing out running with other sports like soccer and basketball.
7) What will you miss most about high school running?
Definitely my teammates and the memories in general. My teammates are some of my lifelong friends and they're the reason I began running in the first place so it'll be rough having to leave them
8) What advice would you give to a rising freshman competing in their first high school season in 2024/2025?
Just to have fun and embrace it. Enjoy all the learning, the hard workouts, and try to be good to the people around you in whatever way you can.
9) Who are some people you would like to thank for your success in high school?
For sure my parents. They've acted as leaders for me, helping me through every step of the way and putting forth more effort and money than I could ever ask for. Thanks to my teammates Landon Leech and Eli Hillman as they're the ones who convinced me to start running in the first place. A final thanks to Coach T for encouraging me and the program as a whole.
10) What's your favorite, XC or Track?
Cross Country
11) Hobbies outside of running:
Soccer, Basketball, and drawing
12) Favorite sports teams:
Memphis Grizzlies, St. Louis Cardinals, and St. Louis City SC
13) Who is your role model:
My dad
14) Favorite Movie:
Either The Batman or Spiderman: Across the Spiderverse
15) Favorite Song/Artist/Music:
Small Worlds - Mac Miller
16) If you could have one super power, what would it be and why:
Teleportation because I would never have to actually travel.