Speed was alive and thriving in Southeast Arkansas and Region 8 on the 2025 3A sophomore class stage. The region produced the top three 100m sprinters, the top two in the 200m, and the fastest time in the 400m among sophomores statewide last season.
DeWitt's Rylie Jo Smith has established herself as one of the premier all-around sprinters in the class. Smith clocked the third-fastest 100m time (12.98), led all 3A sophomores statewide in the 200m with a 26.47 - the second-fastest mark in 3A across all grades - and turned in the top 400m performance by a 3A sophomore in 2025 (1:01.75). Smith capped her impressive season with a pair of third-place finishes in the 100m and 400m at the 3A State Championship.
Close on her heels is Landyn Denson of West Helena, who continues to make a name for herself in the sprints. Denson posted the fastest 100m (12.55) and the second-fastest 200m (26.82) among 3A sophomores. Her times weren't just outstanding among sophomores - she ranked second overall in 3A in the 100m and third overall in the 200m.
Angel Plummer of Lakeside Lake Village added more firepower to Region 8, turning in the fourth-best 3A 100m in the state (12.89) - the second-fastest time among sophomores.
With Smith, Denson, and Plummer headlining, Region 8 has established itself as a sprinting hotbed with the 2026 season shaping up to be very competitive.
In the 400m, Smith again leads the class of 2026 with a PR of 1:01.75, which earned her third place at the 3A State Championship and the top sophomore mark. Jessica Ortiz claimed the second-best 400m time among 2025 sophomores with a PR of 1:03.64.