The 2025 Arkansas AAA 2A Girls Cross Country State Championships are set to take place once again at Oaklawn Park, with race-time conditions expected to be ideal. Sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-60s should provide a comfortable backdrop for one of the most anticipated races of the season. While last year's champion Olivia Prothro returns, a new wave of challengers has emerged with faster times and fresh momentum, promising a tightly contested battle for the individual crown.
2025 Arkansas AAA 2A Girls Cross Country State Individual Championships Preview
Defending Champ Faces Rising Stars
Olivia Prothro of Mountainburg, who captured the 2024 title in 21:48, is back for her senior campaign and enters with a season best of 20:48.09, ranking her third among 2A competitors this fall. However, the clear frontrunner based on 2025 performances is Audrey Bethea, a junior from Hampton High School, who has been on a tear this season, highlighted by a blazing 19:41.90 at the Minuteman Invitational, the fastest 2A time this year.
Right on her heels is Addison Owens of Cedar Ridge, who was third at state last year as a sophomore and enters with a 2025 best of 19:50.67, showing excellent late-season form with a win at the 1A/2A North Regional. Owens has consistently hovered around the sub-20 mark and looks primed for a major leap forward on Saturday.
Don't Sleep on the Pack
Also in the mix is Mylee Crow of Ouachita, one of the top freshmen in the state, who's posted a 21:12.30 and has steadily improved with each meet. Clare Pohlmeier of Ozark Catholic finished sixth last year and brings in a season best of 22:00.60, while Madilyn Varvil, Paislee Davis, and Leah Love help form a deep Quitman squad that could dominate the team race.
Quitman, which placed five runners in the top 12 last year, returns nearly its entire lineup and has added freshman Kaitlyn Norris (21:53.89) and standout underclassmen like Kendall Cullum and Baylee Gadberry, making them heavy favorites for the team title again. They could realistically have multiple runners in the top 15 individually.
Who's Peaking at the Right Time?
Momentum is everything in November, and several runners appear to be hitting their stride. Bethea's sub-20 performance in September and Owens' regional title last week set the stage for a potential duel for first. Prothro, while not having broken 20 this year, has big-race experience and championship poise. A breakthrough performance from her would not be surprising.
Also, watch for Giselle Perez (White County Central), Keira Passantino (Ozark Catholic), and Kathryn Williamson (Caddo Hills), all of whom are consistent top-10 threats and could shake up the final standings.
Prediction
With the depth of returning talent and a surge of underclass standouts, the 2025 2A girls race should be one of the most competitive in recent memory. Bethea, Owens, and Prothro all bring credentials worthy of a title, but expect a fast early pace to separate the true contenders. If Bethea's form holds, she could become Hampton's first individual champion in recent years. However, with so many capable names in the top 10 mix, any slight off day could shuffle the podium.
2025 Arkansas AAA 2A Girls Cross Country Team Preview
Dominant Quitman Looks to Defend, But Who Can Challenge?
As the 2025 Arkansas AAA 2A Girls Cross Country State Championships return to Oaklawn Park this Saturday, the team race may feel familiar - Quitman High School enters as the overwhelming favorite to win its seventh consecutive state title after dominating the field in 2024 and returning with even greater depth and firepower this season.
Quitman: Clear Favorites to Repeat
Last year, Quitman ran away with the team title, scoring just 25 points and placing five runners in the top 10, including returning athletes Madilyn Varvil, Leah Love, and Paislee Davis. Fast forward to 2025, and the Bulldogs may be even stronger. Led by freshman standout Kaitlyn Norris (21:53.89) and backed by the consistency of Varvil, Kendall Cullum, and Baylee Gadberry, Quitman boasts an impressive 1:23 spread from their No. 1 to No. 5 runners and a stellar 22:19 team average, over a minute faster than their average last year. With talent stacked through seven runners, Quitman has both the low-stick punch and depth to weather any surprises on race day.
Ozark Catholic: Rising to Contend
Runner-up may come down to Ozark Catholic, who brings a tighter and more consistent pack than last year's fourth-place team. Senior Clare Pohlmeier (22:00) leads a revamped group that includes Keira Passantino, Keilee Hernandez, and Colbie Lipsmeyer, giving Ozark a solid front four. With a team average of 23:57 and a 1-5 spread of just over 4 minutes, the Saints are well-positioned to move up on the podium - especially if their fourth and fifth runners step up under pressure.
Danville: Depth With Experience
Danville, third in 2024 by just four points, returns with an experienced squad led by Jaylie Gibbs (23:10) and sophomore Ayla Creamer. Their top five average 25:16 and tight 3:05 split make them a reliable team that could sneak into second place if Ozark falters. Danville's consistent improvement and postseason experience make them a team to watch.
Dark Horses: Caddo Hills & Conway Christian
Caddo Hills and Conway Christian round out the top five based on season bests. Caddo Hills is paced by Kathryn Williamson (23:34) and features a top five with a 4:39 spread. Conway Christian has Grace Harrell and a solid No. 2 in McClaine Dickinson, but needs a stronger back end to truly contend for a podium spot.
Depth Issues for Others
Teams like Magnet Cove and Eureka Springs feature strong front-runners in Graisyn Prehn and Anna Vaverka, but drop-off beyond the top three makes a top-five finish difficult. Hampton, while boasting the top individual favorite in Audrey Bethea (19:41), lacks the depth to challenge in the team standings.
Final Thoughts
Barring anything unexpected, Quitman should cruise to a another state title, and possibly do it in historic fashion with a team average under 22:30. Ozark Catholic and Danville will likely battle for second, but both teams must have near-perfect races to close the gap. In a field with improving depth but few true challengers at the top, Quitman's combination of youth, experience, and speed sets them apart as the gold standard in Arkansas 2A girls cross country.
The 2025 Arkansas AAA 2A Girls Cross Country State Championships are set to take place once again at Oaklawn Park, with race-time conditions expected to be ideal. Sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-60s should provide a comfortable backdrop for one of the most anticipated races of the season. While last year's champion Olivia Prothro returns, a new wave of challengers has emerged with faster times and fresh momentum, promising a tightly contested battle for the individual crown.
2025 Arkansas AAA 2A Girls Cross Country State Individual Championships Preview
Defending Champ Faces Rising Stars
Olivia Prothro of Mountainburg, who captured the 2024 title in 21:48, is back for her senior campaign and enters with a season best of 20:48.09, ranking her third among 2A competitors this fall. However, the clear frontrunner based on 2025 performances is Audrey Bethea, a junior from Hampton High School, who has been on a tear this season, highlighted by a blazing 19:41.90 at the Minuteman Invitational, the fastest 2A time this year.
Right on her heels is Addison Owens of Cedar Ridge, who was third at state last year as a sophomore and enters with a 2025 best of 19:50.67, showing excellent late-season form with a win at the 1A/2A North Regional. Owens has consistently hovered around the sub-20 mark and looks primed for a major leap forward on Saturday.
Don't Sleep on the Pack
