AAA 6A Boys State Preview: Gallardo-Lopez Vs Burns, B'ville

At the Top: Brian Burns vs. Alan Gallardo-Lopez

Leading the field is Brian Burns, the senior from Bentonville, whose 14:59.60 at the Chile Pepper Festival is not only the fastest time in Arkansas this season but also a rare sub-15 performance for any Arkansas high schooler. A transfer from Missouri, Burns has made a splash in his first (and only) season competing in the Natural State. He has championship experience in big meets and will look to solidify his resume with a state title.

But he won't have it easy. Returning champion Alan Gallardo-Lopez of Fayetteville is not only the defending state champion (15:21.37 last year), he's also Arkansas' most tested big-race competitor. Gallardo-Lopez has shown incredible consistency this year with four sub-15:40 performances, highlighted by a 15:01.50 at Chile Pepper (just 2 seconds behind Burns) and a 15:14 runner-up finish at Sugar Creek. His strength in closing fast, as shown in last year's win and this year's tactical efforts, gives him a real shot to go back-to-back, something rare in 6A competition.

The Bentonville Chase Pack

Behind Burns, Bentonville has what might be the deepest roster of sub-16 runners in Arkansas history. Sean Burns (15:22), a sophomore and Brian's younger brother, has emerged as a potential future champion, but he's already fast enough to fight for a podium finish this year. Juniors Logan Hurley (15:26) and Alex Wagner (15:38), along with Vini Pimentel (15:44) and Remington Morland (15:45), round out an insanely fast top five. In most years, any one of them would be a top contender. Bentonville's strength in numbers could create a drag race dynamic in the final mile if they can pack up and push the pace.

Contenders You Can't Ignore

The list of challengers extends well beyond the Bentonville-Fayetteville rivalry:

• Asher Found (Catholic) is one of the smartest racers in the field. The senior took 4th last year in 15:35 and just ran 15:30 to win the 6A Central Conference. He's a proven closer and thrives in pressure races.

• Braden Palmer (Ft. Smith Southside) ran 15:31 at Sugar Creek and was 10th last year. He's often overlooked, but never outclassed.

• Harper Huckabee (Jonesboro) has consistently improved all season and comes in with a sharp 15:39 personal best. He's a gritty racer who might be dangerous in the final mile.

• Zach Van Lear (Har-Ber, 15:44), Rhett Moss (Southside, 15:42), and Luca Brady (Fayetteville, 15:41) round out a group of experienced runners with legit sub-15:50 credentials.

Sleepers and Rising Stars

• Camden McClellan (Bentonville, 15:47) and Cael Underkoffler (Bentonville West, 15:45) are under-the-radar names with serious wheels.

• Samuel Boyd (Cabot, 16:01) and Jeremiah Harris (Jonesboro, 16:03) are among the top juniors and could break into the top 10.

• Ryan Schaefer (Bryant, 15:53) is the top returner from the 6A Central and could make a statement for podium honors.

Final Thoughts

The biggest question may be tactical: Who controls the race early? If Burns decides to go out from the gun, it could become a test of survival, separating the elite early and forcing others to chase. If it's a more controlled first two miles, watch for runners like Gallardo-Lopez, Found, or Huckabee to close the gap and make it a three- or four-man sprint over the final 800 meters.

The stakes are sky-high. For Burns, it's the capstone of a perfect season. For Gallardo-Lopez, a chance at legacy. For everyone else, it's a chance to punch their name into the history books of one of Arkansas's most talent-rich state meets ever.

Team Race Preview: Can Anyone Stop Bentonville?

Bentonville High School has reloaded its dynasty, and they've been the gold standard in Arkansas boys' cross country since 2017. And once again, they enter the state meet as the clear No. 1-ranked team, both statistically and on paper.

However, 2025 isn't just another title defense. It's a rebuild-while-winning season, as the Tigers graduated five of their seven varsity runners from last year's dominant state lineup, including All-Americans Owen Kelley and Matthew Shelly, along with veterans Tishan Abeyaguna, Carter Beasley, Harper Jones, and Ryan Fernstrom.

But rather than take a step back, Bentonville has reloaded in terrifying fashion. The team now features seven runners who have broken 15:50, led by Brian Burns (14:59), the state's top individual threat and a national-caliber athlete. Supporting him are Sean Burns (15:22), Logan Hurley (15:26), Alex Wagner (15:38), and Vini Pimentel (15:44) - a five-man average of 15:26 with a sub-45 second split.

And it doesn't stop there. Their No. 6 and No. 7 runners, Remington Morland (15:45) and Camden McClellan (15:47), would be scoring runners on nearly any other team in the field. Simply put, Bentonville could potentially put seven runners in the top 15, a staggering possibility. The Tigers are the heavy favorite, with the potential to break 30 points if they execute well.

Fayetteville's Firepower

If any team can challenge Bentonville's reign, it's Fayetteville, the last team to win AAA's largest classification state title not named Bentonville. They return the reigning state champion Alan Gallardo-Lopez (15:01) and a deep cast that includes Luca Brady (15:41), Nate Rogerson, Jonathan Mbugua, and Benjamin Harter, all between 15:41 and 16:16. Their 1-5 average of 15:52 is strong, but what separates them is experience and competitive toughness.

Gallardo-Lopez will contend for the individual title and could give Fayetteville the low stick they need to hang close to Bentonville. But their key to contending lies in closing their 1-5 split (currently 1:15). If Brady can sneak into the top 10 and their 3-5 guys move up inside the top 30, the Bulldogs could tighten the race more than expected.

Bentonville West: Quiet Threat

In third position entering the meet is Bentonville West, who bring a quiet but potent squad led by Cael Underkoffler (15:45) and Caleb Sparks (15:57). They boast a 1-5 average of 16:06 and a super-tight 44-second split, which makes them dangerous in larger fields. If West can break up Fayetteville's top five and move their own group closer to the front, a podium finish is within reach, and a top-two spot isn't out of the question.

Ft. Smith Southside: Grit and Experience

Southside is anchored by two legitimate front-runners in Braden Palmer (15:31) and Rhett Moss (15:42), both top-10 threats. They've been on the podium before (runner-up in 2024), and their average of 16:07 keeps them in the mix. The challenge is depth; their No. 5 runner is over 16:50, which could open the door for other teams to sneak ahead. If their 4-5 can close the gap, they could be back on the podium.

Dark Horses and Podium Hopefuls

• Jonesboro: With Harper Huckabee (15:39) and Jeremiah Harris (16:03), they bring a sharp top three. Their depth is slightly behind the top squads, but a 1-5 average of 16:15 gives them an outside shot at the podium.

• Cabot: A consistent 5-man core led by Samuel Boyd (16:01) and a tight team spread of 41 seconds could help them climb. If they can insert 2-3 runners into the top 40, they could sneak into the top five.

• Catholic High School: With Asher Found (15:30) as a low stick, their challenge lies in depth. Their team average of 16:25 keeps them in the mix, but a lot will depend on how their 3-5 runners perform under state-level pressure.

 Har-Ber, Bryant, and Others

• Har-Ber is top-heavy with Zach Van Lear (15:44) and several 16:30-range runners. They need a breakout performance from their 3-5 to contend for the top five.

• Bryant has Ryan Schaefer (15:53) and a gritty lineup, but lacks the front-end firepower to challenge the top three unless someone pops a huge day.

• Rogers is another team with a solid top two, but could be edged out on depth by more consistent squads.

Final Prediction - Team Podium Outlook