As the sun rises over Oaklawn Park and race-time temperatures hold steady in the comfortable mid-60s, the Arkansas 1A girls' individual title is poised to be one of the most unpredictable and competitive in recent memory. With last year's champion, Elizabeth Merritt (Magazine), now graduated, the door is wide open for a new name to be etched into the history books.
The front-runner heading into Saturday is Emma Kivell (Kingston), who has emerged as the top contender thanks to her season-best time of 21:17.79, the fastest among all 1A runners in 2025. A veteran of the state meet, Kivell placed 7th last year and has shown marked improvement, including a win at the Clarksville Panther Invitational. Her teammate, LeeLou Kilbourn, also returns as a top-10 finisher from 2024 and has clocked a solid 22:23.37, positioning Kingston with a powerful 1-2 punch up front.
However, Missy Wilson (Viola) is right on her heels and could be the biggest threat. After placing 3rd at last year's state meet in 21:37, she has shaved over 10 seconds off her time this fall, running a season-best 21:26.11. Her blend of experience and closing strength makes her a true title contender.
Don't count out Anna Swiney (Bradford) either. The sophomore placed 4th as a freshman in 2024 and has shown excellent form with a season-best of 21:30.98, just a few strides behind the leaders. If she's timed her peak correctly, she could very well cross the finish line first.
Phoebe Hopper (Magazine), last year's runner-up (20:38), enters this year's race with the fourth-fastest time in 2025 at 21:37.10. While she hasn't matched her 2024 speed just yet, she's battle-tested and knows how to compete on this course. Kalee Hanson (Emerson), Valin Spangler (Western Yell County), and Lilyann Barnes (Guy-Perkins) round out a deep and talented field, all capable of cracking the top five with a strong showing.
Also worth watching are rising underclassmen like Aurora Pace (Founders Classical), Serenity Mora (Magazine), and Rieley Sutterfield (Rural Special) - all with times in the 22s and poised for breakout performances.
With five athletes under 22:00 this season and more than a dozen others packed tightly in the 22-24 range, the 1A girls race will be fast, tactical, and fiercely competitive - a fitting championship finale to a season defined by depth and parity.
Top 10 Returners From 2024 Championships
2025 1A Girls Team Race Preview
Kingston Reloaded, Rural Special Rising, and Founders Holding Strong
In the team race, Kingston enters as the clear favorite to defend their 2024 state title, and with good reason. The Lady Yellowjackets return four runners from last year's championship squad and boast the most impressive pack in 1A this fall. With a team average of 24:03.01, led by frontrunners Emma Kivell (21:17) and LeeLou Kilbourn (22:23), they have both the low sticks and the depth to repeat. Their 1-5 split of 6:14 is solid for a 1A program, and if their middle pack continues to progress, they could post a team score in the 30s.
Their biggest challenge may come from Hermitage High School, who returns with an experienced lineup and a team average of 27:38.27. They lack a true front-runner, but their tight 1-5 compression (under 6 minutes) gives them an edge against teams with a big drop-off in scoring positions. If they can sneak one or two runners into the top 20, they could contend for a podium spot.
Founders Classical Academy, runner-up last year, is still in the mix. Although they've lost All-State standout Adelaide Ledbetter, they are led this season by Aurora Pace (24:52) and average 27:58 as a team. Their path to success will be dependent on how far their 3-5 runners can move up in a competitive field.
Rural Special is a strong dark horse pick. Their top runner, Rieley Sutterfield, has gone 23:41 this season and will be key if they are to make a podium push. Their team average of 28:14 gives them a bit of a hill to climb, but if they compress their 1-5 gap (currently nearly 8 minutes), they could make a run at third.
Western Yell County, Maynard, and County Line round out the next tier. While each has a strong individual or two, the team depth just isn't quite at the level of Kingston or Hermitage. Western Yell's challenge lies in their massive 10-minute 1-5 split, while Maynard's strong 1-2 combo of Zoey Godwin and Clara Jones needs help from the back end.
Predicted Top 5 Teams - 2025 1A Girls XC
| Rank | Team | Outlook |
|---|
| 1 | Kingston | Deep, experienced, and well-balanced. Strong favorites. |
| 2 | Hermitage | No star but solid depth. Podium potential. |
| 3 | Founders Classical | Top-heavy and needs a big day from 4-5. |
| 4 | Rural Special | Strong up top; split is the issue. |
| 5 | Maynard | Great front pair, but depth holds them back. |
As the sun rises over Oaklawn Park and race-time temperatures hold steady in the comfortable mid-60s, the Arkansas 1A girls' individual title is poised to be one of the most unpredictable and competitive in recent memory. With last year's champion, Elizabeth Merritt (Magazine), now graduated, the door is wide open for a new name to be etched into the history books.
The front-runner heading into Saturday is Emma Kivell (Kingston), who has emerged as the top contender thanks to her season-best time of 21:17.79, the fastest among all 1A runners in 2025. A veteran of the state meet, Kivell placed 7th last year and has shown marked improvement, including a win at the Clarksville Panther Invitational. Her teammate, LeeLou Kilbourn, also returns as a top-10 finisher from 2024 and has clocked a solid 22:23.37, positioning Kingston with a powerful 1-2 punch up front.
However, Missy Wilson (Viola) is right on her heels and could be the biggest threat. After placing 3rd at last year's state meet in 21:37, she has shaved over 10 seconds off her time this fall, running a season-best 21:26.11. Her blend of experience and closing strength makes her a true title contender.
