AAA 6A Boys Recap: The Burns' Lead Bentonville To 9 Straight

2025 Arkansas 6A Boys Individual State Championship - Race Recap

Brian Burns didn't just win the 2025 6A state title; he seized it. The Bentonville senior and Missouri transfer capped off a flawless Arkansas debut season with a wire-to-wire victory at Oaklawn Park, crossing the line in 15:31.47 to claim his first and only state crown. Known for his blazing 14:59 at Chile Pepper and national-level pedigree, Burns delivered on the pre-race hype, setting an aggressive early pace and never relenting.

But this wasn't a solo act; it was a Burns family affair. Younger brother Sean Burns, just a sophomore, stormed to second place in 15:46.06, pulling away from a deep chase pack in the final mile. Their 1-2 finish marked one of the most dominant sibling performances in recent Arkansas history.

Coming in third was Alan Gallardo-Lopez of Fayetteville, the defending state champion and one of Arkansas' most reliable big-race runners. Though he couldn't repeat as champion, Gallardo-Lopez ran a strong 15:53.50, holding off a fast-closing Cael Underkoffler (15:59.33) of Bentonville West and Bentonville's Vini Pimentel (16:01.87).

The real story, however, was Bentonville's chokehold on the front of the race. Not only did they claim four of the top seven spots with Remington Morland (7th, 16:05) and Logan Hurley (9th, 16:14), they also placed six runners inside the top 14, showcasing their typical team depth. Their dominance overshadowed strong individual performances from others, including Zach Van Lear (Har-Ber, 16:05), Braden Palmer (Fort Smith Southside, 16:05), and Camden McClellan (Bentonville, 16:14), who rounded out the top 10.

Notably, Gallardo-Lopez still cemented his legacy by following up his 2024 win with another top-3 finish, showing poise in a deeper, faster field. His Fayetteville teammate Luca Brady (11th, 16:17) also made a leap, finishing higher than last year and contributing to the Bulldogs' strong team showing.

In a race packed with sub-16:00 talent and national-level speed, Brian Burns was in a class of his own, and the 2025 state meet will be remembered as the day he stamped his name permanently in Arkansas XC history.

2025 Arkansas 6A Boys Cross Country State Championship - Top 10 Individual Finishers

2025 6A Boys Team Race Recap

The 2025 Arkansas 6A Boys State Championship confirmed what most already suspected: Bentonville's dynasty is alive and well, and stronger than ever. With a staggering 24 points and an unfathomable five runners in the top nine, the Tigers delivered one of the most dominant team performances in state history.

National-caliber talent, senior Brian Burns, set the tone from the start, taking the race out hard and never relinquishing control en route to a 15:31.47 individual title. His younger brother, Sean Burns, followed closely in second (15:46.06), and teammates Vini Pimentel (5th, 16:01), Remington Morland (7th, 16:05), and Logan Hurley (9th, 16:14) sealed the team victory before most squads even had their top three finishers across the line. Bentonville's 1-5 average time of 15:51 and 43-second spread were elite, this was total domination from a team that continues to reload faster than any in the state.

Behind them, Bentonville West quietly turned in a remarkable team performance of its own, finishing runner-up with 70 points, led by Cael Underkoffler (4th) and a remarkably consistent pack of Caleb Sparks (12th), Will Brown (18th), and Neo Moreno (19th). Their 44-second 1-5 spread was the tightest in the field and a testament to the Wolverines' depth and development. They didn't have a true front-runner to match Bentonville's top two, but their cohesion and low compression secured them a second-place finish and a spot among the state's elite.

Fayetteville, led by defending champion Alan Gallardo-Lopez (3rd), rounded out the podium with 79 points. The Bulldogs ran a solid race up front with Luca Brady (11th) and Jonathan Mbugua (16th) close behind, but they couldn't quite match Bentonville's firepower or Bentonville West's pack compression. Still, their consistent top-five finishes once again proved why Fayetteville remains one of the state's perennial powerhouses.

Further down the standings, Fort Smith Southside (4th, 152 pts) impressed with a front-loaded lineup of Braden Palmer (8th) and Rhett Moss (13th), while Har-Ber (5th, 181 pts) was anchored by Zach Van Lear's (6th) top-tier finish. Jonesboro (6th) and Cabot (7th) rounded out a strong middle group, both buoyed by their dependable top runners, Harper Huckabee (15th) and Samuel Boyd (28th), respectively.

When the dust settled at Oaklawn Park, one thing was clear: Bentonville remains the gold standard of Arkansas cross country. With a combination of elite front-runners and remarkable depth, they didn't just win, they rewrote the blueprint for what team dominance looks like. Their eighth title since 2017 cements their place among the greatest dynasties in Arkansas high school athletics, and with the Burns brothers returning in 2026, the Tigers' reign shows no signs of slowing.