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Arkansas, we're back!
It's been a quick start to the outdoor track and field season in the Natural State and some of Arkansas' brightest stars have already begun to shine. Today, our focus shifts to the middle school talent starting to emerge.
As always, the spring seems to slip by before we even notice that it started. Here are some of the state's top middle school performers just a couple of days into the outdoor season.
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Sprint Events - Leaders
Kylon White (J.A. Fair Prep) - Perhaps the most dangerous hurdler is back for another middle school season, following a win and 2nd-place finish in the two hurdle events at the LRSD MS All-City Invitational last season. He also finished 3rd in the 100m hurdles at the AAU Junior Olympics.
August Edwards (Washington) - He is the fastest returning sprinter from middle school last season, owning top marks in the 100m, 200m, and 400m dash events. Across the three events, Edwards scored 7 wins in 11 races and is currently AR MS #1 in the 100m.
Jeremiah Lee (Pine Bluff Track Club) - The rising 7th grader is the top returner in his grade in the 100m, 200m, and 400m dash events, and with another year of experience, he looks to build off his pair of wins in the AAU Region 16 Qualifier.
Bailee Hinton (Speed Track Club) - The top returning sprinter from the 6th grade capped off a successful first track & field season at the AAU Junior Olympic Games, highlighted by a 3rd place finish in the 100m dash, running a 12.58.
Irony Larry (MacArthur) - She is the top returner from the 7th grade in the 100m and 200m dash events, as well as the high jump, and scored three wins across four events at the NEA Jr. High Conference meet (200m dash, High Jump, and Long Jump).
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Field Events - Leaders
Easton Condron (BCA) - He is the top returner from 7th grade in the pole vault and long jump and won 8 of his 9 appearances in the pole vault. The rising 8th grader capped off an incredibly strong indoor season, which resulted in a win in the long jump at the Galleria Games in Alabama.
Jamiyah Davis (Watson Chapel) - The rising 7th grader is the top returner in the triple jump competed in the event just once last season at the Jr. Hornet Relays, staying competitive with several 7th and 8th graders.
Collins Gunter (Russellville) - She is the top returner from the 7th grade in the two throws events, winning 8 events across 12 competitions in the discus and shot put.
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Distance Events - Leaders
Griffin D'Angelo (Fulbright) - He is the fastest returning middle schooler in the 800m and 1,600m races and is coming off a strong cross country season last fall, running a 10:40 in the 2-mile en route to a 2nd place finish at the Sugar Creek Showdown.
Owen Xavier Many (Fulbright) - Coming off a 3rd place finish at the Bentonville Winter Festival, running a 2:10.74, the rising 8th grader will look to continue building off a strong 2025 season.
Augusta Hesselgren (Haas Hall Academy) - As of Wednesday, she leads all Arkansas middle school runners in the 400m dash, having run a 1:00.82. Last season, as a 6th grader, she also finished the season leading in the 1,500m and 200m hurdles events, making her one of the most talented middle schoolers across all disciplines.
Madison Plumlee (Central Arkansas Christian) - She is the current AR MS #1 in the 800m and 1,600m events following a pair of wins at the Harding University JH Invitational last week.