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They're young, they're hungry, and they may be the names we'll be talking about for years to come.
Who are the underclassmen lining up this year that may be household names in the next two to three years to come?
Here's MileSplit once again bringing you the news you can use!
About 30 miles northeast of Little Rock, the Eagles from Vilonia are starting practice in this heat under the direction of the great coaches: John Steward and Casey Craun.
Steward has over 30 years of coaching experience, the last 20 at Vilonia. He is not just some guy that merely wants to earn that coaching stipend. He was named the 2021 Track Coach of the Year, has served as president of the Arkansas Track & Field Hall of Fame, and was inducted into the Arkansas Track & Field Hall of Fame in 2025 for his coaching contributions.
Casey Craun is also a key piece of Vilonia's success. Coach Craun has over 22 years at Vilonia under his belt, and has spent years building the foundation at both the junior high level. Recently, Craun hosted a free girls' running clinic -- which drew over 40 participants -- focusing on young athletes in grades four through seven. Craun's focus was not only to build the future of the Eagles' running programs, but also to teach the fundamentals of the sport to anyone who cared to learn. The Vilonia Eagles have a long history of success, with more than 24 conference championships, three state championships, two state runner-up finishes, and an individual state champion in Emma Fowlkes.
Therefore, when Coach Steward and Coach Craun responded to my questions about underclassmen with star potential, I believe we should take note and start throwing these names around as well.
From Vilonia, those girls to watch include the following:
Abby Charles (sophomore) -- As a freshman, Charles finished 14th in 21:00.98 at the 2025 5A state cross country meet and holds a 5K XC PR of a 20:30.
Hailey Harlessand Beckett Stacy (freshmen) -- Both were in the top five for the Eagles during their 8th grade year.
Brynlee Jones (8th grade ) -- This is Jones' first season and is she is already holding her own. She is another athlete who competes very well with the other two. Coach Steward explains that if he were to line the three girls up today, "any one of them could finish first over the other two."
From the boys' side:
Logan Collier (sophomore) -- As an eighth grader in his first-ever cross country race, Logan finished seventh at the Little Rock Classic in 11:54.8 for two miles. As a freshman, he ran 17:43.37 for his 5K PR at the 5A Central Conference meet and finished the 5A state meet in 18:28.
Coach Craun says that Collier "consistently ran in the mid to lower 11's as a freshman" and now he "looks stronger and faster after a great spring on the track." Craun predicts that if Collier continues to put in the work, "he will no doubt be one of the top 20 runners in the 5A as a senior."
Coach Craun furthermore states that Cash McLaughlin, Christopher Jackson (both freshmen) return "poised to build on their 8th grade season."
Coach Steward says that these young athletes will all compete to be factors at both the conference and state levels. He believes that all four of them have a chance at being the champion in their division. The 5A Central Conference will be on their home turf.
Look for the Vilonia Eagles at Memphis Twilight next weekend and at Harding on September 12. The team also plans to compete at Chili Pepper in October.