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Commentary.......Message from the Publishers: Coaches 2001 Cross Country Scouting Report

8/24/2001

The following is a cross country preview for each classification in the state of Arkansas from coaches within each classification. We hope that this helps you!

2001 Cross Country Preview for Arkansas AAAAA by Clint Pevril (MountainHome)

BOYS:
Team Contenders(& 2000 place):
Russellville(3rd)
Mountain Home(State Champions)
Rogers(State Runner-up)
Lake Hamilton(

Individual Contenders(& 2000 place):
Eric Brock-Russellville(6th place)
Jake Conley-Rogers(7th)
Burt Hicks- Lake Hamilton(8th)

Boys Summary: After loosening Rogers stranglehold at the top last year, the Mountain Home Bombers have some rebuilding to do after losing four seniors. They had a crop of talented sophomores last year so this years squad will have no experienced seniors. Russellville returns virtually their whole squad that finished 3rd a year ago. They should be the favorites on paper to win for the first time since 1996. Other teams in Arkansas have learned through the years to never discount the Rogers Mountie squads. The race for the individual title should be extremely close. Eric Brock(Russellville) is the top returnee from a year ago but runners such as Roger's Jake Conley and Lake Hamilton's Burt Hicks among others will also challenge for the title.

GIRLS:
Team Contenders(& 2000 place):
Bentonville(State Champions)
Rogers(3rd)
Lake Hamilton(6th)
Mountain Home(4th)
Fayetteville(State Runner-up)
Bryant(5th)

Individual Contenders(& 2000 place):
Jamie Owensby- Bentonville(State Champion)
Jessi Barnes-Bentonville(3rd)
Liz Santos- Rogers(4th)
Beth Madson- Lake Hamilton(ill)

Girls Summary:
The Bentonville Lady Tigers have won four state titles in a row. Coached by former Razorback great Joe Falcon, Bentonville has built a strong program. Losing only one senior, they are led by senior and defending champion Jamie Owensby. Much like last years race there are many teams close together who could challenge should Bentonville falter. These teams include Rogers, Lake Hamilton, Mountain Home, Fayetteville, and Bryant. Bentonville has another individual who actually beat her team mate Owensby last year named Jessi Barnes. Lake Hamilton's Beth Madson and Rogers Liz Santos are excellent frontrunners.

2001 Class AAAA Cross Country Preview by Bill Ward (Siloam Springs)

AAAA Boys: Siloam Springs will be looking to win their 5th straight State Championship. Siloam Springs coach Bill
Ward will be looking for his 19th State Title as a coach. Siloam Springs won by a confortable 85 point margain last year. They are vulnerable since this is the 1st year they do not return any All-State Runners. Greene Co. Tech and Vilonia look like the early favorites to push Siloam Springs off of their throne. 2000 Runner-up Hot Springs could be in the hunt too. Chris Petrancosta of Hot Springs and Taylor Munro of Vilonia are the early favorites to win the individual title.

AAAA Girls: Harrison under the tuteledge of Coach Bill Burge will be looking to win their 9th straight State
Championship. Harrison will be hard-pressed to reload as they lost 5 out of their top 7 runners from last year's squad to graduation. Siloam Springs who where the 2000 Runner-up could press Harrison if they continue their improvement from the previous season. Vilonia and Batesville could provide strong challenges for Harrison too. Laura Inseell of Batesville is the early individual favorite after leading for 1.5 miles in 2000 then fading to 3rd. Jessalyn Halstead of Harrison or Britney Knight of
Vilonia could push Insell for that top spot.

2001 Class AAA Cross Country Preview by Ken Krumwiede (Berryville)

BOYS

Contenders (& 2000 place)

Berryville (1st)
Eureka Springs (3rd)
DeQueen (4th)
Heber Springs (2nd)
West Fork (5th)

Top runners (& 2000 place)

William Prettyman, West Fork (1st)
Michael Simkins, Berryville (3rd)
Miguel Gil, Berryville (4th)
Ashton Thurman, Eureka Springs (6th)
Cesar Lemus, Berryville (7th)

After claiming their fifth straight Cross Country State Championship in 2000, the Berryville Bobcats look like the team to beat in 2001. Berryville returns 8 of their top 9 from last years squad, including 3 All-State runners. Who will challenge Berryville? Last years runner-up, Heber Springs, graduated four of their top six runners, so look at the Bobcats rival Eureka Springs and a young DeQueen team to be the top contenders. State champion William Prettyman of West Fork returns for his senior campaign, but whether the Tigers have enough depth to challenge for the team title remains to be seen.

GIRLS

Contenders (& 2000 place)

Berryville (1st)
Dover (2nd)
DeQueen (3rd)
Southside Batesville

Top runners (& 2000 place)

Sheena Metz, Dover (1st)
Jana Derlikowski, Pulaski Academy (2nd)
Megan Metz, Dover (3rd)
Lauren Ellis, Berryville (4th)
Lauren Smith, Eureka Springs (5th)

The Berryville Lady Bobcats captured their fourth straight State Championship last year despite having only one girl finish in the top ten. However, Berryville returns the core their team and look to be the team to beat, but it's not all locked up. If Dover can find depth to support their front three, all of whom placed in the top ten, Berryville could lose their top spot. DeQueen fielded a young team last year that showed promise and will definitely be a title contender. Look out for Southside Batesville! They brought four freshmen to the state meet with three finishing in the top twenty. Another couple of runners and Southside Batesville is in the picture.

2001 Cross Country Preview for Arkansas AA-A by David Keith Willsey (Acorn)

Boys:
Team contenders(& 2000 place):
Acorn(State Champions)
Pottsville(State Runner-up)
Crowley's Ridge Academy(3rd)
Harding Academy(4th)

Individual Contenders(& 2000 place)
Brandon Cross- Acorn(5th)
Joey McGarrah- Winslow (6th)
Chris Cottman- Acorn (7th)

Team Summary Boys:
Four of the last five years the team title has come down to Acorn and Pottsville. With Acorn gathering 3 titles and Pottsville one and 2 runner-ups. This year it looks like the same as both teams return some of their top runners. CRA and Harding Academy had very young teams and could be a surprise by the time of state. Individual honors are up for grabs, as no dominate runner returns. Acorn's Brandon Cross is the top returner, but Winslow's Joey McGarrah finished the year winning the Class A 3200 Meter run.

Girls:
Team Contenders(& 2000 place):
Harding Academy(State Champion)
Decatur(State Runner-up)
Magnet Cove(3rd)
Genoa Central(4th)

Individuals(& 2000 place)
Ashley Dixon- Harding Academy(Champion 2000)
Dianne Miller- Pea Ridge(2nd)
Annie Miller- Shiloh Christian(3rd)

Team Summary Girls

The top four teams top runners were all underclassmen last season. Harding should be the early season favorite, but the other top teams with development of their young talent could surprise and come out on top. Decatur who was the 2000 runner-up and won it in 1999, may be looking to return, with the state meet being close to home.

Individual Girls:

The top four were all underclassmen and were lead by the 2000 champion Ashley Dixon of Harding. Dianne Miller was second and could look for the title coming off a win in the 3200 meter run at the Meet of Champions. Ashley Henson of Alpena and Andrea Hobbs of Decatur will be seniors and may try to finish out on top.

We are always interested in hearing from you, so please do not hesitate to send your comments to kellyfam@cox-internet.com.