ROGERS — Several of Arkansas’ top cross-country runners chose to compete at the Nike South regional championships in Houston, rather than take part in the Arkansas-Oklahoma Cross Country Challenge on Saturday.
Prep Cross Country
Arkansas-Oklahoma All-Star Cross Country Challenge
at Rogers High
Boys
Team
Arkansas 79, Oklahoma 109.
Individual
1, Grant Williams, Lake Hamilton 16:11.36.
2 Cody Jones, Jenks, Okla. 16:17.52.
3, Daniel Evans, Shiloh Christian 16:23.54.
4, Ben Barrett, Norman, Okla. North 16:26.16.
5, Baylor Harvey, Cleveland, Okla. 16:26.78.
6, Brendan Taylor, Little Rock Catholic 16:30.52
7, Carter Shelton, Valley View 16:31.23
8, Colton Green, Henryetta, Okla. 16:33.44
9, Elijah Knight, Russellville 16:34.24
10, Tristan Owens, Oologah, Okla. 16:36.77
It didn’t keep Arkansas from knocking off Oklahoma 79-109 at the Rogers High course.
Lake Hamilton’s Grant Williams put on a charge in the final quarter mile to win the 5K race with a time of 16 minutes, 11.36 seconds, edging freshman Cody Jones of Jenks, Okla.
Williams, the Class 6A state champion, Jones and Shiloh Christian’s Daniel Evans, the 5A champion, all traded the lead throughout the race, but Williams came through late.
Arkansas showed great depth to win the team competition as its nine scorers all finished in the top 15.
The senior from Lake Hamilton raised his index finger in the air as he crossed the finish line, but admitted he was running on fumes late in the race.
“I thought he was gonna run off and leave me,” Williams said, pointing at Jones.
Williams was shocked to learn Jones was only a freshman.
“What? He’s gonna be fast,” Williams said.
However, Jones, who was the Class 6A state runnerup, admitted he probably went out a little fast early in the race.
The freshman was still pleased with how he ran after suffering a calf injury at the Oklahoma Meet of Champions.
“For the training I got, I ran amazing,” Jones said. “I ran well. This course is tougher. Our state course is a lot easier, flatter.”
Evans said he tried hard to keep up with Williams and Jones but ultimately came up a little short. However, he came away smiling too since he finished with a personal best time.
It was also a much better finish for Williams and Evans, who both ran in the All-Star event a year ago. Williams finished 15th, while Evans was 24th.