HOT SPRINGS -- Fayetteville sophomore Camren Fischer had his sights set on a state record.
He settled for a dominating victory in the Class 7A segment of the Arkansas state cross country meet.
Fischer (15:40.8) posted the day's best time on the 5,000-meter course on the Oaklawn Park infield, 19 seconds better than runner-up Jessie Ramirez of Rogers but far short of Brendan Taylor's 2013 record of 15:14.7.
"The plan was that I was going to give a shot at the state record," Fischer said. "I knew I had to get out quick today because most of the people today would be running for place and not for time. I knew I had to get out in front of the pack. I was somewhat content with it but I think I could have done better."
Ramirez led a Rogers team that placed four runners in the Top 10 to earn its third state title in the past four years. The Mounties finished with 39 points. Fayetteville was second with 51.
Fischer, who has a personal best of 15:20.07, established a 10-second lead on a 65-degree day with an 8 mph breeze that did little to hamper the runners.
"I'm not going to say I'm disappointed with a sub-16 day," Fischer said. "I thought it was a good race, but personally I thought I could have done better. I just think next year I'll be ready for it. I need to get in better shape."
Morrilton sophomore Alex Zangara (16:18.3), running his first high school state meet, moved to Morrilton from New Mexico where his tiny high school did not participate in cross country.
"I didn't have a timed goal," Zangara said. "I just knew if I ran my hardest, a good time would come. ... I'm very pleased with my time. It was a lot better than I expected."
Zangara took the lead with a half mile remaining and finished four seconds ahead of Maumelle's Dylan Douglas and Harrison's Seth Waters.
"My strategy was to take over the lead and get about a five-second lead," Zangara said. "I thought that would break them and that would give me the race."
Maumelle won its second title in three years, placing three runners in the top 10 and scoring 44 points. Harrison was second with 66 points.
Lake Hamilton sophomore Colby Swecker (16:40.7) led a 1-2-3 finish in the Wolves' run to the Class 6A title. Swecker finished 21 seconds ahead of teammate Skylar Davis.
"I got first, but my stomach was hurting the whole race," Swecker said. "If I was feeling better I might have been able to run a 16:14 or 16:15. I ran a 16:20 here two weeks ago."
Lake Hamilton won the team competition with 24 points. Greenwood edged out Siloam Springs for second, 80 to 82.
Jessieville junior Noah Eskew (16:30.9) won his third consecutive Class 3A title. He finished 32 seconds ahead of Green Forest's Patrick Hunter.
Eskew's winning time was 17 seconds better than his time of a year ago.
"Actually I thought I could have beaten 16 this year," Eskew said. "But I'll take it."
Hunter was followed by teammates Rafael Rosales and Gabriel Ramos, leading Green Forest to its third consecutive team title. The Tigers finished with 28 points. Runner-up Genoa Central had 100 points.
Parker Ables (16:38.7) led Heber Springs to the Class 4A title. Ables checked in 30 seconds ahead of Cave City's Kendall Townsley. The Panthers scored 39 points. Runner-up Huntsville scored 66.
Salem's Trevor Falco (16:51.9), who finished fourth in the 2015 state meet, outdueled Conway Christian's Bennett Pascoe down to the wire for a two-second victory in the Class 1A/2A meet.
Ouachita won the team title with 91 points. Runner-up Eureka Springs compiled 125.
Sports on 11/13/2016