HOT SPRINGS -- Gracie Hyde had a multitude of things going against her Saturday afternoon. The junior was not only Lonoke's lone representative at the Class 4A state cross country meet at the Oaklawn Park infield, but she also was running in the meet suffering from mononucleosis.
Despite the handicaps, Hyde's time of 19:47.5 was good enough to earn her a state title.
"I've been dealing with mono for the last six weeks, so I was just glad I was able to run," said Hyde, who won the 800 and 1,600 meter runs for Brookland last spring. "I didn't know if I could compete in this race, but I knew I wanted it."
Hyde said her previous race before Saturday was four weeks ago in Batesville. She completed that race in 24 minutes.
"I had full-blown mono in that race and it nearly killed me," Hyde said.
On Saturday, Hyde found the strength to outlast the competition, beating runner-up Bekah Bostian of Prairie Grove by four seconds. Bostian was the 2015 Class 4A champion.
Hyde said her only track experience prior to two years ago had been two track meets a year in junior high. At Brookland, she was the only girl on the track team.
"My dad got involved and he really sparked my interest in running," Hyde said. "He took me to indoor meets, outdoor meets and when he mentioned that I try cross country, I said 'I'm there.' I've really fell in love with running."
Heber Springs won the team title with 63 points. Berryville was the runner-up with 72.
Bentonville sophomore Tori Willis posted the best time of the day, running a 19:02.5 to win the Class 7A title. She was six seconds better than sisters Halle and Aubre Gilreath of Rogers.
"I had a really bad race at the conference meet and I just wanted to prove I was better than that," Willis said.
Willis led Bentonville's charge to its third consecutive state title. The Lady Tigers scored 36 points to edge out Fayetteville's 45 for the title.
Lake Hamilton junior Josie Carson won the Class 6A title for the third consecutive year, but posted her worst time of the three years. Carson ran the course in 19:41.9 and won Saturday's meet by 22 seconds. Charissa Helms of Russellville finished second.
"I knew this would be a tough race and just had to push myself," Carson said. "It does feel nice to win it three times in row. ... It's actually the slowest of the three times I've won, but I think I can keep improving."
Siloam Springs won the team title for the third consecutive year. The Lady Panthers won with 33 points while Lake Hamilton was second with 49.
Batesville freshman Jillian Jones captured the Class 5A title with a time of 19:47.7. She finished 31 seconds ahead of runner-up Bryn Westby of Vilonia.
Little Rock Christian won the 5A team title with 59 points and Vilonia was second with 87 points.
Jamison Maass, a freshman at Haas Hall Bentonville, was the Class 1A/2A winner with a time of 19:33.7, two seconds better than runner-up Gabi Bloch of Eureka Springs. Quitman was the team champion with 36 points, followed by Acorn with 53 points.
Greenland's Shelby Bowman was the Class 3A winner with a time of 20:29.9. Bowman had finished fourth in the state meet a year ago.
Tera Frost of team champion Genoa Central (37 points) was the runner-up with a time of 20:35.9. Green Forest was the runner-up with 82 points.
Sports on 11/13/2016