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The Green Forest Tigers are back in the winner’s circle.
Led by sophomore Arauny Reyes’ runner-up performance, the Tigers placed five runners among the top 22 finishers to win the Class 3A boys state cross country championship on Friday, Nov. 4, at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs. It’s the Tigers’ fourth state title in nine years, but their first since they won their third consecutive in 2016.
Green Forest coach Kelby Harness credited her team’s depth for clinching the title. Three of the top 19 finishers in the individual race weren’t entered in the team race, so Green Forest was awarded points for placing five runners among the top 19.
“We knew Arauny was going to be in the first or second spot,” Harness said. “But it was really like our fourth, fifth and sixth runners. They got into the 19s, way better than they were the last few months so that really helped us a lot.”
Reyes covered the 5,000-meter course in 17 minutes, 27.74 seconds. He led most of the way before Jessieville junior Kaleb Eskew made a late pass and took first place in 17:24.52.
“Arauny was leading the whole time, but the last 400 (meters), the guy overtook him,” Harness said. “But he fought for it.”
Reyes was followed by teammates Joseph Duenas (12th, 18:51.50); Alonzo Rangel (15th, 19:11.99); Sergio Martinez (21st, 19:41.25); Eric Salazar (22nd, 19:42.50); Alex Alvarez (38th, 20:17.47); Chris Alvarado (47th, 20:47.58); Elvin Montoya (54th, 21:05.36); and Isaac Flores (121st, 26:26.00).
In the girls race, Green Forest’s Emily Sales was 53rd in 24:57.21. She was followed by Elena Quiroz (105th, 30:31.27) and Haddasah Reyes (112th, 32:01.21). The Lady Tigers didn’t have enough runners to compete in the team standings.
For the Green Forest boys, the state title was the ultimate reward for all those early-morning runs in the summertime when their classmates were sleeping in.
“There were a lot of tears,” Harness said of her team’s reaction to winning the championship. “They worked hard. We’ve been practicing since June. And this was the number one goal.”
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