MOUNTAIN HOME — Randy Ramaker was fairly sure of his Bentonvile Lady Tigers' repeat at the Class 7A State Cross Country Championships on Saturday at Mountain Home High.

He got a little extra surprise when his boys team also walked away with a state title.

"Oh, wow," said Ramaker when informed his Tigers had won. "That's awesome. First time since 1982. Yeah, baby. That's sweet."

On the boys side, the Tigers used depth to slip past a pair of 7A-West Conference foes for the victory. Bentonville won with 85 points, followed by Fayetteville with 94 and defending champion Rogers High with 99.

Ramaker said his top three runners -- Scott Compton, Will Aenchenbacher and Michael Haynie -- finished among the top 12 and the others "just kept running."

"Holy cow, they kept running," Ramaker said.

Individually, the boys race was a bit of a replay of the 7A-West Conference event as Springdale High's Gabe Gonzalez again outkicked Fayetteville's Austin Simkins for the win.

Gonzalez stayed on Simkins' tail throughout the race and ran past him with about 500 meters to go.

"I knew I was gonna get him," Gonzalez said.

Springdale coach Seneca Lassiter said Gonzalez again ran a very smart race.

"I knew (Simkins) would try to run away from him," Lassiter said. "He was doing everything he could to win the race. "I'm so excited for Gabe right now," he added. "For it to finish like this. I believe this is the first of many to come."

Ramaker said his Lady Tigers just did their jobs, racking up 40 points to easily top second-place Rogers with 85.

"Girls ran solid, packed it up, ran as a group," Ramaker said. "No one didn't do what we asked them to do. When that happens you usually win."

Pack up they did as the Lady Tigers put four runners in the top 10 led by senior Elenna Sanz in third. Defending individual champion Valerie Reina of Springdale Har-Ber, who won last year as a freshman, finished second behind Conway's Erika Setzler (19 minutes, 16.43 seconds).

In the other classes, there were several repeats.

Shiloh Christian dominated the 4A event, winning both team titles.

On the boys side, Shiloh's Andrew Evans won his second straight individual crown (17:04.44) to lead a 1-2-3-5 Saints' sweep.

Shiloh's team total was 25, followed by De Queen with 50 and defending champion Heber Springs at 67.

Evans easily outdistanced teammates Lucas Peiser (17:29.61) and Mason Richards (17:31.67). Evans' younger brother, Daniel, was fifth.

Shiloh won a tight girls' team race with 67 points, while Heber Springs was second at 80 and Huntsville third with 86.

Freshman Madison Elliott led Shiloh's girls with a second-place finish, well behind winner Lena Little of Dover.

The 3A meet was an all-Elkins affair.

Senior Grace Heymsfield blew away the field to win her fourth consecutive state title. Her time, disappointing by her standards, of 19:55.12 was more than 3 minutes ahead of the second-place finisher.

Despite the easy win, Heymsfield was not that happy with her race on a tough course. "I don't know what happened," she said. "It (the course) was really rough. I trained really well and I don't know why that didn't come out in my race.

"I got out really well, but I think after that the hills kinda got to me," Heymsfield added. "I was a little mentally weary going up so many hills."

She also helped lead Elkins to its second straight team title. The Lady Elkins put four runners in the top 12 to win with 29 points, easily outdistancing Prescott with 66.

Heymsfield's brother, Christian, picked up an individual title (17:16.18) and helped the team to a double. On the boys' side, Elkins put four in the top 13 to edge Green Forest 34-47. Christian Heymsfield finished second last year as a freshman.

Siloam Springs' boys won their second straight Class 5A state title, easily outdistancing Vilonia 36-90. Vilonia's Bowling Zak won the event and a teammate was eighth, but the Eagles' next highest finisher was at 27th.

The Panthers did it with depth, putting five in the top 13. Sophomore Trey Henry finished fourth to lead Siloam.

By The Numbers

Class 7A State Cross Country Championships

Saturday at Mountain Home

Boys Team Standings

Pos. Team Points

1. Bentonville 85

2. Fayetteville 94

3. Rogers High 99

4. Conway 119

5. Russellville 132

Boys Individual Results

1. Gabe Gonzalez, Springdale High 16:21.37

2. Austin Simkins, Fayetteville 16:29.32

3. Aidan Swain, Fayetteville 16:53.60

4. Scott Compton, Bentonville 16:57.73

5. Michael Allen, Russellville 16:58.04

Girls Team Standings

1. Bentonville 40

2. Rogers 85

3. Fayetteville 123

4. Rogers Heritage 134

5. Bryant 1 47

Girls Individual Results

1. Erika Setzler, Conway 19:16.43

2. Valerie Reina, Springdale Har-Ber 19:52.32

3. Elenna Sanz, Bentonville 20:00.59

4. Kate Bucknam, Fayetteville 20:14.75

5. Mary Kate Brelsford, Bentonville 20:23.24

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