BENTONVILLE — Camden McClellan surveyed a familiar curve on the Rogers High School cross country course last Tuesday, a landmark that stood out amid the bluster of the 6A-West Conference championship meet. Bentonville’s cross country program claimed both the boys and girls team titles, sweeping the conference hardware for a dominant night on the Rogers gravel. McClellan, a key figure for the Bentonville boys, specifically noted a certain mark on the track during his run. For the Lady Bears, O’Daniel anchored the team performance, keeping Bentonville in sync with the lead pack throughout the race. The sweep at Rogers High represents the pinnacle of the West Division schedule. The course, known for its rolling terrain and distinct downhill sections, drew the state’s top runners to Rogers for a Tuesday showdown. For the visiting teams, the Rogers High layout presents a specific challenge—one often discussed in the car rides to and from meets across Northwest Arkansas. The rhythmic crunch of shoes on loose gravel and the sharp turn at the half-mile mark are etched into the memory of anyone who has logged miles on this circuit. Ly Le crossed the finish line first for Fort Smith Southside, becoming the first Lady Maverick to complete the course. Her 14th-place individual finish stood out in a populated women’s race that featured heavy competition from West Division rivals. No other Southside runners featured in the results set, making Le’s effort a singular bright spot for the Fort Smith squad. The depth of the 6A-West usually dictates the outcome of these conference meets. Bentonville’s ability to spread its talent across the top of the pack ensured they did not have to rely on just one runner to carry the load. The Cardinals and Tigers often vie for conference supremacy, and Tuesday’s result reinforced that dynamic. The air at Rogers was thick with the smell of dried leaves and athletic exhaustion, typical of an October afternoon in Northwest Arkansas. The energy in the grandstands and along the rougher portions of the course was relentless, the
Source: NWA Democrat Gazette
