Fayetteville squads sweep Class 6A boys, girls state track meets

By Jeff Halpern | Photos by Ted McClenning 

LITTLE ROCK — Fayetteville High School’s boys and girls track teams were impressive in winning the Class 6A state meet at Scott Field Friday night.

The boys won with 148 points, topping Bentonville by seven points for their fifth consecutive title. The girls won with 191.50 points while Bentonville was second with 157.50 points.

“This was a very fun night,” said Fayetteville boys and girls head coach Drew Yoakum. “There have been years where you can’t share it with both squads and it’s hard to talk to them one at time, but tonight was fun because we all get to share in it.”

The boys were led by University of Arkansas football signee Isaiah Sategna, who despite performing with a sore hamstring, won four events. He set a meet record in the long jump by clearing 24 feet, 8 inches. He shared the 100 with Carson Tucker of Bentonville at 11.9 seconds. He won the 110 hurdles in 14.20 seconds and won the 300 hurdles in 38.36 seconds.

“It’s a blessing to be able to do this and win a state meet and set a meet record,” said Sategna. “I didn’t have my best times tonight. Part of it was having a head wind in the 300 hurdles but breaking the long jump record was a blessing.

“When I was a freshman, we lost the state indoor meet by one point, and I vowed never to end up on the losing side in a state track meet again.”

Yoakum said, “All year long, we knew what Isaiah was capable of doing and we’ve been having to manage his hamstrings by going on and off meets at times.”

In addition to Sategna, the Bulldogs were led by Hudson Betts, who who won the 3200 in 9:27.74 and was second in the 1600 in 4:16.76. Hunter Kemp (1:56.32) and Jackson Stobaugh (1:56.73) finished first and second in the 800. Cooper Williams won the high jump at 6-10, Brooks Young won the shot put at 54-3, Will Furlow was third in the pole vault at 13-6. The 4x800 relay team was third in 8:16.39 and the 4x200 was second in 1:30.94.

“Hudson has been our leader in the distance events and he makes the team work hard and ensures they give a great effort,” said Yoakum. “You know you have a great team when you are getting points from all over the place.”

Bentonville won the 4x200 relay (1:30.04), was second in the 4x100 relay (42.80), was second in the 4x800 (8:00.02) and was second in the 4x400 relay (3:24.86). Aidan McDaniel was second in the 3,200 (9:28.97), Thomas Hodges was second in the 300 hurdles (40.53), Ethan McCarthy was fourth in the 400 (50.36).

The girls were led by Hannah Estes, who won the pole vault at 12-0 along with the 110 hurdles at 14.77. Kessiah Bemis was second in the long jump at 18-6 3/4, second in the triple jump at 37-3 1/4, second in the 100 at 12.99, second in the 400 at 59.33 and first in the 300 hurdles at 45.20 seconds, In addition, Carson Wasemiller was second in the 3200 at 11:25.93 and third in the 1600 and 5:14.26. Julia Gunnell was third in the long jump at 18-2, second in the 100 hurdles at 15.17 and second in the 300 hurdles at 45.32.

“The big thing for the girls is we had six get points in the 100 hurdles and seven in the 300 hurdles and Bemis had a great night and Carson did a great jump in the 1,600 and 3,200, helping break up Bentonville’s points in both events,” said Yoakum.

“Hannah had a great night, winning the pole vault and then winning the 100 hurdles and coming in fourth in the 300 hurdles. This was all about the team and the togetherness they showed.”

Multiple-even winners in girls included Raghan Allen of Conway in the 100 (12.55) and 200 (25.17).