BENTON'S SAM IVINS COMPETES AT THE D1 REGION 1 MEET
Benton head cross country coach Bryson Matthews is excited about the future of his program. And why shouldn't he be? The Tigers had three of the top vote getters in MileSplit LA's Runner Of The Year Polls. The Tigers performance in the polls was highlighted by freshman Sam Ivins winning top honors as MileSplit LA Boys' Runner Of The Year.
While Ivins chased Benton's No. 1 Runner, junior Brody Hutchison, at practice and on race day during the 2024 season, Ivins had the support and the votes to pull past Hutchison in the post-season voting.
Ivins had 38,659 votes. Hutchison had 23,564 votes.
The good news for Matthews is that both will return in 2025.
"It shows we have some great talent and incredible community support," Matthews said. "The future is definitely bright for our program."
Ivins made the initial MileSplit LA Performer Of The Week poll during the regular season when he ran a personal record 16:45 at the Benton Classic. That time puts him at No. 18 among all freshmen in Louisiana.
"I knew that course well because we ran it all week," Ivins said. "I knew where I was on the course and who I was around. I didn't know what my time was because I decided to take my watch off. I think that helped."
"He is a hard worker who is dedicated to running," Matthews said about Ivins. "He works hard at everything he does--even in the classroom. I think in a couple of years you are really going to see him shine and be a leader in our program."
"It really means a lot," Ivins said about winning the honor. "I know that I can be in any race and I'm going to have some people who support me."
Hutchison also had a personal record at the Benton Classic with a time of 15:11 and ranks No. 6 among all junior boys in Louisiana.
While Ivins is looking forward to the upcoming track and field season, he is really excited about next cross country season.
"I'm very excited about next season," Ivins said. "We are going to have some runners coming up from the middle school. It's going to be fun. I'm pumped."
In the girls' poll, Benton junior Claire Allen, who won the first MileSplit LA Performer Of The Week poll of the year, finished as the runner-up. Ruston freshman Eden Dawsey won MileSplit LA Girls' XC Runner Of The Year.