Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
CAMREN FISCHER
WHY HE WON:
A sophomore from Fayetteville High School has run away with the 7A cross-country state title and has set the pace for years to come. Camren Fischer won the title at the Oaklawn Park Infield in November with a time of 15:40.8. He has also been named the inaugural All-Arkansas Preps Cross Country Player of the Year. “Being so young, it’s kind of overwhelming at first, just trying to be a high schooler and also having [the championship],” he said. “You have to get used to it at some point, and it becomes part of your life.” Fischer, 5-8, finished the state meet 19 seconds better than runner-up Rogers High School senior Jessie Ramirez. Fischer said that while he’s only a sophomore, he has been able to adapt to his early success. Fischer, who was named the 2016 Gatorade Runner of the Year and Wendy’s Cross Country Player of the Year, said the team trains every day after school, and he trains either Saturday or Sunday on his own. Fischer said he became interested in running and cross country in the fourth grade, when he ran the mile for the first time. He finished in 7:36, and his coaches encouraged him to pursue running. Fischer is ranked 14th among sophomores in the United States and 184 among all grades. “I try to have a game plan going into the race,” he said. “As it’s unfolding during the race, I try to think how I can stick to the game plan — how
I can maintain it, and if something suddenly happens, how to adapt to it, so I can get back on the game plan.” His father, Tim Fischer, had also been a runner, so he tried to get Camren to run more, too. “It’s an overwhelming feeling just to watch him get out there and do what he loves to do,” Tim said. “I think the world of him. He’s a great kid.” Not only is Camren successful in sports; but he’s also successful in the classroom and carries a 4.0 grade point average, said Coach Michelle Fyfe. “He’s wonderful; he’s an incredible kid,” she said. “He’s a great runner, which is nice, but he’s an even better person. That’s when you know you’re blessed with a truly fantastic runner on your hands. I have not seen a fault in this kid.” Fyfe said that while he’s only a sophomore, Camren helps lead the cross country team by the example he sets with his dedication. “He doesn’t sucumb to peer pressure, at all,” she said. “He’s out there every day. Everybody loves him. He’s funny, he’s sweet, he’s a great kid and he’s out there on the track every day giving it 100 percent.” Camren has also had success in regional events. In October, he finished the Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival, one of the largest cross-country festivals in the United States, in third place, and in November, he finished 21st in the Nike Cross National South Region cross-country race
[Winning this award] was surprising, especially as a sophomore. There were a lot of good runners who were seniors this year.”