Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
CAMREN FISCHER
>> WHY HE WON
While Fayetteville High School junior Camren Fischer is making a run for the finish line, his mad dash has led him to breaking records and qualified him for prestigious events — and he isn’t done yet. Fischer, 5-10, continues to set the bar higher in his cross-country endeavors, as he has once again been named All-Arkansas Preps Outstanding Boys Cross Country Player of the Year. “I’m very happy to win this award again,” Fischer said. “I remember going to the banquet last year, and it was super fun, so I was really excited, and I’m looking forward to attending the banquet again.” Fischer’s mother, Kim, was overjoyed and proud that he won this award again. “This is just one of many goals that Camren has set for himself this year,” Kim Fischer said. She added that Camren has not lost a race in Arkansas since he was in the ninth grade. Other goals that he achieved included being the first Arkansas cross-country runner to qualify for the Foot Locker National Meet in California, qualifying for the Nike Nationals in Oregon, as well as being a two-timed Arkansas Gatorade Cross Country Runner of the Year. “He has a special gift, athletically, but if he did not put in the hours, there is no way he would have reached these goals,” coach Michelle Fyfe said. “He has been named captain for next year.” In April this year, Camren Fischer won the Distance Triple at the state track meet, which is incredibly difficult, as it means he won the 1,600-, 800- and 3,200-meter races, which all took place within 2.5 hours of each other. “Running tests me and tests what I can do,” Fischer said. “I really don’t know what I’m capable of yet.” He is ranked No. 1 in the indoor state 1,600, 3,000 and 3,200 races. Currently, his plans are to focus on having stronger outdoor track meets, as he desires to be ranked higher nationally. Earlier this year, Fischer ran the 5K course at the Oaklawn Park infield in Hot Springs in 15:44.2 seconds, 26 seconds faster than any other runner at the meet. “Camren has decided to become more serious about running and is pushing himself even harder now in his junior year,” Fyfe said. “He wants to be the best, and he is willing to do the work to get there. In 25 years of coaching, he is by far the most coachable, talented and kind boy I have coached.”