Fayetteville XC runner Hudson Betts wins Gatorade Arkansas POY
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (BVM) — The Fayetteville Bulldogs have had a dominant streak of late when it comes to cross country awards. Five out of the last six Gatorade Arkansas Cross Country Player of the Year awards have been won by athletes from Fayetteville High School. The latest being Hudson Betts.
“I dreamed about it [winning Gatorade Player of the Year],” Betts said. “Being awarded that [it felt like everything came full-circle]. It’s really cool to see my hard work pay off.”
Way to go @hudson__betts on winning Gatorade Runner of the Year! #gatoradepoy @Gatorade pic.twitter.com/1psLciDpQO
— FHS XC & Distance (@fayxcdistance) January 31, 2022
The 6-foot junior captured the Class 6A state championship individually with a time of 15:50.28. It was nine seconds faster than the next runner and he helped the Bulldogs take second as a team in the state meet.
“He works his tail off,” Fayetteville head cross country Michelle Fyfe said. “He’s a fighter and he gives 100% all the time. He’s graceful, but he also works for it.”
His work continued to pay off as he wasn’t beaten by any in-state competitor. Betts also earned third-team all-south region honors by finishing 36th at the Eastbay South Regional Championships. Betts also had Arkansas’ best time of 15:23 at the national competition; the Garmin RunningLane Cross Country Championships Silver race.
“Hudson ran at a very high level this season,” Bentonville High School head cross country coach Mike Power said in a Gatorade press release. “He is a dedicated athlete who not only performs for his individual accolades, but is a team player as well.”
Betts is always looking to get better and one way he continues to do that is by learning lessons from former Bulldog runner Jack Williams.
“Jack was so passionate about running,” Betts said. “He spent [every second] thinking about how he could be better, so getting to talk to him was really good for me. So I really praise Jack Williams a lot [for helping motivate me].”
Fyfe has coached Williams, Betts and even coached three-time Gatorade Arkansas Cross Country Player of the Year, Camren Fischer.
“Cam was great to have [around] because he was such a great mentor and a leader,” Fyfe said. “[And] having Jack as a mentor really helped Hudson. He was able to see how hard Jack worked and what paid off for him.”
In addition to having Williams and Fischer teach him, Hudson also learned from his brother, Carter Betts.
“It starts with my brother,” Hudson said. “I’ve always liked running and I’ve played other sports that have included running like soccer. But when my brother joined the cross country, I went to one of his meets and I really liked the environment… When I look back, I don’t think I would’ve done anything else.”
His performances on the cross country course have been marvelous, but Betts has also done remarkable work when he’s not running. Hudson maintained a 3.68 GPA in the classroom and has volunteered with the Special Olympics. He also is a member of the Fayetteville High Dawg Crew, which helps with freshman orientation.
As the spring sports season continues toward its pinnacle, Betts will be eyeing to continue his cross country career moving into his senior year. He still believes he has a lot to improve upon and with the help of Coach Fyfe and the encouragement of his teammates, Hudson can accomplish anything he sets his mind to.
“Coach Fyfe is great,” Hudson said. “She’s been a great coach for me. [And] I need to take it one step further. I [feel like] I need to up my miles, so I’m going to go to those national meets and really [do my best to] compete with those amazing athletes.”
