Three-Time Region Champ Joins Class of 2026
Distance runner Ben Frederick will join NWACC from Ozark Catholic Academy in the fall after an illustrious high school career.
BENTONVILLE - Ben Frederick was announced Tuesday as the latest member of the Class of 2026 with NWACC Cross Country and Track and Field.
"I'm excited to build and grow this kid," said assistant coach Chris Weller. "I've watched him run for four years and he's a great kid of character."
A senior at Ozark Catholic Academy in Tontitown, Ark., Frederick will join in the fall following what has already been an accomplished high school career. He was second invididually at the 2025 Arkansas State Cross Country Championships with the Griffins after setting 16:54.75 as his PR earlier in the year.
"I'm going to work my butt off [and] try to continue what they've already built [at NWACC]," Frederick said. "Honestly, when I was visiting, I really just loved the coaches," Frederick said. "It's going to be nice to stay home, too, but it's just the coaches that really inspired me to come here."
Ozark Catholic won four consecutive region cross country titles between 2021 and 2024, as Frederick's Class of 2026 contributed heavily to a period of dominance on the course for the Griffins.
"When you recruit from any program that's won multiple state titles back to back, there's definitely a level of discipline and commitment that's been taught to those kids," Weller said.
Frederick also finished second at the state level in the 1600 meters in 2025 and third in the 3200 meters. He was crowned region champion in the 800 and 3200 in 2025.
"It's kind of a no-brainer," Weller said. "We know that he's going to show up and do the best we can do."
Frederick's best times in track events include 2:12.29 in the 800, 4:44.38 in the 1600, and 10:45.65 in the 3200.
Frederick will join the Cross Country program in the fall after graduating from OCA. In the meantime, NWACC Track and Field kicks off in February, with schedule and roster details available at NWACCEagles.com.
