Hernandez Brings State Success to 2026 Class
Ozark Catholic senior Keilee Hernandez was a region runner-up in the 800, 1600, and 3200 in 2025.
BENTONVILLE - Keilee Hernandez was announced Tuesday as the latest commit to NWACC's Class of 2026 in cross country and track and field.
Coming from Ozark Catholic Academy in Tontitown, Ark., Hernandez boasts five top-three finishes at the 2A Region 1 level across cross country and track events in 2025 alone.
"I'm really excited to see where NWACC takes me and how I can improve in the future," Hernandez said. "I didn't really think I would be running in college, even this summer."
In cross country, her 5k personal record is a 22:45.96, set in 2024. She boasts top times of 2:49:83 in the 800, 6:34:41 in the 1600, and 14:35.66 in the 3200.
"We had a good student-athlete come from that school, Joseph Ramirez," said head coach Josphat Boit. "So we're really excited to have her. She will fit in really well and she's a hard worker, a hard-working kid."
After assuming she wouldn't be able to run collegiately, she learned about the possibility of running at NWACC and the partnership quickly materialized for both parties.
"It's [about] giving these kids opportunity," Boit said. "This is our home, and we want to keep the kids who still want to be part of a team and continue doing what they love to do."
Hernandez will begin her career as an Eagle with the 2026 Cross Country season in the fall. In the meantime, NWACC Track and Field kicks off in February, with schedule and roster details available at NWACCEagles.com.
