On May 30, some of the best high school athletes in Western Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma will be recognized in downtown Fort Smith at a high caliber banquet. Among the many, will be five Mansfield athletes.
Representing the Mansfield Tiger football team will be Tyler Holmes and Ethan Stovall. From the Lady Tiger volleyball team will be Rylea Weaver. Faith Rainwater will attend under the MHS cross country team banner. Then, Caroline Nicodemus will cover the bases for the Mansfield softball team.
Holmes was an All-Conference receiver and defensive back for the Tiger gridiron squad. Stovall was an All-State selection as one of the premiere quarterbacks from the 3A-1 District.
Weaver was an All-District and All-State volleyball selection from the 3A West league. Rainwater earned All-District, All-Region, and All-State status as a long distance runner. Nicodemus was an award winning softball pitcher from the 3A-1W Conference and 3A state tournament.
This will be the third annual Best of Preps All-Star awards ceremony. It was developed by the Times Record in connection with several local business to celebrate the athletic achievements of high school students in the region. The event honors top performers from Sebastian, Logan, Crawford, and Scott Counties in Arkansas. It also pulls from Le Flore and Sequoyah Counties in Oklahoma.
Awards are handed out for 15 different sports. All-Star rosters, constructed through the observation of local sports writers, are announced at the banquet. Special recognition is also given to Outstanding Players of each sport, a Male and Female Athlete of the Year, and a Coach of the Year.
The Best of River Valley Preps are invited to attend the festivities which will include an appearance by three time Olympic Gold Medalist and two time World Champion Gymnast Gabby Douglas. Following a catered meal, the invited all-stars along with their family, friends, and the general paying public will have the honor to listen to an on stage interview session with Douglas.
Activities will take place at the Fort Smith Convention Center. Doors open at 5:45 PM with meals being served at 6:30 PM and the awards show being at 7:00 PM.
