Seniors James Haugh, Brayleigh McCubbin, Trace Nicholas, and Adalyn Staton
By Brandy Young
Magazine students, parents, and school staff gathered on Monday, May 15 for the 2nd Annual Rattler Scholars Banquet. This program rewards students in their freshman through senior years who have maintained a GPA of 3.5 or higher each semester. 43 students were recognized for their academic success this year and were presented with certificates and gifts to celebrate their achievements. This year’s guest speaker for the event was Dr. Brian Sheppard.
Dr. Brian Sheppard addresses his Alma mater
Dr. Sheppard was born and raised in Magazine, Arkansas, and is an Alumnus of J.D. Leftwich High School (now Magazine High School), Class of 2001. He earned his Doctor of Clinical Christian Counseling Psychology in 2009 from Emmanuel Baptist University in Wilmington, North Carolina. He is a licensed Family and Marriage Therapist with the American Christian Therapist Society. In 2006 he received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity, conferred at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. He owns Sheppard and Associates, LLC, a Christian Mental Health organization that offers therapy, counseling, and Church consultations. He is also the Senior Pastor of Park View Baptist Church in North Little Rock.
Freshman Mattie Terry with her 1st-Year Scholar teeSophomores Briare and Trinidy Harding with their 2nd-Year Scholar gifts
In 2020 “Doc Brian,” as he is known, became a mental health influencer on TikTok and Instagram, and launched a podcast, Doc Talks with Dr. Brian Sheppard, produced by SoundLounge Studios New York, NY. He has over 90 virtual properties encompassing nearly 10 million followers. In 2023 he will launch a web series and virtual content with Lifeword Media Ministries. Lifeword will broadcast his content in 147 languages with a potential listening audience of 3 billion people.
Dr. Sheppard spoke to the audience about the importance of kindness and the huge impact it can have on an individual, a community, and the world. He quoted Maya Angelou in stating, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” He also spoke about the removing the stereotypes surrounding mental health, assuring the students that no matter the path they are on, or how their plans may change, “you will survive, and you will make it through.”
“What a privilege to speak to the Rattler Scholars this year!” stated Sheppard. “So much has changed since I was a student, and the facilities are impeccable. I hope that everyone was encouraged and reminded that if we want to change the world, it starts with us being kind.”
Dr. Sheppard currently resides in North Little Rock with his wife, Jennifer, and son, Luke.
Mansfield High School’s softball team earn their ticket to the class 2A state finals with a 14-4 semi-final win over East Poinsett County.
The sound of thunder this past week wasn’t completely from the rainstorms that covered the area in recent days. Much of it was from the hot bats swung by Mansfield’s state finals bound Lady Tiger softball team.
With a 14-4 beat down of East Poinsett County on Saturday, May 13, Mansfield now packs its collective bags for a trip to the 2023 class 2A softball state finals to be held at the University of Central Arkansas.
Brooklyn Adams of Mansfield sets up to receive a pitch from Alyson Edwards in the state semi-finals softball game versus EPC.
“We have played some of our best ball in the tournament thus far,” said Mansfield center fielder Natalie Allison. “We’re hitting the ball well and our defense is on point.”
Allison, a senior with big time game experience under her belt, was obviously elated as were her Lady Tiger teammates, coaches, and fans.
Mansfield hammered home 28 runs in the first three rounds of the class 2A state tournament held in Greenland on May 11-13. After a close 4-3 victory over the Bigelow Panthers in game one, MHS heated up with 24 runs over the next 2 days and 12 innings. That included a quarter-finals 10-3 victory over the McCory Jaguars.
Alyson Edwards checks the dugout for a pitch call.
“Right now we are zoned in and playing the best ball we have played in our softball career,” expressed Brooklyn Adams after the semi-final game versus EPC. “I’m so proud of my teammates and the family we have made this season.”
Adams plays catcher for the Lady Tigers and recently committed to play softball next season for Carl Albert State College.
Sophomore second baseman Trinity Triska scans the field versus EPC in the class 2A state tournament.
Battery mate Alyson Edwards has been in the circle throughout the state tournament. Not only has her command of the pitches held opponents to four scores or less through the first three rounds, her bat has sizzled too.
In the semi-finals matchup against EPC, Edwards launched a three run rocket over the left field fence to put Mansfield firmly in control.
“Alyson is doing a great job pitching as always,” pointed out Allison about her junior teammate. “She really does bring us the momentum for the game. We always want to back her up the best we can.”
Senior Natalie Allison runs the base path putting pressure on the EPC defense.
Sophomore second baseman Trinity Triska confirmed the same sentiments as her older senior teammate as it pertains to backing up teammates. It was Triska that scored the 14th run for Mansfield ending the semi-finals game with a run rule decision in the bottom of the sixth inning.
“It’s always good to know you have your team behind you on the field and cheering for you in the box,” expressed Triska. “We’ve created a bond that helps us stay encouraging and fun to be around yet stay disciplined.”
Mansfield started the season with a modest 4-3 record. Early losses came against seasoned teams with high caliber pedigrees. Since that time the softball group ran their record to 25-3 behind conference, district, and regional championships before entering the state tournament.
Now, the team stands with 28 wins against still only 3 losses. They look for one more victory to complete a dream season that’s been under construction for three years.
This is the second time in three years that Mansfield has advanced to the state finals. In 2021, the Lady Tigers dropped a 4-3 heartbreaker to Tuckerman to finish state runner-up. In 2022, Melbourne got hot and ended the Lady Tigers tournament stay in the quarter-finals.
“This is our revenge season with last season not ending the way we planned,” confessed Allison who has already been to four state finals through volleyball and softball over her high school career.
“We are proud to make it back to the finals,” continued Allison. “Almost all of the team and I have been in the state championship position before. We know how to get things done under pressure and hopefully we bring home another state championship trophy for our town.”
Adams is one of 16 players on the softball roster to have at least one or more championship ring. She, like her many teammates, knows experience and family atmosphere goes a long way.
“I couldn’t ask for a better group of girls to play my last high school season with,” spoke Adams. “We’re all thankful for the community’s support all throughout our season.”
Mansfield will face the Riverside Rebels out of Lake City in the championship game. The Arkansas Activities Association, as of press time, had yet to announce the day and time for the class 2A title match. The AAA will release the finals’ schedule after reviewing graduation dates for all teams involved in championship games across all 6 classifications.
Mansfield softball is under the direction of third year head coach Donnie Eveld. Eveld was recently voted as the 2A-4 conference softball coach of the year. He is assisted by three-time state volleyball coach Kaylie Pyles.
The Arkansas law enforcement community is urging motorists to buckle up during the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) national Click It or Ticket high-visibility enforcement effort. The national seat belt campaign, which coincides with the Memorial Day holiday, runs from May 22 to June 4, 2023.
“We want seat belt use to be an automatic habit for drivers and passengers alike,” said Arkansas Public Safety Secretary Colonel Mike Hagar. “It’s not only the safe thing to do — it’s the law. During the Click It or Ticket campaign, we’ll be working with our fellow law enforcement officers across local and state lines to ensure the message gets out. Buckling up is the simplest thing you can do to limit injury or save your life during a crash. We see the results of not wearing a seat belt all the time. We see the loss of life. So often, tragedy could have been prevented by just wearing a seat belt.”
According to NHTSA, there were 11,813 unbuckled passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes in the United States in 2021. In that same year, 57% of passenger vehicle occupants killed at night (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.) were not wearing their seat belts. That’s why nighttime enforcement is an important focus of the Click It or Ticket campaign. Participating law enforcement agencies will be taking a no-excuses approach to seat belt law enforcement, writing citations both day and night.
No matter the type of vehicle you’re driving in or the type of road you’re driving on, the best way to stay safe is to wear your seat belt. Unfortunately, many families are suffering because their loved ones neglected to follow this simple step. In fact, 228 of the Arkansas motorists killed in 2021 were not buckled up. Additionally, NHTSA data show that seat belt use is higher among females than males. In fact, nearly twice as many males were killed in crashes as compared to females in 2021. Of the males killed in crashes during that same year, more than half (54%) were unrestrained. For females killed in crashes, 42% were not buckled up.
“If the Click It or Ticket enforcement effort alerts people to the dangers of not wearing a seat belt, we’ll consider our mission a success,” said Colonel Hagar. “If you know someone who does not buckle up, please ask them to consider changing their habits. Help us spread this lifesaving message. Seat belts save lives. Remember to buckle up.”
For more information on the Click It or Ticket mobilization, please visit NHTSA.gov/ciotor call the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at (501) 618-8136, and go to https://www.tzdarkansas.org/ to learn about Arkansas’ Toward Zero Deaths campaign to eliminate preventable traffic fatalities.
FAYETTEVILLE – Hunter Hollan threw a complete game gem to lift No. 3 Arkansas (38-13, 19-8 SEC) to a 5-1 series-clinching win against No. 6 South Carolina (37-14, 15-11 SEC) on Sunday afternoon at Baum-Walker Stadium.
With the win, the Hogs secured their seventh SEC series victory of the season and improved to 30-4 at home this year.
Hollan struck out a career-high 10 batters, limiting the Gamecocks to just one run on five hits and one walk. The left-hander threw a season-high 113 pitches in his nine-inning complete game and recorded 19 consecutive outs until a two-out single in the top half of the ninth inning.
The performance marks the Razorbacks’ first complete game of at least nine innings against an SEC team since Dominic Taccolini’s 10-inning complete game shutout against Kentucky in 2016. Hollan is the second Arkansas pitcher to throw a complete game this season after Will McEntire twirled a nine-inning complete game against Louisiana Tech on April 11.
South Carolina’s lone run of the game came via a leadoff home run in the top of the third. Hollan was untouchable from that point forward, however, allowing the Arkansas offense to hit its groove and take control of the ballgame.
John Bolton’s one-out RBI double to right center in the bottom half of the third tied things at one apiece before Parker Rowland’s go-ahead two-run single to center in the fifth. Rowland’s clutch piece of hitting put the Hogs ahead, 3-1.
Arkansas tacked on two more runs with a two-out RBI single by Caleb Cali in the sixth followed by a two-out solo home run by Ben McLaughlin in the eighth, extending the lead to 5-1. Cali and Peyton Holt both finished with a team-leading three hits, and Rowland collected the Razorbacks’ lone multi-RBI performance of the game.
The Hogs’ four-run lead was more than enough for Hollan to protect as he finished off his complete game with a scoreless ninth inning, securing the Razorbacks’ series-clinching win and put the Hogs in the driver’s seat of the SEC.
Arkansas now owns a one-and-a-half-game lead over LSU in the SEC Western Division and a one-game lead over Florida in the overall SEC standings with three games left to play in the regular season.
Up next, the Hogs will travel to Nashville, Tenn., to close out the regular season at Vanderbilt. First pitch between the Razorbacks and Commodores is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, May 18, on SEC Network.
– ArkansasRazorbacks.com || On Twitter @ArkRazorbacks || Facebook.com/ArkansasRazorbacks
Note to Our Readers:The previous story was sourced directly and in its entirety from the University of Arkansas Office of Communications, Oliver Grigg.
T. Franklin Boyd Tigers of the Year Drew Elmore and Natalie Allison are seen after the 2023 MHS Booster Club Athletic Awards Banquet.
Master of ceremony, Travis Pettus, said “it’s been a pretty good year”. Seconds later, he corrected himself. “No, it’s been a great year.”
Those were among the opening remarks as Mansfield athletes and coaches gathered with Tiger fans at the 2022-2023 Mansfield Booster Club Athletics Awards Show on Tuesday, May 9.
Mansfield athletes share 128 individual awards at the recent awards banquet.
Following those opening remarks, Pettus was assigned the task of reading a review of athletic achievements to all Mansfield sports seasons. The lists of year end accolades were so long that Pettus was joined on stage by MHS alumnus Jordan Martin for the reading of the script. The two alternated announcing snippets of the year along with individual award winners such as All-District, All-State, and Players of the Year.
The presentation of awards concluded with special recognitions for Rising Stars, Continue the Race Scholarship, MAPY awards, and the T. Franklin Boyd winners among a few other highlighted moments.
For all the Tiger teams that competed in the 2A-4 Conference (3A-1 in football) this school year, the list of accomplishments was extensive. The team trophies by themselves included 2 state championships, 1 state runner-up, 4 state playoffs, 2 regional championships, 2 regional runner-ups, 2 final four, 9 district championships, and 4 district runner-ups. Individual accomplishments total 128 separate awards.
What’s perceived to be one of the highest honors among the individual awards was the T. Franklin Boyd Tigers of the Year. This school year the awards went to seniors Natalie Allison and Drew Elmore.
Allison landed multiple awards and state championships along her illustrious playing career. The senior had been recognized as a state MVP, All-District, All-Conference, All-State, and All-Star through her participation in volleyball, basketball, softball, and track.
Elmore garnered many of the same types of awards through an award winning stint in football, basketball, and baseball. This year in particular his play in all three sports stood out as effective and efficient.
The T. Franklin Boyd Tigers of the Year were selected via an extensive rubric. That rubric accumulated points for such things as sports participation, individual honors, and academic success.
Daniel Burton and Alyson Edwards are the first recepients of the Mansfield Athletics Player of the Year awards.
A new award added to this year’s ceremony was the MAPY Awards. The Mansfield Athletics Players of the Year were selected based upon a ranking system tabulated by a panel of coaches, faculty, administrators, event volunteers, and booster club representatives.
The presentation of the MAPY was based strictly on athletic appeal, presence, and star power. All high school grade levels across all sports were considered.
This year’s Mansfield Athletics Players of the Year were Alyson Edwards and Daniel Burton.
Edwards, a junior, was a three sport star that picked up state volleyball MVP honors as her team won their third consecutive state titles. She was the state volleyball MVP, and another leading candidate as the pitcher on this week’s state softball finals bound Lady Tigers.
Burton was an electrifying kickoff return man on the football field and a dynamic scorer on the basketball court. The junior showed a level of speed and explosiveness that stood out among league wide competition.
Ethan Martin and Kaylee Ward take home the freshmen Rising Stars awards.
This year’s Freshmen Rising Stars were Kaylee Ward and Ethan Martin.
The Rising Star awards go to outstanding freshmen that have made significant contributions to their school teams as voted on by the MHS coaching staff.
Ward was selected after fabulous seasons in volleyball, basketball, track, and softball. Having been elevated to the high school level in all of those sports, the freshman phenom was recognized as the River Valley Democrat Gazette Newcomer of the Year in both volleyball and basketball. She earned her way to the class 2A state track meet, and has recently started on the state softball team.
Martin was described as tough, calculating, and motivated. He was a four-sport star that made significant contributions to his junior high football, basketball, and track teams before moving up to the high school baseball team. Coaches shared that his athleticism, academic knowhow, and strength of character that set him apart.
Mansfield senior Madelen Jones is the first recepient of the Continue the Race: Kevin Mackey and Grayson Reese Memorial Scholarship as awarded by retiring Athletic Director John Mackey.
Also new to the athletic awards night was the introduction of the “Continue the Race” Scholarship. This educational endowment in memory of Kevin Mackey and Grayson Reese, respectively the nephew and great-nephew of Mansfield coach John Mackey, was awarded to Madelen Jones.
Jones was selected through an application process, and awarded a monetary sum to be applied to the postsecondary school of her choice.
The three time volleyball state champion described how athletics taught her life lessons, self discipline, and the ability to make hard choices. She described the necessity to balance athletic involvement around priorities such as academics and personal well-being.
Jones started the evening’s awards section with a speech offering her unique insight into Mansfield athletics. She recalled fond memories, recognized talented Tiger teammates, and offered sound advice on how to treat people and how to represent Mansfield in a positive way.
Special attention was given to four college bound seniors. Brooklyn Adams (Carl Albert), Natalie Allison (Henderson State), Braxton Byers (Hesston College), and Drew Elmore (Carl Albert) were all highlighted as Tigers moving on to the next level.
Five Mansfield coaches were also showcased as winning coach of the year honors. Ethan Bowman (girls basketball), Donnie Eveld (softball), John Mackey (cross country and track), Kaylie Pyles (volleyball), and Layton Robinson (baseball) were all awarded conference coach of the year plaques.
Mackey was also cited as the class 2A athletic director of the year. Pyles was also recognized as an AHSCA All-Star volleyball staff member.
Players of the year from each sport along with specific individual honors were announced over the two hour awards ceremony.
For the sake of brevity only the primary individual players of the year will be listed here. As of press time baseball and softball award winners were being held due to the unfinished state tournament.
Cross country: Laney Wood and Joey Williams.
Golf: Skylynn Harris and Bryson Elmore.
Cheer: Madelen Jones.
Volleyball: Natalie Allison.
Football: Daniel Burton, Drew Elmore, Fisher Willsey, and Tyler Woolbright.
Christena Marie Wren of Waldron, Arkansas passed from this life May 8, 2023 in Waldron, Arkansas. She was born April 16, 1965 in Booneville, Arkansas to Curtis Spain and Virginia (Olson) Vanderwood. She was 58 years old.
After many years and miles apart, Christena married her high school sweetheart Shane. They have spent the last few years taking care of each other and being by each others side every day. Christena was a fun loving woman who loved to be a jokester. The love she had for her family was undeniable. Christena was an excellent care giver for all who needed her.
Christena leaves behind to cherish her memory, her loving husband Shane of the home, her children: Thomas Fish and wife Taren, Freda Scantling all of Waldron Arkansas and Chris Wren and wife Carissa of Van Buren, Arkansas and sister in law Lisa Brown of Waldron, Arkansas.
Christena was preceded in death by her parents.
Arrangements and cremation are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron Arkansas.
A private family memorial service will be held at a later date.
FAYETTEVILLE– No. 3 Arkansas (37-13, 18-8 SEC) could not get the bats going as No. 6 South Carolina (37-13, 15-10) pulled out a 3-1 win on Saturday night at Baum-Walker Stadium to force a decisive game three for the series.
First pitch in tomorrow’s rubber game is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, May 14, on SEC Network+. Left-hander Hunter Hollan will get the start on the mound for the Razorbacks and go up against Gamecock left-hander Matthew Becker.
South Carolina starter James Mahoney was dominant, twirling seven scoreless innings with six strikeouts. The right-hander limited the Hogs to five hits and two walks, wiggling his way out of jams throughout the game to improve to 5-2.
Brady Tygart, meanwhile, started for Arkansas and was sharp on the hill. The right-hander struck out four in three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while throwing 37 pitches in his third outing on the mound since returning from an early-season injury scare.
Through his first three appearances in a starting role, Tygart has record five strikeouts over six scoreless innings of work. The Hernando, Miss., native has allowed just one hit and issued two free passes since getting back on the mound.
Will McEntire emerged in relief of Tygart and ran into trouble in the top half of the fourth. South Carolina broke through for three runs on four hits, jumping out to a 3-0 lead on Arkansas.
From there, McEntire settled down. The veteran right-hander did not allow another run all night, turning in six innings of three-run ball while matching his career high in strikeouts with nine.
Arkansas got on the board in the bottom of the eighth, thanks to Jace Bohrofen’s RBI single. South Carolina reliever Chris Veach worked around the trouble, however, securing the Gamecocks’ 3-1 win and earning his fifth save of the season.
Brady Slavens and Peyton Holt each recorded a pair of hits in Saturday’s setback to pace the Razorback offense. Tavian Josenberger, in his second game back from injury, drew two walks and scored the Hogs’ lone run of the night.
While its seven-game winning streak in SEC play was snapped with the loss, Arkansas maintains its one-half game lead for the best record in the SEC and SEC Western Division entering tomorrow’s series finale at Baum-Walker Stadium.
– ArkansasRazorbacks.com || On Twitter @ArkRazorbacks || Facebook.com/ArkansasRazorbacks –
Note to Our Readers:The previous story was sourced directly and in its entirety from the University of Arkansas Office of Communications, Oliver Grigg.
FAYETTEVILLE – Kendall Diggs’ three RBI and Gage Wood’s 3 1/3 scoreless innings powered No. 3 Arkansas (37-12, 18-7 SEC) to a 4-1 series-opening win against No. 6 South Carolina (36-13, 14-10 SEC) on Friday night at Baum-Walker Stadium.
With the win, the Hogs improved to 29-3 at home on the season. It matches their best record at Baum-Walker Stadium since 2018, when Arkansas also got off to a 29-3 start before finishing with a program-record 34-4 mark at home.
Diggs provided the game’s first run with his two-out RBI single in the bottom of the third, giving the Razorbacks and starter Hagen Smith an early 1-0 lead. Smith worked into the sixth, departing after 5 2/3 innings and seven strikeouts.
The Gamecocks broke through against Smith in the top half of the sixth. South Carolina took advantage of a two-out RBI single to center, evening the ballgame at one apiece and knocking the Razorbacks’ left-handed ace out of the game.
Wood emerged in relief of Smith and inherited two runners on with two outs. The true freshman was up for the challenge, however, retiring the first he faced to end the top half of the sixth and keep the score tied at 1-1.
The Razorback offense did not let Wood’s efforts go to waste, answering with the go-ahead run in the bottom half of the inning. Arkansas tacked on two more runs in the seventh, thanks to Diggs’ bases loaded single to right.
Diggs finished with a team-leading two hits and a team-high three RBI, raising his season slash line to .333/.468/.615 with his performance. He was one of seven Razorbacks to collect a base knock in Friday night’s series-opening win.
Staked with a 4-1 lead entering the eighth, Wood locked down the final two innings without issue. He allowed just two hits and struck out four in his 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief, earning the win to improve to 2-0 on the season.
Arkansas, now in sole possession of first place in the SEC with five games to play, goes for its seventh SEC series win of the season tomorrow. First pitch between the Hogs and Gamecocks is 6 p.m. Saturday, May 13, on SEC Network+.
– ArkansasRazorbacks.com || On Twitter @ArkRazorbacks || Facebook.com/ArkansasRazorbacks –
Note to Our Readers:The previous story was sourced directly and in its entirety from the University of Arkansas Office of Communications, Oliver Grigg.
On Tuesday, May 10 the voters of Scott County weighed in on who should serve next on the Waldron School Board. With a vote of 67 to 22, Stanley Cottrell was elected to fill the Zone 4 seat. He will serve a five-year term.
Cottrell has been a resident of Scott County for almost 20 years. He and his wife, Kayla, a Scott County native, have two children, Maeleigh and Hayes. Their children attend Waldron Elementary School and are both in the first grade. The family attends the Waldron First Church of the Nazarene and are actively involved with the church.
“My family and I would like to thank everyone for their support in the Waldron School Board election,” shared Cottrell. “…I appreciate everyone that took the time out of their busy lives to get out and vote for me. I hope to represent you all and the Waldron School District in a positive way and continue to move the district forward. I would also like to thank the Scott County Clerk’s Office and the Scott County Election Commission for their hard work putting the election on. Again, I want to thank everyone who got out and voted. #FlyTheW”
Cottrell took the oath of office, on Thursday, May 11, administered by Scott County Clerk Tracy McPherson.
Mansfield’s Ashton Hinkle clears 12′ 6″ in the pole vault at the Meet of Champs.
Moments of sun and buckets of rain; it’s as if a motion sensor controlled a roof above Cyclone Stadium allowing strong periods of each. Mansfield saw the effects of the on and off weather switch as the Arkansas Activities Association’s Meet of Champs took place in Russellville on Wednesday, May 10.
Lady Tiger senior Jadelynn Wood joins Kayla Bieker, Carter Whiley, and Daisy Nelson for the 4x100m relay in Russellville.
Mansfield had obvious athletic bright spots as the sun shined. Like most attendees had when the rains came, the going also got tough.
The Tiger track teams qualified in three events to attend what amounts to be the All-Stars of track and field across Arkansas high schools. The women’s discus, boys pole vault, and women’s 4x100m relay were the qualifying events for MHS.
Maybe the brightest spot for Mansfield came after the meet’s third or fourth weather delay. Home school senior Ashton Hinkle claimed the personal record he was looking for on his third pole vault jump of the day.
Hinkle, the 2023 class 2A state champion in pole vault, had been looking to clear 12 feet in recent weeks. He wrestled away the small school state title a week ago with a personal best 11’ 10” jump in Quitman. Doing so scored him a MOC invite and another chance to get the long awaited clearance.
Seniors Jadelynn Wood and Ashton Hinkle arrive at the MOC postseason track event with Laney Wood before the rains dampen the festivities.
Ranked near the bottom of the 16 invited MOC entries, Hinkle was just happy to get another chance for a new personal record before his high school career ended.
Because the qualifying marks from the big school contestants were so high, the games committee modified the opening height rule. Instead of six inches below the 10th best qualifying jump, the bar was lowered so small school jumpers might have a chance at a modest opening height.
Hinkle was relieved the opening height was at least lowered 11’ 6”. He wasn’t too thrilled after that. The bar would be elevated to 12’ 6” in the second round to coincide with what should have been a truer opening height.
To understand the quality of athletes in attendance, the final results had three vaulters clear 15 feet or better. Three others would clear at least 14 feet.
Hinkle could have been intimidated carrying the only pole the school could afford to meet his weight limits. Others in competition, many of whom had personal trainers, carried large bags with 5 and 6 pole choices.
The Tiger state champ cleared the first bar while most of the others sat. The bar immediately climbed one foot. Hinkle was back up in relatively quick succession.
Mansfield’s Meet of Champ qualifiers and their two alternates take a break inside the Cylone indoor facility during a second lighting delay.
One had to wonder how the senior would react when the next height was set six inches higher than any height he had ever attempted even in practice. The answer came soon as a first attempt at 12’ 6” was a bad miss.
After confirming with his coach, Ethan Bowman, the two decided to adjust the standards back allowing a little more room to climb. Attempt number two came seconds later.
Hinkle delivered. Attentive Mansfield players and coaches were overjoyed along with Hinkle himself.
“I’m so proud of Ashton,” said Mansfield boy’s coach Ethan Bowman. “He works so hard. He just skipped right over twelve feet and got himself twelve-six. This was a special day.”
The 12’ 6” jump was all the Mansfield small school champion could clear. Strangely, it was enough for the MHS core.
Rains renewed, stretching the competition into a long marathon with remaining jumpers. Eventually a MOC winner was crowned with a meet best 15′ 6” vault. Although Mansfield top vaulter only finished 14th overall it was still a day of satisfaction.
Hours before MHS discus thrower Seven Sanderson started the Tigers first event. The two-time 2A state champion got in three preliminary attempts and one throw in the finals before the first lighting delay shut things down.
Going back after a near 45 minute delay did Sanderson nor the other throwers any favors. Her best attempt of 102’ in the prelims would stand as her best mark of the midday event. The slippery ring and slick handling upon the reopening of the venue did little for the finals.
Sanderson had to settle for 10th place and no improvement over her state title personal record 115’ 9” toss.
“Our real goal was about trying to reach a new PR and possibly the school record,” noted Mansfield women’s coach John Mackey. “The conditions just didn’t cooperate. Seven had a great year. She should be proud of reaching the second best throw in school history.”
More rain put puddles on the track as the Lady Tiger 4x100m relay was nearing their now late start. The 2A state champions in the short relay race featured Mansfield speedsters Kayla Bieker, Carter Whiley, Jadelynn Wood, and Daisy Nelson.
The four had arrived at the stadium at noon due to the teammates’ early field event. They were to race around 6:15 PM. They didn’t run until after 7:30 PM.
“This group of four ran the third fastest time in our school history,” claimed Mackey. “We just wanted an opportunity to move up the ladder one or two more rungs. Tonight’s conditions were not right for another chart topper.”
Mansfield’s 4x100m relay settled for a solid time of 53.40. It wasn’t their best together but it was good.
“I know the girls were a bit disappointed, “ confessed the coach. “But, they were a special group together. Jadelynn got to be in the Meet of Champs as a senior and that’s worth its weight in gold.”
