Resident News Network

Obituary – Randy Wayne Hill (1969-2023)

Obituaries

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1:42 am

Randy Wayne Hill, 54, of Bates, Arkansas passed from this life, Sunday, May 7, 2023 at his home. Randy was born April 22, 1969 to Larry Hill and Mary (Sherrill) Stafford in Waldron, Arkansas.

Randy was married to the love of his life, Joy Hill for 28 years. He was a life long logger and was one of a kind. Randy enjoyed farming cows and loved his dogs. Randy was full of laughter and was a natural story teller. If you were not laughing at the end of one of his stories he would laugh big enough for both of you. Randy enjoyed spending time with his family and and always wanted to see them happy.

Randy leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife, Joy Hill of the home and Ethan Sales. His five children: Dewayne Peek and Trish of Porum, Oklahoma; Dustin Peek and Misty of Kinta, Oklahoma; Allen Peek of Kinta, Oklahoma; Kaylene Hill and Craig Pasold of Evening Shade, Oklahoma and Mac Hill of Waldron, Arkansas. Grandpa “Honey” will forever remain in the hearts of his 14 grandchildren: Anna Peek, Lariat Peek, Kyzer Peek, Kayven Peek, Faelynn Peek, Tegan Peek, Tagan Peek, Brazen Peek, Trever Peek, Raven Peek, Serinity Peek, Bella Pasold and Kyle Pasold. Randy is also survived by his mother, Mary Stafford and Joe of Bates, Arkansas; three siblings: Charolette Duncan and Aaron of Bates, Arkansas; Curtis Hill and Amber of Bates, Arkansas and Shane Stafford and Amanda of Bates, Arkansas. Randy will be missed by all that knew him including a host of nieces and nephews and many aunts and uncles.

Randy was preceded in death by his father, Larry Hill; his mother-in-law Miranda Terrell and father-in-law Johnny Blevines; grandparents: Sam and Mildred Sherrill and Herman and Julieann Hill as well as his one of a kind uncle Charles “Tater” Sherrill.

Randy’s life celebration will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, May 11, 2023 at the Bates Baptist Church in Bates, Arkansas with Bro. Larry Free officiating. Interment will follow in the Weeks Cemetery in Weeks, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Randy’s pallbearers will be Dustin Peek, Michael Duncan, Todd Abbott, Clint Johnston, Keith Miller and Byron Cummings. Honorary pallbearers will be Charlie Abbott, Mark Deadmon, Brandon Falkenberry and Randy Roberson.

Randy’s visitation will be Wednesday, May 10, 2023 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home.

Paris Rebuild to Continue in 2023 Season

Sports

Resident News Network

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10:31 pm

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Paris Rebuild to Continue in 2023 Season

After two consecutive appearances in the 3A state playoffs in 2020 and 2021, the 2022 season found the Eagles left with having to replace several senior starters. Combine this with a move to a new 3A-4 conference that is extremely competitive and features road games in excess of two hours from Paris, the football program endured a long, tough season last fall.

The grueling schedule and lack of depth resulted in several injuries throughout the season. Several players played each week with injuries making each Friday a gut check for the Paris players.

But, hope springs eternal, and spring football practice is a new beginning with a renewed focus and set of team goals for the 2023 season. On a positive note, the program played several young players last year and will insert more players from a successful junior team from a year ago. It will still be an uphill battle for Paris, but the trend is heading in a positive direction with more numbers on the varsity this coming season, along with a talented class of junior high players that most agree is the future of the program over the next four to five years.

Paris head football coach Jeff Weaver will begin his third season at the helm of the Eagles football program. His first year was 2021 when he guided the program to the second round of the state playoffs. Last year was a year that everyone saw coming, and Coach Weaver was left with a team that was down on numbers and talent from the graduation of the 2021 team. And as spring practice begins this month, Weaver will be looking to not only develop talent for his current team, but also furthering the development of his younger talent that will play in the future for Paris.

RNN Sports attended practice on Tuesday, and the increased numbers and talent were evident in comparison to last year’s roster. The team is still young and relatively inexperienced, and in the words of Coach Weaver, no one in the conference is going to feel sorry for them next season. The Eagles have a lot of work to do before they kickoff the season, and that work will resume this week and next before the program moves into the summer phase of workouts that will include football camps and preseason practice.

Stay with RNN Sports as we bring you coverage of the Eagles’ preseason preparation for the 2023 season!

Bulldogs Release 2023 Football Schedule

Networks

Ross Fujibayashi

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1:20 pm

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The Greenwood Bulldogs released their 2023 Football Schedule in March

The 2022 Class 6A State Runner-Up released their schedule in March. While the opponents remain unchanged the venues do change this upcoming season. The level of talent the Bulldogs will face during the season will also raise some eye brows.

The AAA Benefit Game against Fayetteville will be August 15th at Smith-Robinson. Fayetteville brings back Drake Lindsey, the 6-5 signal caller is garnering interest with offers from Colorado State, UAB, and UNLV.

The Pioneers from Stillwater, OK make the trek to Greenwood in Week 0. Last year the Bulldogs faced an unorthodox defense and OSU Head Coach Mike Gundy’s son Gage Gundy. Stillwater brings another talented QB this year in Conner Quintero. He currently holds an offer from Oregon. This will be the first repeat opponent from Oklahoma since Sand Springs in 2019. Stillwater beat Greenwood’s past two Oklahoma opponents Choctaw (2020) and Muskogee (2021) en route to a Oklahoma Class 6AII State Championship.

Week 1 has the Bulldogs on the road to Fort Smith Northside. Last years game came down to a last second “Hail Mary” from Kane Archer to Grant Karnes after the defense had a big stop and got an onside kick. Northside will be loaded with talent as well with a strong incoming Sophomore class.

The longest trek of the 2023 season is to Mountain Home. The Bombers have faced Greenwood in the regular season and the playoffs for the last few years. They used wins over Siloam Springs, Van Buren, and Greenbrier to eek into the playoffs. A surprising win over Marion had them facing Pulaski Academy. They kept it close in the first quarter 12-7, then the Bruins found another gear to lead 44-14 at the half.

Siloam Springs is the 2nd home game of the season.

The Bulldogs go on the road but not to far, just over the river into Van Buren. The Pointers will have their 2nd season under Head Coach Moe Henry but without UCA signee Malachi Henry. Greenwood secondary could be tested again by a talented QB in Bryce Perkins. He took a visit with Notre Dame and University of Louisiana-Monroe. There may be an emerging heir to the spot left by Henry in Jaydn Johnson.

Greenwood is back at home against Greenbrier on September 29. Greenwood will have a bye week before traveling to Lake Hamilton. Lake Hamilton was a big game for the Bulldogs last years as it was surrounded by comments regarding Greenwood’s run defense against a running power like Lake Hamilton. Greenwood would shut out Lake Hamilton 24-0 in last years contest.

After two years of playing in Russellville the ‘Dogs host the Cyclones before going against the traditional Private School Powerhouse teams Pulaski Academy and Little Rock Christian. Pulaski Academy like Greenwood, does not just lose players they just re-load with the next man up. This year Greenwood will travel to Pulaski Academy in what will be a big game for both schools and a re-match of the last two meetings between the schools where both won a game a piece.

Little Rock Christian was able to jump out to a 21 point lead over the Bulldogs in the first half last year, and are returning Auburn commit Walker White, the shifty Ronny Anokye, and a defense that stalled the potent Greenwood offense in the first half. This year, the Warriors will be coming to Smith-Robinson, which barring injuries on both teams could be a showdown for the final game of the season.

Bulldogs Back To Work

Networks

Ross Fujibayashi

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1:18 pm

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Coming off a second straight State Runner-Up campaign the Greenwood Bulldogs took to the game field to start the first of eight Spring practices in preparation for the Spring Game on May 25th.

The sun rises above the hazy silhouettes of hills. The lights of Smith-Robinson burn bright as they reach toward the sky that holds clouds that look painted against the ever lightening blue. “Inside! One on one! Let’s Go!” Exclaims Coach Chris Young as they rotate to the next drill. Spring practice has begun in Greenwood, and this edition of Bulldogs is poised to write their futures and add upon the chapters of success that many have done before them

“I was really happy that we show that 100% of our guys showed up at 5:40 on Monday morning.” Head Coach Chris Young commented.

Offensively, the storyline and questions are answered very quickly. Highly touted Freshman QB Kane Archer is the apparent Heir to the spot vacated by graduating Hunter Houston. Houston would become the second QB to throw for 3,000 yards in consecutive season at Greenwood. While Archer will be the just the 2nd Sophomore QB to start since Brooks Coatney in 1996 for the Bulldogs. Freshman Cooper Goodwin took quite a few reps sharing time with classmate Archer.

At Receiver the Bulldogs saw the emergence of Sophomore Grant Karnes, alongside Juniors L.J. Robins and Peyton Presson last fall. Sophomore Isaiah Arrington, who had several catches and touchdowns last season, steps up in a new look receiver corps. While the Bulldogs are losing talented three-sport Receiver Aiden Kennon, they are still a deep set with Junior Reed, Sophomore Hudson Meeker and Jaxon Cole who all saw time on Friday nights.

Running Back spot saw Junior Brayedan Davis getting a majority of the reps alongside classmate Isaiah Niles, who moves from a Lineman position. The Bulldogs have had a good stable of Running Backs over the past few seasons with Hendrix signee Jake Glover being the most recent.

Offensive Line returns three and are looking to replace the spots held by Seniors Cooper Young and Hayden Webb. Junior Ryan Shortes anchors the line from the Center position that he has held since his Sophomore season. To his left, Freshman Guard Cody Taylor, who has earned several Power 5 offers after a breakout season last fall. At the end of the line on the right side is Ashton Stein at Tackle. Christian Fleming and Brett Woolsey have stepped into the vacated roles and look to make the Greenwood Offensive line that much stronger. There are a talented group of Freshmen Offensive Lineman also chomping at the bit to earn some playing time in the future with Landon Billy, Brady Permenter and Akira Fujibayashi.

Defensively the Dogs are looking for a middle Linebacker to replace the Missouri Western State signee Evan Williams as well as the safety position of Storm Scherry.

Defense returns a very experienced secondary with Juniors Brady Mackey, Braden Skaggs, Landon Nelms and Josh Allen. Sophomore Kaylor Jasna saw plenty of reps in the spot his brother Jayden Jasna. anchored two years ago. All-Conference Defensive End Sophomore Cash Archer returns as well as Juniors Eli Whitaker, Kaleb Garner, and Riley White who all made a large impact on the Coach Jason Gill lead defense. Ryan Frank has moved from Offensive Line to Defensive Line at the Tackle position along side Sophomore Mark Garrettson in a spot held by Seniors Tanner McKusker and Logan Taylor, who signed to Wrestle with Williams Baptist University in the spring.

Special Teams Bodey Steinfeldt returns as kicker, while being a part of the Soccer team that earned a berth in the State Playoffs. Deep snapper Jack Edwards recently earned an offer to Lyon College in Batesville.

“We were better, we are trying to do some new things to get more physical as a football team.” Head Coach Chris Young said following practice “Obviously it was first day, so there were a ton of mistakes. But it’s going to give us the opportunity to get stuff on film and spend some time looking at it and get better as a football team.”

“We have got to get more physical running the football and that’s not just the Offensive Line. That’s running backs. That’s play calling. That’s Quarterbacks. We’ve got to be able to run the football.” Coach Young said.

On the more physicality of the defense in the first practice Coach Young mentioned “We’ve changed our tempo a little bit, letting them be more physical on the inside. We’ve added some tackling drills to let the kids compete a little bit at the end.”

The Bulldogs have seven more practices before the Spring game on May 25th at 7:00 pm.

Greenwood Athletic Director Dr. Dustin Smith Hired As Executive Director of Athletics In Broken Arrow

Networks

Ross Fujibayashi

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1:18 pm

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Greenwood Athletic Director Dr. Dustin Smith Hired As Executive Director of Athletics In Broken Arrow

Greenwood Athletic Director Dr. Dustin Smith has accepted a new position in the Broken Arrow School District in Oklahoma.

After a 7 year stint with the Greenwood School District, it was announced that Dr. Dustin Smith will be leaving for an Executive Director of Athletics roll in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. During Dr. Smith’s tenure at Greenwood he oversaw eleven athletic programs win twenty-two State Championships. With the most recent being the Girls Basketball in March, with four more teams vying for an opportunity at a State Championship this week between Baseball, Softball, and Soccer.

“We have experienced success, but I don’t take credit for any of it personally. It has been an investment of time and a willingness to serve others.” Smith said. “I subscribe whole-heartedly to the saying that I serve so others can shine. Any successes I have had have been as a direct result of team-first approach. I look forward to serving the coaches and student athletes at BA so they can shine.” [Quote sourced from Broken Arrow Public Schools]

Dr. Smith’s signature style was felt during the height of Covid, when he posted videos weekly regarding new rules and regulations. For his work during that time and overall what he had accomplished he earned the Emerging Industry Leader for Interscholastic Athletics by the National Center for Spectator Sport Safety and Security.

It was common practice to see Dr. Smith driving a bus to an away game or even donning a headset from time to time and sharing the booth with Tim Terry on a sports live stream.

Whomever Greenwood selects as their next Athletic Director they will certainly have some shoes to fill and a legacy to uphold. From H.B. Stewart to Jerry Cecil and now Dr. Dustin Smith, the Greenwood Athletic Programs has been extremely blessed with excellent leadership.

From Resident News Network Sports, we want to thank Dr. Dustin Smith for what he has done for our team of writers and photographers. We wish him and his family the best of luck on his future success at Broken Arrow.

U.S. Senators, Governor and Congressman Attend Celebration at Ebbing Air Force Base

News

Resident News Network

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4:04 am

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U.S. Senators, Governor and Congressman Attend Celebration at Ebbing Air Force Base

Article and photos courtesy of James Shelly, Photographer/Owner Shelly Squared Photography Videography and Design

The Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce recently hosted Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Senator John Boozman, Senator Tom Cotton, and Congressman Steve Womack at Ebbing Air Force Base.

The purpose of the visit was to celebrate the finalization of the decision to have the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Mission here in the River Valley!

Soon, the “sound of freedom” will return to our skies! More service men and women, foreign and domestic, are expected to locate in our area over the next year.

Arrest Reports 5/1

Police Reports

Tammy Teague

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1:34 am

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Arresting agency – Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office:
Olyvia Lou Bush of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 3 at 1:01 a.m. and remains at the SCADC. Bush was charged with Assault On Family Or Household Member-3rd Degree, Endangering the Welfare of a Minor in the Third Degree, and two counts of Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine).

Russell Fulton Jones, Jr. of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 3 at 11:22 a.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Jones was charged with ADC Commitment Hold.

Krissy Lenae Noble of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 1 at 5:46 p.m. and remains at the SCADC. Noble was charged with Contempt of Court–(child support), FTAS, FTRespond Subpoena, FTComply WCO, and Failure to Appear – Class C Felony.

Lenara Paulette Shott of Magazine was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 4 at 1:53 p.m. and released on bond May 5 at 5:17 p.m. Shott was charged with Assist Outside Agency-Misd and Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor.

Arresting agency – Fort Smith Police Department:
Athena Charlene Holland of Paris was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 2 at 1:25 p.m. and remains at the SCADC. Holland was charged with Possession of [Schedule I/II Controlled Substance] with the Purpose to Deliver >2g, Furnishing a Prohibited Article-Correctional Facility, Possession Drug Paraphernalia – Felony, and Possession of Controlled Substance – Schedule I/II Felony <2g.

Kenneth Richard Lister of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 5 at 10:14 p.m. and released on signature bond May 6 at 10:12 a.m. Lister was charged with Public Intoxication – Danger to self or others.

Arresting agency – Arkansas State Police, Troop H:
Heath Lee Hunsucker of Waldron was booked into the SCADC on May 2 at 11:24 p.m. and transferred to an outside agency on May 3 at 4:28 p.m. Hunsucker was charged with Assist Outside Agency-Misd.

Arresting agency – Logan County Sheriff’s Office:
Leslie Harley, 35 of Magazine, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on May 1 at 3:15 p.m. Harley was charged with fleeing, three counts of possession of a controlled substance, driving while driver’s license cancelled, suspended or revoked, and failure to appear.

Aaron Klein, 41 of Paris, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on May 1 at 3:49 p.m. Klein was charged with disorderly conduct, and public intoxication.

Anthony Shelton, 35 of New Blaine, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on May 2 at 10:40 p.m. Shelton was charged with failure to pay.

Bobby Parras, 44 of Clarksville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on May 4 at 3:07 p.m. Parras was charged with failure to pay.

Lindsay Hughes, 39 of Hunt, TX, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on May 5 at 3 a.m. Hughes was charged with disorderly conduct, obstructing governmental operations, and hold for another agency.

Milton Brown, 44 of Paris, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on May 5 at 2:41 p.m. Brown was charged with two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, two counts of violation of probation/suspended imposition of sentence, and failure to pay.

Lacey Friddle, 28 of Charleston, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on May 6 at 1:43 p.m. Friddle was charged with failure to pay.

Arresting agency – Arkansas Parole:
Robert Allen Cummings of Charleston was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 4 at 6:41 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Cummings was charged with Possession Drug Paraphernalia – Felony, Possession of [Schedule I/II Controlled Substance] with the Purpose to Deliver <2g, and Parole Violation.

Arresting agency – Hackett Police Department:
Edward Hayden Thornburg of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 4 at 4:23 p.m. and released on signature bond May 4 at 10:12 p.m. Thornburg was charged with Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine).

**The charges against those arrested are allegations and the cases are still pending in the courts.**

Essential Safety Rules for Community Playgrounds

Lifestyle

Resident News Network

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6:26 pm

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Communities need a fun place that they can set aside for just kids. However, safety should be a priority so the little ones don’t get sick or injured.

Enact these essential safety rules for community playgrounds right at the start. Otherwise, maintaining order or keeping things looking nice could be difficult.

Watch for Slippery Surfaces

The design of most playgrounds helps reduce hazards for children at play, but wet or slippery surfaces can still be dangerous. Kids should know to watch out for potentially unsafe areas and use caution to avoid hurting themselves.

Playground staff can also do their part to ensure the area is safe. Taking care of equipment and filling in gaps in the surfacing material will reduce the amount of moisture that accumulates. If you’re a parent taking your child to the playground, check the weather conditions and play it safe when necessary.

Settle Disputes Quickly

Playground disputes can be a problem in some places, especially if there’s no one around to help mediate the issue. Community playgrounds should have clear rules prohibiting fighting to ensure kids don’t get too out of hand.

Parents should be ready to handle potential altercations and keep their emotions in check so things don’t escalate. Here are a few useful tips for settling playground disputes that you can use to maintain peace while you’re out with your children.

No Littering

We all share the space at community playgrounds; everyone should work together to care for it. Discarded trash, such as bottles, cans, and any sharp objects, can pose a safety and health hazard to anyone using the equipment.

A firm no-littering policy is essential for preventing the community playground from becoming unsanitary. Collective action is necessary for those wanting to keep their spaces nice. Parents and community leaders alike should be proactive in keeping their playgrounds free of trash, debris, and potentially toxic materials.

Take Care of Your Community Spaces

Playgrounds are a great way for communities to improve their outdoor spaces while giving children and their families something to do during nice weather. However, if basic rules aren’t in place, keeping things up and preventing injuries will be more challenging.

With these essential safety rules for community playgrounds, people can enjoy the space while spending time with their family and friends.

Sebastian County 4-H’s Wallace Takes Best in Show at State Competition

Featured

Tammy Teague

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6:26 pm

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Sebastian County 4-H’s Wallace Takes Best in Show at State Competition

By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture

Ready for her close-up, a handsome brown cow and the intricate textures of her tawny hair are the focus of nine-year-old Evelynn Wallace’s photo, which won Best in Show at the 2023 Ross Photography Contest.

Sponsored by Arkansas 4-H, the Ross Photography Contest asks 4-H members to submit black and white or color photos of Arkansas subjects. The 2023 contest drew 465 student participants, with 50 of the state’s 75 counties represented. Of the entrants, 209 were new participants.

Other category winners captured shots of fog rising along a quiet country road, nature’s reclaiming of an animal skeleton and the joys of wishing on a dandelion. For the contest, “living subjects” were limited to people and animals.

One judge said that Wallace, a member of the Sebastian County 4-H Club, has a “really good eye for photography,” and that her winning shot of the brown cow was “udderly the best photo in the contest.”

Kerry Rodtnick, extension photographer and videographer for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, coordinates the annual competition and said the quality of this year’s entries had improved, making the judges’ jobs tougher.

“The judges had a hard time narrowing their choices down to just a few winners,” Rodtnick said. “The photographers seemed to be using sound photography composition, more so than in the past. The variety and creativity used for these photos were at a higher level. The judges look at technical skill within the photographs, but they also look at creativity and the effort put forth in capturing the image. They want to know that a photographer spent time and thought as they were taking it — not just grabbing a camera and snapping a photo of a friend.

“Hopefully our competition encourages these kids to dig into photography practices so they can compete better each year,” he continued. “Maybe it will inspire future professional photographers. Or perhaps they will simply take better photos of their families as they grow. Both results make our contest a success.”

At the state level, prizes were awarded in four categories to the first-, second- and third-place winners. The Best in Show winner was selected among the category winners. All winning photographs can be viewed in the Division of Agriculture Flickr album.

The 2023 Ross Photography Contest winners are:

Color Living

1^st — Evelynn Wallace, Sebastian County

2^nd — Kenzly Weaver, Independence County

3^rd — Emma Eubanks, Hot Spring County

Black and White Living

1^st — Braylei Griffin, Washington County

2^nd — Rebecca Frealy, Fulton County

3^rd — Serenity Mora, Logan County

Black and White Non-Living

1^st — Asa Eddington, Craighead County

2^nd — Chloie Thomas, Washington County

3^rd — Cailyn Smith, Montgomery County

Color Non-Living

1^st — David Culver, Franklin County

2^nd — Isabella Hays, Pope County

3^rd — Ethan Doss, Stone County

Best in Show

Evelynn Wallace, Sebastian County

Hinkle Records Victory At 2A State Competition

Sports

Tammy Teague

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6:10 pm

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Hinkle Records Victory At 2A State Competition

Mansfield’s reputation as a pole vault school is gaining momentum. For the second consecutive season an MHS Tiger topped the field to win the high flying event. Home school senior Ashton Hinkle was the latest to do so.

Hinkle took control of the class 2A state competition in Quitman on May 2 in the early stages of the event. His build up was flawless as he and the closest vaulter next to him each cleared 11’ 10”. That proved to be the difference as Payton Talbert of Quitman failed on earlier attempts to break the tie.

“Ashton broke his pole just days before the district,” explained Tiger head coach Ethan Bowman. “I drove to the Arkansas Vault Club on a Saturday to get a new one. He practiced on it Sunday and nearly every day since to get comfortable. Obviously it worked.”

Hinkle was looking for a personal record that started with a 12. He had been flirting with the elusive number for a few weeks.

State meet officials took the bar to 11’ 10” when only two competitors remained. With clearance by both, the cross bar was elevated to 12’ 2” on the next try. Neither vaulter could clear the elevated height, reducing the winning mark to the earlier distance.

“Ashton was an up and coming vaulter in the ninth grade,” said Coach John Mackey who oversaw all track programs at that time. “We really felt like he was going to set our junior high record before the pandemic shut down sports. He hadn’t jumped since that time until this season. What a happy return this is.”

Hinkle follows 2022 indoor state champion Ryan Hayslip as Mansfield’s newest vertical champion.

Hayslip cleared 11’ 6” at the ATCA indoor state finals for the win and All-State status. The recent MHS graduate finished in second place in 2021 at the Gurdon hosted outdoor state finals for his highest outdoor finish. That too was an 11’ 6” clearance.

Sophomore Austin Ruiz showed the future of Tiger vaulting remains headed in the right direction. Last season’s junior high district champion covered 10’ 10” at the 2023 state finals to take fourth place points at the Quitman track complex.

As a group, Mansfield’s overall men’s team was very young. Other than Hinkle, the entire squad was freshmen and sophomores.

Sophomore Trey Powell was the busiest of the bunch with six events. His best mark came in the triple jump where he scored a sixth place measurement of 39’ 6.75”.

Powell anchored the eighth place 4x100m relay team as his other point getter. That unit was cobbled together by all freshman runners other than Powell.

Dawson Robinson, Braxton Bartlett, and Dominic Shorers joined the sophomore district high point winner for the sprint relay.

Hinkle and Ruiz assembled with freshmen Joseph Carter and Joey Williams as part of Mansfield’s 4x800m relay. That cast of characters picked up a point as the eighth place finishers.

Shores was the only other Tiger to score in a state event. That came by way of the men’s 110m hurdles. His time of 18.72 set a new personal record while landing him into sixth place. He also ran his best 300m hurdle mark by 1.10 seconds with a finish time of 50.34.

Bartlett was Mansfield’s best 200m sprinter on the day at 24.52. Williams was the group’s best distance racer covering the 1600m run in 5:30.54. Neither cracked the top eight for points.

As a team, Mansfield finished eleventh in the men’s standings with 24 points. Quitman repeated as champions with 102 points. Greenland took runner-up with 62.

R

Watch for Slippery Surfaces

Settle Disputes Quickly

No Littering

Take Care of Your Community Spaces

RESIDENT NEWS NETWORK