Resident News Network

Hackett Sweeps Paris in Home Baseball / Softball Doubleheader

Resident News Network

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4:40 pm

Hackett Sweeps Paris in Home Baseball / Softball Doubleheader

After a bout of severe weather in the River Valley on Monday, high school baseball and softball were able to continue their schedules on Tuesday. The Paris Eagles and Lady Eagles traveled to Hackett to play important conference games on a day that featured dark, gray skies with a constant surface wind throughout both games. For the Lady Eagles softball team, Paris was focused on defeating the Lady Hornets at Hackett after being shutout at home earlier in the season. For the baseball Eagles, Paris was hoping to win its second game over the Hornets after a 13-0 win over Hackett earlier at home. But, it was not to be. Hackett swept both games on Tuesday.

For the Lady Eagles, Paris came out early and took a two-run lead. Hackett tied the game and eventually moved ahead by a score of 3-2 in the contest. But the wheels came off again for Paris, and the Lady Eagles went on to give up 10 unanswered runs to the Lady Hornets. Hackett won the game by a score of 13-2 and in doing so swept the regular season series with Paris. The loss puts Paris two games behind Hackett, two games behind Charleston, and one game behind Boonevill in head-to-head competition with the three leaders in the conference.

The baseball Eagles, after beating Hackett earlier in the year behind a good pitching effort from Konnor Edwards and Mason Bradley, struggled throughout the entire game at Hackett. Paris took a two run lead in the first inning, but was shut down for most of the remaining portion of the game. The Eagles were able to piece together runs that included stealing home base for a run by Duke Walker. Paris clawed back and tied the game in the seventh inning and was able to pitch out of trouble when Hackett had bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh. After holding Paris scoreless in the top of the eighth, Hackett scored the winning run on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning to walk off with the win. The Hackett win evened the regular season series with Paris, with the Eagles holding the tiebreak advantage over Hackett on run differential.

Next up for Paris softball and baseball is a trip to Cedarville to play the Lady Pirates and Pirates in needed conference victories for both teams. Weather will continue to be a factor, so check with players, coaches, administrators, and / or information that is posted online for game schedule information.

Stay with Resident News Network Sports for the latest in River Valley baseball and softball action!

CASA Sebastian County Executive Director Finds Life’s Calling

News

Tammy Teague

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11:53 am

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CASA Sebastian County Executive Director Finds Life’s Calling

Ten years ago, Mary Ann Craig, the Executive Director of CASA of Sebastian County, had no idea that a book would change her life and lead her to her life’s calling.

“I read ‘A Child Called It’ and knew I had to do something to advocate for abused children,” shared Craig. “I had heard of CASA before I read the book. I found CASA of Sebastian County and signed up for Volunteer training. I wanted to make a difference for at least one child. Ten years later, when I look back it was definitely a calling. Now, I can’t even imagine doing anything else! I did it to change one child’s life and I cannot tell you much my own life has been impacted and changed by CASA children.”

CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocate, is a volunteer who is trained on how experiencing abuse, neglect and other forms of trauma can impact children’s physical and mental health, academic achievement, and more. The support of a CASA Volunteer/Advocate can help children build resilience to counter those impacts.

“Having a caring adult advocate for their best interest can make a lasting difference for a child who’s been neglected or abused,” added Craig. “For many of the children that we serve, their CASA Advocate will be the ONE constant in an otherwise chaotic life. CASA Advocates work to help each child reach a safe and forever home, whether that is reunification with their family of origin or through adoption.”

Sebastian County CASA is comprised of volunteers from ages 21 to 80 plus. Staff members include Advocate Supervisors, Denise Basham, Shannon Kelleher, and Shannon Gordon, all of whom started out as CASA volunteers.

“Sebastian County has had, at most times this year, over 450 children in foster care,” Craig shared. “Four hundred and fifty children, who have been neglected or abused, in our own neighborhoods! Four hundred and fifty children who need someone to advocate for their best interest. Sebastian County CASA has typically only been able to serve less than half of these precious children due to not having enough CASA volunteers! Right now, we have 65 CASA Volunteers and honestly, we need at least double that to serve all the children in our county. The thing I hate most about this is that we have to say ‘no’ to waiting children due to the need for more volunteers. Every child in foster care deserves an advocate!”

April is Child Abuse Awareness month, a time to highlight child abuse/neglect, raise awareness and bring attention to the need for CASA volunteers.

If you are interested in learning more about becoming involved in CASA, you can contact the county office at 479-785-4171. Someone will be happy to answer any questions you may have about becoming a CASA Volunteer/Advocate. Craig concluded that the only requirements for being an advocate are being over the age of 21, having a clean background, and being committed to your CASA case until it closes.

Gardening Hacks

Madison VanRavensway

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8:27 am

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10 Gardening Hacks

1 Hang red ornaments on your tomatoes while they are still green to trick birds into pecking them rather than eating your tomatoes.

2 Toilet paper tubes make great seed starters that can go straight in the dirt when transplanting.

3 Place a coffee filter over the holes in flower pots to save the soil from leaking out but still allow drainage.

4 Use zip ties to train your runners to their supports.

5 Post hole diggers make quick work of digging holes to plant in.

6 Coffee grounds deter pests that may try to eat your plants. Sprinkle some around the roots to keep ants and slugs away.

7 Use honey to propagate roots- the enzymes in honey act as rooting hormone and speed up your cutting taking roots

8 Use newspaper to choke out weeds- wet newspaper and place around plants before laying mulch to stop new growth.

9 Take an old muffin pan and mash straight into the dirt when direct sewing seeds. Perfectly spaced holes have never been easier!

10 Have a problem with aphids? Orange peels are an excellent, natural deterrent.

Happy gardening!

Obituary – Kathryn Elizabeth Schlinker (1953-2022)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

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1:14 am

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Obituary – Kathryn Elizabeth Schlinker (1953-2022)

Kathryn Elizabeth Schlinker, 68, of Huntington, Arkansas passed away Saturday, April 9, 2022 in a Fort Smith hospital. She retired as the secretary for the Mansfield Elementary School in 2019 and a member of James Fork Baptist Church. She is survived by her husband of almost 49 years, Robert Schlinker; two daughters, Stacia Caldwell and husband, John of Adona, AR and Amanda Sanders and husband, Riley Joe of Van Buren; four grandchildren, Joseph Caldwell, Jeremiah Caldwell, Sean Carter Sanders and Samuel Sanders and many friends and loved ones. She was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Viola Neddo and a granddaughter, Elizabeth Jeanine Sanders. Funeral service will be 2 p.m., Thursday, April 14 at James Fork Baptist Church in Mansfield with interment at the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood. Viewing will be Wednesday from 1 – 7 p.m. at the funeral home, where the family will visit with friends from 5 – 7 p.m. Pallbearers will be Joseph Caldwell, Jeremiah Caldwell, Riley Joe Sanders, III, Lewis Edwards, Caleb Collier and Verman Gallimore. Honorary pallbearers will be Sean Carter Sanders, Samuel Sanders, Paul Crelia, Nelton Henley, Roger Edwards, Charlie Scott, and Manuel Schlinker.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcconnellfh.com for the Schlinker family.

Bryan Is Back, Back In Black

Sports

Adam Hecox

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12:55 am

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When you’re passionate about something, it’s hard to shake it from your mind. To be successful at coaching, you have to have a passion for the game and players. For example, legendary Chicago Bulls coach Phil Jackson retired from coaching in 1998 but in 1999, he came out of retirement and began coaching the LA Lakers. Nick Saban left LSU for the NFL, but after only two seasons, he was back coaching college football. Tom Brady…….well, we all know the Tom Brady rollercoaster. The point is the great ones seem to always make their way back to the sport they love. This doesn’t just happen in the big leagues though; it also pops up in small-town USA. Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the new Waldron Lady Bulldogs basketball coach, Coach Joshua Bryan.

“I am thrilled to have the chance to coach at Waldron” said Bryan. “Growing up in the area I have seen this program since childhood and know the pride that comes with it. The community of Waldron stands behind their team and I’m excited to be a part of that.“

After the Lady Bulldogs toughed out a couple of rough seasons, Waldron was on the lookout for someone who knows what it’s like to lay a foundation of success. Bryan fits the description of what Waldron was looking for to a T because a foundation is exactly what he laid at Mansfield. Bryan recorded an overall record of 32-45 with the SR Girls and 49-17 coaching the JR Girls teams. The JR Lady Tigers won back-to-back Conference and District titles under Bryans’s leadership in his three-year tenure as their head coach. Although his SR High record is less impressive, Bryan was able to rebuild the program from scratch, and in only his third season with the SR Lady Tigers, Bryan led Mansfield to become the runner-up in conference and districts, finished third at regionals, and advanced to the Elite 8 in the State Tournament. He also helped multiple players rake in All-Conference, All-Districts, All-Regionals, and All-State awards along with a couple of players getting college scholarships to boot that year.

If winning games was all Waldron was looking for, they could probably have drawn up a long list of candidates to sort through. But the Waldron powers that be craved more than just wins for their Lady Bulldogs, they wanted an “IT” factor. Waldron got the same proof of this “IT” factor in the same place they found proof of Bryan’s foundation-building abilities, in Mansfield. Bryan’s “IT” factor is his never-ending strive to better the lives and future of young athletes on and off the court. Remnants of Bryan’s influence still lingers in multiple players in the Mansfield program as well as those who have graduated and moved on. His influence went deeper than just coaching the game of basketball. Players of course learned the game of basketball, but Bryan was also there for mentorship, spiritual wellbeing, and a father-like presence to the youth he found himself around.

When asked about how he felt when he found out he got the job, a humble Coach Bryan said “First I would like to give thanks and praise to God for this opportunity. He has opened many doors and allowed me to meet some great people in getting here. Secondly I would like to thank the Waldron school administrators and board members for choosing me to be the next girls basketball coach. Finally I’d like to thank my wife Desiree who has supported me in my coaching career. I invite any female athlete that wishes to put on the orange and black uniform to come out and join. Together we will work hard to bring glory to God, ourselves, and to every Bulldog fan out there. GO DOGS!“

A new chapter in Waldron Lady Bulldogs basketball has been started and it’s something the Bulldogs faithful can be excited about. If you’ll notice though, there’s another book that the hire of Bryan has ties to. The Waldron versus Mansfield saga. In 2021, Mansfield hired Waldron’s prized basketball coach, Coach Joshua Brown. Now Waldron has hired a Joshua of their own from Mansfield to fight back with. And so, the ever-popular Waldron versus Mansfield saga continues

Obituary – Jessie Evaristo Guerrero (2003-2022)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

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12:33 am

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Obituary – Jessie Evaristo Guerrero (2003-2022)

Jessie Evaristo Guerrero of Waldron, Arkansas passed from this life, in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Jessie was born July 1, 2003, in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. He was 18 years old. Jessie was a member of the Waldron First Baptist Church.

Jessie was a sweet, kind-hearted son and brother. He was in Boy Scouts. He loved to play Play Station games or just listen to Cowboy Bebop music. Jessie loved the rain, animals, especially dogs, and little kids loved him.

Jessie leaves behind to cherish his memory, his mother, Misty Guerrero of Waldron, Arkansas, one brother, Fabi and sisters: Gracia, Jasmine and Fernanda. Jessie is also survived by his maternal grandmother Ora Bell Sullivan and paternal grandparents, Virginia Campos and Antonio Guerrero. Jessie will be missed by all that knew him and the many whose lives he impacted including a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends he loved dearly.

Jessie was preceded in death by his father Fernando Guerrero and maternal grandfather, Jessie Sullivan.

Jessie’s life celebration will be 3:00 p.m., Thursday, April 14, 2022 at the Waldron First Baptist Church in Waldron, Arkansas with Rev. Ken Overturf officiating. Interment will follow in the Square Rock Cemetery near Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Jessie’s pallbearers will be Paul Curtis, Jesse Billings, Ashton Harbison, Andrew Harbison, Aaron Harbison and Ben Frost.

Jessie’s visitation will be Wednesday, April 13, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas.

‘Lazy’ Mower Approach Can Help Pollinators

Outdoors

Tammy Teague

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6:28 pm

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‘Lazy’ Mower Approach Can Help Pollinators

By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture

Procrastination in the spring and a little less mowing in the summer may be virtues when it comes to helping pollinators, researchers have found.

The University of Vermont suggests delaying spring mowing so flowers like dandelions can provide early season food resources to pollinators. Those food sources are important to pollinators such as bumble bees, mason bees and others that begin appearing in March.

Early spring mowing can also destroy any chrysalises still clinging to last year’s grass, and any overwintering shelter for later-appearing pollinators, according to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

“Dandelions are weeds to some homeowners, but to foraging bees, they can be a welcome treat in otherwise barren urban lawns,” said Jon Zawislak, assistant professor of apiculture and urban entomology, for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Zawislak said flowers in the dianthus family very good sources of pollen, as are those of the Virginia creeper. Clovers and lilies are also good spring sources for pollinators.

“While most people never notice the small flowers on this ubiquitous climbing weed, bees certainly do,” he said. “Holly is another plant with small, easily overlooked flowers, but it’s starting to bloom right now, and may be covered with bees on a warm day.”

Bees in trees

“Early in the season, flowering trees are very important sources of pollen for bees,” he said. “In particular, maple, willow and ash trees provide lot of nutrition, even though we don’t see them as having bright showy flowers.”

“Many things in the Rosaceae family such as pears, crabapple and wild plum, bloom briefly in the spring but with lots of flowers for bees,” Zawislak said. “The exception is Bradford pear, which nobody seems to like, except maybe the people who build parking lots. These are fast growing trees, which makes them weak, and are not attractive to pollinators, and provide no edible fruit later for birds or other wildlife.”

Mow less

As summer rolls around and the urge to mow more frequently increases, ignore it.

“Research published by the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the U.S. Forest Service suggests that homeowners can help support bee habitat in suburban environments simply by changing lawn-mowing habits,” he said. “Investigators found that taking a ‘lazy lawn mower’ approach and mowing every two weeks rather than weekly could help encourage bee habitat in suburban lawns by allowing flowers to bloom, which helps provide pollinators with more nutritious forage.”

Research Ecologist Susannah Lerman and Joan Milam, adjunct research fellow at UMass and were co-authors of the study “To mow or to mow less: Lawn mowing frequency affects bee abundance and diversity in suburban lawns.”

Milam said she was amazed at both the diversity and abundance of bees their team documented in residential lawns. “It speaks to the value of the untreated lawn to support wildlife,” she said.

Research ecologist Susannah Lerman said the conclusions are “a reminder that sustainability begins at home, and in this case involves doing less for more buzz.”

The Cooperative Extension Service has many beekeeping resources online or contact your county extension office.

To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uark.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu.

Mansfield Prep Team Wraps Up Season

Sports

Tammy Teague

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6:21 pm

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Mansfield seventh grade girls were short in numbers but long in enthusiasm as the group navigated an abbreviated track and field season. So too were the Mansfield boys as each group learned the tricks of the trade across the small schedule aimed at preparing them for a rise to the junior high ranks.

The Lady Tigers saw the emergence of Danielle Lowery, Annabelle Martin, and Molly Beck. Each made the occasional appearance onto the junior high team as well as score points for the seventh grade team.

Lowery progressed through the hurdles and sprint relays. She also picked up techniques in the high jump, pole vault, and discus. At the most recent seventh grade meet in Waldron, she won the pole vault at 6’ 0” and placed second and third in the high jump and 300m hurdles respectively.

Lowery’s training partner in the hurdles was Martin. At that same Waldron event, Martin topped the 100m hurdles in 21.12 seconds for second place overall. She earned a career best 1:05 in the 300m hurdles this season.

Beck has been handling the longer sprints for the seventh grade team and anchored its surging 4x400m relay. She recently joined the junior high 4x400m team at their last meet when their lead leg was sidelined with muscle cramps.

Emilee Parsons was the first of the seventh grade athletes to master the triple jump technique. Beck later joined her teammate in the pursuit of that discipline. The two have jumped similar numbers this season as the pair have approached the 24 foot barrier.

Parsons, Beck, Lowery, Martin and Summer Lyon populated the bulk of the sprint relay teams. The last of the four names listed above dotted the 4x100m prep team. Parsons joined Ella Streets, Abbigale Boyd, and Londann Hinojos on the 4x200m relay.

Streets and Hinojos worked from the shot and discus rings as well. Boyd made her track debut in the 400m dash. Lyon typically saw action in the 100m and 200m sprints.

Whitley Boyd came to the track arena late after recovery from a basketball injury. The seventh grader learned the high jump and pole vault in a short period of time. She finished first at the Waldron and Mansfield high jump pits in back to back weeks. She was top two at the pole vault at both meets as well.

For the seventh grade boys Billy Sellers and Gunner Willimas were elevated to the junior high team as well during parts of the season.

Sellers found a home at the discus circle and long jump pit. He also took to task the short sprints. Williams made his mark in the distance events coming off an All-District cross country campaign early in the school year.

Dalton Knowles progressed in the triple jump and 200m dash. Jonathan Boswell and Brennon Collie also had times taken at the 200m distance. Ashton Strutton entered the 200m dash and 400m dash at its most recent meet for the Tiger track team.

Caden Whittaker concentrated on the pole vault early in the season. He finished the last meet of the year doubling up his efforts with a 400m dash time as well.

Cordell Stone also prepped in the pole vault. He saw action in the triple jump, high jump, and sprints team also.

Colton Lawson joined Sellers at the throwing circles. His better event event was shot put but he typically threw both implements at the meets. Weston Harrison focused on the shot put.

Some of the seventh grade athletes will continue on as junior high players as the older group prepares for the 2A-4 Conference Finals on April 19.

Largest Waldron Jr Meet Greets Tigers and More

Sports

Tammy Teague

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6:20 pm

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Largest Waldron Jr Meet Greets Tigers and More

According to the announcer at the April 5 Waldron Junior Bulldog Relays, the track meet was the largest of its kind in recent memory. Some 28 schools and over 1,200 entries populated the proceedings to make for a rather long night of tough competition.

Mansfield was in the thick of the heavy handed affair with solid points and overall team success. Both the junior girls and junior boys finished the night in third place overall.

In the women’s standings, Mena took honors with 120.5 points. Alma closed hard with 98 point for runner-up status. Mansfield made it a race with 94 points for third.

Over on the men’s side,host Waldron kept their own championship trophy with 13.5 points. Alma again was runner-up with 104 points. Mansfield had its moments with 63 points for third place to lead a crowded field below the top two teams.

Mansfield’s girls saw freshman Carter Whiley reach the 15 foot plateau for the first time in the long jump. The sprinter has been effective in the 100m and 200m dashes but this was her breakthrough moment in the long jump. The 15’ 0” measurement topped all horizontal leapers.

Eighth grader Kaylee Ward continued her dominance in the women’s shot put. Her card read 35’ 9” for the win.

Freshmen Laney Wood and Trinity Triska proved valuable in the jumps. Wood won the pole vault at 7’ 0”. Triska took second in the triple jump with a 30’ 0” measurement.

Ward and Whiley joined forces with Addie Bowman Stover and Daisy Nelson in the 4x100m relay. The sprint group fell behind by an eyelash to big school Alma for the top prize. Alma crossed in 56.07 while Mansfield was within the same frame at 56.29.

For the MHS men, Trey Powell continued having a fantastic season. Despite a hiccup in the long jump, Powell scored well in five events.

According to ar.milesplit.com, the freshmen sensation is typically in contention for the 100m, 200m, long jump, triple jump, high jump, and 4x100m relay titles.

Eight grader Braxton Bartlett surprised in the shorter sprint races at Waldron. The mid-distance and long sprint racer found success in the 200m dash and 400m dash. His 200m time was 25.54. His 400m one lap time was a season best 59.87.

Dominic Shores pushed the Tiger points forward with good marks in the hurdles. His 110m hurdles ranked him third overall at 19.32. His 300m hurdles came across at 50.20 for sixth.

Mansfield continued to shore up its pole vault team with the emergence of Austin Ruiz and Boston Elmore. Both cleared 10’ 0” for consecutive places at second and third respectively.

Ethan Martin once again made his shot put one of the best in the local circuit. The eighth grader pushed the 4kg ball 39’ 9” for fourth place.

Mansfield runners Shelby Cole, Katlynn Moore, Faith Rainwater, and Darby Jones have fun following the 4x400m relay at the Gaile Hainley Relays in Waldron.

Additional Tiger Makes 2022 State Competition

Sports

Tammy Teague

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5:51 pm

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Additional Tiger Makes 2022 State Competition

Chalk up another Mansfield Tiger as an early qualifying entrant into the Quitman hosted class 2A state track meet. Despite a depleted roster, MHS still marked the trip to Waldron as an accomplished mission when their top seeded shot putter met the state standard.

Mansfield’s Seven Sanderson hadn’t been defeated this 2022 track season, at least not in the shot put event.

The Lady Tiger junior had gone unscaved since winning the combined class 1A-2A state indoor shot put back in February. On April 7 at last Thursday’s Gaile Hainley Relays in Waldron, Sanderson’s streak actually ended. If you asked her, she probably wouldn’t be that upset. A larger prize wrapped in the cozy confines of state standards fell her way. Sanderson automatically qualified to the outdoor state prelims with a hefty 31’ 8.25” second place measure.

Thaden’s Molly O’Dell, the defending class 1A state champion in both shot and discus, beat the Mansfield homeschool athlete by a slight 3.75 inches. Unflappable, Sanderson was still all smiles when her toss surpassed the AAA standard by one-quarter of an inch.

“This is something Seven has been chasing since the indoor meet,” said Mansfield senior girls coach John Mackey. “She has been putting in the extra time, working over spring break, and studying the techniques for this opportunity. We’re happy she made it happen.”

Mansfield now has four athletes already in qualifying mode for the outdoor state meet. Darby Jones was the first to do so, meeting standards in the 3200m run. Sadie Roberts and Ryan Hayslip followed with pre-qualifications in the women’s high jump and men’s pole vault respectively.

At Waldron, both gender teams from Mansfield traveled with reduced rosters. Typical bugs relative to this time of year, left some of the Tiger participants home working on getting well. Other spring sports and an upcoming Beta Club Convention also left some of the team in town.

The Lady Tigers still managed third place overall among 15 scoring schools. Waldron took first as the track meet host with 140.5 points. Ozark (126), Mansfield (93), Acron (62), and Pottsville (58) crowded the top five.

Mansfield seniors Darby Jones, Sadie Roberts, and Faith Rainwater added a combined production of 48.5 points. Jones handled all the distance races and joined the 4x400m relay for the first time. Rainwater started two relays, was second in the pole vault, and finished top seven in the 400m dash. Roberts scored off both vertical jumps, the 4x200m relay, and the open 200m dash.

Seniors Shelby Cole, Sarah Fisher, and Katlynn Mooore pitched in another 21 points together. Cole grabbed a pair of fourth place awards over the hurdles. Fisher took fourth and seventh from the discus and shot respectively. Moore produced in the 3200m run and anchored the 4x400m relay for a cool down.

Sophomore Raine Hecox leaped into seventh place at the triple jump. Sanderson completed the Lady Tiger total with silver medals in both shot and discus.

For the men, Tyler Escalante showed his quickness with solid times in the 100m and 200m dashes. Hayslip jumped 10-6 in the pole vault to finish in the top five.

Sammy Sellers and Turner Wright handled the throwing implements. John Branch and Axel Ravnsborg joined in sprints.

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