By Peggy Barger
The Greenwood Lady Bulldogs are headed to the 5A State Softball Tournament Finals, where they will play Benton on Thursday at 4 p.m. The tournament is slated to take place at the Benton athletic complex.
The team advanced past Lake Hamilton 3-0 to advance to Round 2 on Friday. They then took on Marion and brought home the win, 11-5, advancing to the semifinal on Saturday.
The Lady Dogs punched their ticket to the finals with a win over Mountain Home, 7-5.
The Little Rock Baptist Prep Lady Eagles softball team showed on Saturday why they have been ranked number one in class 3A for most, if not all of the season. Prep defeated the Paris Lady Eagles in the 3A state semifinals on Saturday in Ashdown by the score of 2-0. It was a classic pitchers dual between two great teams and pitchers, and in the end, Prep committed fewer mistakes and was able to amass a few more key hits than Paris. And that was the difference between two evenly matched teams. Baptist Prep advances to the state final next weekend to play the Hoxie Lady Mustangs who defeated Smackover in the other semifinal game played on Saturday.
Mistakes and the absence of key, RBI hits haunted Paris all afternoon. Defensive errors, as well as a key base running error at third base late in the game were the differences for Paris in their bid to pull the upset over the top-ranked Baptist Prep team. Paris senior Jadyn Hart went the distance in the circle, just has she has all season. The iconic senior played gallantly in her final game for Paris, but the lack of offense against two great pitchers from Prep spelled defeat for Paris.
Paris had a great season, and went further in the playoffs than a lot of people quietly felt they had the potential to do. The team will return all of their starters in 2022 with the exception of Jaydn Hart. Hart’s graduation will big for the Lady Eagles going into the off season. She could always be counted on for her complete starts, strikeouts, and yes, also as a big hitter in the Lady Eagles lineup. Returning players, such as Karsyn Tencleve and Jadyn Wells will be counted on heavily to lead the team and fill the void left by the graduation of Hart.
We know that the Lady Eagles feel the sting from an emotional loss on Saturday, but they and their fans can be very proud of their performance all season and in the post-season. They are a great group of players who were fun to watch and played every game with great spirit and all out effort. Paris coach Donald Hart has built one of the top five high school softball programs in Arkansas 3A, and Paris fans can be very proud of the Lady Eagles. In fact, many Paris fans and even some high school faculty made the long trip to Ashdown to support the Lady Eagles. I know the team appreciates the support of so many who made the three hour plus trip to southwest Arkansas to cheer them on through the state playoffs. Paris consistently outnumbered their opposition in the number of fans present at the games. In my opinion, these are people who care very deeply about not only the team, but all of the children in the Paris schools, as well. The Paris fans deserve a lot of credit for supporting their teams.
Just my opinion, but anyone who questions the value of high school athletics has to be impressed with the lessons that are learned from being a part of athletics. The Lady Eagles were on an emotional roller coaster all week. It was exhilarating when they won, and it was heart-breaking yesterday when they lost a close game to who I believe will be crowned as the state champion next week. Anyone can enjoy winning, but it is hard to lose and show class in the process. Life will always give us these moments. It is not a matter of if, but when they will happen. The difference in success in life is what we do and how we react when they occur. Our Lady Eagles had another life lesson on Saturday, and they and their coaches are class acts. They will get over the hurt, and they will move on in positive ways that will carry forward in their lives. They should all know, we are so very proud of them.
Additional photos from the Lady Eagles’ semifinal game with Baptist Prep can be found on Facebook at Paris Eagles Sports. Fans from both schools can copy them at no charge.
It has been my pleasure to bring you Resident Press coverage of the Lady Eagles all season, and I can’t wait for another season to start next year! But for me, it is on to football and volleyball for the 2021 seasons, and I look forward to bringing it to you again this summer and into the new fall school semester.
Congratulations to the Paris Lady Eagles for making the final four of the state playoffs, and for all of the many wonderful memories throughout the season! Great job, ladies!
By Randy Zellers
JACKSONVILLE — Perfect weather and smiling faces greeted today’s participants in the Arkansas Youth Shooting Sports Program Senior Division competition. Shooters from the program’s West region competed at the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation’s Jacksonville Shooting Sports Complex to take part in the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission program. With last year’s competition canceled because of COVID-19 concerns, everyone was ready to get back to a day of camaraderie in the outdoors.
The Minutemen posted the day’s top score, hitting 232 thrown clay targets out of a possible 250. Lamar Warriors Senior 1 was on their heels, falling short of the first-place pace by only two hit targets. Shiloh Christian School’s Blue Angels took third with a score of 225.
Each member of a trap-shooting squad in the senior division shoots two rounds of 25 targets for a total possible score of 50 per shooter. With five shooters per squad, each team will pull the trigger 250 times before the scoring is done. The top 16 squads in each of four regions across the state are eligible for the AYSSP Junior State Tournament June 4; the AYSSP Senior State Tournament is set for June 5.
The top 16 Senior Division teams who will represent the West Region at the state championship are:
Minutemen AckAck, 232; Lamar Warriors Senior 1, 230; Shiloah Christian School Blue Angels, 225; Berryville Shooting Sports, 224; Shiloh Christian School Thunderbirds, 224; Accuracy in Motion Team A, 221; Berryville Shooting Sports Duck Pluckers, 220; Alma Youth Trap Club, Team Z, 220; Greenwood Bulldogs Powder Monkeys, 219; God’s Great Outdoors Senior 1, 218; Shiloh Christain School Knight Hawks, 217; Greenwood Bulldogs Blazing Barrels, 215; Berryville Shooting Sports Cross-eyed Crickets, 215; Danville FFA 2, 214; Huntsville High School Squad 1, 213; Booneville Senior Bearcats 3, 211.
Botey Teter of Berryville Shooting Sports was the only shooter to run the table today, scoring a perfect 50 out of 50 and leading his team to a fourth-place finish. He will join the perfect shooters from all other regions to compete in the Champion of Champions individual shootoff at the AYSSP State Championship June 5.
This was the third weekend of competition leading up to the championship round. Next week concludes the regionals with South Region teams taking the field May 21-22. Junior division competition (grades 6-8) is held Fridays; senior division competition (grades 9-12) is held Saturdays.
The final rounds of the state championship and third-place match, as well as the Champion of Champions shoot-off to follow, will be carried June 4-5 on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission YouTube channel with Trey Reid, host of “Arkansas Wildlife,” handling the “clay-by-clay” commentary.
To see all scores from the tournaments, visit https://apps.agfc.com/ayssp.
At 16, Joshua Merritt is the youngest UAFS graduate to walk in commencement exercises this week, and that makes UAFS’ own Jason Merritt one incredibly proud father.
Joshua Merritt, a River Valley native, will graduate with an associate degree in electronics this weekend. He also will receive a technical certificate and two certificates of proficiency this semester.
“He is double majoring in electrical engineering technology and mechanical engineering with a 4.0 GPA,” said Jason Merritt, Joshua’s father and senior instructor of electronics technology in the College of Applied Science and Technology at UAFS.
Joshua Merritt graduated from Greenwood High School three years early and turned 16 at the end of March. He has completed 81 hours toward his electrical engineering technology degree.
“Since this chapter of my life is the ideal time to focus on my studies of engineering fundamentals, I am currently focusing on completing two engineering bachelor’s degrees,” Joshua said. “I anticipate some industry opportunity soon, but I am also strongly considering the importance of completing master’s and doctorate degrees.”
Joshua received the Academic Excellence Award for Electronics in April. He also presented his senior design project, “Robot Automation Pandemic Integration Delivery System, which focuses on using robotics and automation in industry to keep workers safe while continuing production through the COVID-19 pandemic, at the annual Student Research Symposium. A panel of judges selected this research presentation as one of the top oral presentations of the symposium.
“He absolutely loves UAFS and has had excellent experiences with all of his professors,” Jason Merritt.
Joshua said that UAFS has made him feel welcome and has given him the interpersonal skills, research proficiency, study techniques, and insight that have helped him continue to prepare for his degree and future career path.
“I have learned so much from my professors, as well as peers that have worked in the industry,” he said. “I have also been able to work on many awesome projects while working through this degree program.”
“I also want to give a heartfelt thank you to the chancellor, provost, deans of both CAST and STEM (College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), advisers, and awesome professors that have helped me achieve success here at UAFS. I have several more years here, and I know I will enjoy every semester thanks to each of you!”
The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith has announced the 17 best research presentations delivered at the 14th Annual Student Research Symposium.
Research projects presented at the conference included both oral and poster presentations. Among the research disciplines represented were animation technology, biology, chemistry, computer graphic technology, computer science, dental hygiene education, engineering, English, finance, geoscience, history, imaging sciences, health sciences, literature, mathematics, music, psychology, and Spanish.
The 26 students whose presentations were selected by judges for recognition received monetary awards.
The winners are:
Alma: Forrest Lasiter (team of 3), “Robot Automation Pandemic Integration Delivery System,” faculty sponsor Dr. Kiyun Han.
Coal Hill: Morgan Reynolds (team of 4), “Pregnancy and the Effects of Periodontal Disease,” faculty sponsor Dr. Bonnie Branson.
Fort Smith: Samantha Barnett (team of 2), “Petrographic and Biostratigraphic Analysis of a McKay Bay Member Mid-Silurian Knoll Reef in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula,” faculty sponsor Dr. Maurice Testa; Melanie Bradley, “The Adaptation and Creation of Genre in The Last of the Mohicans,” faculty sponsor Dr. Kevin Jones; Kellie Garner, “The Decline of Brick-and-Mortar Depository Institutions,” faculty sponsor Dr. Alejandro Pacheco; Hannah Holstead, “Genre Classifications of Shakespeare’s “First Folio” – Then and Now,” faculty sponsor Dr. Kimberly Robinson; Candace Janders (team of 2), “The COVID Effect on Student Achievement as Part of the Teacher Apprenticeship,” faculty sponsor Dr. Monica Riley; Raymundo Lara, “Nothing is Real: VFX Creating a New Reality,” faculty sponsor Cody Holt; Kelsey Webb (team of 4), “Pregnancy and the Effects of Periodontal Disease,” faculty sponsor Dr. Bonnie Branson; Evan Wittig, “Electrochemical Biofilms for Drug Metabolite Synthesis,” faculty sponsor Dr. Charuksha Walgama.
Greenwood: Lauren Chitty, “Baseball Analysis Using the Markov Chain Model,” faculty sponsor Dr. Daiho Uhm; Jacob McLain, “Preliminary Mapping of Joints in the Middle-Pennsylvanian McAlester Formation in the Vicinity of Fort Smith, Arkansas,” faculty sponsor Dr. Dave Mayo; Joshua Merritt (team of 3), “Robot Automation Pandemic Integration Delivery System,” faculty sponsor Dr. Kiyun Han; Logan Pearson (team of 2), “Petrographic and Biostratigraphic Analysis of a McKay Bay Member Mid-Silurian Knoll Reef in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula,” faculty sponsor Dr. Maurice Testa; Mikaela Pschier (team of 2), “Mitrofanoff Procedure: A Case Study,” faculty sponsor Brandy Weidman; Katelyn Smith, “Novel Potential Small Molecule Therapeutics of SARS-CoV-2 Targeting Papain-like Protease,” faculty sponsor Dr. Souvik Banerjee.
Lavaca: Leslie Holland (team of 2), “The COVID Effect on Student Achievement as Part of the Teacher Apprenticeship,” faculty sponsor Dr. Monica Riley.
Lowell: Gen Torres (team of 4), “Pregnancy and the Effects of Periodontal Disease,” faculty sponsor Dr. Bonnie Branson.
Mulberry: Paul Gambill, “IR Spectroscopy and Mass Spectrometry Investigations of Menthol: Acetic Acid Based Deep Eutectic Solvent,” faculty sponsor Dr. Mohammad Halim.
Paris: Alexis Dear, “2GZ8 Protease Targeted for Drug Repurposing through E-pharmacophore, Molecular Docking, and ADMET Based Screening,” faculty sponsor Dr. Souvik Banerjee.
Porum, OK: Tony Barnes (team of 2), “Mitrofanoff Procedure: A Case Study,” faculty sponsor Brandy Weidman.
Van Buren: Matt Boston, “Detection of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) in Drugs Using Screen Printed Electrodes,” faculty sponsor Dr. Charuksha Walgama; Adrian Cuevas (team of 2), “UAFS ParkBOT: An Autonomous Vehicle Identification Robot,” faculty sponsors Andrew Mackey and Israel Cuevas; Tera Elkins (team of 4), “Pregnancy and the Effects of Periodontal Disease,” faculty sponsor Dr. Bonnie Branson; Haley Gilstrap (team of 3), “Robot Automation Pandemic Integration Delivery,” faculty sponsor Dr. Kiyun Han; Kyle Kelly (team of 2), “UAFS ParkBOT: An Autonomous Vehicle Identification Robot,” faculty sponsors Andrew Mackey and Israel Cuevas.
The University of Central Oklahoma College of Business recently awarded two scholarships to a Greenwood resident for the upcoming fall and spring semesters in recognition of his academic achievements and outstanding service to the university.
Evan Griffith, a sophomore majoring in PGA golf management from Greenwood, recently received the Bernard and Lucille Hall Family Endowed Scholarship and the Edwards Endowed Scholarship.
“On behalf of the UCO College of Business, I would like to congratulate our many deserving scholarship recipients this year. These talented students have worked exceptionally hard to distinguish themselves as future business leaders. I am very proud of their dedication over the past year as they adapted to new challenges to learning that resulted from COVID-19,” said Jeremy Oller, J.D., Ph.D., interim dean of the UCO College of Business.
“I would also like to thank our many donors, alumni and friends for their tremendous support of our students and programs in the College of Business. Their generosity truly impacts our students’ lives and helps the college continue to offer the best educational experience possible. We are dedicated to preparing students to become the future business leaders within the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, and the support of our donors reflects our college’s distinct connection with our business community.”
For more information about the UCO College of Business, visit http://www.uco.edu/business.
The Paris Lady Eagles cruised to a 8-0 state quarterfinal win over the Bald Knob Lady Bulldogs behind the solid pitching of Jadyn Hart and an offensive explosion that jumped on the Lady Bulldogs early and often. With the win, Paris advances to the state semifinals on Saturday to play the number one ranked Baptist Prep Lady Eagles for the right to play in next week’s state championship final.
Baptist Prep has been ranked number one in Class 3A all season. In fact, the Lady Eagles have not lost to a Class 3A team all season. I caught up with Paris head coach Donald Hart after his Lady Eagles dominated a good Bald Knob team on Friday, and I asked him for an assessment of how his team has played in the state tournament, as well as some comments on a very good Baptist Prep team that Paris will face for the right to play in next week’s state championship game. Coach Hart commented, “We are playing our best ball at the right time. Its all about peaking at the right time and we seem to be hitting on all cylinders going into the semifinals. Baptist Prep has been number one all year and has not lost to a 3A team this year. They have two pitchers that throw in the low 60’s (mph), a good defense, and very good hitters. We will be going in as the underdog. We lost to them two years ago in the regional semifinals 2-1. It should be a very good game.”
Yes, it should be a very good game, and in fact, it may be the biggest game of the tournament, even the state final. If Paris can find a way to win, they have a very good chance of winning the state championship next weekend.
Game time in Ashdown is 12 noon. And before I finish this story, I would like to send out praise and appreciation to the Ashdown school district and community for an excellent job in hosting the first three round of the state tournament. Ashdown has excellent facilities, and the staff has been friendly and efficient all week. They have been a gracious host, and I am sure our players, coaches, and fans, appreciate their fine hospitality.
So the stage is set. It is Paris and Baptist Prep for a berth in next week’s championship game. And it may be the biggest game of the year.
See you at the ballpark!
To hear the name, Bryson Bailey, in the track world is enough to make some opponents tremble with fear. When it comes to track or anything for that matter, once Bailey sets his mind to it, there’s no turning back “I’ve grown up around the track my whole life,” Waldron Bulldog, Bryson Bryson explained. “I really started falling in love with the sport in 4th grade though. It also helps that my mom is a track coach and my current coach, Chance Tanner, went to UCA to run track. Both of them motivated me my entire life!” And the proof is in the pudding.
Not including his other top-notch performances on the football team, basketball team, baseball team, and the Beta Club, in track alone, Bryson was a member of the 2019 3A Indoor State Championship Team, 2020 3A Indoor State Championship Team, and the 2021 3A Outdoor State Runner-up Team. He holds 2 State Records, one in the 2021 3A 4x100m-43.24 and one in the 2021 3A 4x200m-1:32.59. Has six Individual/Relay State Championships: 3A Outdoor-Long Jump(2021), 4×100(2021), 4×200(2021), and 3A Indoor-Long Jump(2019 & 2020), 60m(2020). The 2020 3A Indoor State Championships Boy’s High Point. And Personal Bests in Long Jump-22’8.75”, 100m-11.03, 200m-22.75, 60m-7.15.
All of Bryson’s hard work finally paid off when on Thursday, May 13, he signed his letter of intent for Division 1 Track and Field at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Arkansas. “I chose UCA because one, it is close to home, and two, the jumps coach at UCA made me feel welcome from the very beginning. I’m hoping to continue my journey at UCA by winning a Conference Championship but the big goal is to make it to Nationals!” When asked what he will miss most about Bailey, Waldron Boys Track Coach and former UCA Bear, Chance Tanner, expressed “Bryson is one of those kids that you love to coach. When football season was over he was asking what he needed to do to get ready for track season. He’s a multisport athlete so he doesn’t have a lot of free time or an off-season, but even during those other sports, he would come down to the track once or twice a week or on a weekend to get a little running in or long jump. You don’t see that kind of dedication in every athlete, so when you do it’s fun to coach. I can’t wait to see what he can do at UCA!”
Not only is Bryson a dream athlete in any sport he participates in, but he also excels in the classroom as well. When you remove all of the sports games, track events, weight lifting, and daily practices, one wonders where Bailey even finds the time to maintain a 4.0 GPA. But he does and he does it with ease. “Sports have always been important to Bryson,” his mom and Waldron Girls Track Coach, Angie Bailey continued. “But he has also always known that to play sports you have to be dedicated in school. I am so proud of his maintaining a 4.0 along with taking AP classes, taking 24 credit hours of college classes, and becoming a CNA all while playing 4 sports. If he sets his mind on something then that’s it!”
Coach Bailey concluded, “It has been a struggle being a track coach and a mom of an athlete. It always seemed like when it was time for Bryson to jump, one of my athletes was jumping as well. But what do you do? I never missed a meet though. I not only want him to excel in track in college but also excel in his studies. He plans on going into the medical field so it will be hard to juggle both. I definitely want him to have fun but not too much fun!”
Bryson, it has been an honor to follow you for the last four years. These signing days are definitely the highlight of my job. We at Resident Press are truly proud of you and can not wait to see what the rest of your journey has to offer!
Paris fans made the three hour plus drive on Thursday to Ashdown to watch the Paris Lady Eagles take on the Dover Lady Pirates in the first round of the Class 3A softball tournament. And not only did the Lady Eagles, a number one seed in the tournament, get a 6-0 win over the four seed Lady Pirates, the Paris fans were treated to a piece of Lady Eagles history as senior Jadyn Hart pitched a complete and perfect game, not allowing any base runners or hits in the state tournament win.
Paris now advances to the state quarterfinals on Friday and will play the Bald Knob Lady Bulldogs. That game will start at 10 a.m. in Ashdown. The winner of Friday’s games will advance to Saturday’s semi-finals that will also be played in Ashdown.
Resident Press will have a day two update from the state tournament on Friday night. Photos from today’s game will be available on Facebook at Paris Eagles Sports early next week.
So for now, hello to all you Eagles fans out there from the state tournament, and I hope to see you at the ballpark on Friday as the Lady Eagles continue to follow their dream of a class 3A state title!
Longtime Mansfield Police Officer Sean White took the oath of office on Thursday morning, May 13. This time, as Chief of the Hackett Police Department.
White has called the City of Hackett home for the past 16 years. He and his wife Shannon have two sons, Andrew and Noah. Both his parents, David and Vivian White, were present for the ceremony. His father pinned White’s badge, and his mother presented his gold whistle.
“I took this job because I love my hometown, and I want it to be a place the residents can be proud of,” shared White. “I have worked hard in Mansfield, establishing a rapport in the community and schools. I want to bring that back to Hackett.”
White’s priorities include getting out into the community, having a presence in the school, and tackling the drug problem.
“I am not an office cop,” White stated. “Of course, there are things that have to be done there, but I will tackle pressing issues first.”
White added that the Hackett Police Department will be growing and changing. “I want to remold this department into something everyone can be proud of.”
After taking office on Thursday, White will immediately go to work. “If I am in the office, people are welcome to come see me. If I am not there, you can be sure you will see me out in the community. I plan to make myself available and be approachable.“
Mayor Trini Harper administered the oath of office. “We know he (Chief Sean White) will do a great job, and have high expectations. We appreciate Sheriff Hobe Runion and the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Department for all their assistance and support.”
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