Last Fall, a group of band directors around the state decided to form Arkansas Marching Arts Association. AMAA allows indoor performing ensembles to compete in Arkansas for the first time in state history. Before, the Greenwood Winter Winds had to travel out of state to compete as an indoor ensemble. But on February 29th, Greenwood traveled to Bryant, Arkansas to compete in the first AMAA competition of their inaugural season.
This year the Greenwood Winter Winds 2020 show is titled “Off With Her Head.” The show is based off the Queen of Hearts from Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland. At the start of the show, the Queen and her guards marching out as the ensemble performs. The show features, two amazing solos that form into a duet, an incredible sounding ensemble, and beautiful visuals from the guard. At the Bryant competition, the band took first place over the Siloam Springs High School Winds with a score of 76.750.
On March 7th, Greenwood Winter Winds ensemble traveled to Burleson, Texas to compete in the WGI Dallas Regional. There, Greenwood competed against two other wind ensembles in their classification, Joshua High School from Joshua, Texas and Godley High School from Godley, Texas. During the Prelims portion of the competition, Greenwood placed 2nd with a score of 75.400, just behind Joshua High School, who scored 75.950. But during Greenwood’s Finals run, they pulled out ahead of Joshua High School to take first place in the Scholastic A Winds with a score of 79.050.
The next performance for the Greenwood Winter Winds will be on March 14th as the Arkansas Marching Arts Association hold their next competition at Greenwood High School. You will not want to miss the Greenwood Winter Wind’s performance of “Off With Her Head”. For more updates on performing ensembles and start time, check out Arkansas River Valley Bands on Facebook or Instagram.
Scott County Extension Homemakers delivered food to local law enforcement agencies on February 28.
Ten ladies provided more than six gallons of soup and chili, two cakes, brownies, cookies, crackers and cornbread for lunch. Â
Reita Plummer, Lynn Landon, Peggy Sehorn, Leanne Forrest, Mary Handley, Scott County Extension Agent Debra Miller, Betty Overturf, Arkansas Extension Homemakers Ouachita District Director Lisa Davis, Amanda Biggerstaff and Patsy Biggerstaff all worked together to deliver the meal.
Members of both departments were grateful for the homecooked meals!
Leanne Forrest delivered lunch to Waldron Police Department. She is pictured with Officer Steve Mourton and Detective Horatio Gonzalez.
Waldron Police Department’s Officer Steve Mourton and Detective Horatio Gonzalez. Reita Plummer, Amanda Biggerstaff, Patsy Biggerstaff Pictured standing: Reita Plummer, Leeann Forrest and Mary Handley. Seated is Betty Overturf.
Mansfield’s tradition of starting off strong in track and field held serve as the Lady Tiger and Tiger seventh graders ventured to Booneville on March 2 to open the outdoor season.
The MJH prep team for the girls took the runner-up trophy for the team standings. The prep men were fourth.
Trinity Triska and Laney Wood continued the workload that they shared staring for the MJH cross country team back in the Fall. The pair scored points all across the map for the Lady Tigers.
Wood took the pole vault title. She contributed in the 4x800m relay, 4x400m relay, 300m hurdles, and triple jump. Triska was second in the pole vault. She placed high in the same two relays, 1600m run, and triple jump.
Maylei Rogers won the triple jump at 26-5.5 and was part of the team’s sprint relay team.
Presley Curry was the top Tiger hurdler with a 20.74 finish in the 100m hurdles. Addison Bowman was the in the running for the top 300m hurdle championship with a 59.0 run over the 8 barrier race. She was second at the meet.
Aaliyah Summers was the fastest Mansfield girl at the 100m dash, 200m dash, and 4x200m relay.
Megan Emery, Azlynn Nelson, Wood, and Triska were fourth in the 4x400m relay. Aiden Fildes, Bowman, Wood, and Triska equaled that spot in the 4x800m coop.
The Tiger seventh grade boys easily won the 4x100m relay. Aaron Person, Austin Ruiz, Toby Towe, and Trey Powell went 54.64 around the one lap sprint.
Towe was the winner of the 300m hurdles. He was fourth in the 100m high hurdles.
Powell was the busiest Tiger placing high in the 100m dash, 200m dash, and two relays. He was also second in the high jump and fifth in the long jump.
Ruiz took second in the pole vault at 7-0. He blazed around in the 800m run for second place at 2:36.20.
Winston Allison, Ruiz, Towe, and Powell were third in the 4x400m relay. Boston Elmore was fifth in the pole vault. He jumped 6-6.
Dominating in the throws and the jumps, Mansfield’s junior girls took down all teams at the Booneville Bearcats Junior Relays on March 5.
With 64 of their 137.5 points coming out of the shot, discus, high jump, long jump, triple jump, and pole vault, Mansfield took the early lead. Staying steady with plenty of hurdle and relay points, the team continued to control most of the meet.
Waldron behind the strength of distance points kept it close but could only climb to 110 points for the runner-up trophy.
Skylynn Harris, the 2020 class 3A state indoor shot put champion for the high school team, dropped back down to the junior high ranks and won both the shot and discus. Harris won each throw by large margins for a quick 20 points to the team total.
Madelen Jones won the girls 100m hurdles in the narrowest of margins for another Tigers’ first place award. The Tiger freshman who also competed up on the state indoor team ran the 100m highs in 17.62.
Jadelynn Wood took the team’s only other individual first place win by besting all runners over the 300m intermediate hurdles. The freshman was clocked at 55.66 seconds.
Wood, Natalie Allison, Trinity Triska, and Kynslee Ward ran away with the 4x400m relay for the team’s only relay first place award. The combination of two freshmen, one eighth grader, and a seventh grader rounded the 4 laps in 4:48.87.
Wood and Allison, the two freshmen, were point producer for the state indoor team.
Jones, Wood, Harlie Fuller, and Kynslee Ward all pointed in fine fashion for the Lady Tiger hurdle squad. Jones, Ward, Wood, and Natalie Allison gave high value from the vertical or horizontal jumps.
The junior boys had their moments at Booneville but lack of depth hurt their overall chances. The squad was still competitive with an eighth place finish in the team rankings.
Tommy Phang did well in the 300m hurdles. The freshman crossed in 48.00 seconds for fourth place. He was also the lead leg in the fifth place 4x400m relay team. That group ran hard to finish in 4:19.34. The group consisted of Phang, Austin Quinalty, Ashton Hinkle, and Austin Ruiz.
Tyler Turnipseed and Trey Powell were the fastest Tigers along the 100m and 200m sprints. Peyton Martin was the best Tiger pole vaulter clearing 9 feet for fourth place.
MJH 4x400m relay members Natalie Allison, Jadelynn Wood, Kynslee Ward, and Trinity Triska won the Bearcat closing relay.Tigers Austin Ruiz, Ashton Hinkle, Tommy Phang, and Austin Quinalty competed in the 4x400m relay for Mansfield junior boys.
Just days after competing at the 2020 ATCA indoor state finals, Mansfield took it’s senior girls track squad to Booneville on March 3 for the first outdoor meet of the season. Behind a very strong showing in the field events, the MHS women posted the first team win of the season.
Sadie Roberts equaled her class 3A state title high jump mark of 5 feet to easily win the Bearcat vertical event. Faith Rainwater took the pole vault victory at 7-6. Brooke Wright the blue ribbon winner with an outstanding toss of 94-8 at the discus circle.
Those were the first three scoring events for the senior girls at the Bearcat Relays. All resulting in blue ribbons for the Tiger women.
Mansfield would take two more first places later in the night. The relay of Hope Rainwater, Katlynn Moore, McKenzie Griffin, and Faith Rainwater won the 4x800m race. Micah Smith, Makayla Strutton, Delilah McKusker, and Danielle Lillie won the 4x100m relay.
Mansfield continued the trend with more high marks throughout the night.
Lillie and Strutton negotiated the 100m hurdles in consecutive times of 17.64 and 18.25 for second and third places respectively.
McKusker and Strutton had similar finishes in the 300m hurdles to give Mansfield an extreme edge in the barrier races. McKusker was clocked at 58.52. Strutton followed at 58.60.
Faith Rainwater, Darby Jones, Griffin, and Moore collected a bounty of the distance points. Haylie Burns contributed in the both throws.
Roberts was busy with two thirds and a second place finish to add to her first place high jump.
Three days later Mansfield’s senior girls competed at the Van Buren Runners’ Festival. Lillie, Strutton, McKusker, and Lennon Woods placed well in the hurdles. This time Woods was the fastest Lady Tiger over the 300m hurdles. Lillie was once again the top Tiger at the 100m highs.
Faith Rainwater and Jones clocked better times against stiffer competition in the 3200m run. The pair clocked in at 14:00 and 14:07 for fourth and fifth places.
McKusker, Roberts, Strutton, and Lillie ran the 4x200m relay exhibition. The going was good until a bobbled handoff slowed them down to second place overall. The group went 2:05.93 in the race.
Addison Goetz, Woods, Roberts, and Lillie were third in the 4x100m relay.
Danielle Lillie competed in five events for Mansfield’s senior girls track team scoring 28.5 points.MHS sophomore Faith Rainwater led the Lady Tigers’ senior team in distance points at both Booneville and Van Buren.Haylie Burns scores in shot and discus for Mansfield’s senior high team.
The Mountain View Lady Yellowjackets have been ranked #1 by Max Preps for most of the year, and yesterday, in front of a packed house at Tiger Center in Charleston, Mountain View proved why they have been ranked as high. The Lady Yellowjackets started the game with a 13-0 run in the first quarter and forced Charleston to play catch-up for the entire game. The end result was a nine point victory for Mountain Home and a spot in the championship game next Friday in Hot Springs.
Charleston, playing on less than 24 hours rest after a tough game the night before with Central Arkansas Christian, appeared to start the game sluggishly. Their outside shooters seemed to suffer the worst effects of the short turnaround with shots missing either short or wildley over-shot. But the character of this team that has always been there for the Lady Tigers, was there again on Saturday. Charleston continued to fight through the “fog” all day and made several runs at Mountain View, but just could not quite complete the comeback. The 13-4 deficit at the end of the first quarter proved to be too much for the Lady Tigers.
Tournaments can be both strange and cruel at times. One of the ironies of this year’s tournament was the seeding of the Lady Tigers. In the regional third place game, Charleston defeated Rose Bud decidedly to earn the third seed. Had Charleston lost that game and gone into the state tournament as a four seed, the pathway would have actually been more favorable to Charleston, especially considering they would have played their quarterfinal game on Thursday and would have had Friday off before the semifinal game. It is very difficult for a team to turn around in less than 24 hours and play a championship game. The NCAA tournament is structured to give all teams at all points in the bracket at least 48 hours rest. My job is not to make excuses for Charleston; they do not need me to make excuses for them. And I certainly do not want to take anything away from Mountain View. The Lady Jackets are a great team and they are my pick to win next Friday. But, the rest issue is a factor I think the Arkansas Activities Association needs to look at for future tournaments. The finals are not going to be played for another six days after the semis, so, there was ample time to give all four semifinal matches the same amount of rest. In my advancing age, I especially will not be happy to hear the Activities Association give a bureaucratic answer to why this cannot be done. I want them to explain it to the Charleston seniors who played their last game under conditions that I deem to have been fundamentally unfair.
Charleston started the game with seemingly a lot of energy. That may contradict the ‘soap box” rant that I just went on, but, I am sure they entered the game with a lot of adrenaline to be playing in the semifinal at home. Adrenaline is short lived, and that was the case with Charleston. By contrast, Mountain View looked like a well rested, confident, and skilled team that entered the game with a defensive strategy of placing big low post players down low to stop the cutting and penetrating Lady Tiger guards to the basket. The strategy worked well, forcing Charleston to shoot outside, or force one shot inside against their large low post players. The result was the inability for Charleston to score, and also not being able to apply their pressure defense due to fouls being called closely, or, with the Lady Tigers having to take chances on defense to create turnovers to score and get back into the game.
Mountain View played like champions yesterday. They have outstanding guard play and great physical presence inside. They are extremely well-coached and they were mentally prepared yesterday for the large, partisan crowd in Charleston.
Charleston went into the half down 11 points. Most teams, down double-digits in the first half, want to reduce the lead inside ten points by the half to position themselves to be able to make a run in the second half and be within range to win the game. The Lady Tigers played hard and just could not quite make up the deficit. When the halftime buzzer sounded, Charleston would have to go to the locker room and regroup and find a way to score against the tough Mountain View defense.
The second half was not any easier for Charleston. The Lady Tigers would score a few points, but Mountain View would always answer. In fact, with 3:51 remaining in the game, Mountain View had a 19 point lead. But again, in true testament to the character of the Lady Tigers, the team continue to fight, refusing to give up. Behind the three point shooting of Baylee King, Charleston reduced the 19 point lead to just nine points with just a little more than 2 minutes to play in the game. But running out of “gas”, and expending a lot of energy to make the run, the Lady Tigers could not reduce the lead any further, and the final score was 67-58. A huge effort by the Lady Tigers that fell short, but one that I will never forget. A team with terrific heart and character; they are truly special.
It was an emotionally-charged moment with Coach Jason Rucker began to sub for his senior starters for the last time. Among all of the emotion, seniors Alexi Grandison, and his daughter Payton, were very emotional. Words cannot describe the moment. I thought about my first interview this season with Coach Rucker, and among the excitement he had for the upcoming season, he also added that he was dreading the year because he was about to say good-bye to a large group of seniors that he had coached in Charleston for many years, dating back to youth travel teams at early ages. He said he was dreading having to say good-bye to such a special group. Yesterday became that day, and if it did not bring a tear to your eye, then nothing will.
Most of our readers know that I am not from the Charleston community. But for the past seven months, I have had the pleasure of covering sports at Charleston High School. In doing so, I have met many wonderful people, both inside and outside of the school district. This year’s Lady Tigers basketball team may be the most special group of young adults that I have ever had the privilege to meet. Parents, you deserve a lot of credit for raising such great daughters. We all wanted them to end their high school careers with a state championship, but in the end, they have won the greatest title of all, that of being good students, good people, and possessors of great character and perseverance. Yes, it was my privilege to cover their season, I extend my most heart-felt congratulations to this team, the coaches, and everyone connected to them.
But my job as a reporter did not end with the Charleston semifinal game. I admittedly had allowed myself to connect with Charleston and pull for their victories. But my job went on, and I want to share with you the results of the other semifinal games played yesterday.
In boys bracket play, the Rivercrest Colts defeated the Dumas Bobcats by the score of 84-63. Rivercrest has been the most dominant team in the boys bracket, and they are my pick to win a state championship. Rivercrest will play Osceola on Friday, March 13, at 1:45 p.m. at Bank OZK Arena in Hot Springs. The Seminoles defeated Mayflower 51-44 to set up the state championship with their neighbor who is located just a few miles down I-55 from Osceola. The rivalry game for the state championship should make for an exciting atmosphere in Hot Springs on Friday.
In the second girls semifinal of the day, the Valley Springs Lady Tigers hung on for a 46-43 victory over the Mayflower Lady Eagles. Valley Springs will play Mountain View on Friday, March 13 at 12 Noon at Bank OZK Arena in Hot Springs for the championship.
So, after five days of outstanding high school basketball at Tiger Center, it is time to give all of the teams a standing ovation and our most sincere thanks for a great basketball season. Resident Press will have coverage of the Class 3A state final games in Hot Springs in its edition on Saturday, March 14.
One last comment on the state tournament. As you know, the Charleston School District hosted the five-day tournament. Many of the district employees, coaches, administrators, parents, and community patrons and businesses supported the event. The tournament was one of the best-ran tournaments I have ever seen, and I want all of our readers to know that, especially for a small school district, state tournaments are not easy to host. If you attended any of the games, the end product that you saw was the result of many months of planning and organization that took place before the five-day marathon that was supported by so many people. Charleston provided first class hospitality that was presented by so many employees and volunteers who had great attitudes and worked hard to make sure that each team and their fans felt at home. Everyone in the Charleston community can feel proud of the job your school and community did in the hosting of schools from all over the state. And, thanks to everyone in the district that has made me feel at home and has provided Resident Press the access to bring Charleston sports coverage to our readers!
Thanks to all of you for reading RP, and once again, congratulations to the Charleston Lady Tigers for an outstanding season!
A year from now, the 4x200m relay will once again be a scored event at the state track meet. With the knowledge that it’s being reinstated after a nearly 20 year absence, many locations are running the race as an exhibition race this season.
Mansfield was all in as the first opportunity to run the midlevel sprint relay was offered at Van Buren on March 6. Tiger runners John Branche, Codi Chick, Austin Carlton, and Jaicy Griffin volunteered to make the four consecutive half lap efforts.
Passing along the baton in 1:41.16, Mansfield’s four senior high track athletes came from behind to win the Pointer Runners Meet by a narrow four hundredths of a second.
Fort Smith Southside had been leading the race from the start. Mansfield anchor leg Jaicy Griffin had his work cut out for him as he turned on the jets to catch the powder blue Maverick at the tape.
Photoelectronic timing sorted out the images giving Mansfield the win. Southside fell to second followed by West Fork and Clarksville for the top four finishers.
The relay win was one of many highlights for the Tigers’ senior boys team as a busy week of outdoor meets kicked off.
Sophomore Ethan Chapman broke two personal records in his two mid-distance events. Following a strategy mapped out pre-race, the current MHS cross country player of the year nailed his first PR in the 1600m run.
Looking to break his old junior high school record, Chapman did so by nearly 5 seconds. His new mark of 5:08.27 was set by winning the second section of the men’s 1600m race.
Less than a hour later, Chapman took to the oval once again in the shorter two lap 800m run. Again, personal history fell. The long, lanky runner rounded the half mile equivalent in 2:17.72.
Mansfield also ran a respectably fast time in the 4x400m relay. Carlton, Renden Emery, Victor Steffen, and Branche joined in that order to complete the task in 4:05.20. That mark was 10 seconds faster than their 4x400m relay time at Booneville two days earlier.
At Booneville on March 3, the entire MHS men’s team took fourth place overall competing at the full 17 event schedule.
Chick was outstanding in the high jump taking second place with a leap of 5-10. Emery was third in the triple jump. Chapman took second in the 800m run. Bri Sanderson and Jacob Brown scored at the discus ring.
MHS sophomore Ethan Chapman holds up the hand held time of his 1600m run. Van Buren’s official FAT timer showed Chapman breaking his own personal record in the mile equivalent.Mansfield senior boys take fourth place at Booneville.Bri Sanderson, a junior track athlete for Mansfield, competes in the Bearcat shot put.
Mansfield’s EAST students were recently given the opportunity to brainstorm ideas that would help the community or school. That is when the idea of the MHS Clothing Closet was born.
EAST, Education Accelerated by Service & Technology, provides students with an array of cutting edge technologies. Students in EAST choose which technologies they’d like to use and work together to apply those in solving community problems.
The group had noticed several students would come to school without the proper clothing that was needed for the unpredictable Arkansas weather. The EAST students knew they could make a difference, so they took the idea to coordinator Annette Smith and school counselor Jordan Duvall, who also saw the need.
After researching ways to start the clothes closet, they decided to apply for a Blue and You Foundation Mini-Grant. Shortly after submitting the application, the EAST students received a $1,000 award.
The clothes closet is now open, and accepting donations for gently used or new shirts, jackets, pants and shoes. Underwear and socks may be donated, but MUST BE NEW! Donations may be brought to the Mansfield High School counselor’s office or the MHS EAST Classroom.
LITTLE ROCK — Spring break is right around the corner. Instead of wasting away the kids’ days off from school, take advantage of the opportunity to plan an outdoor adventure at an Arkansas Game and Fish Commission nature or education center. Nature and education centers across the state will be open with special programs and events March 24-27 to keep families entertained with wholesome outdoors fun.
The AGFC operates four nature centers and four education centers, with a new one currently being built in Northwest Arkansas. Each center offers a variety of experiences from archery, kayaking and canoeing, bb gun shooting and nature-themed arts and crafts for people of all ages.
On sunny days, take advantage of each center’s excellent hiking trails with interpretive signs to teach hikers about some of their surroundings. If the weather takes a turn for the worse, you can still enjoy plenty of outdoors-oriented experiences, thanks to various indoor displays and programs offered by knowledgeable staff.
Best of all, admission to the centers and regular programs are absolutely free thanks to Amendment 75, which created a â…›-cent Conservation Sales Fund to help the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Arkansas Parks and Tourism, The Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission and Keep Arkansas Beautiful.
Visit www.agfc.com/springbreak2020 to see a current calendar of events for this year’s Spring Break programming. Each center also has its own website and Facebook page to keep you up to date on the latest programs going on. Visit www.agfc.com/centers to learn more about each center and link to their Facebook page.
