Mansfield Players Honored at Athletic Awards Banquet
As another Mansfield athletic calendar year reached its collective finish line, Tiger athletes from all sports were recognized at the annual Booster Club Awards Banquet on May 13.
Headlining the honors, which covered all things athletic from basketball to weightlifting, were a set of coveted specialty distinctions such as the ‘M.A.P.Y.’ and the ‘Rising Star’ awards. Notably, the traditional T. Franklin Boyd Tiger of the Year award for one male and one female was left unannounced. The presentation of that long storied Mansfield athletic designation was moved to May 19 in conjunction with the 2025 MHS graduation ceremony.
Multi-sport athletes Kaylee Ward and Daniel Burton distinguished themselves among the many in attendance. Respectively, the junior and senior compiled such extensive state wide achievements, they were quite frankly the most celebrated talents walking the ‘red carpet’.
Ward earned All-State awards in three different sports throughout the 2024-2025 school year. She was renowned for reaching the 1,000 kill mark in volleyball, 1,000 scored points in basketball, and the 100 foot club throwing the discus for track and field. All were snippets that illustrated a diverse set of skills across a wide range of sports.
What was read to the attending assembly, among other items, was an intentionally condensed version of Ward’s most elevated athletic achievements for the year. Had a full length presentation of the 6’ 4” superstar’s highly documented accolades been revealed, the night’s presentation may have extended well past midnight. For all reasons offered and for all time wouldn’t allow, Ward was presented with the M.A.P.Y. plaque, Mansfield Athletics Player of the Year.
An equally flamboyant account of Daniel Burton’s athletic expertise widened the eyes of the Tiger crowd. A high end description of his on the field heroism highlighted the physical prowess of this senior football, basketball, track, and weight lifting athlete.
Among the mentionables was Burton’s notable merits playing football and basketball, and lifting weights. He finished his high school football career as the school’s all-time leading rusher with 3,313 yards and with the most touchdowns at 55. He moved into sixth place on the all-time basketball scoring list. He powered cleaned 300 pounds and bench pressed 265 pounds for a combined total of 565 pounds to win the class 3A individual state weightlifting championship in the 165-pound category.
Burton earned All-State honors in all three sports. It was also emphasized that this human highlight reel was the school’s first two time All-State player in both football and basketball. For all this, the award winning athlete was voted the male Mansfield Athletics Player of the Year. It was the senior’s third consecutive year for the award and the only male to ever win the prestigious award since its inception in 2023.
Miley Clopton and Michael Carter were selected as Mansfield’s Rising Stars. The awards specifically identify one female and one male freshman that demonstrated throughout the year outstanding qualities related to athletic ability, leadership, and character.
Clopton, the female recipient, participated at a high level in six different sports. She helped the cheer squad to a fourth place finish at the 3A GameDay state cheerleading championships. She excelled on both the junior high and senior high district volleyball tournament titles and was recognized by Prep Dig, an online volleyball ranking outlet, as one of the Highway 71 Rising Stars.
The versatile athlete moved up to the high school basketball team part way through the season to help it finish as the 3A-4 conference and district runner-up. As an undersized power forward on the senior girls basketball team, she garnered All-Conference honors as a hard nosed defender and active rebounder.
In the spring, Clopton split time running track and playing softball. Around the 8-lane oval, she scored in abundance as one of the league’s fastest sprinters. It was in the 100m dash and 4x100m relay that she collected All-District honors and qualified to state for the top rated Tigers. On the softball field, the middle infielder batted .400 on offense and had a fielding percentage of .929 for the defense.
Carter, Mansfield’s male Rising Star, was a four sport standout playing football, basketball, baseball, and track. It was in the field events for the junior and senior high track teams that this self-motivated award winner shined as bright as anywhere.
Carter won the class 3A individual state championship in the indoor shot put for the high school track team. He placed third in the outdoor state shot put throwing the 12 pound ball 45’ 7.5”. He also broke a long standing Mansfield junior high discus record with a 145’ 6” mark at the TIger Relays.
The all purpose freshman was one of the junior high football team’s most effective linemen playing strong tackle for the run oriented Tigers. He moved up to the high school football team at the conclusion of the junior high campaign to provide depth for the playoff semi-finalists. He also made contributions to the freshman basketball team and the senior high baseball squad.
Over the entirety of the awards banquet, sponsored by the Mansfield Booster Club and emceed by Travis Pettus, a plethora of plaques and certificates were distributed. Beginning with the fall sports, proceeding through the winter events, and concluding with the spring teams; it was a night of celebration for another successful year of Tiger athletics.
Cross country saw All-District awards given to Lillianna Porter, Hadley Shores, Laney Wood, Bailey London, and Gunner Williams. Wood, London, and Williams along with Rylan Jones and Trinity Triska also collected River Valley All-Star plaques.
Golf had a single player make All-Conference status. Bryson Elmore, off the men’s team, took such distinction as one of the league’s top golfers and state qualifiers.
Cheerleading honored senior Aidan Fildes as their lone All-State recipient. Fildes was noted for laying a positive foundation for a team that placed first at two invitational competitions, top four at state, and claimed a bid to nationals.
Sophomore cheerleader Emilee Parsons accepted a plaque recognizing her outstanding spirit and leadership. Described as a ‘natural leader among the team’, Parsons was obviously proud to receive the ‘Role of a Cheerleader Award’.
Volleyball recognized eight different athletes and two managers. Whitley Boyd, Danielle Lowery, Kamryn Infalt, Daisy Nelson, Azlynn Stover, Kaylee Ward, and Presley Curry all received All-Conference plaques. Clopton carried home the Prep Dig star award. Ellie Welch and Aubree Helms were thanked for filming and keeping books among other duties as managers.
Ward took a wealth of additional volleyball awards. Count among them citations for Democrat Gazette Volleyball Team, All-State Tournament Team, Prep Dig Rising Star, and Offensive Player of the Year.
Curry made the All-State Honorable Mention Team. She was the leader in assists and received a trophy for reaching the 1,000 assists club. Her two year total as the primary setter was 1,150.
Nelson was the Defensive Player of the Year for volleyball. Her total in-season digs reached a team high 200.
Football, rightfully so, basked in the glory of a long list of team accomplishments and individual honors. As a group, led by 3A-1 Coach of the Year Whit Overton, it was the 2024 gridiron gang that could statistically be considered among the greatest football Tigers.
Mansfield’s senior football team went to the state semifinals for the second consecutive season. They won the outright district championship for only the second time in school history. They posted a 11-3 record for the second consecutive season tying the 2023 team for most wins. They scored more points with 534 than any other MHS team, registered four home playoff games, and beat Booneville for the first time in 44 years.
All-State credentials were lauded upon Daniel Burton, Jeremy Strozier, Dakota Deer, Zander Walters, Andrew Burton, and Ethan Martin. All-conference trophies found Trey Powell, Leland Powell, Samuel Burton, Matthew Burton, Caiden Ore, Logan Ore, James Bausley, Cooper Edwards, and Jeramiah Burton.
Daniel Burton was the River Valley’s Most Valuable Player and secured a position on the Arkansas Activities Association West All-Star Team. Dakota Deer was the River Valley’s Defensive Lineman of the Year.
Basketball honored both the girls and boys. All-Conference plaques were given to Trinity Triska, Abby Smith, Adeline Godwin, Miley Clopton, and Winston Allison. Ward and Daniel Burton were All-State players for class 3A.
Godwin, just a ninth grader playing up on the senior high Lady Tiger squad, received distinction as the River Valley Democrat Gazette Freshman of the Year. Daniel Burton, the senior leading scorer for the Mansfield men, made the Arkansas River Valley Democrat Gazette Men’s Team.
Several Mansfield players appeared on the 3A-4 All-District track team. By virtue of placing first or second at the conference track meet, they were automatically included on the athletic honor roll. Freshmen Miley Clopton, Adeline Godwin, Addison Howard, Rylan Jones, and Abby Smith all made the junior high All-District team. Clopton, Godwin, Jones, and Smith also made the senior high All-District team and qualified to the outdoor state finals.
Freshman Michael Carter, sophomore Chandler Whisman, and senior Trey Powell were on the men’s All-District track team and qualified to state as well.
Payton Meyers was the lone freshman that reaped All-State honors. The young sprinter, who was injured before the outdoor track postseason, ran the first leg on the award winning indoor track 4x400m relay team for the senior high. That specific group included upperclassmen Danielle Lowery, Ashlynn Whittaker, and Laney Wood. Each of the four received All-State Indoor Track medallions. Likewise Daisy Nelson made the All-State Indoor Track team for her outstanding marks in the 60m dash and long jump.
Ward was the single Mansfield track athlete to receive All-State Outdoor Track honors. She also led a long list of All-District Lady Tiger teammates joining the aforementioned freshmen list. Sophomores Bailey London, Danielle Lowery, Summer Lyon, and Ashlynn Whittaker made the postseason All-District register. Junior Daisy Nelson, who qualified to outdoor state in five different events, made the All-District catalog along with seniors Trinity Triska and Laney Wood.
Wood was the track team’s Most Valuable Player. As an All-State and All-District participant for the last four years, Wood was the team captain and this year’s leading scorer. She accumulated 232.17 total points for the 2025 season, and was the conference’s high point winner with 42.5 points at the district finals.
Lyon was surprised with the Most Improved Track Runner Award. The up and coming long sprinter improved her 400m time by seven seconds over the course of the season. The advanced development prompted MHS track coaches to insert the lengthy sophomore onto the district and outdoor state 4x400m relay team.
The Lady Tiger’s junior high track team was heavily supported by an athletic group of underclassmen. Eighth graders Abbigail Adams, Bentley Hoover, Natalee Moore, Bethany Mounts, Mayce Phillips, Lillianna Porter, and Hadley Shores finished top shelf for the Tigers to make the junior high 3A-4 All-District team. Seventh graders Kamryn Bolin, Paris Cervantes, and Allie Hattabaugh were announced as making the junior All-District team as well.
The weightlifting team honored Daniel Burton (165) and Andrew Burton (198) with plaques for winning their respective divisions at the state weight meet. Matthew Burton (220) was credited for finishing third in his weight class.
The evening’s accolades continued with baseball and softball awards. Because there are teams from the 3A-4 conference still competing in the state tournament, conference and state awards associated with this district, although announced, were prohibited from being published at this time. Local awards such as Mansfield Player of the Year, MVP, and newcomer recognitions were available for release.
As for softball, Mansfield was recognized as finishing in a three way tie for third in the conference. It was also noted that eight of the team’s 14 players were freshmen. A competitive, yet inexperienced team patrolled the base paths as Trinity Triska and Ambria Whittaker were the lone two seniors in the lineup.
Several from the softball team met All-Conference or All-State criteria. As for this broadcast, only the Mansfield player of the year will be revealed. That player was freshman Bailey Quick, who was tagged as both the Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year.
On offense, Quick led the team with a .426 batting average. She accumulated 26 hits, 14 RBI’s and 1 homerun. For defense, the infielder, who could play either corner, had a fielding percentage of .973. She put out 64 runners off 74 chances with only 2 errors.
As for baseball, it too was a season draped in inexperience. Only three seniors, Winston Allison, Boston Elmore, and Eli Garne dressed out for the Tiger diamond squad. Upwards to four freshmen drew starting roles on a team that finished the last 13 games with a 7 – 6 record.
Again, Mansfield warranted their share of All-Conference award winners based upon their league record. Those names will be released in due time. As far as school recognition, three players stood tall with season ending accolades in baseball.
The Offensive MVP trophy went to Ethan Martin. Defensive MVP and Pitching Ace honors went to Cooper Edwards. Newcomer of the Year acknowledgement went to Hunter Whittaker.
The Mansfield Booster Club was represented by President Angie Byers, Vice-President Dustin Krigbaum, and Secretary Bill Jones.
Obituary: Geanetta Nevills (1941-2025)
Geanetta Nevills of Waldron, Arkansas went peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior, Thursday, May 15, 2025 in Waldron, Arkansas surrounded by loving family members. Geanetta was born May 6, 1941 to Luke and Alma (Vines) Rose in Boles, Arkansas. She was 84 years old.
Geanetta attended Boles school in her early years and graduated in 1959 from Waldron High School where she was a standout basketball player. She married her high school sweetheart, Kenneth Nevills. They were married for 63 years and together raised three children, Troy, Travis and Marlene.
Geanetta was hard working and devoted to her occupation. She spent many years running a poultry farm, and was awarded several times as Producer of the Year by Tyson Foods Inc.
Geanetta was a fun loving, selfless, and devoted wife, mother and grandmother and she loved her extended family and friends dearly. She was also a kind person but it was wise not to mistake her kindness for weakness. She would do her best to win in any type of sport, cards or board game no matter if you were young or old.
Geanetta was happiest watching her children participate in sports. She never missed a ball game and was her children’s biggest supporter and loudest cheerleader. Geanetta also loved having her children’s friends in her home and enjoyed cooking for them all.
Geanetta leaves behind to cherish her memory, one daughter Marlene Summerhill and husband Brian of Van Buren, Arkansas, and one special sister in law, Patricia Rose of Waldron, Arkansas. Memaw will forever remain in the hearts of her grandchildren: Hunter Nevills and wife Mariah, Darby Summerhill, Bryson Summerhill and Brett Summerhill and three great grandchildren, Ashton, Macie and Haston Nevills. Geanetta will be missed by all that knew her and the many whose lives she impacted including a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Geanetta was preceded in death by her parents, Luke and Alma Rose, her husband Kenneth Nevills, a son, Travis Nevills, two sisters, Betty Oliver and Treva Davis and two brothers, Herbert Rose and Fredie Rose.
Geanetta’s visitation will be Wednesday, March 21, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements and cremation are being entrusted to Heritage Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory.
The family will hold a private celebration of life at a later date.
State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Terry Rice
LITTLE ROCK – Officials who recruit industry to Arkansas are saying that the 2025 legislative may turn out to be the most significant of the past 25 years.
The legislature approved a package of laws designed to boost energy production, simplify regulations and create well paid jobs.
Act 373, also known as the Generating Arkansas Jobs Act, will allow electric utilities to finance new construction projects that enable them to meet increased demands for power.
The Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Commerce called Act 373 “landmark legislation.” Data centers and computer facilities that use artificial intelligence require large amounts of reliable energy. Economic development officials in Conway and Little Rock have been working to attract investments in new data centers.
Act 548 expands an existing tax incentive program for data centers to include large facilities that may be located at more than one site. It also updates the kind of equipment and services that qualify for tax exemptions.
Act 576 is the Industrial Development Authorities Expansion Act. It allows cities, counties or a group of local governments to create a regional organization for economic development.
The local economic development authorities can build, create and acquire industrial parks, research facilities, job training programs and transportation infrastructure. They can issue bonds and they can contract with cities and counties to receive revenue from bonds issued by the local government entity. They can negotiate agreements with businesses to accept payments in lieu of property taxes.
The legislature voted to place on next year’s general election ballot a proposed constitutional amendment that would further expand the authority of local economic development agencies.
Act 882 updates a current incentive program to encourage businesses already in Arkansas to modernize and automate. The incentives are tax credits. Act 881 creates tax credits for companies that locate their corporate headquarters in Arkansas.
Act 719 changes the formula by which the state collects corporate income taxes on services, bringing us in line with 34 other states. According to the Department of Finance and Administration, Arkansas tax law required multi-state corporations to rely on an “outdated method” of calculating the proportion of income they derived from the states in which they operate. The change is expected to encourage companies to locate in Arkansas.
Act 1012 creates a package of incentives to promote the growth of the lithium industry in south Arkansas. Traditional tax incentives promote the extraction of minerals, which in the past would be shipped to other states for processing and adding value.
Also, Act 1012 creates incentives to promote industries that refine lithium and use it in manufacturing and processing into batteries and other products. Those industries will create well paid jobs in the processing of lithium, in addition to the jobs that are created in its extraction.
Act 740 lowers the contribution rate for unemployment insurance paid by businesses. It also increases funding for skilled workforce training by repealing the cap of $2.5 million that used to limit how much would be deposited annually into a training fund.