Amaden, Stock enjoy all-star cheer experience

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Wriiter

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

CONWAY — Two Carlisle High School cheerleaders participated in their final game Friday when they were part of the East squad at the Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star football game at Estes Stadium.

Bailey Amaden and Katlyn Stock cheered at both the football game and the basketball games Thursday at the Farris Center.

Amaden and Stock were both members of the Carlisle cheerleading squad, which finished as the Class 2A state runner up in December.

Amaden enjoyed her time during all-star week.

"We worked hard to nail our routine and it paid off," she said. "I enjoyed meeting the girls and cheering at halftime of the football game."

Amaden will attend the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville this fall. 

"I'll be majoring in apparel studies," she said, adding that the all-star game was her final one as a cheerleader.

Stock said she had fun cheering in the all-star games.

"It took a lot of hard work and dedication," Stock said. "I enjoyed getting to perform the routine we learned. I also enjoyed getting to meet so many great people during the experience."

Stock said she will attend Arkansas State University-Beebe this fall where she will study to become an elementary school teacher.

"It was a lot of fun and I'm so glad I got the opportunity to cheer one last time," she said. 

 Bailey Amaden and Katlyn Stock

 Katlyn Stock

Bailey Amaden

(Photos by Mark Buffalo)

Weddle makes contributions in all-star game

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

CONWAY — Carlisle running back Bo Weddle helped the East squad on two touchdown drives but the West won 23-14 in the annual Arkansas High School Coaches Association all-star football game Friday at Estes Stadium.

Weddle carried the ball 7 times for 6 total yards as the East ran the spread offense. Weddle had a 10-yard gain, taking a handoff from quarterback Dillon Turner of Salem. 

"The all-star week was an amazing experience for me being able to compete one last time as a high school athlete," Weddle said. 

Weddle will play this fall at Harding University in Searcy along with East teammates Heath and Keith Pledger of Cabot. Both were linemen on the white offense with Weddle. 

"Being able to play with Heath and Keith this week was awesome," Weddle said. "They showed me that they're going to be great teammates and they will have my back on and off the field."

Weddle said the all-star game will help him get ready for college football. He reports to Harding in early August.

"I feel like it did …. having to adjust to new people and coming together as a team with that you don't know real well," Weddle said.

Weddle said playing in the spread wasn't difficult.

"I've always been able to catch on to new things when it comes to football pretty quickly," Weddle said.

East running back Bo Weddle of Carlisle takes a handoff from quarterback Dillon Turner of Salem.

Bo Weddle rounds the corner during his 10-yard run in the first half during the all-star game. 

(Photos by Mark Buffalo)

Shinn helps East to all-star baseball DH split

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

Lonoke baseball player Mikey Shinn helped the East squad to a split in the Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star doubleheader Tuesday at Bear Stadium in Conway.

The East won the first game 5-4 but dropped the nightcap 7-6.

Shinn played first base for three innings and recorded five putouts. He pitched two innings, striking out three while giving up one run on one hit.

At the plate, Shinn was 0 for 3 with two groundouts.

"The all-star game was an awesome experience to get to meet and play against some of the state's best players," Shinn said. "I had a blast."

Shinn was a role player before his senior season, which led to his all-star appearance, the first for Lonoke Jackrabbits baseball program since baseball was added to the all-star week in 2003.

"The big difference between two years ago and this past senior year was the mental side of baseball," Shinn said. "I tried to prepare myself and get myself in the right set of mind before I stepped on the rubber. I also learned that if you get in a tough situation that a pitcher is just as much of a coach and needs to know when to step off and gather yourself."

Shinn plans to attend Arkansas Tech University in Russellville. He said he wants to join the baseball team as a walk-on while being involved with the ROTC program and majoring in finance.

(Photos by Elijah Seigrist)

Jackrabbits ranked 4th in Class 4A preseason poll by Hooten's Arkansas Football

The Lonoke Jackrabbits are ranked fourth in the Class 4A preseason rankings, which were published in the 22nd annual Hooten's Arkansas Football magazine, which hit store shelves this week. 

Warren is ranked first, followed by 2. Malvern, 3 Pine Bluff Dollarway, 4. Lonoke, 5, Nashville, 6. Star City, 7. Newport, 8. Gosness, 9 Hamburg and 10. West Helena.

In a poll of 4A-2 conference coaches, Lonoke is picked to finish third behind Newport and West Helena.

Stuttgart is picked fourth, followed by 5. Central Arkansas Christian, 6. Heber Springs, 7. Southside Batesville and 8. Riverview. 

Lonoke has one player on the Class 4A Sonic Super Team — defensive lineman Dylan Goforth. 

www.hootens.com

Bison ranked sixth in Class 2A preseason poll by Hooten's Arkansas Football

The Carlisle Bison are ranked sixth in the Class 2A preseason rankings, which were published in the 22nd annual Hooten's Arkansas Football magazine, which hit store shelves this week. 

Defending state champion Junction City is ranked first, followed by 2. Bearde, 3. Earle, 4. Rison and 5. East Poinsett County.

Rounding out the Top 10 are 7. Gurdon, 8. Hazen, 9 Dierks and 10 Des Arc.

In a poll of 2A-6 conference coaches, Carlisle is picked to finish third in league play. Hazen is the coaches' selection to win the league crown. Des Arc is picked to finish second. Following Carlisle is 4. McCrory, 5. Brinkley, 6. Palestine-Wheatley, 7. Augusta, 8. Clarendon and 9. Marvell.

Carlisle has one player on the Class 2A Sonic Super Team — defensive lineman Dylan Brazeal. 

www.hootens.com

SharkRockets do well in Bryant meet

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

The Lonoke SharkRockets scored 137 points in their swim meet with Bryant and Maumelle on Saturday.

"We are having such  great season," team coordinator Tara Bennett said. "We had 22 kids swim 80 races Saturday and had 54 top times."

Emily Armstrong, girls 13-14: freestyle, third, 30.19; backstroke, first, 35.89; breaststroke, second, 39.75; butterfly, first, 34.94.

Makenzie Bennett, girls 15-18: freestyle, second, 29.96; breaststroke, second, 44.07; butterfly, first, 35.03; IM, first, 1:18.71.

Tristan Bennett, girls 15-18: freestyle, second, 31.60; backstroke, first, 37.93; breaststroke, first, 41.61; IM, first, 1:20.16.

Tanner Canamore, boys 15-18: freestyle, third, 30.03; butterfly, third, 33.97.

Tanner Edwards, boys 15-18: freestyle, first, 28.66; butterfly, second, 32.94; IM, second, 1:16.78.

Jimmy Evans, boys 15-18: freestyle, second, 28.91; backstroke, second, 33.56; butterfly, first, 32.00; IM, first, 1:15.25.

Casey Long, boys 15-18: backstroke, first, 41.47; butterfly, second, 40.34.

Kayla McGee, girls 15-18: freestyle, first, 26.00; backstroke, first, 30.19; breaststroke, first, 32.94; butterfly, first, 28.32.

Spencer McGhee, boys 7-8: freestyle, first, 18.71; backstroke, first, 24.42; breaststroke, first, 30.13.

Colby Rogers, boys 15-18: freestyle, second, 27.24; backstroke, first, 33.47; IM, second, 1:16.81.

Kanon Williams, boys 6-under: freestyle, third, 34.53; backstroke, first, 37.38.

Also swimming Saturday were Taylor Cash, Baileigh Dulaney, Kelyn Fagan, Hailey Fugatt, Colby Hartley, Lauren Hill, Luke Hill, Kenzlee Minton, Ruth Potter, Cassidy Roland and Joseph Webster. 

 Colby Rogers

 Jimmy Evans

 Girls Relay Team: Makenzie Bennett, Tristan Bennett, Kayla McGee, Emily Armstrong

Tanner Canamaore

(Photos by Tara Bennett)

Bison athletes in all-star games this week

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

The Carlisle Bison athletic program will be well-represented during the 2014 Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star games this week in Conway.

Bo Weddle will play for the East squad in the all-star football game Friday at Estes Stadium on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. 

Cheerleaders Katlyn Stock and Bailey Amaden will cheer for the East squads in the basketball games Thursday at the Farris Center and the football game Friday. The girls basketball game starts at 6 p.m.

Weddle, who was named the Farm Bureau Class 2A defensive player of the year and the 2A-6 outstanding lineman/linebacker, rushed for 1,258 yards and 23 touchdowns on 197 carries while coming back from a devastating knee injury, which forced him to miss most of his junior season in 2012. He led the Bison in tackles with 110. 

"I'm honored to be able to represent our town and conference in the all-star game," Weddle said. "I'm looking forward to being able to play with and against some of the best players in the state."

Weddle signed with Harding University to play for the Bisons this fall.

Stock and Amaden were members of the Bison cheerleading squad, which finished as the Class 1A/2A state runners-up for the second consecutive year.

Stock said she is excited for the opportunity to cheer in the all-star game.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and all of my hard work as a cheerleader has paid off," she said. "I"m very thankful to have such  great cheer coach in Lindsey Thaxton. I wouldn't be the cheerleader I am if it wasn't for her and my cheer family."

Amaden said she was ecstatic when Thaxton told her she would be an all-star cheerleader.

"I have always dreamed of having an awesome opportunity such as this," she said. "I've cheered for the Bison for six years and loved every bit of it. I'm also so thankful to have such a great coach in Lindsey Thaxton."

Bo Weddle

(Photo by Mark Buffalo) 

Katlyn Stock and Bailey Amaden

(Courtesy of Lindsey Thaxton)