SharkRockets have seven swimmers win races at Lakewood

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

The Lonoke SharkRockets had seven swimmers win races during Saturday's meet at Lakewood. 

Scoring wins were Makenzie Bennett, Tristan Bennett, Baileigh Dulaney, Tanner Edwards, Jimmy Evans, Kanon Williams and Evan Wilson. 

Makenzie Bennett, girls 15-18: freestyle, second, 33.94; breaststroke, first, 48.96; butterfly, first, 39.07; IM, first, 1:27.64.

Tristan Bennett, girls 15-18: freestyle, first, 35.32; breaststroke, second, 46.36; butterfly, second, 42.28; IM, second, 1:28.76.

Tanner Canamore, boys 15-18: freestyle, third, 32.74; backstroke, third, 44.97; butterfly, second, 36.83.

Rylie Carter, girls 11-12: butterfly, second, 1:42.19.

Baileigh Dulaney, girls 15-18: freestyle, third, 39.71; backstroke third, 49.29; IM, first, 1:49.00.

Tanner Edwards, boys 15-18: butterfly, first, 36.68; IM, second, 1:28.85.

Jimmy Evans, boys 15-18: freestyle, second, 31.91; backstroke, first, 39.38; IM, first, 1:26.75.

Kelyn Fagan, boys 9-10: freestyle, second, 48.31; butterfly, third, 1:05.26.

Colby Hartley, girls 15-18: freestyle, second, 39.67; breaststroke, second, 53.49.

Casey Long, boys 15-18: backstroke, second, 47.94; IM, third, 1:41.25. 

Spencer McGhee, boys 7-8: backstroke, third, 26.27; breaststroke, third, 32.18; IM, third, 2:37.38.

Kenzlee Minton, girls 7-8: backstroke, third, 31.21.

Kanon Williams, boys 6-under: IM, first, 41.80; backstroke, first, 40.60.

Evan Wilson, boys 15-18: freestyle, third, 31.00; backstroke, first, 40.03; butterfly, third, 34.19; IM, second, 1:20.28.

Other swimmers participating include: Hailey Fugatt, Lauren Hill, Luke Hill, Ruth Potter, Cassidy Roland and Joseph Webster.

Casey Long

Colby Hartley

Evan Wilson

Kenzlee Minton
(Photos by Tara Bennett)

Bison Booster Club meeting is Thursday

The Carlisle Bison Booster Club will meet Thursday at 6 p.m. in the  elementary school cafeteria. 

"We need all who can attend as we have to elect officers, plan and schedule this year's Booster Bash and activities and collect dues," said club president Bill Warren. 

Nick Watson to play baseball for Ark. Baptist Buffaloes

Nick Watson, a Lonoke Jackrabbits baseball player, recently committed to play at Arkansas Baptist next season. (Photo by Darren Johnson)

By Mark Buffalo
Staff Writer
lonokecountysports@gmail.com

Lonoke baseball player Nick Watson is taking his game to the collegiate level.
Watson committed to play at Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock last week. Arkansas Baptist is a junior college coached by Shawn Regan.
"I chose Arkansas Baptist because it was a good way to further my baseball career and to see how I stand to college athletes and to further my education while I was there," Watson said. "My second option was to walk on at Henderson State."
Watson said he always wanted to play college baseball.
"Since I was a kid, I watched baseball, college and pro, and pictured myself there," he said. "That was my number one goal was to become a true college athlete."
Lonoke Jackrabbits coach Darrick Lowery said he is happy for the opportunity that Watson is receiving.
"We are extremely proud of Nick and his opportunity to play baseball at the next level and to continue his education," Lowery said. "He was a vital part of this year's baseball team and he will be dearly missed."
Watson, who pitched, played outfield and first base for the Jackrabbits, said he doesn't know what position he will play for the Buffaloes.
"Coach Regan wants me to workout where I want and he will pick after a period," Watson said.
"I want to do all I can."
"We are excited to have Nick," Regan said. "He is a strong addition to our guys that we have coming back on the pitching staff."
Watson is joining former LHS teammate Lane Moore.
"Nick won't just give us depth in the bullpen but he is going to compete for a spot in our lineup. When I was recruiting Nick, I told him that we liked what he brought to us. He asked what specifically that was, why we were going after him and I responded 'simply that we recruit baseball players.'"
Regan said he tries not to limit what players can do.
"If we see a that kid can hit, he will," Regan said. "If he can pitch, he will. If he can defend, he will. Nick told us that he was our guy. At Arkansas Baptist College, we like hard-working, hard-nosed, strong-willed, tough young men that will work hard toward a common goal. That is what we have in Nick Watson."
Watson is also thankful for the support he's had in high school.

"Thank you to Lonoke and everybody else I know for the support on and off the field," he said. "I am blessed to further my career of the game I love."

Six swimmers win races for SharkRockets

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

The Lonoke SharkRockets had six swimmers win races during Saturday's meet at the Cabot Veterans Park Community Center on Saturday. 

Race winners included Emily Armstrong, Tristan Bennett, Jimmy Evans, Kelyn Fagan, Casey Long and Evan Wilson.

Wilson won all four races in which he competed in the boys 15-18 age division. He won the freestyle with a time of 27.66 seconds; the backstroke with a time of 30.06 seconds; the butterfly with a time of 30.81 seconds and the individual medley with a time of 1 minute, 12.99 seconds.

Emily Armstrong, girls 13-14: freestyle, second, 30.87; backstroke, second, 35.28; breaststroke, first, 38.21; butterfly, first, 34.66.

Tristan Bennett, girls 15-18: freestyle, first, 31.97; butterfly, second, 37.25; IM, third, 1:20.14.

Tanner Edwdards, boys 15-18: backstroke, second, 36.43; butterfly, second, 33.95; IM, second, 1:18.44.

Jimmy Evans, boys 15-18: breaststroke, first, 41.94.

Kelyn Fagan, boys 9-10: backstroke, first, 51.25.

Hailey Fuggatt, girls 11-12: breaststroke, second, 59.78.

Casey Long, boys 15-18: freestyle, second, 33.56; IM, first, 1:31.72.

Kenzlee Minton, girls 7-8: freestyle, third, 26.85.

Ruth Potter, girls 9-10: IM, second, 2:41.10.

Cassidy Roland, girls 13-14: butterfly, third, 48.31.

Also swimming in Saturday's meet were Joseph Webster, Rylie Carter, Lauren Hill and Luke Hill. 

 Kelyn Fagan

 Lauren Hill

 Tanner Edwards

Tristan Bennett

(Photos by Tara Bennett)

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)