LITTLE ROCK — FOOTBALL
Webber named finalist for Payton Award
Arkansas-Pine Bluff wide receiver Raymond Webber rewrote UAPB’s record books for wide receivers this year.
Now the senior has a chance to win the highest award in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision. Webber, who completed his UAPB career having set single season and career records for receptions and receiving yards, was named by The Sports Network as a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, given annually to the best player in the FCS.
Webber caught 101 passes for 1,429 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Golden Lions this season. He is believed to be just the second receiver in the Southwestern Athletic Conference to catch at least 100 passes in a single season.
NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice did it twice while starring at Mississippi Valley State in 1980-1984.
The winner of the award will be announced Jan. 6 in Frisco, Texas, the day before an FCS national champion is crowned.
- Troy Schulte Hardesty finalist for Harlon Hill Trophy
Henderson State quarterback Nick Hardesty’s bid to collect NCAA Division II football’s highest honor is still alive.
The Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year was named Tuesday as one of nine national finalists for the Harlon Hill Trophy, given annually to the Division II player of the year.
The finalists were selected by Division II sports information directors and they will be placed on a ballot in which 148 sports information directors will select a winner.
Hardesty, who completed his career as Henderson State’s all-time leading passer, was four times named Gulf South Offensive Player of the Week. He passed for 4,007 yards with 30 touchdowns this season.
National voting will conclude Dec. 3, with the top three finishers being invited to a presentation banquet in Florence, Ala. The award’s 25th winner will be announced Dec. 17.
- Troy Schulte
WRESTLING
Ouachita Baptist takes state’s first event
Ouachita Baptist beat Central Baptist 46-7 Monday in Arkadelphia. It was the first NCAA match ever in Arkansas.
Ouachita Baptist recorded eight individual victories, including two by falls and five by forfeits.
Ouachita Baptist freshman Seth Hutchison (125 pounds) and Brantley Pyle (133) both won by forfeit.
Ouachita Baptist freshman Jake Simpson won by falling Brad Burnside with 24.6 seconds left in the second period.
Central Baptist earned its first victory when Dontavious Gardenhire took down Ouachita Baptist freshman John Grove by decision. John Lopez won the 285-pound weight class by defeating Ouachita freshman Taylor Poe, 8-2.
BASKETBALL Henderson State men win first
Henderson State’s men (1-3) beat Baptist Bible 102-51 Monday in Arkadelphia.
Lucas Whisenhunt scored a game-high 20 points to lead Henderson State. Jeff Shelton added 18 points.
Williams Baptist men win
Williams Baptist’s men (4-4) beat Central Baptist 69-59 Monday in Walnut Ridge.
Kyle Harvey led Williams Baptist with 25 points. Alex Garmrath added 13 points.
SWIMMING AND DIVING UALR women finish mid-pack
UALR finished fourth of eight teams Sunday at the Hilltopper Invite in Bowling Green, Ky.
Host Western Kentucky won the event.
Kara Raney finished fifth in the 100-yard freestyle. She finished in 53.72 seconds for UALR’s best individual finish of the day.
Megan Nelson, Holly Myers and Kyrsten Recac each finished in the top 16 of the 1,650 freestyle. Nelson finished eighth in 18:08.
Sports, Pages 23 on 11/24/2010