GOVERNOR’S APPOINTMENTS
Two elevated, two named to racing panel
Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Thursday designated Commissioners Alex Lieblong and Mark Lamberth to take on leadership roles within the Arkansas Racing Commission, which regulates thoroughbred and greyhound racing in the state.
Hutchinson also announced the appointments of Steve Landers and Kent “Bo” Hunter to the commission.
Lieblong, of Conway, will become chairman of the commission. He was appointed in 2004 and his term expires Jan. 14, 2019.
Lamberth, of Batesville, was named vice chairman. He was appointed in 2011, and his term expires Jan. 14, 2021.
Landers, of Little Rock, replaces Cecil Alexander. His term expires Jan. 14, 2018.
Hunter, of Fort Smith, replaces Jimmy Didier. His term expires Jan. 14, 2020.
TRACK AND FIELD
NCAA regional postponed
All events Thursday night at the NCAA West Regional in Lawrence, Kan., where Arkansas’ No. 2 women’s track and field team and No. 5 men’s team are competing, were postponed because of severe weather. The meet is scheduled to resume today and run through Saturday.
The top 12 finishers in each event and top six teams in relays advance to the NCAA Championships June 8-11 in Eugene, Ore.
Razorbacks named to All-Academic team
Arkansas track and field athletes Jarrion Lawson, Taylor Ellis-Watson, Christian Heymsfield and Andrew Pisechko had 4.0 grade point averages this year and were named to the Academic All-District 6 First Team by the sports information directors of America organization.
Ellis-Watson also is Arkansas’ nominee for the Boyd McWhorter Award that honors the SEC’s top male and female student-athletes.
TENNIS
Arkansas players lose at NCAAs
California’s Maegan Manasse beat Arkansas senior Yuliya Lysa 7-6 (6), 6-1 Thursday in the second round of singles play at the NCAA Championships in Tulsa.
In men’s doubles play, Wake Forest’s Skander Mansouri and Christian Seraphim beat Arkansas’ Giammarco Micolani and Mike Redlicki 7-6 (4), 6-3 in a first-round match.
BASKETBALL
UALR adds Patterson
Former UALR basketball player Brandon Patterson has been named as director of player development for the school’s men’s basketball program. UALR Coach Wes Flanigan announced the hiring in a news release Thursday.
Patterson joins assistant coach Solomon Bozeman as the second former Trojan on the 2016-2017 staff.
Patterson played two seasons at guard for UALR from 2007 to 2009 after transferring from Mississippi. He was part of two Sun Belt Conference West Division championships while playing at the school.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Bauxite hires Patton
Bauxite has hired former Fayetteville coach Daryl Patton as its new football coach.
The Bauxite School Board officially hired Patton at a special meeting Thursday night.
Patton resigned from Fayetteville on May 12 after 13 seasons, citing personal and family reasons. He was 116-43-2 in 13 seasons at Fayetteville, leading the Bulldogs to four Class 7A state championships (2007, 2011, 2012, 2015).
“Coach Patton has a track record for building programs and winners and developing leaders,” Bauxite Athletic Director Josh Harrison said. “We’ve fallen on some hard times. We need some stability. We need to lay some foundation on the 4A level. We feel like he’s a perfect fit.”
The Bryant native replaces Dustin Prescott, who resigned earlier this week after one season at the Saline County school. Bauxite, which plays in the 7-4A Conference, went 1-9 last season.
— Jeremy Muck
Dierks hires Stuttgart’s Perrin
Dierks hired Stuttgart Coach Vince Perrin as its new football coach Thursday night.
Perrin spent two seasons at Stuttgart, leading the Ricebirds to a 9-12 record. Stuttgart went 5-6 in 2015, losing to Ashdown in the Class 4A first round. Perrin was previously the head coach at Mineral Springs before arriving at Stuttgart.
Dierks, a member of the 7-2A Conference, went 6-5 last season under David Bennett who resigned earlier this spring.