BASEBALL
EDDIE GRAHAM
SCHOOL Ozark
SIGNED WITH Arkansas Tech (Russellville)
NOTABLE Four-year starter for the Hillbillies. ... Was named All-State and All-Conference as a Junior. ... Won six games on the mound with a 2.44 ERA and 62 strikeouts last spring, including a no-hitter against Waldron. ... Led the team with a .443 batting average and .519 on-base percentage. ... Belted 39 hits, 8 doubles, 5 triples and 3 home runs.
QUOTABLE "It is truly an honor to be able to play the game I love for Arkansas Tech. Playing college baseball has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember and I cannot wait to be a Wonder Boy. None of this would have been possible without thousands of hours of sacrifice and extra hours at the ball field with my dad. My family has supported me throughout this whole journey and I could not be more thankful."
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FOOTBALL
TUCKER SWOBODA
SCHOOL Bentonville West
SIGNED WITH Ouachita Baptist (Arkadelphia)
NOTABLE Earned all-state honors as he split time at receiver and defensive back. ... Finished with 62 tackles (5 tackles for loss) and two interceptions, along with 33 receptions for 626 yards and 3 touchdowns. ... Will play receiver in college and get to play on the same side of the ball with his brother, Hunter, who was moved to tight end at OBU.
QUOTABLE "It's been a journey to get here. It means I accomplished this dream, but I have another journey ahead of me when I get to college. All the hard work and dedication that I've put in to get to this day means a lot to me and my family. And getting to play with my brother that's big. That's something not very many people get to do and getting to play on same side of the ball as him."
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TYRESE SMALLWOOD
SCHOOL Bentonville West
SIGNED WITH Southwest Oklahoma State (Weatherford, Okla.)
NOTABLE Earned all-conference honors at running back for the Wolverines as a senior and all-state honors as a junior. ... Rushed for a team-high 759 yards and scored 12 touchdowns along with 35 receptions for 418 yards and four touchdowns. ... Could play running back and some slot receiver in college.
QUOTABLE "Today is a dream come true. I always wanted to play college football and now I get the chance."
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BRANDON BEESLEY
SCHOOL Bentonville West
SIGNED WITH Arkansas Tech (Russellville)
NOTABLE Was to be the Wolverines' lone returning offensive lineman this past season but suffered a season-ending knee injury during the spring game and was unable to play his senior season. ... Played guard, tackle and center during his high school career.
QUOTABLE "Today means a lot. It's the next chapter to my next adventure with football and academics. It's an opportunity that a lot of people aren't given and I'm really looking forward to it."
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CARTER MURRAY
SCHOOL Bentonville West
SIGNED WITH Bethel College (Newton, Kan.)
NOTABLE Finished with 68 tackles (31 solos) and one sack from his linebacker position for the Wolverines as a senior. ... Should also play linebacker for the Threshers, an NAIA school located in Newton, Kan.
QUOTABLE "It means a new beginning. They have a really similar defense to what we do."
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JAKE McNEAL IV
SCHOOL Bentonville West
SIGNED WITH Grand View (Des Moines, Iowa)
NOTABLE Two-year letterman for the Wolverines at linebacker. ... Played his first football game ever as a freshman.
QUOTABLE "This is the happiest day of my life so far. This is the start of a new life for me."
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ZAC HENSON
SCHOOL Alma
SIGNED WITH Ouachita Baptist (Arkadelphia)
NOTABLE Three-year starter on the offensive line for the Airedales. ... Helped the team average 4.9 yards per carry. ... Started at defensive tackle and recorded 13 tackles, 5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. ... Named to the 5A All-State team and a member of the 2019 AHSCA West All-Star team.
QUOTABLE "I am very excited and blessed to sign with Ouachita Baptist University to further my academic and football career. I want to thank everyone who has supported me along the way and God for giving me the ability to play football. I can't wait to start this next chapter of my life."
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MICAH BUTTON
SCHOOL Shiloh Christian
SIGNED WITH Pitt State (Pittsburg, Kan.)
NOTABLE Helped lead the Saints to a 12-2 record and Class 4A semifinals by recording 65 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 6 quarterback hurries and 4 interceptions. ... Also a huge special teams contributor with two kickoff returns for touchdowns. ... Named to the Class 4A All-State team. ... Will play defensive back at Pitt State.
QUOTABLE "Ever since I was in kindergarten, I've had the goal to play college football. A lot of people have helped me achieve this goal, particularly my mom and coaching staff. Ths Shiloh community has really poured a lot into me, so this is really special."
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PATRICK WILLIAMS
SCHOOL Shiloh Christian
SIGNED WITH Rocky Mountain College (Billings, Mont.)
NOTABLE Top specialist for 12-2 Class 4A state semifinaist. ... Averaged 35.5 yards per punt. ... As the team's kicker, connected on 54 of 56 PATs and 4 of 7 field goals.
QUOTABLE "If you had told me last year that I would be signing to play college football, I probably would have said you're crazy. This means a lot. It shows that a lot of hard work pays off."
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MIKE MAHONEY
SCHOOL Pea Ridge
SIGNED WITH Hendrix College (Conway)
NOTABLE A two-year starter on the defensive line. ... Was named 4A-1 All-COnference twice. ... Class 4A All-State selection and selected for the 2019 AHSCA All-Star game. ... Recorded 147 career tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 7 sacks.
QUOTABLE "I want to thank all of the Pea Ridge fans, students, coaches, and everyone else by my side supporting me on this journey. Thank you to my family for always supporting me through football, school, and life in general. More importantly, I want to thank God for his many blessings in my life."
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HAYDEN VANDERPOOL
SCHOOL Harrison
SIGNED WITH Evangel University (Springfield, Mo.)
NOTABLE An all-state and all-conference performer at defensive tackle who was named the 5A-West Conference's lineman of the year. ... Recorded 33 tackles (11 solo, 22 assists), three quarterback sacks and one tackle for loss as he constantly dealt with being double-teamed.
QUOTABLE "I chose Evangel for the academic support they have on campus. They expect me to be a defensive lineman there and compete for playing time next season."
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NOAH REYES
SCHOOL Booneville
SIGNED WITH Arkansas Tech (Russellville)
NOTABLE A major reason the Bearcats went 15-0 and won the Class 3A state championship. ... As a defensive tackle, he was almost unblockable with 60 total tackles and 25 tackles for loss. Added 5.0 sacks and 4 caused fumbles. ... Also a key edge blocker for run-oriented team that rushed for 4,924 yards and averaged an astounding 7.1 yards per carry. ... Was named the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Division II Defensive Player of the Year.
QUOTABLE "I feel honored. It's what I have dreamed about since I was little. I'm looking forward to playing football at Arkansas Tech."
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ALEX LARSEN
SCHOOL Springdale Har-Ber
SIGNED WITH Arkansas Tech (Russellville)
NOTABLE Started at both center and guard for the Wildcats. .. A key blocker for team that averaged 208.4 yards on the ground per game.
QUOTABLE "I am thankful to be able to continue the legacy of so many players from the Har-Ber football program who have played at Arkansas Tech. I am very proud to be able to play football there."
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MILLER HERNDEN
SCHOOL Springdale Har-Ber
SIGNED WITH Northeastern Oklahoma State (Tahlequah, Okla.)
NOTABLE Recorded 17 tackles and 3 tackles for loss in 2018 along with 1 sack and 1 caused fumble.
QUOTABLE "I've been playing football since I was 4 years old and I have always dreamed of playing in college. I want to thank Northeastern State for making that possible."
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CORBIN COLLINS
SCHOOL Siloam Springs
SIGNED WITH Pitt State (Pittsburg, Kan.)
NOTABLE Earned all-state honors in Class 6A and helped lead Siloam Springs to the playoffs for the first time since 2014. ... Started every game at multiple positions along the offensive line and also played on the defensive line. ... Was an all-conference selection as a junior and honorable mention honoree as a sophomore. ... Will walk on at Pittsburg State. ... Wants to major in construction management.
QUOTABLE "After junior year, after I hurt my knee my knee really bad, I really didn't think about football at all. Then Coach (Brandon) Craig came in and pretty much changed everything for me, got my love back for football and now I'm going to play four more years."
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SOCCER
JOSE VEGA
SCHOOL Springdale High
SIGNED WITH Neosho CC (Chanute, Kan.)
NOTABLE A four-year starter for the Bulldogs. ... Scored 30 goals in 2018 in leading the team to the Class 7A state semifinals. ... Was named the Arkansas Gatorade Player of the Year last spring and the 7A-West Conference Most Valuable Player and the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Boys Player of the Year. ... Was named the 7A-West Newcomer of the Year as a freshman in 2016.
QUOTABLE "This is the most exciting day of my life. Thanks to God, I have this opportunity. I know some of us don't get this kind of opportunity, so I am really thankful."
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NELSON BARROSO
SCHOOL Springdale High
SIGNED WITH Crowder CC (Neosho, Mo.)
NOTABLE A member of the varsity team for three seasons. ... Recorded 7 assists and 4 goals in 2018 in helping the Bulldogs win the 7A-West title and advance to the 7A state semifinals.
QUOTABLE "This is a big day, another step in my life, playing college soccer. But not just that. I'm going to be in school, studying for the future. I've always wanted to play college soccer, so I've thought about this for a long time."
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MADISON EUBANKS
SCHOOL Bentonville West
SIGNED WITH Lyon College (Batesville)
NOTABLE Three-year varsity player for the Lady Wolverines. ... Played in the midfield most of her high school career and likely will play there in college. ... Second soccer player in Bentonville West history to sign to play in college. ... Excelled in the classroom as well being named an AP Scholar for scoring a 3 or higher on three advanced placement tests.
QUOTABLE "It kinda means the start of my future, knowing that I'll be able to play in college. This spring season is going to be like me preparing for college and kind of enjoying my senior year before I go play college soccer."
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CARRIE KOTOUCEK
SCHOOL Bentonville High
SIGNED WITH McNeese State (Lake Charles, La.)
NOTABLE A four-year varsity player who earned all-conference honors last season. ... Played the center defender position but still managed to record 5 goals and 4 assists last spring.
QUOTABLE "I'm so thankful I've gotten so much help from all these people who have got me to this place where I can play soccer at this level. There were other colleges I thought about going to, but McNeese stood out above the rest. It had all the sports, it was just the right size of school, and it was perfect for me."
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BRIANNA WILLIS
SCHOOL Bentonville High
SIGNED WITH Hendrix College (Conway)
NOTABLE A three-year varsity player, Willis was named to the all-state and all-state tournament teams last spring. ... She played as a defender for the Lady Tigers but scored 2 goals and 5 assists last season.
QUOTABLE "Hendrix is the best college for the degree I want to do, which is biology pre-med. That's what got me interested in there, and when I went there the team was awesome. I really liked the energy they provided for me. I'll get to start there next fall, which is awesome."
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TAYLOR MUFF
SCHOOL Bentonville High
SIGNED WITH Seminole State College (Seminole, Okla.)
NOTABLE A three-year member of the varsity team. ... Played a defender role but recorded 4 goals and 5 assists last spring. ... Is being asked to transition to a midfield spot once she joins that team in the fall.
QUOTABLE "Soccer season is on my mind right now. It's a small campus over there, and the girls are like family over there with each other. I wanted a team that could be a family. I met with other schools, but once I saw Seminole, the other schools didn't have the competition. I'm also excited about my new position."
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SOFTBALL
KATIE MCCORMICK
SCHOOL Ozark
SIGNED WITH Central Baptist College (Conway)
NOTABLE A three-year starter for the Hillbillies as an outfielder, shortstop, first baseman and pitcher. ... .388 career batting average. ... Has more than 150 career strikeouts as a pitcher.
QUOTABLE "I am so blessed and thankful to continue my academic and softball career at Central Baptist. I couldn't be more grateful for this opportunity. I would like to thank God for giving me this ability to play the game that I love, and all the people who pushed me to get where I am today. I am very excited to see what the future holds."
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CODI SHANNON
SCHOOL Ozark
SIGNED WITH University of the Ozarks (Clarksville)
NOTABLE A four-year starter at third base and catcher for the Hillbillies. ... Was named to the 4A-4 All-Conference team last season. ... .298 career batting average.
QUOTABLE "Life was throwing curve balls at me left and right, and then God gave me a bat and taught me how to swing. I am very excited to be furthering my softball career and I can't wait to see what the future holds."
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SWIMMING
CODY KEHMEIER
SCHOOL Bentonville West
SIGNED WITH Ouachita Baptist (Arkadelphia)
NOTABLE Placed in the top 16 in the state in the 100-yard backstroke and has qualified for the upcoming state meet again in that event. ... Will be looking to place in the top eight at the state meet on Feb. 23. ... First Wolverine swimmer to sign a letter of intent to compete in college in school history.
QUOTABLE "I'm excited to be signing with Ouachita Baptist. I'm just super excited. I really found my place there and I'll be majoring in music education so I also found a really great place there."
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VOLLEYBALL
DELANIE GASTON
SCHOOL Springdale Har-Ber
SIGNED WITH College of the Ozarks (Point Lookout, Mo.)
NOTABLE Helped the Lady Wildcats advance to the Class 6A state semifinals. ... Helped Har-Ber win the 6A-West Conference title.
QUOTABLE "I am looking forward to continuing my volleyball career in college. I am grateful to all the coaches who have helped make this possible."
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ELLIE LAMPTON
SCHOOL Siloam Springs
SIGNED WITH John Brown (Siloam Springs)
NOTABLE Earned all-state honors at outside hitter her junior and senior season after helping the Lady Panthers reach the state semifinals for two straight seasons. ... Finished her four-year Siloam Springs career with 1,105 kills, playing her first two seasons under Rose Cheek and her final two years under Joellen Wright. Played with SSHS teammate Chloe Price on Ozark Juniors club volleyball team.
QUOTABLE "Ever since I was little I told my dad I was going to go to JBU, but I never thought it would be for volleyball, too. So that's really exciting."
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CHLOE PRICE
SCHOOL Siloam Springs
SIGNED WITH Coffeyville CC (Coffeyville, Kan.)
NOTABLE Earned all-state honors in 2018 after leading the Lady Panthers to the state semifinals for the second straight season. ... Started at setter since she was a freshman in 2015 and played two seasons for her aunt, longtime SSHS volleyball coach Rose Cheek. ... Played her final two seasons for coach Joellen Wright and finished her career with 1,679 assists. ... Is expected to run 5-1 offense at Coffeyville, which has won the last two NJCAA Division II national championships.
QUOTABLE "Well, actually, (Ozark Juniors) were at a tournament in Kansas City, and one of my teammates (Cait Hudgins, Bentonville) had signed there. So, (Coffeyville was) there watching her. Their coach reached out to my coach and she gave her number to me and I went and visited and fell in love with it. They're really good."
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TRACK AND FIELD/CROSS COUNTRY
RIVER BAKER
SCHOOL Springdale Har-Ber
SIGNED WITH John Brown University (Siloam Springs)
NOTABLE An all-state selection in cross country. ... A member of the Wildcats' 2018 state indoor track champions.
QUOTABLE "I am very thankful to John Brown University for the opportunity to continue being able to run competitively at the college level."
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JACK KEES
SCHOOL Springdale Har-Ber
SIGNED WITH Central Arkansas (Conway)
NOTABLE Kees was an all-state cross country runner and a member of the Wildcats' 2018 state indoor championship.
QUOTABLE "I'm grateful to the University of Central Arkansas for the opportunity to continue my career. I'm excited to be on the UCA campus."
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KAITLYN ROBINSON
SCHOOL Siloam Springs
SIGNED WITH Providence Christian College (Pasadena, Calif.)
NOTABLE Finished as state runner-up in Class 5A after winning a three-hole playoff. ... Played in the state overall tournament in Little Rock and finished ninth. ... Was a two-time all-conference and two-time all-state selection as a junior and a senior. ... One of 10 high school golfers selected to the All-Arkansas Preps golf team for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. ... Has a 29 on the ACT and 3.47 GPA.
QUOTABLE "I played my career best at state and then I turned around and placed ninth overall in the overall competition. I found out that I became part of the Arkansas prep golf team. I was ecstatic. I was over the moon. If I look at where I was four years ago, I couldn't have imagined me being in the place I am now."
Sports on 02/07/2019