PREP SIGNING ROUNDUP

Paige Taylor Bentonville High swimmer
Paige Taylor Bentonville High swimmer

BASKETBALL

Michael Shanks

SCHOOL Bentonville High

SIGNED WITH Belmont University

NOTABLE The 6-foot-5 guard mainly played point guard last year and earned all-conference and all-state honors. ... Averaged 12.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per games and connected on 59.1 percent of his field-goal attempts, 39.3 percent from 3-point range and 67.4 percent from the free-throw line. ... Became the second Tiger in recent years to sign with Belmont, joining Nick Smith.

QUOTABLE "I'm super excited and thankful for this opportunity. The difference was the coaches and the players there. It felt like home when I got there for my visit, and they just made me feel like family. Nick did give me insight on what the program was like, and he gave me positive vibes toward the school. That helped me make my decision.

BASEBALL

Karson Coffee

SCHOOL Bentonville High

SIGNED WITH Eastern Oklahoma State College

NOTABLE An outfielder/first baseman who saw limited playing time because of health issues. ... Hit .158 in his limited plate appearances and had one triple and six runs scored.

QUOTABLE "This is a dream come true because I've been wanting to play college baseball ever since I was a kid. Now I know it's going to come true. The coaches and the environment sold me. The coaches were really welcoming, and they have the evidence they needed of all the success that has come through that program."

Hunter Hook

SCHOOL Bentonville High

SIGNED WITH Harding University

NOTABLE A right-hander who split his time between pitcher and the infield. ... Had a .162 batting average with a pair of doubles in limited plate appearances.

QUOTABLE "I'm starting to think a little more of my future, and I'm excited because my dad went to Harding and pitched there. I'll get to be a second-generation pitcher there. It's a big deal for me and my family. I'm starting to think more about going to college."

Parker Charlton

SCHOOL Bentonville High

SIGNED WITH Crowder College

NOTABLE An outfielder who saw limited time last season. ... Finished last spring hitting ..212 with a pair of doubles.

QUOTABLE "It's surreal to have the opportunity to play baseball at the next level. When I went on my visit to Crowder, the coaches and I seem to bond really well. I felt like the school was a really good fit for me, and it gave me the opportunity to play. I can go there and pretty much get better each and every day."

SWIMMING

Zane Sutton

SCHOOL Bentonville High

SIGNED WITH Penn State

NOTABLE Sutton was honored as a USA Swimming Scholastic All-American and USA Swimming High School All American as a junior. ... Three-time all-conference and all-state selection. ... Helped set state records in the 200 medley, 4 x 100 and 200 medley relays.

QUOTABLE "This day means a lot to me. I finally get to put the ink to the pen to be an official Penn Stater. I've been swimming since I started school andI'm excited for the upcoming season."

Madeline Marks

SCHOOL Bentonville High

SIGNED WITH Ohio University

NOTABLE Marks is ranked No. 2 in Arkansas by collegeswimming.com for the 2019 class. ... Earned All Arkansas Preps honors in 2016 ... Was an Open Water national qualifier, TYR pro series finalist, winter juniors qualifier and NCSA qualifier. ... Won a state individual title three times in high school and helped set state LSC records in three different relays. ... Elected as co-captain of her high school team as a senior. ... Has a grade-point average of 3.90.

QUOTABLE "This day is really important to me because it's been about a 10-year journey and it's a dream come true attending Ohio University. I'm so excited to join a program that's family-oriented and this season I'm really looking forward to the best season yet."

Paige Taylor

SCHOOL Bentonville High

SIGNED WITH William Jewell

NOTABLE Taylor earned all-conference honors three times and all-state accolades twice. ... Was a two-time state champion.

QUOTABLE "I'm really excited for this day because honestly, I never saw it coming. I never thought I'd be going to college for swimming. I'm really excited to take it on and I'm really excited to be a Cardinal especially since it's not too far away from home."

Sports on 11/16/2018

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