Ozarks rebuilding with Newcomers

August 29, 2019

By OZARKS SPORTS INFORMATION

Star player Richard Souffrant is the team's leading scorer heading into the 2019 season.
Ozarks sophomore Richard Souffrant. Photo by OZARKS SPORTS INFORMATION

CLARKSVILLE – The University of the Ozarks men’s soccer team lost seven starters from a year ago, but the 2019 Eagles could be even more dynamic behind a talented and diverse core of incoming players. 

The Eagles feature players from six different countries to form a strong nucleus for fourth-year head coach Aaron Brueckner.

After a tough start to the 2018 season, the Eagles rebounded into an American Southwest Conference championship contender, qualifying for the playoffs. 

“Last year was a great example in that we had a talented team with a lot of experience, but we started 0-6-1,” said Brueckner. “It took one big win, and then from there we got the results and were one of the top teams in the league. Sometimes you have to go through a difficult period to get to the greatness.”

All-Conference players Logan ValestinTruman Hensley and Richard Souffrant return in 2019. Valestin, a junior two-year starter at goalkeeper, owned a 1.35 goals against average last season and posted two shutouts. Souffrant, a sophomore midfielder, scored six goals and recorded two assists. Hensley, a sophomore, is one of the top defensive players in the region. 

“Logan is really maturing into that leadership role. He is doing a good job of leading by example. We are asking Truman to play a bigger role on the team. Richard had a wonderful year.” Brueckner is pleased with the way his team has come together. “Our biggest mission in the offseason was to be united and the guys have done that. With a young team comes inexperience. I have no doubt they will have each other’s back, but they will be tested at some point and will need to mature as a team. We need to deal with adversity in order to be successful this season.” 

The playoff-rich program has advanced to the conference tournament all three years under Breuckner, but he and his staff are not focusing on post-season play. “We want to challenge our guys to go day-to-day with the best training session. We want them focused on the game at hand. We are not worried about the playoffs now. We are worried about getting better every day.” 

Preseason Video Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JdWLH1Nj3U&feature=youtu.be

Returning Starters:
 Richard Souffrant (MF), Drew Mott (F), Truman Hensley (D), Logan Valestin(GK)

Newcomers: Anthony Herrera (GK), Giorgio Baudin (GK), Daniel Gomez (MF), Pedro Gallaga (F), Norlin Vicente (MF), Juan Cano (F), Charleus Emmanuel Ritch (F), Tapiwa Manhungo (F), Gaetan Jean Louis (F), Chris Reyes (MF), Alain Claude (D), Cade Mikish (D), Devin Pearson (D), Ruaya Zamora (MF), Jackson Rogers  (F), Harry Hilton (D), Pierre Ronaldo De Theandre  (MF), Sebastien Bathard (MF), Sebastian Rodriguez (GK)                  

2018 Top Goal Scorer: Richard Souffrant (6)

2018 Assist Leader: Richard Souffrant (2)

2018 Point Leader: Richard Souffrant (14)

All-Conference Players Returning: Logan ValestinTruman HensleyRichard Souffrant

2018 Record (ASC):
 8-8-3 (6-4-1)

2018 Conference Finish: 5th

2018 Tournament: 
1st round loss against East Texas Baptist University

Program Playoff Appearances: 16

Coach Brueckner Quote:
“Sometimes you have to go through a difficult period to get to the greatness.” 

2019 Schedule

August
21 vs Ouachita Baptist University (exhibition)   
24 vs Alumni Match (exhibition)                          
^30 – Nebraska Wesleyan University                      

September
^1 -Central College                                  
7  vs Williams Baptist University                        
14 vs Ecclesia College                                         
18 @ Hendrix College                                            
21 @ Rhodes College                                           
26 @ *Sul Ross State University                             
28 @ *Howard Payne University                            

October
3 vs *Concordia University Texas                      
5  vs *Mary Hardin-Baylor                                   
10 @ *Hardin-Simmons University                         
12 @ *McMurry University                                       
17 vs *LeTourneau University                             
19 vs %*East Texas Baptist University                 
24 vs *Louisiana College                                       
26 vs *Belhaven University                                   

Ozarks Women looking to make Strides

August 30, 2019

By OZARKS SPORTS INFORMATION

CLARKSVILLE – The women’s cross country team at the University of Ozarks continues to make strides as a program and aims for sustained success in 2019.

The 2018 team won one home race and finished second in the other. Head Coach Heidi Pinkerton brought in a crop of four talented freshmen to add to the current team. 

Overall, Pinkeron is excited to see how the season will play out. “I am excited to see what we will accomplish this season. We don’t have one girl that is minutes ahead of everyone else. We have a young group. We have a good pack. I think if they work together, they can do some bigger things than last year. The girls are on board and want to improve. They are doing the small things and are holding one another accountable.” Silvia Chavez returns for her sophomore campaign. “I think Silvia will do some great things for the team. Sydney will be  right there with Silvia.”

Head Coach Video Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eUMfwxh_k8&t=8s

Returners: 
Areli Moreno (Sr.), Silvia Chavez (So.)                                                                      

Newcomers: Andrea Garcia (Fr.), Leslie Hernandez (Jr.), Sydney Pyle (Fr.), Anya Sifuentes (Fr.), Stephanie Trevino (Fr.)

Fastest 5K time in 2018: 19:16.5 (Hannah Smith at Little Rock Invitational)

Individual Championships in 2018: 
Hannah Smith (Arkansas D-III Championships)

Highest Team Finish in 2018: 
1st (Arkansas D-III Championships)

Coach Pinkerton Quote:“I think if they work together, they can do some bigger things than last year.” 

2018 Post-Season: NCAA III Regionals, American Southwest Conference Championships

2018 NCAA III Regional Finish: Individual

2018 ASC Championship Finish: 8th of 12

2018 NCAA III Regional Participants: Hannah SmithSilvia Chavez, Chauzney Hooks

2018 Conference Awards: Hannah Smith (All-Conference First Team)

2018 Schedule
August
31 Early Bird Eagles Opener (Arkansas D-III Championships)

SEPTEMBER
14 University of the Ozarks Invitational
21 at Rhodes College Invitational @ Memphis, Tenn.

OCTOBER
5 at Chile Pepper Festival @ Fayetteville
19 at Little Rock Invitational @ Little Rock

NOVEMBER
2 at ASC Championships @ Abilene, Texas 
16 at NCAA III Regionals @ Memphis, Tenn. 
23 at NCAA III Nationals @ Louisville, Ky.

Heber Springs opens Volleyball Season with Little Rock Hall

Panthers are coming off a program first state tournament appearance

Heber Springs volleyball coach Andrea Riggs gives instructions during a recent practice at the Panther Den. The Panthers open their 2019 season on Tuesday at home against Little Rock Hall. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO

By Philip Seaton

HEBER SPRINGS – Last season was a year of firsts for the young Heber Springs volleyball program.

The Panthers had their first winning season in the program’s history which also resulted with their first state tournament berth.

Heber Springs will look to repeat on that 2018 performance when they open play today with a nonconference match with Little Rock Hall at the Panther Den beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Despite a three-set loss to the host Mena in the 4A state tournament in 2018, coach Andrea Riggs’ squad finished with a 13-8 overall record and a fourth-place finish in the 4A-Central conference in the seventh season of the sport at the Heber Springs.

“They have already said that (reaching the state tournament) has helped them and they know what to expect,” Riggs said. “That level of play helps any team. 

“We lost two big front row players (from last year), and replacing with two inexperienced players, that’s tough but we are going to try some things.”

One of the things that will be tried this year for the program is another first — a junior high team.

“We had been starting in the ninth grade,” Riggs said. “We’ve been behind the curve, some teams we play actually start volleyball in the fourth grade.”

She added that will help in building the program over the long term.

“We are always rebuilding, there hasn’t been a year where we haven’t been in this situation,” Riggs said. “Until we get something established where we have a good competitive group of junior high kids that we can move up, and maybe have some 10th-graders getting some varsity play, like you see with a traditional basketball program, then those things will help us long term.”

Though the junior high team will not compete in a conference this season because of the lateness of declaring the program, Riggs said that junior high team has potential.

“It will hands down be the best we’ve had at that age,” she said.

While the future of the program looks bright, Heber Springs returns four players from last season that saw significant varsity action.

Seniors McKenzie Becerra, Katelyn Vanlandingham and Zoe Monroe, and junior Ellie Skelton.

“Ellie is a setter, and she pretty much runs the court,” Riggs said. “McKenzie is the libero and she is pretty much our best defensive player. Katelyn is a super strong hitter, sees the court well and has great volleyball knowledge, while Zoey is a good all-around player that is going to work hard.”

Riggs credited all four varsity returners with being good servers and said overall that serving will be one of the strengths of the team.

“We will be shallow on our hitting,” she said. “Hopefully that will progress as the year goes.”

Several seniors will be moving up from the junior varsity squad and are expected to see significant playing time this season.

“Cheyenne Kent does a good job blocking the ball which is nice, and we’ll be looking for her hitting game to improve,” Riggs said. “Mayra Leal and Abi Finkbeiner are (also) both moving up from junior varsity.”

She said that is typical for her team with seniors seeing their first significant varsity experience their senior season.

“That’s when most are ready to play,” Riggs said.

A couple of underclassmen may be the exception to that rule as Riggs said that sophomore Kiley Wilson may see some varsity action, “if I have to pull another hitter, might have to go to her.” Junior Felicia Wildmon may also see varsity of action according to Riggs.

The Panthers will most likely go with a nine-player rotation.

“That is more than in years past,” Riggs said. “We are having to play on different strengths, having to move some things around and shift some things.

“There some things we haven’t necessarily run in the past that we are running this year to try to play on the different strengths we do have.”

Morrillton, which was undefeated in conference play last season, and Pulaski Academy, a 4A state semifinalist team in 2018, are expected to be the teams to beat in 4A-Central play according to Riggs. Other teams in the blended 5A-4A conference are Lonoke (a state tournament team last year), Joe T. Robinson, Clarksville, Dover and Forrest City.

When asked what it will take for Heber Springs to make it back to the state tournament, Riggs said, “work hard on every single play.”

She continued, “Are they playing the ball smart? They are going to have to think and be smart. We are not going to have the tallest girls on the court, so we are going to have to outwork them. If they go out and work, we’ll do fine. If they don’t, we’ll get beat.”

Heber Springs’ 2019 Schedule

The 2019 Heber Springs Panther Volleyball Team

The 2019 Heber Springs Senior Volleyball Players

Clarksville takes Top Honors at Three-Team Match

August 16, 2019

CLARKSVILLE – Clarksville took home first-place honors in a three-team match at the Clarksville Country Club.

Boys Team Scoring: Clarskville (130), Russellville (143) and Pottsville (154).

Clarskville boys results: Braden Payne (41) (Medalist honors); Cole Clark (43) (Second overall); Braxton Payne (46) (Fourth overall); John Foster Case (50); and Isaac Chappell (56).

Girls Team Scoring: Clarksville (142), Russellville (151) while Pottsville did not have a team score.

Clarksville Girls Results: Parker Banning (46) (Tied for medalist honors); Morgan Douglas (47) (3rd); Abby Domerese (49) (5th); Emily Qualls (53) (6th).

Source: Clarksville High School Golf Facebook Page

Clarksville splits Dual Golf Meet with Russellville

August 19, 2019

Clarksville split a pair of high school golf matches with Russellville at the Russellville Country Club.

Clarksville defeated Russellville, 130-141, in senior boys play, while Russellville won the senior girls match.

Braden Payne and Cole Clark tied for medalist honors by shooting 42. Braxton Payne shot a 46 while John Foster Case and Isaac Chappell each shot at 51.

For the Panther girls, Abby Domerese shot a 54, Emily Qualls a 65, Parker Banning a 57 and Morgan Douglas a 61.

Source: Clarksville High School Golf Facebook Page