Fort Smith Sports

Northside’s Blackmon determined to repeat at state’s top track meets

Northside senior Cherish Blackmon knew it would be a tough act to follow what she did on the track last season. As a junior, she won the Class 6A state…

Van Buren senior Jocelyn Parga continues to learn life lessons playing softball

Van Buren’s Jocelyn Parga developed a love of softball actually through another sport – baseball. Parga is in her final season with the Lady Pointers, playing center field. She has…

A love of running consumes Southside junior distance runner Abigail Harding

Abigail Harding is familiar running countless miles around the track at Southside High’s Jim Rowland Stadium. Her knowledge of the track definitely paid off on April 24, when the Southside…

Hackett senior Lilly Oxford determined to be a repeat state champion

Lilly Oxford doesn’t need many reminders that, after winning the program’s first state title last season, Hackett’s softball team is now the hunted. She’s heard it from her coach on…

Van Buren senior softball outfielder Ivey Perkins proud of team success

There’s definitely a huge source of pride as far as Ivey Perkins is concerned. Though she is only one of two seniors on Van Buren’s softball roster, Perkins has a…

Senior pitcher Kord Fenton helps lead Wister to another strong season

Growing up with two athletic older brothers, Kord Fenton learned the hard way at times about being competitive and standing his own ground. Looking back on that experience, Fenton wouldn’t…

Greenwood softball player Brilea Rofkahr ready for the collegiate level

Greenwood senior Brilea Rofkahr has a very vivid early memory of learning to play softball. If she didn’t field a ball properly, she worked to make sure it didn’t happen…

Greenwood wrestler Farah Crossno doubles up on state title wins as a junior

As a freshman two years ago, Farah Crossno made history as the first girls wrestler from Greenwood to win an individual state championship. Her bid to repeat last year came…

Former Van Buren quarterback moving up in the coaching ranks

Jordan Barlow knows the newest challenge which awaits him, but he is eager to take it head-on. Barlow, a former Van Buren high school quarterback, recently took over as head…

Roland native Clay Conley coaches Hammon team to a state championship

In just his sixth season as a coach, Clay Conley has a state title on his resume. The Roland native is the head girls basketball coach at Hammon, located in…

Van Buren senior wrestler Breanna Lozano wins individual state title

Breanna Lozano made the most of her only season wrestling at Van Buren. Earlier in March, the senior finally placed first at the Arkansas state girls wrestling tournament in Little…

Isabella Kindrick helps lead Northside to state championship

Isabella Kindrick has fond memories of attending Northside girls basketball games and attending the Lady Bears’ summer camps while growing up. And now she’s one of those very same players…

Sallisaw wrestler Cole Mayfield finishes career with third straight state title

When he finally captured yet another individual state wrestling championship, Cole Mayfield didn’t display any excess exuberance. Initially, the Sallisaw senior felt relief, surviving a grueling final match that went the…

Former Northside player enjoying the final days of college basketball

When Sara Bershers began her journey as a college basketball player, she definitely didn’t think it would take her six years to complete it. Along the way, though, there was…

Greenwood senior guard Izzy Smith after another state title

Izzy Smith knows just how fortunate she is to be a part of Greenwood’s successful girls basketball program. She has been a part of state title teams since her sophomore…

Northside senior Grotjohn makes move from Missouri to Northside

It can be a big adjustment going from a very small town to a town the size of Fort Smith. And it can be a daunting challenge going from playing…

Van Buren wrestlers aim to end high school careers with three state titles

Two of the most successful wrestlers in Van Buren’s program have a chance to win three individual state titles. Pointer seniors Dakota Fenwick and Don O’Kelley have combined for nearly…

Van Buren senior to play football at Arkansas Tech, still focused on basketball

Trent Cooley doesn’t plan to play basketball when he goes off to college later this year. If that’s the case, he’s definitely going out on a high note. Cooley, a…

Greenwood wrestler Jeremy Johnson seeks better results in his senior year

Greenwood wrestler Jeremy Johnson took fourth in his weight class at the state tournament last season. Ordinarily, that would be considered a respectable accomplishment. For Johnson, though, it was something…

For Pocola girls basketball, having six senior starters is greater than five

Pocola girls basketball coach Mark McKenzie has a nice problem to have. He utilizes six senior starters on a Lady Indians’ squad that won their first 15 ballgames, including winning…