WESTSIDE -- Spring sports are in full swing at schools in Decatur, Gentry and Gravette. Whether on the baseball or softball diamonds, the soccer fields, or on the track, there are ample opportunities to watch local high school and junior high athletes compete and develop their talents and skills.
Even though most seasons are half over, as the numerous event schedules in this section show, there is still time to get out as the weather warms and support our young athletes in their endeavors.
Baseball
In baseball, the Gravette Lions were 3-4 for the season as of Sunday, and the Gentry Pioneers were 6-2, with their only losses being to the Panthers of Siloam Springs and the Pointers of Van Buren. Though Decatur's team has suffered some big losses, the team members are learning fundamentals and making improvements.
Softball
In softball, the Lady Pioneers of Gentry have had some big wins and big losses but are also playing against strong competition. The team, as of Sunday, was 3-5 for the season. Hailie Kreger has been in the pitcher's circle but has also contributed much with her bat.
The Lady Lions of Gravette were undefeated this season and had a 6-0 record as of Sunday.
Brooke Handle has downed 17 batters this season with strikeouts, and Laney Chilton is also doing well in the circle.
Decatur doesn't have a softball team this year due to low numbers, but Decatur does have a strong soccer program underway.
Soccer
The Decatur girls defeated Gentry, 4-3, early in the season, and the boys won as well, 3-1. Gentry and Decatur teams continue to play and improve their soccer skills.
Track and Field
All three schools have athletes competing in running and field events. Gravette freshman Kayden Brown is making his mark and leading in the 4A conference in the 100-meter dash, long jump, triple jump, and 300-meter hurdles.
Brian Lopez, a Gentry senior, leads in throwing the discus (125.2), and Brady Qualls, a Gravette freshman is leading in the 110-meter hurdles.
In girls' track, Gravette freshman Lilly Lunsford holds the conference lead in the 100- and 200-meter dash, Anna Kedrowski holds the top spot in the 800-meter run, and Julia Whorton has the lead in the 1600- and 3200-meter runs. Gravette's Belen Nelson leads in both the 100-meter and 300-meter hurdles. And Gravette's relay teams hold the top spot in the 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400 relays.
Lunsford also leads in high jump, clearing 5-2; and Gravette freshman Alyn Rueda in pole vault, clearing 7 feet.
Gentry junior Abigail Schopper leads in the discus and shotput, with freshman Desi Heath of Gentry holding the lead in the 1kg discus.
Parents, family and community members are urged to take advantage of the warmer weather and get out and support their local athletes and teams in the upcoming games and events.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
Gentry catcher Crafton Beeler waits for the pitch during Gentry's home game against Siloam Springs on Feb. 21.
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Riggs Harper crosses home plate for Gentry while the Cedarville catcher waits for the throw during play in the Merrill Reynolds Memorial Complex in Gentry on March 1.
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Jared James connects with a pitch during the March 1 game against Cedarville at Gentry High School.
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Siloam Springs' Bode Butler slides across home plate ahead of the throw to Gentry catcher Crafton Beeler during play between the Panthers and the Pioneers in Gentry on Feb. 21.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
Siloam Springs' Jackson Still slides into second while Gentry's Jeremiah Lemke attempts to tag him out following a wild pitch during play between the Panthers and the Pioneers in Gentry on Feb. 21.
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Gentry pitcher Drew Nash winds up to throw a pitch during Gentry's game against Siloam Springs in the Merrill Reynolds Memorial Sports Complex on Tuesday, Feb. 21.
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Gravette's Isaiah Larson slides across home plate during play against Greenwood on Feb. 28 at Gravette High School.
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Gravette's Justin Trucks throws a pitch during play against Greenwood on Feb. 28 at Gravette High School.
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Gravette's Cyric Day leads off third base during play against Greenwood on Feb. 28 at Gravette High School.
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Gravette's Isaiah Larson snags a deep fly ball during play against Greenwood on Feb. 28 at Gravette High School.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
Decatur third baseman Brandon Montano tags third base ahead of Owen Foreman for an out during play between the Bulldogs and the Pioneers in Gentry on March 14.
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Gentry pitcher Hailie Kreger throws a pitch during the March 13 game in Gentry against Dardanelle.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
Gentry pitcher Hailie Kreger throws a pitch during the March 13 game in Gentry against Dardanelle.
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Gentry's Presley Ward slides into second base ahead of the throw during the March 13 game in Gentry against Dardanelle.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
Gentry's Presley Ward slides into second base ahead of the throw during the March 13 game in Gentry against Dardanelle.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
Gentry's Presley Ward puts the tag on a Dardanelle runner as she slides into second base during the March 13 game in Gentry.
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Decatur sophomore Natalie Shelton made her debut on the mound for the Decatur Bulldogs in their nonconference game against the Gentry Pioneers in Gentry on March 14.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
Decatur sophomore Natalie Shelton made her debut on the mound for the Decatur Bulldogs in their nonconference game against the Gentry Pioneers in Gentry on March 14.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
Lady Pioneer Cayci Capps moves the ball toward the goal during play against Bentonville West on March 13 at Gentry High School.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
Lady Pioneer Cayci Capps moves the ball toward the goal during play against Bentonville West on March 13 at Gentry High School.
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Gentry junior Kaitlyn Caswell moves the ball past an opponent during play against Bentonville West on March 13 at Gentry High School.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
Gentry junior Kaitlyn Caswell moves the ball past an opponent during play against Bentonville West on March 13 at Gentry High School.
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Gentry junior Kaitlyn Caswell moves the ball downfield during play against Bentonville West on March 13 at Gentry High School.
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Gentry's Esli DeLeon moves the ball away from the sideline during play against Bentonville West on March 13 at Gentry High School.
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Gravette junior Julia Whorton leads the pack in the third lap of the 1600-meter run at the Gravette Running Festival on March 10. Whorton went on to win the event, as well as the 3200-meter run.
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Gravette junior Belen Nelson runs the last leg of a relay at the Gravette Running Fest on March 10. Belen took first in the 100-meter hurdles, second in the 300-meter hurdles and was a part of Gravette's winning relay teams at the event.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
Gravette junior Anna Kedrowski runs in the 1600-meter run at the Gravette Running Festival on March 10. She took fourth in the 1600-meter run but also finished first in the 800-meter run and was a part of Gravette's winning relay team.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
Gravette sophomore Celia Chernota finished third in the 3200-meter run at the Gravette Running Festival on March 10.
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Gravette sophomore Kelton McDougal competes in the 300-meter hurdles on March 10 at the Gravette Running Festival. He finished fifth in the event.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
Gravette senior Mason Meeker finishes a leg of a relay at the Gravette Running Fest in Lion Stadium on March 10. Meeker finished fifth in the 100-meter dash and was a part of Gravette's first- and third-place relay teams.