Stories from Friday, July 22, 2011

Five local lifters recently competed in WABDL National Championships in Nashville, Tenn. All the lifters placed first in their events with some setting new records. The lifters were Harley Timbs, Eddie Morgan and Tom Morgan from Trumann, Jeff Criss from Bay and Eugene Merrill, Jr. from Jonesboro. Jeff Criss competed in the 259 pound, 40 to 46-year-old bench press division. His best lift of 622 pounds was a state record. Harley Timbs, with a lift of 738 pounds, set a state, national and world record in the 275 pound, 40 to 46-year-old bench press division. Timbs personal best is an 840 pound press. Eugene Merrill, Jr. competed in the 220 pound, 47 to 53-year-old dead lift division. His winning lift of 525 pounds was a state record. Tom Morgan's winning lift was 475 pounds in the dead lift competition. He competed in the 259 pound, 60 to 67-year-old division. His lift was a state record.

Football season is just around the corner and the area teams are gearing up for two-a-day practices starting the first day of August. I recently spoke with the head coaches of Trumann, Marked Tree and East Poinsett County to get a little insight on the upcoming season. Trumann head coach Greg White says he will have around 35 players out for the team. He will return eight starters on both offense and defense this season. Marked Tree head coach Waylon Dunn says he will have between 25-28 players dressing out this coming season. He returns six starters on offense with five starters returning on defense. There will be 10 starters returning on both sides of the ball for East Poinsett County head coach Brian Weathers this season. Weathers will have 36 players when practices start. Be on the lookout for the upcoming 2011 Football tab in August where there will be a more detailed look at the teams.

All Marked Tree student athletes who are interested in participating in junior high football will pick up equipment Monday and Tuesday, July 25 and 26, at the Marked Tree Field House. Students can go at 10 a.m. both days. Potential student athletes should make sure they have a physical. Those who have any questions may feel free to contact coach Waylon Dunn at (870) 358-2366.

The Trumann Express 10-and-under baseball team recently traveled to Liberty, Mo. to compete in the "A" League World Series. The boys turned in a 4-1 tournament record and were awarded the consolation championship, which gave them a sixth place finish overall in the World Series. The Express ended their season with a record of 25-1. The tournament was held July 13-17 and the Express played two pool games on Thursday, July 14. They defeated the Blue Springs Hawks 8-6 and then turned around and beat the Indians from Independence, Mo., 13-6. These wins gave the Express a number four seed headed into bracket play. Friday, July 15 matched the Express with the Indians once again with the results being reversed. The Indians handed the Express a 14-4 defeat, sending Trumann to the consolation bracket. Saturday had the Express playing The Hawks. This game was neck-and-neck throughout and was tied 9-9 at the end of the time limit. The Express sent runners to second and third before the Hawks were charged with a balk that brought the winning run to score for a 10-9 victory. The Ts of St. Joseph, Mo. were the final opponent for the Express in the tournament. The Express jumped out to an early lead and went on to 17-7 victory, giving them the consolation bracket title. The Express coaches, players and parents would like to thank everyone for their support. Team players are Blake Liles, Jay Taylor Morgan, Cade Gartman, Prince Wortham, Taylor Jones, Will White, Jesse Penter, Nolan Mullins, Chase Parrish and Dakota Dodd. Coaches are Taylor Morgan, D.J. Penter, Kacy Liles and Adam Jones.

The FNW in FNW Wrestling took on a different meaning Saturday night. It stood for Fans, No Wrestlers. An estimated crowd of 30 fans were in the parking lot when I arrived to cover the matches. It was already past open door time and a half hour before first bell. There were two important things missing, there was no ring set up inside the building and there was not a wrestler to found anywhere. I mingled with the crowd for a few minutes with some saying they had heard rumors of the matches had been cancelled but most said they heard nothing of the night being cancelled. This was my first official sports assignment with the paper and some might ask if I was disappointed it was a no show? Absolutely not! As I drove back home I was already thinking and in anticipation of my next assignment.

The 2011 Delta Youth Baseball program recently concluded their season. There were four different age groups, seven/eight, 9/10, 11/12 and 13/14-year-olds. The cities of Trumann, Bay, Lepanto, Harrisburg, Weiner and Marked Tree make up this league. In the seven/eight-year-old league there were two divisions. Marked Tree Blue won the East with a 12-4 record while the Bay Cardinals won the West and the overall league crown with a 16-0 record. The Cardinals advanced to play in the Little League World Series in Liberty, Mo. In the 9/10-year-old division there were also two divisions. The Trumann Iron Pigs won the East with a 9-7 record as the Trumann Express won the West and the overall title by going undefeated at 16-0. The Express also earned a trip to Liberty, Mo. to participate in the Little League World Series. The Trumann Cardinals won the 11/12-year-old division with a perfect record of 12-0. They also took third place in the state tournament at Conway. Trumann Black and Harrisburg Hornets both went 7-3 in the 13/14-year-old league with Trumann winning the league title. The All-Star team made of this league went on to capture a state title in Conway.