It's that time of year when sports pages in newspapers all over the area are filled with awards and honors.
Certainly in Siloam Springs, we've had awards banquets and celebrations from the 2017-18 school year and sports seasons, and we're not done yet.
Here's a rundown of the most recent regional and statewide awards.
All-Arkansas Preps Soccer
In the Sunday edition of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in Little Rock, the All-Arkansas Preps Soccer Teams were announced. (In the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the boys team ran in Sunday's edition while the girls team ran Monday.)
Representing Siloam Springs boys on the first team was senior defender Jack Bos.
For the Siloam Springs girls, senior forward Megan Hutto was on the All-AR Preps first team. Freshman Madison Race earned a spot on the All-AR Preps freshman/sophomore team.
All members of the All-Arkansas Preps teams in all sports -- which includes Siloam Springs senior girls golfer Brinkley Beever -- will be honored at the annual All-Arkansas Preps Award Banquet held at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 16, at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock. Former Olympic track standout Jackie Joyner-Kersee is the featured speaker.
All-NWADG
Bos, Hutto and junior Laura Morales earned sports on the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's All-Area Soccer Teams, which ran Tuesday (boys) and Wednesday (girls).
Also of note is that soccer head coach Brent Crenshaw was named the 2018 NWADG Girls Soccer Coach of the Year, the second time he's received the award.
Certainly there are lots of other players on both soccer teams that could have been included on these all-area and all-state soccer teams as well.
Congratulations to these athletes for an outstanding season. It's always fun to see kids get rewarded on the regional and state level.
All-Stars
Bos, Hutto and senior midfielder Brooklyn Buckminster earned spots in the annual Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star soccer games, which are set to be played on the purple and gray turf of Estes Stadium on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas on Friday, June 22.
Those three soccer players join volleyball player Shaylon Sharp, who was selected to play in the All-Star Volleyball match on the same night inside the Farris Center.
Once upon a time, the AHSCA all-star week used to be played on the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville, but UCA has been its home the last several years. Originally I was against the move, but having gone last year I'm on board. The facilities at UCA are wonderful, and it's a great experience for all involved.
-- Graham Thomas is the managing editor for the Herald-Leader. He can be reached at [email protected]. The opinions expressed are those of the author.
Sports on 06/06/2018