From the court and field to the front of a computer screen, Pioneer athletes made their mark this season—not just through victories and standout performances, but with sportsmanship, integrity, and a commitment that went beyond the scoreboard. Fans of Gentry High School athletics witnessed a year to remember in 2024–25, filled with milestones and championships across a wide range of sports and extracurriculars.
“Athletics as a whole at Gentry are trending upward, and it’s exciting to see our athletes achieve success throughout the school year,” said Gentry Athletics Director Brent Hester. “We have outstanding coaches developing outstanding athletes—both through competition and through building a positive culture that goes beyond winning. I get excited when I think about the culture of our athletics programs.”
From competing for conference championships and advancing deep into playoffs and state tournaments, to putting Gentry on the map throughout the state, the school year showcased a new standard of success. According to Hester, however, what truly defines Pioneer Athletics is its dedication to shaping young people for life beyond high school.
“We’ve seen some exciting athletic performances this past year, but I’m also incredibly proud of our coaches,” Hester said. “We’ve been able to hire program builders—people who are proud to be Gentry Pioneers and who embrace their role not just as coaches, but as leaders of young men and women.
“The culture we’re building is one where athletes respect the game by playing hard and doing their best. It also means playing the right way—clean, with good sportsmanship,” he added. “We’re seeing athletes who give their all, but who also respect their opponents and officials, and take pride in wearing the Pioneer jersey. We are building friendly, but fierce competitors through our athletics program.”
That philosophy was further validated when the Arkansas Activities Association awarded sportsmanship honors to four Gentry teams—girls basketball, softball, girls soccer, and baseball—for completing ejection-free seasons in the spring.
Still, winning matters, and the Pioneers delivered. Highlights from the 2024–25 athletic year include:
Football Advances in State Playoffs
Behind first-year head coach Tyler Clark, the Gentry Pioneer football team finished the regular season 8–2 and advanced to the second round of the state playoffs, its furthest run since 1995.
The defining moment came with a thrilling 42–41 playoff victory on the road against DeWitt. Quarterback Talan Williams threw for 403 yards and six touchdowns to five different receivers, including the game-winner to Ezekiel Strong. Strong later sealed the game with an interception near midfield. Additional big wins, like a 35–28 victory over Lincoln, helped propel the team into the postseason.
Strong, Caydon Koons, and Bennett Roberts were named All-State. Roberts signed with Arkansas Tech University (NCAA Division II), while Strong will play at Hendrix College (NCAA Division III).
Softball Pioneers Reach State Tournament
The Gentry softball team reached the 4A State Tournament for the second straight year after a dramatic 1–0 extra-inning win over eventual state champions Pea Ridge to claim the district title. They finished second at the 4A North Regional and continued their postseason run under Coach Shawn Teters.
Presley Ward earned a spot on the 4A State All-Tournament Team. She, along with pitcher Callie Jordan and catcher Olivia Nations, were named All-State. Ward and infielder Cindy Barger both signed to play at Crowder College in Missouri next season.
Baseball Makes History
In a season of milestones, the Gentry baseball team qualified for regionals for the first time in 13 years and reached the state tournament for the first time in 20 years. As a No. 4 seed, the Pioneers upset Pottsville, the top seed from the 4A-4 Conference, to secure their state berth.
Drew Nash, who will continue his baseball career in college, was named to the 4A State All-Tournament Team. The team was coached by Anthony Nail with assistance from Drew Golden and Matt Morgan.
Track and Field Sends Seven to State
Seven Pioneer athletes advanced to the state meet in Heber Springs after strong district performances. Qualifiers included Joseph Rodriguez and Braden Woodcock in pole vault; Aidan Eller in discus; and Aja Smith, Ryliegh Eklund, Briley Reamer, and McKenzie Barnes in various sprint relays.
The team was coached by Bobby Watson and Jackson Bray, with help from Shelby Ellison.
Girls’ Soccer Returns to State Tournament
The Gentry girls' soccer team qualified for the 4A State Tournament, continuing the program’s rise. Cayci Capps and Masae Langu were named All-State, while Madison Limson earned All-Tournament honors for her postseason play. Langu’s achievement was particularly remarkable, as it was her first season playing soccer.
Capps, who will play at Evangel University, led the team with 25 goals. Other team awards included Madison Polina and Anna Xiong as Utility Players of the Year, Morgan Polina as Hustle Award winner, Krislynn Thompson as Rookie of the Year, Shelbi Laughlin as Defensive Player of the Year, and Capps as both Offensive Player of the Year and MVP.
The team was coached by Jamie Johnson and assisted by Daniel Marroquin.
Wrestling Sees Growth and Podium Finishes
The wrestling program saw explosive growth, expanding from two athletes last year to 20. Notable performances included Tate Simmons (11–3), Atreyu Banks (8–1), and Aidan Eller (10–4). Four wrestlers—Jaxon Burkhalter, Simmons, Banks, and Eller—qualified for state. Eller placed third at the state tournament.
Burkhalter received the prestigious “Victory with Honor” award, given to only one athlete per classification across Arkansas, as voted by officials at the state meet.
Robotics and Esports Excel at State and Beyond
Gentry's robotics team, featuring their robot "Bot Father," advanced to the state semifinals and qualified for the world championships for the second consecutive year. Team members included Jeremy Schopper (programmer/builder), Randall Hollingsworth (notebooker/programmer), and Jhont Bones (driver).
In esports, Gentry claimed its third state championship in the competitive game Splatoon 3. The program continues to provide students with scholarship opportunities and access to growing collegiate esports programs. Anthony Herbaugh served as coach.
Powerlifting Team Wins National Championship
Though still considered a club sport, the Gentry girls’ powerlifting team dominated the national stage, winning first place in eight of nine divisions and claiming the overall team title with 106 points at the national championship meet.
Saylor Arnold (sophomore) – 16 state, 3 national records; 97 lb. National Champion
Aja Smith (freshman) – 16 state, 2 national records; 123 lb. National Champion
Emma Cox (junior) – 16 state, 2 national records; 148 lb. National Champion
Neela McGowan (junior) – 16 state, 16 national records; 220 lb. National Champion
Kacie Wood (sophomore) – 16 state, 12 national records; 242 lb. National Champion
The team also won the 4A North Regional Championship and the 4A State Championship, finishing as Overall State Runner-up.
Bowling Maintains Competitive Edge
The Gentry bowling program continued its strong run with the boys team finishing third in the state tournament and the girls placing in the top ten. Standouts Peyton Insco, Evey Tomlinson, and Ethan Young earned All-State recognition. Led by Coach Kelli Mathews, the teams competed consistently across northwest Arkansas, maintaining a strong focus on postseason performance.
With a year full of banners, titles, and character-defining moments, the 2024–25 season solidified Gentry as a rising force in Arkansas high school athletics—on and off the scoreboard.