JESSIEVILLE -- Standout track and cross-country runner Noah Eskew, a senior at Jessieville High School, was recently named a state winner for Arkansas in the Wendy's High School Heisman program.
Eskew is guaranteed to receive a scholarship of at least $1,000 and will advance to the national level, where he could receive as much as $10,000. He is the son of Cory and Tami Eskew.
"I honestly had a feeling that I would make state finalist, but it was still very surprising knowing that, out of hundreds of applicants, I made the top 10," Eskew said.
The High School Heisman selected 10 male finalists and 10 female finalists for each state. The program honors thousands of students each year who give back to their communities, treat others with respect, continue their education and excel in sports.
"This student is known by his teachers and friends for his commitment to excellence," Jessieville High School Principal Toby Packard said. "We are excited and honored that a program like Wendy's High School Heisman is also recognizing his hard work."
Eskew is a regular at the top of state results in track and cross-country meets. The Class 3A boys' state cross-country race is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 3 at Oaklawn Park.
"I was in shock when I got a text from my friend saying that I had made it," Eskew said. "I thought there was no way that I was the top applicant in Arkansas. Once I finally realized it was true, I was honored to be able to represent Arkansas."
Among the male finalists was Connor Noland, star quarterback in football and pitcher in baseball for Greenwood High School. Noland committed to both sports for the Arkansas Razorbacks. He holds a 4.0 grade-point average and has 1,694 passing yards and 20 touchdowns this season for the 8-0 Bulldogs in 6A.
The other finalists were Hayden Bowden, a lineman for the 6-2 Atkins Red Devils in 3A; Grant Brown, a receiver and safety for the 5-3 Greenbrier Panthers in 5A; Carson Cannon, quarterback for the 3-5 Mena Bearcats in 4A; Pablo Manon, a semifinalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program and a member of the Springdale Har-Ber High School swim team in 7A; William Mayer, National Merit semifinalist at Fayetteville High School East in 7A; Wesley Schwartz, a lineman for the 2-6 Fort Smith Southside Mavericks in 7A; Seth Thompson-Bailey, a swimmer for 5A Batesville; and Brooks Walton, who led the 8-0 Pulaski Academy Bruins in tackles as a junior when they won the 5A state championship.
Wonderview basketball and softball star Brooke Zimmerman was chosen as the other state winner. Zimmerman led her team with 24 points in their second win of the season Friday with 24 points against Jasper. Her sister, Bailey Zimmerman, is a junior on the women's basketball team at Arkansas.
Lake Hamilton High School senior cross-country and track athlete Josie Carson was previously named a state finalist. The 6A girls' state cross-country race is scheduled as the final event of Nov. 3's meet at 3:45 p.m.
Another finalist was Savana Melton, the starting kicker for the 8-0 North Little Rock Charging Wildcats in 7A. Melton missed her first extra point of the season the same night she was the school's homecoming queen. She also kicked a 26-yard field goal and made four other extra points when North Little Rock defeated Little Rock Catholic 51-17.
The other finalists were Hannah Hall, softball player for the 1A South Side High School Lady Hornets in Bee Branch; Sydney Lane, track athlete for 3A Rivercrest in Wilson; Emily Leding, a soccer player for Pulaski Academy in Little Rock; Reagan Richardson, 3A All-State infielder for Smackover and recipient of a Prudential Spirit of Community Award; Veronica Rivas, track athlete for De Queen in 5A; Leighton Withers, basketball and softball player for 3A Harmony Grove High School in Benton; and Kaitlyn Wright, basketball and softball player for 2A Harmony Grove High School in Camden.
State winners receive a $1,000 scholarship, silver medal, state winner patch and $50 gift card to Wendy's. National finalists will be announced during the week of Nov. 6.
"It's actually still a little overwhelming to know that I was selected, but I'm glad that I have been given the opportunity to represent Arkansas and the Jessieville community at the national level," Eskew said.
National finalists receive a $5,000 scholarship in place of the $1,000 award and national winners receive scholarships for $10,000 in place of the previous two awards. The scholarship is based on the final level achieved and is not cumulative.
Wendy's founder Dave Thomas founded the program in 1994 and it has since recognized more than 600,000 students. The High School Heisman is a joint program between Wendy's and the Heisman Trophy Trust, host and custodians of the Heisman Memorial Trophy awarded each year to the most outstanding player in college football.
Local on 10/26/2017