LITTLE ROCK -- Lake Hamilton seventh grade swimmer Aubrey Schmitt competed with the Arkansas Racers in the USA-Spring Splash long course, open meet and set three team records for 13- to 14-year-old girls on the Racers team.
She set those records in the 800-meter freestyle (9:58.32), 200 breaststroke (3:03.32) and 400 individual medley (5:28.84).
Those three times also represented personal bests for Schmitt. She set six total personal bests at the meet.
Those other personal bests came in the 200 individual medley (2:38.57), 100 breaststroke (1:27.60) and 100 backstroke (1:16.12).
Schmitt finished first in the 800 freestyle, 200 butterfly and 400 individual medley.
GOFF SIGNS TO CENTRAL ARKANSAS
PEARCY -- While Lake Hamilton boasts plenty of great distance runners and a great track program, Connor Goff inked his letter of intent to the collegiate level after excelling in a field event.
Goff signed to the University of Central Arkansas to compete in shot put.
"Through all the injuries, through all the different things that have happened and stuff, he's continued to work hard," coach David Davenport said. "He's continued to improve his game."
Davenport coached Goff in both track and field and football.
"This is going to be my first shot put male thrower to go to college as well to throw the shot," Davenport said. "That's a big deal for me in my coaching career, but it's a big deal for you for all the things you overcame."
Goff's longest throw his junior year was 44 feet, and he increased that by 3 feet in his senior season.
"I really see Connor doing great things throwing the shot," Davenport said. "He really truly enjoys it. It's something that he likes to do not only at practice, but something you like to spend your time doing and getting better. I know he's going to have all the resources to do that at UCA."
Davenport said Goff is the 10th best thrower in Lake Hamilton history.
"Throwing the shot put in college is a self-driven thing," Davenport said. "It's something you've got to drive for yourself to do. You've got to put the time in on your own. You're going to have coaches that tweak you here and there, but it's going to be something you research, you study, you film yourself, you break it down."
RIDDELL INKS WITH CARL ALBERT STATE
PEARCY -- Making history in Lake Hamilton's wrestling program, Cody Riddell became the first Wolves wrestler to sign to compete on the next level in the sport.
Riddell signed with Carl Albert State College.
Lake Hamilton head wrestling coach John Utley said the wrestling program started six years ago at the school.
"We had one student who had wrestled before, and he was a transplant from Oklahoma," Utley said. "Our program has grown to become a very respectable program in the state, and it's because of young men like Cody that's worked hard. The hours he's put in. Not just in season, but out of season, too."
Riddell put in a "tremendous" amount of hours to become a successful wrestler.
"I remember when Cody came the first day as a seventh grader," Utley said. "I thought, 'OK, what are we going to do with him?' Because he was little and scrawny. But the thing he had, he was pretty scrappy. Now he's grown into a young man and has worked hard. Finished second in the state this year."
Utley said he is hopeful more wrestlers from Lake Hamilton will sign to wrestle in college in the future.
"We've had other wrestlers who had been offered to wrestle in college and they decided not to go that route," Utley said. "When we talk about making history, Cody will be our first signee to go to the collegiate level to wrestle in college here at Lake Hamilton."