Ten Springdale Public Schools student athletes on Feb. 1 remotely signed official National Signing Day letters of intent.
Seven of the Springdale students participated in a ceremonial National Signing Day event Feb. 8 at Springdale High School. A signing ceremony was postponed until Feb. 8 due to inclement weather.
One Don Tyson School of Innovation and six Springdale High School student athletes participated in the Feb. 8 signing ceremony. Yadiel Canales of Springdale High and Luke Adams and Britt Wittschen of Har-Ber High School opted to forgo a ceremony.
Join us as we congratulate these amazing competitors as they take the next steps in their athletic careers!
Luke Adams
Luke Adams of Har-Ber High School signed a letter of intent Feb. 1 to play football for Arkansas Tech University in Russellville.
“It makes me excited,” Adams said. “I’ve always dreamed of playing college football, and now it is finally coming true.”
The senior has played football since kindergarten and is a tight end and fullback for the Wildcats. He will compete as a tight end for Arkansas Tech.
Adams, 18, made All Conference twice and was a starter for three years.
He lives in Springdale and is the son of Aaron and Alicia Adams.
Adams plans to study kinesiology in college and wants to coach football as a career.
“I want to coach football, because I love the game, and I love helping kids,” Adams said.
William Ashmore
William Ashmore of Springdale High School committed Feb. 1 to play baseball for Westminster College in Fulton, Mo.
The 18-year-old said he's happy to have the opportunity to play sports at the next level.
Ashmore plays outfield for Springdale High and will play the same position for Westminster.
He lives in Springdale and is the son of Jarrod and Kristal Ashmore.
Ashmore plans to study sports management in college and aspires to become a sports agent.
Thalia Rae Hernandez Astello
Student athlete Thalia Rae Hernandez Astello of Springdale High School committed Feb. 1 to play soccer for Ecclesia College in her hometown of Springdale.
“I feel super excited and grateful that I am going to pursue my passion for soccer while also continuing my education,” Hernandez Astello said.
The 18-year-old senior plays as a center back and a left and right winger for Springdale High and will play as a midfielder and forward for Ecclesia.
“I am grateful for the love and support that my parents and family have always given me,” Hernandez Astello said. “I am also grateful for the opportunity that Coaches Beeler and Sosa gave me to be on the SHS soccer team since my freshman year and for Coach Craig for wanting me to play for his college team.”
Hernandez Astello’s parents are Pablo Hernandez and Janie Astello.
The student athlete has played soccer for 11 years.
“I have been a varsity starter for four seasons. I have played as a center back, right back, right mid and as a striker,” Hernandez Astello said. “In the 2022 season, I scored five goals and assisted three goals.”
She plans on majoring in psychology and counseling in college.
“I plan to be a counselor to be able to give guidance to others when they are struggling with personal, social or psychological problems,” Hernandez Astello said.
Yadiel Canales
Bulldogs senior Yadiel Canales signed a letter of intent Feb. 1 to play baseball for South Arkansas Community College in El Dorado.
Canales said he feels great about the opportunity to play college sports.
The 18-year-old currently competes as a catcher for Springdale High School and will play the same position for South Arkansas.
Canales has played baseball for 14 years and counts hitting a homerun against Bentonville in the bottom of the sixth inning among his career highlights.
He plans to major in business at South Arkansas and hopes to have a career in baseball.
Canales lives in Springdale and is the son of Yajaira and Sammy Canales.
Lauren Christy
Lauren Christy, a Springdale High School senior, signed a letter of intent Feb. 1 to play softball for Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, Okla.
“I am very excited for this opportunity to continue my academic and athletic career at the next level,” Christy said.
Christy, 17, lives in Springdale and, her parents are Scott and Becky Christy.
She’s played softball for 12 years and currently plays outfield and as a catcher for the Bulldogs. Christy committed to play outfield for the Lady Norse.
The student athlete was ranked second nationally as a 2023 center fielder by the AthPro 360 evaluation, was a national tournament defensive MVP, received an outfielder of the year recognition in the spring and finished the fall travel ball season with a .677 batting average and 1.000 for fielding.
She plans on majoring in kinesiology in college.
“I plan on becoming a physical therapist with a focus on sports injuries,” she said.
Za’Marion Manuel
Za’Marion Manuel of Springdale High School signed a letter of intent Feb. 1 to play football for Friends University in Wichita, Kan.
“I feel blessed to be able to go to college and continue to play the sport I love,” Manuel said.
The senior is a cornerback for Springdale High and will play the same position for Friends.
His career highlights include returning a kickoff for 99 yards for a touchdown. Manuel has played football for 12 years.
“I just want to thank everyone for the support, and thanks to my parents for always supporting me,” Manuel said. “I also want to thank Friends University for giving me a chance to continue playing football.”
Manuel, 18, plans on studying engineering in college and hopes to play in the National Football League.
“I plan to make it to the NFL, but if I don’t, I plan to get a good-paying job in engineering,” he said.
Manuel lives in Springdale and is the son of Darnell and Vanessa Manuel.
Ta’Jon Sparks
Springdale High School’s Ta’Jon Sparks committed Feb. 1 to play football for Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Okla.
“I feel blessed and honored to be in a position to go to college and play the sport that I love,” Sparks said.
Sparks, 19, is a cornerback and wide receiver for the Bulldogs and will play wide receiver for Southern Nazarene.
His career highlights include six touchdowns, 325 rushing yards, one interception and more than 20 pass breakups.
The senior lives in Springdale and has played football for 12 years.
His parents are Gabrielle Sparks and Johnny Borkins.
Sparks plans to study engineering and technology in college and wnts to be a hardware engineer.
“I chose to pursue this career after college because It covers multiple sectors, including electrical and even healthcare,” he said.
Lauren Taylor
Lauren Taylor committed Feb. 1 to play softball for Ecclesia College in Springdale.
“I feel very excited about signing with a college, because it has always been a dream of mine,” Taylor said. “By signing with this college, I feel as if all of the hard work I put in toward learning and improving has really paid off. I'm also really excited to continue my softball career to become a better leader, player and athlete.”
Taylor, 18, is a senior at Don Tyson School of Innovation. Her parents are Karen Williams and Corey Taylor.
The student athlete has been playing softball for 14 years and currently plays outfield for Springdale High School. She'll play the same position for Ecclesia.
Taylor said she’s proud to include being a United States Specialty Sports Association National runner-up for the five-star drill as a career highlight.
She plans on studying psychology and counseling in college and aspires to be a counselor or therapist.
“The mind and emotional states are really cool things to learn about,” Taylor said. “Plus, I am very passionate about helping people, and I love to build a trusting relationship with people.”
Britt Wittschen
Wildcat Britt Wittschen signed a letter of intent Feb. 1 to play football for Southwestern College in Winfield, Kan.
“I am excited and ready to start a new chapter in my life,” Wittschen said.
The 18-year-old Har-Ber High School senior lives in Springdale. His parents are Monica and Michael Wittschen.
Wittschen has played football for 10 years and is a safety and wide receiver for the Wildcats. He will be a defensive back for the Moundbuilders.
His high school football career includes 115 tackles, four interceptions, four fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, 12 receptions, 542 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns.
Wittschen said he’s currently undecided on his college major, as well a what future career he wants to pursue.
Daytrion Woodfork
Daytrion Woodfork of Springdale High School committed Feb. 1 to play football for the University of Monticello.
“I am extremely blessed and grateful for this opportunity,” Woodfork said. “I would like to thank God and my family, coaches, teammates, teachers and everyone who has supported me on this journey.”
Woodfork, 18, is an outside linebacker for Springdale High School and will play the same position for the University of Monticello.
He’s played football for nine years and made 60 tackles, four sacks and one interception as a senior.
“I am forever a Bulldog!” Woodfork said. “It has been a great three years at SHS.”
Woodfork wants to study business management in college and plans to work in the business sector as a career.
He said he hopes to coordinate and organize business activities, oversee operations and help employees and companies reach their top productivity levels. He likewise aspires to help with training and to assist businesses in reaching their operational and financial goals.
Woodfork lives in Springdale and is the son of David and Teshema Woodfork.
Click Here to Share a Story for Potential Coverage