Coach Reeves celebrates 100 wins

NIC FRARACCIO guest writer

The Harding softball team has continued to win games, earn awards and make history throughout the 2023 season.

The Lady Bisons are currently tied for second place in the conference standings with a conference record of 20-7. The players and coaching staff have continued to provide memorable moments during this historic season.

Lady Bisons head coach Ashley Reeves earned her 100th career win as a head coach after the 3-0 victory against Ouachita Baptist University April 7. Reeves began her collegiate coaching career at Abilene Christian University in 2011. Before coaching in Abilene, Reeves coached the Harding Academy softball team for three seasons.

Assistant coach Chris Wiman said Reeves tries to communicate self-confidence and competitiveness when coaching the Lady Bisons.

“When these girls leave softball, they’re going to understand that you’ve got to compete in everything you do,” Wiman said.

As Reeves and the Lady Bisons racked up wins, sophomore outfielder Macy Smith contributed to the team’s success by leading the team in batting average and sitting in second for fielding percentage.

Smith said it was a special moment to be a part of Reeves’ 100th career win but expects more success to come as the season concludes.

“Getting to be a part of her 100th win is a big deal,” Smith said. “We’ve broken a lot of records this year, and I think we’re looking forward to breaking a lot more.”

Junior Abby Burch also made school history on Tuesday against Christian Brothers. Burch broke the all-time school record for career saves after recording her 23rd career save against the Buccaneers. Burch surpassed Emma Dwyer’s record of 22 saves during her four-year career as a Lady Bison.

Burch said she loves being able to close games for the Lady Bisons and is motivated to pitch well as the season concludes.

“It’s motivating me to do better and continuously get wins for my team,” Burch said.

The Lady Bisons have also gained attention from the Great American Conference (GAC) committee.

Sophomore pitcher Riley Price was named GAC Pitcher of the Week in three consecutive weeks. Price joined the Lady Bisons in the fall after transferring from University of Texas at Tyler.

Price has thrown eight complete games during her first season as a Lady Bison. Price also leads the team in wins and strikeouts during the 2023 season.

Harding will continue conference play today as they travel to Ada, Oklahoma, to face the East Central University Tigers.

Jones jumps 7 feet, breaks 47-year-old high jump

Amid a record-breaking season for the Harding track and field team, sophomore Antiwain Jones became the first Harding student to clear 7 feet outdoors in the high jump earlier this month at the Harding Open, breaking a 47-year-old record.

Jones woke up April 6 hoping he would set a new high jump record that day. Before the track meet commenced, he had the opportunity to talk with event official Steve Celsor, the man responsible for setting the record at 6 feet, 11 inches in 1976. His daughter Kristen Celsor currently holds the high jump record for the women’s team at 5 feet, 8 inches, set in 2013, according to her father.

“I talked to him a little bit before the meet, and he was like, ‘Will today be the day?’” Jones said. “And it ended up being the day.”

Jones first cleared 2.16 meters to top his personal best, but his teammates were not satisfied. They encouraged him to go for 2.18 (7 feet, 1.75 inches), the record. He only received three attempts, missing the first two.

“And then my last jump, I cleared it, and it was really exciting,” Jones said.

Celsor said he was the first person to meet Jones to give him a hug.

“It was pretty cool,” Celsor, who graduated from the University in 1977 with a degree in nursing, said. “And he’s got a lot left. I think he can break his own record. I think he’s talented enough to do that.”