Mena Ladycat Seniors Honored

BY RICK WRIGHT –

These Senior Volleyball Ladycats have been a part of two conference championships, a state championship, and a state runner-up.

This year, the team record is 21-5 and they are currently ranked #2 in the state in Class4A according to MaxPreps. The overall record of the teams these seniors have played on is 84 wins and 10 losses

#12 Lexi Brooks

Lexi is the daughter of Bobby and Staci Brooks. Lexi has been a Ladycat Volleyball player for six years, Ladycat Basketball player for five years, and a Ladycat Softball player for three years.

Lexi was a member of the 2014 Volleyball State Championship team, 2015 Volleyball State Runner-Up team, 2014 Softball State Runner-Up team and the 2015 and 2016 Softball State Championship Teams.

Lexi has received several individual awards in Volleyball and Softball including: Volleyball All-Conference and 1st Team All-Conference. Softball awards are Honorable Mention as a Freshman and ranked 5th in the Arkansas Democrat among all Arkansas High School pitchers. As a Sophomore she received All-District and ranked 4th in the Arkansas Democrat among all Arkansas High School Pitchers. Junior year, she was All-Conference and 4A State Tournament Team, Ranked 3rd in State among Arkansas High School Pitchers.

Lexi participated on a summer travel ball softball Gold team as a pitcher and has a USFA World Series Championship in Orlando, Florida, USSSA World Series Runner-Up Championship in Panama City, Florida, Pikes Peak Colorado Sparkler Championship in Denver Colorado and Three Texas State Titles.

Lexi is a member of the Concord Baptist Church, FCS and Student Council and Homecoming Court for two years. She has received her academic letter the past two years.

Lexi will be signing November 9th to play softball for the Lady Tigers at Ouachita Baptist University where she plans to pursue a degree in nursing.

Lexi’s favorite quote: “Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God.” ~ Leo Buscaglia.

#21 Brandi Harrison

Brandi is the daughter of John and Terri Harrison. Brandi has been involved in Ladycat athletics for the past six years. Brandi is involved in FCS. She also has a part time job at Myers Cruizzers Drive-in. Brandi was a part of the 2014 state championship volleyball team and the 2015 and 2016 state championship softball teams.

Brandi was also a part of the 2016 state runner-up volleyball team.

After high school Brandi plans to attend the University of Arkansas Rich Mountain and then transfer to a four-year college to obtain a degree in Criminal Justice.

Brandi says her time in Mena High School and being a Ladycat is something she’ll never forget.

#1 Reagan Sikes

Reagan is the daughter of Mitch and Sherri Sikes. Reagan has participated throughout high school as a Ladycat in volleyball, basketball, and softball. Regan was a member of the 2014 State Championship volleyball team. She was also a member of the 2015 State Championship Runner-Up volleyball team where she received All Conference honors in 2015.

Reagan currently serves as a captain for the 2016 Mena Ladycat Volleyball team.

Reagan was also a two-year starter for the Back to Back 2015 and 2016 State Championship Mena Ladycat softball team.

In basketball, Reagan received the award for best defensive player for the 2016 Mena Ladycat basketball team.

Reagan has made straight A’s throughout her sophomore and junior years. Reagan is a member of Christ’s Church at Mountain Fork. She is currently serving as a member of FCS and FCCLA.

Reagan plans on attending college after graduation to pursue a career as a dental hygienist.

#44 Ansley Simmons

Ansley is the daughter of Scotty and Jennifer Simmons. Ansley has been a Ladycat volleyball player for six years, Ladycat softball for three years, junior high Ladycat basketball three years, junior high cheer two years and senior high cheer as Beary the mascot for three years.

Ansley has participated in the Fort Smith Junior Volleyball program for three years and one year with the Club Velocity program. Durning her last year with FSJ, she was a member of the 2014 Delta Region Silver Championship team.

While in high school, Ansley has participated in FCS, FCCLA and Spanish Club. She has lettered academically for the past three years and is a member of the National Honor Society.

After high school, Ansley plans on attending college and majoring in biology. She later plans to pursue a degree in the medical field.

Ansley’s favorite quote is:”Be a pineapple, stand tall. Wear a crown and always be sweet on the inside.”

#00 Addison Smith

Addison is the daughter of Tyra and Mike Wolf. Addison plans to go to college and major in Criminal Justice, and Psychology.

Addison has been a part of the Mena Ladycat Volleyball program for six years. She played softball her freshman and sophomore year of high school.

Addison has been a member of many state winning teams including: State Runner-Up for softball 2013-1014, State Championship for volleyball 2014-2015, State Championship for softball 2014-2015, State Runner-Up for volleyball 2015-2016. She completes in many barrel racing organizations outside of school including: Ouachita Barrel Racing Association, Polk County Riding Club, and the Southwest Arkansas High School Rodeo Association.

#7 Sealy Thigpen

Sealy is the daughter of Rhonda Thigpen and Dr. David H. Thigpen. Sealy would like to tell the Mena “Ladycat” community Thank You for accepting her into their circle of support. One person always stood out in her life, and that is her mother Rhonda. Sealy would like to thank her mom for getting on her making her work harder than anyone else.

Sealy says Coach Thigpen is not only the best coach out there, but the best mom as well.

Sealy’s High School Accomplishments include: Freshman Year: (Arkadelphia High School) All-Conference Volleyball, All-Conference Basketball, All-Conference Softball; Sophomore Year (Arkadelphia High School) All-Conference Volleyball, All-Conference Softball; Junior Year (Mena High School) All-Conference Volleyball, All-State Tournament Volleyball, All-Conference Softball, All State Tournament Softball, All Star Classic Softball Participant. Member of the 2015 Volleyball State Runner-Up, Member of the 2016 Softball State Champions.

Sealy’s future athletic and academic plans include: to play NCAA Volleyball after high school. Sealy will enter college as an “undecided major” and see what academic major draws her interest. Currently Sealy is visiting NCAA institutions and hopes to sign a Grant-in-Aid in November.

Being a Ladycat has made some great things happen. Sealy’s favorite quote is “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”

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