Happy Friday! Before we flip the calendar to July, let's take a look at some of the biggest stories making headlines around the state. 👀
🎙️ Honesty Holt on leading Har-Ber softball
📈 Keeping track of what’s happening around the state
👀 Our One to Watch
Ready or not — here we go!
🥎 Giving Back. Former assistant coach Honesty Holt is now the new head coach for Har-Ber Softball, after Randy Osnes decided to retire at the end of the 2026 season. A former player for Har-Ber and Bentonville West, she excited to take over and lead the program in their next chapter of success.
🔒 Locked In. Har-Ber football isn’t wasting any time preparing for the upcoming season, facing a gauntlet of non-conference opponents this summer. Most recently, the Wildcats faced off against out-of-state team Tulsa Union (OK). The Redhawks are no easy task, consistently making playoff appearances in Oklahoma. In the second year under head coach Aaron Danenhauer, Har-Ber is looking to put together a successful run deep into the season.
🫡 Wolverine Leader. Bentonville West has found their next leader for the baseball program, hiring Adam Winter as head coach. Winter arrives with a strong track record of success, earning conference Coach of the Year honors in both 2024 and 2025 while leading Batesville Southside to multiple conference championships before spending the 2025 season at Fort Smith Northside.
📣 Pea Ridge cheer has gained a reputation for their dominance in the 4A, taking the state championship three years in a row, and not looking to slow down anytime soon. They’re hitting practice hard this summer, working towards a fourth state title. On top of practices, they recently hosted a kids camp, pouring into the next generation of Blackhawks cheer.
🏈 While many teams in the 7A are still determining their quarterback, Har-Ber has that spot locked down. The Wildcats have a solid leader in the back field: senior Brice Owens. Owens led his team to playoffs last season, and is only determined to get better. Last week, he sat down with Varsity Vibe’s Alyssa Orange to discuss his off-season progress.
“Football season really never ended for me,” Owens said. “Ever since that last game against Little Rock Christian, I was in the lab the next week working with quarterback trainers and strength and conditioning coaches.”
You can listen to the full story on the Varsity Vibe YouTube channel.
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