Four Lady Wildcats signed National Letters of Intent on April 12, 2023, at Har-Ber High School to compete in college athletics.
Brooke Lynn Beyer
Senior softball player Brooke Lynn Beyer signed a National Letter of Intent to compete with Crowder College in Neosho, Mo., at the event.
“When I started playing, I knew I wanted to play in college,” Beyer said. “I have treated each practice, each game, each team that I have ever been on as a way to improve my skill set. Getting the opportunity to play at a collegiate level means that all the hard work I put in allowed me to meet my goal.”
Beyer, 17, has played softball for 10 years and is a catcher and a utility player for the Wildcats. She’ll compete as a catcher for the Roughriders.
Beyer is a National Honor Society member, has received teaching honors, is a member of the .300 Batting Club, was named Defensive Player of the Year, won All Conference and lettered in varsity softball every year she played high school sports.
She had a .314 batting average, a .614 on base and slugging percentage and played catcher for the Wildcats for 59 innings her senior year.
Beyer plans on studying elementary education in college.
“I enjoy being with kids,” she said. “When I was younger, I always looked up to teachers and loved how they were so involved in my life. So, my goal is to make kids feel special and loved.”
She hopes to have an opportunity to coach volleyball or softball in the future and expressed her gratitude for everyone who’s contributed to her success as a student athlete.
Beyer was born and raised in Springdale. She is the daughter of Tarsy and Travis Beyer.
Abigale Kelly
Abigale Kelly committed to wrestle for Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kan.
“I am beyond amazed that this has become an opportunity for me. I started out as just another person on the team to fill in a weight class,” Kelly said, adding she’s become a different person and athlete in her two years on the girls wrestling team. “I am so thankful to be able to continue this sport I fell in love with.”
Kelly, 18, lives in Springdale and was born in Tontitown. She’s wrestled for four years.
The student athlete placed second in All Conference in 2022, placed first in tournaments in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri, was the girls regional and state 6A champion in the 125 weight division and was nominated as the 2023 NWA Democrat Gazette Girl Wrestler of the Year.
Kelly plans to study sports leadership in college due to her time competing as a high school athlete.
“Seeing all the time and effort my coaches have put into me and this sport has a tight hold on me,” she said. “I would love to do what they do one day.”
Kelly is undecided on her future career.
“I would love to become a coach at the high school and college levels, become a sports agent or an athletic director,” she said. “I always want to be involved in sports and young athletes.”
Kelly thanked her teammates who trained with her and coaches Nika West, Jenny Barnes, Willie Wright, Ed Viera, Dusty Bowman and John Nichols for believing in her as an athlete and always encouraging her to achieve her absolute best.”
“I thank those who believed in and supported me,” she said.
Kelly’s parents are Ray and Carrie Holson.
Cailey Pittman
Senior Cailey Pittman signed a National Letter of Intent to wrestle for Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kan.
“I am super excited to continue the sport that has helped me grow as a person and as a wrestler,” Pittman said.
The Lady Wildcat has wrestled competitively for two years.
Pittman, 17, placed third in girls’ regionals, third in a state tournament, third in the Bring the Hammer tournament and was a runner-up at both the Rogers Open and the Diamond State Invitational. She won 42 out of 59 matches as a high school wrestler.
Pittman lives in Springdale and was born in Fayetteville. Her parents are Clifford and Christi Pittman.
The student athlete plans to study psychology in college and aspires to work for the FBI.
“I have always wanted to help people,” Pittman said. “I love protecting people, even if that means putting my life on the line for someone else.”
Pittman thanked her parents for the love and support they’ve given her as a wrestler and former teammate Byanca Cook, who encouraged her to tryout for the Har-Ber girl’s wrestling team. She likewise thanked teammates Abigale Kelly and Skyla Williams and coaches Nika West, Willie Wright, Jenny Barnes, Dusty Bowman and John Nichols for their support.
“They say a coach can make or break an athlete, but these coaches will turn you into the best athlete you can be,” she said.
Skyla Williams
Skyla Williams committed to wrestle for Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kan.
“I'm very excited to see how much I can grow as a wrestler and a person, Williams said.
Williams, 18, lives in Springdale and was born in Fayetteville. She is the daughter of Ben Williams and Sheila Ussery.
The senior Lady Wildcat has wrestled for four years.
Williams was a runner-up at state and took first at regionals her senior year. She was likewise a runner-up at the Fall Brawl wrestling tournament and placed first at the Rogers invitationals.
Williams would like to potentially get licensed as a coach and wants to study psychology, sports leadership and possibly counseling in college.
“I want to become a high school counselor or a psychology teacher and also coach,” she said. “I feel like I could make an impact on people's lives.”
Williams expressed gratitude to her family, Cailey Pittman’s family, her teammates, coaches Nika West, Willie Wright, Jenny Barnes, Ed Viera, Dusty Bowman and John Nichols, as well as volunteer coaches Mark Palfreem and Jake Robertson.
“Thank you to everyone who has put in the effort to care,” she said.
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