Monticello Live

Ashley Simmons a 14 year old student of Chelle Danley’s Takewando received her First Degree Black Belt October 25, 2011.

Ashley is the daughter of Jeremy and Angela Simmons and the granddaughter of Curtis and Ann Donaldson and Joe and Pat Wheeler.

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On August 13th and 14th, Mike Smith competed and won 2 national titles at the 2011 U.S.A.F. Unified National Armwrestling tournament held in Mobile Alabama. Mike entered in the 220 pound and the 221 and up heavyweight class left handed where he took 1st place in both weight classes. Mike also entered the 220 pound class right handed where he finished 3rd in the nation.

This was Mikes 1st national title which also qualifies him to compete as a part of team U.S.A. in the world armwrestling tournament held in Almaty Kazakhstan. This tournament would have Smith leaving with team U.S.A. on November 27th and returning on December 4th. Competing as part of team U.S.A. has always been a goal and a dream of Mikes since early in his 27 years of competitive armwrestling. (more…)

The 2011 Arkansas State Arm Wrestling Championships where held last week at the River Restaurant in Monticello. 

Monticello’s Mike Smith won the 199-242 class, the  244 & over class, and the Overall Arkansas Right  Champion.

Here are the results in each division.

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Local runner Ross Bolding will represent the USA in the upcoming World Masters Championships in Sacramento later this month.

Bolding is scheduled to run in the 2000 meters steeplechase, one of the most challenging events in track.

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Jimmy Sawyer and Fred Cooper (Monticello residents) competed in the Mens 4.5 Senior League State Tennis Championships at the Burns Park Tennis Center in North Little Rock, May 13-15. Jimmy Sawyer was captian of the team. Team players were Sawyer, Cooper, Baylor Guy, Bill Bodie, Pat Sixbey, Chuck Cavin, Albert King, and Bob Worthington.

In the State tournament the team beat Fayetteville twice 3-0 and 3-0 and beat Marion twice 3-0 and 2-1. The team now qualifies to play in the Southern Sectional Championships July 30-Aug. 2. The tournament will be held in Mobile, Al. and will host state champions from Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Louisiana.

This is the third year in a row that Sawyer and Cooper have been on a State Championship team and represented Arkansas in the Southern Sectional Tournament.

Robert E. Sawyer

On April 17, 2011 two Monticello natives joined thousands of professional and amateur triathaletes from around the world to compete in the 2011 Ochsners Ironman 70.3 Triathalon. The race consists of a 1.2 mile swim in Lake Pontchatrain, a 56 mile bike course, and a 13.1 mile run which ended in front of Jackson Square, in the heart of the French Quarter, for a total distance of 70.3 miles.

Lt. Col. Robert E. Sawyer, USMC and his cousin,formed ATeam Sawyer@ to compete in the event. Robert is 1984 graduate of Monticello High School and a 1991 graduate of the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Max Sawyer is a 2008 graduate of Monticello High School and is current enrolled in the honors program at University of Central Arkansas. (more…)

The South East Arkansas Development District presented a check for $2,968 to the Monticello Marlins swim team, to be used to  improve their timing system for swimmers.

Last year, the Marlins had 92 swimmers participate in their program, and took part in 6 swimming meets.

Marlins Swimming Meets were held in Monticello 3 times last year, and always fill up the pool and surrounding areas with parents and supporters from all over southeast Arkansas, and their tents and lawn chairs.

Keith Caldwell, speaking on behalf of other parents of Marlins, wanted to thank State Representative Allen Maxwell for his part in making these State General Improvement Funds available to the swim team.

Ross Bolding, shown here competing in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, at the USATF National Track and Field Championships.

Bolding won the 2000 meters steeplechase and set a new American single age group record of 8:09, breaking the old record of 8:15 set by Frank Haviland in 1998. His 4x400meters and his 4x800meters relay teams also won those two events and he placed third in the 10,000 meters, also.

Ross’ totals were three gold medals and one bronze and he has now won five national championships total.

Saturday, eight Monticello residents went on a road trip to Paragould to tour their civic center and pool facility.

The photos shown in this series show a “splash park” that is located away from the primary civic center and pool area.

Spash equipment, water toys, and sprayers of all types were built into the play area.

Nearby benches, as well as a pavilion, were closely located, so that parent could keep a convenient watch over their children.

Paramedic Jason Beckman and Mr. Taylor are shown here in a phot taken from Taylor’s appearance Saturday night, here in Monticello.

SouthEast Emergency Medical Services had posted an ambulance at the matches, and Jason was present night of the fight and had the  picture made.