2014 Full Of Local Sports Highlights

The past year didn't lack for memorable sports moments in Northwest Arkansas.

Whether it was area high schools continuing their state-wide dominance, former local minor leaguers competing for the World Series or big names from the area making waves on an individual basis nationwide, it was a banner year for NWA sports.

NWA Media Top 10 Sports Stories Of 2014

  1. Former Naturals lead KC Royals to World Series

  2. Bentonville wins second straight state football title

  3. Stacy Lewis enjoys banner year on LPGA Tour

  4. Shiloh coach Josh Floyd leaves for Alabama HS job

  5. Malik Monk thrills with buzzer beaters, highlight plays

  6. Bentonville named best athletic program in the nation by Maxpreps

  7. Gus Malzahn leads Auburn to national title appearance

  8. Shane Patrick steps down at Springdale after 0-10 year

  9. Fort Smith schools’ return shakes up the 7A-West

  10. Fayetteville baseball’s dominant run falls short

The NWA Media sports staff selected the year's top 10 stories from a group of 30 deserving nominees. Some of the top stories are obvious, like the group of former Northwest Arkansas Naturals who helped lead the Kansas City Royals to the World Series. Or Bentonville rallying from an 0-4 start to win its second straight 7A football state title. Or former Razorback Stacy Lewis winning the NW Arkansas Championship and accomplishing several impressive feats.

Those were the top three stories. And while the rest of the top 10 are deserving of their rankings, what may best showcase the impressive year in the area are the stories that didn't quite make the top-10 list.

Fayetteville and Bentonville especially had a year filled with noteworthy feats.

Bentonville's boys swim team won its 10th consecutive state championship in the spring. The Lady Tigers pulled off a 2014 triple crown by winning state cross country and indoor and outdoor track titles.

Bentonville also earned boys and girls soccer state titles on the same day in the spring, then won boys and girls track titles on another day. Sophomore Sophie Quandt contributed to the cross country title in Hot Springs, then took a plane to help Bentonville win the state dance title in Alma later in the same day.

Fayetteville football coach Darryl Patton earned his 100th win as a Purple Dog during the season, then led the Bulldogs to another state title appearance. Fayetteville standouts C.J. O'Grady and Dre Greenlaw committed to play football at Arkansas. Fayetteville freshman diver Brooke Schultz smashed the state dive meet record and earned national attention as a USA diver.

Springdale High won a share of the 7A-West boys basketball title and made it to the program's first state championship game since 1998. Springdale Har-Ber opened up an impressive new on-campus football stadium. Two of Springdale's best athletes, point guard Tereke Eckwood and quarterback Fuller Chandler, transferred to Har-Ber. Eckwood was one of four incoming transfers for Har-Ber basketball. Both schools hired new baseball coaches.

Rogers High senior Bryan Grigsby set a 7A-West record when he ran for 446 yards against Siloam Springs early in the season. Rogers High's boys won the state cross country title.

Reclassification shook up local competition, from Siloam Springs leaving the 7A-West to Farmington bumping up to 5A while Huntsville and Shiloh Christian dropped to 4A. Former Fayetteville standout Sierra Shipley led John Brown's women's basketball team made a run to the NAIA semifinals.

None of those stories made it into the cumulative top 10, but each received votes by the NWA Media staff. All were important stories, which makes this year's top 10 that much more impressive.

Sports on 01/02/2015

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