SPRINGDALE -- Josh Benford doesn't believe high school athletes should specialize to help their chances to play in college.
Benford is the top tennis player for Springdale Har-Ber. He's also on the golf team and basketball at Har-Ber. It's not unusual for him to be on the tennis court, basketball court, and a golf course in the same week.
Springdale Har-Ber Tennis Schedule
Date^Opponent^Time
Aug. 26^Springdale High^4 p.m.
Sept. 2^Fort Smith Southside^4 p.m.
Sept. 4^Rogers Heritage^4 p.m.
Sept. 8^Rogers^4 p.m.
Sept. 9^Fort Smith Northside^4 p.m.
Sept. 11^ At Fayetteville^4 p.m.
Sept. 16^At Rogers Heritage^4 p.m.
Sept. 18^At Rogers^4 p.m.
Sept. 22^At Bentonville^4 p.m.
Sept. 29^Fayetteville^4 p.m.
Sept. 30^Fort Smith Northside^4 p.m.
Oct. 2^At Springdale High^4 p.m.
"You should be able to do more than one thing in life," Benford said. "It's the same way in sports."
Benford got started in tennis after his parents bought a tennis facility in 2009. He joined the Har-Ber tennis team as a freshman and he's the Wildcats' best player heading into his junior year.
Har-Ber opens the season Aug. 26 at home against Springdale High.
"Josh has great hands and a quick reaction," Har-Ber tennis coach Rick Horne said. "He may not think he has quick feet, but he has an ability to get to a ball. He's grown since his freshman year and that helps with his ability to play the net."
Benford (6-foot-3, 150 pounds) is hopeful for a return trip to the state tournament after going 1-1 at state last year. He and his doubles partner, Hayden Pennington, won 6-2, 6-1 over Fort Smith Northside before losing 6-3, 6-3 to a doubles team from Little Rock Central in the quarterfinals. Benford is also a top singles player for the Wildcats.
"I know we can make it to state again," said Benford, who was eliminated along with Pennington in the second round to Little Rock Central. "I like singles, but some days I prefer playing doubles. It just depends on that day."
Horne is encouraged about his boys team this year but said the Lady Wildcats are in a rebuilding mode after losing some top players.
"It's a rebuilding year for the girls team," Horne said. "I lost all my seniors after we placed sixth in the state last year. But with the boys, I think I've got a top 10 team."
Benford won't be done after tennis and golf are finished in the fall. He hopes to get varsity playing time in basketball after spending most of last season on the JV team.
"We're going to be really good this year," said Benford, a who plays guard. "Coach (Scott) Bowlin is old-school, but that's the way we like it."
Benford played basketball with a travel team this summer that went to Southaven, Miss., and Conway. He's more settled now, but just as busy with golf and tennis underway.
"Usually, I wake up and go to the youth center," Benford said. "I'll play basketball there for a few hours and then I'll come home and play a little golf. I'm looking forward to tennis and playing Bentonville and Fayetteville, especially. I have a lot of friends over there."
Sports on 08/10/2014