Author Archives: davismarvin10

Upcoming Release: Music to Motivate

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by Marvin Davis
Delta Digital News Service

SHERWOOD — If your first love for something doesn’t work out, keep going until you find what works.

Marcus Tyler Williams always loved music but didn’t realize how much until his junior year of college.

“When I stopped playing basketball at Lyon College, I knew I wanted to be great in something else,” Williams said. “I used to freestyle all the time with my friends in high school but never realized how far I could go with it.”

Williams took his talent, his bachelor degree in mathematics and minor in economics to another level, and started his own art business called Urban Art Enterprise LLC.

“With this business, I host events to give exposure to local artists,” Williams said. “It ranges from music performances, listening and previewing parties for new music and also community events in which people get to know different artists on a personal level.”

More than just a business owner, Williams acts as manager, artist, producer and engineer.

His latest single project, called “F.A.I.T.H.,” will release this year. The personal project aims to motivate people.

“The ‘F.A.I.T.H.’ project was created to motivate and to reassure me that I’m on the right path,” Williams said. “Also, it was designed to make me focus and invest in a process that required me to trust wholeheartedly.”

His first released project was “L.O.O.K.,” composed with Jaquan Terry in a group called “90z Made.” Each acronym holds a deeper meaning: “F.A.I.T.H.” stands for Focus and Invest the Heart and “L.O.O.K.” stands for Last of Our Kind.

“This project was created to establish that ’90z Made’ is two of the last true emcees in our generation. Our concept was to produce a contemporary piece of work that could resonate with all ages,” Terry said.

Williams’ cousin, Ken Seward, said, “I remember listening to Marcus play around with instruments at a young age and he was really good. Now, he has his business going and I can see him making a major impact.”

SBC Champs Back on Track

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by Marvin Davis
Delta Digital News Service

JONESBORO — The reigning Sun Belt Conference champions get ready to take the track and prepare for the upcoming 2018-2019 season, led by several returning All-Conference runners.

The Red Wolves are hungry and ready to attack on the track this upcoming season. With some key athletes returning, they look to be in good shape.

Head coach Jim Patchell said, “There is no relaxing; we enjoy what we do. We work hard, but it is harder to repeat then it is to win.”

The team’s goals haven’t changed. The Red Wolves plan on winning another championship and being a consistent top 25 team.

Nick Hllson

Jonesboro native Nick Hilson (photo by Marvin Davis)

“I don’t expect any falloff this year,” junior sprinter Nick Hilson said. “We may have lost a lot of key runners from last year that gave us a lot of points, but with the freshmen class we have coming in, I have no doubt that we will can expect great things.”

The former Nettleton High standout earned second team All-Conference honors in the spring. He will be running the 110-meter hurdles, 200-meter hurdles, 1×400-meter relay and 4×400-meter relay this season.

No one expects anything to be given to them.

La'Carol Baynes

La’Carol Baynes (photo by Marvin Davis)

“I expect to get out what I put in,” senior hurdler La’Carol Patricia Ann Baynes said. “This year I’m putting in more work than I have these past years. With that I hope to set the hurdle record and win a ring. The (women’s) team is capable of a lot if we put in the work so I hope to set a standard that will encourage the team. I know not every race will be the best but I expect every race and every practice to be full effort.”

The two-year member of the women’s track and field team said A-State’s program is the best she has been a part of. She participates in the 400-meter hurdles, 400-meter dash and the 4×400 meter relay. Baynes said the intensity has picked up in practice.

“We found out what we are capable of, the areas needing work and we have to execute a new plan,” she said. “If it was more relaxed we wouldn’t see improvement … can’t become stagnant or comfortable.”

Junior runner Kden Johnson agreed the track program is a great experience.

“Last year we all were all hitting on all cylinders,” Johnson said. “It was a great atmosphere at practice. We pushed each other and held each person accountable in order to reach our goal, which was winning a conference championship. This group is young, but the sky is the limit for us.”

Johnson said Patchell tells the team, “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.” He said the coach also sends motivational text messages to team members throughout the year so they will stay focused and hungry.

The quest to repeat starts at 2 p.m., Dec. 2 during the “Kickoff Klassic” at the First National Bank Arena.

Red Wolves Attract Track Athletes

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by Marvin Davis
Delta Digital News Services

JONESBORO – The Arkansas State University track and field teams’ history attracts athletes who are willing to work.

A-State track alumni include special athletes like Earl Bell, an Olympic pole vaulter, and Jaylen Bacon, an All-Conference runner.

Junior Christopher Hill chose A-State because of the traditions and competitiveness.

“I came to Arkansas State’s program because of its tradition of bringing in athletes with a solid ethical foundation, which make us want to be more than just conference champions. We want to be national championship contenders,” Hill said.

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Christopher Hill relaxes in the union after one of his classes.

Many memories can be made on the track team that result in creating bonds with teammates.

“During my freshmen indoor season at New Mexico Don Kirby Meet, I had a great experience watching professionals and collegiate run together, as well as enjoying my time with my teammates,” Hill said. “One of the benefits of being on the track team is creating memorable moments, friendships and inside jokes.”

The A-State coaching staff has new members and things are still running smoothly.

“The new staff members have suggested new ideas, which complements the ideas of staff members with years of experience. It’s phenomenal to see all of us working together,” Hill said.

This season, Hill will run the 60-meter and 200-meter for the indoor season. He will run the 100-meter, 200-meter and the 4×100-meter during the outdoor season.

Junior sprinter and hurdler Amari James of Little Rock decided to attend A-State because of the competitiveness of other athletes and the memorable moments experienced during his initial visit.

“A-State has produced multiple Olympians and the program is successful,” he said. “A-State was the only university that gave me a chance to run at the Division I level.”

James will compete in the 60-meter hurdles, 4×400-meter relay and the triple jump for the indoor season. During the outdoor season, he will compete in the 110-meter hurdle, triple jump and the 4×400-meter relay. James recalled some memorable moments on the track team.

“Going to Arizona and racing against Aries Merritt, the world-record holder for the 110-meter hurdles, was one of my most memorable moments,” he said.

James said he feels adding funds to the track program can improve the team capabilities and push the track program over the top.

“If we had more money, the team could own its indoor back track and weight room,” he said.

Jadyn Lewis

Sophomore Jadyn Lewis prepares for a workout with coach Jim Patchell. (photo by Marvin Davis)

Other members on the track team like sophomore Jadyn Lewis, a North Little Rock native, had different reasons to come.

“The coaching staff, performance expectations and the campus atmosphere during my visit was the reason that landed me at A-State,” Lewis said.

Lewis will compete in the 400-meter and possibly the 200-meter and 4×400-meter relay.

“I feel as though the students and community should come out more to the track meets to enhance the atmosphere, that’s just my theory,” she said. “With the resources we have, the program is doing great. The men’s team won the indoor and outdoor conference titles and the women are right there.”

 

Freshmen Move to the Fast Lane

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by Marvin Davis
Delta Digital News Service

JONESBORO – Arkansas State University freshmen track and field runners are adapting to the new lifestyle as a college athlete on and off the track.

With a new practice routine and school schedule, the freshmen look to take on the challenge.

Courtney Thomas, a jumper and hurdler originally from Memphis, attended Central High School in Little Rock. Like other freshmen, he’s adjusting to college life.

“Coming from high school to college academics is different because in high school you work to pass a standard state test at the end of the year,” Thomas said. “In college, it is more about the professors giving you information they feel will help you in the real world.”

Thomas will compete in the 400-meter relay, long jump and triple jump.

“The tools that were taught in high school have carried over to college because school and track is about grinding, staying humble and taking care of your body,” Thomas said.

Steffan Mallory hails from Daytona Beach, Florida, where he attended Mainland High School.

“You get more of a workload in college on a regular basis, where in high school you probably had homework two times a week,” Mallory said.

Mallory will compete in the 200-meter, 400-meter and long jump.

“The responsibilities have also changed,” Mallory said. “College athletics is like a job and high school was more for fun. Being on the team comes with benefits like helping you stay on top of your work.”

Daidren Davis attended Bartram Trail High School in St. John’s, Florida. He said classes are easy to manage.

“I didn’t really plan out my time in high school. I didn’t take structured notes or use a planner, and I still don’t,” Davis said. “Track is different. The work is harder so I have to pay attention to my body. I have to manage my eating schedule since my classes get out at different times.”

Davis will run in the 110-meter hurdles and the 400-meter hurdles.

“The track team is friendly and you get a sense of self-satisfaction from being on the team,” Davis said.

The freshmen will continue to work on and off the track as they get ready for their first collegiate track meet.

Sprinter Seeks Greatness

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by Marvin Davis
Delta Digital News Service

Kden Johnson

Kden Johnson (photo by Marvin Davis)

JONESBORO — A returning junior at Arkansas State University plans to impact this track-and-field season.

Kden Johnson earned his first Sun Belt Conference Championship last year and wants another one this year.

A sprinter from Atlanta, Georgia, Johnson attended high school at Benjamin Banneker High School. In high school, he ran the 400-meter, 200-meter, 1×400 meter relay and the 4×400 meter relay. Johnson’s high school relay team ranked No. 1 in the country in the 4×400. It also broke the Georgia state record in the event.

“I knew I wanted to run track as a career my sophomore year in high school,” Johnson said. “I knew I was pretty good at it. I wanted to be great.”

He was inspired by watching Michael Johnson, who won four Olympic gold medals and eight World Championship gold medals as a sprinter.

Track and field head coach Jim Patchell expects big things from A-State’s Johnson.

“Kden didn’t run as well in conference as we would have liked, so we have to get there. Kden is a good teammate and does a good job in practice,” Patchell said.

Johnson will run the 400-meter, 200-meter, and the 4×400 meter relay this season. Johnson has made major strides to improve and said he aims to become a better teammate and athlete on-and-off the track.

“Kden is doing really well. He seems more motivated and pushes through workouts this year,” senior women’s hurdler La’Carol Baynes said. “Kden’s attitude improved a lot, and I see that his drive has grown since last year, as well.”

When Johnson goes home to Atlanta, he talks to the children at the local Boys and Girls Club he attended at a young age. Johnson gives the kids advice on how to make it in any sports they are pursuing.

“Keep grinding because your time will come,” Johnson said. “Keep working hard and something will happen for you.”

A creative media production major with an emphasis in audio and video, Johnson also participates in Brother to Brother, an organization that promotes brotherhood, academic success, professionalism and social skills.

Johnson and the A-State track team run their first meet Dec. 2 at the First National Bank Arena in Jonesboro.

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EDITOR’s NOTE: This story has been updated to correct the first meet to Dec. 2 instead of Dec. 4.