Athletics

The Mena Jr. Ladycats participated in a team camp at Greenwood on Thursday... The Varsity beat Charleston, Ft Smith Darby, Lavaca, Bentonville West, and split with Ft Smith Ramsey. The JV lost to Ft Smith Chaffin, Ft Smith Ramsey, Paris, Lakeside and split with Ft Smith Darby. Check the schedule for the upcoming season on our website... Just follow the link https://www.menaschools.org/o/athletics/athletics?filter=20083

Today is our "Community Service Project" Day! Groups of 3-4 Bearcats were out and about the community aiding in a variety of service projects such as cleaning vehicles, cleaning up around businesses, hosting a camp, lawn service and much more! Super proud of these guys!

Today is a day of community service for the Mena Football Team. Players are working all over the community. A handful elected to use the time to show the youngsters what it takes to be a Bearcat!

The Mena Ladycats played in a team camp at Greenwood on Wednesday. The varsity split with Siloam Springs and Hacket. They Lost to Lakeside, Paris, and Greenwood. The Junior Varsity had a better day winning all of their games... The Jr. Ladycats are at the Greenwood camp today

The Ladycat Volleyball team is competing in a team camp at Greenwood today... Here is the schedule... HS Varsity 1- 8:30am-VB Gym vs Hackett 10:10am-VB Gym vs Siloam Springs 11:50am-Tornado Shelter vs Lavaca 1:30pm-Tornado Shelter vs Hot Springs Lakeside 3:10pm-Tornado Shelter vs Paris 4:50pm-PE Gym vs Mena HS Varsity 2- 8:30am-Arena vs Charleston 10:10am-Arena vs Baptist Prep 11:50am-PE Gym vs LR Flames 1:30pm-Vball Gym vs Hackett 4:50pm-Vball Gym vs Lavaca HS JV- 9:20am-VB Gym vs Hackett 11:00am-VB Gym vs Siloam Springs 12:45am-Tornado Shelter vs Mena-9th 2:20pm-Tornado Shelter vs Hot Springs Lakeside 4:00pm-Tornado Shelter vs Paris 5:40pm-PE Gym vs Mena Freshman Team- HS Varsity 2- 9:20am-Arena vs Charleston 11:00am-Arena vs Baptist Prep 12:45pm-PE Gym vs LR Flames 2:20pm-Vball Gym vs Hackett 5:40pm-Vball Gym vs Mena-9th *Times are estimates and games could be played earlier or a little later.

PRESS BOX RENOVATION UNDERWAY AT BEARCAT STADIUM! These improvements are being paid for with donations from the Bearcat Foundation, the Bob Carver Foundation and the Union Bank of Mena.

The Mena Jr. Ladycats had a fast paced workout in the Union Bank Center this morning. Preparations continue for the season opener on August 26th @ FS Ramsey. Follow the link for the complete schedule. GO LADYCATS! https://www.menaschools.org/o/athletics/athletics?filter=20083

Today, July 30th,we will have our parent meeting at 6 PM at the MHS PAC.... following the parent meeting we will have a "Parent Appreciation Cookout" at the field house at 7 PM sponsored by Union Bank. This is free to all parents/ guardians of any 7-12 football player.

Marc Wilson on the list at 5 News KFSM! https://5newsonline.com/2019/07/25/top-5-countdown-defensive-backs-to-watch-this-fall/

The Mena Sr. Girls wrapped up play at the Morrilton Team Camp Today. The season opener Ladycat basketball will be November 18th in the Robinson Invitational. See the complete schedule on the MPS website http://www.menaschools.org/o/athletics/athletics…

Mena Jr Ladycats wrapped up their summer of basketball team camps at DeQueen today. Varsity went 2 and 0 JV went 1 and 1 We saw tremendous growth during the summer, and are very excited about this season. Go JR Ladycats!!

The Mena Fastcats have been working hard over the past three weeks & today was the last day. As a reward for their hard work these future Bearcats & Ladycats got a little grub & some slide action at the MHS Field House.... GO FASTCATS!!

The Mena Sr, Girls Basketball Team competed in a team camp at Morrilton today. The girls lost to Star City & Morrilton but bounced back for a win over Flippin. The camp continues on Thursday, GO LADYCATS!

It’s not all drills & conditioning. The Jr. Ladycats are having a blast at tonight’s swim party. Go Ladycats!

The Mena School Board met at the district administration building the evening of Tuesday, July 23rd. See the full story under news on our website at https://www.menaschools.org/article/121534?org=mena-school-district

Tuesday evening, July 30th,we will have our parent meeting at 6 PM. A "Parent Appreciation Cookout" at the field house at 7 PM sponsored by Union Bank. This is free to all parents/ guardians of any 7-12 football player. Please spread the word.

The Mena School District will be adding Coach Jim Pennington to their coaching staff as the Head Senior Boys Basketball Coach and Head Girls/Boys Tennis Coach. Arkansas coaching legend, Pennington, is a member of the Arkansas High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame and also a member of the White Hall High School Hall of Fame. With 36 yrs of coaching experience, he is best known for his 18 year tenure at Emerson High School. His overall record is 676-316. At Emerson Jim coached his teams to 15 conference championships, 15 district championships, and one state championship in 2001. In track he led teams that won a total of 13 state championships, and he led a successful tennis program as well. Jim retired from coaching in 2012 and retired from teaching in 2014. Since that time he spent a season volunteering in the basketball program in Doniphan, Missouri and volunteered at Lake Hamilton where his son Scotty Pennington is the head Sr Boys Basketball coach. Another son Chris Pennington is the head coach at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, Texas. Superintendent Benny Weston said "We are excited to add a coach of Jim Pennington's caliber to the coaching staff in Mena. His expertise will not only have an impact on our athletes but also on our coaches and the community. This hire reflects our commitment to excellence in all aspects of our students high school experience.” Let's all welcome Jim Pennington to Mena!!!

In 2016 Bearcat Foundation, Inc. partnered with Mena Public Schools to develop a consistent, new funding program for all 13 athletic programs from 7th-12th grade. This allows coaches to supplement their school budget for much needed student expenses. Every team receives funds generated from membership and fund raising dollars. These funds can be used for team needs such as skill camps, equipment, Hudl annual fees, Platform workout, etc. On average, BFI has paid out a total of $18,000 each year distributed among the various athletic programs. In addition to the new funding BFI made a $125,000 capital improvement pledge to Mena Public Schools to be used for major facility/capital athletic improvements. To date BFI has donated $50,0000 for different needs over the last three years. BFI is now fulfilling the rest of the pledge by donating $75,179.83 to the Mena School District to be used toward stadium upgrades and improvements. Pictured above are BFI Board Members - Aarika Cox, Amy Hernandez, Gretchen Cannon, Mena Superintendent - Benny Weston, and BFI Board Members Mandy Godfrey and Ty Plunkett. This recent donation along with funds received from the Bob Carver Foundation and Union Bank will allow the district to modernize and provide safety upgrades to the Bob Carver Mena Bearcat Stadium. BFI board is very excited to be able to support our school and athletic program by filling a need. Our hope is to increase our support each year but need continued support from fans, parents and community. The Bearcat Foundation, Inc. was started in the summer of 2006 with a few simple hopes to help the Ladycats and Bearcats. BFI exists to support the student athletes and activities of the Mena School District by supporting programs, pursuing facility improvements and encouraging community spirit in an ultimate attempt to make our teams more competitive and increase moral, unity and school pride. Please visit www.bearcatfoundation.com for more information on how you can help and join BFI. We need you! #bearcatproud

Jr Ladycat basketball went 6 and 1 today at Morrilton. The girls played very well, and we couldn't be more proud of how hard they worked. Go Jr Ladycats!

The Mena Jr. Ladycats played in the Morrilton Team Camp Monday & went 5-3.. They will be back in action on Tuesday.. Go Ladycats!!!! (photos by Linda Lyle)