By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
During the regular season, Stevens was the best team in the 10-under girls' slow-pitch softball league -- losing only once and finishing the year with a 13-1 mark.
Tuesday night, however, Dr. Schwartz etched their name into the league's history books by winning the first overall league championship by turning back Stevens 10-3.
This season marked the first time that the league was split into two divisions -- the National and the American. Stevens won the National Division title while Schwartz won the American Division title using the head-to-head tie-breaker rule after the team finished regular season in a tie with Food Giant.
That put Stevens and Schwartz in Tuesday's championship game.
The teams met only once during the regular season and that game went to Stevens by a final 4-1 score on May 31.
Tuesday night, Stevens led once, 2-0 after scoring twice in the top of the second inning.
Schwartz put up three runs in the bottom portion of the inning to lead 3-2 and never looked back -- plating five runs in the bottom of the third and adding a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the fourth.
Andrea Hall, who helped Wynne's Fisher Farms win the 10-under slow-pitch state title over the weekend at Sherwood, scored twice for Schwartz as did Laney Wade, Brittney Tracy and DaJar Wynne.
Nikki Derrick and Cara McCollum scored single runs.
Kaitlyn Peterson, Kelsey Ferguson and Mollie Laws accounted for the three Stevens' runs.
After scoring the two runs in the top of the second, Stevens managed just a single run in the top of the fourth.
Dr. Schwartz finished the regulars season with a 12-2 mark, losing only to Stevens and Walker Insurance.
They finished the year with six consecutive victories.
Forrest City's Mightymite Triathlon turns 20 this year.
The birthday celebration will be held Saturday, July 19, with about, on 300-plus guests.
It may not be a normal birthday party, but it will be the annual running of the triathlon which is just one of a handful of triathlons to reach 20 years old.
For the second year, the Mightymite is under the direction of Wyndell Robertson, who also oversees triathlons in and around the Memphis area.
Having the race in Forrest City, makes this triathlon both a formidable and a scenic excursion for all who enter and for those who just want to line the route to watch.
The triathlon begins as the participants swim Lake Dunn, at starting at Village Creek State Park, Arkansas' largest state park, and then by bicycle, winds down the fascinating geological formation known as Crowley's Ridge.
The scenic bike ride along the ridge on Highway 284 ends at the East Arkansas Community College campus where the racers trade in their bikes for a pair of running shoes, ultimately finishing Forrest City High School's Sam Smith Stadium.
Broken down into three stages, the swim covers 1/3 mile while the bike ride is 13 miles and the final run to the finish line is three miles.
The Mightymite is a great race for beginners as well as a competitive race for the seasoned triathlete.
This year's Mightymite Triathlon will be a USA Triathlon sanctioned event.
The field for the 20th running of the race is limited to 500 participants and all entrants must be at least 14 years old.
In past years, the Mightymite has drawn runners from several states including Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Kentucky and Georgia.
Once again, as in past years, the Mightymite is relying on volunteer help at each stage of the race.
"Without volunteers the participants would not know where to go or what to do during the race," Robertson said.
Robertson said organizations like the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts, or a soccer or baseball team can benefit from volunteering for the triathlon.
"We will donate $50 for every five people they bring out to volunteer," Robertson said.
Those interested can call Robertson at (901) 276-0354 for more information.
Trophies will be awarded to the top 10 male and females and the overall male and female master (40+).
Other awards will be given in age divisions 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59and 60 plus as well as the top 3 Athena (145 lbs.), top 3 Clydesdale (200 lbs.) and the top three relay teams.
Packet pick up will be held Friday, July 19, from 5 until 8 p.m. and on Saturday, July 20, from 5:30 until 6:30 a.m., at the Forrest City Civic Center, located at 1335 North Washington Ave.
On Saturday, late packet pick up will be available at Village Creek State Park's Lake Dunn from 7:00 until 7:30 a.m.
Packet pick up will be on Friday, July 18, 2003 from 5 pm until 8 pm, and on Saturday, July 19, 2003 from 5:30 am until 6:30 am at the Forrest City Civic Center, located at 1335 North Washington Ave. On Saturday, July 19, 2003, late packet pick up will be available at Village Creek State Park's Lake Dunn from 7:00 am until 7:30 am.