Nationally ranked Eagles ink three local track standouts

by Keith Edwards

The NorthWest Arkansas Community College Cross Country Team has signed three local cross country standouts. Lillian Hellwig, Hayden Weber, and Oliver Sandoval have all signed NJCAA Letter of Intents to run for Coach Josphat Boit and Coach John Luedtke’s nationally ranked cross country team. 

Sandoval, a Rogers Heritage HS four-year letterman, was selected “Most Improved” runner for the 6A school that finished third in state. He carries a 3.6 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society. He is the son of Raphael and Sonia Sandoval and is coached by Brooks Hedstrom. “Oliver has been an integral part of the success on the Heritage HS cross country and track program for the past four years. His dedication to training, competition mindset, and positivity have set the standard for what it means to run at Heritage,” noted Hedstrom. 

Hellwig, a cross country standout for the state champion Bentonville HS Tigers carries a 3.5 GPA and is the daughter of Matt and Lindsie Hellwig. She is coached by Randal Raymaker, Bentonville HS 2021-2022, and Chris Weller, Founders Classic Academy 2018-2021. 

Weber, also a standout from Bentonville HS, carries a 3.3 GPA  and is the daughter of Joseph Weber. “Hayden is that teammate that cares about others and does her best to insure their success,” said Coach Raymaker. “I have always appreciated Hayden’s passion for running. She has logged many miles at a young age to hone her running skills.”

The NWACC Shewmaker Center for Workforce Technology White Auditorium will host and athletic banquet on March 2 6-7:30pm to honor the nationally ranked team. Legendary Arkansas Razorback football player and coach Ken Hatfield will be the guest speaker.