Bonner signs track letter with Oklahoma Christian

CHRIS GILLIAM

Sports Editor

Magnolia senior Armani Bonner, who excelled as a long jumper and member of the Lady Panther relay teams, will further her academic and athletic careers at Oklahoma Christian University in Edmund, Okla.

“My long-time goal was to go to college. Now I get to do it and compete in a sport I love,” said Bonner. She signed her NCAA Division II letter-of-intent Thursday morning in the Magnolia High School Media Center.

“To be able to get an opportunity to do this is a great accomplishment for me in my life. I give all thanks to God, my family, coaches and friends,” said Bonner.

Bonner will take her track skills to a Lady Eagle program that’s well established. Oklahoma Christian, a member of the Division II Heartland Conference, participated in the GAC Track & Field Championships last month and finished in third place.

The Lady Panther credited Magnolia coaches for helping to improve her athletic skills.

“They (coaches) not only push you to be a better athlete, but a better student,” said Bonner, who has a 3.30 grade point average and member of the National Honor Society. “They tell us that being an athlete comes second to being a good student in the classroom.”

As for maintaining good grades and participating in three sports (basketball, track and volleyball), Bonner said she would encourage younger students to balance their time in order to get the most out of each.

“Study, study and study some more. Make time to do your homework and find yourself that study buddy. Then you will be able to put time in athletics and make yourself better,” explained the senior.

Magnolia Athletic Director said Bonner was an unique athlete at MHS.

“This three-sport person not only helped those athletic teams, but maintained a very high grade point average. That’s very unusual and pretty amazing. She put in a lot of hard word and has done a wonderful job. I wish her the best of success at Oklahoma Christian and want her to get that education,” said Lindsey. “The sky is the limit for you once you get that education.”

Head track coach T.J. Powell said he was looking for someone to step into the senior leadership role this season and Bonner became that person.

“Armani did a lot of things for our track program and had lots of individual accomplishments,” explained Powell.

In her career, Bonner has helped the Lady Panthers win four conference titles and three state championships. Individually, she has been named all-conference three times, all-state twice and participated once in the Arkansas Meet of Champions. Last season, she was the 5A-South Conference champion in the long jump and a member of the winning 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams.

“I’m excited and happy for Armani, because she deserves it. I’m looking for her to do great things,” stated Powell.

Basketball coach Donnell Ford said Bonner wasn’t the most talented player, but “was that player every coach needs for the program to be successful.”

“She was a diamond in the rough. People didn’t see her score a lot of points. They also didn’t see what she did to make us successful,” said Ford. “She was that person who wasn’t the superstar, but was willing to do those things necessary for the team.”

Ford echoed Lindsey’s words by challenging Bonner to get her education.

“The moment is going to last for a short period of time. Go make momma proud,” said Ford.

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