Beginning January 24th, Milesplit Arkansas will feature one inductee in the Arkansas Track and Field Hall of Fame every week leading up to the 2025 ceremony.
[From the Arkansas Track and Field Hall of Fame]: "The Arkansas Track and Field Hall of Fame, which began honoring athletes in 1995, is dedicated to recognizing Arkansans whose performances and contributions have distinguished them in the world of track and field. Its stated mission is to 'honor and recognize persons who have made significant contributions to the sports of track and field and cross country in the state of Arkansas; and recognize and encourage Arkansas high school track athletes who have excelled in performance and /or academics."
Ballots for this year's Hall of Fame were due on February 4th. Questions concerning the ATFHOF can be directed to their website here, and tickets for the 2025 banquet can be purchased here. This year's banquet is scheduled for Friday, May 30th.
Today's Hall of Fame Friday features a pair of coaches that left a lasting mark at Heber Springs High School and everywhere else they have been, Johnette Wilhhite Goldman and Harold Wilson.
Johnette Wilhitte Goldman, Class of 2017
Perryville High School, University of Central Arkansas, Heber Springs High School
[Bio from ATFHOF]
- Mustang Basketball and member of the first track team
- Member of both the first Sugar Bear Basketball (1976) and the first Cross Country (1979) teams
- Coached 7-12 Girls Cross Country, Basketball, Track & Field; Boys Cross Country and Track & Field
- 1980 Became sponsor of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes
- 2008-2009 - recognized for Outstanding Contributions made to the Improvement and Betterment of Heber Springs Schools
- 2013-2014, 2016-2017 - AHSCA Outstanding Coach - Girls Cross Country
- 2014 NFICA Section 6 Track and Field Outstanding Coach
- 2014 - Distinguished Citizen's Award, Arkansas House of Representatives
- 2015-2016 - Teacher of the Year for Heber Springs Schools
- 2015 NFHS National Coach of the Year in Girls Cross Country
- 2016 - U. S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year for Arkansas
- Memberships: ATFHF Board Secretary, AAA Track & Field Advisory Committee, USATF Official, AOA Track Official
- 7 State Championships (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2016)
- 3 State Runners-Up (1990, 1992, 2009)
- 1 State Championship (2001)
- 8 State Runners-Up (1992, 1994, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016)
- 3 State Runners-Up (1989, 1990, 2013)
- 8 State Runners-Up (1992, 1994, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016)
Harold Wilson, Class of 2011
Mountain View HS, Siloam Springs JH, Heber Springs High School
[Bio from ATFHOF]
- Assistant director of the Arkansas high school invitational and state indoor meet for 12 years
- Past president of Arkansas Track Coaches Association • Head track and field coach at Mountain View, 1975-78, sr. teams were conference runners-up all three years and jr. high teams were conference champions all three years
- Jr. high track coach at Siloam Springs, teams were conference runner-up and 8th grade team was undefeated
Heber Springs High School
With Heber Springs schools for 30 years, with 23 years as head track coach -18 senior high conference championships- 14 jr. high conference championships
- 5 state championships
- 5 state runners-up
- 24 individual state champions in 35 events
- Athletes set 11 state records (7 indoor and 4 outdoor)
- Two athletes were invited to the Golden West Invitational with one emerging as the pole vault champion
- Heber Springs HS track program recognized by the ATFHF with the Lewis McCollum Gold Star Award, 2005
- AHSCA Track Coach of the Year 1985-86, 1996-97 and 1997-98
- Arkansas Gazette Track Coach of the Year, 1984
- ATFHF Meritorious Service Award recipient, 2004
- Batesville High School, Assistant Principal, continues to work with track program