Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
DeSpain signs with Air Force Academy
FAYETTEVILLE — Corrine DeSpain has always felt a connection to the military lifestyle.
The Haas Hall-Fayetteville senior has a family connection since her mother, Tiffany DeSpain, is a U.S. Air Force veteran.
So when it came time to make a college decision, Corrine was somewhat torn between the U.S. Naval Academy, where her older sister, Jade, is a plebe, or attending the Air Force Academy like her mom.
“I was looking at both and I was being recruited by both academies,” Corrine said. “I just knew that I belonged at the Air Force Academy. I just felt like I was destined to serve in the Air Force.”
She said her mom actually encouraged her to attend the Naval Academy with her sister, and also Haas Hall classmate Martina Thomas will attend next year.
DeSpain made her decision official Wednesday when she signed a letter of intent to swim at the Air Force Academy. A crowd of Haas Hall students, faculty and friends was on hand for the event, which also included a tearful tribute by Corrine’s younger sister, Lily, a freshman at Haas Hall.
“Not only is Corrine an amazing swimmer, she’s an amazing person,” said Lily, her words choked with emotion. “She makes me the person I am today and she is my best friend. She’s truly remarkable and she’s also really, really smart.”
Corrine is one of the state’s most decorated swimmers, earning all-state honors the past three years and helping launch the Haas Hall swim program, which earned the girls Class 1A5A state championship last year. She was a member of two state record 200 medley relay teams and won the 100 breaststroke last year in 1:06.56.
She will focus on the breaststroke at Air Force, but will also swim the individual medley, she said.
The main draw to attending a military academy was her desire to serve her country, DeSpain said.
“I’ve always wanted to achieve a goal that’s much larger than myself with other like-minded people,” she said.
DeSpain does not have a major picked out, but said she’s always like the sciences, so engineering could be an option. She also has a big interest in flying large planes.
Arkansas was one of the public universities she also considered, but ultimately Air Force was where her heart was, she said.
“The team is great, the coach is amazing,” she said. “They just redid their pool and that was a bonus, but that wasn’t what I was really looking for. I’m just looking to push through and continue to improve.”
She has been a Haas Hall student since the eighth grade when her family moved to Arkansas from China. She also spent time in Guam, and her family speaks Mandarin fluently, she added.
Todd Mann, the coach for the AquaHawgs swim team who also has a son at the Air Force Academy, also spoke at DeSpain’s signing.
“In the past 20 years, I’ve coached a lot of kids,” Mann said. “I’ve never met one person who has given so much of herself to her teammates. Corrine is a true teammate. She inspires others and helps bring the best out of them. Sometimes she cares more about their swim and achievements than she does her own. She is a role model for Haas Hall and Razorback Aquatics, and everyone she comes in contact with.
“The Air Force Academy is getting one great swimmer and one outstanding young lady.”
BENTONVILLE SOFTBALL DUO SIGNS LETTERS
Two Bentonville High softball players made their college decisions on the final day of the early signing period and signed their letters of intent with NCAA Division II schools Wednesday evening at the Tiger Athletic Complex.
Keelah Griffith made Pittsburg (Kan.) State her choice, while Haley Cornell picked Arkansas-Monticello — a decision she made earlier that day.
“I’m super excited to add to the program,” Griffith said. “I’m excited to continue my softball career and my academic career. I just don’t want it to end, and I’m excited to continue pushing forward and doing my best.”
Griffith was one of several quality hitters in the Lady Tigers’ lineup, finishing the season with a .364 batting average, three home runs and 20 RBIs. She drove in the final run in Bentonville’s 11-3 win over North Little Rock during the Class 7A state championship game at Bogle Park.
Griffith has been a twoyear starter in the outfield for the
Lady Tigers but said she’s willing to play anywhere when she goes to Pittsburg
State, which she chose over Fort
Hays State in
Kansas.
“They told me they want to try me at a few other position,” Griffith said.
“I’m open to anything.”
Cornell, an all-state performer last season and already a three-year starter at catcher at Bentonville, will play at UAM under coach Alvy Early, the father of Bentonville coach Kent Early. She plans on continuing playing catcher with the Cotton Blossoms.
Cornell provided a big stick in the Lady Tigers’ lineup as she led the team with 10 home runs and 37 RBIs, and she was tied for second with eight doubles.
“It’s always been my dream to go as far as I can in softball,” Cornell said. “I’m pursuing it now, and I’m just so happy about life.
“I’m super excited to be playing for coach Early. He’s a really good guy and he’s so fun to be around. I’ll be trying my hardest to keep excelling at what I’m doing during my college career.”
“I’ve always wanted to achieve a goal that’s much bigger than myself with other likeminded people.” — Corrine DeSpain, Haas Hall Academy swimmer and Air Force Academy signee