COACHES: Spotlight on Blackhawk sports staff

Jr. Blackhawks Assistant coaches

• Nathan Claytor Coach Nathan Claytor is in his first year at Pea Ridge where he is coaching football and softball; he has previously coached football and baseball.

A graduate of Fort Smith Southside, he earned his college degree from Northeastern Oklahoma State. He played football and baseball as a student and enjoys golf.

“I enjoy building relationships students and watching them improve,” Claytor said about why he coaches. The best advice he ever received was to play multiple sports, the same advice he would give his student athletes. He teaches science. He and his wife, Sara, have a son, Hayden. He enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, and anything outdoors.

Golf

• Heath Neal, head boys and girls golf

Neal is the head golf, head girls’ basketball coach and seventh-grade girls basketball coach. He previously coached junior high boys basketball. He is beginning his fourth year at Pea Ridge.

A graduate of Berryville High School, Neal earned his college degree from University of Arkansas. He played basketball, baseball and football as a student and still plays golf.

“I coach because I enjoy more than just the Xs and Os,” Neal said. “I enjoy the relationships and building our young men and women into to mature responsible adults. I coach because I once had a man who impacted me as a player and I wanted to have that same impact on others. I coach because every athlete deserves a coach who believes in them.”

The best advice he ever received was: “To never to take for granted the sports we play. God put us on this earth to serve others and we have been given the opportunity to play the sports we love. At any moment all could be taken away.”

And that is the advice he passes on: “My advice would be the same that was given to me. One of the greatest human freedoms is the ability to choose our attitude in any given circumstance.”

Neal teaches JAG and Orientation to Teaching. His wife is Megan Neal. He said he enjoys fishing on his free time, golfing, traveling, and most of all spending time with his wife.

Cross Country Blackhawks Sr. & Jr. Lady Blackhawks

• Heather Wade, hwade@ prs.k12.ar.us

Coach Heather Wade currently coaches junior and senior high girls cross country and senior high girls track. She previously coached volleyball, softball and basketball.

A graduate of Pea Ridge High School, Crowder College and the College of the Ozarks, she has been on staff at Pea Ridge for 10 years. She ran trakc, played softball and basketball as a student. She said she still runs when she has an opportunity and loves to shoot and play co-ed softball.

She coaches because she loves making an impact on a child’s life.

The best advice she ever received as an athlete? “Always give your all.”

The advice she gives to student athletes? “Have no regrets.”

Wade teaches physical education at the Middle school.

She and her husband, Mark, have been married eight and a half years and have three children, Khale, 6, Kolby, 4, and Mattie, 11 months.

Wade said she enjoys running, playing any outside games, playing softball, scrap booking and taking care of her children.