It was a banner year for the Marion School District in 2025-2026, and in more ways than one.
In particular, in athletics, where volleyball, boys basketball, and boys track won conference championships, with boys hoops and volleyball playing for state titles, and volleyball claimed the fourth state championship in school history.
With any success on the field or court, you must have talented players, and this was one of the more robust crops of talent of recent memory in Marion.
Almost 30 senior student-athletes have already signed, or will sign, to further their educational and athletic careers in college, the highest number from Marion in at least 12 years.
“We have seen some great athletes and teams come through the Marion School District through the years, but I don't think I have ever seen the quality or quantity of student-athletes moving on to higher levels at the rate we see now,” said Marion athletic director Jonathan Crymes. “Our programs are producing more talent than ever before. Talent that is recruitable and ready for the college level. This is due to our talented coaches, strength and conditioning programs we have in place, and our student-athletes being productive both academically and athletically.”
Some pillars of Patriot athletics have comprised the 2025-2026 signing class, beginning with Marion's 2025 Class 5A state volleyball champions, where a pair of four-year starters and all-state performers, Kaitlyn Austin and Kennedy Bullins, pledged to continue their collegiate careers at St. Petersburg College and North Alabama, respectively.
At least two other Marion seniors passed on opportunities to play college volleyball.
Patriot football also reaped the benefits of an excellent run on the field and in player development as eight Marion gridders will play in college.
All-state linebacker and 6A East Defensive Player of the Year Zadean Wilson represented Marion's third Division 1 player in as many years when he signed in February with Kennesaw State.
Henderson State is the leading beneficiary of Marion's recent run of success, as Ryan Blackwell, Chris Byrd, Bryson Gladney, and Kajeris and Kejeris Hill all signed with the Arkadelphia school in February.
All-league tailback Rico Ward and do-everything receiver Jeremy Dent inked in February with Ouachita Baptist.
At least three other Patriot football players continue to juggle offers to play in college.
Dionsay Watkins was Marion's lone cross country signee in '25-26, pledging her talents to Williams Baptist College.
Marion's 2025-2026 boys basketball season established a single-season record for victories, finishing 29-5 overall, with a second straight outright 5A East title, and a state runner-up finish, and colleges paid attention to that success.
Seniors Jackson Black, Jamari Bruin, Dexter Higgins, Jr., Jalen Neal, and Chandler Randle will further their athletic careers at Rhodes College, Fort Scott Community College, Williams Baptist College, Northern Oklahoma Tonkawa, and Henderson State, respectively.
Marion senior girls guard Jordyn Wilkerson earned all-conference honors over the winter before signing with Christian Brothers in the spring.
Patriot cheer will be well represented as Matti Grace Fortenberry will join the Arkansas State cheer squad, and Destiny Perry will take her talents to Central Arkansas.
Record-setting Marion sprinter and seven-time state champion Chris Hardin capped his dynamic career by signing with Arkansas-Little Rock.
Patriot softball won 18 games and returned to the state tournament for the 21st time in 23 years, and seniors Kendall Eppes and Presley Kuhn both signed to play in college at ASU Mid-South.
Marion baseball had three players pledge to play college ball, with Robert Hall signing with the University of the Ozarks, Brody Byrd inking with Rich Mountain, and Coleman Barnett signing with Ouachita Baptist University.
The 2025-2026 school year was one to remember at Marion High, but next year's crop of athletes is already shaping up with standout tailback Jeremiah Dent committed to Arkansas, two-time all-state performer Kendall Brown committed to Mississippi State volleyball, and Kayson “Kbelle” McClain committed to Florida Atlantic, while Annabelle White committed in the fall to Henderson State