Five Don Tyson School of Innovation student-athletes committed to compete at the collegiate level April 26 at the school's first-ever track and cross country signing ceremony event.
The student-athletes were among the first members of Don Tyson's team as seventh-graders when the team was established in 2018.
Join us as we congratulate these amazing competitors as they take the next step in their athletic careers!
Jonathan Martinez
Jonathan Martinez committed to run cross country and track for Northwest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville.
"I feel exited to be competing at a higher level," Martinez said. "I'm most proud that I'm getting a second chance to prove myself since this year hasn’t been the best. I wasn’t able to race cross country and missed almost all of track season."
Martinez considers running the 1600 in 4:51, the 800 in 2:09 and a 5K in 18:39 to be among his high school student-athlete accomplishments.
Martinez, 17, has competed as a runner for four years.
The senior plans to study business at NWACC and to have a lucrative career following college.
Martinez lives in Springdale and is the son of Maria Amador and Luis Martinez.
Pedro Morales
Pedro Morales, 18, signed a letter of intent to compete as a distance runner for Northwest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville.
Morales said he’s excited about the opportunity and finds the prospect of competing as a first-generation Hispanic college athlete rewarding.
“I am very grateful I get to pursue my passion for the sport, while also receiving an education,” he said.
The senior wants to study business in college and aspires to run professionally and to follow a path toward financial success.
Morales’ parents are Pedro Morales and Olga Centeno.
The senior lives in Lowell and has run for six years.
“No risk, no reward,” he said.
Gabriel Pelkey
Gabriel Pelkey committed to run track and cross country for John Brown University in Siloam Springs.
“I feel ecstatic,” Pelkey said. “This is something I've been working towards for a long time, and I can say that I'm making that next big step in cross country and track.”
Pelkey, 17, has run competitively for six years.
“My first-ever race, I ran 17:30 for two miles,” Pelkey said. “I have run faster than that for a 5k.”
The senior will study computer science and artificial intelligence in college, with the goal of working as a computer programmer.
“I'm sad to leave, but excited for what's to come with John Brown,” Pelkey said of taking the next steps in his academic and athletic careers.
Pelkey lives in Springdale and is the son of Melanie and David Pelkey.
“My teammates and coaches are my family,” he added. “It is through their support that I have been able to have any success.”
Kriz Perez
Kriz Perez signed a letter of intent to run for Northwest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville.
“I feel really excited to be continuing my running career at the next level,” Perez said.
Perez, 18, has competed as a runner for five years.
The senior’s high school accomplishments include running two miles in 10:06, a mile in 4:41 and five kilometers in 17:06.
Perez intends to study computer and information sciences at NWACC.
“I want to go into the cybersecurity field,” he said.
Perez lives in Springdale and is the son of Juvenal Perez and Salustia Albarran.
David Sanchez
Senior David Sanchez committed to compete in track and cross country for Northwest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville.
“I am making a major commitment,” Sanchez said.
The student-athlete has run competitively for three years and counts placing in the Top 10 at the 2023 track conference and personal records of running the 800 in 2:01, the 1600 in 4:28 and the 3200 in 9:57 among his high school athletic accomplishments.
Sanchez, 17, lives in Springdale. His father is Rodolfo Sanchez.
He plans on studying finance at NWACC and aspires to become an accountant.