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Fast forward three years and Sategna is well-known in the state as a football and track and field star who began setting records as a freshman for the Bulldogs. Sategna was named the Northwest Ar- kansas Democrat-Gazette Newcomer of the Year as a freshman in track and field. He took part in eight different track and field events during the season and broke a 17-year school record in the 300-meter hurdles (38.32 seconds) in his first meet as a Bulldog. Sategna was in a position to add to an impressive list of accomplishments with a full sophomore season in outdoor track and field at Fayetteville. But the rising star was stopped in his tracks when the Arkansas Activities Association canceled spring sports because of concerns about the spread of covid-19. Sategna's attention has returned to the football field for his senior year after he caught 41 passes for 814 yards and 7 touchdowns as a junior. He committed to Oregon in July after receiving more than 20 offers from high Division I programs. He chose the Ducks after originally com- mitting to Texas A&M. "Since I'm running track and play- ing football, my parents and I decided Oregon would be the best place for me," said Sategna, who selected Oregon over Southern California after he de-com- mitted from Texas A&M. "I'm so glad recruiting is over and that I'm locked in with Oregon. "That process was definitely the most stressful situation of my life. I'd wake up one day wanting to go to one school then, two days later, I'd wait up wanting to go to a completely different school. Now, I can focus on my senior year at Fayette- ville and not worry about a lot of outside stuff." That pursuit begins on Aug. 27 when Fayetteville faces Conway in its football season-opener at Harmon Field. "Obviously, with his speed in running track, that makes it hard for the corners to stay up with him," said senior defensive back Damon Voak, whose Rogers team will face Sategna and the Bulldogs on Oct. 1. "He also has really good footwork and that makes his releases deadly and easy to get in the back end." Sategna said Fayetteville has plenty to prove after finishing 4-6 after losing 37-35 to Little Rock Central in the first round of the Class 7A state playoffs. The Bulldogs also lost close games to Fort Smith Northside (33-30) and Springdale Har-Ber (33-27). "Last year was frustrating because we lost a lot of games we should have won," Sategna said. "We finished 4-6 and that's not Fayetteville. We've got a couple of new coaches, some new players, and a lot of guys returning who started last year. "The biggest improvement I've seen is with our quarterback, Bladen Fike. He's gotten bigger, faster, stronger, and he's put in the work. I feel like this year is going to be our year." Finding creative ways to get the ball into Sategna's hands is a priority for Fayetteville, which produced the state's leading receiver two years ago when Connor Flannigan caught 66 passes for 1,089 yards and 15 touchdowns. Sategna exploded during a three-game stretch last season when he caught 7 passes for 147 yards against North Little Rock, 7 passes for 200 yards against Fort Smith Northside, and 9 catches for 136 yards against Fort Smith Southside. Later in the year, he was on his way to another big game when suffered a high ankle sprain after he caught a 23-yard scoring pass against Springdale Har-Ber. The play came shortly after he returned a kickoff for a touchdown against the Wildcats. Sategna said staying healthy and prioritizing team goals this season trump any personal goals he hopes Sategna n Continued from Page 7 "Since I'm running track and playing football, my parents and I decided Oregon would be the best place for me... I'm so glad recruiting is over and that I'm locked in with Oregon. — Isaiah sategna Fayetteville receiver Isaiah Sategna caught 41 passes for 814 yards and 7 touchdowns last season, but those numbers were cut short after he suffered an injury in the regular-season finale against Springdale Har-Ber. NWA Democrat-Gazette Charlie Kaijo 479.273.1355 1145 NW "J" St. Bentonville, AR 72712 Doug Parker, DVM Tammy Jones, DVM Stephanie Ensley, DVM Sara Keys, DVM Sugar Creek Animal Hospital PREP RALLY: CLASS 7A | 8.22.2021 8 See Sategna, Page 9