Irish squads eye top-5 finish at state

By Jason Jewell Sports Editor

With at least three athletes favored to win individual gold medals, the McGuinness swimming teams hope to crack the top 5 at this weekend’s Class 5A state swimming meet.

The preliminaries open at 10 a.m. this Friday and the finals are set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Edmond Schools

Aquatic Center. Class 6A started the meet at 2 p.m. Thursday with preliminaries and end at 5:30 p.m. Friday in the finals.

“I feel like we’ve had a successful season for both teams,” said coach Mark Veneklasen. “If our relay teams can swim faster than we did at regionals, we hope to get into the top 5 or 6 (at state).”

Three Irish girls are among the favorites to walk away Saturday evening with gold medals.

Macy Lewis has dominated the 500yard freestyle and 100 butterfly this season, including regional titles in both events.

Allie Lewis showed well in the freestyle sprints with a gold medal in the 50 freestyle and a silver in the 100 freestyle at the

5A West regional earlier this month.

Victoria Whitebeck captured the 200 individual medley title at regionals and also finished second to Macy Lewis in the butterfly.

“These girls provide stability and leadership to our team,” Venklasen said. “They have been dedicated to the sport from a young age and it shows.”

The Irish boys have ing Phoenix Woodson with 20 points, Cam Parker with 15 points and Cal Furnish with 12 points.

The Chargers (8-12) also boasted a trio in double figures, led by Orie Walker with 22 points. Kyle McLaughlin finished with 17 points and Rashaud Smith had 16 points.

Last Tuesday, Heritage Hall opened the week with a 56-38 win at Star Spencer. McLaughlin netted 25 points and Smith added 10 points.

ANTLERS TROUNCE YUKON

Finishing off the final full week of the season on a positive note, Deer Creek cruised to a 65-45 win at Yukon last Friday.

Ky Kougl scored 13 points and Clyde Davis added 12 points to lead the Antlers (13-7).

Earlier in the week, Deer Creek pulled off a 65-62 triumph at Mustang as three players scored in double figures. Story continued at OKCFRIDAY.com.

State Championships

Thursday, Feb. 16-Saturday, Feb. 18

Edmond Aquatic Center

Thursday, Feb. 16

Class 6A Preliminaries, 2 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 17 also relied on a trio of solid swimmers, including John Nguyen and Jacob Moad that medaled at regionals.

Class 5A Preliminaries, 10 a.m. Class 6A Finals, 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 18 Class 5A Finals, 2 p.m.

Nguyen took second in both the 200 and 500 freestyle, while Moad finished third in the

500 freestyle and 100 backstroke.

Max Bunnag also cracked the top 10 for the Irish with an eighth-place effort in the 100 breaststroke. Story continued at OKCFRIDAY.com.

Concerts

Feb. 24­25 • Kelli O’Hara

Tony Award winner and Grammy nominee Kelli O’Hara performs with the OKCPHIL, including an exciting 80th Anniversary tribute to Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! Tickets at okcciviccenter.com.

March 9 •

Canterbury Voices

Canterbury Voices will reprise jazz legend Dave Brubeck’s To Hope! A Celebration for the first time in 15 years, with guest artists The Brubeck Brothers Quartet, culminating in a celebration of Artistic Director Dr. Randi Von Ellefson’s final performance at the Civic Center Music Hall on Thursday, March 9 at 7:30 pm. To Hope! artfully combines elements of pure jazz with a setting of the Roman Catholic Mass, a sacred expression of joy and hope and possibility. Go to canterburyokc.com for ticket info.

Blood Drive

March 19 •

Blood Drive

Every year, the Paseo Arts Association partners with the Oklahoma Blood Institute to host their annual blood drive. This year's blood drive will be held in the Paseo Arts & Creativity Center. If 50 donors are reached, or more, Six­

March 27 • Young Artist Applications

Applications are now being accepted for Arts Council Oklahoma City's Youth Art Sale, which gives young local artists the opportunity to showcase their creative works of art. The Youth Art Sale is a one­day event allowing Oklahoma’s emerging young artists to display and sell their artwork during the Festival of the Arts. All artists ages 8 ­ 18 are eligible to apply. This year ’s sale will be located on the east lawn of City Hall on Saturday, April 29, from 11 am ­ 5 pm. Applications are being accepted until 5 pm on March 27. To apply, visit artscouncilokc.com/youthartsale.

Twelve will receive a donation of $750 from OBI. Donors will receive a free Paseo themed t­shirt designed by artist Jerry Bennett. OBI will also provide one free admission to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. Register at yourbloodinstitute.org /donor/schedules/driv e_schedule/413064.

Exhibits

March 10­11 •

Momentum

The Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition (OVAC) is excited to announce the return of Momen‐tum for two nights of entertainment, live music, and ART. This event promotes emerging Oklahoma artists ages 30 and under in an exhibition representing a variety of artistic media, including sculpture, painting, photography, performance and more. The event is at 617 W. Sheridan Ave. from 7 – 10 pm in partnership with Sailor and the Dock, an up­

Paycom Center Events/Shows: Monster Jam ­ Feb. 18­19 and­coming creative collective on historic Film Row in the West Village district of Oklahoma City. Get tickets at momentumoklahoma.org.

THEATRE

Through Feb. 19 • Jesus Christ Superstar Celebrating its 50th Anniversary, a new mesmerizing production of the iconic musical returns to the stage. With lyrics and music by Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winners Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, Jesus Christ Superstar is set against the backdrop of an extraordinary series of events during the final weeks in the life of Jesus Christ as seen through the eyes of Judas. Reflecting the rock roots that defined a generation, the legendary score includes I Don’t Know How to Love Him, Gethse‐mane and Superstar Performing at the Civic Center, presented by OKC Broadway, tickets at okcciviccenter.com.