Reducing landfill waste by composting
The Cost of Waste
Sooner defense looks to improve
Chase for 8
Vet of the month
Dale Kinslow
September 2020 • Issue 9 • Volume 3
This inserted material was paid for by the advertiser and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of The Oklahoman, it’s ownership, management and staff.
Don’t Medical Distance The COVID-19 pandemic has many people worried about their health. Please don’t be afraid to seek essential medical treatment. It’s important to still: • Call 911 or visit the Emergency Room if you experience chest pain, stroke symptoms or other urgent medical needs • See your physician for wellness visits and routine exams • Take your child to the doctor for well child checks and stay up to date on immunizations • Talk to a provider about your mental health and seek help if you experience troubling signs of depression, anxiety or thoughts of harming yourself Norman Regional’s team is taking extra precautions to ensure your safety including masking, enhanced disinfection measures and staggered appointment times. We also offer several options to see a provider virtually through your phone, tablet or computer. Call us today at 405.515.5000 to be matched with the perfect physician for you.
Getting Us All to a Healthier Place NormanRegional.com
Features
SEPTEMBER CONTENTS 2020
ISSUE 9– VOLUME 3 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mark Doescher
Partnering for Health
10 by Heide Brandes
MANAGING EDITOR Lindsay Cuomo
MACU & OCU partner to train another generation of nurses.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Mark Doescher
CONTRIBUTORS
The Heart of a Soldier
14 by Bill Moakley
World War II veteran celebrates 98th birthday.
The Cost of Waste
18 by Thomas Iscenko
22
Sharla Bardin | Heide Brandes Lindsay Cuomo | Thomas Iscenko Chelsey Kraft | Steve Marshall Bill Moakley | Chris Plank
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Tracie Gray - tracie@sportstalk1400.com Trevor Laffoon - trevor@sportstalk1400.com Perry Spencer - perry@sportstalk1400.com Jess Haralson - jess@sportstalk1400.com
PUBLISHER Randy Laffoon
City officials propose a composting program to reduce landfill waste.
Treating the Whole Patient
22 by Lindsay Cuomo
Outpatient Counseling Center opening soon at Norman Regional Moore.
Meeting More Customers
26 Virtually
by Sharla Bardin Class series focuses on e-commerce capabilities for businesses.
32
Boyd Street Magazine 2020 E. Alameda Norman, Oklahoma 73071 Phone: (405) 321-1400 E-mail: editor@boydstreet.com Copyright © Boyd Street Magazine Any articles, artwork or graphics created by Boyd Street Magazine or its contributors are sole property of Boyd Street Magazine and cannot be reproduced for any reason without permission. Any opinions expressed in Boyd Street are not necessarily that of Boyd Street management.
Lifesaving Tech
28 by Lindsay Cuomo
Rose Rock Veterinary Hospital offers CT imaging for pets.
Ready...Set...?
32 by Chris Plank
Sooners prepare for season as uncertainties remain.
40
The Chase for 8
40 by Chris Plank
The Sooner defense looks to advance once again to the College Football Playoff.
Kickin It
44 by Steve Marshall
Southmoore Sabercat Cameron Little accepts scholarship offer to play in the SEC.
Bodyworx
48 by Chelsey Kraft
Patients seeking physical therapy or primary care have a new option.
sportstalk1400.com
/boydstreetmagazine
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48
Cover photo provided
COMM U N I T Y
BY: HEIDE BRANDES
Partnering for Health MACU & OCU partner to train another generation of nurses Dr. David Rose
MACU students can earn a bachelor of science in Nursing from OCU’s Kramer School of Nursing, thanks to a new articulation agreement between the two universities. Students can take general education and science courses at MACU and their credits will transfer to OCU’s nursing program. Even better, the partnership went into effect immediately, meaning that students who have fulfilled their course requirements at MACU may begin the process to transfer to OCU for their nursing degree. “Healthcare services continues to be an expanding profession, nursing especially,” Dr. David Rose, assistant vice president of enrollment at MACU said. “Specifically as we look to the post-COVID environment, there will be a continued increasing demand for registered nurses. In the course of our normal marketing and community outreach, we have potential students call to ask about whether we have a nursing program. Because of that community interest, we knew we had to create some sort of pathway to nursing.” MACU President Dr. John Fozard started an initial conversation about the idea with OCU President Martha Burger earlier this year. By April, the conversation gained traction. “Now, we have a way to help students who want to enter a nursing program, and OCU gets additional students,” said 10 September 2020
Rose. “They are not at capacity in their nursing program, and they still have open seats.” Because nursing has been one of the most frequently requested majors from prospective MACU students, the articulation agreement with OCU was met with an overwhelmingly positive response. Enrolled students will fulfill their general education requirements, electives and science courses at MACU, then will matriculate to OCU to finish their final 56 hours of nursing courses at OCU. “We have both brand new students and those who are already interested in health sciences here. It’s hard to predict how many students will take this pathway, but early indicators show that it meets the needs of our students,” Rose said. “It’s a fine collaboration of two academic institutions, and being able to work with a highly respected institution like OCU is such a benefit.” A signing ceremony was held this summer between Fozard and Burger on the MACU campus and both universities are jumping in feet first. “Kramer School of Nursing is thrilled to enter into this partnership with MACU to provide baccalaureate nursing education of the highest quality to prepare the next generation of nurses and servant leaders,” said Dr. Lois Salmeron, Dean of OCU’s Kramer School of Nursing. For more information about the new partnership, visit macu. edu/nursing. Classes are enrolling now for the fall 2020 semester. - 19SM
Photos by: Mark Doescher
W
hen two institutions come together to help students, magic can happen. This fall, students can take advantage of a new partnership between Mid-America Christian University and Oklahoma City University that will allow students to seamlessly transfer from MACU to OCU’s nursing program.
COMM U N I T Y
The Heart of a Soldier
World War II veteran celebrates 98th birthday
D
ale Kinslow doesn’t really like to talk much about his experiences in World War II. You can’t blame him.
Quietly, and humbly, Kinslow will say he doesn’t remember much of the war. And, at 98 years old, he still doesn’t really like to talk about what he does remember. “I don’t talk too much about,” he admits. “It was a long time ago.” Kinslow grew up in Seminole County. After moving to California in search for work, he was drafted in March 1943 and inducted into the United States Army as an infantry rifleman in San Francisco. His fight was in the Pacfic against Japan as part of the 145th Infantry Regiment’s 37th Division, 3rd Company, doing battle at some of the war’s most recognizable locations, including Guadalcanal, Bougainville, Manila and Luzon. Kinslow’s outfit went into Guadalcanal after the initial assault by U.S. Marines. His group kept the Japanese at bay while engineers established an airfield there. He then moved to Bougainville Island to back up the Marine spearhead invasion. He would island-hop to the Philippine Islands and landed at Lingayen Gulf. His group fought towards Manila and pushed the Japanese out of the city. By August 1945, they had forced the Japanese to the mountains north of Manila, and then heard of their surrender to the Allied Forces. Kinslow said he felt very fortunate to have survived after taking part in some of the war’s most difficult Pacific battles and being wounded three times. For his bravery, the Army saw fit to award him the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts. “I was wounded on the island of Luzon, three times, roughly between January and June 1945,” Kinslow recalled. “My
14 September 2020
BY: BILL MOAKLEY
PRESENTED BY
CENTURIONCG.NET
first wounds were to my head, neck and back from a white phosphorous grenade. My second wound was a shrapnel wound to the left shoulder, and the third was to my left leg.” Kinslow also suffered from malaria after returning stateside. He was honorably discharged in December 1945. In its citation for his Silver Star Award, the Army noted Kinslow “gallantry in service” at Luzon in the Philippines. Kinslow led a group of 25 soldiers in taking out a Japanese position established in an abandoned gambling house and bowling alley that was being used by the Japanese to direct heavy fire at American troops. Kinslow crawled some 10 feet on his stomach after entering the building, hit the Japanese position with a grenade and then took to his feet to charge remaining troops, engaging them with gunfire and hand-to-hand combat. Kinslow returned to Oklahoma after the war, working on his father’s farm. He married and took a job with Phillip’s Petroleum chemical plant in Borger, Texas, later transferring to the Phillips refinery in Pasadena, Texas. In 1966, he returned to Oklahoma. Kinslow became an investor, operator and owner of several SONIC Drive-in restaurants in Oklahoma, Texas & Arkansas. He also bought and developed a Charolais cattle ranch near Okemah. He eventually sold the ranch but continued managing his SONIC investments successfully for many years until retirement. Now a resident of the Norman Veterans Center, Kinslow was honored earlier this year with a drive-by birthday celebration to celebrate his 98th birthday, coordinated by his family as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic kept them from celebrating in person. -19SM
Inaugural Women's Impact Network Luncheon September 11, 2020 11:45am Tickets available at www.MooreChamber.com
MPS, OCCC, MNTC, Randall, MACU October 27, 2020 11:45am Tickets available at www.MooreChamber.com
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B U S I N E SS
BY: THOMAS ISCENKO
The Cost of Waste
City officials propose a composting program to reduce landfill waste
T
he City of Moore, striving to find a balance between efficiency and environmental impact, is working towards creating a composting program aimed at reducing the number of trips required by city sanitation trucks to the landfill each day. City officials hope to not only reduce the amount of waste going into the landfill but also to serve as inspiration to Moore residents. “This program is designed to provide encouragement and education about recycling,” said Brooks Mitchell, Moore’s city manager. “We hope that there will be less overall waste going to the landfill, while decreasing the impact on earth.” If approved, the program would give residents an alternative option to dispose of yard waste. On average, sanitation workers hauled 94,000 pounds of waste to the landfill daily in 2019. The city’s goal for this program would be to reduce that by 10 percent.
18 September 2020
In a plan proposed at the July 20 council meeting, the city would apply for a type-one composting license, which would allow for the collection of leaves, trees and grass clippings.
worry about foul smells plaguing the surrounding areas since the program is centered around extracting compost from yard waste, a process that typically only results in a mild organic odor.
Instead of filling the landfill, yard waste from residents and city departments could then be turned into compost using a method called windrows, a system that uses long rows estimated to be about four feet tall, ten feet wide and forty feet long.
Each site would require some infrastructure construction and the startup costs are expected to be just over $300,000, with the potential to save the city over $100,000. Mitchell estimated the total cost of the project to be between $500,000 and $600,000, but said that “could increase if there are some unforeseen requirements with the chosen location.”
All Moore residents who register for the program will have access to the resulting compost for free and would only be charged a small fee for loading, if the service is needed. Nonresidents or residents that do not register would be charged $5 per yard. While the exact location is still to be determined, there are two possible locations being considered to house the initiative: Buck Thomas Park and the old water treatment plant. Regardless, organizers say there’s no need to
The city also would need to hire additional staff to manage the site and composting efforts. If approved, Mitchell anticipates the composting site to be open in the summer of 2022, with compost available within six months of opening. The city council plans to revisit the plan in late September or early October. -19SM
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HE A LT H
BY: LINDSAY CUOMO
Treating the Whole Patient TIPS FOR FINDING THE RIGHT COUNSELOR FOR YOU • • • •
Determine what is most important to you so you can clearly say what you need. Ask your therapist candid questions so you both are on the same page about your expectations. Be honest with yourself and your therapist. If you don’t feel it’s a good fit, speak up. Your therapist should be able to refer you to another professional that better suits your needs.
Outpatient Counseling Center opening soon at Norman Regional Moore
N
orman Regional’s behavioral health services are expanding into Moore with the opening of an Outpatient Counseling Center at Norman Regional Moore. Liz Shumate, manager of outpatient behavioral health for the health system, says the new clinic will help increase access of care available in the south metro. “Oklahoma has a lot of rural areas and things are spread out,” she said. “There just isn’t enough resources to meet the need in the community. We want to be accessible and customer driven and I think we will be able to do that quite effectively in our new location.” The center will also serve as an extension of care for those transitioning from the health system’s inpatient psychiatric unit. “This will streamline our continuum of care for adults,” she explained. “We will be able to work with individuals moving out of inpatient care and assist with needs across our health system. We are working closely with our providers and will be following up with patients to reassure them that we are there for them.” Shumate said that medical professionals are seeing an increased need for counseling and other behavioral health services, particularly in patients dealing with depression and anxiety, which makes the services the center will provide even more important to address the community’s healthcare needs. “People who have been able to function before are finding they need more help,” she shared. “People aren’t able to as
22 September 2020
easily access their support systems or are acting as caregivers which means more responsibility. “With the current state of our world, we really need to not ignore the signs and symptoms,” she encouraged. “Our world has been turned upside down. Be kind to yourself and pay attention. Even if it’s just five minutes a day, it’s important to regularly assess your physical and behavioral health and check on those around you.” Shumate encourages patients to take an active role in their health and wellness, whether that means seeking help or practicing prevention techniques on your own. “Create moments you can look forward to and know when you need more support than you have now,” she suggested. “Don’t give up on the process. It takes time.” The center will offer family therapy, couples counseling and individual sessions and is staffed by three licensed clinical social workers, with another expected to join the practice soon. “We are looking forward to having a robust team with a variety of specialists,” Shumate said. “We have a great group and value diversity among our staff. Because the relationship is really the most important part of the therapy process. That is how the important work can be done.” To learn more about the behavioral health services within the Norman Regional Health System, visit normanregional. com/services/behavioral-medicine or call 307-5555.-19SM
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COMM U N I T Y
BY: SHARLA BARDIN
For more information on the survey among businesses with the Oklahoma Main Street program or COVID-19 business resources, visit www.okcommerce.gov.
Meeting More Customers Virtually Class series focuses on e-commerce capabilities for businesses
M
oore Norman Technology Center is providing a series of classes to educate, encourage and equip business owners and entrepreneurs who are venturing into e-commerce. The center is offering a new course series to help individuals learn about such topics as creating a website, digital marketing techniques and online business strategies. “The goal is to make it as easy as possible for business owners to be able to sell online,” said Gina Bertoletti, business development coordinator. E-commerce is especially in high demand for businesses given economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. A recent survey among businesses participating in the Oklahoma Main Street program – which helps communities improve their neighborhood business district areas – showed the toll that the pandemic has had so far on small businesses, pointing towards an importance for online sales capabilities.
26 September 2020
Brent Kisling, executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, said in a news release that the survey spotlighted “the need for all small businesses to have an e-commerce presence in order to better withstand disasters.” The survey also showed that an online presence appeared to play a significant role in the severity of the disruption to businesses. Restaurants and retail stores with the ability to sell online reported a 49% percent decrease in sales, while those without e-commerce availability showed a 67% loss. Bertoletti said the center is offering the series of classes to meet business owners wherever their need might be to achieve e-commerce, whether it’s creating a website or incorporating digital marketing. The series includes a free Build a Website with WordPress course. From there, individuals can further those skills through other courses including an Advanced Techniques using Woo-
Commerce, which will focus on additional features and website extensions; E-commerce Quick Start and Adventures in E-commerce Digital Marketing. Bertoletti said the courses will help individuals set up e-commerce capabilities for their companies so they can be better equipped to handle challenging economic situations. “We’re going to do whatever we can to help these businesses,” she said. Each course is $99 and individuals can receive a 10% discount if they sign up for more than one paid class. Bertoletti said the classes will feature live instruction, and students will have connections to a goldmine of resources. There will also be a Facebook group to allow for increased interaction and assistance among one another and with instructors. For more information or to register for the e-commerce series, visit mntc.edu.
-19SM
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B U S I N E SS
BY: LINDSAY CUOMO
Lifesaving Tech
Canine patient preparing for a CT of the chest
CT image of a normal canine nose
Rose Rock Veterinary Hospital offers CT imaging for pets
R
ose Rock Veterinary Hospital & Pet Resort is offering a new service that is intended to help take some of the guesswork out of diagnosing and treating pets. Drs. Beverly and Bryce Fritzler, a mother and son veterinary team, said they are using advanced medical technology to help save more pets. CT scans, just like what is used for human diagnostics, help pinpoint any abnormalities and how significant the problem might be. “We focus on having extensive dialogistic services and, with every test you do, you hope you get an answer,” Dr. Fritzler said. “A CT scan is a very accurate way to determine what is wrong and what the best treatment option is.” The Fritzlers said they added CT scans to help more pets and pet owners.
28 September 2020
“The desire is to find a diagnosis sooner and whether or not the situation is treatable to help pet owners make better decisions from the start,” Dr. Bev explained. “And we may be able to catch some things that we might have missed before.”
before surgery,” Dr. Fitzler said. The scans can also look into hard-toreach and complex areas like a pet’s nasal cavity to find tumors, Dr. Fitzler said.
“People don’t often realize what is possible and how much we can do for pets so the more you know at the beginning the better,” she added.
CT imaging scans are also available on a referral basis and the results can be sent to a patient’s regular vet. Some pet owners used the scans as a preventive measure to find any that might be of concern before it becomes a problem.
A CT scan looks at soft tissue to find foreign bodies, abnormalities, infections as well as diagnose skull and orthopedic diseases.
Pets must have a consultation exam prior to the procedure to discuss medical history and whether the scan is an appropriate option.
“For example, if a pet suddenly loses the use of their legs, we can use the CT scan to localize the issue and help us determine the proper treatment steps. Plus, we’ll know exactly where the problem is
“The patient needs to be still so some level of anesthesia is involved,” Dr. Bev said. “There are options but the whole scan takes about 20 to 30 minutes.” The Fritzlers have been in pet care for
Images of a patient with pneumonia
many years. Beverly joined the practice in 1986 and became the owner in 1990. Bryce started working at Rose Rock in 2015, but he grew up watching his mother. “I grew up at Rose Rock. I cleaned kennels as a kid growing up, and after college I worked as a veterinary assistant
for one year before going to veterinary school,� he said. Today, Bryce serves as the director of medical services, managing a wealth of services including pet wellness, diagnostics, surgeries and rehabilitation. Rose Rock also offers alternative pet
medicine such as acupuncture, massage and joint mobility therapy. They also have boarding and grooming. To learn more about CT scans and the other services available at Rose Rock, visit roserockvethospital.com or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.-19SM
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30 September 2020
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Photos by: Mark Doescher
S P O RT S
BY: CHRIS PLANK
Ready...Set. Sooners prepare for season as uncertainties remain
32 September 2020
T
he day the Big 10 and Pac 12 conferences decided to postpone the fall college football season was a day filled with concern and anticipation. It was arguably one of the biggest days in college football history. While the Big 10 and Pac 12 opted to move the football season to the spring, the ACC and SEC were both resilient in its belief they could safely hold a fall football season. But which side would the final Power Five conference choose? The timing coincided with a scheduled Big 12 Conference Board of Directors meeting. The Big 12’s board of presidents, chancellors and athletic directors had a 90-minute briefing with team doctors and medical consultants before the board went into executive session to reach a decision.
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The college football world waited. Would the conference home of the Oklahoma Sooners decide to play or delay the season? “Opinions vary regarding the best path forward, as we’ve seen throughout higher education and our society overall,” said Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby of the decision to proceed as planned. “But we are comfortable in our institutions’ ability to provide a structured training environment, rigorous testing and surveillance, hospital quality sanitation and mitigation practices that optimize the health and safety of our student-athletes. “We believe all of this combines to create an ideal learning and training situation during this time of COVID-19. Ultimately, our student-athletes have indicated their desire to compete in the sports they love this season and it is up to all of us to deliver a safe, medically sound and structured academic and athletic environment for accomplishing that outcome.” With those words, the Big 12 decided to continue to pursue a college football season in the fall. It was a massive sigh of relief for many Oklahoma Sooner Football fans, and perhaps college football fans in general.
...?
Had the Big 12 board of directors decided to shut down the fall season and pursue spring football, the entire landscape of college football would have been affected. The decision was a jolt of confidence and was followed with a release of the full 2020-season schedule. But questions will still remain until the 2020 season officially kicks off. “We have been unwavering in putting our focus squarely on the well-being of our student-athletes and staff members,” Sooner Athletic Director Joe Castiglione said. “We have gone to great lengths in setting a list of protocols that were guided by our medical team and in consultation with industry leaders. There has been great effort expended in areas like testing and sanitizing, which are part of a comprehensive plan. “We are prepared to not only continue those practices, but to expand them as we move into this phase of the upcom-
boydstreet.com
BOYD STREET MAGAZINE | 33
ing season. We have been clear in presenting our plans to student-athletes, parents and guardians and we will continue in a spirit of transparency to provide our student-athletes with opportunities and information so they can make well-informed decisions.” The decision is by no means a guarantee and Sports Illustrated college football writer Ross Dellinger, one of the go-to sources for information during this pandemic, still has valid concerns about the Big 12 season. “I think the difficult decision for Big 12 athletic directors was the risk taking,” Dellinger said during an interview on Sports Talk 1400 and 99.3FM. “The risk of playing in a pandemic and the uncertainty of those risks versus the (impact) of not playing on your students, which is mental health and the structure that comes with playing a season. The latter won over… but things are still hanging by a thread in the Big 12. “It feels as if they are still very split in a lot of ways. There were vigorous 34 September 2020
debates that continued and they will continue to monitor medical advice.” The Big 12 did make a major adjustment in how it is treating one of the biggest concerns with COVID-19. One major change that took place during the Big 12’s decision to commit to pursuing a season was increased testing and continued understanding of myocarditis, which is an inflammation of the middle layer of the heart wall. All Big 12 players who test positive for COVID-19 will go through EKGs, troponin blood tests, echocardiograms and cardiac MRIs as part of their return-to-play process to monitor any potential heart-related issues. “We know the heart gets involved and myocarditis is a very serious complication,” Dr. Dale Bratzler, OU’s chief of COVID-19 operations said on Sports Talk 1400. “When you have a person who has (COVID-19) symptoms, particularly around 49 and up, about two thirds have had evidence of myocarditis even after recovery.
“When I first started meeting with (OU Team Physician) Dr. (Brock) Schnebel, he had put those tests into the protocols with the research available from the American Heart Association. All of the testing has been put into place as guidelines for getting athletes back into their full activities. It could be a major concern if you do not test for the potential of myocarditis. Things like troponin levels and cardiac MRIs are extremely sensitive. It is one more safeguard.” The protocols for OU student athletes have been rigorous. Some of the protocols include: only one entrance into each team facility, locker rooms limited to a certain number of people at a time and teammates working together in smaller groups. Masks have been mandatory everywhere on campus and social distancing along with smaller social circles are encouraged. “The health of our student-athletes is paramount,” said OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. “Our decisions for the fall
sports season are made based upon the guidance of national medical experts and our seasoned medical team including our chief football physician, head athletics trainer and OU’s chief COVID officer. “To date at OU, we’ve been highly successful in mitigating the transmission of the virus in our athletics operations because of their expertise. Their considered opinion at this time is that with the additional safety measures, our student-athletes’ overall health and welfare is best protected by proceeding with the season. Their decades of experience inform their opinion that our students would be at greater health risk by being outside the rigorous protocols we have in place. In addition, we have listened to our student-athletes that have made it clear that they want to play. With the number of additional safety precautions being put in place by the Big 12, combined with OU’s sophisticated protocols, we’re poised to move forward with the season as safely as we practically can. As in everything we do
boydstreet.com
in response to COVID-19, we will proceed cautiously, constantly assessing the state of the virus and its impact on our community members.” The adjustment in testing for potential heart conditions left a major impact on Bratzler. “The increased modifications build on OU Athletics’ already well-established set of protocols to protect its student-athletes,” Bratzler said. “The enhanced practices coming out of the Big 12 will only add to the important policies already in place at OU.” Schnebel concurred with Bratzler’s view. “We understand that the virus comes with risk and we work to manage that risk every day,” said Schnebel. “As the student-athletes continue training and competing, we will continue to subject them to the same rigorous standards that have been in place thus far, while recommending other safeguards for stadium management and travel.
“To be clear, there are risks in playing, in not playing and in returning everyone to their homes. We feel that for the student-athletes’ mental and overall well-being, it is best to let them continue in this setting with the additional modifications that will be enacted as we expand to game settings.” With so many factors at play, concerns about whether the Big 12 will actually be able to conduct a season are very real. But, for now, the league is moving forwards in hopes of competing and completing a fall football schedule in 2020. “If we get to the place where our doctors and scientists say, ‘You know what, you guys got two wheels off the tracks and you’re headed for a train wreck,’ we will pivot that day,” Bowlsby said. “And if it’s during camp, it’s during camp. If it’s during October, it’s during October. If it’s the week before our championship game, that’s when it is. Making adjustments on the fly are going to be part of this. But our medical
BOYD STREET MAGAZINE | 35
professionals have said go forward, move slowly, make small adjustments and constantly be vigilant about changes in the environment. That’s what we’re listening to. They have told us that it’s safe to move forward on that basis. When they tell us otherwise, we will be listening to that as well.” The schedule release brought even more surprises for Sooner fans. Despite the fact that the Missouri Valley Conference shifted its season to the spring, the Sooners will still open up against Missouri State but the game has been moved to Sept. 12. After opening conference play against Kansas State on Sept. 26, the Sooners will spend the entire month of October away from Norman. The October stretch includes an Oct. 10 date with Texas, still scheduled to be played in the Cotton Bowl.
“We’ve done such a tremendous job really this entire time.” In addition to the nine players who tested positive, a relatively small number of players have been isolated due to contact tracing. “It’s a hindsight decision that would be pretty easy for me to say right now that I regret it,” Riley said. “I also feel like if I keep a team hemmed up here for a 6-7 week training camp, I would probably regret that, too.” The Sooners returned for voluntary workouts on July 1. After going three consecutive weeks with zero positive tests during voluntary workouts, the team did have one player test positive on the last week. But these nine positive tests are a reminder of just how challenging putting on a season will be and how much personal responsibility is involved.
ration efforts,” Castiglione said. “But it is by no means the only step. We have been and will continue working on protocols that will be in place for our student-athletes, staff and patrons. A capacity reduction will allow us to create distancing in the seating bowl. Other policies in the stadium will be introduced as we alter our operations because of the COVID-19 virus.” Stadium procedures have been developed to meet fan needs from “driveway to driveway,” according to Castiglione. The athletics department will unveil a new app just prior to the season that will contain an extensive list of services including digital ticketing, parking assistance, a digital game program and an interface with stadium concessions to allow fans to order in advance and pick up at designated locations. The university will also re-
However, the key word for the entire schedule is flexibility, as it has been for every angle of life during a pandemic. “We have to be flexible,” Castiglione said. “We have to be nimble, just like with issues around our players. Something that might develop might cause us to pivot, stopping practice or maybe not even having a game or a season. All that is still ahead of us.” With the schedule set, the Sooners are now in the process of preparing for the season, but even that came with a speed bump. Head Coach Lincoln Riley gave his team some time away from practices as the Big 12 made its decision. That time away resulted in more challenges as nine Sooners tested positive for COVID-19 upon the return to practice. “(We are) so disappointed by the news, obviously,” said Riley, who added all were community-based infections.
“We, as a team, have to do a better job of educating and mitigating as much as we possibly can when they are outside this facility,” Riley said. “What we’ve learned up to this point is when they’re (at the football facility), we’ve done a pretty good job. We’ve got to continue to do well and get better. “When they’re out of here, that’s been the most danger … in terms of students coming back. I think that’s a concern of every single college football coach in the country right now. The numbers game becomes much more difficult any way you slice it when these students all get back to campus, like what’s happening here at our university right now.” Beyond team preparations for the season, the Sooner administration continues to prepare for what a game day experience will look like for fans. “This is the next step in our prepa-
quire face coverings be worn in the stadium on game day. “That’s just the way it’s going to be,” Castiglione said. “I understand that might not be what people want to do. I respect that. I respect the fact that they don’t want to wear a mask, but if you’re going to come to a game at Oklahoma, it’s going to be a requirement. “If you don’t want to accept that, then you probably should make the decision not to come to the game and there’s just not going to be any argument about that.” The schedule is set, the Sooners and the Big 12 are moving forward and fans will be in the stands for the 2020 season, but even the best laid plans could change at a moment’s notice. “The season, while still on our radar screen, is not a guarantee,” Castiglione said. “It’s not a given.”-19SM
36 September 2020
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S P O RT S
BY: CHRIS PLANK
Photos by: Mark Doescher
The Chase for 8
40 September | July 20202020
Part 2 - Defense
I
n many ways, the last impression you make can be the ongoing impression. Under the leadership of Alex Grinch, the Sooners made tremendous strides, improving in just about every statistical defensive category and finished the season atop the Big 12 in total defense and passing defense. But, against LSU, the Sooners were rocked for 63 points and 693 total yards and the defense improvement was quickly forgotten. “Their performance in the playoff game was a total aberration,” a coach told Athlon Sports as part of its season preview. “I think any coach in this league would tell you that. Nothing about that game really matched up with the improvement they’d shown last year. I think the personnel killed them, too many injuries and too many suspensions. Grinch did a phenomenal job with them last year up until that point. “Don’t judge them on that game.” As Oklahoma continues its path towards defensive improvement, the biggest key in 2020 will be to replace threeyear starter Kenneth Murray while also finding another starting corner and someone to help bring the heat from the interior of the defensive line.
DEFENSIVE LINE When a handful of suspensions were handed down before the National Semi-Final game against LSU, none hit nearly as hard as the loss of Ronnie Perkins. The junior out of St. Louis had a breakout season finishing sec-
boydstreet.com
ond on the Sooners in both sacks and tackles for loss. The unknown of his status heading into the season is a concern for a young defensive line. “Those guys are going to work,” Riley said in the spring of the suspended players. “They’re going to practice and they’re going to get better just like the rest of the team. They’ve all had very strong off seasons and are doing a great job.” The Sooners added some new energy to the defensive line room with the addition of new assistant coach Jamar Cain. Calvin Thibodeaux continues his role with the defensive line while Cain will coach defensive ends and the outside linebacker position. “I’m just going to try to add to what’s already there,” Cain continued. “I’m going to have a relentless attitude, be as detailed as possible and try to build lasting relationships with the players and coaches. I can’t wait to get started.” Cain brings an impressive resume. His defensive line was one of the elements that helped Fresno State compile a 22-6 record over the 2017 and 2018 seasons and spent the last two seasons at Arizona State. “I’m real excited about the tandem of Calvin and Jamar,” Riley said. “I think that has a chance to be a really good one-two punch. I think that is going to be a big factor for us this year.” As excited as the Sooner head coach is about the coaching combination, he seems to be even more excited about the group he has coming back. Despite not featuring a defensive lineman over
300 pounds, Riley is incredibly confident in the talent the team has along the defensive line. “I feel good about it,” he said. “It was a huge priority in this recruiting class, both this recruiting class and the previous one, in developing some of the guys that got limited reps and were behind the scenes last year.” “We knew we were using a handful of guys that were graduating last year so the development of guys like Jordan Kelly, Isiah Thomas… that was big for us. Zach McKinney had a nice off-season. We’ve signed some JUCO players and were overly excited of what we saw in the spring from those guys before we had to shut down. We’ve got some youth and unproven guys but that’s one of those areas where we need them to step up.” The Sooners do return the leader in sacks in 2019 in Jalen Redmond and LaRon Stokes proved to be a consistent player when called upon. But, if there is one thing we have learned in year one under Alex Grinch, there is always room to improve and be better. “Jordan Kelley, all those guys, LaRon Stokes has to be a better playmaker for us,” Grinch said. “I love LaRon. He did a real nice job. I’m glad we had him, but we need production. That’s not being negative. That’s being real, and he would tell you the exact same thing. So all those guys in the middle, they certainly do have to produce more – and that includes everybody on our defense.”
LINEBACKER
Kenneth Murray became the first Oklahoma defensive player to be drafted in the first round since Gerald McCoy went third overall in 2010. Murray was a stabilizing force at middle linebacker and a two-year captain who led the Sooners in tackles in each of the last two seasons. With Murray on his way to Los Angeles to star for the Chargers, the Sooners are challenged to fill a monster void, as the quarterback of its defense is gone. Both DeShaun White and Caleb Kelly are the presumptive starters in the interior backer spots, but the Sooners have developed a solid amount of depth. BOYD STREET MAGAZINE | 41
“We’re gonna have some depth and talent in that room, without a doubt,” Riley said in a press conference in March. “Having Caleb back full speed, having DaShaun White back, Brian Asamoah has had a tremendous offseason so far and, I think, is one of the most talented guys in that room. Bryan Mead has been a steady fixture for several years now, and (true freshman) Shane Whitter has come in and done a really nice job. He’s been very impressive for a young guy so far.” Caleb Kelly came to the Sooners as a five-star prospect out of California but since stepping on campus has struggled to stay on the field. He moved from outside to inside linebacker in 2018 and lost most of his 2019 season thanks to a knee injury during spring drills. But Kelly fought his way back and played in the final four games of the 2019 season. With spring football being eliminated due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability to get on the field over those final four games ended up being a huge blessing, not just Kelly, but for the Sooner defense as well. “If he had not been able to play those games, we’d still be going through it now and potentially even into September,” Riley said. “He’s done it. He’s gained some competition. He’s played not just in games, but big games in this scheme.” DeShaun finished last season fourth on the team in tackles and continued to show improvement throughout the 42 September 2020
season in the new scheme. The outside linebacker position might be the most exciting in terms of potential. Both David Ugwoegbeu and Nik Bonito showed incredible poise and promise after an injury cut short John Michael-Terry’s season. All three are back this season and, with position changes for both Jamal Morris and Robert Barnes, there is a ton of depth.
DEFENSIVE BACK
The Sooners return nine of its 11 starters from its 2019 defense. One of those losses is at corner where Parnell Motley wrapped up his career with a stellar senior season. Now the Sooners will look to find a lockdown corner opposite of Tre Brown and continue to build overall depth in the secondary. The biggest jolt of energy for the Sooner secondary will be the return of Tre Norwood who missed last season with an injury. Norwood was a staple at cornerback for the Sooners having started 19 of 28 games headed into the 2019 season before the injury hit. “Tre Norwood is doing very well,” Riley said in March. “Exceeding expectations on rehab time, he’s gonna be able to get a lot of reps. He’s done a great job, our medical team’s done a tremendous job of getting him back. He certainly gained a lot of strength during that time, too, which I think is going to make him a much better player. We’re thrilled to have him back.” Norwood was working at nickel be-
fore the injury halted his season and questions remain on exactly where he could end up playing in 2020. Could he be the answer at arguably the most important position in the Alex Grinch defense? Or could he shift back to corner and work opposite Tre Brown? Last season Brown grabbed a pick, broke up 12 passes and registered 41 tackles from his corner spot. The development of Jayden Davis could end up playing a major role on where Norwood ends up this season. Davis played in all 14 games last season and made his first career start against West Virginia. But depth had always appeared to be an issue for the Sooners, not just the corner position but in the secondary. In the loss to Kansas State, Parnell Motley was kicked out of the game and Delarrin Turner-Yell missed most of the game with an injury. Against LSU, Turner-Yell was out with an injury and, after the ejection of Brendan Radley-Hiles, the Sooners had to turn to true Freshman Woodi Washington to fill the void a nickel. But, that has changed in 2020. “I think in terms of depth, we’re definitely gonna be in a good place,” Riley said. “There were times last spring where, especially at corner, there were some days when it was tough to even get near the amount of snaps that we wanted to get. So, we’re gonna be a deeper, more experienced group for sure.”
Newcomers Kendall Dennis (6’0, 174) or Joshua Eaton (6’2, 175) could be thrust into immediate action. True freshman D.J. Graham (5’11, 194) enrolled in January and might be more ready. Last season the Sooners improved 71 spots in the NCAA pass defense rankings and the improvement was thanks in large part to the continued development of the back end of the Sooner defense. Both Pat Fields and Delarrin Turner-Yell took over as the starting safeties and, with Bookie at nickel, the Sooners had consistency before Turner-Yell went down with an injury. Turner-Yell and Fields finished second and third respectively for the Sooners in tackles with Fields registering a pair of sacks and five pass break-ups. With all three returning, the Sooners have consistency but now, with improving depth, they also have competition. The addition of Bryson Washington and the development of names like Jeremiah Criddell, Justin Broiles and Justin Harrington could help provide much needed depth that was lacking through most of last season. The Sooners were improved last year. Now Grinch wants to see them continue to grind. “We haven’t patted ourselves on the back a whole lot in the last couple months talking about how great we did,” Grinch said. “I think there’s so much positive going on here. I like to think we’ve contributed to it as a defensive staff. Certainly, to a point, we’re pleased with the progress we’ve made, we’re awfully frustrated or upset at some of the results that we got last year. But that doesn’t dismiss the progress that we made. “I also think we’re just getting started, I really do. I use the term, ‘we’re not even good yet.’ Just wait until we get good.”
FINAL THOUGHT The Sooners are solid on special teams. Gabe Brkic left many wondering how he did not win the job out of camp last season as he not only hit the game winner against Baylor but did not miss a field goal the entire season. Reeves Mundschau averaged 42 yards per punt last season and boomed a season-long 67-yard punt. With Tre Brown back returning kicks, the only real question will revolve around who replaces Ceedee Lamb in the punt return game. But with playmakers like Drake Stoops and potentially T.J. Pledger or even Charleston Rambo, the Sooners have talent ready to step in. In preparing for 2020, the bottom line for the Sooners is to control what they can control. Conversations will continue about the season and if it should happen throughout the month of August. But when the off the field talk subsides and the Sooners finally step on the gridiron, it might be one of the most anticipated openers for Sooner football in years. From the potential start of the Rattler era at quarterback and a defense that is loaded with young talent to a group of unproven playmakers ready to show what they can do and a Sooner Nation ready to chase number eight, the season has the potential to be another special campaign for the University of Oklahoma.-19SM boydstreet.com
BOYD STREET MAGAZINE | 43
S P O RT S
BY: STEVE MARSHALL
Kickin It PRESENTED BY
Southmoore Sabercat Cameron Little accepts scholarship offer to play in the SEC
I
n the world of recruiting, there have traditionally been many high school football players from Oklahoma who were nationally ranked recruits. Quarterbacks, running backs and plenty of defensive backs have left Oklahoma and went on to play for teams in Power Five conferences. However, it is far less common to see nationally ranked Oklahoma kickers leave the state to play for SEC schools. This year, count Southmoore senior kicker Cameron Little as one of those rare athletes who is taking off to play in the SEC at the University of Arkansas.
His resume is impressive. Kohl’s Professional Football Camps ranks Little nationally as the No. 2 kicker and No. 8 punter in this year’s class. Little’s story began his freshman year as a soccer player at Southmoore.
“As a soccer player, I had always kicked the football around with my friends, but had never put on pads and had never seriously thought about kicking before,” 44 September 2020
Little shared. “My freshman year about seven weeks into the football season, I was asked to go out to football practice to see if I could help out as a kicker.
“I put on a football helmet for the first time and thought this is really different. (I) punted the football around for a bit. After a while, they asked me if I wanted to play in the JV game that night. I said, ‘Sure.’ I’ve been kicking ever since!” Little gave up soccer after his junior year to concentrate solely on kicking on the gridiron rather than the pitch. “I’m done with soccer for good now, I feel like I need to focus all my efforts on kicking as I have a really good chance to start at Arkansas,” he said. When asked about his best attributes, Little cited the consistency of his kicking abilities. He made five of his seven field goal attempts last year, including his longest at 47 yards.
Little shared that he has made a field goal from as far as 68 yards during practice, showing he is not only consistent
but has long range ability as well.
His favorite kickers in the NFL are Jake Elliot of the Philadelphia Eagles and Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens.
Little said some of the reasons he chose Arkansas were that it was only three hours away from home, that they have a great recruiting class and the Razorbacks have a dedicated special teams coach, Mike Krysl. Little added that he had an offer from Oklahoma State University, but the offer was as a preferred walk-on.
“I really like OSU, but I was looking for a scholarship offer,” he explained. “Oklahoma’s best offer was to redshirt and maybe punt later down the road as the Sooners already have a very good young kicker in sophomore Gabe Brkic.” As you follow Oklahoma high school football this fall, keep an eye on Cameron Little, place kicker and punter for the Southmoore Sabercats as he prepares for next year as a Razorback.-19SM
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B U S I N E SS
BY: CHELSEY KRAF T
Bodyworx
Primary Care & Physical Therapy
P
Patients seeking physical therapy or primary care have a new option
hillicia Hawkins, who graduated from Langston University in 2008 with her doctorate degree in physical therapy, opened the first Bodyworx Physical Therapy clinic in 2013 in her hometown of Oklahoma City. About three years later, she added a location in Mustang. As of earlier this year, the newest Bodyworx facility can be found at 4019 North Flood Ave in Norman. Growing up with a mom who was in the medical field, Hawkins always had a love for medicine. She was drawn to physical therapy because of the way it allowed her to take a hands-on approach to someone’s care. At Bodyworx, she places focus on quality care for patients. “I wanted to create a facility that provided quality care with the patient as a priority,” Hawkins shared about why she opened the initial clinic. “We have to make ends meet, but we don’t want to lose the quality of care that
48 September 2020
we give patients. We also want to have a place where employees enjoy coming to work because if they’re in good spirits and they’re happy and enjoy what they’re doing, that just leads to better care too for patients. We’re trying to have a two-fold facility for patients and for employees to flourish.”
eran disability assistance, aesthetics with Botox, juvederm dermal fillers, B12 injections, hydration therapy, massage therapy, cupping and dry needling. They are also willing to expand their offerings to match community needs and will research and develop a plan to implement new treatments.
Bodyworx offers comprehensive physical therapy services to its patients, including orthopedic physical therapy, manual therapy, an AlterG unweighting treadmill, mechanical traction, dry needling, cupping, massages and more, with treatment tailored specifically for each patient.
Leading the primary care initiative is nurse practitioner Kristal Vasquez, who recently started at Bodyworx and will be providing primary care for adult and geriatric patients. Additionally, the facility is going to offer a range of aesthetic procedures to help people look and feel their best. This includes facials, dermal fillers and hyperhidrosis treatments, using Botox to help with excessive sweating.
In addition to physical therapy, the Norman location also provides primary care, and Hawkins said they are excited to expand into this area and offer additional services to the community. Bodyworx goal is to provide holistic healthcare treating the mind, body and spirit offering primary care, vet-
“With it being a new facility, it gives me the opportunity to ask the clients what they want and what they envision for our future,” Vasquez explained. “We can connect with the community so I
can find out what the community’s needs are and then tailor our services. I think that that’s wonderful.” Bodyworx Physical Therapy is accepting new patients, and people can call 253-5076 to make an appointment or visit bodyworxpt.com for more information. The facility is taking precautions for COVID-19, including wearing masks and sanitizing and cleaning measures, Vasquez said. When it comes to therapy, Hawkins shared that Bodyworx takes a holistic approach and that may mean looking not just at the joint that a patient is visiting for but also checking above and below to get a more complete view of the issue, especially if it’s a chronic one. This holistic mindset also extends to the environment. “We try to keep our environment uplifting,” Hawkins stated. “It’s a medical facility, but we try to have fun. We try to keep people uplifted, and I feel like that helps a lot with your rehab if we can get you motivated and to keep coming and being consistent.” Vasquez echoed this thought, saying the location offers a professional but laid-back atmosphere where people can banter while watching a football or basketball game. “Our clients are more like friends and family than they are a patient,” Vasquez continued. “We keep it professional where we have a physician-patient relationship, but we also try to incorporate them into more of a family. We know who they are, when they’re coming in and they know all of us, not just their provider.” –19SM
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