Boyd Street Magazine March 2023

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THE SHARE CENTER

In order to better serve the Norman community, Food and Shelter, Inc. continues to expand its offerings. The next major project is The Share Center.

As the name implies, Food and Shelter offers a wide range of support services for those struggling in the community, which all fit under the umbrella of food or shelter services. April Doshier, executive director, explained that people come through their doors for a variety of reasons, including to eat breakfast or lunch in the dining room, visit the food pantry or to utilize rent and utility assistance services.

Doshier added that the organization also operates a day and emergency shelter and offers motel vouchers for situations where the shelter is full or someone with children needs a place to stay. There is also a supportive housing program where people can stay while tackling the obstacles that led to homelessness and a permanent supportive housing program for chronically homeless individuals.

“I think people think about Food and Shelter and they think we serve people who are homeless, but we also do so much more than that,” Doshier explained. “We serve the greater part of our community that struggles each and every day, and it is really those people who inspired the development of The Share Center.”

In 2012, the Regional Food Bank launched its Food and Resource Center Program, and The Share Center follows this model that is replicated across the state. Food and Shelter established its food pantry in 2018 after Katie Fitzgerald, then CEO of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, shared statistics that showed Norman needed a food distribution center, Doshier explained.

Doshier and Sunny Hill, Food and Shelter’s chef, transformed the kitchen storage area into a shopping center where guests could come pick out food. As the pantry grew in popularity, the pair knew the site’s size would not be sufficient any longer, so they started planning for a larger location in March 2020. Once the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the project was stalled, but Doshier said they started seeing the need for the larger pantry more than ever.

“We have been so lucky that we have champions in the community who believe in our work so much that they came with us and have helped make it possible,” Doshier said, adding that the McKown Family, Ideal Homes and Landmark Fine Homes have been key partners.

Christy Blair, associate director of The Share Center, called it “one of the most exciting things” she has ever

been asked to participate in. About a year ago, she started forming relationships with partner agencies who will collaborate with the nonprofit in the future. The resource space in The Share Center will feature different organizations under one roof, allowing clients to connect quickly with resources they need instead of having to make later appointments.

The Share Center is still under construction, but the hope is to open the facility this spring. Food and Shelter is already offering literacy classes and hopes to add financial literacy classes in the future. Blair mentioned the Salvation Army, with its Bridges Out of Poverty class, and Goodwill Industries, which elevates job potential for people by teaching different skills, as two organizations that will be involved.

Food and Shelter is also looking at partnering with DoorDash, whose nonprofit arm pays drivers to deliver food boxes from pantries to people in need. Other organizations Blair hopes to get involved at The Share Center include the health department, Social Security Administration and Veterans Affairs, to name a few.

Both Doshier and Blair expressed how vital volunteers are to the mission of Food and Shelter and the important role they will play at The Share Center. There will be a range of volunteer opportunities for people of all ages, including unloading trucks, stocking shelves, sorting donations, greeting guests, helping in the shopping area and bagging groceries.

“The Share Center is a space for everybody,” Blair explained. “It’s not just for the people who need the services but also for people who want to help their community be a better place. We’re going to need a lot of volunteers to participate in making the whole thing work. The Share Center is going to be sharing with everyone in our community, enhancing relationships and making quality of life better for people, those who receive and those who give.”

Food and Shelter’s main offices are located at 201 Reed Ave, and The Share Center will be located next door at 211 Reed Ave. To learn more about Food and Shelter, visit the organization’s website at foodandshelterinc.org or call 405-360-4954.– BSM

“The Share Center is a space for everybody,” Christy Blair explained. “It’s not just for the people who need the services but also for people who want to help their community be a better place.”

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C O N F I D E N C E O

LEADERSHIP. FRIENDSHIPS. LIFE CHANGING.

CALLING ALL JUNIORS

YOU COULD WIN A TRIP TO WASHINGTON, D.C.!

JUNE 16-22, 2023

PART 1: COMMUNITY PROJECT

Cooperatives are businesses created by like-minded people to address a common unmet need. Cooperatives come in all shapes and sizes, but they all hold to the seven Cooperative Principles and core values of selfhelp, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity. This is what makes the cooperative difference.

ASSIGNMENT:

ALL EXPENSE PAID TRIP

The Oklahoma Rural Electric Youth Tour is an annual, weeklong, all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., that is open to select high school juniors (seniors-to-be) who attend schools located in co-op service areas.

Imagine you are granted $500 to create a project benefitting your community. How would you utilize the funds? Create a project proposal outlining your project using the sample template as a basis.

PART 2: COMMUNITY PROJECT PROMOTION

An event, fundraiser, or community initiative will only succeed if people know and care about it.

ASSIGNMENT:

Create a promotional video for your community project*.

(Max: 2 min/2 MB)

*Find tips for creating your video at www.okcoop.org/ YouthTour

Scan here to learn more and apply!

PART 3: LETTER TO A LEADER

Oklahoma Youth Tour allows students to see the government working up close. During our day on Capitol Hill, we walk the halls of Congress, visit with members of the Oklahoma federal delegation, and tour the U.S. Capitol. Being an informed and active constituent is an important civic duty.

ASSIGNMENT: Write a professional letter to an elected official about an issue important to you. This could be the issue surrounding your community project or an unrelated issue.

*Find examples of elected officials and ways to contact them at www.okcoop.org/ YouthTour

Activity Rooms | Elevators | Game Room

Movie Room | Valet Trash Service | Fitness Room

Storm Shelter | Garden | Beauty/Barber Shop

Shuttle Service | 2" Blinds | Dog Park

Internet Service | Handicap Accessible

STUDENTS FOR SOLAR

Students for Solar founding members

Students at Irving Middle School decided to tackle a big problem – the energy needs of their school. In 2018, Irving students, with the help of two teachers, Sarah Chan and Laura Vaughn, formed the Students for Solar Club with the desire to learn about solar power and advocate for the use of renewable energy in their school and in the Norman community.

“Utilities are the second largest expense for school districts after teacher salaries,” Chan said. “Our students are excited about this opportunity. They are working to tackle real world problems and they have pursed that relentlessly.”

After researching renewable energy sources and the energy costs for their own school, club members set out to raise funds for a solar panel system that could be installed in the school’s garden and outdoor classroom space. They attended local events including Norman’s Earth Day celebration to raise awareness of their efforts, but the COVID pandemic forced them to shift their plans. The students then decided to start a letter writing campaign.

“They drafted several letters and got several hits from those letters,” Chan shared. “They introduced themselves and why they cared and talked about the financial, educational and environmental impact at our school.”

They received support from OEC and Wildwood Community Church as well as other organizations in the Norman community.

“OEC has been very generous to give several tours of an actual working solar farm and let our students talk to the expert who designed it,” Vaughn said. “That has fueled the fire for our kids.”

The students also sent a letter to OG&E who happened to be in the process of gearing up for a pilot program to test the effectiveness of solar technology in schools.

“Schools are really interested in using renewable energy to reduce their energy bills,” shared Jessica King, supervisor of customer programs at OG&E. “We have been researching what combination provides the most value for schools.”

Irving was one of three schools selected for an onsite solar panel installation. Construction will begin soon on the structure and is expected to be completed before the end of the school year. Past and present club members as well as representatives from OG&E celebrated the groundbreaking in January.

Students helped design the structure and will be a part of ongoing research, which Chan said offers a

BY: LINDSAY CUOMO

Student Club Seeks to Address Community Needs With Renewable Energy

unique chance to see what career opportunities are available in the renewable energy industry.

“A big component for Norman schools is getting our kids college and career ready,” Chan explained. “We want to leave as many doors open as we can.”

Scott Martin, Norman Chamber of Commerce president, said he has been inspired by the student-led initiative.

“The OG&E solar project at Irving Middle School is an outstanding opportunity for students to receive a hands-on immersive experience,” he said. “I love the fact that this was a student-led initiative and how quickly OG&E jumped at the chance to support this effort. Having this kind of technology at students’ fingertips is invaluable in the learning process.”

Irving Middle School and OG&E will continue to collaborate for several years as they research the effectiveness of the solar panels. The school will have a monitoring system so they can see in real time how much energy their panels are producing. OG&E will also provide ongoing educational opportunities.

“Supporting education and protecting the environment, through unique, innovative energy solutions are part of how OG&E energizes life,” said King. “The solar project at Irving Middle School checks all these boxes.

“We are delighted to provide this installation to the school and can’t wait to see how the new technology further energizes education in Norman and beyond.”– BSM

Students, teachers and the community celebrated the groundbreaking in January.

BY: LINDSAY CUOMO

Prizes – The No. 1 reason to attend the 68Team Giveaway are the prizes. You could win BIG prizes including furniture, jewelry, golf outings, waterpark admission and much more!

Camaraderie – KREF program director TJ Perry said spending time with fellow college basketball fans is his favorite part. “It’s always a special event,” he said. “The giveaway has become about togetherness, about friends getting together.”

College Basketball – KREF fans can put their names in to be selected to align their luck with one of the 68 teams participating in the NCAA Basketball tournament. How far your team advances will determine your chance to win a prize. If your favorite team falls short, you’ll have another team to root for.

Meet the On-Air Personalities - Toby Rowland, host of the “T-Row in the Morning Show” and Voice of the Sooners, said he appreciates the opportunity to engage with listeners and callers. “This is the one time where a significant percentage of listeners are all under the same roof at the same time,” Rowland said. “Everybody’s excited about the tournament, and we all get together to figure out who is going to win this thing.”

Clayton Moore Spring Sports Preview

NORMAN BASEBALL

The Norman Tigers enter the 2023 season following a terrific 23-12 campaign last season.

NHS returns a nice one-two starting punch on the bump in senior righty and Seminole State commit Clayton Moore alongside senior lefty Liam McKinney.

We “jumped onto the scene last year and had a really good year on the mound,” said head baseball coach Cody Merrell. “(Moore) is bigger and stronger this year and we hope to see him build off last season.”

Merrell is thrilled to have McKinney’s experience back, too. The senior is entering his fourth year on varsity.

McKinney “has been a starter and reliever the past three years,” Merrell said. “Liam finished last season pitching better than he ever has. He is also a productive left-handed bat that has shown he can hit with some power this fall.”

Junior left-hander Trace Redwine will be a key arm for the Tigers too and will factor in at first base. Junior Dax Noles will play shortstop and bat at the top of Norman’s order.

Senior catcher Jack Poarch is a key leader for the Tigers who will be counted upon to manage the pitching staff and deliver more big hits as he did a season ago.

“We have several players coming back for their third or fourth year on varsity,” Merrell said. “There is only one team at the end of the year that is going to be happy. Hopefully, we are the ones smiling.”

Merrell highlighted the Tigers’ regular Monday and Tuesday district contests among Norman’s most important dates. That includes the final three weeks of April when he hopes NHS is playing its best.

NORMAN SLOW PITCH SOFTBALL

The Norman slow pitch team is looking to build the program up from a three-win campaign in 2022. Senior Avery Bozeman is a key cog to watch at shortstop for the Tigers.

“She has power and the ability to place the ball where needed,” head coach Carly Edelen said of Bozeman. “She brings strong leadership and strong softball IQ to the team.”

Jordyn Mays, Bella Wrany and Myleigh Beard will all be important pieces in the NHS outfield with “great speed, good arms and great situational hitting IQ that will help us tremendously,” according to Edelen.

Jenna Welch figures to factor in at both first and third base and will add some power to Norman’s lineup.

BY: JOSH HELMER

Lastly, Ryleigh Lane will be inside the circle and provide a strong bat and great leadership as one of NHS’s younger players.

“Our team’s expectation for this year is to compete from the start of the game, down to the last inning,” Edelen said of her squad. “We are a young team that will see some tough competition this season. Our ability to compete every inning, have a strong mental focus, and play as a unit will be key.”

Edelen’s staff will be concentrate on academic excellence, skill development, sport IQ and overall player performance.

Key dates include Crosstown Clashes versus Norman North on March 20 and April 13, home games against Lindsay and Lawton MacArthur on March 23 and games against Southmoore and Deer Creek on March 28.

NORMAN TRACK

Norman track is excited for its annual meet they host in late April - the Gregg Byram Track & Field Classic.

“We feel like we have a good balance across most of the events, and we want to be at our best in the month of May,” said head coach Scott Monnard of his boys’ team.

Norman returns one of the state’s top sprinters in Devin Alexander and one of the state’s top long jumpers in Tias McClarty. Alexander finished second in the state in the 100m dash with a time of 10.71.

Monnard also highlighted All-State cross country runners Michael Parker and Phin Bonner as a pair that should contend for medalist status in the distance categories.

“We feel like our girls’ team has a chance to be one of the most improved teams in Class 6A this spring,” Monnard said.

He and the Tigers are excited about their crop of freshmen. Payton Fox is a name to watch out for in regard to state qualification in distance events and senior Bree Wishard is expected to be the Tigers’ top thrower.

NORMAN BOYS SOCCER

The Norman boys’ soccer team heads into the 2023 season after a 12-5 finish that included a trip to the state quarterfinals. Legendary head coach Gordon Drummond enters his 39th season guiding the Tigers.

“I am always an optimist in beginning a new season,” Drummond said. “The boys show promise and a great deal of energy, so confidence is high. I do not think that in this case, it is misplaced. In fact, I feel that this will be a very successful year.”

Last spring, Drummond picked up his 400th career win as the Tigers’ head coach. Under his leadership, Norman has won four state championships.

Several key contributors have Tiger fans hopeful that Norman can make a push toward a fifth state title under Drummond. JT Deaton and Diego Leal will start in the midfield, while Zach Lopez and Ethan Zienalpour are two players opponents will have to contend with at forward.

“All four have considerable high school experience and that will be of great importance since we have a very tough district schedule,” Drummond said.

The Crosstown Clash on March 7 is a key date.

“The game has great meaning to the players on both sides, and therefore it is always a close and highly contested game. This year it will be played at Norman North,” Drummond said. “As for our district schedule, last season five of our seven district games were decided by one or two goals, so I expect the same this season.”

NORMAN GIRLS SOCCER

The Norman girls’ soccer team finished last season 8-7 under the leadership of head coach Kevin Chesley. He is looking for the Tigers to take their next step forward.

“I want to build on our success from last season. At a minimum, I would like to make the playoffs, with an eye toward hosting some playoff games,” Chesley said.

Fans can expect to see senior Maddie Reinke in goal for much of the season. Along with Reinke, fellow seniors Julia Crowson, Leah Crowson, Greta Mansell and Sasha Hays will be counted upon for “experience and determination,” according to Chesley.

A trio of Tigers will be playing college soccer after this coming season. That group features Texas Tech signee Chloe Soto and Tulsa signees Aniya Facen and Kaylyn Simmons.

Kimberlyn Bruehl, Jane Lockhart and Avery Raney are other players that will bolster the Tigers’ attack. Defensively, Ally Garn, Carys Lindsay, Elle Mohrmann and Sarah Crowson will challenge opposing offenses.

Several dates fans can look forward to include the Crosstown Clash on March 7, a trip to Arkansas to close March that features a game against Jenks and a tilt against the defending state champion Deer Creek Antlers on April 18.

NORMAN GOLF

Norman boys’ golf is returning four seniors that will be

expected to be key contributors. Three of those senior golfers started at 6A State last season where the Tigers registered a fifth-place finish. That trio is Ben Campbell, Dennon Norman and Quinn Robertson.

The Tigers also welcome in talented move-in golfer Sebastian Salazar from Venezuela. He is currently ranked No. 957 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

“The focus since last August is…’Unfinished Business,’” head boys’ golf coach Gregg Grost said. “The team has its stated goal, a 6A state championship. Last year, we did not finish what we started. Everything individually and collectively is about finishing.”

Several key dates to watch include the Tiger Invitational on April 10 at The Trails and the Crosstown Clash at Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club on April 22.

“One exciting event that we started in 2021 is The Clash,” Grost said. “Held annually at Jimmie Austin, NHS versus Norman North in a match-play format! This head-to-head match is something both schools love and it is similar to what more and more college golf teams are doing across the country.”

On the girls’ side, standout golfers include Logan Jakus, Tatum Smith, Kayla Mays and Angel Allen.

“This season, I want to see our scores mirroring how we practice. I think the girls can do really well if they truly believe they can. That’s my goal as the coach,” head coach Lilly Boehm said.

Their season opener is the Jenks Invitational on March 29. Other key dates are April 1 at Fountainhead Creek and the regional tournament from Westwood on April 25.

NORMAN TENNIS

Norman tennis begins in March with the hopes of ending its season right where the year begins. The Tigers open their season versus Carl Albert from the Oklahoma City Tennis Center. Coincidentally, that’s where both regionals and state action will take place.

“Our goal as a team is to play to the best of our potential and get as many athletes to the state tournament as possible,” head coach Wyatt Cummings said.

Athletes to watch include Caleb Stovall, Owen Willenborg, Cuinn Hayes, Saleh Kennedy and Abbi Sieber.

Regional action for the girls takes place on May 1 and on May 8 for the boys.

Norman has March dates against Carl Albert, Ada, Shawnee and Claremore. Then, in April, the Tigers battle Tecumseh, Union, Pauls Valley and Edmond North. The annual Crosstown Clash is set for April 12 at Norman North.– BSM

NORMAN NORTH BASEBALL

Norman North enters the 2023 season after another successful campaign under the direction of longtime head coach Brian Aylor. The Timberwolves finished in Regional play with a 24-13 mark.

North returns a pair of senior middle infielders in shortstop Jackson Lundquist and second baseman Landon Bruce that combined for 72 stolen bases last season.

Lundquist is a Paris JC commit, while Bruce is a San Jacinto JC commit. Bruce batted at a .381 clip and Lundquist hit .351 last season.

Senior outfielder Cole Warren will be another key cog in the lineup after delivering a .353 average last season. A pair of juniors, catcher Lane Evans and first baseman Harrison Utley, are two other T-Wolves to watch.

Evans caught 128 innings last year and threw out 35% of runners in 2022. Utley, a 6-foot-4, 275-pound prospect, hit .345 last season and is expected to add more pop to his bat in 2023.

A trio of right-handers will be key for North this season. Senior righty Brett Trease and junior right-handers Tanner Ellis and Spencer Ille will all be pivotal on the bump for the Timberwolves.

North is replacing 75% of its innings pitched from 2022, so how quickly those three and others can come along will go a long way toward determining the T-Wolves’ 2023 prognosis.

“We have a great mixture of veteran players with young up-and-coming players,” Aylor said. “We will be strong defensively as well as at the plate and we have a unique combination of speed and power offensively. We are working hard to develop our pitching staff and the players are buying into what needs to be done to win at a high level.”

NORMAN NORTH SLOW PITCH

Norman North softball enters the slow pitch season after a 21-15 fast pitch run that ended in Regionals. Last year, the Timberwolves notched a 23-14 mark in slow-pitch play.

“This season our expectations are to have fun and enjoy the game while getting better,” head coach Trey Palacol said. “We have a really young group anchored by some older kids. So, the biggest takeaway would be to grow in leadership and be better than we started.”

Several standouts to watch this spring include Mack Drennan, Marcella Oballa, Kaitlyn Webb and Tayslee Williams.

“These four have had had a great offseason. I am really excited for them all to get on the field and see the fruits of their hard work,” Palacol said.

Landon Bruce Spring Sports Preview

BY: JOSH HELMER

The T-Wolves begin play in the Dibble Tournament on March 6-7 and play Norman in the Crosstown Clash at Norman North on March 20 and at NHS on April 13.

NORMAN NORTH TRACK

Norman North track and field enters the 2023 season with a number of athletes to keep tabs on. The Timberwolves expect Camden Pratcher, Reagan Peters and Zain Prater to all be difference-makers in sprints. Pratcher and Peters will both compete in long jump and relays, respectively.

Kinley Kite, Ryan Jackson, Shandell Riddle, Stevi Johnson and Halley Jewell will compete in the mid-distance events. Parker Gladhill will join Jackson as a name to watch in hurdles. Duante Moses should also shine in throws.

Head coach Jonathan Koscinski said his goal is “to get as many athletes to State as possible.”

“We have very deep teams for both the boys and girls, and I think we have a shot to get someone to State in almost every event.”

Key dates for Norman North include the COAC meet and Pre-State from Yukon High School on April 6 and 13. Then, the Norman Invitational on April 22 before Regionals on May 6.

NORMAN NORTH BOYS SOCCER

For the seventh time in program history, Norman North captured the ultimate prize last spring. The T-Wolves used a late goal from Gabe Angle to top Mustang 1-0 in the title tilt. Naturally, that means there’s lofty goals entering this season.

“Coming off a state championship win last year, expectations are obviously pretty high,” head coach Khalil Benalioulhaj said. “I talk to the boys a lot about just setting our expectations around our inputs rather than our outputs - not necessarily expecting a state championship, but expecting us to work extremely hard, to play at a high level, to work together as a unit and to be aligned in everything we do.

“There’s a lot of expectations placed on us and we’ll see what we’re able to do this year and if we can successfully repeat.”

For North, it starts with the return of senior goalkeeper Will Sutherlin.

“He’s a great athlete,” Benalioulhaj said. “He’s a good goalkeeper, but he’s also got a unique skillset with his ability to kick the ball at least 60, sometimes 70 yards.”

On the back line, junior Carson Newmark and sophomore Miguel Madrigal are two important defenders to watch. Junior midfielder Alex Sonne is one of the rising stars in the state and someone that is a top scorer on his club team. Seniors Bostyn Carroll and Owen Whitman are both great on the ball. Benalioulhaj expects they will have a lot of assists and goals this season.

Seniors Luke Wheeler and Benito Velasco will be other contributors to watch.

Key dates to mark include the season opener versus Deer Creek on March 3, Crosstown Clash versus Norman High on March 7 and April 21 against Mustang in a state title rematch.

Timberwolf Girls’ Soccer Team

NORMAN NORTH GIRLS SOCCER

Norman North nearly tracked down the program’s fourth State Championship and the third under the guidance of head coach Trevor Laffoon last season. Instead, North fell just short in penalty kicks versus Deer Creek in the State Championship game.

The T-Wolves have a pair of keepers in Mallory Osborn and Callie Sullivan that they are excited about. Defensively, Aubrey Shipman, Zoe Walker, Lennon Parker and Parker McGraw will play “major roles defensively for us, keeping opponents at zero,” said Laffoon.

Junior forward Narissa Fults is committed to Arizona and has started each of the past two seasons for North. She figures to be one of the T-Wolves’ top goal scorers. Senior center midfielder Preslee Amick is another name to watch for North. She is committed to Washburn and has started each of the past two years.

“I think we have the players to get us back to the final and win State again,” Laffoon said. “We will have a lot of new faces out there for us, all players that have played at high levels. We just need to get buy-in from all the girls and outwork everyone else.”

NORMAN NORTH GOLF

The Norman North boys golf team returns to play this spring fresh off the program’s first-ever State Championship. The T-Wolves outlasted Edmond North in a playoff from Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club to capture their first crown.

Now, Norman North is looking to double down. The Timberwolves return captains Max Courange and Josh Stuart. That duo finished 23rd and tied-34th individually at State. They each carded final-round 76s to help propel North into the playoff.

Norman North head boys’ golf coach Ryan Rainer described that duo as “experienced and our hardest workers.”

Mack Moore and Dax Rambo are both “talented” and “have some serious firepower,” he said.

Rainer and North are looking for a little bit more consistency from those two.

Beyond that, senior Josh Bertman’s game is really taking shape and has drawn comparisons from his coach to former teammate Leyton Kyle. Kyle finished second and three strokes back of the individual state champion in Stillwater’s Grant Gudgel last spring.

Freshman Hayden Russ is someone whose talent could shine early for North.

“There is a lot of untapped potential,” Rainer said. “The kid is working hard and is receptive to coaching and the improvement process.”

In addition to the annual Crosstown Clash from Jimmie Austin on April 22, the Timberwolf Invitational at Belmar Golf Club will feature eight of the top teams in the state. It’s a fun format where the morning is 18 holes of stroke play to set up seeding for the afternoon match play.

The Norman North girls’ golf team is looking to improve upon a 10th-place finish at State. Head coach Butch Roberts said junior Syrah Javed and freshman Juliana Hong are top performers and will have a chance to contend for the individual title this season.

Several key dates include the state preview on March 27, the conference tournament on April 3 and regionals on April 25.

NORMAN NORTH TENNIS

The Norman North boys’ tennis team finished with five team points last season, while the girls’ team had a pair of team points at State last spring.

Though the injury bug has hit the girls’ squad, head coach Phil Corbett is focused on sending several of his players to state.

“We have lost the top two players for the season through injuries,” he said. “So, my expectations have altered some. I will need to play two freshmen this year and mix and match other players until I find the right combinations for my doubles. As always though, my goal is to get all six to state every year.”

Seniors Makenzie Caddell and Peyton Benson have played well and lettered all four years at Norman North.

Fellow senior Erin Diehl is impressing Corbett with her play at the net, a trait that should translate well to doubles play.

Freshmen Lillian Dai and Sadie Epps are two young names to have on the radar.

Norman North opens its season on March 4 against strong competition at the Carl Albert Tournament. Corbett says this tournament can set the tone for the season.

“(The Carl Albert Tournament) really lets you know where your team is at the start of the season,” Corbett said.

Other dates to look forward to include the Deer Creek 8 on March 21 and Crosstown Clash on April 12.

Several seniors to watch on the boys’ side include Tage Rex and Cooper McGuire.

“We have a lot of seniors this year that have been building their skills up and I’m excited to see what we are capable of this season,” boys’ head coach Kirk Hays said. “I have expectations for both singles players and doubles teams to make it to state with no issue. From there, we will hope to make it to day two and get at least one player or team on the podium like we did last year.”

Tournaments for the boys started on March 1 against Ardmore. Several other dates to watch include March 22 at Deer Creek and April 28 at Heritage Hall.– BSM

Photos by: Josh GateleyOU athletics

Jackson Nicklaus

Chaos is defined as complete disorder and confusion. Behavior so unpredictable as to appear random. In some cases, chaos can be problematic, even devastating, but that is exactly what OU baseball is trying to create for its opponents –“ChaOUs.”

ChaOUs has led to a new energy and refreshed approach as the Sooner Baseball team begins its pursuit of a return trip to Omaha. After winning the Big 12 Tournament and blazing a trail through the Regionals and Super Regionals, the Sooners first trip to World Series since 2010 and first-ever trip to the Championship series has left the team and its passionate fanbase wanting more.

REGGIE WILLITS

Before looking back at the incredible run to the World Series and the upcoming challenge of 2023, it is important to realize a moment that changed the trajectory of OU baseball. In October 2021, just months before the start of the 2022 season, Sooner head coach Skip Johnson announced the addition of Reggie Willits to the Sooner coaching staff.

Willits, who had been on the New York Yankees

BY: CHRIS PLANK

Despite living a dream come true while coaching with the Yankees, the pull of home was too much for Willits and his family to ignore.

“It was a decision my wife and I talked and prayed about a lot. It was a tough decision,” Willits said. “Since I was a kid, I always wanted to be in the Major Leagues. To accomplish that as a player and a coach was a big dream of mine and to do it in New York with a first-class organization run by great people was truly a dream come true.

“My son was going to be a senior in high school, and I wanted to be a part of that last year. My job in New York had me gone until October. That last year I only saw him for four days in that span from February to October.”

Willits returned to his alma mater and has made an instant impact. Johnson charged him with essentially an offensive coordinator role. Willits installed his ChaOUs mindset but it took time. With Willits’ guidance over the OU offense, the Sooners hit .293 as a team, scoring 7.5 runs and picking up 9.8 hits per game, ranking fourth in the country with 145 total steals.

“It took them time to learn the style of play that we were after and in fairness to the players, they were put in a tough spot since I got hired late after the major league baseball season,” Willits said. “It was almost the equivalent of hiring an offensive

Wallace Clark

This past offseason, Clay Van Hook left the Sooner staff to become the head coach and Johnson promoted Willits to associate head coach and a full-time member of the Sooner staff.

At the core of the Sooner offensive attack is the “ChaOUs” mindset. But what exactly does that mean? How can it best be described in how it relates to the Sooner baseball attack?

“We’re willing to do anything at any time,” Johnson said. “Still in control but it’s reckless so to speak. We’re going to attack. We’re not afraid of failure and the fear in it. You’re going to play the game unafraid. You’re going to play hard. That’s who we are, that’s what we do.”

The 2022 season was the first time an Oklahoma team collected at least 100 stolen bases since 1996 (104) and the total of 145 steals was the most since the 1989 season (168). It was the 13th time since 1962 that an OU team has totaled at least 100 stolen bases in a single season. OU surpassed its total from all last year (46 steals) in the 18th game of this season.

“I don’t know what the exact meaning is, 100 people would give you 100 different answers,” Willits said. “But for us, and what we do internally, it’s just about who we are. As a player, nobody wants to hear about what you used to do. But there are certain attributes that allow people to win consistently, there certain attributes those people have and we’re trying to instill those in our play-

But ChaOUs is more than just stealing a bag or being an aggressive base-stealing team. It truly is a mindset. OU led the Big 12 in five statistical categories - walks (378), times hit by pitch (97), on-base percentage (.410), sacrifice bunts (35) and walks al-

“We’re going to put pressure on you. We want our reputation to proceed us,” Willits added. “When you see OU on your schedule, you better be worried - that kind of anxiety you can put on the opposing team is something you hope allows

The ChaOUs mindset helped fuel the Sooners. The Sooners registered at least 40 victories for the 24th time in program history, and the first since 2013. OU’s 45 wins were the most since 2010 which was the last season the Sooners went to the World Series.

Kale Davis

Sooners had to overcome adversity all season long. Oklahoma went 27-12 from April 12 through the end of the season, after posting an 18-12 record through the first 30 games. The Sooners also spent the entire postseason, and the final six weeks of the season overall, away from home, compiling a 14-5 record in that span. The Sooners went on the road and won the Gainesville Regional and the Blacksburg Super Regional, winning a total of 26 games away from home.

“What our players did last year was remarkable but if you were to ask Skip or anyone on that staff they would say the same thing,” Willits said. “It’s not what we did, it’s how hard our players worked and the toughness they showed daily. It was fun to be a part of it in a small way.”

The pitching made a massive impact for the Sooners down the stretch of the season. Riding the hot arms of Cade Horton, Jake Bennett, David Sandlin and the attitude and fire of Trevin Michael out of the pen, the Sooner staff was impressive, but in some ways maybe too impressive.

The World Series impact that Horton made led to a top ten selection in the MLB Draft and while many projected Horton to be the 2023 Friday night starter, he was drafted by the Chicago Cubs.

OU’s 11 selections in the 2022 MLB Draft were the most of any school nationally. The Sooners had seven players selected in the first 10 rounds of the 2022 MLB Draft, setting a program record. The previous high was six in 2009. This was the first time the Sooners had three players selected in the first two rounds of the MLB Draft. OU has now produced three firstround draft picks in five years under Johnson.

THE RETURNERS

Losing 11 players to the draft, the most of any school in the country, Skip Johnson acknowledges “reloading” is essential for the Sooners.

“We’ve gotta continue to grow in those areas,” Johnson said. “Those guys gotta step up and play, and the guys that didn’t pitch much as freshmen pitch a little bit. They’ve got to be better, and they’ve been better. We’ll see how much better when our games start in the spring.”

The Sooners’ trip to Omaha ended two wins short of a national championship, but with much of the team starting from scratch, Johnson acknowledges the importance of going back to the basics.

“I think you just gotta be fundamentally sound,” Johnson said. “I think that’s the thing that’s fun — trying to reteach those guys to have team chemistry, under-

stand the fundamentals of offense, understand the fundamentals of the pitching staff, fundamentals of the defense and the fundamentals of being a Sooner.”

And Johnson does not have to worry about his team carrying itself differently or being overconfident, and there is a simple reason why.

“We’ve got about four guys left, everyone else is playing professional baseball,” Johnson joked. “But that’s what we’re supposed to do though. Our job is to graduate them from college - be really good students and move them on to professional baseball where hopefully they get to play in the big leagues.”

Jackson Nicklaus, John Spikerman, Kendall Pettis and Wallace Clark represent the core returning four for the Sooners. Nicklaus and Spikerman were selected to the preseason All-Conference team while Pettis became a highlight reel with his sensation defense in the outfield. Clark was a consistent performer defensively and offensively down the stretch last season. Spikerman and Pettis are penciled in as starters in the outfield while Clark will likely get the nod at 3rd base again and Nicklaus at 2nd base.

“You saw that group mature as players and men last year,” Willits said. “When I hear those names, I think of men of integrity, high work ethic, who take care of their business not just on the field but in the classroom and represent this program in a very good way.”

Of the four returning stars for the Sooners, only one was in the opening-day starting lineup. John Spikerman did not make his first start until April and Wallace Clark was not a part of the starting lineup consistently until March. But when they got the opportunity, the never let go of it.

“If you’re on our roster, we think you have a chance to help us win a National Championship or you wouldn’t be here,” Willits said. “They have a bullseye on their chest now. They aren’t secondary role players. They’re grinders, they’re workers, blue-collar workers you want to get into battle with. I’m excited to get into the season and watch them mature as players.”

Outside of the four returning World Series starters, the Sooner lineup is open for competition. One thing is for certain, the coaches are excited to see who steps up.

“Everyone saw what we did with Nicklaus, Wallace and Spikerman... they saw what they did,” Willits said. “My question is who is the next one? There are two or three of you right now that nobody knows about, but by the end of the season, they will. We must continue to develop as coaches and players and put our players in the best position to battle.”

As the new-look Sooners prepare to wreak chaOUs on the Big 12 and college baseball, the expectations are set. The Sooners want to get back to the World Series, and this time, they don’t want to come up short.

“It’s easy to see what players can do, it’s easy to see tools and how hard they throw or how far they can hit a ball, but you cannot measure what’s inside a man and that’s the biggest thing we’re after with our players,” Willits explained. “We want them to have a mindset and mentality that it doesn’t matter what you’re not. You’ve got the University of Oklahoma on your chest. When you put that jersey on, that’s your superman cape and when you walk out there is no one better than you.” –

BSM

Kendall Pettis

Following a model utilized by Mayo Clinic, Norman Regional Health Systems is aligning endocrinology and thyroid health services into a single clinic, “a one-stop shop with all the resources patients need under one roof,” said Dr. Tom Connally, a board-certified general surgeon that specializes in thyroid and parathyroid surgery.

Dr. Connally, who is the medical director for Norman Regional’s endocrine surgery program, said the new streamlined clinic is designed to minimize patient travel time and maximize efficiencies in patient care.

“Being in a rural state, we don’t have a specialist on every corner,” Dr. Connally explained. “When you see us, we want value to that visit.”

Dr. Connally said compassionate, individualized care are a top priority and the clinic’s shared resources help facilitate that at a higher level.

“Medicine is not a one size fits all industry and we have to make room for that and be flexible in how we deliver care,” he shared. “We have those critical people in our system to get things done. This is routine for us and that is what you want, all the stakeholders having that experience from the front desk to the nurse that sends you home.”

According to the American Thyroid Association, an estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease. In fact, one in eight women will de-

ONE STOP SHOP

Norman Regional Unites Endocrinology Services into New Clinic

velop a thyroid disorder during their lifetime. What causes thyroid problems is largely unknown and endocrinological conditions are often hard to diagnose.

“The nuances of (thyroid and parathyroid diseases) are hard to diagnose because you have to rule out secondary causes,” Connally explained. “The thyroid is responsible for all of the metabolic system and when they get out of whack that can cause damage and can be fatal if too high but that is rare today.”

Dr. Connally cautions patients about what they might find on the internet about thyroid and parathyroid diseases because of the complexity of the conditions.

“It can be hard to get good information online. The symptoms themselves are just clues,” he explained. “If you think you have a problem, you want to find an expert because doctors and surgeons that do this more often have better outcomes.”

Dr. Connally recommends starting your search with the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons (AAES), of which he is a member. In fact, he was the first surgeon in Oklahoma to become a member.

“AAES has patient resources to help you understand what to do,” he said.

The new Endocrine and Para/Thyroid Center is located near the HealthPlex campus at 3101 W Tecumseh Rd, Ste 200. To schedule an appointment, call 405307-5720. – BSM

New Event Space in Norman Available for Corporate and Personal Events

When Restore Behavioral Health opened The Center, it was intended to be a place where their mental health professionals would gather for continuing education and team meetings. As the space developed, an idea grew into something more. The venue is now available for businesses and people in the community to rent for meetings, trainings and events.

“Our mid-size space is cozy with a modern vibe,” says Melissa Pattison, who handles marketing and development for The Center.

With comfortable seating and a small reception area, the 2000-square-foot space is perfect for everything from corporate meetings to birthday parties. Guests have access to a kitchenette, with a refrigerator, coffee makers and other general kitchen items. The room also offers flexible arrangements including as a classroom, conference or banquet, and can seat up to 65 people.

“I love the flexibility of the space,” Pattison said. “It is very comfortable, and you have the freedom to convert as you need.”

The Center is in northwest Norman at 2475 Boardwalk St. Centrally located near I-35, the space is a great meeting place for guests from all over Oklahoma. With convenient access to restaurants and hotels in University North Park and downtown Norman and close proximity to the University of Oklahoma, it is a great location for any event.

Perhaps the best feature of The Center is that it offers something most meeting spaces don’t - top-quality presentation equipment and live stream technology. Guests have all they need for excellent audio-visual

BY: PROVIDED

instruction. They can cast presentations or videos directly to an 85” screen which is visible from all areas of the room or plug and play into the local computer.

Multiple microphones, including ambient mics in the ceiling, and high-quality speakers, ensure everyone in person or online can hear with clarity. Two remote-controlled, mounted high-definition cameras allow for multi-angle live-stream and recording of the event or presentation, perfect for Team or Zoom meetings with participants from anywhere in the world. This collection of technology allows for twoway interaction between live and virtual participants.

The Center is in high demand and has already hosted large events, including Christmas parties, Hitachi leadership training, grief training with Kaleidoscope for counselors and pastors and ethics training in partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

“We also think it is important to give back to our community by donating room usage to select organizations throughout the year,” Pattison noted. “We look forward to hosting the Oklahoma Guardian Ad Litem Institute and Mary Abbot House later this month.”

Restore Behavioral Health continues to use the space and virtual tools for continuing education and Lunch and Learns for the community. Pattison invites everyone to “come meet at The Center!”

To learn more about renting the space, visit thecenter-restore.com or email info@thecenter-restore. com. For information on the mental health services provided by Restore Behavioral Health, visit Restore-BH.com.– BSM

SERVICE SPOTLIGHT: SARAH DOHERTY

Considering a job with the Norman Police Department? Sarah Doherty is the person you will want to talk to.

Doherty is a police employment technician in the personnel division and says she loves her role in the department. Doherty began her 11-year career with the Norman Police Department in January 2012 where she began in the Records Department. One year later she was promoted to what was then a personnel and training administration technician.

“I handled getting our officers to training and made sure everything was scheduled,” Doherty said. “I made all the reservations including hotels, flights, rental cars, etc. for a lot of our special teams.”

She also coordinated letters for interviews when there were job openings, and she handled all the interviews and notified candidates whether they were selected or not. Then in 2016, the position was split up and she ended up on the personnel side.

“Now I work on getting civilians and commissioned officers hired,” she shared.

Doherty’s job responsibilities include working with job applicants to help them get hired and handling any employment testing that may be needed.

“I coordinate background investigations and get applicants scheduled for any tests they need such as polygraph and drug testing,” she said.

Doherty also sets up orientation sessions for new employees and makes sure employment records are kept up to date.

New employees go through the City of Norman for an orientation and then head over to the police department where Doherty handles the paperwork.

“I make sure they receive their Information sheets and all the forms necessary so it’s like a mini orientation that is different from the city,” Doherty explained.

Her favorite part of her job is “helping people as they begin a new career.”

“Greeting them on their first day of the job is rewarding because they are so excited,” she said.

Born and raised in Colorado Springs, Doherty has been in Norman since 2009.

“I followed a boy here,” she said with a laugh.

She ended up marrying that boy and now they have a daughter. When not working, Doherty said her family likes to find places in Oklahoma to explore and they especially enjoy hiking.

“We’re also a big video game family and love hanging out on the couch, playing video games,” Doherty said. – BSM

Annual Banquet

nPS teacher of the Year

Women’S leaderShiP aWard ambaSSador of the Year

Volunteer of the Year

SPONSORED BY SPONSORED BY SPONSORED BY SPONSORED BY

Small buSineSS of the Year

large buSineSS of the Year

SPONSORED BY SPONSORED BY

(Alphabetical order) Katelyn Andres, Norman Regional Health System | Leslie Avila, JE Dunn Construction | Kyle Butcher, University of Oklahoma Athletics | Hailey Couch, Norman Public Schools | Hunter Foster, OEC | OEC Fiber | Shawna Herell, Moore Norman Technology Center | Taryn Kingery, Pioneer Library System | Sage Mauldin, University of Oklahoma | Halsey

Musselman, University of Oklahoma Foundation | Alex Ruggiers, University of Oklahoma Public Management | Veronica Tracy, City of Norman | Tiffany Vrska, City of Norman | Kevin Williams, Bridges | Shannon Hanchett, Cookie Cottage

mandY haWS dr. rob bradShaW John richardSon carrie mitchell

under 40 aWardS

BY: SHANNON HUDZINSKI PRESIDENT/CEO OU FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

HOW TO BUDGET IN TIMES OF INFLATION

With inflation at record highs, many Americans are finding it difficult to stick to a budget. After all, when groceries have leapt in price and household staples can be double, or even triple, what they cost just a year ago, how can the same amount of money get you through the month?

Sticking to a budget during times of high inflation is challenging – but not impossible. Here are five ways to budget while in times of inflation.

PLAN YOUR GROCERY PURCHASES

Groceries can take a huge bite out of a monthly budget. Fortunately, there are ways to trim your grocery bill, even when prices are soaring.

First, shop your pantry and fridge before hitting the store. You may not remember exactly what you have at home, and doing a quick scan of your food items can help you stick to purchasing only what you need.

Next, plan your week’s dinner menu before shopping so you can pick up exactly what you need for the week in just one go. The fewer trips you make to the grocery, the less you’ll spend on impulse buys. Also, when you have the ingredients you need and plans in place for dinner each night of the week, you’ll be less likely to make a last-minute decision to indulge in takeout or fast food. Consider joining a club store. You’ll need to spring for a membership, but you’ll enjoy steep savings on groceries and other products. Just be careful to only buy what you need, no matter how cheap an item might be. Finally, don’t forget to shop sales and to couponize. Use apps like Reebee, Checkout 51, Flipp and Grocery IQ to stay in the know of what’s on sale in each store, and to download coupons for even bigger savings.

CONSIDER AN ENERGY AUDIT

An audit will help identify energy drains around your home, such as air leaks near your windows and doors, so you can fix them to make your home more energy-efficient. You can also take additional measures toward saving on energy costs, such as switching all lightbulbs to LED bulbs, unplugging electronics when not in use and setting your thermostat a little lower during winter or a bit higher in the summer.

CHOOSE YOUR INDULGENCE

Everyone needs to treat themselves to something special every now and then, but with costs rising on restaurant meals, movie tickets and clothing, something’s gotta give. Take a closer look at your just-for-me purchases of the last few months and try to narrow them down to just one or two treats. You can swap them with an enjoyable activity that doesn’t cost much, such as a hike or bike ride, or cut them out completely.

Alternatively, you can find ways to trim the cost of your indulgences. For example, if you love dining out but restaurant meals are destroying your budget, you can decide to eat out but skip the desserts and wines or opt for a midday meal so you can take advantage of lunchtime specials.

SWITCH YOUR AUTO INSURANCE PLAN

If you’ve had your auto insurance policy for a while and you’ve maintained a good driving record during that time, there’s a good chance you can save a bundle by switching to a new insurance plan and/or provider. Reach out to a representative at your current insurer to discuss your options. Ask about raising your deductible in exchange for a lower premium, reducing overall coverage or negotiating for a safe driving discount. After obtaining a quote, call several other providers to get competing quotes. You can choose to go with your lowest offer or call back your present provider and ask them to match it for your continued business.

PAD YOUR INCOME

As always, when income doesn’t meet expenses, you have the choice of trimming expenses or boosting your income – or you can do both! In addition to following the cost-cutting tips outlined here, you can also look for ways to increase your income.

If your paycheck is suddenly not enough to support your lifestyle, consider asking for a raise. Your workplace may have already given you a cost-of-living raise to reflect rising inflation last year, but this may prove to be insufficient as costs have continued to rise. Don’t be afraid to ask for another raise at this time.

In addition, you can look for other ways to pad your monthly income. Find a side hustle, like driving for a ride-share company or consulting for hire, which you can do at your leisure on weekends. Ask your workplace about taking on additional projects on an as-needed basis for additional pay. Open a small service business doing something you love and excel at. Every extra dollar earned counts!

Times are hard for the average American consumer, but with careful planning, you can ride out the record-high inflation rates and keep your budget intact. Use the tips shared here to get started.

IT’S HOW SOONERS BANK !

BY: KATHY HALLREN | JOE’S WINES & SPIRITS

Sweet Moscato

Themost popular wine in recent years is probably Moscato. Made from the muscat or Moscato grape, these light, usually low alcohol wines are bottled in several varieties. Undoubtedly, the most popular is Martini & Rossi Asti Spumante.

The sparkling (spumante) wine is made in the Asti region from Moscato grapes. There are many other Italian spumantes including Tosti, Poggio and Lunetta. Moscato di Asti is frizzante, or slightly effervescent, in a wide bottle with a regular cork. Cupcake and Stella Rosa produce this light, pleasant wine. These wines all come from the same region of Italy as Martini & Rossi Asti.

Although muscat is not currently the most common grape under cultivation for wine, it is most likely the oldest grape. It is used not only for wine, but also for table grapes and raisins. It grows in a broad range of climates. Sparkling Moscato wine is made worldwide but cannot include the designation Asti in the name.

Sweet bubbly is primarily produced from muscat grapes.

Still wine is also made from muscat grapes and is generally white wine, but sometimes a small amount of red wine is added to make pink wine. This is a different process than the usual method of producing rosé, which generally entails leaving the juice on the skins for a short period, producing a dry wine.

Many fruit wines are produced by fermenting fruit other than wine. There is, however, a growing group of fruit-flavored Moscato based wines. Many of these are slightly frizzante and very low in alcohol. They include Barefoot Fruiscato, Myx and Love. All these wines are served cold and ice is not out of place.

Among the wines that still lean to the sweet side are Rieslings, Vinho Verde and Torrontes. Rieslings have a range of sweetness as do Torrontes, so consulting with your local wine merchant to find what you are looking for is best.

Experiment, have fun, stay safe.

Kathy

DEVELOPING TOMORROW'S LEADERS