VYPE Northeast Oklahoma June Issue by Austin Chadwick

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JUNE 2016

THE DOENGES LEGACY

“There is no man living that cannot do more than he thinks he can.” -Henry Ford gifts on and off the field. Bill’s passion and drive later lead to graduate, take over the Ford dealership in Tonkawa, and expand to Bartlesville. Doenges Ford opened in Bartlesville in April of 1941. That summer, Doenges began sponsoring the Bartlesville American Legion Baseball Team. That sponsorship, known today as the Doenges Ford Indians, is the standing Guinness World Record for ‘Longest Time to Sponsor a Sports Team’ as of February 2007. It was recorded a decade after the mass renovation of Bartlesville Municipal Athletic Field, that included a renaming to the Bill Doenges Memorial Stadium in honor of nearly 60 years of support by Doenges Ford to support Bartlesville community sports at that time. One word sums up Doenges: legacy. Walk into the doors of Doenges Family of Autos, and the legacy is easily noticeable. It has gone beyond the Bartlesville city limits where the Ford, Lincoln and Toyota dealerships are located. It began with its founder William ‘Bill’ Doenges. It’s a legacy true to his first love that he found on practice fields, where habits of excellence and heart in all things took root and continue to grow today.

The legacy of community support does not stop there. In 1954, with Doenges Ford thriving, Bill was travelling as a layman and sponsoring football players from OU to come to churches and motivate the youth. A man named Don McClanen, the visionary and founder of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), would hear of what Bill was doing and take a trip to Bartlesville that year, with only a vision of what would become the FCA.

In 1924, a young Bill Doenges joined the Ford Store Basketball Team in Tonkawa, Okla. That seed of sponsored community support being planted later lead to the football field of Oklahoma City University. In 1927, Doenges played for the famous Head Coach Lynn ‘Pappy’ Waldorf. Waldorf would help develop the drive within Bill to use his passion and

McClanen met a man that same year named Branch Rickey. Rickey, an influential businessman, would set up a meeting with intrigued investors in Pittsburgh, PA. If Don could get himself, and a group of Christian athletes there, Rickey was certain Don would get the investment needed to start FCA. Don made one call to Bill to ask for a meeting before he left. What Bill did not know was Don’s financial burden. With the most important trip he could make for FCA costing $900, and the last of a $1,000 loan being used to fuel him to meet Bill, Don carried a request for funds that, with inflation, would have been over $19,000 today. It served as a reminder that Don had

one shot to make this crucial meeting for FCA. Don could not have expected that before he could explain the total financial need, Bill was signing a $2,200 check. Bill himself would get off the plane with Don for that meeting in Pennsylvania. That day in Bartlesville, the first FCA sponsorship in its history was recorded. That supportive mission is part of the DNA of Bill’s grandson, and owner of Doenges Family of Autos, Brad Doenges. Doenges Family of Autos supports groups like Boys and Girls Club of America, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Cherokee Area Council of Boy Scouts, Oklahoma 4-H, FFA, Washington County Livestock and Soccer Clubs, Elder Care, 5K

charity runs, Bartlesville Farmer’s Market and many, many more. Doenges Family of Autos remains a true model of what their founder believed when he opened the doors.. It is a trait of purpose that can likely be traced back to the heart of a youth from a sponsored team, being refined on a practice field or shooting baskets in a gym and is best expressed by Bill’s lifelong mentor Henry Ford: “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” “There is no man living that cannot do more than he thinks he can.” JUNE 2016

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Rogers State University University of Tulsa RSU FISHING DUO WINS FLW COLLEGE FISHING SOUTHERN CONFERENCE EVENT Dillon Roberts of Claremore and Bret Fite of Salina make up one of two fishing duos for Rogers State University. At the FLW College Fishing Southern Conference Event at Fort Gibson Lake, Roberts and Fite caught five bass that weighed 18 pounds, one ounce,

which won them the event and earned them $2,000. The win also qualified the duo for the 2017 FLW College Fishing National Championship. The event was the biggest event that the duo had competed in outside of a few local tournaments. While Roberts and Fite won the event, the other RSU duo had a solid showing the in event. Benny Boone of Collinsville and John Gann of Salina caught three fish, weighing in at 13 pounds, 13 ounces. Those fish earned the duo a ninth place finish in the event. That finish will send Boone and Gann to the 2017 FLW College Fishing National Championship, along with Roberts and Fite. RSU and Tarleton State are the only two schools from the Southern Conference to qualify two duos for the National Championship in 2017. Regardless of what happens at the National Championship, these performances were monumental for the RSU fishing team. The two duos will continue to prepare throughout the year. Keep an eye out for the duo of Roberts and Fite in 2017.

Your Success Starts Here. Rogers State University provides – Small class sizes – Personalized academic attention – Financial aid packages – On-campus housing – NCAA Division II athletics

www.rsu.edu | 800-256-7511

Cl ar emor e | Bartle sv il le | P ryor | Onl ine 4

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JUNE 2016

Trinity Media Group, LLC 12330 E. 60th St. STE A. • Tulsa, OK 74146 • All rights reserved. Publisher Austin Chadwick • Partner/Editorial Director Brad Heath • Oklahoma Sales Director Roscoe Migliore Partner/Director of Operations Rod Coulter • Partner/Three Rivers Director Bill Huddleston Editor Kyle Kendrick • Associate Editor: Cal Ross Contributing Writers Cal Ross, Heather Erdman Contributing Photographers Bill Powell, Jim Ellis, Miami News-Herald, Marea Breedlove, Dean Majors, David Hunt, Cheyenne Carroll, Kristy Troyer, Christian Campbell, Brandy Moton, Kyle Kendrick, Southern Charm Photography, Jodi Waeckerle, Hannah Roark Contact Information: www.VYPEOK.com • Phone: 918.495.1771 • Fax: 918.495.1787 Subscriptions: 918.495.1771 VYPE is published monthly by Trinity Media Group, LLC. Reproductions in whole or in part without permission are prohibited. VYPE is not responsible for the return of unsolicited artwork, photography or manuscripts and will not be responsible for holding fees or similar charges. All digital submissions and correspondences will become property of VYPE.

NEOK Forum Post of the Month

On the topic of who belongs on the Bartlesville Bruin All-Time Football Team:

@sportsfan – “Let’s not forget the boys of the 2009 football season. It was the first time since 2002 that they went to the playoffs and that’s when the Bruins still played Jenks, Broken Arrow and Owasso. Mike Thompson, Colby Mitchell, who went on to play college ball. Mick Miller and Kirby Shoenthaler, who both went on to play college ball. Justin Butterfield, who was recruited D1 and D2, but joined the military. Jack Wiseman.”

Join the VYPE forum here: http://oklahomaforum.vype.com

6 | All-VYPE Spring Sports

VYPE editor Cal Ross reveals the NEOK All-VYPE teams for the spring sports.

16 | Bruin Peak Performers

See how spring athletes from Bartlesville faired this spring.

24 | Vinita Area Awards

End of the Year awards are revealed for the Vinita, Chelsea, Welch area.

30 | Claremore Area State Recaps

Check in on the spring athletes from the Claremore area

JUNE 2016

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ALL-VYPE

NORTH OK All-VYPE NEOK Baseball

FIRST TEAM P – Peyton Battenfield, Verdigris P – Spencer Henson, Pryor P – Corey Murphy, Chelsea P – Gabe Rodery, Verdigris P – Conner Darnell, Chouteau-Mazie Catcher – Dylan Hight, Verdigris INF – Jake Everett, Chelsea INF – Anthony Martinez, Pryor INF – Trevor Taylor, Locust Grove INF – Cody Daniels, Salina OF – Bryson Vanover, Claremore OF – Noah Edwards, Ketchum OF – Gabe Mustain, Afton UTIL – Jaron Vaughn, Locust Grove UTIL – Kannon McCune, Oklahoma Union UTIL – Hunter Hines, Caney Valley SECOND TEAM P – Troy Gagan, Caney Valley P – Brandon Weaver, Jay P – Braxton Pennington, Grove P – Logan McNeill, Bartlesville P – Mason Williams, Afton Catcher – Bret Davis, Fairland INF – Coleman Ragland, Chouteau-Mazie INF – Cody Koger, Fairland INF – Kade Keith, Verdigris INF – Dustin Weiesnbach, Claremore OF – Sam Walker, Verdigris OF – Brandon Smith, Caney Valley OF – Trent Williams, Grove

Petyon Battenfield 6

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JUNE 2016

UTIL – Logan Gardner, Salina UTIL – Brendan Scaggs, Ketchum UTIL – Luke Taylor, Vinita

HONORABLE MENTION AJ Archambo, Bartlesville Easton Hammonds, Bartlesville Garrett Meidl, Bartlesville Caleb Buckwater, Chouteau-Mazie Jaren Dirtseller, Locust Grove Alec Brand, Adair Dillon McKinzie, Fairland

All-VYPE NEOK Golf BOYS Jack Osborn, Miami River Sturges, Miami Caden Mercer, Miami Kolin Williams, Miami Lane Giles, Miami Josh McFarland, Locust Grove JT Sappington, Oologah Boston Baker, Oologah Preston Moore, Skiatook Parker Sloan, Pryor Layne Nolan, Pryor Ethan Pace, Pryor Grant Murray, Pryor Nick Mitchell, Pryor John Williams, Claremore GIRLS McKenzie Risenhoover, Verdigris Libby Christian, Verdigris Meagan Miller, Verdigris Grace Rodery, Verdigris Abigail Caterino, Verdigris Hannah Jacks, Claremore Sequoyah Trina Shorter, Grove Tabi Morrow, Grove Abby Hacker, Grove Kelcey McGhee, Grove Sydney McElhany, Vinita Alexis Dake, Claremore Kenzie Johnson, Claremore Julie Warren, Claremore Kaleigh Schumacher, Claremore Haylee Stevens, Claremore Zoe Rosebrough, Pryor Mia Gordon, Pryor Kailey Rumery, Skiatook

Jayci Jones, Skiatook

All-VYPE NEOK Slowpitch Megan Perryman, Welch Hannah Mount, Welch Madisen Horton, Welch Megan Seger, South Coffeyville Kendal Kallenberger, South Coffeyville Sydney Earley, Bartlesville Kiara DeCrane, Bartlesville Emma Langley, Chouteau-Mazie Hailey Davis, Chouteau-Mazie Brittnee Broughton, Chouteau-Mazie Brittany Maxwell, Chouteau-Mazie Jade Creekkiller, Jay Haley Dry, Jay Marissa Lokey, Jay Caitlin Taylor, Jay Mateighia Tanner, Jay

All-VYPE NEOK Soccer GIRLS Breezie Davis, Verdigris Kennedy Franklin, Verdigris Emily Crowell, Verdigris Jessica Williams, Verdigris Cynthia Vandiver, Miami

Hannah Mount

Bracken Sharp, Oologah Jeff Crawford, Grove Mason Allen, Grove Justin Sanders, Grove Reagan Morris, Grove Braeden Wadley, Grove Michael Velasco, Nowata Zach Brock, Nowata

Courtney Cardwell Lindsey Ackler, Miami Amber Frailey, Pryor Whitney Jackson, Pryor Hailey Spencer, Pryor Kelsie Eason, Bartlesville Madison Brost, Bartlesville Chandler Payne, Claremore Taryn Kedzior, Claremore Jenna Brown, Claremore Courtney Cardwell, Claremore BOYS Ben Pulley, Miami Koith Quiroz, Miami Garrett Brede, Miami Laef Payne, Verdigris Kolson Freeman, Verdigris Staton Brasher, Verdigris Colin Esau, Verdigris Jax Robinson, Verdigris Andy Hernandez, Grove Shelby Craig, Pryor Logan Smith, Pryor Juan Charqueno, Pryor Chase LaSpisa, Bartlesville Joseph Ruiz, Bartlesville Tom Appleyard, Bartlesville Darius Silversmith, Claremore Carlos Linares, Claremore Grant Hoover, Claremore

All-VYPE NEOK Tennis BOYS Daniel Meszaros, Bartlesville Jonathan Wood, Bartlesville Cade Cox, Claremore Jake McGuire, Claremore Trey Thomas, Claremore Ryan Westfall, Claremore Bo Mallett, Claremore Micah Sloan, Claremore Tyler Calhoun, Pryor Caleb Rhoads, Pryor Taylor Rhoads, Pryor Blake Mullen, Pryor Cade Russell, Pryor Matt Williams, Oologah Karson Davis, Oologah Braden Kellogg, Oologah

GIRLS Tori Lee, Grove Lacey Kerr, Grove Tesa DuBois, Grove Alicia Hampton, Grove Eliza Downing, Grove Gabby Wallace, Grove Maddie Payton, Miami Keely Womack, Miami Reva Smith, Nowata Sami Steigerwald, Nowata Erin Owen, Nowata Mamie Tiry, Nowata Rachel Humburg, Oologah Taylor Hanneman, Oologah Natalie Evans, Claremore Jordyn Sisowsky, Claremore C.J. Boydston, Claremore Paighton Johnson, Claremore Abbey Cox, Claremore Lauren Kuykendall, Claremore Erin Epperson, Bartlesville Bailey Covell, Bartlesville Avery Bennett, Bartlesville Kelly Gerrish, Bartlesville Olivia Melton, Bartlesville Olivia Holder, Bartlesville Ashley Ogg, Pryor Sammy Gordon, Pryor Cheyenne Demaree, Pryor Meleya Belden, Pryor

All-VYPE NEOK Track BOYS Hunter Thrasher, Claremore Andrew Lauer, Claremore Jackson Long, Claremore Keegan Hisey, Claremore Hutch Helbig, Claremore Ethan Morrow, Claremore Nick Zickefoose, Claremore Christian Pinkston, Claremore Rusty Roberts, Grove Brady Phillips, Grove Garrison Hale, Grove Trey Horton, Grove Don Tray Wilkerson, Skiatook Mike Watson, Skiatook Grant Appleberg, Skiatook Jaquwan Blaylock, Pryor Jace Wilhite, Pryor Alec Hayward, Miami Archer Bennett, Bartlesville Henry Williams, Bartlesville A.J. Parker, Bartlesville

Alec Hayward Tracy Pruitt, Kansas Faylon Kight, Dewey Gavin Feathers, Chelsea Daniel Cowan, Claremore Sequoyah Dayton Bowlin, Vinita Jason Pirtle, Locust Grove Bryson Long, Oologah Casey Base, Oologah Sean Collins, Oologah Wil Amos, Afton Josh Turley, Afton Gunner Hudson, Afton Brett Hollon, Afton Bradley Moreland, Pawhuska GIRLS Allison Hunt, Copan Daylee Osburn, Afton Mackenzie Prather, Caney Valley Morgan Welch, Caney Valley Kaitlyn Clemens, Caney Valley Skylar Ward, Caney Valley Sarah Phillippi, Pawhuska Haley Mouser, Pawhuska Cassidy McIntire, Chelsea Karissa Jones, Dewey Keni Jo Lippe, Adair Carsyn Spurgeon, Vinita Natalie Carr, Vinita Kaitlin Benge, Vinita River Jeffries, Vinita Grace Burget, Vinita Brittany Walker, Vinita Payton Thompson, Oologah Ashton Wood, Claremore Sequoyah Tori Wood, Claremore Sequoyah Brittany Reece, Jay Mikayla Shulanberger, Skiatook Katelyn Alexander, Claremore Anna Mason, Claremore Katelyn Callender, Claremore Sara Shaw, Claremore Jamie Burden, Claremore Sam Voss, Claremore Briley Penney, Claremore Kelsie Kerns, Pryor Megan Tramel, Grove Keely McLaughlin, Grove Rilee Rigdon, Bartlesville Ashley Barnes, Bartlesville Shay Stayton, Bartlesville Avery Bennett, Bartlesville JUNE 2016

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Champions Q&A: Bartlesville Track LADY BRUIN 4X800 RELAY TEAM The Lady Bruin 4x800 relay team captured the gold medal at the 2016 state meet earlier this spring. The girls who compose the team (Rilee Rigdon, Avery Bennett, Ashley Barnes and Shay Stayton) answered some questions about the season for VYPE. VYPE: Knowing all the hard work you guys put in throughout the year, how did it feel to win that gold medal? Rigdon: It felt good knowing the hard work paid off. Bennett: It honestly felt nothing short of a dream. Being a senior, it was exactly how I hoped to end my running career. Barnes: I can’t even begin to explain how hard each of these girls has worked to get that gold medal. As soon as our last leg crossed that finish line we were all ecstatic. It was/is an amazing feeling knowing all of your hard work has paid off. Stayton: When we were standing on that podium to receive our medals so many emotions were present. Relief because people expected victory from us and we delivered. Success because not only did we win we broke our own record. Sadness because that was my last relay with two of the girls, one of which is my longtime running sister. The strongest emotion of all was that I felt blessed. So blessed for the friends, the ability to run, the support, and the memories. VYPE: Who is the funniest person on your relay team? 8

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JUNE 2016

Rigdon: Me. Bennett: Rilee for sure! It’s basically a non-stop laughing session when you pair her with anyone. Barnes: I would say Rilee is the funniest person on our team. She just has a great sense of humor and can always make you laugh. Stayton: There is not just one person on the team who is funny. We all have our own sense of humor and inside jokes that only we understand, but on a day-today basis Rilee and I are quite hilarious when we’re together. VYPE: What was your mindset heading into the state meet? Rigdon: I was just excited to compete. Bennett: To give it my everything. We had our eyes on the prize all season and I think we were all ready to seal the deal and prove ourselves. Barnes: My mindset going into this state meet wasn’t necessarily all about winning, although winning was still in my mind. I really just wanted to have fun with my girls for one last race. Stayton: Heading into the state meet my mindset was focused on a motto I have for myself and that is to “Dream Big, Run Fast”. I felt that we had to win the 4x800 because Bartlesville has been the underdog sports wise for a while now and I wanted to be a part of something that veered from that path.

VYPE: What would you consider is your biggest strength as a runner? Rigdon: My biggest strength is probably my God-given abilities that have blossomed under my coaches. Bennett: I think my consistency and ability to stay (relatively) calm before or during stressful races. Barnes: I’d say my biggest strength, as a runner, is my ability to focus and do what needs to be done whether that’s at practice or in a meet. I work hard and try my very best every meet. Stayton: My biggest strength as a runner is my ability to incorporate my faith into my sport and always being able to encourage my teammates and fellow competitors. VYPE: If track athletes could have walkout music, which song would you pick? Rigdon: I would probably pick “Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus because it just calms my nerves and makes me happy. Bennett: Most definitely “Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus! It makes you excited but keeps you relaxed at the same time. Barnes: I’d say track athletes would walk out to “U Can’t Touch This” by MC Hammer. Stayton: My walkout song for a relay would be “U Can’t Touch This” and for an individual event the song would be something upbeat such as “Lip Gloss.”

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Pictured left to right: Michael Giovan, MD; Scott Cochran, MD; Henry Stroope, MD and David King, DO

Care With a Collaborative Approach Tulsa Bone & Joint and Jane Phillips Medical Center have teamed up to deliver proactive procedures for the prevention, care, and treatment of all bone and joint injuries. Surgical procedures are done conveniently at Jane Phillips Medical Center. Offering a collaborative approach that makes intimate patient knowledge a standard of care, the TBJ physicians and surgeons offer positive outcomes to costly, debilitating post-operative issues. Depend on our compassionate surgeons and medical staff for all your familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s orthopedic needs. 918.214.8232 | tulsaboneandjoint.com 4140 SE Adams Rd | Bartlesville, OK 74006 east of the Quarters

Delivering a proactive approach to minimizing or eliminating an injury, as well as a concise treatment plan for any orthopedic injury, the medical staff at Tulsa Bone & Joint and Jane Phillips Medical Center can be depended upon to keep you and your family on the move.

5th Annual VYPE Oklahoma FCA for Youth Awards Presented by Oklahoma Wesleyan University

The 5th Annual VYPE Oklahoma FCA for Youth Awards took place this month highlighting student-athletes who excel on and off the field through their faith in Christ as the monthly FCA Athletes of the month. Oklahoma Wesleyan and VYPE have partnered for six years on the monthly promotion and it has now grown across the state of Oklahoma. Guest speaker and former Oklahoma State and NFL football player Kenyatta Wright delivered a message to the athletes, while Freddie’s Steakhouse served lunch. The luncheon was an opportunity to recognize the efforts of these student-athletes on and off the field. CLAY Awards were given to the following participants; Leadership Award – Maverick Ball, Cleveland High School Community Award – Savannah Cottom, Westmoore High School Choice Award – Dani Oliver, Owasso High School Running The Race Award – Katie Kirkhart, Hilldale High School FCA Athlete of the Year – Korena Aills, Broken Arrow High School VYPE Magazine and Oklahoma Wesleyan University honored 27 student-athletes from 22 different schools in Oklahoma. Jake Ward – Charles Page Caleb Ranford – Glenpool Dani Oliver – Owasso Morgan Thomas – Jenks Cailey Cunningham – Fort Gibson Maverick Ball – Cleveland Carson Calavan – Fort Gibson Korena Aills – Broken Arrow Jacob Bakewell – Piedmont Maya West – Broken Arrow Alexa Scott – Norman North Jake Northern – Coweta Jackson Baker – Edmond Santa Fe Jaiden Alley – Pawnee Madison Culver – Bartlesville Anna Mason – Claremore Seth Hinnergardt – Bartlesville Dae Williams – Sapulpa Corbin Milchesky – Moore Sydney Stout – Bixby Kalen Castor – Muskogee Savannah Cottom – Westmoore Hunter Watkins – Muskogee Avery Ogle – Edmond Memorial Wyatt Wolfe – Hilldale Kara Speer – Metro Christian Katie Kirkhart – Hilldale 20

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JUNE 2016

NEOK Golf, Tennis and Track State Recaps Track

Class 6A

Both the Bruin and Lady Bruin track teams performed well at the Class 6A state meet. The Lady Bruins ended up finishing in third place as a team with a total of 60 points. The Bruins, on the other hand, came in ninth place with 23 points. Rilee Rigdon, Shay Stayton and Avery Bennett all medaled in multiple events and earned the Lady Bruins big points. Archer Bennett, A.J. Parker and Henry Williams earned major points for the Bruins. Archer Bennett won a gold medal in the 800m run. Class 5A On the girls side, Claremore finished in eighth place with 32 points, Grove finished in 11th with 26 points and Skiatook scored 10 points to finish 18th. Pryor’s two points earned them a 23rd place finish. Skiatook’s 10 points all came from Mikayla Shulanberger’s first place finish in the 400m dash. Kelsie Kerns earned Pryor’s two points in 1600 meter run. Grove’s Keely McLaughlin and Megan Tramel both won gold medals to earn big points. On the boys side, Claremore finished just eight points away from a team state title. Claremore finished in the top five in the 4x200, 4x400 and 4x800 relay races. Jackson Long, Hunter Thrasher and Andrew Lauer ran well for the Zebras in the individual events. Thrasher won the gold in the 400. Skiatook, Pryor and Grove all scored double digit points as a team and finished in the top 20. Alec Hayward earned the silver in the shot put, earning all of Miami’s eight points. Skiatook’s Grant Appleburg finished just ahead of Hayward to win the gold in the shot put. Brady Phillips from Grove won the silver in the 400. Class 4A The Vinita Lady Hornets had a great performance, finishing in third place as a team with 69 points. Carsyn Spurgeon and Natalie Carr both medaled to earn points for Vinita. Spurgeon won gold in the 400m dash. Claremore Sequoyah finished in 11th and Jay finished 16th on the girls side. On the boys side, Oologah finished in 12th behind Casey Base and Sean Collins’ performances. Claremore Sequoyah and Vinita tied for 20th with 12 points, while Jason Pirtle earned solid points for Locust Grove. Dayton Bowlin earned big points in multiple events for Vinita.

Class 3A The Dewey and Chelsea girls teams finished in the top 20 with solid performances. Dewey finished 11th, while Chelsea finished 16th. Dewey’s Karissa Jones medaled in multiple events, including a gold in the 100 meter hurdles and long jump. Cassidy McIntire from Chelsea earned big points for the Green Dragons, medaling in multiple events. On the boys side, Tracy Pruitt from Kansas earned important points for the Comets. Gavin Feathers from Chelsea and Faylon Kight from Dewey earned their respective teams big points. Class 2A & A Pawhuska and Caney Valley’s girls teams finished in the top 10 at the Class 2A meet. Pawhuska finished fourth, and Caney Valley finished sixth. Both teams received strong outings in both individual and relay events. Afton finished in 18th behind Daylee Osburn’s silver medal in the 100. Pawhuska scored well on the boys side as well, finishing in eighth place. The Afton boys finished in fourth place behind Wil Amos’ strong performances. Their 4x800 relay team took home the gold medal. In Class A, Copan scored 10 points to finish 17th.

Golf

Boys

Class 3A’s Pawhuska sent five golfers to state, finishing in 11th place. Bailey Thompson’s weekend was the highlight for Pawhuska, as he finished tied for 19th. The Miami Wardogs sent five golfers to the Class 4A state tournament. The Wardogs finished in 11th place. Jack Osborn’s 30th place finish was the highest finish for the Wardogs. Locust Grove’s Josh McFarland finished one stroke behind Osborn, and Oologah’s JT Sappington finished tied for 52nd. Pryor qualified five golfers for the Class 5A state tournament. The Tigers’ best performer was Parker Sloan, who finished in 36th place. Girls McKenzie Risenhoover’s 15th place finish led Verdigris to a seventh place finish as a team at the Class 3A tournament.

the way. Shorter finished tied for 37th with a total score of 198. Claremore Sequoyah’s Hannah Jacks finished in 30th place at the 4A tournament. Claremore sent five girls to the 5A state tournament, with Alexis Dake’s performance stealing the show. Dake finished in fourth place, and was only two strokes away from second. Pryor’s Zoe Rosebrough and Mia Gordon both had solid performances in their second straight state tournament. Bartlesville’s Faith Hopkins finished in 10th place to highlight the Lady Bruins’ performance at the 6A tournament.

Tennis Boys

Bartlesville’s No. 1 singles player Daniel Meszaros and No. 2 singles player Jonathan Wood led the way for the Bruins at the Class 6A tennis tournament. Bartlesville finished in 10th place as a team. Claremore saw six players compete at the 5A tournament. Two individuals and two doubles teams led the Zebras to a sixth place finish at the tournament. Cade Cox and Jake McGuire led the way for the Zebras. Pryor’s No. 1 singles player Tyler Calhoun played solid. Grove and Oologah both had solid outings at the 4A state tournament. Grove finished fifth as a team, while Oologah finished 10th. No. 1 singles player Matt Williams led the way for Oologah, while the No. 1 doubles team of Mason Allen and Justin Sanders led the way for Grove. Girls Bartlesville’s Erin Epperson finished her undefeated season, winning the state title in Class 6A, all while helping the Lady Bruins finish in fifth place as a team. Claremore took home a third place finish at the Class 5A tournament behind the performances of singles players Natalie Evans and Jordan Sisovsky. Pryor’s doubles teams performed well, earning the Lady Tigers points. In Class 4A, Grove finished in 10th place behind singles players Tori Lee and Lacey Kerr. The doubles team consisting of Tesa DuBois and Alicia Hampton performed well for Grove.

Grove qualified four golfers for the Class 4A state tournament, with Trina Shorter leading JUNE 2016

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We offer the only Bruin Spirit Debit Card that gives back to Bartlesville Schools with each swipe. Over $49,000 has been raised since 2009.

Editor's ofChecking Year Awards: Bruin Spirit Debit CardEnd | Student Select

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Bartlesville Area Nowata, Pawhuska) Student Loans | Child & Teen (Dewey, Savings Accounts

Class 6A-II semifinals after throwing By Cal Ross TruityCU.org/BruinCard for 3,294 yards and 42 touchdowns. VYPE NEOK Editor Penrod holds just about every passing In this issue of VYPE Magazine, the record in school history. Penrod’s VYPE staff decided to try something career as a quarterback will continue new by handing out end of501 theS year Johnstone | 2612 SE Washington at OCU. | 918.336.7662 awards. I will be giving outTruityCU.org four awards: Some restrictions apply. Loans subject to credit approval. Male, Female and Breakout Athlete Female Athlete of the Year of the Year, along with the Team of the Year. For this area, the winners This award is easily the most had to be from the Bartlesville or the difficult to hand out for this area. Lady surrounding area, which includes Bruin swimmers Haley Downing and Dewey, Nowata and Pawhuska. These Kate Steward are both extremely are my Editor’s Choices. worthy candidates after leading the Male Athlete of the Year There are plenty of good choices for this award. Pawhuska golfer Bailey Thompson finished in the top 20 in his first state tournament appearance. Dewey’s Gunner Bankston threw a no hitter and helped lead the Bulldoggers to a 16-11 record. Bartlesville’s A.J. Parker made an impact for the Bruin football and track teams. Henry Williams earned multiple medals at the state meet for Bartlesville, including a gold medal. Winner: Colton Penrod, Bartlesville Penrod had a record-setting career for the Bruin football team. In 2016, Penrod quarterbacked one of Bartlesville’s best teams in school history. Penrod led the Bruins to the

Lady Bruins to a state swimming title. Pawhuska’s Sarah Phillipi had a big performance at the state meet. Bartlesville’s Rilee Rigdon could easily make a case, as she dominated in track and cross country. Winner: Erin Epperson, Bartlesville Epperson had an epic season, going undefeated on her way to the Class 6A state title. Epperson was the Lady Bruins’ No. 1 singles player, and she played like it all season. Epperson finished second in 2015, and she was determined to reach the top in 2016. Epperson won more than 20 straight matches, including those at the state meet. Breakout Athlete of the Year Bartlesville’s AJ Archambo emerged

as a key playmaker on the football, basketball and baseball teams for the Bruins. Pawhuska’s Bailey Thompson is also a good candidate for this award after his performance at the state golf tournament. Rilee Rigdon was heavily considered for this award after her year in cross country and track. Winner: Karissa Jones, Dewey Jones made a big splash at the state track meet, winning two gold medals. Jones was only a sophomore last year, and she made big improvements from her freshman season. Jones won the gold in the 100 meter hurdle race and the long jump. It was a significant jump for Jones, who will look to repeat next season and add more gold medals to her collection. Team of the Year Pawhuska and Bartlesville’s girls track teams were both heavily considered for this award after their top 10 finishes at the state meets. The Lady Bruin cross country team won the state title and could easily have won this award. Bartlesville’s football team was considered after its historic year. Winner: Bartlesville Girls Swim

Bartlesville Girls Swimming 12

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The Lady Bruin swim team secured their second straight state title this past winter. The Lady Bruins not only won, but they crushed the competition. They won the state swim meet by more than 150 points. They went undefeated throughout the season, never losing a single meet. Haley Downing and Kate Steward were key swimmers for the Lady Bruins, among many others.

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For enrollment information contact Lauren Athlete of atthe

Month 918.331.3291 or lauren.walls@tricountytech.edu

Amy Henderson – Oklahoma Union

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herself grow as a player this season.

Henderson discovered Tri County Tech and its programs in the same manner many students are discovering them these days.

Amy Henderson is a softball player from Oklahoma Union. Henderson was a part of the Lady Cougar fast pitch team that went 19-10 in the fall. The Lady Cougars’ season ended in the district tournament with a hard fought 8-7 loss to Caney Valley. Henderson’s favorite sport to play is softball, and she saw

“I got involved at Tri County when they had a speaker come speak to us at our school about their programs,” Henderson said.

Once Henderson learned about the various programs Tri County Tech offers, her family encouraged her to join. Henderson is in the cosmetology program, which offers students the opportunity to work in a full-service salon. It is a great hands-on opportunity

TRAIN LIKE A

CHAMPION...

for students interested in getting into cosmetology.

Despite her participation in the program, Henderson plans on going a different direction once she goes to college. “I plan to go to college and become an occupational therapist,” Henderson said. “In 10 years, I hope to be graduated from college with a bachelors degree in occupational therapy and helping children.”

Henderson has big dreams for herself, and her work at Tri County Tech will help prepare her for the tests of working with people for a career. Henderson has taken advantage of her opportunities at Tri County Tech, and on the softball field at Oklahoma Union. For her relentless commitment, hard work and passion, Amy Henderson is the Tri County Tech Athlete of the Month.

...PLAN FOR YOUR FUTURE!

tricountytech.edu For enrollment information contact Lauren at

918.331.3291 or lauren.walls@tricountytech.edu Find us on

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JUNE 2016

Same values. Same name.

Character is a combination of qualities that distinguishes one person or group from another. VYPE celebrates achievements of local high school athletes by presenting the monthly “Character Counts Award.”

Local pride.

Not only do the expectations of her family and coaches motivate Owen to work hard every day, but also her own expectations of herself help motivate her. Owen said she wants to prove to herself that she is capable of completing difficult trials. Plus, the sense of accomplishment moti“My favorite thing about being a tennis player At ConocoPhillips, we’re building on our SPIRITvates values people, integrity, Owen–tosafety, push that much harder. is that it’s more of a mental game than a physiresponsibility, innovation and teamwork – to create a company like no other. A company Outside of school and sports, Owen likes to cal one,” Owen said. “You have to put all your with global reach andonly strong local communities where With more spend time with we her operate. family and friends, hiking emotions aside and focusties on to thethe next point and taking is herproud dog to to thecall dog Bartlesville park. After high rather than getting madinat the all ofcommunity, the mess-ups ConocoPhillips in than 1,500 employees school, Owen plans to enlist in the Navy to be a the past points or games.” home. As an industry leader exclusively focused on exploration and production, we are hospital corpsman. If possible, Owen would take Mental toughness can be viewed as one aspect pioneering a new standard of excellence. But even as we embarktoon this newatjourney, the a scholarship play tennis a college, so she of a person’s character. Owen’s ability to block way we do business, our pride as a Bartlesville citizen – ourtoward spirit getting – is staying themedical same. field, can work into the out negative plays and focus on the next point possibly as a chiropractor or sports medicine It’s displays just a part whoofwe are. toughness. Another heroflevel mental doctor. These goals and aspirations give another aspect of character can be an individual’s willlook into what type of character Erin Owen posingness to set a good example for others. Owen sesses. is a prime example of this. For her dedication to the Nowata community, “Nowata is such a small community that it © ConocoPhillips Company. 2013. All rights reserved. hard work on the tennis court and leadership, means more to be a student-athlete and to set Erin Owen is the Character Counts Athlete of the an example for my teammates and classmates,” Month. Owen said. Erin Owen plays tennis at Nowata for coach Brian Reese. Owen is also an athletic trainer for Nowata’s football and basketball teams, but tennis is her favorite sport by far. The mental aspect of tennis has always fascinated Owen.

www.conocophillips.com

Erin Owen

Nowata High School

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Same values. Same name.

Local pride.

At ConocoPhillips, we’re building on our SPIRIT values – safety, people, integrity, responsibility, innovation and teamwork – to create a company like no other. A company with global reach and strong ties to the local communities where we operate. With more than 1,500 employees in the community, ConocoPhillips is proud to call Bartlesville home. As an industry leader exclusively focused on exploration and production, we are pioneering a new standard of excellence. But even as we embark on this new journey, the way we do business, our pride as a Bartlesville citizen – our spirit – is staying the same. It’s just a part of who we are.

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JUNE 2016

PM V Y P11/8/13 E O K . 3:13 COM

Bartlesville Spring Standouts SEE HOW THE BRUIN AND LADY BRUIN SPRING TEAMS FINISHED THE SEASON

Bruin Track Team Finishes in Top 10

While the Lady Faith Hopkins Bruin track team Lady Bruin golfer Faith Hopkins Finishes No. 10 at State dominated at the state meet, Tournament Rilee Rigdon Dominates at the Bruin track In the April issue, Faith Hopkins State Track Meet team was putting in work as well. was one of the spring athletes to Overall, the Bruins finished in ninth Lady Bruin Rilee Rigdon had watch from Bartlesville. Hopkins place, and it was a true team effort. herself a weekend at the state track played well all season, winning A.J. Parker tied for third place in meet. Rigdon, who will be a junior multiple tournaments and hitting the the high jump, earning his team 5 in 2016-17, won the gold medal in ball well consistently. At the state points. Henry Williams took home the 800 meter run, won the silver golf meet, Hopkins proved why she the silver medal in 3200 meter run, medal in the 1600 meter run and belonged on that list. Hopkins shot earning the Bruins eight points. was a member of the gold medalist a 79 on day one, and an 80 on day Archer Bennett had the best 4x800 relay team. Rigdonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two to finish tied for 10th. Hopkins performance, winning the gold performances helped the Lady finished 15th at the state meet the medal in the 800 meter run, earning Bruins earn the bronze medal as previous season, proving just how his team 10 points. a team. Earlier in the year, Rigdon much improvement she has made. set the Bartlesville school record in the 800.

OUR COMMUNITY

Teamwork is critical to success in sports, helping one another to achieve victory. Arvest is proud to team up with our local schools and communities to help support students and teachers. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re proud to support Northeast Oklahoma athletes! Stop by your nearby Arvest location and open an account today.

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VYPENEOK.com Polling The Fans Have Spoken... Follow VYPE NEOK editor Cal Ross on Twitter (@ CalvinScottRoss) for updates on new polls for the NEOK region. Who was the Team of the Year from the NEOK region? There were plenty of talented and successful teams from the NEOK region throughout the 2015-16 school year. Claremore, Bartlesville and Verdigris all captured titles in multiple sports, but they were not the only successful schools. Plenty of teams finished as runner-ups as well. VYPE editor Cal Ross will be releasing his Teams of the Year on the End of the Year awards pages throughout this magazine.

especially the girls’ soccer and cross country teams. It’s hard to argue with the fans’ pick. The Lady Zebra soccer team made history this season, capturing their first state title in school history. It took a valiant effort against Bishop Kelley in the title game to secure the gold ball. Bishop Kelley is a juggernaut in girls soccer, making the Lady Zebras’ win that much sweeter. It was a historic season for these girls, and they deserved the votes of the fans. Which NEOK RB will make the biggest impact in 2016?

Summer is here, which means football season is right around the corner. The NEOK region has Fans’ Choice: Claremore Girls Soccer (17-2, State Champions) – plenty of talent on the gridiron, especially at the running back 7,965 votes position. With impact players such as Jimmy McKinney from Oologah and Bartlesville’s Jarron Hilger The Claremore faithful flocked gone, there is a chance for a new to the poll to vote for their teams,

Which NEOK Running Back will have the biggest Impact in 2016?

group of impact running backs from the NEOK region to shine. So, who do the fans think will have the biggest impact for their respective teams? Fans’ Choice: Jaren Dirtseller, Locust Grove – 7,511 votes Locust Grove’s Dirtseller is a great selection. Last season, Dirtseller ran for more than 800 yards in an offense that included Mason Fine and Jason Pirtle. The Pirates passed the ball roughly 75 percent of the time last season, and yet, Dirtseller still put up solid numbers. In 13 games, Dirtseller barely carried the ball 100 times, making his final number even more impressive. With Fine and Pirtle gone next season, Dirtseller will be the primary playmaker for coach Matt Hennesy and the Pirates.

Who is the NEOK Team of the Year for 2015-2016?

JUNE 2016

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JUNE 2016

Editor's End of Year Awards: Grove-Jay-Afton By Cal Ross VYPE NEOK Editor In this issue of VYPE Magazine, the VYPE staff decided to try something new by handing out end of the year awards. I will be giving out four awards: Male, Female and Breakout Athlete of the Year, along with the Team of the Year. For this area, the winners had to be from Grove or the surrounding area, which includes Jay and Afton. These are my Editor’s Choices. Male Athlete of the Year There were athletes from all three of these schools who were considered for this award. Grove’s Justin Sanders was a major impact player for the basketball team, and qualified for state as a doubles tennis player. Brandon Weaver from Jay had a stellar baseball season, going 8-0 on the mound. Jay wrestler Jessie Hodge made a strong case, finishing as the state runner-up at 132 pounds with a 40-4 record. Winner: Wil Amos, Afton Wil Amos started for Grove’s football and basketball teams before transferring to Afton. Once he got to Afton, Amos made an immediate

impact, especially on the track. Afton won a silver medal in the 400m dash and a gold medal in the 800m run. Amos was also the anchor on the 4x800 relay team that won a gold medal. Amos will make a huge impact for Afton’s football team in the fall. Female Athlete of the Year Afton’s Daylee Osburn was heavily considered for this award after earning a silver medal in the 100 meter dash at the state meet. Jade Creekkiller led the Jay slow pitch team to a 24-9 record and a No. 6 ranking. Grove’s Megan Tramel won her second straight gold medal in the pole vault at this year’s state track meet. Tori Lee, a tennis player from Grove, had a great season on the court and qualified for the state tournament. Winner: Keely McLaughlin, Grove After winning a gold medal her sophomore year in the shot put and discus throw, McLaughlin returned to the state track meet as a junior looking to repeat. McLaughlin won the gold medal in the shot put this year, throwing a full four feet farther than the second place finisher. McLaughlin did not repeat in the discus, but she did finish in third place. McLaughlin has a chance to add two more gold medals next year. Breakout Athlete of the Year

Keely McLaughlin

This award was tough to hand out. Many of the players who dominated this area are established. Like the Female Athlete of the Year award, Afton’s Osburn was heavily considered for this award as well. Had Wil Amos not won a different award, there is a great chance he wins this one as well. Grove’s running back Spencer Dills broke onto the scene this season.

Winner: Brittany Reece, Jay Brittany Reece burst onto the scene as a freshman at Jay last season. Reece finished 16th at the state cross country meet, and was merely seconds away from finishing in the top 15. In the spring, Reece added a silver medal to her arsenal. Reece finished second in the high jump and sixth in the 3200 meter run. Reece has a bright future as a runner at Jay, and will only continue to improve. Team of the Year There were some solid selections for this award. The Jay slow pitch team finished 24-9 and made it to the regional tournament before their season ended. The Grove girls basketball team went 15-11, made the regional tournament and climbed to No. 20 in the ranking. The Jay Bulldog baseball team climbed to No. 15 in the rankings and made the regional tournament. Winner: Afton Boys Track The Eagle track team, led by Wil Amos, finished in fifth place at the state track meet this season. It was a tremendous performance, and Amos wasn’t the only one who contributed. Gunner Hudson, Josh Turley and Brett Hollon all helped Afton finish in the top five. Those three won the gold medal with Amos in the 4x800 relay.

JUNE 2016

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Grove Soccer

GOOD LUCK RIDGERUNNERS Kirsten Rowton

Kirsten Rowton had herself a productive spring, as she was named 2016 Offensive Player of the Year for the Grove girls soccer team. That’s not all, though. Rowton was also on the all district team as an honorable mention. Rowton, according to coach Kaney Tyler, is an excellent attacking player. Rowton has a knack for finding the ball and pushing the offensive pace. This season, Rowton scored four goals and nabbed six assists. Rowton is an extremely hardworking, coachable player. She is constantly working on ways to get better.

At Grand Lake Orthopedic we are dedicated to

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orthopedic surgeon “I’m Dr. very Tyson Trimble specializes in competitive so everyone around me motivates me (to

work hard),” Rowton said. Soccer is the only sport Rowton plays,

sports medicine andmaking orthopedics, which includes theto college, it her favorite sport. Rowton plans on going

and hopes to play soccer wherever she decides to go. Rowton said the best part of being a student-athlete at Grove is that the coaches and teachers alike are always pushing the Grove student-athletes to be their best.

prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of

On top of her athletic success, Rowton is a 4.0 student in the classroom. Rowton is a great example of what Grove expects out of its student-athletes. Outside of school and sports, Rowton enjoys hanging out with her friends, going out on the lake and travelling with her friends and family. For all of her hard work on the pitch, leadership and willingness to be coached, Kirsten Rowton is the Grove Athlete of the Month.

the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves (musculoskeletal system).

Dr. Tyson Trimble is proud to be the official sports medicine physician for the Ridgerunners. 20

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JUNE 2016

NORTHEAST TECHNOLOGY ATHLETE OF THE MONTH Kody Benton – Fairland biles. Diesel engines are also vital to the agriculture, logging and mining industries, among others. Benton is a hard worker who likes to make money and work with his hands, making this program a perfect fit.

Kody Benton is in the Diesel and Heavy Equipment Repair Program at Northeast Tech’s Afton campus. Benton, who plays football and baseball for the Fairland Owls, enjoys working on diesel engines and other heavy equipment that power trucks, buses and automo-

Benton said that football is his favorite sport. That shouldn’t come as a surprise considering Benton loves to get his hands dirty and work tremendously hard. Benton said his personal goal, as an athlete, this past year was to become a better player every day. Benton said he hopes to one day fulfill his dream of becoming a state trooper.

While the diesel program at Northeast Tech doesn’t give him a direct path to completing that goal, it gives him plenty of other options if he changes his mind. Plus, knowledge of engines and other heavy equipment can come in handy at any time. Benton is learning how to diagnose and repair a plethora of different types of equipment, such as heating and air conditioning systems, and suspension and steering systems. Regardless of which career path he ends up choosing, whether it’s in police work or engine repairs, Benton’s work ethic and willingness to go the extra mile will help him succeed. For his efforts as an athlete at Fairland, commitment to his program at Northeast Tech and work ethic, Kody Benton is the Northeast Tech Athlete of the Month.

N o r t h e a st T e c h n o l o g y C e n t e r o f f e rs : • • • • • •

Flexible schedules Hands-on learning Small class sizes 20+ career options Financial aid Free tuition for high schoolers

Afton | Claremore | Kansas | Pryor www.netech.edu | 918-825-7040

FIND YOUR FUTURE HERE. JUNE 2016

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JUNE 2016

Vinita Player Spotlight brought to you by

Allstate Sydney McElhany, Vinita Golf Sydney McElhany was the No. 1 bag for the Lady Hornet golf team this past spring. McElhany qualified for the state golf tournament for the second straight year and posted a score of 98 on the first day. The second day wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t quite as kind to McElhany, as she posted a 111. McElhany ended up finishing in 51st place, up from 63rd the year before, after her two rounds. Golf is the only sport that McElhany plays, making it her favorite sport. Golf is an incredibly tough sport both mentally and physically, so golfers must consistently work hard every day to refine their game. That consistent work ethic is one of the many reasons professional golfers

are widely respected. McElhany draws motivation from watching golfers such as Jordan Speith, Rickie Fowler and Phil Mickelson play. McElhany said she works hard every day because she wants to be as good as they are. One unique aspect of golf is that it is largely an individual sport, especially for McElhany. She was the only girls golfer from Vinita to make the state tournament this season. McElhany enjoys the individuality of the sport because it allows her to represent Vinita wherever she goes to play. McElhany said that getting to represent the Hornets is one of her

favorite parts of being a studentathlete at Vinita. After high school, McElhany wants to attend a college where she can pursue a degree in the medical field so she can become a surgeon. Outside of school and sports, McElhany enjoys hanging out with her friends and riding her four-wheelers. McElhany will return to the course in 2017 for her senior campaign. The Lady Hornetsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; No. 1 bag will look to improve her score for the third straight year.

JUNE 2016

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VYPE

Editor's End of Year Awards: Vinita-Welch-Chelsea

By Cal Ross VYPE NEOK Editor

In this issue of VYPE Magazine, the VYPE staff decided to try something new by handing out end of the year awards. I will be giving out four awards: Male, Female and Breakout Athlete of the Year, along with the Team of the Year. For this area, the winners had to be from Vinita or the surrounding area, which includes Welch and Chelsea. These are my Editor’s Choices. Male Athlete of the Year These three schools all have great candidates for this award. Dylan Enyart from Vinita finished third at the wrestling state tournament, capping off a great career. Corey Murphy from Chelsea was dominant on the baseball diamond, helping the Green Dragons finish 24-10. Chelsea’s Gavin Feathers starred on the football field and the track, while Dayton Bowlin did the same for Vinita. Winner: Alex Kauffman, Vinita Kauffman wrestled at 170 pounds last season, and racked up a 40-1 record on the mat. At the state tournament, Kauffman was rewarded with the top seed in his bracket. Kauffman went on to handily win the state title at his weight, defeating Tuttle’s Tanner Johnson in the finals. Kauffman is a beast, and will be returning to defend his title next year. Female Athlete of the Year Cassidy McIntire from Chelsea won two medals at the state track meet this spring, making a strong case for this award. Natalie Carr also won multiple medals in track, and was a key player for the Vinita girls basketball team. Hannah Mount from Welch was a key piece on the softball team, and also competed with the track team.

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JUNE 2016

Winner: Carsyn Spurgeon, Vinita Spurgeon won two gold medals at this year’s state track meet, after winning one as a junior. Spurgeon won the gold in the 400 and in the long jump. Spurgeon was also a two-time VYPE Top 100 selection as a basketball player. Spurgeon was also the leader on the Lady Hornet basketball team that finished 20-9 and made it to the area tournament.

Carsyn Spurgeon

Breakout Athlete of the Year Grace Burget from Vinita made a name for herself in multiple sports this season. Burget was a key contributor as a sophomore on the basketball team. Welch’s Madisen Horton was great on the diamond for the slow pitch team.

Team of the Year Chelsea baseball had the best start to the season in school history, and has multiple players heading to college to play ball. The Welch slow pitch team climbed to No. 18 in Class A before losing in the first round of the state tournament. Vinita’s girls basketball team had a great season, making the area tournament. Winner: Vinita Girls Track

Winner: Gavin Feathers, Chelsea Feathers made a name for himself on the football field at Chelsea. Feathers is a do-it-all player who caught passes, carried the ball and made tackles on defense. At the state track meet, Feathers displayed his athleticism, finishing fourth in the high jump. Feathers is poised to have a big junior season.

The Vinita Lady Hornet track team finished in third place with 69 points. The Lady Hornets collected three total gold medals, two by Spurgeon and won from the 4x200 relay team. They didn’t stop there. Natalie Carr added more strong performances in the 100 and 300 meter hurdle races. It was a great performance from the Lady Hornets.

Vinita Track

-Kaitlin Benge

Three-sport athlete Kaitlin Benge just completed her junior year at Vinita. Benge is on the Lady Hornet basketball, track and cross country teams. Benge said basketball has always been her favorite sport. This past spring, Benge was an important piece on the Vinita girls track team. The Lady Hornets earned the bronze medal at the 2016 state meet, and Benge helped her team get there. Benge earned a point in the high jump, finishing in sixth place. The Lady Hornets have a rich tradition in multiple sports, and Benge relishes the opportunity to be a part of that. “The best part of being a student-athlete at Vinita is being able to be a part of a winning tradition and to have such great teammates and coaches to push you along the way,” Benge said. Heading into her senior year, Benge is motivated to work harder than she ever has before. Benge wants to be a leader for the girls around her, as girls before her did. That’s how the Vinita tradition continues. “It being my last year of high school has motivated me to work hard every day,” Benge said. “I want to take my team to the state tournament and become state champions.” After high school, Benge plans on playing college basketball somewhere. Eventually, Benge said she hopes to become a physical therapist. Outside of school and sports, Benge enjoys playing summer basketball with her traveling team and spending time with her family and friends. For her commitment to Vinita athletics, motivation to continue the tradition and hard work in multiple sports, Kaitlin Benge is the Vinita Athlete of the Month.

JUNE 2016

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Cierra Bennett has an extremely impressive track record at Wyandotte. Bennett qualified for the state track meet in multiple events as a freshman, sophomore and junior. Bennett’s best events were the 400, 800 and long jump. She earned medals in all three events as a freshman. Bennett joined the first cross country team in Wyandotte history her junior year. Bennett went on to qualify for the state meet in her first season after finishing in eighth place at the regional meet. This past year, Bennett made the cheer squad, and qualified for state in cross country after winning the conference championship. Outside of sports, Bennett’s impressive track record continues. Bennett was heavily involved in FFA and rodeo for three years. Bennett has won multiple buckles, and even earned herself some money in rodeo. Bennett has traveled to campuses and cities around the state for FFA and rodeo. In the classroom, Bennett continues to impress. Her 3.978 GPA ranked her No. 2 in her class of 58. Bennett was a key member of the student council all four years of her high school career. Bennett’s list of athletic accomplishments alone is too long to put on one page, let alone the rest of her activities. For that, Cierra Bennett is the Athlete of the Month .

Seth Miller is a member of the Afton powerlifting and track teams. Miller placed in first at every weightlifting event he attended this past season. On March 12, Miller had his personal best in both the bench press and squat, with lifts of 315 pounds and 525 pounds respectively. Along with those numbers, Miller deadlifted 550 pounds, giving him a total of 1,390 pounds. That performance made him the 275-pound class state champion. Miller earned 12 points for his team with that performance, and his team went on to become the Class A state champions. Miller isn’t just physically strong. He has a pretty strong record in the classroom as well. Miller is in the college prep curriculum and has never made anything less than a B. Miller holds an impressive 3.81 GPA. Miller is actively involved in multiple student organizations at Afton, including STUCO. When Miller is not in the weight room lifting insane amounts of weight, he can be found at Buffalo Wild Wings lifting wings with his boys.

138 N. Main Street • Miami, OK 74354 • 918-542-5526 jim.rexwinkle.d907@statefarm.com 26

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JUNE 2016

Editor's End of Year Awards: Miami-Commerce By Cal Ross VYPE NEOK Editor In this issue of VYPE Magazine, the VYPE staff decided to try something new by handing out end of the year awards. I will be giving out four awards: Male, Female and Breakout Athlete of the Year, along with the Team of the Year. For this area, the winners had to be from Miami or Commerce. These are my Editor’s Choices. Male Athlete of the Year The Wardogs and Tigers have plenty of great candidates for this award. A few names that jump off the page are Commerce football player Chris Ibarra, Miami soccer player Koith Quiroz and Miami football player and track athlete Alec Hayward. Ibarra had a tremendous season for the Tigers, running for 1,191 yards and 12 touchdowns as a freshman. Quiroz scored 11 goals, and assisted on 14 goals as well. Quiroz was named to the Class 4A All-State team as a midfielder. Hayward medaled in the shot put at the state track meet, and had a tremendous season on the football field. Winner: Ben Pulley, Miami Ultimately, Pulley was a no-brainer pick. Pulley scored a tremendous 33 goals on the pitch this season. Pulley was named to the 4A All-State team as a forward, and was one of the best soccer players in the state. Pulley also played on the Wardog basketball team. Pulley and Quiroz were the leaders on the Wardog soccer team that made it to the state semifinal match. Female Athlete of the Year Commerce’s Britney Bachman made her case for this award with her play on the softball diamond this season. Bachman was a major bright spot for coach Bill Rogers. Lindsey Ackley was a four-year starter on Miami’s girls soccer team, and was an All-State honorable mention this year. Winner: Cynthia Vandiver, Miami Vandiver is one of Ackley’s teammates on the pitch for Miami. Vandiver was named

to the 4A-8 All-District team after her performance this year. Vandiver scored an impressive 19 goals and had seven assists to go along with those goals. Vandiver, who will be a senior next season, will be Miami’s leader on the pitch next spring. Breakout Athlete of the Year Vandiver was heavily considered for this award before she was selected as the Female Athlete of the Year. Another Miami athlete who was considered for this award was football player Kameron Jinks. Jinks did not have eye-popping stats, but he made a huge impact for the Wardogs. Jinks stepped up and did everything he was asked of, and next year, he is primed to have a big year. Winner: Chris Ibarra, Commerce Ibarra was the only choice for this award. Ibarra burst onto the scene as a freshman last year, rushing for 1,191 yards and 12 touchdowns on the football field. Ibarra caught many by surprise, and is now expected to dominate for three more years. Ibarra doesn’t just run the ball; he can catch passes and return kicks. It was a tremendous season for Ibarra.

Ben Pulley season, making it all the way to semifinals match in Class 4A. The Wardogs went 4-2 in district play and defeated Cushing in the first round. In the second round, the Wardogs defeated Poteau in a major upset to advance to the quarterfinals. It was an outstanding season for the Wardogs, and it is one that will be remembered for a long time. Photo provided by Jim Ellis, Miami News-Herald

NEW Miami Multi-Purpose Event Center

Team of the Year There are a few great candidates for this award. Commerce’s football team qualified for the state tournament after a solid season. The Wardog basketball team went 16-9 and made it to the regional tournament. The Wardog golf team sent five golfers to the state golf tournament and had a strong finish to the season. Winner: Miami Wardog Soccer In the end, the Wardog soccer team was the pick. The Wardogs made history on the pitch this

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TTCU

Academic

ATHLETE of the MONTH

Hutch Simmons Helbig Claremore High School Dylan Holland Hall Claremore’s Hutch Helbig qualified for the state track meet this past spring. Helbig walked away from that meet with two gold medals, one

in the high jump a part of the relay team.eosant Helbig’s performance helped the Claremore teameostisto earn a second place finish Olorepro torioand teanother maio as que pro et 4x400 hit autendis quidus, sunt volorerum sitas at the state meet. Helbig said his favorite sport is track because it was the only sport he was able to stick with throughout his high school volesequi doluptas te estrum exclassroom excearum quatus eum liquiat career. Whilequam Helbig shined on themolorrunti track this spring,disciendic he has been impressive in the for his whole high school career.esti Helbig’s weighted GPA is a 4.2, and his unweighted GPA is a 3.9. The numbers themselves are impressive, but look at the classes he has sus, secuptaquo venisqui dem quatia verita volupta tempore pliquunt eos. Olorepro torio te taken, and they become that much more impressive. Throughout high school, Helbig took three AP classes and 10 honors classes. Some of those maio pro hit autendis quidus,and sunt volorerum volesequi dolupclassesque include AP et English 3, AP Biology,eosant Honors geometry Honors chemistry. sitas A GPA eostisto that high with a workloadquam like the one Helbig took on is nothing short of incredible. With a substantial academic workload, along with sports, Helbig still managed to find time for his favorite tas molorrunti disciendic te estrum excearum quatus eum. hobby. “I enjoy singing and creating music,” Helbig said. “Each year of high school I have taken the opportunity to be in my school’s musical theater productions.” Helbig said his favorite subject in school was jazz choir, as it allowed him to take a break from school and sports and do something he enjoyed. Helbig is currently enrolled at the University of Tulsa with plans of becoming a chemical engineer. Helbig will also walk on to TU’s track team so he can continue his athletic career. For his endless academic accomplishments, athletic successes and dedication to his passion, Hutch Helbig is the Claremore Academic Athlete of the Month.

Kenneth Burton Kendra Poarch BishopMiami Kelley High HighSchool School Kenneth Burton just completed his freshman year at Miami, and he already impresses both his teachers and coaches. BurtonOlorepro posted a 4.0torio GPA as freshman, favorite subject English. Burton hasn’t had the opportunity te amaio queand prohe etsaid hit his autendis eosantisquidus, sunt volorerum sitas eostistoto take AP classes since he will only be a sophomore next year. Outside of the classroom, Burton only played tennis for the volesequi quam doluptas teplanning estrum on exjoining excearum quatus eumcountry liquiatteams esti Wardogs this year. However, he plans tomolorrunti change thatdisciendic next year. “I’m the swim and cross my sophomore year, ” Burton said. Burton made big strides as both an athlete and student this year, and the future is bright. sus, secuptaquo venisqui dem quatia verita volupta tempore pliquunt eos. Olorepro torio te Burton will have opportunities to make an impact on the tennis court next season. Miami tennis coach Zach Gibson had maio quetopro et hit Burton. autendis eosant sitas” Gibson eostisto quamofdoluponly good things say about “Kenneth is aquidus, great kidsunt and isvolorerum really deserving, said.volesequi Burton is unsure his plans after high school, but fortunately for him, he has plenty of time to figure out which direction he wants to go. At this tas molorrunti disciendic te estrum excearum quatus eum liquiat esti sus. point, Burton said he is interested in possibly pursuing something along the lines of psychology. Burton took advantage of his opportunities as a freshman, and will only have more opportunities to succeed next year as a sophomore. For his hard work on the tennis court and in the classroom, Kenneth Burton is the Miami Academic Athlete of the Month.

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Throughout Cassidy McIntire’s career at Chelsea, she only participated in track because Chelsea does not offer volleyball or tennis. That’s probably a good thing because McIntire had a tremendous track career at Chelsea. At the Class 3A state meet this past spring, McIntire took home bronze in the 100 meter dash. That wasn’t even her best finish, however. In the 200 meter dash, McIntire finished less than half a second behind Millwood’s Taniyah McMillian to capture the silver medal and earn her team eight points. With her high school career finished, McIntire is heading to the University of Nebraska-Kearney next year to continue running track. McIntire is interested in pursuing a degree in exercise science, which will allow her to chase her goals.

“I hope to become a chiropractor,” McIntire said. “I also want to create my own running club to help athletes get better at the sports they love doing.” McIntire was fond of Chelsea during her time there. She said the best part of being a student-athlete at Chelsea was the bond that the students are able to forge with the coaches and teachers. McIntire said the coaches and teachers at Chelsea make an effort to go the extra mile to help each student succeed. McIntire truly enjoys helping people, and her motivations are evidence. “I think the thought of creating a better me to help myself and others is what motivates me the most,” McIntire said. “I really enjoy helping people.” For her success on the track and passion for helping others, Cassidy McIntire is the Athlete of the Month.

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Claremore and Verdigris Take Over at State CLAREMORE AND VERDIGRIS STRIKE GOLD AT SPRING STATE TOURNAMENTS Claremore Girls Soccer Before 2016, the Lady Zebra soccer team had not won a state title in the school’s history. Coming into the season, they were determined to change that fact. The Lady Zebras started off the season 4-2, losing a couple of tough matches to Class 6A opponents. After an overtime loss to Sapulpa on March 24, the Lady Zebras went on an epic run, winning nine straight matches, including all seven of their district games. During that nine game win streak, the Lady Zebras only allowed one goal, while scoring a whopping 55 goals. Once in the state tournament, the Lady Zebras did not stop their dominant play. In the first round, Claremore squared off against Durant. The Lady Zebras defeated Durant 2-0 and advanced to the next round where Cascia Hall waited. Once again, the Lady Zebras’ defense and goalkeeping dominated and allowed their offense to move the ball. Claremore won that game against Cascia 4-1. In the semifinal match, Claremore faced a strong opponent in Piedmont. Piedmont was riding a four-match shutout streak into their match against Claremore, and played the Lady Zebras tough. However, they ended up falling to Claremore 2-1. In the state final game, the Lady Zebras faced their toughest challenge of the season: Bishop Kelley. The Lady Comets have dominated girls soccer in Oklahoma for more than a decade. These two opponents were seemingly polar opposites of each other when it came to winning titles in girls soccer. Despite that, the Lady Zebras were not intimated and played their hearts out. With Jenna Brown, Lauren Chancellor, Kassidy Hannah and Chandler Payne 30

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Claremore Soccer leading the way, the Lady Zebras went on to win the match 1-0 in overtime to clinch the first state title for girls soccer in Claremore history. It was a tremendous season for the Lady Zebras, and they will have a lot of their talent returning next season as they try to defend their shiny new title. Verdigris Boys Soccer The Verdigris Cardinal soccer team, much like the Claremore Lady Zebra soccer team, had never won a state title before. The Verdigris girls soccer team reeled off four straight titles from 2011-14, but the boys haven’t seen the same success. All of that changed this season. Coach Justin Phillip had the Cardinals playing well from the start of the season. The Cardinals reeled off six straight wins before losing two matches in a row. After that second loss, the Cardinals never looked back. The Cardinals would go on to win all seven of their district matches before entering the state tournament. The Cardinals faced tough competition in the first round of state in Fort Gibson. Ironically enough,

Fort Gibson was one of the only two teams to hand Verdigris a loss in the regular season. This time, however, the Cardinals turned the tables and defeated Fort Gibson 2-1 to advance to play Metro Christian. The Cardinals took down the Patriots 3-0 before defeating Bethany 2-0 in the following round. In the finals, Verdigris met Dove Science (OKC), who was on an impressive run themselves. The finals match between these two was an instant classic. It was back-andforth the entire match, with the game ultimately going into overtime. In the extra period, the Cardinals would find a way to get it done. Verdigris won the match 3-2 to claim its first boys soccer state title in school history. Koleson Freeman and Laef Payne were big time players for the Cardinals throughout their run. Payne picked up his second gold ball of the year, after winning one in basketball as well. Verdigris Baseball Verdigris baseball won the Class 3A state baseball title from 2011-14 before missing the title in 2015. This season, behind the arm of Peyton Battenfield,

the Cardinals were ready to get back to the state title game and reclaim the throne. The Cardinals absolutely crushed this season, going 33-2 and getting ranked No. 1 in the state in Class 3A. At one point, Verdigris was ranked the No. 1 small school baseball in the entire nation. The Cardinals’ two losses came by a combined total of three runs. Verdigris swept its way through the regional tournament, defeating Kellyville, Perry and Victory Christian by a total score of 28-2. At the state tournament, the competition got a little bit tougher. However, Verdigris’ opponents were no match for Cardinals. In the first round, Verdigris took down No. 11 Perkins-Tryon 3-2 in what ended up being their toughest game of the postseason. In the second round, Verdigris faced No. 4 ranked Stigler. Verdigris clobbered Stigler 11-1 to move onto the state final game. There, the Cardinals faced No. 3 Metro Christian, who had been playing well all season. Verdigris smashed

Metro 11-3 to claim the Class 3A state title. Battenfield, who is headed to Oklahoma State next year to play for the Cowboys, shined all year, but he wasn’t the only one. Gabe Rodery went 12-0 on the mound with 93 strikeouts. Kade Keith had a .416 average, while catcher Dylan Hight hit .402. Overall,

it was an outstanding season for the Cardinals and they will try to write a new chapter next season as they defend their title.

Verdigris Baseball

JUNE 2016

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Editor's End of Year Awards: Claremore-Verdigris-Claremore Sequoyah By Cal Ross VYPE NEOK Editor In this issue of VYPE Magazine, the VYPE staff decided to try something new by handing out end of the year awards. I will be giving out four awards: Male, Female and Breakout Athlete of the Year, along with the Team of the Year. For

this area, the winners had to be from the Claremore area, which includes Verdigris and Sequoyah Claremore. These are my Editor’s Choices. Male Athlete of the Year This award felt next to impossible to pick. There were so many great athletes from this area. A strong case can be made for track athlete Hunter Thrasher, who won the 400 and also medaled with three different relay teams. Other track athletes from Claremore such as Hutch Helbig and Jackson Long could make their case. Helbig won two gold medals this year. Long medaled in track and finished in the top 20 at state in cross country. Verdigris football players Triston Willis and Hunter Hutchison both had tremendous years on the gridiron. Winner: Peyton Battenfield, Verdigris

Peyton Battenfield

Ultimately, Battenfield’s numbers were just too good to ignore. Battenfield can do it all on the baseball diamond, but he is exceptional on the pitching mound. Battenfield pitched 61 innings, faced 219 batters and only allowed two runs. Two. On top of that, his ERA was a sensational 0.23 and he had 117 strikeouts. Plus, Battenfield can hit as well. His .448 batting average and 35 RBIs are evidence of that. Battenfield will continue his baseball career at Oklahoma State University. Female Athlete of the Year Just like the male

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JUNE 2016

award, it was difficult to select a winner for this award. Verdigris golf player McKenzie Risenhoover finished in the top 15 at the state tournament this spring. There were roughly three or four girls from the Lady Zebra soccer team who could’ve won, including Chandler Payne, Taryn Kedzior and Courtney Cardwell. All three of those girls made a huge impact on the soccer team. Verdigris softball player Kaitlyn Stark should be mentioned as well because she had a great year for the Verdigris fast pitch team. Claremore runner Anna Mason starred on the cross country course and the track. Winner: Jenna Brown, Claremore Brown was only a freshman last season, but that didn’t matter. She was sensational on the soccer pitch. Brown was a vital piece, along with the girls mentioned above, to the Lady Zebras’ title run this season. Brown scored 14 goals and had two assists from her forward position. Brown was able to get into the starting lineup on an incredibly talented team, showcasing what type of future Brown has at Claremore. Do not be surprised if you hear a ton about Jenna Brown in the near future. Breakout Athlete of the Year Brown was also heavily considered for this award before she ended up winning the female award. Claremore’s Katelyn Alexander had a great sophomore year on the track, proving she has a bright future at Claremore. Baseball player Bryson Vanover from Claremore broke onto the scene as a junior this season. Verdigris football player Hunter Hutchison was also considered for this award, after rushing for more than 1,000 yards last year. Winner: Tori Wood, Sequoyah Claremore Wood made a huge impact as a freshman this season. Wood is on the cross country and track teams at Sequoyah Claremore. At the cross country state meet, Wood finished in 12th place, which was the fourth highest finish by a freshman at that race. At the state

track meet, Wood continued to show out. Wood finished fifth in 800, third in the 1600 and second in the 3200. Wood’s three top five finishes are nothing short of impressive, especially as a freshman. Wood will compete for state titles in these events for the next three years.

The Lady Zebras captured their first state title in school history this season, pulling off a major upset against powerhouse Bishop Kelley in the state final match. The fans voted them as the Team of the Year from the NEOK region as a whole, and they deserved all of the votes they received. The Lady

Zebras went on an incredible 13-match winning streak to capture the title. The Lady Zebras have a large portion of their roster back next season, as they look to repeat.

Team of the Year The Claremore area had arguably the best spring sports season of any area in the state. But teams from this area dominated in other seasons as well. The Claremore girls cross country team won a state title in the fall. The Verdigris boys basketball team, led by Laef Payne and Brewster Peacock, won the state title in Class 3A. The Verdigris boys soccer team, also featuring Payne, won the Class 4A state title. The Verdigris girls soccer team made it to the state finals before falling just short. The Verdigris baseball team would’ve won this award if it weren’t for… Winner: Claremore Girls Soccer

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Pryor Spring Recap THE TIGERS AND LADY TIGERS FINISHED THE SEASON STRONG Golf The Lady Tiger golf team qualified two golfers for the state tournament for the second straight year. It just so happens that those two golfers were the same two who qualified the year before. Mia Gordon and Zoe Rosebrough represented the Lady Tigers at the state tournament. Rosebrough improved her aggregate score by a total of 16 strokes, which moved her from 24th place last year to 13th place this season. Gordon’s score stayed in line with her score last season, going from a 197 to a 199. That finish put Gordon in a tie for 34th place. Overall, it was a solid showing

Mia Gordon

from these Lady Tigers.

Baseball

The Tiger golf team qualified five golfers for the state tournament this season. Parker Sloan, Ethan Pace, Layne Nolan, Grant Murray and Nick Mitchell all qualified. Unfortunately, the Tigers struggled on both days. The Tigers finished with a team score of 1,091 strokes, which put them in 12th place as a team. It was a tough outing for the Tigers, but they made tremendous progress this season considering Pryor didn’t have any golfers qualify for the state tournament in 2015.

The Pryor baseball team qualified for the state tournament after going 25-12 and winning their regional tournament. Unfortunately for the Tigers, that’s as far as they would get. El Reno defeated the Tigers in the first round of the state tournament, ending the Tigers’ season. Spencer Henson, an ORU commit, had another tremendous season both at the plate and on the mound. Henson hit 12 homeruns, drove in 59 RBIs and went 8-0 on the mound. The Tigers will have to work to replace Henson next season, along with standout shortstop Anthony Martinez. Overall, it was a solid campaign from the Tigers.

Track The Lady Tiger track team finished in 23rd place at the Class 5A state track meet, while the Tiger track team finished in 18th place with 12 points. Kelsie Kerns earned the only two points for the Lady Tigers when she came in fifth in 1600 meter run. The Lady Tigers will only improve, as many of their qualifiers were underclassmen. Jaquwan Blaylock, on the boys side, took home a silver medal in the 110 meter hurdle race, earning his team eight points. Freshman Jace Wilhite had an impressive showing, finishing in fourth place in the high jump. Wilhite earned his team another four points with that finish. Blaylock graduated, but many of the other qualifiers will return to the track next season for the Tigers.

Soccer The Tiger and Lady Tiger soccer teams had eerily similar seasons. The girls went 10-6, while the boys went 9-6. The Lady Tigers finished 4-3 in district play and snuck into the state tournament. In the first round, state runner-up Bishop Kelley defeated the Lady Tigers, ending their season. The Lady Tigers had a relatively young roster, and have a chance at improving under coach Kirk Emerine next season. The Tigers finished 3-4 in district and just missed out on a state tournament berth. The Tigers should see quite a bit of improvement next season, as they get another offseason under new coach Thor Campbell. Pryor soccer is poised to make big leaps in 2017.

SHOW YOUR SCHOOL SPIRIT Stop by today to get your Pryor Tigers debit card! Available for use with checking accounts only; Deposit Agreement Addendum must be signed by parent or guardian if under the age of 18 years; $50 minimum deposit required to open account; Existing customers will be charged a replacement fee. 34

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of jobs requiring skilled training true for Backward, and his initial emotions Coby Backward was a three-sport when standout during his career as a Salina by 2018he found out they selected him Wildcat. Backward played basketball, baseball and ran cross country. He was an impact player for four years on the Wildcat basketball team, and a state qualifier in cross country. Backward was active outside of sports as well. He was named the valedictorian of his class, and was involved in countless activities, including the class presidency. Backward also did something that no other student from Salina has ever done: get selected to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. Backward will head to the Academy on June 28 to prepare for his military career. July 1 is his introduction day into the Academy, and he will shift from a civilian lifestyle to a military lifestyle. Backward said that he was both excited and nervous with July 1 quickly approaching. However, Backward also said he was just ready to be a part of the Academy and its lifestyle. The Naval Academy selection is a dream come

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“It was just a surreal moment,” Backward and MAIP.com said. “It’s something I’ve been working toward since about seventh grade. I was just humbled and excited at the opportunity to be apart of something so much bigger than myself.” The Naval Academy will present new challenges that Backward has never faced before. Backward will be faced with plenty of adversity, but he knows he has to be prepared for it. Backward’s athletic career at Salina helped him learn how to deal with difficult challenges. “The biggest lesson is what I learned through my senior basketball season,” Backward said. “I learned to face adversity head on while being accountable and never complaining.” That attitude will take Backward far in the Navy. Refusing to back down from adversity and taking accountability for oneself are key components of being a

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military member in the United States. Backward is off to a great start. In 10 years, Backward sees himself graduated from the Academy with a degree in systems engineering and working on whatever the Navy has planned for him during his military career. Congratulations to Coby Backward on his numerous accomplishments at Salina, and for getting selected to the Naval Academy.

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NORTHEAST TECHNOLOGY ATHLETE OF THE MONTH Ben Piazza – Kansas

Ben Piazza attends Kansas High School and is enrolled in the Auto Service Technology Program at the Northeast Tech campus in Kansas, Okla. Piazza said his family has always been into cars and working on cars, and that was one of the reasons he decided to

join the program at Northeast Tech. Piazza also said his friends influenced him to join because they knew how much he liked working with cars. Given his love for working on cars, Piazza could not have picked a better program to learn more about becoming a mechanic or automotive service in general.

Piazza, unlike most Northeast Tech student-athletes, doesn’t participate in any sports at his high school. Instead, Piazza participates in the National High School Rodeo Association. Rodeo is Piazza’s biggest passion. It allows him

to travel around the country, to states such as Wyoming, to compete in events. Piazza competes in the team rope, among other events. Piazza’s school workload, Northeast Tech work and rodeo commitment makes his 3.5 GPA that much more impressive.

Piazza’s rodeo goals are simple. He wants to make the high school finals and win as many events as he can. After high school, Piazza said he wants to go to NEO and be on the rodeo team before going to a four-year university to finish his degree. After that, Piazza hopes to get into professional rodeo. For his commitment to rodeo and passion for the auto service program, Ben Piazza is the Northeast Tech Athlete of the Month.

Did you know Northeast Technology Center isn’t just for high school students? NTC’s Business & Industry Services division offers support for business of all shapes and sizes. Some of the trainings provided by NTC include: • Industrial Maintenance • CPR & First Aid • OSHA 10 & OHSA 30 • Business Development • Agriculture Business Management • Lockout/Tagout • Confined Spare Training • And much more... Trainings take place at the BIS office in Pryor, or NTC’s experts can bring the training to you. Call today to learn more!

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Rhett Minson, Agent 716 S Mill Pryor, OK 74361 Bus: 918-825-4000 rhett.minson.mdjt@statefarm.com

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Bradley Nixon completed his career as a Pryor Tiger this past spring. Nixon was a two-sport athlete at Pryor, playing baseball and running cross country. Nixon said baseball was his favorite sport while at Pryor. Nixon was the second baseman for the Tiger team that went 25-13 and qualified for the state tournament. The Tigers didn’t go quite as far as Nixon and his teammates hoped, falling to El Reno in the first round of the state tournament.

Bradley Nixon Pryor High School

With his final baseball season at Pryor in the rearview, Nixon is headed to Rogers State University where he will continue his education. Nixon held a solid 3.8 GPA

while at Pryor, and his favorite subject was math. Nixon said he is good at math, and that is the reason he enjoyed it so much. Nixon took AP English and AP Calculus, making his GPA that much stronger. Pryor baseball coach Gerald Osborne said Nixon was one of the best kids he has coached. Nixon has a bright future ahead of him. When Nixon isn’t working or doing schoolwork, he enjoys running, fishing and hanging out with his friends. For his commitment to Pryor athletics, hard work in the classroom and willingness to get better, Bradley Nixon is the Pryor Character Counts Athlete of the Month.

When I say “good,” you say “neighbor.” Rhett Minson, Agent 716 S Mill Pryor, OK 74361 Bus: 918-825-4000 rhett.minson.mdjt@statefarm.com

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Editor's End of Year Awards: Mayes County By Cal Ross VYPE NEOK Editor In this issue of VYPE Magazine, the VYPE staff decided to try something new by handing out end of the year awards. I will be giving out four awards: Male, Female and Breakout Athlete of the Year, along with the Team of the Year. For this area, the winners had to be from the Mayes County area, which includes Pryor, Salina, Adair, Locust Grove and Chouteau-Mazie. These are my Editor’s Choices. Male Athlete of the Year Mayes County saw its fair share of tremendous athletes this year, both male and female. The male award had plenty of worthy candidates, making it a tough choice. Spencer Henson, Pryor baseball and football star, led the Tiger baseball team to the state tournament. On the gridiron, Henson was dominant on both sides of the ball. Locust Grove wrestler Trent Monk won the state title in Class 3A at 195 pounds. Monk had a 36-3 record during the season. Salina’s Cody Daniels had a tremendous season on the diamond,

helping the Wildcats to 28-12 record and state tournament berth. Adair quarterback BJ Bradbury had a stellar year on the football field, both individually and as a team. Bradbury led the Warriors to the Class 2A state championship. Winner: Mason Fine, Locust Grove In the end, I decided to roll with Oklahoma’s all time leading passer. Fine had a stellar career as a Pirate, and will continue his football career at the University of North Texas. Last season, Fine led the state with 4,227 yards passing, to go along with 52 passing touchdowns. Fine was Oklahoma’s Gatorade Player of the Year two years in a row. Fine won VYPE’s Mr. Football award in 2014-15. That year, Fine set state single season records in passing yards (5,006) and passing touchdowns (71). Fine’s 13,086 yards is the state record. It was a stellar season and career for Fine, earning him this award. Female Athlete of the Year There were quite a few female athletes from Mayes County that had great years. Pryor’s Kelsie Kerns was a talented runner both in cross country and track. Kerns had a great year in both sports. Chouteau’s Shelby Snodgrass was a key player on the basketball team, and finished seventh in the discus throw at the state track meet.

Mason Fine 38

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Salina volleyball player Cassi Berry had a huge season for the No. 5 ranked Wildcats. Berry and the

Wildcats made it to the second round of the state tournament. Adair’s Keni Lippe was a Top 100 basketball player, leading Adair to the second round of the state tournament. She was also a standout during the track season Winner: Olivia Rains, Pryor Rains, who was only a freshman last season, has already committed to the University of Oklahoma to play softball. That should let you know how dominant of a player Rains is in the pitching circle. Rains led the Lady Tigers to the state final game, where their season would end. At one point in the season, Rains threw a no-hitter and two one-hitters in consecutive games. Rains won more than 20 games as a pitcher this season. Keep an eye out on Rains the next three seasons, as she will only continue to get better. Breakout Athlete of the Year Honestly, Rains should probably win this award as well considering the freshman season she had. However, there are other athletes who should be recognized for their performances. Zoe Rosebrough, a golfer from Pryor, made significant leaps this season as a golfer. Rosebrough qualified for the state tournament the past two seasons, but she improved her score at state by 16 strokes. That improvement moved her from 25th place to 13th place. Chouteau’s Joe Quigley had a standout season on the football field,

gathering 114 tackles and 10 sacks. He also made a solid impact on the basketball team. Locust Grove’s Jaren Dirtseller was a two-way star for the Locust Grove football team, and is a talented baseball player. Adair’s Trevor Brachtenbach was an impact football player and track athlete. Winner: Champ Bridges, ChoteauMazie Bridges led the Wildcat basketball team to an 18-9 record and a No. 7 ranking in Class 2A. The Wildcats lost a heartbreaker in the area tournament, or else Bridges numbers might be even more impressive. Bridges is a sharpshooter who averaged 24.9 points, four rebounds and 3.8 assists per game last year. More importantly, Bridges shot a whopping 90.6 percent from the free throw line. Bridges was a wild card finalist for VYPE’s Mr. Basketball Award this year. Bridges’ season was stellar, and folks in 2A should be aware of him next year. Team of the Year This was probably the easiest award

Adair Football to pick, only because there were a few teams that really separated themselves from the rest of the pack. Pryor’s fast pitch team was one of the team’s considered. The Lady Tigers went 38-7 and came up a run short of a state championship. They had a great run, and will be back next season. Salina, Pryor and Locust Grove’s baseball teams all had great seasons as well. However, there is a clear winner.

went 14-1, with their only loss coming against Fine’s Locust Grove team. That game, the Warriors played without Bradbury, who was injured. After that loss, the Warriors weren’t tested again until they played Davis in the quarterfinal playoff game. After that, Adair blasted Chisholm and Haskell on their way to the state championship. Adair outscored opponents 796-206 throughout the course of the season, earning themselves this award.

Winner: Adair Warrior Football The Adair Warrior football team steamrolled their way through Class 2A behind the arm of Bradbury and a swarming defense. The Warriors

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JUNE 2016

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JUNE 2016