VYPE North Oklahoma April 2015

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Sylvan Athlete of the Month Kevin Norris - Stillwater High School and I was able to raise my overall ACT score. A higher ACT score will give me more college scholarship opportunities.”

Norris offers this advice to students and parents considering Sylvan Learning Center as an option for continued education.

“If you are considering Sylvan you should go for it! They assess your weaknesses and have great tools to help you strengthen them. My teachers helped me every step of the way, and they were happy for me when I did well,” explained Norris.

Kevin Norris Kevin Norris is a junior at Stillwater High School where he plays baseball and football for the Pioneers. Norris started playing baseball when he was the age of five and is now a pitcher and infielder for the Pioneers. When he’s not on the field you can find Norris participating in Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta and the Spanish Club as well as being a member of the First United Methodist Church and Momentum Youth Group.

In the classroom Norris is just as focused and works hard to maintain his 3.92 GPA. “My favorite class is AP Statistics because I am learning applications that can be used in the real world,” said Norris.

Always looking to improve on the field and in the classroom, Norris was enrolled at the Sylvan Learning Center where he worked to make improvements for the ACT test.

“My time at Sylvan was for ACT Prep and to improve my reading scores and comprehension. Sylvan prepared me for the ACT test

His plans after high school include attending a four-year college and playing baseball. He hopes to major in Engineering or Athletic Training.

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Trinity Media Group, LLC 12330 E. 60th St. STE A • Tulsa, OK 74146 All rights reserved.

Publisher Austin Chadwick • Partner/Editorial Director Brad Heath • Partner/Director of Operations Rod Coulter Partner/Three Rivers Director Bill Huddleston • Editor at Large Kyle Kendrick • Oklahoma Sales Director Roscoe Migliore Partner Mark Rodgers • Associate Editor Cal Ross Contributing Writers Brad Heath, Sarah Dewberry, Cal Ross, Kyle Kendrick, Bill Huddleston Contributing Photographers Brad Heath, Kyle Kendrick, Chris Barker, Marea Breedlove, Bluncks Photography, Defining Moment Photography, Josh Clough, John Hasler, Kevin Bishop, Michael Mayberry, Brett Rojo, Sara Carter, Sam Perry, Brandy Moton, Dean Majors, Trey Coursey, Christian Campbell Contact Information: Website: www.VYPEOK.com • Phone: 918.495.1771 • Fax: 918.495.1787 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.

6 | Pioneer Baseball Rex Holt weighs in on five things to look for from the Stillwater baseball team as they look to repeat as champions in 2015.

11 | Glencoe Basketball Ty Lazenby and the Panthers are riding high into the state tournament. Did they have enough to three-peat in Class A?

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12 | North Spring Sports VYPE editor Kyle Kendrick breaks down the top ten story lines for the spring sports in the North region.

16 | Ponca Baseball Several PoHi baseball players took a break from the batting cage to answer a few questions about the upcoming season.

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Back-to-Back?

Rex Holt takes a look at what the Pioneers need to do to repeat as Class 6A Champions.

By Rex Holt

Last season Stillwater High School seemed destined to capture the Oklahoma high school Class 6A baseball championship.

It was.

With a very large and extremely

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talented senior class under the direction of first-year head coach Jimmy Harris, the Pioneers played with great confidence and composure throughout the 2014 campaign as they steamrolled their way to the state tournament.

Then after arriving in Norman at the University of Oklahoma’s L. Dale Mitchell Park for the state tournament, SHS’s winning formula was front and center.

Led by that veteran group of 17 seniors, many of whom had played together since grade school, the Pioneers whipped Edmond North 7-2 in round one, outlasted Jenks 3-2 in eight innings in the semifinals and then shut out Tulsa Bishop Kelley

6-0 to claim the school’s first title trophy in baseball since 1957.

It was the cherry on top of a brilliant 32-4 season.

Now, as a new baseball odyssey is just beginning in 2015, the question everyone has for coach Harris and company is how do you follow that?

Here are five things that need to happen for the Pioneers to repeat in May.

1. FOLLOW MY LEAD – The topend talent and leadership of Michael Higgins, Carson Teel, Sam Kraybill, Nick Hollman, Jon Littell, etc., is gone. But the new group is almost as senior laden and almost as talented with 13 May graduates on the roster, some of which were critical performers in last year’s title chase, such as T.J. Black, Will Fowler and Brooks Zimmerman. This group gives you a chance at another trophy.

2. PREPARE FOR ADVERSITY – In 2014 Stillwater avoided major slumps and injuries and saw some usual contenders like Owasso and Tulsa Union have off years. It was almost a perfect storm, a rarity in sport. But even though a little adversity may be in store and a bumpier ride along the way, the destination remains the same.

3. CHEMISTRY II – Whatever coach Jimmy Harris and his assistants Jacob Clay and Kyle Johnson did last year to get that group of athletes to mesh so well together, they simply need to do it again.

There appeared to be no egos run amok, just a bunch of young men caring for and pulling for one another. That type of effort and selflessness gives you a chance to stay on top.

4. WHATEVER IT TAKES – This year’s Pioneer hardballers may not have quite the marquee value as last, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be just as successful. This year’s group needs to find its own identity and if that means running more, bunting more, hitting home runs, better defense, stronger pitching or whatever. Just do what you do best and own it. There’s always been more than one way to get it done.

TJ Black

5. PREPARE FOR BATTLE – When you are the defending state champion it is a sure bet you are going to get the very best every day from the opposition.

Prepare to see a lot ace hurlers and fanatical efforts from the teams you play. Just embrace it and enjoy it. That’s what champions do.

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

Gabe Gudgel Stillwater High School

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Senior Gabe Gudgel is a golfer for Stillwater High School. Golf is the only sport he plays competitively, but he loves to play any sport. He is a returning starter for the Pioneers, and will be seen as one of the leaders of the team. The Pioneers are expecting to be much improved from a season ago. Stillwater’s Karsten Creek is Gudgel’s favorite course to play on because of its beauty and stunning condition.

Gudgel does more for Stillwater High than play golf. He is also an active member of the community around him. He has a 3.8 GPA, and is involved in numerous activities. Some of his activities include Stillwater KLIFE and Lifechurch.TV’s youth ministry ‘Switch.’

Gudgel is planning on attending Oklahoma State University next year to pursue a degree in Strategic Communications.

For all of his hard work, dedication and leadership, Gabe Gudgel is the Stillwater Character Counts Athlete of the Month.

Female Athlete of the

Month

A division of

Samantha Dennison - Stillwater Golf Samantha Dennison is in the midst of her junior year at Stillwater High School. Now, her favorite time of the year is here: golf season. Dennison is one of four returning starters to the Stillwater girls’ golf team. Last season, she finished tied for 23rd at the Class 6A state finals with a total score of 174. Dennison lead her team to an eighth place finish. This season, she is pushing to have a better season for herself and her team. So far, she has seen her hard work pay off.

On March 9, Dennison and her team played a tournament in Ponca City. Dennison finished with an 87 and finished in seventh place. She led her team to a third place finish. As the season rolls on, Dennison will continue to improve her golf game and be a leader for those around her. For all of her hard work and dedication, Samantha Dennison is the Stillwater Cancer Center Female Athlete of the Month.

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Abel Abame – Stillwater Soccer Abel Abame is a senior at Stillwater High School where he plays varsity soccer for head coach Seth Condley.

In the classroom or on the field, Abame always works hard to get the most out of his abilities.

Abame carries a 4.12 weighted GPA and said math is his favorite subject in school.

“My best subject is math. I’m good at it and its not like English where every answer could be correct.”

Abame has helped his team win the Class 6A boys soccer academic state title for the last three years, which is as long as Abame has been starting for the Pioneers.

The two-year captain led the team into the playoffs last year and if they can accomplish that same goal, it will be the first

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time in school history the team has made back-to-back playoff appearances. Having made the playoffs in 2012, it would mean Abame will have made three trips to the playoffs for Stillwater in his career. Being a leader for the Pioneers is something Abame takes serious.

“A leader shows that he cares for each individual. He listens to their problems and is able to lead by example for a good cause.”

His academics are always a priority.

“Academics are very important.

I’m always learning new things and school helps build a better foundation for everyday life,” said Abame.

After graduating high school Abame plans to attend Southwestern Oklahoma State and study pharmacy.

Glencoe Basketball nament next season.

Ty Lazenby GIRLS: The Glencoe Lady Panthers battled their way back to the Class A state tournament this year. Their journey started against Agra in the district tournament, where the Lady Panthers won big 66-25 to advance to the regional tournament. In the winners bracket of the regionals, Glencoe defeated Oaks 62-46 in its first game. The Lady Panthers advanced to the next round where they faced Okarche. Okarche held the upper hand in the matchup, defeating the Lady Panthers 6842. The road did not end there. As runner-up in the regional portion of the tournament, the Lady Panthers were still able to advance to the area tournament. Glencoe had to win three games in a row in order

to advance to the state tournament, and the Lady Panthers did just that.

Glencoe defeated Mason, Oaks and Woodland by an average margin of 17 points on their way to a state tournament berth. The Lady Panthers successfully battled the gauntlet, and earned their spot in the state tournament. Unfortunately, their tough road ended in the first round of the state tournament. The Lady Panthers lost their first game to eventual state champion Thomas-Fay-Custer 69-51. Glencoe’s only two postseason losses came at the hands of the two teams that played for the state title, Thomas-FayCuster and Okarche. It was a valiant effort from the Lady Panthers, who will look to return to the state tour-

BOYS: The Glencoe Panthers started off the year with high hopes of earning their third straight title.

Once the regular season came to an end, the Panthers looked like one of the best teams in Class A, led by star player Ty Lazenby. During the district, area and regional tournaments, Glencoe rarely struggled.

They went 4-0 throughout those tournaments and destroyed opponents by an average of 23 points.

Only one team came within 10 points of the Panthers. Once they made it to state, the story wasn’t much different. Lazenby and co. torched their opponents in the state tournament, beating Beaver by 26 and then demolishing Stuart by 34.

In the championship game they faced Thomas-Fay-Custer, which was trying to win the title in both Class A girls and boys. However, Thomas-Fay-Custer was no match for Lazenby and the now back-toback-to-back state champions. The Panthers defeated Thomas 64-56, and then the celebration began. For Lazenby, it was a defining moment.

In his last game at Glencoe, he was able to secure the state championship alongside his brother and his dad, who coaches at Glencoe.

“It was the exclamation point of my high school career,” Lazenby said.

“The fact that we completed the three-peat, and doing it with my dad and brother made it even better.”

Lazenby was elated he finished his high school career on the highest note possible. With Ty moving on to the next level, Glencoe will attempt to reload and chase their fourth straight title next season.

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Top Ten North OK Spring as a freshman and a sophomore. Not many athletes sweep an event all four years of their high school career but if Baker can win a third state title next year she will set herself up to make history in 2016.

3. Tyra Aska and the Coyle girls seek an overall team title in track.

1. Can Stillwater baseball repeat as Class 6A state champions?

Last year the Pioneers completed a magical run and claimed a Class 6A state championship, the Pioneers first since 1957 when they won the Class A state title by beating Pryor 11-1. This year the Pioneers will try to overcome the graduation of 17 seniors and become just the third program in history to repeat as 6A state champs.

2. Woodland’s RayLee Conner and Glencoe’s Jenny Baker both go for their third state championships in track.

Conner has won the Long Jump as both a sophomore and a junior and will be attempting to make it three in a row this year in her senior campaign. Baker meanwhile is just a junior but has won the state championship in the discus 12

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Aska and the Coyle girls got big points out of all the sprint events last year. This season if they can find a way to manufacture some points in a few other areas the Bluejackets will be a favorite to bring home some major hardware.

4. Ripley baseball hunts a title.

Last year the Warriors made it all the way to the Class A state tournament and lost a hard-fought game to eventual state champ Binger-Oney. This year though the Warriors are back and hungry for more as they bring back nearly everybody from last year’s roster. Look for Ripley to once again be a challenger for a state title this spring.

Chandler Salinas-Ripley tournament. This season all three programs are looking to take the next step and not only make their respective state tournaments but challenge for a state title.

6. Frontier slow-pitch looks to get back to the state tournament.

There is no doubt the Lady Mustangs are a perennial powerhouse in fastpitch but they are quickly rising to that level when it comes

5. Morrison, Shidler and Glencoe baseball all try to make the next step.

Last season all three programs won at least 20 games but all failed to make the state

Shannon West-Frontier

g Sports News Stories The Bucs have been a strong team for several years now but haven’t quite been able to get to the state tournament. This year under first year head coach Kirk Kinzie, Tonkawa hopes to do just that.

Keep an eye on talented junior Tucker Alexander and dynamic sophomore Bryan Hook.

10. Spring football starts.

That’s right football fans it’s that time of the year again. Area teams will begin their work in the weight room and on the field in spring practice to get ready for next fall.

Teams from all levels from Class C Deer Creek-Lamont to Class 6A teams like Stillwater and Ponca City are all going to start working toward that all familiar goal of hoisting a gold ball in December.

Kolby Mendenhall-Perry to slow-pitch as well. Last season they made the quarterfinals, could this be the year they make the semifinals? The finals? Win a state championship? Only time will tell.

Daniel moves up to No. 1 singles.

Will he win it all? Who knows, but he’s still a player to watch.

As a freshman Langston finished second n the state at No. 2 singles.

Last year as a sophomore he won the state title. But now that his older brother Blake has graduated

9. Tonkawa baseball continues to be a team to watch.

7. Ponca Tennis star Daniel Langston. Can he continue to dominate now that he will graduate to No. 1 singles?

8. Perry Track hopes to continue success.

Led by sophomore Kolby Mendenhall and senior Megan Drake the Perry boys and girls track teams look to send several athletes to the state meet this year and hope to turn some heads once they get there.

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Cleveland Track Training for Gold The Tigers and Lady Tigers both have athletes that will turn in some big performances and have chances to medal at state this year.

The Cleveland Tigers and Lady Tigers track teams may not have the depth to challenge for an overall team title but both teams have athletes that have great chances to get on the podium at the state meet in May. Two senior leaders this year are Maverick Keeler and Hannah Hardin. Both athletes through the discus for the Tigers and both just missed out on a medal at state last season. Hardin, who is Cleveland track head coach Kirk Hardin’s daughter, finished in 11th place at state last year while Keeler placed 15th at state for the Tigers. Both Keeler and Hardin have gotten better this year and coach Hardin believes both athletes have a strong chance to earn a medal at state this year.

Another senior that has been a part of the track program throughout his high school career is Wil Hart.

Hart will run the distance races, the 1600 and 3200, for the Tigers and Hardin says he also has a chance to score points for the team at almost every meet they will attend this year. Juniors Cody West and Janean Braverman will also be key contributors for the Tigers and Lady Tigers this year with both athletes competing in the hurdling events.

The one thing the Tigers and Lady Tigers both lack is depth and experience, something Hardin is working to develop by not only working hard in practice but also working on his team’s knowledge and understanding

Member FDIC

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of the sport.

“We are trying to educate the kids about what it takes to continually develop your speed and your speed endurance. Not only are we teaching the physical though and working on actually doing it we are telling them why Maverick Keeler they are doing it,” Hardin said.

“When they know why and understand that then they have better workouts.”

With a strong core of upperclassmen leading the team and expecting to compete for a state championship, expect the young Cleveland track athletes to develop quickly and help push the team to where they want to be at the end of the year.

Frontier Track

Frontier Takes on Season with New Faces Charles Sanders is entering his 12th year as a member of Frontier’s faculty. However, this will be his first season as the track and field coach.

Frontier is only returning four starters from last year’s team.

There should be more, but due to injury he is left with only four. There will be new faces that will be asked to come in and compete immediately. Sanders and his team worked tremendously hard this offseason to make sure they would be ready physically to compete.

“As a team we have been focusing on strength and endurance,” Sanders said. “This will help us excel at sprints and long distance running.”

Sanders believes his team will be strongest in the shot put, high jump, long jump and the 1600-meter race.

Coincidentally, Sanders’ best athletes will participate in these events. Sanders believes he has two or three athletes who will separate themselves as leaders. Justin Collins will be his long and high jumper.

Alivia Molina will run the

1600-meter race. Shannon West will throw in the shot put competition. These three will stand out for coach Sanders. As the sunshine begins to show itself, the track season will begin to heat up. In Class A, keep an eye out for coach Charles Sanders and his Frontier Mustangs.

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Wildcat Pride Po-Hi senior baseball players Austin Emmel, Dalton Mazuier and Chase Kurtz give fans a look into life in the Ponca City clubhouse. guy in the dugout?

Emmel: I’d say myself, I’m pretty weird.

Mazurier: Austin Emmel by far! Jim Carey look alike!

Kurtz: Austin Emmel definitely takes the cake for keeping everybody smiling.

VYPE: Who is your favorite MLB player to watch?

Emmel: Brian Wilson, always goofing off and having fun with the game.

Dalton Mazurier

VYPE: What can fans expect from Po-Hi baseball this year?

play Tulsa Union this year. All the past years have been close games but this year we’re goEmmel: Fans should definitely ing to come out on top.

Mazurier: Our biggest rival, expect us to have a longer the Enid Plainsmen. season than we have had in previous years.

Kurtz: Union, we’ve had some Mazurier: Fans should expect to see us hosting a regional and making it to state.

Kurtz: We are going to put on a show for the fans this year, we are very excited with our ball club.

VYPE: What team on your schedule do you look forward to playing the most?

Emmel: I think I speak for all of us when I say I’m excited to

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Mazurier: R.A. Dickey is a beast with his knuckle ball.

Kurtz: Josh Hamilton. Even though he moved from my favorite team, I’m still a big fan.

VYPE: What advice would you give to a freshman baseball player at Po-Hi?

Emmel: I’d tell them a lot of people underestimate Ponca tight games these past two City athletics, and they’ve years. got people to prove wrong so VYPE: What is the best movie don’t stop working to get better. you have seen in the past year?

Mazurier: Be over before you know it.

Emmel: 22 Jump Street Kurtz: Give it your all no matMazurier: American Sniper! ter what, or who stands in Kurtz: American Sniper is by your way. Don’t leave anything far my favorite movie. Chris to regret.

Kyle was the man.

VYPE: Who is the funniest

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When it comes to leadership it’s tough to find someone who shows more of it than Ponca City senior soccer player Kevin Strait. On the field he is sure to have a big impact as the team’s center midfielder. Off the field however Strait is also a leader and a positive influence in the locker room.

Ponca head boys soccer coach Ben Steichen had nothing but good things to say about his senior.

“Kevin is a guy that all coaches would want on their team. He shows character by taking responsibility for his mistakes and accepting whatever role we need him to play,” Steichen said. “He shows great heart and determination as he’s overcome injuries and obstacles throughout his high school career. For all he has done the guys on our team really respect him and love having him as a teammate.”For everything he has done and continues to do for Ponca City Soccer Kevin Strait is the Farm Bureau Male Athlete of the Month.

As a star soccer player for the Lady Cats, senior Kristin Holle is a leader for her team on and off the pitch. On the field Holle is a center defender and holding midfielder for the Lady Cats and an anchor for her team. In the locker room her impact may be felt even more according to Ponca City girls soccer coach Marcello Aguilar.

“Kristin is a great leader on and off the field. She’s respected by all the players on the team. As captain of the defense, and the team, she is a very important part of what we are trying to do this season,” Aguilar said. “Kristin will definitely be missed as she moves on after the season.”

For her effort on the pitch and her qualities as a leader Kristin Holle is the Farm Bureau Female Athlete of the Month.

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Wildcats Reloading

The Po-Hi boys tennis team looks to get back to business after being hit hard by graduation.

Last season the Ponca City boys tennis team placed fifth in the state with 14 total team points.

That helped lay a great foundation for the program who is trying to once again navigate its way to the top of the Class 6A rankings. The good news is that the Wildcats will bring back three varsity players off of last year’s team to lead the team this year. The bad news is that their other three players, including all-state player Blake Langston graduated after last season.

The chief leader on the team this year will be Blake Langston’s younger brother Daniel who won a state title in No. 2 singles last year. Ponca head coach Brad Larimer said the younger Langston will have no trouble moving up the to the No. 1 singles level or his role as the guy his teammates all turn to for leadership.

“He’s a nationally ranked player and won’t have any trouble with the move. He really also becomes the leader now after Blake did that for the last four years. We have always had good team players here though and Daniel is no different. He’s a great kid and

not a prima donna at all despite should push each other to get how good of a player he is,” Lar- better throughout the season. imer said.

“We need to develop some kids Also back this season but moving and build up some depth. We up a level in competition will be will be fine though, I’m confident the doubles team of Malik Talib we will get to where we want to and Josh Spires. Talib and Spires be, it will just take a little lonqualified for state at No. 2 douger to get rolling than it did last bles last year and will play No. year,” Larimer said.

1 doubles for the Wildcats this year but Larimer said he feels like the duo has a good chance to make it back to state this year and make some noise.

After the three returners, Larimer said he isn’t sure who will fill out his varsity roster but did say he has several players that are in the Daniel Langston running and “It’s not the will to win that matters – everyone has that.

It’s the will to prepare to win that matters.” Paul “Bear” Bryant

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Booster of the Month Leanne Parr Ponca City

We salute the ones behind the scenes who make it happen for high school teams and athletes. In almost every community football and basketball get the most attention. Then baseball and softball get some, then possibly swimming or volleyball, but rarely track. In Ponca City, Leanne Parr is working hard to change that fact though.

With no specific group designated to help behind the scenes or with fundraising Parr is helping to spearhead the effort to start a track and field booster club at Po-Hi. Not something that is started lightly Parr jokes that what made her want to start a booster club was her daughter Katie coming home from a meet in a uniform similar to what Leanne’s husband wore in 1980.

“Really it was just talking to coach Guess and coach Neal. We identified things that the program needed, not only uniforms and equipment, but a lot of things you wouldn’t think about, like tents for the team to put up when the team has a meet. That way they can be under something if it starts to rain or they can have some shade to sit in while they wait for their event,” Parr said. “We are just trying to do things that make it easier on the coaches and easier on the kids. We want to make sure they have everything they need and don’t feel out of place when they go to out of town meets and don’t have the things all the other teams have.”

Along with try to organize the booster club Parr is also planning to help the track team out by helping to run the concession stand at Ponca’s home meet in early April.

For all her dedicated work behind the scenes Leanne Parr is the Ponca City Booster of the Month.

www.theranchwellnesscenter.com 516 E Hartford Ponca City, OK 74601

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Phillips 66 is a proud sponsor of the Ponca City Area Character Counts Award.

Travis Nichols Ponca City High School

On the diamond fans can find Ponca City’s Travis Nichols in left field and wielding a big stick at the plate. Off the field though Nichols is also a leader and involved in several clubs and organizations at Po-Hi. One of those organizations that Nichols is actively involved with is DECA, a club devoted to developing entrepreneurship.

After high school Nichols said he plans to put that entrepreneurship to use and start his electrical apprenticeship and then later become an electrical contractor. When asked why he chose electrical contracting Nichols said “I’ve always been interested in construction and electrical is a field that will always be needed.”

For his effort on and off the field Travis Nichols is the Ponca City Character Counts Athlete of the Month.

PROVIDING ENERGY. IMPROVING LIVES. We’re committed to improving lives in the communities where we live and work. That’s why Phillips 66 is proud to highlight the great student athletes who uphold the fabric of character on and off the field and court.

www.Phillips66.com

© 2014 Phillips 66 Company. All rights reserved.

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Wildcat Wire

Po-Hi girls soccer players Abbie Legg, Yeritza pando and Kristin Holle sit down with VYPE and chat soccer, time travel and everything in between. season from us this year. We have a lot of returning starters so we are hoping to win a lot of games.

VYPE: What team do you look forward to playing the most and why?

Legg: The whole team looks forward to playing Enid. They have always been a rivalry for us and it has always been a good aggressive game when we play them. Very exciting to watch.

Abbie Legg VYPE: What can fans expect from Po-Hi girls soccer this year?

Legg: Fans can expect us to go all out this year for PC soccer. We are going to try our absolute hardest to have our best season yet.

Pando: They should expect a good season from us and hopefully some good wins.

Holle: Fans should expect a great

Pando: I look forward to playing Enid because it’s our senior night.

Holle: Enid, because they are our biggest rivalry. It is one of my last home games and it’s senior night, so it would be great to take them down.

VYPE: When did you start playing soccer and what first got you interested in the sport?

Legg: I started playing when I was six and just fell in love with it and have loved it ever since.

Pando: I started playing when I was four years old. Honestly, I just stuck to it. It’s a fun sport to play and I enjoy it.

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Pando: I would travel backward to being younger. That way I would get to see my momma one last time!

Holle: If I could travel through time I would go 100 years into the future and see how different Ponca City is.

VYPE: If you could play another spring sport besides soccer what would it be and why?

Legg: Nothing. Soccer all day, every day.

Legg: Taylor Mason always makes me laugh when I talk to her.

Holle: Track.

Pando: Abbs. (Abbie Legg)

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Legg: I would travel back in time to the days when my soccer coach was a player so I could see if he is lying when he says he was the best on the team.

Holle: I started playing soccer when I was four. We I was little I always had fun kicking the ball around.

VYPE: Who is the funniest girl on the team?

Yeritza Pando

Kristin Holle

Holle: Abbie Legg

VYPE: If you could travel through time forward or backward where would you go and why?

Pando: Tennis or golf. Not track because that would be too much running.

Northern Oklahoma College

NOC’s Burgos-Garcia off to a great start

Ariel Burgos-Garcia It’s the great curses and impossible victories that make baseball America’s greatest pastime, but it’s not America that grooms its pennant-winning victories. The Dominican Republic has supplied the greatest number of Major League Baseball players in history.

If you ask those whose lifeblood is in the business of baseball, they’ll tell you baseball means one thing: hope.

Freshman Ariel Burgos-Garcia is Northern Oklahoma College’s starting pitcher. The team currently 7-0, with an all-star 6-foot pitcher, has

put the fear in the curve.

Burgos-Garcia, originally from the Dominican Republic, grew up watching some of the greats play ball.

“Watching baseball is all we do in my country.

I know I’m a freshman, but I’m 23 years old.

Coming from the Dominican Republic, I’ve seen really good players. I’ve been around people who used to play pro. I get experience from them. It’s my religion, like any other Dominican. Eat, sleep, baseball. That’s all we have.”

For Dominican players, the desire is there because they want the opportunity of the American dream.

“We are a small country. A lot of people ask how can we be so good but we are so small. When you come from a place when you don’t have much, you barely have enough to survive. You always bring the hunger in you,” Burgos-Garcia said.

Ryan Bay, Northern’s head baseball coach, knows how to recruit players that not only can play but can build up confidence in the team as a whole.

“Ariel is a great teammate. He’s always willing to lend a hand to our other pitchers by giving advice and pointing out mechanical adjustments.

He leads by example and has tremendous work ethic,” Bay said.

Burgos-Garcia, along with his teammates, expect to go far this season.

“We want to go far. We all agree, we want to make a difference. We want to do something special. If

that’s our dream, we can make it,” Burgos-Garcia said. “God won’t give you the ability of dreaming without the possibility of making dreams come true. We just have to work hard and compete every time we step on the field.”

His power pitch, the fastball, has allowed for upsets and a 5-inning perfect game vs. Southwest Christian earlier this year.

“He has great command of all his pitches and can move his fastball around to set up his off-speed.

Ariel is a very calm and confident player. His teammates feed off of that, and his mannerisms give them confidence,” Bay said.

That self-assurance is what a pitcher commands on the mound.

“I don’t care who I have to face, how good they are, when I step on the mound, I’m the best player on the field. I tell my teammates, even on your worst day, try to compete,” Burgos-Garcia said. “If someone is going to beat you, let them beat your best. Let them go back and say we beat them, but it was tough. Always give your 120 percent.”

Having not seen his mother in years, Ariel’s dream is to make it to the big leagues and do something special for his mother.

“My motivation is my family. I dream I get drafted so I can give something to my family. I want to buy my mom a house. I’m always thinking about my family,” Burgos-Garcia said.

APRIL 2015

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Proudly Supporting the Ponca City Community

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