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Basketball North Oklahoma Basketball
Girls Player of the Year: RayLee Conner – Woodland Coach of the Year: Tom Webb – Coyle First Team Baylee Jacobs – Tonkawa Chelsea Lazenby – Glencoe Bailey Wensler – Perkins-Tryon Dylan Fix – Stillwater Tyra Aska – Coyle Kristen Molina – Frontier
RayLee Conner Woodland
Tyra Aska Coyle Y 2011
Second Team Lauren Stettnisch – Stillwater McKenna Pulley – Newkirk Shelby Gordon – Woodland Kelsey Castlebury – Glencoe Shilah Young – Coyle Erika Stevenson – Perkins-Tryon
Boys Player of the Year: Ty Lazenby – Glencoe Coach of the Year: John Lazenby – Glencoe First Team Gideon Gardner – Pawnee J.K. Hadlock – Glencoe Chris Adams – Perry Talon Harris – Frontier Chaz Newton – Coyle Maverick Ball – Cleveland Second Team Nathan Brock – Pawnee Adam Nicholas – Ponca City Jacob Albritton – Perry Houston Twoguns – Ripley Hayden Bergman – Newkirk Trey Holcomb – Stillwater
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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.
14 | Cleveland Q&A
6 | All-VYPE It’s that time of the year when we announced the winter All-VYPE teams in basketball, wrestling and swimming.
13 | Perkins Baseball Head coach Ryan Phillips and the Demons capped a successful season behind the play of Tanner Bane, Alex Dougan and Brady Davis.
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VYPE caught up with Cleveland baseball standouts Maverick Ball and Jordan Hoback for a quick Q&A.
21 | Blackwell Track Blackwell track star Emily Glass slowed down long enough for us to ask a few questions about her season.
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Winter North Oklahoma Wrestling
Sam Schuermann Blackwell
Bryan Jordan Tonkawa
2nd Team 106 Alex Valencia – Perry 113 Cale Betchan – Perry 120 Levi Youngwolfe – Pawhuska 126 Willie Griffin – Mannford 132 Noah Nida – Perry 138 Colten Allen – Barnsdall 145 Chase Pfluger – Tonkawa 152 James Cole – Barnsdall 160 Tyler Myles – Cleveland 170 Bleau Stopp – Newkirk 182 Sam Schuermann – Blackwell 195 Billy Beyen – Skiatook 220 Baylee Perigo – Barnsdall 285 Dayne Thomason – Blackwell
Joe Smith Stillwater 6
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1st Team 106 Connor Holman – Chandler 113 Andrew Nieman – Stillwater 120 Paul Jensen – Mannford 126 Owen Simpson – Tonkawa 132 Kaid Brock – Stillwater 138 Jake Keppner – Cleveland 145 Tristan Moran – Stillwater 152 Mason Mefford – Stillwater 160 Heath Gray – Chandler 170 Joseph Smith – Stillwater 182 Jordan Dieringer – Stillwater 195 Matt Jones – Perry 220 Garrett Beier – Perry 285 Bryan Jordan – Tonkawa
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Swimming Girls
Dewi Blose – Stillwater Brooke Njaa – Stillwater Alexx Thomas – Stillwater Kayla Dunn – Stillwater Isabelle Smith – Stillwater Savanna Barth – Stillwater Boys
Nate Carman – Stillwater Ben Cowles – Stillwater Travis Barras – Stillwater Trey Cushing – Stillwater Keven-Mykel Owens – Stillwater
Stillwater Swimming
Garrett Beier Perry
TY SMITH: Stillwater Track Track is No. 1 with Stillwater High School senior Ty Smith. Smith and company finished 6th in the state in the 4x100m.
“He’s a special kid and he just might pull it off,’’ says veteran Pioneer coach Rusty Atkins. “He’s probably the best all-around sprinter Stillwater High has ever had and might be one of the best the state has produced when it’s all said and done. He’s a hard worker and he’s so consistent. “It’s like he’s at his best every meet, he always finds a way to finish first.’’
Ty sSmith
Smith qualified for the state meet as a freshman, finished third in the 200 as a sophomore, finished fourth in the 100 and captured the state crown last year as a junior, posting a school record time of 21.44 in the finals. In 2015 he remains 6A’s best in the 200 and also owns the top time in the 100 at 10.5. “I believe it can be done, winning them all,’’ adds Smith. “That’s the goal.’’
By Rex Holt
“I like other sports and I played some football, but there’s no doubt track is my favorite and always has been,’’ said Smith recently. “I don’t really know why but I just liked it more, I just like to run and it’s something I plan to keep doing for a long time.’’ Smith should have that opportunity as the Pioneer speedster is currently being pursued by many Division I track and field programs, including Oklahoma State and Oklahoma. Four schools have already offered scholarships. “I’ve enjoyed it but it’s also been stressful in a way because they want a decision and it’s too soon,’’ he added. “But I’m going to take my time after this season and think about it. Right now I’ve got other things on my mind.’’
Things like the Class 6A State Championships, May 15-16, at Yukon High School. That is where Smith will try to accomplish greatness as the Pioneer sprinter seeks to etch his name in the record books with the fastest athletes in Oklahoma history.
He will enter the meet as one of the favorites to win the 100-meter dash and the 200-meter dash as he is currently ranked No. 1 in the state in both. Smith was able to finish 4th in the 100m and 6th in the 200m. If that were not enough he also teamed up with Brandon Prather, Cameron Mayberry and Jordan Brown and run the anchor leg for SHS’s 4x100 and 4x200 relays.
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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.”
Bryson Reed Stillwater High School
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Bryson Reed plays soccer for coach Seth Condley at Stillwater High School. Reed is a junior, and has started all three of his years at Stillwater. This season, he was nominated as one of the team’s captains. Being nominated a captain speaks volumes about Reed’s character and work ethic. He is constantly working on becoming a better soccer player. This season, Reed has scored four goals for the Pioneers. Off the field, he works hard to make a similar impact. Reed has a 3.2 GPA, and is an active member of Students Working Against Tobacco (S.W.A.T.). After high school, Reed plans on attending college and pursuing a degree in physical education. He also hopes to coach soccer, his favorite sport. For all of his hard work on becoming a better soccer player, student and person, Bryson Reed is the Stillwater Character Counts Athlete of the Month.
Female Athlete of the
Month
A division of
Elissa White - Stillwater Track Elissa White is in her first year as a member of the Stillwater track and field team. As a matter of fact, this is White’s first time participating in track and field ever. White competes in the 4x100 relay, 4x200 relay, high jump and the pole vault. Although this is White’s first year competing in track and field, her dynamic gymnastics background allows her to adapt quickly. She has an easy time picking up the techniques. White is also a part of Stillwater’s volleyball team. She credits her gymnastics experience for giving her these opportunities. So far this season, White has been excelling, especially in the high jump. On Feb. 6, she came in first place in the high jump at the Enid Indoor meet with a height of 4’10”. On April 7 in Ponca City, she came in first in the pole vault and second in the high jump. After high school, White wants to pursue a career in the medical field, and hopefully play sports while she’s doing it. Her hard work as an athlete and student makes Elissa White the Stillwater Cancer Center Female Athlete of the Month.
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Pioneer Golf
Pioneers and Lady Pioneers compete at state tournament.
Stillwater Boys Golf
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Senior Gabe Gudgel led a talented group of golfers for the Stillwater Pioneers. With the state golf tournament finish in the top 10, coach Larry Hesler challenged his guys to shore up their game. Senior Brendan Worley is a returning starter alongside Gudgel. Those two helped lead an experienced group. Senior Hunter Northern is the most improved player this season, and he has been proving it. Juniors Seth Hughes and Zach Bryant have loads of potential, and have been working on tapping into that potential this season. On April 14, the Pioneers competed in the Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference Golf Tournament where they finished in sixth VYPEOK.COM
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place as team. They finished two strokes behind fifth place Yukon. Gudgel showed he is ready to compete at the next level when he won the tournament with a low score of 70. Northern proved he has been improving, and he shot an 81. The Pioneers also competed in the Class 6A State Title preview. The preview was played at Karsten Creek in Stillwater, which is where the state tournament is held. It is one of the toughest golf courses in the state. This tournament allowed the Stillwater golfers to go out and get a taste of what is in store if they qualify for the state tournament. It gave Gudgel and company more motivation to sharpen their game when they
made it back to Karsten.
The state tournament was an overall success when you take into consideration the amount of experience and the success the all players had at competing at such a high level. Stillwater Girls Golf
Junior Samantha Dennison was the leader of Hesler’s girls team at Stillwater. She progressed tremendously at the end of her sophomore year, and she continued the progression through the state tournament. Dennison finished 7th in the state while teammate Mackenzie Enmeier finished 23rd Overall the Lady Pioneers finished 6t and made the Pioneer Nation proud.
Earlier in the year, at the Central
Hunziker, who all played and contributed to the 6th place state finish. On March 9, the Lady Pioneers played at the Ponca City Country Club. Dennison shot an 87 and finished in seventh. She led her team to a third place finish in this tournament as well.
Oklahoma Athletic Conference Golf Tournament on April 14, Dennison finished sixth. She lead her team to a third place finish
overall. Hesler has a handful of talented girls golfers. After Dennison and Enmeier, there was Emily Batchelder and Mara
The Lady Pioneers steadily improved throughout the season. With the great finish at state, the Lady Pioneers look to build on next year. And with the return of Dennison and the younger girls, Stillwater will be in the thick of it again next year. All while sending serniors like Mara Hunziker out on a high note.
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Macey Hall - Perkins Softball
Mara Hunziker - Stillwater Golf
“She works very hard. She is organized and communicates well with her coaches and teachers. She is always respectful to her teammates and peers.”
Perkins softball coach Carla Fuss spoke volumes about the work ethic of Macey Hall. Hall is a junior and plays first base for coach Fuss. Hall said she used to play basketball, but quit so she could focus on her academics. Fuss had only good things to say about Macey. “Macey is a leader on and off the field,” Fuss said.
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Hall is a talented softball player, but she is an even more talented student. Hall holds a 4.2 GPA, which ranks No. 3 in her entire grade. She is constantly challenging herself in the classroom. She is currently taking AP US history. After high school, Hall plans on going to college where she will pursue pharmaceutical school. For all of her hard work as a studentathlete, Macey Hall is the Perkins Academic Athlete of the Month.
Mara Hunziker, daughter of Oklahoma State Cowboy play-by-play announcer Dave Hunziker, is a golfer for coach Larry Hesler at Stillwater High School. Hunziker is a senior, and one of Hesler’s returning starters. On the course, Hunziker prefers her 4-hybrid club. It is her favorite club, and the one she sees the most success with. Her growth as a golfer under the
direction of Hesler has been nothing short of impressive. Over the past few years, she has evolved as a golfer and is confident in her ability. Her hard working traits have translated well for her in the classroom. Hunziker boasts a 3.85 GPA, and has taken multiple AP classes. Her junior year, she took AP calculus and AP English. After high school, Hunziker plans on attending Oklahoma State, where she will major in physiology. After that, she plans on going to dental and orthodontic school in hopes of starting her own practice. For all of her hard work and dedication to becoming a better golfer, student and person, Mara Hunziker is the Stillwater Academic Athlete of the Month.
Demons Forge a Balanced Attack dous success. His batting average was also higher than .400 and his s hit six homeruns this season led the team. Brady Davis also joined the .400 batting average club. The work the Demons did at the plate in practice paid off. They averaged nearly nine runs per game. Bane isn’t the only athlete who got it done on the mound. Phillips mentioned Dillon Longbrake, Zeke Dougan and Brady Dougan and the work they have been doing on the mound this season. They have added a ton of depth to the pitching staff. Ryan Phillips and his Demons can hold their head high after a brilliant showing at the regional where, as mentioned, they fell to Beggs in the championship to qualify for state. Look for Phillips and his team to build on that success next year.
2015 Perkins-Tryon Roster 2 Brady Dougan 3 Alex Dougan 4 Damon Walkup Tanner Bane The Perkins Demons were ranked on shoring up his team’s offensive 5 6 Brandon Martin game. The defense and pitching in Class 3A throughout the year Dillon Longbrake and put together a fantastic seawas dependable for the Demons all 7 8 Zeke Dougan son. With a strong showing in season, allowing them to work on 10 Tray Clinesmith regionals, the Demons ultimately their hitting. 11 Chrys Bell fell to Beggs for their bid at the Some of his players saw some of 12 Bradyn Littau state tournament. The Demons their hard work pay off. Senior 13 Cade Durham were 10-4 in the month of April Tanner Bane was stellar on both 14 Reed Aldridge and were playing some of their sides of the diamond. On the 15 Brady Davis best baseball towards the end of mound, he had an ERA of 1.05 At 17 Caleb Tuley the year. the plate, his batting average was 19 Garret Voelker above .400 and he has power to Overall, coach Ryan Phillips’ team 21 Landon Mages has faced some stiff competition. spare with an large amount of ex26 Addison Freiling tra base hits. Catcher Alex Dougan 10 of their 23 wins came against ranked opponents. Phillips focused was another kid who had tremen-
Tanner Bane
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Cleveland Baseball Between batting practice and prom, we caught up with two players from the varsity baseball team to discuss the season, favorite opponent and their plans for the summer. Check out Maverick Ball and Keeler Hoback in this Cleveland baseball Q&A.
VYPE: Answer these questions about your teammates; Hardest worker? Funniest guy in the dugout? Best hitter? Fastest guy on the team? Hoback: Hardest worker: Myself. Funniest in the dugout: Bryson Duis. Best hitter: Jordan Clark. Fastest guy on the team: Jayce Cavin. Ball: I’d say we have a pretty good number of hard workers. All of our coaches push us to our limit, to make us good competitors and hard workers. Our funniest guy would probably be Sammy Pierce, and he knows when to be funny and when not to. Best hitter is Jordan Clark and our fastest is Tyler Myles.
VYPE: What’s one thing you’ll never forget about playing on the Cleveland HS baseball team? Hoback: I’ll never forget the team bus rides after a game and being with the team on late nights after a game raking up the field.
Ball: One thing I’ll never forget is the effort from all of our coaches, constantly working to make us better athletes. VYPE: Funniest thing you’ve heard or seen on the field during play?
Hoback: When Tyler Myles slid into second base and took a kid out that was in the way twice in the same game. Ball: Funniest thing would be rain delay entertainment, like jousting with catchers gear and baseball bats. VYPE: What team do you love to play?
Hoback: I don’t love to play any team. I hate every team we play with a passion, but if I had to choose I’d say I like to play Hominy because it’s like a batting practice for us every time we play.
Ball: It’s fun to play teams that like to talk some trash to us. It gets
Member FDIC
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me and the rest of the team pretty fired up.
VYPE: Favorite place to play? Hoback: I would rather being playing at home. You have home field advantage at home, you know the field, the way the ball will bounce or roll and just know the ins-n-outs of being at home.
Ball: We played at Bricktown one year and I enjoyed that. But I love our home field.
Maverick Ball
VYPE: Do you have any superstitions or pregame/game rituals? Hoback: When we are at home we pray and touch the memorial of Brock Norton.
Ball: I just try to make sure I do the same thing I did each day after a win. We also pray as a team around the Brock Norton memorial at our field. VYPE: What are your plans for the summer?
Hoback: This summer will consist of working for my Grandpa and playing summer ball with my boys.
Ball: I’ll be busy with summer workouts for basketball and baseball, a big church camp called CIY MOVE in Colorado, and hopefully a trip to see my brother.
Frontier Softball Frontier Slow-Pitch Faces Adversity with Great Attitude
Lady Mustangs battled valiantly this spring. The girls sports at Frontier have developed and kept a reputation across the state as being extremely competitive in no matter what sport they competed in. The slow-pitch softball team is no different. After finishing last year 16-6 and making an appearance in the Class 2A state tournament, this season, like any season, came with great anticipation.
Adversity is something the Lady Mustangs had to deal with early as they were dealt a major blow before the season when junior outfielder Thristian Young was sidelined due to an ACL tear. With that, head coach Erron Kauk also saw more injuries with key players during the year. The Lady Mustangs relied on their
perseverance and their work ethic to overcome those injuries and they obtained great results early in the season and throughout. Michaelanne Nelson and Young will be coming back for a senior year in both fast pitch softball in the fall and slowpitch in the spring. You can bet with the success and experience gained this year with the younger players, next season will bring those high expectations yet again. And Kauk wouldn’t have it any other way. Possible returning players for both fast pitch and slow-pitch softball next season: Jaclyn McCormick Thristian Young Michaelanne Nelson Kiley BeLair Vanessa Rocha
Alivia Molina Alexis Romero Kristan Molina Tori Harris Tavia Clark Abigail Ruff Michaela Childs Montana Burgess Hannah DeHaas
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Wildcat Track The Ponca City boys and girls track teams both looked strong this spring.
Ponca City team spotlight presented by: other veteran member of the Lady Cats team that had a major year. Chaney’s best finish this year came at the Ponca City meet where she finished second in the 300-meter hurdles. Chaney also placed third in the event at Okmulgee and fourth at Stillwater.
Jacye Grimm Lady Cats Led by Fab Five With a group of five extremely talented athletes guiding the way the Ponca City Lady Cats have put together a stellar season full of podium appearances.
The key cog in Ponca’s “Fab Five” is senior Jacye Grimm. Grimm placed first in the shot put at every meet she competed in leading up to the state tournament. With winning the event at meets held at Bishop McGuinness, Okmulgee, Stillwater, Ponca, Carl Albert and Booker T. Washington. Grimm has also placed in the discus at each of those meets taking second at McGuinness, third at Stillwater and Booker T, fourth at Carl Albert and finally winning the event at Okmulgee and Ponca. In the state meet, Grimm finished 2nd in the shot put and 5th in the discus
Fellow senior Cerena Chaney is the
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The younger third of the Fab Five is made up of sophomores Cierra McEntire and Destiny Crowder and freshman Kayla Noear. McEntire placed fourth in the 300-meter hurdles at Okmulgee and fifth at Ponca. Crowder meanwhile is a versatile athlete and has placed in a variety of events this year. At Okmulgee she placed fourth in the long jump and at Stillwater she took home sixth in the 800-meter run. Finally at the Ponca City meet Crowder put everything together taking third in the long jump, fourth in the 800 and sixth in the 200-meter dash. Last but not least Noear is another talented thrower for the Lady Cats. At Okmulgee she took second in the shot put and third in the discus. At Ponca Noear took third in both events and finally at Booker T. Washington she took home sixth in the discus. Wildcats Get Big Boost From Junior Class
Two juniors Jacob Birnbaum and Is-
rael Washington have been key performers for the Wildcats this season but that hasn’t been the extent of Ponca City’s success. Senior Jesse Ford has also turned in several big performances as has sophomore Trent Fry. For Birnbaum it’s all about the 400-meter dash. At Okmulgee he placed second in the event and at Stillwater he placed fourth. Birnbaum also placed fourth in the 200-meter dash at Okmulgee giving him another medal to put on his mantle. Meanwhile Washington has come on strong later in the year taking fourth place in the shot put at Carl Albert and third place in the same event at Booker T. Washington. Ford is also a talented thrower for the Wildcats and took fourth place in the discus at Stillwater and first in the discus at Ponca. Lastly, Fry took second in the high jump at Okmulgee and fourth at both Stillwater and Ponca.
Other boys who have medaled for the Wildcats this year are Davis Dickerson, Conner Larson, Garrison Blanton, Kevin Caughlin and Benjamin Raulston.
Ponca City Lady Cats
A Long Drive: Ponca City Lady Cats golfer Madison Peresko has put together quite a high school career. As a freshman and sophomore Madison Peresko made it to the state tournament because the Lady Cats qualified as a team. Last year the Lady Cats failed to qualify as a team but Peresko qualified as an individual and finished in 44th place overall with a total score of 184. In her last campaign as a high school golfer this spring Peresko once again qualified for state as an individual with a top performance at the regional held at Bailey Ranch Golf Club in Owasso. Peresko said completing the four-peat of qualifying for state was a goal of hers when she began her high school career and that it validates the hard work she has put in. “It means a lot to me. I feel like it’s a great accomplishment for me, especially after all the hard work I put in, making it seem like it has paid off and was all worth it,” Peresko said. “It was a goal of mine to make state all four years of my high school career and and it feels good to be able to accomplish that goal and go to state one more time.” Overall Peresko said it is a true
honor to represent her school at the biggest, and most important tournament of the year. “It means a lot to me to be able
to represent my school and it makes me want to do that much better knowing I will be the only one representing Ponca and I want to represent Ponca well.”
Madison Peresko
“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
Eastman National Bank is committed to helping prepare our young scholar athletes to win as vital members of our community! 580-718-9990 | 580-718-4100 | 580-362-2511
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Booster of the Month Vi Harmon Ponca City
Vi Harmon is the grandmother of Po-Hi baseball player Neal Harmon and shows her immense support for her grandson every chance she gets. Vi also has a great deal of love for the entire Ponca baseball program though and shows her support by cheering the team on at nearly every game the team plays. “She shows up for our games whether it’s sunny, raining or even snowing. She gives our whole team a boost when we hear her voice from the stands,” Neal Harmon said. Bystanders can’t doubt Vi’s support for her team, least of all her grandson according to Neal. “My grandma has always supported me in everything that I do. She’s a loyal fan and an awesome person. She would give her left hand if it could help me or a teammate out.” For her never-ending support of her grandson and the entire Ponca City baseball program Vi Harmon is the Ponca City Booster of the Month.
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Phillips 66 is a proud sponsor of the Ponca City Area Character Counts Award.
Joe Clark Ponca City High School
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.
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© 2014 Phillips 66 Company. All rights reserved.
Ponca City senior Joe Clark has embodied high character all year long. As a football player for the Wildcats Clark played cornerback and although the Wildcats won just three games, Clark and the rest of his senior class helped to lay a foundation of future success. Moving into the spring Clark has taken on the role as the Wildcats No. 2 starter in the pitching rotation and has thrown extremely well although he hasn’t ended up with much to show for it according to Ponca assistant coach Jeremy Denoya. Through 7 appearances and four starts Clark pitched 21.1 innings, and compiled a 1-1 win-loss record. Clark also racked up 16 strikeouts during that time and walked just eight hitters. Outside of sports Clark plans to attend Northeastern State University in the fall and major in business. For his effort in athletics and his leadership and high character, Joe Clark is the Ponca City Character Counts Athlete of the Month.
Blackwell’s Emily Glass Blackwell High School has a shining star in Emily Glass. The long distance runner is a proven winner and ready to compete at state. We were lucky to catch her during a break from training to ask about the season and her expectations at state. VYPE: Other than running track in the spring, do you play any other sports for Blackwell High School?
Glass: I play basketball and run cross country in the fall.
VYPE: This year you’ve had some success on the track, where do you feel you’ve ran your best this season? Glass: I feel like I have ran the best at our home track meet this year. VYPE: Which event do you like running the most; the 800, 1600 or the 3200 and why? Glass: I favorite event is the 800 because I like the pace for it. VYPE: What do you think about on the longer runs?
Glass: I think about how much I have left and also what I have done throughout the day!
VYPE: You had a 4th place finish in the 3200 and a 1st place finish in the 800 at the Jerry Runyan Wildcat Relays. How was that meet for you? Glass: It was a really good meet because I had good competition and it made me better.
state? Glass: My goals are to get my personal record in the 800 and to place at state! VYPE: Thanks Emily and good luck! Glass: Thank you.
VYPE: Is there a place you love to compete?
Glass: I love to compete at the Ponca City track meet because they have a very nice track and there is always good competition! VYPE: What are your goals for
Pioneer Technology Center
Enhancing Lives / Securing Futures 2101 N. Ash • Ponca City, OK www.pioneertech.edu • 1.866.612.4782
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Wildcat Tennis
Laying a Foundation of Success: It has been a long, tough road but the Po-Hi girls tennis program now has a solid base of success to build on. as a team at several of those tournaments as well,” Williams said. “I feel good about what we are doing and I think we have turned the corner, we just haven’t driven very far down the street yet, but we have turned that corner.”
For the Ponca City girls tennis team and head coach Larry Williams it hasn’t been an easy four years. When he took over the program Williams inherited a group of hardworking players but those players also had very little to no experience at all. Those players trusted Williams and his vision for the program though and now the team is bringing home medals and trophies from events and has a very bright future with a junior varsity team that has been successful and a middle school team that is one of the best in the state. Williams said that wouldn’t be possible without the seniors on this year’s team; Blair Didlake, Megan Carey, Sara Allison, Emily Allison, Hannah Bates and Karla Amaya.
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“They may not get to see the biggest benefits of what they have done but they were the building blocks of this program and they should be very proud of that,” Williams said. VYPEOK.COM
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When asked how far exactly the program has come in the four years he has been at the helm Williams offered a two-part answer. “Overall we are greatly, greatly improved from where we were at. We have had medalists and many tournaments this year and placed
Ponca’s varsity roster this year is made up of Carey at No. 1 singles and Didlake at No. 2 singles. At No. 1 doubles the team of sophomore Taylor Whitefield and sophomore Gabriela Langston give the Lady Cats team a youthful boost. Finally at No. 2 doubles Allison has teamed with freshmen Ashley Robinson and had a good deal of success this season.
With a team mixed with seniors and young, talented players it is clear that the Po-Hi girls tennis program is on the rise and a program that could possibly compete with the powerhouse programs of Class 6A in the coming years.
Northern Oklahoma College
Smith excels behind the plate and in the classroom
Tori Smith Behind every great pitcher is a great catcher, and a catcher is so much more than a backstop with arms. Just ask Northern Oklahoma College Tonkawa’s softball catcher and third baseman Tori Smith how important a catcher’s role is to the team. “Sometimes I bounce around a bit back there and give my pitchers a head nod or point a finger at them, reassuring them that they got this game,” Smith said. That sweet sound of a fast pitch sliding into her leather oiled glove instead of the crack of a bat motivates Smith to be the best for her team. “No matter what happens at the end of
the day, I am always going to have my teammates’ backs; I know that they’ll have mine. I try to work hard for them every day, and I push them to do the same,” Smith said. Smith is not only a leader on the field but also in the classroom. She was awarded an academic Presidential Leadership Scholarship which is given to students who have demonstrated academic leadership in their high school. The scholarship includes a tuition waiver for credit hours, books, meal plan and money toward room and board. “I really enjoy the people in PLC and how willing everyone is to help make the group better as a whole. People are always willing to volunteer for jobs that need to be done around campus and the community; it’s just great to be around people who are so motivated,” Smith said. Smith’s head coach Kadie Berlin said the added commitments are paying off for Smith. “The extra responsibility has been great for Tori. I’ve seen her grow as a young lady by managing her responsibilities for softball, academics, and her social life. Tori always has a smile on her face and handles all of her duties really well,” Berlin said. Smith’s positive and encouraging attitude resounds well among her teammates.
“Tori is a great athlete and leads the team on the field behind the plate and in the classroom academically,” Berlin said. “Tori is a tough competitor and leads the team defensively and offensively. Not only is Tori a great athlete but she is a loving person too.” That loving attitude shows off the field when she spends her breaks in Nicaragua. “The Nicaraguans are so selfless and have the strongest work ethic that I have ever seen. Each year I come home I try to model my demeanor after them and not take even the slightest blessing for granted,” Smith said. “I can’t think of anything better than using medicine as a means to share the good news and meet people in need of the truth.” Currently, the team is 18-21. Berlin expects every team player to grow not only in their softball skills but in all aspects of their lives. “Tori is a great example of a Maverick softball player, a fierce competitor, hard worker, great teammate and a great family member to the team,” Berlin said. Berlin expects every team player to grow not only in her softball skills but in all aspects of her life. Smith will graduate in 2016 with an associate’s degree in nursing.
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