VYPE Northeast Oklahoma May 2014 by Austin Chadwick

opy C e e r F One Take

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Delivering

RESULTS

ACE THE NEXT REPORT CARD WITH SYLVAN

At Sylvan Learning, results matter. This report card is the last one you’ll have to worry about if you get started with Sylvan today. Act now to take control of this school year.

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6 | All-VYPE The winter All-VYPE teams for basketball, swimming and wrestling are announced in this issue. Check out this list of outstanding student athletes.

8 | Bartlesville Soccer VYPE’s own Lynn Jacobsen looks into the inner workings of the Bartlesville soccer program as state rapidly approaches.

16 | Vinita Girls Track Defending a state title is never easy, but the Lady Hornets and head coach Scott Reed have the talent to get it done.

23 | Grove Character Counts Grove student athletes Emilee Iverson and Matt Jeffries are featured in this month’s Character Counts.

Trinity Media Group, LLC 6737 S. 85th E. Ave. • Tulsa, OK 74136 All rights reserved. Publisher Austin Chadwick Partner/Editorial Director Brad Heath Oklahoma Sales Director Roscoe Migliore Partner/Director of Operations Rod Coulter Editor Kyle Kendrick Partner Mark Rodgers Contributing Writers Brad Heath, Lynn Jacobsen, Rex Holt, Tiffany Rogers, Joel Hahn, Kyle Kendrick Contributing Photographers Brad Heath, Rip Stell,, KT King, Wes Sharp, Kim Hough, Defininng Moment, Sport Shots OKC, Josh Clough, Michael Mayberry, Brett Rojo, Kirk Wells, Rolf Clements, Kyle Kendrick 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. 4

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Tri County Technology Athlete of the MOnth Josh and Connor Louthan - Bartlesville

There’s plenty of brotherly competition between twins Josh and Connor Louthan.

There’s also plenty of similarities between the Bartlesville seniors. Each play baseball, each take AP classes and each are taking courses at Tri County Technology. The twins are sharing this month’s Tri County Technology Athlete of the Month. Josh, the older brother by two minutes, carries a 3.8 grade point average. His course load includes AP Calculus at Bartlesville High in addition to Civil

Engineering Architecture at Tri County. Josh admits he would like to pursue a career in architecture. He hopes to sign to play baseball at Cowley County (Kan.) Community College. “I’ve decided I want to continue to play baseball,” Josh said.

“We have a lot of same interests and we stay very active with all kinds of stuff,” Josh said.

The younger twin plans to attend Missouri State where he also hopes to major in Civil Engineering.

The Tri County experience has helped both Josh and Connor focus in on a career path, the brothers said.

Connor carries a 3.7 GPA in the same courses as Josh with the exception of his Tri County course, which is Principle of Engineering.

“I enjoy working with computers,” Connor said. “And I really enjoy graphic design.” It will mark the first time the twins will be apart. “It will definitely be different in that we won’t be together, and maybe a little weird,” Josh said. “I think it might be a little exciting too.” Both brothers enjoy fishing in addition to baseball.

“I’m trying to take it all in since I won’t be playing baseball in college,” said Connor.

Josh confides the brothers have yet to play the traditional twin joke on teachers, switching classes for a day. “There’s probably only one teacher who would take it pretty well,” Josh said. “The engineering courses have helped me get an inside look on what I want to do,” Josh said. Said Connor, “Tri County has helped me explore the different engineering possibilities. It has allowed me to get a glimpse into those fields. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about it.”

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North Ok

F E AT U R E

All-VYPE Basketball North Oklahoma

Players of the Year Boys: Ty Lazenby – Glencoe Girls: Marissa Goodman – Frontier Coaches of the Year Boys: John Lazenby – Glencoe Girls: Joe Jacobs – Tonkawa First Team Boys Ty Lazenby – Glencoe Carson Teel – Stillwater Tanner Mouse – Ketchum Kolton Stacy – Oklahoma Union Gideon Gardner – Pawnee Eric Reeves - Cleveland

Gideon Gardner Pawnee

Marissa Goodman Frontier

Second Team Boys Jake Lazenby – Glencoe Hayden Hadlock – Woodland Derek Reeves – Cleveland Nathan Brock – Pawnee Brady Eberhart – Yale Randy Daugherty - Mannford First Team Girls Marissa Goodman – Frontier Logan Burgess – Tonkawa Hailey Tucker – Bartlesville Kylie Looney – Adair Carsyn Spurgeon – Vinita Miranda Griffin - Ketchum Second Team Girls Omega Reese – Tonkawa Keni Jo Lippe – Adair Hannah Chenowith – Miami Dylan Fix – Stillwater Chelsea Lazenby – Glencoe Kamry Chamberlain - Vinita

Kylie Looney Adair 6

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V Y P E O K . C O M

Ty Lazenby Glencoe

J U LY

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lahoma

Winter All-VYPE Swimming North Oklahoma

All-VYPE Wrestling North Oklahoma 1st Team

106 Andrew Nieman – Stillwater 113 Daniel Hood – Cushing 120 Owen Simpson – Tonkawa 126 Briar Stopp – Newkirk 132 Kaid Brock – Stillwater 138 Tristan Moran – Stillwater 145 Joe Smith – Stillwater 152 Jarred Schieber – Newkirk 160 Gage Stallworth – Cushing 170 Chandler Rogers – Stillwater 182 Marlon Houston Jr. – Pawnee 195 Caleb Hawes – Barnsdall 220 Bo Montez – Perry 285 Tanner Allen – Blackwell

Tanner Allen Blackwell

2nd Team

106 Cale Betchan – Perry 113 Anthony Jauregui – Tonkawa 120 Dustin Hayes – Vinita 126 Mason Roberts – Cushing 132 Brandon Hurst – Tonkawa 138 Tanner Wall – Chandler 145 Cody Ryan – Chandler 152 Tyler Myles – Cleveland 160 David Thomas – Perry 170 Sam Schuermann – Blackwell 182 Jordan Dieringer – Stillwater 195 Daniel Rowell – Cushing 220 Trevor Hubble – Cushing 285 Dylan Enyart – Vinita

Caleb Hawes Barnsdall

David Thomas Perry

Kaid Brock Stillwater

Coach of the Year Kurt Goebel – Stillwater Girls Haley Downey – Bartlesville Avery Bennett – Bartlesville Grace Fodor – Bartlesville Hannah Stewart – Bartlesville Samantha Wigley – Ponca City Isabelle Smith – Stillwater Kayla Dunn – Stillwater Brooke Njaa – Stillwater Alexx Thomas – Stillwater Sydney Hackwell – Miami Payton Hill - Grove Boys Kyle Ward – Bartlesville Thomas Downey – Bartlesville Alex Ward – Bartlesville Aaron Stanek – Bartlesville Gage Barrick – Ponca City Ben Cowles – Stillwater Matthew Tree – Stillwater Trey Cushing – Stillwater Charles Clark – Stillwater Nate Carman - Stillwater Ethan Markle - Adair

Alex Ward Bartlesville

Hannah Stewart Bartlesville M AY 2 0 1 4

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Even with a pair of district losses, the Bartlesville boys soccer team controls its own destiny . Despite a 1-0 blemish on the district record, Bartlesville boys soccer controls its own destiny. If the Bruins can somehow navigate Jason Boswell past Putnam City West and Broken Arrow, it would set up a showdown for first place in the regular season finale with Owasso. “it’s a three-step goal,” said head coach Micah Lipscomb. “First, you want to qualify for players. Second, you want to finish in the top two for home field advantage. Third is to get to state.” Through 12 matches the Bruins have allowed 10 goals with four shutouts. Senior Jason Boswell sets the defensive tone in the net along with classmates Jack Appleyard, Kyle Linzy and Henry Cone and, junior Josue Carreno on defense. “Jason and Jack are both captains,” Lipscomb said. “Jason has been huge for us. Against Bishop Kelley he made four or five point blank saves. Jack is a National Merit Scholar. The whole back line has been huge. To stay in those 1-0 games, you have to have your defense come up. That group has been exceptional since they came in in 2011.”

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Anchoring the play in the midfield is seniors Troy Ullrich, Garrett Hartzfeld and Josh Coleman along with freshman Joseph Ruiz. “Joseph Jack Appleyard has been a nice addition,” Lipscomb said. “I’ve coached 10 years and this is the first time I’ve started freshmen and I have two starting. He really has a high IQ for soccer.” Up front the Bruins have seniors Matt McKown and Edel Ensaldo and freshman Quinton Palmer. Ensaldo already has eight goals on the season. “The exceptional thing isn’t the goals he has but the assists he had in our goal-ahead goals in two games.”

Brooke Wong Bartlesville

Tyler Yardley Bartlesville

Academic Athlete of the Month Brooke Wong excels both in the classroom and on the links. The Bartlesville senior carries a 4.0 GPA in AP art, English, psychology and calculus. In addition, she is the Student Council vice-president, the recording secretary for National Honor Society and plays the flute in the school orchestra and has been named the April Academic Athlete of the Month. “She’s a leader,” golf coach Terry Hughes said. “She cares about everything she does.” Wong said she is excited to attend Texas Christian University in the fall where she plans to major in graphic design. “I love art,” she said. “It’s so much fun to create something.” The team’s No. 1 golfer, Wong said she feels “very comfortable around the green. “I continue to work on my game off the tee box,” she said. In addition, she enjoys taking both contemporary and jazz ballet classes in addition to kick boxing and zumba classes. One of her favorite things she says is baking. “Really, it’s a passion,” she said cheerfully. “I make an amazing butter crème frosting. I would love to open a bakery or a flower shop after I retire.”

Senior baseball player Tyler Yardley is among the team leaders in hitting. But he also hits for a high average in the classroom. A 4.0 student, Yardley boasts a 26 on his ACT. In addition to honors classes in calculus and AP College Physics, Yardley’s course load includes senior English, anatomy and accounting. He plans to attend Oklahoma State University and major in accounting. “I plan to focus on academics,” Yardley said. “I enjoy numbers and my dad is an accountant at Conoco-Phillips.” In addition, he is active in National Honor Society. “We do 10 hours of volunteering or community service each semester,” he said. When not playing baseball, Yardley enjoys going to the lake, wake boarding and snowboarding. He’s already an entrepreneur as he and two friends have set up a lawn mowing business.

Submit your nomination for the RE/MAX Realtors Academic Athlete of the Month to: Oklahoma@VYPE.com

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Character Counts Athlete of the Month

ConocoPhillips is proud to highlight the great student-athletes who uphold the fabric of character on and off the field and court.

Lily Geerts Bartlesville Softball

Lily Geerts is the epitome of what Character Counts is all about. The senior tennis player carries a 4.0 unweighted GPA in a course load that envies most college programs. Her AP schedule includes Calculus BC, Chemistry II, Physics and English in addition to orchestra and tennis. She plays the cello in the orchestra and is active in the Bartlesville Interact Cub, a rotary international-oriented program. “I’m the secretary,” she said. Also active in the youth group at First Presbyterian Church of Bartlesville, she is looking forward to attending Cal-Berkley in the fall and her plans are to become an actuary. “I’m really

excited about being accepted to Berkley,” said Geerts, whose father, Rolf, graduated from the same school. She took up the sport of tennis at an early age after being introduced to tennis by her mom, Valerie. “Mom and I haven’t played tennis in a long time,” Lily said. “But I think I could beat her. She likes to hit really hard. I don’t like to lose but I’m okay with it if I learn from it.” In addition to tennis, Geerts enjoys running and plans to someday run a half and full marathon. An avid baker, she says she enjoys making cupcakes for family and friends.

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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Seniors Prove Coming Home Easy for Rigdon

Bartlesville alum Spence Rigdon knew exactly where he wanted to coach after graduation. “It’s awesome coming home,” said the Bartlesville baseball coach. “It’s everything I thought it would be.” The team has gone through some growing pains as they prepare for the final month of the season. Eight of the team’s losses have come by four runs or less. “We’re competitive, we just need pieces to get over the hump,” Rigdon said. Rigdon is lucky to have what he considers

a pair of No. 1 starters in right-hander Tyler Yardley and southpaw Logan Reese. The duo is the team’s district starters. “Tyler played a lot as a junior last year,” Rigdon said. “He pitches and plays first base. His strength is his control. Logan is a crafty lefty. He has good velocity, good control.” Rigdon considers catcher Ryan Barr “one of the top five catchers” he has had in his 10 years of coaching. “He’ has a really good arm,” said the coach. Garrick Johnson fills many roles on the team from pitcher to infielder to hitting at the top of the lineup. Good news for the Bruins has been the return recently of Jacob Ruiz, who has just returned from a broken wrist. “He was a leadoff type guy who is now back where he can do some courtesy or pinch running,” Rigdon said. Seniors Gabe Meidl, Skylar

Frizzell, twins Josh and Connor Louthan, Jackson Henderson and Trenton Holman all play key roles as well. “The seniors have done a really good job of leading the team,” Rigdon said.

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Lady Bruin Tennis on Pace For Great Year

“We’re having a pretty good season,” head coach Brent Massey said. “The girls have won three tournaments and the guys have won two. We still have some improvements to make but I feel good about where we are heading. We have good depth, not just 1 through 6 but also 1 through 9. The kids are very competitive and that’s upped everybody’s game.” Freshman Erin Epperson and senior Lily Geerts have settled in at No. 1 and 2 singles, respectively. “Erin is pretty committed to tennis,” Massey said. “Her losses are to the top girls in the state. I feel good about where she’s at and where she is headed. Lily is having a really good

season. She played No. 1 singles for us the past few years. She’s a hard worker. She’s won a couple of tournaments.” Juniors Megan Turcotte and Hayley Walton are playing No. 1 doubles. “Megan has a little more power and Hayley is a little more consistent. They balance each other out. They’ve placed in the top three in about every tournament.” At No. 2 doubles Massey has three girls currently rotating in Taylor Hunt, Stacee Blake and Bailey Covell. “They are all playing well together,” said the coach. Robert Meszaros and Collin Sanders are playing No. 1 and 2 singles,

respectively. “Robert has practiced hard and is having success and Collin is probably our toughest player I have as far as his will to win,” Massey said. Colin Henthorne and Daniel Meszaros are playing No. 1 doubles while Preston Garrett and Connor Trentman are paired up at No. 2 doubles. “Colin and Daniel are very intense guys who compete hard,” said Massey. “They are both tall guys who can pressure the net.”

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is batting .500 with five doubles, two triples and a home run. He scored the game-winning run in the Mustangs’ 12-11 victory over Woodland recently. In that game, he had two doubles, scored four runs and drove in another.

He was the winning pitcher in the game. He fanned 15 and allowed just two earned runs as the Mustangs battled back to win in eight innings. “Caleb has been rock solid for the Mustangs team this season,” Wesleyan coach Bo Summers said. “He always comes to practice and games with an excitement to play. Caleb is an effective leader that encourages his teammates to be better.” If it’s sunny and warm there’s no place Caleb Carpenter would rather be than on the baseball field.

Carpenter likes how the team has come together in their first year. “The season started a little slow,” he said. “We had some ups and downs but everyone is improving. We’re keeping together.”

The Bartlesville Wesleyan junior has played a key role in the school’s inaugural Carpenter has played the sport he loves season. Carpenter, a pitcher and shortstop, since T-ball age. His veteran leadership

has been a big plus.

“It seems like I have a few games where I really hit well and then there games where I can’t do anything,” he said. “But I never let it bother me in the field. If I can’t get it done at the plate, I will get it done in the field.” Carpenter said he enjoys the small class setting at Wesleyan as it gives him a chance to know his classmates and teachers. He admits his favorite class is English Literature and teacher Kevin Smith. “He is really funny and always has something to say,” Carpenter said. He confides his faith is important to him.

“It’s important to have a solid relationship with Christ,” he said. “I struggle with it daily.” Carpenter is a true St. Louis fan although he was disappointed to see his favorite player, Albert Pujols, leave the team. He enjoys running – both distance and sprints – saying, “anything that helps my foot speed for baseball.”

W ESLEYAN C HRISTIAN S CHOOL

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Northeast Technology Athlete of the MOnth

Korinne Ashmore - Chelsea High School Korinne Ashmore is a junior at Chelsea High School and is the NE Tech Center’s Athlete of the Month. Korinne is a three-sport star for Chelsea and is enrolled in the Health Careers Program at NE Tech. VYPE: Korinne, what do you like most about Chelsea High School and what sports do you play? Ashmore: I run track, cross-country and I’m part of the varsity cheer squad. I run 5k’s and I’m working on hurdles. I’m also involved in the student council, HOSA and Business Professionals of America. VYPE: What are you studying at NE Tech Center? Ashmore: I’m in the Health Careers

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Program. I want to become an Occupational Therapist. VYPE: Why did you choose NE Tech Center? Ashmore: I wanted to go into the health careers field and NE Tech was my first stepping stone in that direction. I would recommend anyone interested in a career in the health field to consider NE Tech. VYPE: When you’re not studying

or playing sports, what are you doing? Ashmore: I like to spend time with my friends.

Megan Woodward Vinita senior Megan Woodward is the Vinita Academic Athlete of the Month. Woodward is a guard on the Lady Hornets basketball team, runs track and cross country at Vinita and is also a member of the pom squad. Woodward also excels in the classroom carrying a 3.9 grade point average. Woodward also takes honors Biology at Vinita and says that her science classes are among her favorite classes she takes because she enjoys learning about the environment. The senior added that her other favorite types of classes are English classes because she enjoys writing. After high school Woodward plans to attend Northeastern State University and obtain a degree in Wildlife Management while also competing on the school’s pom team.

Zac King Vinita Hornets senior football and basketball player Zac King is the Vinita Male Academic Athlete of the Month. On the gridiron King was an AllDistrict and All-Conference selection along with being selected as a Class 4A All-Star. On the hardwood King was also a very good player for the Hornets earning All-Conference honors along with being a Lake O’Cherokee All-Star. King was also named to the AllTournament teams at Sperry and Pryor this year.

In the classroom King carries a 4.0 grade point average and is a member of the National Honor Society and the Show Choir at Vinita. For his efforts in the classroom King has earned the right to be the Valedictorian for his graduating class in May. After high school King will attend Ottawa (Kan.) University to not only continue his education but also his football career.

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Coach Scott Reed and the Lady Hornets feel their time is now and their numbers reflect that desire to be on top of Class 4A and defend their state title from 2013.

Head coach Scott Reed and the Lady Hornets track team have posted impressive numbers early in the 2014 track season, but coach Reed knows it will take more than impressive times to win a state title. “I have been very impressed with their desire to continue to improve and the intensity they have shown in their workouts. These gals really take pride in how hard they work,” said coach Reed. That intensity to continue improving drives the veterans and the younger athletes on the team. “Some of our younger girls are 16

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beginning to take a leadership role and it is always fun when your kids develop leadership skills and begin making one another accountable,” said Reed. The relay teams posted wins at the Tiger Track Classic in Stroud. They posted a 51.45 in the 400 meters and a 1:48.56 in the 800 meters. In the 1600 meter relay the Lady Hornets posted a 4:15.30 to beat Lincoln Christian by more than six seconds. “Keely Dickson, a junior, is really developing into an extremely good runner for us. She has really

surprised her teammates with some of her splits and times that she has posted. Keely is currently running legs on the 400, 800, 1600 relays and running the 200 meter dash,” said Reed. Other events showing promise at the 100 meters, 200 meters, 100 and 300 meter hurdles and the 400 meter run. “We have had several people step up this season. It is really hard to just pick one. Carsyn Spurgeon, a sophomore, has really stepped up her intensity in practice and I believed that has really helped her teammates. Taylor Steinhoff, a junior, is another one that has

stepped up her game. She was fifth in the state track meet (shot put) last year and has already thrown her personal best three times this season,” said Reed. Natalie Carr placed 2nd at the Tiger Track Classic in the 300 hurdles just a couple of steps out of first. Coach Reed is excited to see her development this season and expects her to help the team at state. “Natalie Carr is another sophomore athlete that we are really counting on her to do some good things for us this season. She is currently running a leg on our 400 meter relay and both hurdle races and the high jump.” During the Vinita Hornet

Relays the girls ran away with the 4X100 relay win, a 4X200 relay win and a win in the 4X400. Spurgeon added a win in the 100 meters with a time of 12.19 and Dickson placed first in the 200 meters running a time of 26.84. Carr placed first in the high jump clearing 4’10” while Steinhoff won the shot throwing 38.5. Orr won the long jump by more than a foot over Barton of Warner. Orr had an impressive jump of 14.9 for the win. Other solid performances included Mendel placing 2nd in the 400 meters, Roach placing 2nd in the 800 meters and Horton and Carr going 1-2 in the 100 meter hurdles.

Carsyn Spurgeon

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OKLAHOMA NATURAL GAS

Player of the Month These players bring the energy to their team!

Carsyn Spurgeon ck Vinita Basketball/Tra

Carsyn Spurgeon is the Oklahoma Natural Gas Female Athlete of the Month. The 5-10 sophomore guided the Lady Hornets to the semifinals of the Class 4A state basketball tournament. She hit the game-winning shot against Weatherford in the first round to cap off a 24 point, 10 rebound performance. Overall for per ment, averaging 16.5 points her efforts at the state tourna and s an’ to both The Oklahom game, Spurgeon was named m. Spurgeon was also named tea nt me Tulsa World’s All-Tourna girls team along with being 4A ss Cla Alls an’ to the Oklahom ’s All-VYPE team. selected to the North Region ball floor weren’t enough ket As if her efforts on the bas g track season off with a ban Spurgeon has also started her ita Vin and oud Str the h at both winning the 100-meter das super have quickly proven that the 0 10 the in s win meets. The the in title te dy to defend her sta sophomore is more than rea event last year.

Brennon Barth Pryor Football/Baseball

Pryor Tigers outfielder Brennon Barth is the Oklahoma Natural Gas Male Athlete of the Month. Barth has been great both offensively and defensively this season helping Pryor to a 13-6 overall record and a 7-1 mark in District 5A-4. In the Tigers’ first 18 games of the season, Barth batted .434 with five doubles and 13 runs batted in. Barth also created havoc on the base path during tha t stretch swiping 11 bases. Defensively Barth has been perfe error and racking up 26 putou ct not making a single ts and four assists from his spot in the outfield. The junior’s performance on the diamond comes after a football season in wh ich he was one of the top quarterbacks in Class 5A run nin 37 touchdowns and passing g for 1,822 yards and for 712 yards and four more touchdowns.

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Pryor Area

Athlete of the Month Jaquwan Blaylock - Pryor High School

Pryor freshman track and field star Jaquwan Blaylock is the Oklahoma Natural Gas Athlete of the Month. In just his first year competing at the varsity level Blaylock has already given the Tigers a big boost in the hurdles events. That added boost has been a welcomed occurance to a Pryor team who had just one state placer on the boys side at last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Class 5A state meet. Blaylock has placed first in the 110-meter hurdles at the Wagoner,

Oologah and Pryor meets this year, all against very stout competition. Blaylock has also been very strong in the 300-meter hurdles finishing second in the event at the Wagoner meet and third in the event at both Pryor and Oologah. Blaylockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts in his freshman campaign have allowed fans a glimpse at exactly how good the young hurdler is, how good he could be and given them hope for spot on the podium at state.

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Raegan Panter Miami High School

How long have you been involved with FCA? I’ve been involved with FCA since the beginning of this school year. Who influenced you to join? My youth pastor, Jerad Joslin, mentioned it at a Wednesday night service and many of my church friends were attending as well. How has FCA made an impact in your life on and off the field? FCA not only brings you closer to God but it encourages you to show God in all you do. Though I may fall at times my main goal is to glorify God whether it be with the game of softball or how I treat others. How have your beliefs helped you as an athlete? My belief in God has helped me out more than anything in softball. I know that God has given me this talent and that all of the glory should go to him. Knowing that I’m the Lord’s servant keeps me going. Glory to God, win or lose. What is your favorite Bible verse and why? John 1:10. “The word was in the world, and the world was made by him, but the world did not know him.” This is my favorite verse because it is a constant reminder that there is still much work to be done for God’s kingdom and that there are so many people in need of Jesus. As followers of Christ we were called to bring these people to him so that they may have eternal life. All Christians have a duty to be a light to those around them. I plan to use my life to glorify God and further his kingdom.

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Estephany Cavello Estephany Cavello has been selected as the Miami High School Female Academic Athlete of the month for April. The junior is a twosport athlete, running cross country in the fall and playing sweeper on the Miami girls soccer team in the spring. A 3.8 student, Cavello is taking pre-AP history and algebra II classes in addition to an ACT prep course, English and art. She hopes to attend the University of Tulsa and study architecture following graduation. Free times is spent playing soccer, hanging out with friends and family and drawing. An avid soccer fan, Estephany says her favorite player is Lionel Andres Messi of FC Barcelona.

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Ben Osborn A spring break trip to Arizona solidified Ben Osborn’s decision to pursue a front office position with a major sports franchise. Osborn, a senior first baseman, boasts a 3.7 GPA, He plans to attend OU in the fall and major in business. “I’m not getting out of sports completely,” Osborn said. “I want to be a general manager or something like that.”

He carries a 3.7 GPA in AP classes in literature, government and American History. Osborn is also active in National Honor Society and STUCCO in addition to basketball and baseball. Osborn had the lead in the school play, Damn Yankees. “I got to kiss one of the hotter girls in school, so I liked the role a lot,” Osborn said. Away from school, Osborn is active in the youth group at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and enjoys swimming, hanging out with friends at the snow cone shop in town. Congratulations to Ben Osborn, the Miami Male Academic Athlete of the Month.

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.”

Matt Jeffries Grove High School

Matt Jeffries is the Character Counts Award winner this month from Grove High School. Matt is a two-sport star that plays football in the fall and runs track in the spring. As a member of the track team, Matt runs the 4X400, 4X800 and pole vaults from the Ridgerunners. When he’s not on the field you can find Matt studying AP Literature or AP

History and Comp 1 & 2 English. Adding to her already impressive resume. “I have enjoyed a lot about Grove High School. The friends I have made and endless memories are ones I will take with me forever! Once a Ridgerunner always a Ridgerunner,” Emilee said. After graduation Emilee plans to attend Pittsburg State University on a track scholarship and major in Education. In her free time Emilee enjoys spending time with family and friends. When she’s not in class or on the track Emilee is taking part in Character Counts and is Senior Class President.

Environmental Science or serving on the Interact Club Board. “What I’ve enjoyed most about high school are the people that I’ve went to school with and how nice everyone is at Grove. All of my coaches have been awesome and have inspired me to always do my best. It has been a great experience in my life,” Matt said. After high school Matt plans to attend college and major in Business. In his free time Matt enjoys hunting, fishing and going to church.

Emilee Iverson Grove High School

Emilee Iverson is the Character Counts Award winner for April. Emilee is a member of the varsity track team and played softball last fall and basketball during the winter. This three-sport star also takes AP

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