Eastern Oklahoma April 2013 Issues by Austin Chadwick

F E AT U R E

•COLLEGE CREDIT (TCC, RSU, OSUIT) •ACADEMIC CREDIT •STATE-OF-THE-ART EQUIPMENT •FULLY-ACCREDITED •GREAT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

TULSA TECH ATHLETE...

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Memorial Complex | 3420 S. Memorial Dr. --Health Sciences Center --Lemley Campus --Pre-Engineering Academy

Jessica Watkins, #7 WARRIORS’ SOFTBALL TEAM, CATCHER

Owasso Complex | 10800 N. 140 E. Ave.

ENROLLED IN COSMETOLOGY, TULSA TECH’S BROKEN ARROW CAMPUS

Peoria Campus | 3850 N. Peoria Ave. Riverside Campus | 801 E. 91 St.

Life in Progress, Careers in Motion.

Sand Springs Campus | 500 N. Adams Rd.

SCAN. LEARN. TULSA TECH.

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for all the sports you play, we’re on your team. at eastern Oklahoma Orthopedic center, we’ve been caring for athletes just like you for many years. that means, when you’re seen by one of our sports medicine specialists, you’re seeing the same doctors who care for the elite athletes of the University of tulsa, Oral roberts University, and many other college and high school teams. from physicals to physical therapy and beyond, our team is here to help you be the best athlete you can be. call the sports medicine experts at eastern Oklahoma Orthopedic center at (800) 283-3662 today.

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F E AT U R E

pregame A letter from Brad Heath

12 | Picture This Every month our photographers are out taking photos of games and tournaments for the magazine. We continue our tradition of bringing you some great action, fans, coaches, parents and mascots from Eastern Oklahoma. Take a look, maybe you made it into this month’s Picture This!

20 | Hangin’ With The Pros

The VYPE Select Golf Team and special guest Bo Van Pelt take time out of their busy schedules to take in a little Q&A at Cedar Ridge Country Club. The areas top golfers had a chance to ask some one-on-one questions of the former OSU great.

26 | Media Day 2013

A great turnout for the spring/winter sports media day at Midwest Sporting Goods can only mean one thing, schools and coaches are on board making this years media day events a huge success.

Rounding Third, Headed Home! Can you believe spring sports are nearing an end? Every year we talk about how quickly the school year comes to an end after spring break! Well, maybe not for you seniors itching to finally be finished.

Golf takes the cover this month with PGA pro Bo Van Pelt just before he left for The Masters. We introduce the VYPE Select Golf Team for 2013 as several of the areas top golfers take a moment from the course to answer our questions and take some memorable photos with one of Oklahoma's favorite pros. Lynn Jacobsen knocks one out of the park with her piece on Jenks baseball. What makes this team so special? Can they take it all? Find the answers to those questions as Lynn gets in the dugout with the Trojans.

East Central may be known as a basketball and football school, but the boys soccer team is making a case for the Cardinals to be known as a soccer school as well. VYPE has added another All-Star to the lineup. Let me introduce you to Zac Henderson from Sapulpa. Zac is going to head up our online department by bringing you more content, video, polls, stories and photos. Check us out on facebook and twitter @ VYPEOK. Email your comments and suggestions to Oklahoma@ vype.com and as always we'll see you at the game!

Brad Heath VYPE Oklahoma Editorial Director

32 | Jenks Baseball

The Jenks baseball team is loaded with talent with the potential of having an unforgettable season. The Trojans have talent throughout the line-up and they are prepared ready for action.

Trinity Media Group, LLC 6737 S. 85th E. Ave. • Tulsa, OK 74133 All rights reserved. Publisher Austin Chadwick Partner/Editorial Director Brad Heath Partner/Director of Operations Rod Coulter Partner/Three Rivers Director Bill Huddleston

43 | Cardinal Soccer The East Central Cardinals have been a top five team since the season started. Coach Diamond and the boys believe they can beat any opponent they face. Can the Cardinals pull it off? Take a closer look at this team with unlimited potential.

Next Issue... May will wrap up the spring sports for 2013. Get all of your recaps in the May issue of VYPE Magazine!

VYPE Oklahoma Senior Writer Lynn Jacobsen Oklahoma Sales Director Roscoe Migloire Partner Mark Rodgers Web Manager Zac Henderson Contributing Writers Brad Heath, Steve Marshall, Lynn Jacobsen, Jolel Hahn, Tiffany Rogers Contributing Photographers Brad Heath, Steve Toney, Rip Stell, Bluncks Photography, Curtis Allen, Defining Moment Photography, Josh Clough, Von Castor, John Hasler, Kevin Bishop, Michael Mayberry, Brett Rojo 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.

F E AT U R E

Let us know what we’re doing right or what we need to do better. We love to hear from readers. Or if you have an event, a team or an athlete we need to cover, give us the heads-up. Send your comments to Oklahoma@vype.com. —Brad Heath, Editor leagues today.

Jerry M. Tulsa, OK

All-VYPE

I know it must be difficult for you to come up with the All-VYPE teams, but I was wondering on your basketball team how you came up with the players you did? I ask because I think there are several girls that should have been considered. Thanks.

Baseball Bad Boys Man I have to give it to you guys, you put together a great list of the Top 50 baseball players. I’d like to see the list go to 100 like football and basketball though. I think there are plenty of great baseball players in Oklahoma, just look at how many are in the professional 8

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APRIL 2013

Olivia P. Sand Springs, OK

Editor’s Note: Maybe we should start leaving the criteria in the magazine. Just kidding Olivia. We do get this question often. Mainly from parents who feel their kid should have made it and we completely understand. But we do put a lot of work and effort into those teams. There is no short answer, but trust me it’s very labor intensive.

Team of the Month How do I get my son's team noticed in your magazine? Should I email you the info or tell the coach to do it? Tracy H. Owasso, OK

Editor’s Note: Shoot me an email with some details and we’ll take it from there.

Looking Ahead

Can you guys have more coverage on the track meets leading up to the state meet? Last year it seemed track started and was over before you guys could get into any of it. Please look out for the track athletes, they are the best athletes in school! Kevin J. Tulsa, OK

Editor’s Note: Thanks for the email Kevin. We’ll do our best to get you some track coverage!

Tulsa Rowing Club Juniors Price to sign with OCU Tulsa Rowing Club Juniors will send another athlete to the college ranks as Baruch Price signs his letter of intent with Oklahoma City University. Price, son of Matt Price who helped lead Enid High School alongside Mark Price to a runner-up finish in Class 5A basketball in 1982, competes for the Tulsa Rowing Club Juniors in multiple events and is one of the top athletes to come out of the program. Head coach Neil Bergenroth has seen several kids come through the TRC program and make it to the next level. Price does plan on attending OCU while pursuing his

dream of rowing in the Olympics. Price recently placed second in a five-state regional competition held in Dallas. The next major competition is set for June 7-9

in Tennessee where Price and doubles teammate Cody Schafer of Union could compete in the US Rowing Youth National Championships.

APRIL 2013

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<--Caylee Winterberg & Isaac Hollihan -->

hool Catoosa High Sc

Isaac Hollihan

erg Caylee Winterb

CLAREMORE HIGH SC

Caylee Winterbe

HOOL

Catoosa High Sc

hool Senior Caylee Win terberg from Cato osa High School plays center-mid fielder for the vars ity girl’s soccer team. Caylee carri es a 3.9 GPA and is a member of the Christian Stud ent Union at Cato osa. When she’s not playing soccer or meeting with th e CSU you can find Caylee meetin g with the Book Cl ub or studying her AP Literature and AP Calculus. Caylee is looking forward to a grea t senior season an d starting college next fall.

Isaac HHioghllScihhoaoln Claremore

emore High a senior at Clar is n ha lli Ho c Isaa seball plays varsity ba School where he carries The right fielder for the Zebras. the is a member of a 3.82 GPA and taking of p to Society. On National Honor d an e nc ie Math, Sc honors English, t of the Vice Presiden of is c aa Is History r be Club and a mem r the Republican be em m . Isaac is a the SPARK team to d ar rw fo g is lookin of the FCA and rs State baseball at Roge g in ay pl possibly year. University next

Submit your nomination for the TTCU Academic Athlete of the Month to: Oklahoma@VYPE.com

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MONTH YEAR

APRIL 2013

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F E AT U R E

VYPEOK.COM

April 1st, 1991

April 4th, 1974

April 12th, 1986

New York Mets pitcher Dwight Goodin signs a $5.15 million dollar, threeyear contract with the Mets. Goodin would go on to become a four-time AllStar, a three-time World Series champion and pitch a no-hitter in 1996 for the New York Yankees.

Hank Aaron ties Babe Ruthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home run record by hitting his 714th home run. Aaron would finish his career with 755 home runs. The 25-time All-Star was inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame in 1982.

At the age of 16, Steffi Graf wins her first professional tennis tournament at Hilton Head. A German native, in her career Graf won seven Wimbledon titles, five U.S. Open titles, six French Open titles and four Australian Open titles.

APRIL 2013

F E AT U R E

01 High school Showcase at ONEOK Photo: Brett Rojo 02 The Trojan Man helps Hornsby Photo: Brett Rojo 03 Craig Sackett - Catoosa Photo: Trey Coursey 04 Nate Wolfe Pryor Photo: Brett Rojo 05 Verdigris Girls Soccer Photo: Defining Moment 06 Taylor Beck - Verdigris Photo: Defining Moment 07 Time for Baseball Photo: Trey Coursey 08 Katie-Lee Wilson - Rejoice Christian Photo: Von Castor 09 Red Oak fans come to Tulsa Photo: Brett Rojo 10 David Doshier - Verdigris Photo: Defining Moment

April 18th, 1925

April 23rd, 1964

April 24th, 1974

April 29th, 1985

President of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Charles Ebbets died on this day in 1925. Ebbets was a bookkeeper for the Dodgers before taking over team operations in 1898. Ebbets purchased the team in 1905 from owner Ned Hanlon.

Houston Colt 45â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pitcher Ken Johnson becomes the first major league pitcher to lose a 9-inning no-hitter as the Cincinnati Reds win, 1-0 on an error. The person who scored the run for the Reds? Pete Rose.

The National Football League grants a franchise to Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers first season was in 1976. Steve Spurrier was the quarterback during their expansion season. The Bucs started the franchise with a 0-26 record before winning their first game.

Boxer Tony Tubbs won a unanimous decision over Greg Page in 15 rounds for the heavyweight championship. Tubbs later lost the belt to Mike Tyson in a second round knockout.

APRIL 2013

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Oklahoma Driving School

Kevin Kesselring, MPT Physical erapist

Terri Cassel, MS, PT, SCS Board Certiﬁed Sports Clinical Specialist 10123 S. Sheridan

918-299-9300

www.proactive-therapy.com

“Specializing in Sports Rehabilitation” 14

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APRIL 2013

PICTURE THIS

01 02

01 Tyler Sherwood - Collinsville Photo: Brett Rojo 02 Ty Gunter - Coweta Photo: Trey Coursey 03 Brooklyn Pearson - Union Tennis Photo: Josh Clough 04 Trent Howard - Broken Arrow Tennis Photo: Trey Coursey 05 Claremore Boys Soccer Photo: Trey Coursey

05 APRIL 2013

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Crookham legacy far-reaching “He was like a rock star to those people,” said longtime high school coach Larry Miller. “He took everything you need for football, even fiber goal posts that could be broken down. He took cases and cases of water and Pepsi. “Dan did it all. “The people in those countries treated them like kings. To pull that off is amazing.”

Dan Crookham’s passion for football took him around the world and allowed him to introduce his love for the game to millions.

The former Tulsa Public Schools history teacher and coach, who coached at Edison, East Central and Rogers, did the unthinkable when he bucked the Cold War, taking two full football teams, equipment and daily necessities to Russia in 1988. “The way the story has been told is that coaches were sitting around talking about the NFL going overseas,” Crookham’s daughter Darla Snyder remembers. “Dad suggested taking high school players overseas. When he suggested Russia, they all thought he was crazy.” Crookham, though, developed a game plan without the benefit of the internet. Most of his correspondence was via telex. 18

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APRIL 2013

When compiling qualifications for players chosen to make the trip, first and foremost was sportsmanship and citizenship. “He didn’t take the first string players,” Snyder said. ‘He wanted players that would represent the United States.”

Because the USA boycotted the 1980 Olympics in Russia, the American and Oklahoma flags Crookham took in 1988 were the first to fly at Olympic Stadium.

Crookham, who passed away in 2006, was inducted into the American Football Hall of Fame in 2012. “Oh my goodness, I was over the moon with excitement when he was inducted,” Snyder said. “I so wish dad had been around to accept the honor.” In addition to taking football teams to Russia, Crookham

founded the Sooner Stampede in 1989, taking football teams to Australia, New Zealand, Finland, England, France, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands and baseball and basketball teams to Hawaii.

In 2012, Snyder founded the Dan Crookham Foundation. Through the foundation, Snyder intends to fund a yearly scholarship in her father’s name.

Crookham had started to write his memoirs, something Snyder is working to finish. She is also working on a documentary. Proceeds from the book will fund the scholarship. In addition, she hopes to launch a micro scholarship program that will provide equipment for underprivileged elementary through junior high children.

Anyone interested in donating to the Dan Crookham Foundation may do so through IBC Bank or by logging onto the Crookham Foundation website, dancrookhamfoundation.org.

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Athlete theYear of

S C H O L A R S H I P

APRIL

2013

Mazzio’s Corporation and VYPE have teamed up to grant a $2,000 Scholarship for one boy and one girl to be presented in the June issue of VYPE. Here is how it will work: • Each month, VYPE will take nominations for an Athlete of the Month and a boy and girl will be elected the Mazzio’s Athlete of the Month. This will be a chance for boys and girls of all sports to be recognized for their performances. • Nominees can be mailed to scholarship.Oklahoma@ VYPE.com. Give the nominee’s name, school, sport and reasons you believe the athlete should be awarded the scholarship. • The nominees will need to be seniors this season but keep in mind that their accomplishments as juniors will be taken into consideration as well. • Each monthly recipient will be a candidate for the scholarship that will be awarded in June. • All sports will be eligible to have a nomination. • The male and female athletes who are chosen each month will have a pictured bio, highlighting their accomplishments, placed on this page.

Trae BoBo Owasso High School

Mariah Burke Jenks High School

Senior varsity baseball player Trae BoBo is off to a great season. The senior (as of April 3rd) is hitting .447 and his driven in 24 RBI’s to lead the Owasso Rams. Trae also leads in doubles with four and home runs with seven. The senior slugger plays third base and is considered one of the top hitters in the state. His plan after high school is to continue his baseball career while pursuing his degree and would like to one day coach high school baseball.

Mariah Burke is a senior at Jenks High School where she plays tennis for the Trojans. Mariah recently won the No.2 doubles at the Tournament of Champions in Oklahoma City, helping the team take top honors at the event. Mariah also placed first in No.2 singles at the Enid Tournament. Mariah plans to attend college at Oklahoma State University, but is undecided on her major.

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Supporting Our Local Teams & Schools VYPEOK.COM

APRIL 2013

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J.T. Lawson is a senior at Summit Christian in Broken Arrow. J.T. plays varsity baseball and enjoys working out and hanging with friends. The pitcher/shortstop also plays basketball and soccer. J.T. is considering his option for the future, which may include joining the Air Force or playing baseball in college, but first he must answer the Triple Play questions for this month. Coach Shawn Smith is the head baseball coach at Summit Christian. Coach Smith graduated from Southwestern Assemblies of God University and enjoys spending time with family, traveling, playing golf and watching sports. Dana Lawson is a Special Education teacher of students with Autism and the mother of J.T. In her free time you can find her sons games or spending time with family. Who has what it takes to win this month’s Triple Play?

J.T. Lawson

Summit Christian Baseball

Dana Lawson J.T.'s Mother

Shawn Smith J.T.'s Coach

J.T. 's favorite subject in school?

Athletics

Favorite place to eat?

Ted’s Escondido

Buffalo Wild Wings

If J.T. was stuck in high school forever, who would he bring with he?

Jared Minnix

Class clown, class president, or I could be the teacher?

Class clown

J.T.''s bedroom: Work of art, disaster area, or Area 51??

Work of art – the piles of clothes are sculptures

Disaster area

Would you rather pitch a no-hitter, hit for cycle, or steal home?

Steal home – jump the catcher and tag home

Steal home!

Pitch a no-hitter

Homework: Last minute, every night or always late?

Last minute

Always late

Wipe Out

Minute to Win It

Survivor

When I am with my best friend it's, The Walking Dead, Big Bang Theory, or Southpark?

The Walking Dead

South Park

For good luck, J.T. does what?

Don’t step on the chalk line

Don’t step on baselines

NEVER step on chalk line

7 Correct. Not too bad.

4 Correct. Back to the cages coach.

What reality TV show would J.T. win?

TOTAL POINTS: 10

APRIL 2013

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Hangin' With the Pros

The VYPE Select Golf Team in Green Country converges on Cedar Ridge Country Club for conversation with PGA Tour Pro Bo Van Pelt. But first lets meet the VYPE Top Golfers list for 2013. Justin Strathe Rejoice Christian

Expectations This Season: “This is definitely the best season my team and I have ever had. I’m looking forward to going for my fourth state championship this May.” Area Most Improved: Driver. Struggled with it last year. More consistent hitting it 300 yards down the middle. Most Memorable Shot: “180 yard 7 iron to one foot of the cup in a playoff to get in the Oklahoma State Amateur Championship.” Favorite Place to Play: The Patriot Favorite Pro to Watch: Tiger Woods VYPEOK.COM

APRIL 2013

Katie---Lee Wilson Rejoice Christian Expectations This Season: “I haven’t started my senior season the way I would have liked, but I know I need to perservere and continue working hard and trusting God.” Area Most Improved: Short game. Not a long hitter so short game is important. Most Memorable Shot: “Hole-in-one on #13 at The Patriot, 150 yards. Favorite Place to Play: The Patriot Favorite Pro to Watch: Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson

Will Murphy Bishop Kelley Expectations This Season: “I’m excited for my senior season and looking forward to competing for another state championship.” Area Most Improved: Short game. Improved short game will reflect in lower scores. Most Memorable Shot: “Chip-in for eagle on 1st playoff hole to help win a team state championship.” Favorite Place to Play: Southern Hills Favorite Pro to Watch: Bubba Watson

Andy Litzinger Bishop Kelley Expectations This Season: “Defending our state championship and winning regionals which we failed to do last year.” Area Most Improved: I need to improve on my ball striking. Being a consistent ball striker is crucial in high school golf. Most Memorable Shot: “It was probably yesterday at conference. I hit a 30 yard bunker shot to 3 feet and got up and down for the individual title.” Favorite Place to Play: Pebble Beach, I got a chance to play it and it is legendary. Favorite Pro to Watch: Tiger Woods

Jay Powers Inola

Expectations This Season: “I have high expectations for this season and I’m chasing gold!” Area Most Improved: Short game. Jay continues to improve within a 100 yards. Most Memorable Shot: “Holeout from 142 to get me back into contention my sophomore year at regional’s.” Favorite Place to Play: Branson Creek Favorite Pro to Watch: Tigers Woods and Bo Van Pelt

Chris Karlovich Bishop Kelley Expectations This Season: “We hope to repeat as state champions.” Area Most Improved: Putting and the mental game. Karlovich is focused this season and wants to pursue a golf career in college. Most Memorable Shot: “Hole-out from 131 yards at Cherry Springs.” Favorite Place to Play: Whisper Rock in Arizona. Favorite Pro to Watch: Tiger Woods

Megan McDaniels Oologah Expectations This Season: “Making the most of my senior golf season and loving every minute of it!” Area Most Improved: Short game. Improvements in the 60-degree shots will make a big difference for Megan this season. Most Memorable Shot: “A drawn 6-iron to almost make an eagle at Bailey Ranch.” Favorite Place to Play: Heritage Hills Golf Course Favorite Pro to Watch: Bubba Watson

Preston Crawford Jenks Expectations This Season: “Keep the momentum off the win at the Jimmie Austin Tournament in Norman.” Area Most Improved: Putting and the mental game. Improved green play could make this sophomore a true contender for three years. Most Memorable Shot: “Hole-out from 130 yards at #6 at Clary Fields.” Favorite Place to Play: Karsten Creek Favorite Pro to Watch: Bo Van Pelt APRIL 2013

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Mackenzie Medders Jenks Expectations This Season: “This season I was voted varsity captain and I’m consistently working to achieve my goal of winning a high school tournament. Area Most Improved: Found her consistency with her swing. Most Memorable Shot: “At a Texas Junior golf event I holed a nine iron on a par 4 for eagle. Favorite Place to Play: Cedar Ridge CC Favorite Pro to Watch: Keegan Bradley

Other members of the 2013 VYPE Select Golf Team Nadia Majidi-Union High School Anna Kim-Union High School Emma Allen-Union High School Alyssa Brown - Claremore Shelbie Black - Nowata KayLee Hacker-Sapulpa High School Brendon Jelley-Jenks High School Brady Richardson-Union High School Taylor Lansford-Union High School Jonathan Crowley-Metro Christian

Player/Pro Q&A With Bo Van Pelt

Each student-athlete had an opportunity to visit with Bo and ask him various questions about playing in the PGA, college and some of his more memorable shots over his career. Jay Powers, Inola: Do you have any superstitions? Van Pelt: My superstitions are I fold my own pin sheet and I never carry nickels.

Justin Strathe, Rejoice: What is your practice schedule like? Van Pelt: Practice schedule, it varies. Tournament week, it depends on when I get there. Tuesday I’ll usually play nine holes and practice. Wednesday I’m in the pro-am. I’ll practice afterwards. When I’m home it varies. I’ll take a couple of days off then take my kids to school, come out (to Cedar Ridge Country Club) and practice, maybe play some holes. I just

try to be real honest where my game is at. Whatever needs attention, I try to focus on that. When I was your age, pretty much all I did was live at the golf course. My dad used to take the clubs away from me and tell me to go be a kid. Play golf all day and play basketball all night. That was my routine. McKenzie Medders, Jenks: What was your favorite part about college golf? Van Pelt: My favorite part about college golf was just being on a team, having teammates. We worked out together, went to class together, played together, lived together. We had a couple of years where six of us were living in the same house. There’s a million stories from that era. I was living a 1,000 miles away from home, didn’t know

anybody when I got to Stillwater. So that was a neat experience. I grew up in a small town where I knew everybody. To pack up and drive my car 1,000 miles and not know a soul was kind of cool. I’m still good friends with most of the guys I played with. I loved going to tournaments. I played tournaments 2 1/2 years of the five I was there. I wasn’t good enough when I first got to school. It took me places I had never been. I got to go to Hawaii. Being part of a team, the camaraderie, the friendships. PGA Tour is great but college is the best time of your life. So go and enjoy it.

Katie-Lee Wilson, Rejoice: Did you play any other sports as a kid? If so, why did you choose golf? Van Pelt: I played everything. I swam when I was young. It was probably my best sport when I was young. I just got tired of going to the pool at 5:30 in the morning. And I knew I couldn’t do that for a job. And I played basketball. Growing up in Indiana, basketball is big. We played all winter and all summer too at night. It’s funny now, I’m 6-4 and when I was kid I was pretty small. My first year of high school, I was 5-8 and weighed 95 pounds. I was smart enough to look around and think there’s not a whole lot of 5-9 guys playing basketball in college. I was still taking golf pretty serious then. It just kind of slowly worked out that way. Looking back, I don’t think there was really ever a conscious decision. It just seemed like one day I woke up and thought maybe I just need to narrow in on (golf). I love the memories I have from playing other sports. I’m trying to get my kids to do the same thing. Wherever your road leads, it will take you there. Will Murphy, Bishop Kelley: What percentage of time do you spend practicing versus on the course playing? Van Pelt: I’d say it varies. There’s certain weeks where I’m working on something specific on my swing or if my short game needs more attention to detail. When did it become a bad habit to work on something until its

me to try and get on Tour. I pretty much had to walk on at Oklahoma State. The reason I chose there was I didn’t want to look back and say what if, what if I had driven 1,000 miles to see if I could play against the best players. For me it was a tough decision, but the right decision. You have to decide what’s right for you.

fixed? . There’s other times when I feel like my game’s pretty good and I just want to play to get the ball in the hole. Stop thinking about mechanics. It’s good to switch on and off to do both. But you need to do both. I think sometimes people think oh I just like to play. Well, I like hitting driver but maybe I ought to work on my short game. So, you kind of have to get out of your comfort zone a little bit too. You may not like hitting long irons, but I want to feel comfortable with that and I won’t if I haven’t practiced. Best thing is just try to make a schedule. Preston Crawford, Jenks: What’s your advice about choosing college? Van Pelt: There’s a lot of factors. Sit down and make a list of what’s important to you. Do you like a big school? Do you like a small school? What’s your major? Do you like the guys or girls on the team? Don’t pick it based on the coach, he or she could leave. What are the facilities like? What do you want to get out of college golf? When you go on recruiting trips they’re going to tell you all the great stuff. You have to ask the hard questions. I knew I wanted to try and play on Tour. I was coming out of Indiana and was not highly recruited. I had a full ride to Indiana, which would have been the easy choice. My school would be paid for, my sisters went there, my dad played football there. It was an hour and half from home. But I didn’t feel like that was the best for

Chris Karlovich, Bishop Kelley: What is your low tournament score and your low playing for fun score? Van Pelt: My low tournament score was 62. I shot it the first time when I was on Nationwide Tour on a Sunday in Omaha. To shoot 62 to win my first tournament was a pretty big thrill. I shot 59 this year in the Phoenix Open pro-am. I was one day too early but it was fun to shoot it. I had a chance to shoot it in Malaysia if I had birdied the last hole and didn’t get it done. To have a chance to do it again, I birdied the last hole, it was definitely a cool memory.

Megan McDaniels, Oologah: Do you have a favorite shot you’ve hit in the past? Van Pelt: There’s two. The first that comes to mind when I won one Tour event in Milwaukee in ’09 and it was probably the two four irons I hit in the playoff. It was a par 5 and I hit driver. I hit two four irons to the green that enabled me to win the tournament. Two years ago at Augusta, I eagled 15 to tie for the lead. I didn’t know it at the time, but I later found out that shot tied me for the lead. I hit a six iron that I thought was a pretty good shot. It hung up on the hill and didn’t come down. It was in a tough spot, I ended up making bogey and finished eighth. That shot had bothered me for a year. You think what if, what if that shot had been a foot to the left, it ends up rolling down and I make a birdie? Last year I was playing with Scott Verplank (at Augusta) and I made a hole in one with the same six iron. That last one is probably the most memorable. My daughter and one son were standing right there by the edge of the green. It will take a lot to have a shot be more memorable than that one. APRIL 2013

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History & Legacy of OSU Golf To understand Oklahoma State’s golf legacy one needs only know that Bo Van Pelt gave up a sure scholarship to walk on with hopes of earning a spot on the Cowboys roster.

By Lynn Jacobsen “In 1986, I was 11 years old, (my family) was at the Peach Bowl,” he said. “I was from Indiana. I had just read an article in Golf Digest about Oklahoma State golf. I didn’t know anything about it. We

were at a mall and I saw an Oklahoma State hat there. I asked my dad to buy it for me and he did.

“I wasn’t a highly recruited player. I was probably going to go to Indiana. But Oklahoma State assistant coach Bruce Heppler (now head coach at Georgia Tech) saw me play in a tournament in North Carolina and talked to me about visiting (Stillwater). I went home, found that hat and had it all the way through college.”

A 1997 first team All-American and the Central Region champion, Van Pelt finished 22nd in 2012 in the FedEx standings.

Van Pelt, who now resides in Jenks with his wife, Carrie, and three children, met some of the metro area’s promising young golfers the first week of April, offering tips on the game and life.

Rickie Fowler

Van Pelt also met with VYPE to discuss the Oklahoma State legacy.

A sport that has won

Charles Howell III 10 national championships, 16 NCAA runners-up finishes, and has finished in the Top 5 50 times in the 64-year history of the program.

“Coach (Mike) Holder had a 15year run at OSU where he either finished first or second in NCAA Tournament,” Van Pelt said. “It’s an amazing run especially when you factor in the All-Americans and academic All-Americans. I feel fortunate to be a part of it.” One of 160 All-Americans from Oklahoma State, Van Pelt spoke of the closeness of the players. “We all take a lot of pride in the fact that we played there. Look at the guys like Bob Tway, Scott Verplank – guys I spent

Brendon Jelley - Jenks High School

Matt McCoy - 2000 National Champion

Brendon Jelley is a senior at Jenks High School where he plays golf for the Trojans. Jelley is not only one of the top golfers in the state of Oklahoma, but is one of the top young players in the country. Jelley has committed to play for Oklahoma State next year, but is focused on winning a state championship as a senior. Recently Jelley tied teammate Preston Crawford to win the Jimmie Austin Tournament in Norman. Jelley was named to the VYPE Select Golf Team for 2013.

April 2013

Matt McCoy State Farm Insurance 3520 W Houston St (81st and 129th) Phone: (918) 615-6634 Call Matt personally for a quote.

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APRIL 2013

a lot of time with – to the new breed like Rickie Fowler, Hunter Mahan, Morgan Hoffmann, Peter Uihlein, everywhere we are at in the world, we’re watching where each of them is playing,” Van Pelt said. “Or we’re playing practice rounds with each other. It’s just a special fraternity. It meant a lot to us to play there. We try to put that on the guys who are playing there today.”

OSU has crowned eight individual champions, most recently Jonathan Moore in 2006. He joins elite company including Charles Howell (2000), E.J. Pfister (1988), Brian Watts (1987), Scott Verplank (1986), David Edwards (1978), Grier Jones (1968) and Earl Moeller (1953). Thirteen golfers have earned Player of the Year honors including a pair of golfers in 2006 in Zack Robinson and Pablo Martin. Others include Peter Uihlein (2011), Rickie Fowler (2008), Hunter Mahan (2003), Charles Howell (2000), Trip Kuehne (1995), Alan Bratton (1994), Kevin Wentworth (1990), Scott Verplank (1986), Willie Wood (1982), Bob Tway (1981), Lindy Miller (1978).

Hunter Mahan

“It was a dream of mine to get to go to OSU,” Van Pelt said. “I still remember walking into my recruiting trips and seeing the All-American plaques, the Big Eight titles and national championships.” As for Van Pelt, he said his legacy within the program will be remembered as a guy who was a walk-on and ended up becoming a first team AllAmerican.

“I’ve played 13 years on the PGA Tour,” Van Pelt said. “I hope that the kids who might not be as heavily recruited would come to Oklahoma State and work hard to become an AllAmerican. “Even the guys who are highly recruited, I would hope they wouldn’t rest on their laurels. It won’t be given to you. You have to earn your spot on the team.” Van Pelt was part of the team that laid sod on the 18th green at Karsten Creek, a memory he won’t soon forget.

“We had a double wide (trailer) that served as the clubhouse,” Van Pelt said with a laugh. “The current guys have no idea how easy they have it.” Van Pelt said Holder never held organized practices in those days.

“He knew if you were hungry to be in the starting five you would be out practicing every day,” Van Pelt said. “I feel fortunate when I went to school there and the quality of guys who were there, that prepared me for how hard it was to make

Scott Verplank our team.

“I believe in 1994, a national golf magazine wrote a story on the toughest qualifying tournament at OSU was to make the starting five. That’s how many good players there were on our team. And that’s the reason the team had a great year in 1995 and won a national championship.”

Oklahoma State has its share of golfers dotting the PGA Tour, something Van Pelt is proud to be included.

“They do a great job of preparing guys for the PGA,” Van Pelt said. “When I was playing, Bob Tway, Willie Wood and other guys were always around playing golf with us during the week. Then on Sundays we would see them on Tour.

“For me, that was a huge benefit to prepare me. It’s great to see other guys still come back, guys like Charles Howell, Hunter Mahan and Pablo Martin. We may be all around the world, but we still come back.” APRIL 2013

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Tulsa Area

Media Day

VYPE Oklahoma invited all area spring sports teams, coaches and athletes to take part in the Winter/Spring Sports Media Day September 16th at Midwest Sporting Goods in their new South Tulsa location at 121st and Memorial.

Photos by Lisa Renfro and Brandy Moton

VYPE

Photo by Rip Stell

has completed the 2013 Winter/Spring Sports Media Day for the Tulsa area. The festivity was an absolute success with a record of 350 athletes coming to celebrate the winter and spring seasons.

Each school in the Tulsa area was invited to bring any and all winter and spring sports teams to get interviewed for the magazine, have a photo shoot done, and to conduct TV and radio interviews. All teams from sports like basketball, wrestling, baseball, swimming, track, tennis, golf, slow-pitch softball and soccer were present and each team was treated like the superstars they are.

“This is a really neat event for all the athletes to get exposure,” said Broken Arrow softball coach Randall King. “Our kids are having a great time and we love to highlight them.” Coaches from all over attended with a handful of players and were able to take part during the busy time at

Berryhill Baseball 32

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Midwest Sporting Goods in Bixby. All athletes participated in one-on-one interviews, radio and TV interviews, and high-quality photo shoots. “This is such a cool event,” said Sand Springs baseball player Nathan Bold. “We got a chance to talk about our team, get photos and get intefrviewed online. It was cool to send my friends the link to VYPEOK.com and they watched live.”

In partnership with Midwest Sporting Goods, VYPE Oklahoma was able to conduct the first-class event on February 17th. Interviews from the event will be used for future publications. Athles also got a chance to nominate themselves and others for monthly sponsored awards for VYPE High School Sports Magazine. “This was such a great event for us to get involved with because working with high school athletes is something that we do every day,” said Zac Lassiter of Midwest Sporting Goods. VYPE Oklahoma will be conducting the fall sports media day in 2013 in August. To RSVP your school or team, send your requests to Oklahoma@VYPE.com. •

Bixby Baseball

Bixby Track

Blake Battenfield Verdigris Baseball

Booker T. Washington Girls Soccer

Top 10 Media Day Nicknames

Broken Arrow Baseball

10. Brown Sugar (Mariah Burke-Jenks Tennis) 9. Moose (Mason O’Brien-Owasso Baseball) 8. Backstroke Queen (Sarah Leake-Sapulpa Swimming) 7. Pinhead (Grant Bond-Jenks Tennis) 6. Tinman (Brandon Ellis-Sapulpa Track) 5. Kolt 45 (Kolt Hale-Inola Golf) 4. Chupacabra (Agustin Couarrubius-Catoosa Soccer) 3. Catfish (Derek Brumble-Jenks Baseball) 2. Pen-Sanity (Andrew Pence-Bixby Track) 1. The Torpedo (Jesus Carvajal-Edison Swimming)

Tallest & Shortest Media Day Participant 6’ 5” Coleman Key-Broken Arrow Baseball 5’ 1” Grace Shin-Union Golf 5’ 1” Marla Souvannasing-Union Golf 5’ 1” Shaun Williams-Jenks Tennis 5’ 1” Monica Scott-Sapulpa Track

Highest Media Day GPA’s Broken Arrow Softball

Cascia Hall Baseball

Catoosa Boys Soccer

4.5 Mitiah Ghavami-Bixby Track 4.5 Madelein Black-Booker T. Washington Soccer 4.3 Anna Kim-Union Golf 4.3 Meghan Causby-Sapulpa Track 4.3 Veronica Threadgill-Jenks Swimming 4.3 Jon Kamies-Sapulpa Baseball 4.3 Tristan Cavalli-Bixby Baseball 4.3 Patrick Culp-Jenks Swimming 4.3 Keysha Streater-Sapulpa Basketball 4.2 Jad Dilley-Sapulpa Golf 4.2 Brandon Ellis-Sapulpa Track 4.1 Monica Scott-Sapulpa Track 4.1 Hudson Hoover-Sapulpa Golf 4.1 Faith Holestine-Inola Soccer 4.1 Austin O’Brien-Owasso Baseball 4.1 Hailey Jensen-Jenks Swimming 4.1 Zach McAnally-Skiatook Baseball

Catoosa Girls Soccer

Claremore Baseball

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Cleveland Baseball

Holland Hall Softball

Inola Boys Golf

Jenks Boys Swimming

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Ft. Gibson Boys Swimming

Jenks Boys Tennis

Jesus Carvajal Edison Swimming

Holland Hall Baseball

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Jenks Baseball

Jenks Girls Swimming

Jenks Girls Tennis

Salute to Student-Athletes Considering Military Service Marine Corps

Alec Roberts-Sand Springs Baseball-United States Marine Corps Caleb Shoemake-Oktaha Baseball-United States Marine Corps JD Hanslovan-Verdigris Soccer-United States Marine Corps Morgan Patrick-Jenks Swimming-United States Marine Corps Jeb Bargfeldt-Owasso Baseball-United States Marine Corps or AirForce Ryan Fahringer-Bixby Baseball-United States Marine Corps

Air Force

Metro Christian Baseball

Derek Cookson-Fort Gibson Swimming-United States Air Force Sarah Nichols-Fort Gibson Swimming-United States Air Force Justin Capps-Oktaha Baseball-United States Air Force Josh Williamson-Sapulpa Swimming-United States Air Force or Navy Nicholas Eaton-Edison Swimming-United States Air Force JT Lawson-Summit Christian Baseball-United States Air Force

Navy

Paden Scribner-Jenks Swimming-United States Navy Kelby Hern-Cascia Hall Baseball-United States Navy Tyler Bowden-Muskogee Baseball-United States Navy

Army

Madyson Fox-Oktaha Golf-United States Army Colyn Porter-Catoosa Soccer-United States Army

Coast Guard/ROTC

Nathan Hale Track

Brandon Walker-Fort Gibson Swimming-United States Coast Guard Roman DeAngelis-Jenks Swimming-United States Coast Guard David Doshier-Verdigris Soccer-NROTC at OU Samuel Burton-Summit Christian Baseball-Undecided

Sapulpa Baseball

Owasso Baseball

Sand Springs Baseball APRIL 2013

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Sapulpa Girls Basketball

Verdigris Boys Soccer

Sapulpa Boys Golf

Verdigris Girls Soccer

Union Softball

Sapulpa Swimming

Skiatook Baseball 38

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Sapulpa Track

Summit Christian Baseball

Sapulpa Girls Golf

Sapulpa Boys Track

Nicholas Eaton Edison Swimming

Union Girls Golf

Braden Blaylock Union High School

April 2013

Schwab Meat & Co. is proud to present the new Schwabâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Top Dog Athlete of the Month. Each month, VYPE Oklahoma will take nominations on the award at Oklahoma@VYPE. com and choose who best exemplifies leadership, talent, and success on and off the field. The student-athlete receiving the award is highlighted in the monthly edition of VYPE Oklahoma and will see themselves in the year-end edition of VYPE Oklahoma as the Top Dog Team.

Braden Blaylock plays third base and pitches for the Union Redskins. During a recent game against rival Jenks at ONEOK Field, Blaylock drove in the go-ahead run on a double. The Redskins would go on to win the High School Showcase game, 7-5 against their rivals. Head coach Shawn Newkirk has the Redskins ranked No.6 in Class 6A with a record of 14-6 after the win. Braden Blaylock is your Schwabâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Top Dog of the Month!

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Will prestigious Tourney catapult Jenks? By Lynn Jacobsen Photos By Brett Rojo

Jenks’ 1-3 record at the National High School Invitational, hosted by USA Baseball, did nothing to drop the Trojans from the No. 2 spot in the Class 6A baseball rankings. As well it shouldn’t.

The Trojans, the first Oklahoma team to be invited to the prestigious tournament, defeated Eustus (Fla.), 3-2, for the only win in the Cary, N.C.

tournament.

“We’re the first team from the Midwest region (to go), excluding Texas, to be invited to this tournament,” Jenks head coach Dennis Keeley said. “Getting the invitation was huge for us, our program, our school but it’s also huge for Oklahoma baseball. “It puts a spotlight on Oklahoma high school baseball. And if we can bring back a little respect for our state, that would be awesome. We want other states to see the quality of baseball played here. Teams from Oklahoma go all over the nation to play and this is just another opportunity for us.”

Jenks landed on the radar of both USA Baseball and Baseball America thanks to the national attention of seniors Thomas Hatch and Trey Michalczewski.

Derek Brumble

Hatch, a 6-foot-2 right-handed pitcher, and Michalczewski, an infielder, have already signed with Oklahoma State and Oklahoma, respectively. Hatch has signed for baseball and Michalczewski for football. However, each could get that magical call in early June with the Major League Baseball draft.

Both players have drawn a lot of interest from visiting Major League Baseball scouts and are

Thomas Hatch projected to go in the Amateur Baseball Draft, which leaves them with the option of college or professional ball. “Both Thomas and Trey have performed really well,” Keeley said. “Thomas is very talented. Trey is playing shortstop and second base for us. He was hitting over .500 early in the season.”

This senior class, - with Michalczewski and Hatch at the helm - has won over 100 games already. The talent for the fourth-year head coach doesn’t end there though. While the Trojans have 12 seniors, they play a blend of juniors and seniors.

Senior centerfielder Grant Maxey has already signed with Central Arkansas. Heading into the national tournament, Maxey

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was leading the team in hitting well over .600 from the fivehole spot. “He reaps the benefit of hitting behind Trey,” Keeley said.

Joining Hatch in the starting rotation are juniors Allan Beer, Cale Tims, Bryce Ward and Dylan Harding.

“Allan is as solid as a rock,” Keeley said. “He plays some shortstop for us. He’s already committed to Bradley. Bryce, another right-hander, is having a good year. Other guys to watch include Cale Tims, Cadon Owens and Dylan Harding. Cadon has an electric fastball. Cale, Allan and Cadon are everyday players for us.” Senior catcher Eric Kanady handles the majority of the duties behind the plate. Junior

Tyler Haisten mostly handles the young pitchers when they are on the mound, Keeley said. “Eric is our everyday catcher,” Kelley said. “Ty catches Bryce and a couple of our other younger guys. Ty is having a great year, he’s hitting the ball really well.”

Senior Derek Brumble anchors a veteran infield lineup at third base. A starter since his sophomore year, Brumble even saw some limited action at varsity as a freshman.

“Derek has been a solid player both in the outfield and at third base and has been a solid hitter in the middle of the lineup,” Keeley said. When he took the program, Keeley admits he looked ahead to this season as the one in

Trey Michalczewski which the Trojans had a chance to contend, not just for a state tournament berth, but a title.

“My first year we won 18 games,” he said. “We’ve been to state every year for the last three years. We’re hoping that experience pays off this year. We knew when this senior class was freshmen that we had a pretty special group. It’s been a lot of fun watching these kids grow up and mature.” Keeley is confident the Trojans, who were 11-7 overall heading into the second week of district play, are primed for one final push toward the playoffs.

Allan Beer

We’ve been looking forward to this now for three years.,” he said. “We’ve been to state in each of the last three years. It’s time to raise bar. Justin getting to state isn’t good enough. We expect to have a really good chance to take home a state championship. We know they don’t give those things away. We know we have to earn it.” APRIL 2013

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Tulsa Area Basbeall is Heating Up Rams silencing 6A opponents with 19-0 start

Top-ranked Class 6A Owasso defeated Broken Arrow on consecutive nights, including a 4-3 extra-inning district victory in the Drillers Showcase to run its record to 19-0. “We’ve been playing pretty well,” Owasso coach Larry Turner said. “We’re getting really good play from some guys who haven’t played a lot.” Trae BoBo is just such a player. The senior leads the team in batting average (.429), home runs (8) and RBIs (28).

“Tae has been great for us this year,” Turner said. “Maybe better than we could have imagined. It’s his first full year to be fulltime starter and he has nine home runs already.”

Another key newcomer is centerfielder/pitcher Jeff Bargfeldt, who is 5-0 with a 1.51 ERA after the win over Broken Arrow in the Battle of the Bats contest. Blake Enzbrenner is another first-year starter, who three clutch hits n the Battle of the Bats game then drove in the winning run in the extra-inning victory over Broken Arrow in the Drillers Showcase. “Up and down the lineup, we’ve got guys stepping up,” Turner said.

Then there is Garrett Hall, a first-year starter at catcher. “We put a lot on his shoulders,” Turner said. “He’s been more than I could have ever imagined. He’s been outstanding.”

Of course the Rams have their share of veteran standouts. Senior Andrew Rosa, who has signed with Oklahoma State, leads the team

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Corbin Osborn - Catoosa in runs scored (22) and stolen bases (5), is third in batting average (.377) and hits (20).

Brothers Mason O’Brien (outfielder) and Austin O’Brien (first base) have also gotten off to quick starts. Austin leads the team in hits (22) and is second in average (.393) and Mason is second in RBIs (23). Braden Webb joins Bargfeldt with the most victories, five each. Austin Kerns and Teigen Tieperman are also in the starting rotation and are 3-0 each. Luke Waller recorded three saves in three games in Florida and has become the team’s closer.

Undefeated Indians remain No. 1 in 4A

Second-year coach Scott Mowery expected improvement from a 10-win season.

But the Catoosa head coach admits he never expected his team would start the season 20-0. The Indians sit atop the Class 4A rankings.

“We have some talented kids,” Mowery said. “We wanted them to buy in to what we are doing and they did.” Among those victories was a tournament championship at Inola

and a 5-4 extra-innings affair over Coweta in the Drillers Showcase.

Corbin Osburn, who leads the team with a .451 batting average, drove in the winning run over the Tigers while closer Nick Brown picked up the win. Brown, a strapping 6-foot-4 hard throwing right-hander, is 3-0 with three saves.

Osburn and Dusty Haueter each boast 5-0 records. Osburn is a junior lefthander with a 2.00 ERA while Haueter has a 1.00 ERA. Senior right-hander Austin Potter is 3-0. Osburn, Haueter and Potter double in the field as well.

Success this season has come from strong pitching and speed on the base paths. Already as a team, the Indians have 72 stolen bases, including 34 from Haueter and 28 from Bailey Meyer, who bat first and second in the lineup.

“As a team, we only have two home runs,” Mowery said. “We’ve got four or five guys who are very fast. We like to run. We’re defense first then pitching and running.” Through April 7, the Indians were 9-0 in the Verdigris Valley Conference.

Sam Blankenship Union High School

How long have you been involved in FCA? I have been involved in FCA for the last 5 years and am currently involved in FCA at Union High School.

Who influenced you to join? I chose to join FCA through the influence of my brother Malachi who is currently the president of FCA at Tulsa University. I saw the benefits he received and the influence he was able to have on others for Christ through FCA and I wanted to be able to experience the same benefits and impact on others for Christ.

How has FCA made an impact in your life on the field and off the field? I have learned the importance of pursuing excellence in all aspects of life.

How has your beliefs helped you as an athlete? I have been able to play with confidence knowing the Lord is with me no matter what happens. What is your favorite bible verse and why? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.â&#x20AC;? (Psalm 73:25-26 ESV) This verse reminds me that there is nothing on this earth that satisfies besides God and it gives me the courage to live and play with reckless abandon knowing I have the future hope of heaven. I love to bank on the promise in this verse that God will be my strength and my portion for all eternity

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GirlS Soccer heats up on the pitch Claremore girls remain unbeaten in state

Second-ranked Class 5A Claremore headed into district play with an unblemished record against in-state opponents. The Lady Zebras only loss came against Rogers (Ark.), 2-1 in a shootout.

The very same high school Claremore coach Robin Sutherland graduated from prior to extending her athletic career at Northeastern State and Rogers State. Through April 4, the Lady Zebras were 6-1, including a 2-0 victory over 10th-ranked Cascia Hall in the district opener for both schools. Bailey Bacon scored both goals, giving her three on the season.

Claremore is led by Cailin Caldwell and Taylor Williams with four goals apiece followed by teammates Chandler Payne, Jordan Pettay, Katelin Teter and Dailey Thomas with one goal each. “We begin practice each day with focus,” Sutherland said. “We talk soccer, we play soccer. Our goal is to take care of business. We know we have to play like every opponent is the No. 1 team because everyone is coming for us.”

Sutherland said in the loss to Rogers (Ark.), the team did not take care of the little things.

“We try to not beat ourselves,” she said. “Every team we play in districts is a quality opponent. That’s how it has been for the last couple of years. To get ready for district, we played some 6A teams.” In addition to a high-scoring offense, the Lady Zebras boast a strong back line, led by Maddie Murray, Anna McGuire and Jentry Cruce.

“They are very tightknit,” Sutherland

said. “They are three very tough backs. The most goals we’ve allowed in a game is two and we have only trailed once this year.” Goakeeper Brilee Brasher has been stellar in the net, recording nearly 50 saves already this year, Sutherland said.

The Lady Zebras will face a scrappy Edison team, currently ranked No. 3 in 5A, on April 23 in a match that could decide the district championship.

Glenpool girls score fast and furious

Talk about your quick starts. Heading into district play, Class 4A fourthranked Glenpool already had 32 goals on the season.

Miklynne Easley and Megan Musick lead the scoring with eight goals each. Kelsey West is next with six goals followed by Brooklyn Burnett with five, Kylie Dellis with four and Monica Auerbach with one.

“I really think by the end of the season, we will have five girls in double digits in goals and assists,” Glenpool coach Jason Nussbaum said. “That’s pretty much unheard of. Our forwards, Miklynne and Megan have the most goals but we have a very balanced attack.” The Lady Warriors opened the season with three victories over Claremore Sequoyah (3-1), Summit Christian (64) and Cushing (10-0). Other victories include a 2-0 win over Grove and a 5-4 victory over Oologah. The Lady Warriors, who were to open district play on April 5 against Commerce, look to return to the state tournament after going out in the first round a year ago.

“You never want to take anything for granted but we believe we can and win our district,” Nussbaum said. “Oologah

is a capable team. ”

Nussbaum opted to play a tough nondistrict schedule.

“Our three losses are to Catoosa, Fort Gibson and Skiatook,” Nussbaum said. “All three teams are ranked in the top three in their classes.”

Lady Eagles have sights set on playoff run

In the seven years John Croisant has been head coach, the Lady Eagles have been among the stronger programs in the state, even ranked No. 1 last year.

Edison enters district play ranked No. 3 in Class 5A, led by goalkeeper Emily Thornbrugh and midfielder Sara Clarke. The team suffered just one loss in the early portion of the schedule, dropping a 2-1 match to Claremore in the finals of the Claremore Tournament. It seems only fitting that the two powerhouse programs could meet in the regular season finale to decide the district crown. “We like to control the middle of the field,” Croisant said. “We have great team speed and we are physical.”

Freshman Maima Clarke leads a young crop of players who are hoping to help send the seniors out with a championship.

In the first month of the season, Clarke already had six goals. Her older sister, Sara has four goals and Amber Taylor has five goals. Thornbrugh has eight saves in six games. The Lady Eagles have navigated a tough non-district slate that included Sapulpa and Sand Spring in Class 6A and Memorial and Booker T. Washington in Class 5A. “We’re playing good competition,” Croisant said. “It gives you a better chance to be successful in districts.” APRIL 2013

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Cardinals gear up for playoff run By Lynn Jacobsen Photos By Trey Coursey

Third-ranked East Central is looking to make its eighth straight trip to the playoffs.

But simply getting there is no longer a goal for coach Josh Drummond’s Cardinals.

“We’ve had 10-win seasons the last four years,” Drummond said. “We’ve gone to the playoffs each of the last seven years and the semifinals two years ago. “Our goal is to win district and win state. The team that has won our district the last five years has playing in the state title game. We have to get over the hump and win district and state.”

Getting over the hump requires getting past a brutal district that includes 5A state runnerup Cascia Hall as well as Top 10 teams Edison and Claremore.

Jessy Garcia

Already, the Cardinals have victories over 2012 state champion NW Classen, 3-2, and the Commandos, 1-0, in the Bishop Kelley Invitational.

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“This is a big month,” Drummond said of April. “These are the only games that matter when it comes to the playoffs.” The team’s two biggest matches come at the end of the district schedule and both on the road.

On April 16 the Cardinals travel to current No. 1 Edison and the final match is April 23 at Cascia Hall. “I’m more happy to play on the road,” Drummond said. “We’ve been a better road team than we have been at home. We’re very comfortable playing away from here.” Skill and ball control are the keys for East Central.

the Golden Boot award at the Kelley Invitational, after leading the tournament in goals scored.

“He’s not very big but he is one of the fastest kids in Class 5A,” Drummond said. “His ball control and finishing skills is top notch.

Jose Valdez “We’re a possession-oriented team,” Drummond said. “We have a bunch of skill players. You can only put 11 on the field at one time, but we probably have 19 that could play on varsity. We also have a strong JV program. Those kids come up to varsity ready to compete.” Senior captain and forward Jose Valdez leads the team in goals with seven. He won

Sophomore forward Andrew Delepaz is another explosive player in addition to being the team’s second-leading scorer..

“He is a game-changing type player,” said the coach. “He’s on the field 100 percent of the time.”

Jessy Garcia, who was the Cardinals’ field goal kicker in football, is a senior team captain and outside midfielder. “He’s the leader in the locker room,” Drummond said. “And he’s one of the top students in the school.”

Edison Soccer Stingy defense carries No. 1 Eagles Through its 7-0 start, the Edison Eagles have allowed just one goal while scoring 17.

With 10 returning starters, the Class 5A No. 1 Eagles may be the team to beat in Class 5A. The team is hoping to add a fourth title to its state championship hardware.

Phil Barkley, a graduate of Edison who played soccer at Northeastern State, serves as the lay coach for the boys, alongside John Croisant, who oversees both the boys and girls programs. Croisant was a former Jenks and Tulsa soccer star. Senior forward Robert Trebilcock, who missed his junior season due to injury, already has seven goals heading into district play. He is joined on the frontline by senior Evan Charney. Anchoring the midfield is senior Kody Gardner, sophomore Chris Moore with junior Yonas Clarke at the left mid and senior Turner Vandenhorn at the right mid positions.

The defense is led by juniors Carson Miller and Pierce Anderson with rightside back Jacob Karl, a senior, and left back Carols Botello. Sophomore Chris Maxwell is the team’s goalkeeper.

“We’re a veteran team and a seniordominated team,” Barkley said. “We feel this is our year. Getting Robert back is huge.

Andrew De La Paz

“Our goal is to stay strong defensively. Our defense creates our offense. We emphasize possessions and winning the ball.”

The Eagles participate in one of the toughest districts, that also includes a pair of Top 10 teams in East Central and Cascia Hall. APRIL 2013

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Track and Field:

The boys and girls participated in the Broken Arrow Invitational March 29th. Senior Caroline Adelson broke the school record and won the 800m with a time of 2:23.02 and she also finished second in the 1600m (5:34.03). Junior Kelsey Arnold finished second in the 100m (13.10 and) and junior Savanna Smith finished second in the 3200m (12:13.47). The girls 4x800 relay (Langley Dunn, Allene Michaels, Halle Salisbury, Caroline Adelson)finished third.

Baseball

: The Dutch baseball won the Lincoln Christian tournament in March. The boys defeated Haskell 12-2 in the first game. Sophomore Jackson Goddard pitched a complete game for the Dutch and junior Chris Hauger hit his first home run of the season. In the second game vs. Lincoln Christian it was a pitchers dual. Junior John Byers had a no hitter through six innings and the Dutch held on to win 2-1. Sophomore Nick Holm had his first home run of the season. In the

championship game, senior Matt Bayliss pitched the Dutch to a victory against Caney Valley, 4-1.

The baseball team opened up SPC competition with a 12-2 win over Cistercian in five innings. Junior Kyle Pumphrey pitched a complete game to pick up the win. In the second SPC counter, the Dutch fell to SPC North Zone leader All Saints, 8-5.

Boys Tennis

: The boys tennis team is off to a 2-0 start in SPC play. The Dutch defeated Cistercian, 4-1 and All Saints, 3-2. Senior David Graybill is 2-0 #2 singles and Prafual Vassireddy and Jordan Rambach are 2-0 at #1 doubles.

Girls Tennis: The girls had a tough first match against the defending SPC champions, All Saints. The Dutch fell, 4-1. The #2 doubles team of freshmen Merrick Frizzell and Molly Lohrey won their match.

Boys golf

: The boys golf season got underway at the Union Invitational at Cherokee Hills. The boys finished fourth place out of twelve teams.

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