Golf: Jackson Ogle, Jade Staggs cut above the rest…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Where have my young legs gone? After walking the John Conrad Golf Course in Midwest City all day Monday, I feel 36, not 26.
But I (as well as chum Scott Wright) saw some great golf. I mean THIS is what an All-Star Classic is supposed to be, one big shot after another.
In the end, it was Oklahoma Christan School’s Jackson Ogle edging Edmond North’s Austin Fuller by one stroke (Ogle – 137; Fuller – 138) for the boys title while Westmoore’s Jade Staggs was two shots better than Kingfisher’s Bethany Darrough.
Staggs’ drives are sights to see. You’d have three of the four girls bunched up, and then you’d go another 30 yards and find Staggs. Such power.
But Darrough battled the whole way. The girls started the day tied as both shot a 70 in the first round Sunday. However, through the front nine, Staggs had a three-shot advantage.
We (myself and Scott) missed holes 10-12 as we badly needed food and drink. Darrough made a great charge and got to as close as one stroke after 15 holes (I think).
But Staggs was steady and closed out the show as the only girl to shoot under par in both rounds, compiling a 141 in the two days.
For the boys, now that was fun. Red numbers were a-plenty in the afternoon. Nobody had a better round than Chickasha’s Taylor Williams. After a disappointing 74 on Sunday, he had a tournament-best 66 on Monday.
But the showdown for the title was between Ogle and Fuller with Putnam North’s Zach Tucker just a stroke behind.
Only got to watch the final four holes because of tracking the girls, but what a final four it was as the two were tied. Both just missed birdies on 15. Ogle had a tap-in birdie at 16 to give him the lead.
Then No. 17 was incredible. Thought Ogle wrapped it up with a near 30-foot birdie putt, but Fuller came right back and sank about a 15-footer for birdie as well.
And on No. 18, Fuller nearly holed out on his third shot, prob fell just inches from falling in. Ogle calmly made his par and claim the championship.
I can’t play golf worth a lick so it’s fun watching those that know how to put on a show.
Scott will have the write-ups in Tuesday’s paper. Look for videos on NewsOK with Staggs, Darrough and Ogle (couldn’t find Fuller or would have grabbed him, too).
Great stuff, glad the Oklahoma Junior Golf Tour put this on.
For full results, go here.
Santa Fe: Walter Henderson signs with Arkansas…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Walter Henderson's incredible journey is complete, signing with Arkansas. Photo by Robert Przybylo, The Oklahoman
When am I going to learn I’m not a kid anymore? It wasn’t Sunday as I had a blast covering Edmond Santa Fe track star Walter Henderson signing with Arkansas.
Henderson’s journey has been well-chronicled at this point. He went from not having any idea what track and field really was two years ago to now signing with one of the top track schools in the nation.
Coach Carl Hawkins was also there and said five kids from this year’s team have signed. One at the Division I level, one at Division II and three at NAIA.
The Wolves placed second in the team race, edged out by Southmoore. Henderson, despite not racing at his best because of a groin injury, placed third in both the 100 and 200 meters.
And now I know why the Wolves’ track team is so good after watching a furious hour of constant battles in Mario & Sonic Summer Olympics for the Wii. The intensity in those track races was just like the real thing.
Henderson said I should have added up all the scholarship money that was in the room as there were a lot of star athletes from the Edmond area in attendance.
If you don’t remember, here is my story on Henderson’s journey from Southeast to Santa Fe to finding track from last month.
Look for a video with Henderson on NewsOK later this week. EDIT: Or how about now?
Top 15 moments of 2009-10 (Part II)…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Looked at moments 15-8 on Saturday, let’s finish the countdown. Like I said before, I had to witness these moments for them to be included.
No. 7 – Perry’s Ian Fisher and El Reno’s Cory Dauphin become four-time state champions
I always feel like Saturday night wrestling finals take forever, but they really don’t. Dauphin was absolutely incredible in his four years with the Indians while Fisher was so steady with almost like stoic presence. The two became No. 26 and No. 27 as Oklahoma four-time champions. Neither had any difficulty in achieving the feat.
No. 6 – Casady beats Heritage Hall 7-0 in 2OT
The term ‘Redeem Team’ wasn’t coined here, but this was the moment where you knew Casady was not going to be a pushover this season. This game was full of great defense. Heritage’s Cale Courtney almost scored on a long fourth down run before the Cyclones finally found the end zone on a TD pass from Cale Shivers to Travis Hibdon.
Star vs. Douglass was memorable for many reasons - one of them was Darwin Rideau's performance. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
No. 5 – Championship Monday: Boys Tennis
Even if they’re not, when events run longer than they’re supposed to, it gives that feeling of being special. And for me, the tennis nut, this was like a dream to just go back and forth from four courts to watch one championship after another. Putnam North’s Chris Haworth reclaim his title, Nate Roper of Edmond North show he’ll be a force in years to come and the Huskies finishing a crazy-good season.
No. 4 – All-OKCPS Class 4A football championship (Star Spencer beats Douglass)
Maybe Stillwater wasn’t the best site for the two schools, but it was still a magical night at Boone Pickens Stadium. I don’t know if we’ll ever see anything like that ever again. It was a track meet in the first half before Terence Olds and Darwin Rideau powered the Bobcats to the victory and the state championship. Truly a great night for Oklahoma City Public Schools.
No. 3 – Edmond Santa Fe girls basketball beats Memorial in OT (aka the Arielle Cooper game)
Not only was this one of the best moments of the year, it was easily the best basketball game I saw the entire year. This was phenomenal with both teams taking shots at each other. Memorial is more than Alie Decker and Santa Fe is more than Courtney Walker, but they were phenomenal. Cooper, a sophomore, banked in a 3 to send the game into OT where the Wolves pulled it out. Even Memorial coach Shane Coffey couldn’t say anything bad about this one.
No. 2 – Booker T. boys basketball team wins state championship
Under Shea Seals, the Hornets had been so close in the last couple of years. Then this year, they clearly weren’t supposed to win against Tulsa Memorial. But Tharone Chilton and the rest of the BTW kids didn’t care about losing three times to the Chargers in the regular season. What sets this moment apart was the great celebration that included all the students there in the stands singing while the team had the gold ball. Really a special moment.
No. 1 – Edmond Memorial defeats Edmond North in biggest regular season Edlam game ever
OK, admit a little bias here. Being the Edmond writer, I admit to seeing the Bulldogs and Huskies (and Wolves) more than any other school. But this game had the feel of a big-time moment. North was 7-1 and off to its best start ever. Memorial was 5-3 and on a four-game winning streak. It was a battle for second in District 6A-2. And it was a defensive performance by the ‘Dawgs for the ages, culminating in Nelson Medeiros intercepting a pass in the fourth quarter and returning it for a touchdown in a 10-0 victory. It wasn’t a fluke as Memorial advanced to the quarterfinals and was tied with Jenks in the fourth quarter. And perhaps attending many practices and a pep rally for this game had my psyched as I remember saying this to one of my best friends: “I’m more pumped about Edlam than I was about OU-Texas. Is there something wrong with me?”
Now that we’ve looked back, time to look ahead to what should be a great 2010-11 high school sports year.
Top 15 moments of 2009-10 (Part I)…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Well, we did it. We’re through another great year of high school sports. A lot of great moments, a lot of special kids, here is just a small sample of some of my favorite memories.
Qualifying statement: I had to see these in person. I know I missed a lot of great moments so these can only be the ones I actually saw.
Here we go.
One of the best moments of the year was Casey Distaso's three-set battle of wills victory against Union Logon Collins in the semis. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
No. 15 – Bethel repeats as slowpitch softball state champions
This was a wild game against Purcell in the championship. At first, you thought the Wildcats were going to run the Dragons right out of the park. Purcell fought back, but it was still 12-4 entering the seventh inning. Then things got wacky. Purcell had hit after hit after hit only to lose 12-9. Bethel’s Brittany Watson is one of the best softball players I’ve seen in my three years of covering the game.
No. 14 – Edmond North boys swim team ekes out 200 individual medley relay
This is more of a personal one as I was gassed after all the 5A championships. However, this relay woke me up and had me ready to roll for the next hours. Edmond North just barely edged out Union by .06 for the title. Of course, Jenks would sweep both the boys and girls championships as Jacob Pearce had a memorable Saturday.
No. 13 – Buzzer beaters (Western Heights’ D.J. Taylor and Holland Hall’s Kwame Sexton)
There was a span of a couple of weeks where I just happened to be lucky enough to have my video camera with me. Taylor hit a 3-pointer to give the Jets a thrilling win against Deer Creek in the Bruce Gray Classic. Sexton drained a 3 at the buzzer to beat rival Casady after the Cyclones connected on 3 seconds earlier to tie the game.
No. 12 – Edmond Santa Fe goes for 2-point conversion vs. Edmond North and fails
Heck of a way to start your head coaching career, no? Bruce Gowen, in his first game with the Wolves, elects to go for a two-point conversion and the win. The Wolves were down 14-0 but rallied to make it 14-13. Gowen was riding momentum and had total confidence his boys could pull it off. North’s Rickey Lawyer intercepted the conversion attempt.
No. 11 – Edmond North’s Casey Distaso upends Union’s Logon Collins in three-set marathon
You know I’m a tennis aficionado, for better or worse. This was everything everybody thought it would be in the state semifinals. Collins earned the first set and was up 3-0 in the second. But Distaso, who decided to play specifically for this weekend, rallied back to earn the second set, 7-5. He never looked back in winning the third.
No. 10 – Bishop McGuinness boys basketball beat Carl Albert in OT in finals of McGuinness Classic
I love the basketball tournament weeks and this was no exception. The atmosphere was insane for the Irish and Titans and McGuinness’ Kevin Caruthers and CA’s Caleb Price were going back and forth in making one big shot after another. A Jameel Whitney block in OT spurred McGuinness to the victory.
Moment No. 8 saw Heritage pitcher Bob Kraft strike out 20 vs. rival Casady. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
No. 9 – Bishop McGuinness’ Emily Conrad and Whitney Ritichie become four-time champions
I feel like I’ve watched these two grow up the last three years. The Irish girls were dominant in all four years of their careers, never losing a match. Phenomenal stuff every time they went out there. Conrad will play at Abilene Christian while Ritchie will become the latest Irish player to play at OU.
No. 8 – Heritage Hall’s Bob Kraft strikes out 20 against Casady
Sometimes you stumble onto the greatness. Sure felt like it with this moment. Kraft struck out seven in two innings so figured it would be something special. He ended up recording 23 outs as two Ks got by the catcher. His variety of pitches is easily his strength. Heritage won, 8-1.
Moments 7-1 on Sunday.
Westmoore’s Self signs with Duke
Brian Self, a four-year wrestling standout for Westmoore, will take his mat talents to the next level. The 189-pounder signed a national letter of intent to wrestle for Duke.
“It was between Duke and Stanford,” said Self, who also was a starting fullback and linebacker for the Jaguars’ football squad. “So, either way I was going to be going a long way from home.”
Duke started recruiting Self late last summer and he decided on the Blue Devils after a campus visit. Self will wrestle at 187 or 194 in college.
“It depends on how big I get this summer,” he said.
Irish: Quinn Shanbour, Camden Tharp in competition (kinda)…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
When is a competition not really a competition? When it’s Bishop McGuinness football and talking about who will be the starting quarterback between Camden Tharp and Quinn Shanbour.
Head coach Kenny Young said he’s not in a real hurry to make a decision. And that the title of starting QB is really just in name only as he said both are going to see the field on offense – no matter what.
We’ve determined that they are two of our best 11 players on offense. They might play a number of different positions.” – Young
The Irish will only get in six spring practices, Young said. They were able to get in two last week, but when the school does finals, no extracurricular activities are allowed. That meant three straight days of nice weather but no practices.
That’s alright, Young said, because the spring is more about getting into that football state of mind more than anything else. The Irish are yet another one of the stellar teams that will be at Edmond North next week.
Young said the team is incredibly young, saying he thinks only four starters are returning on both sides of the ball. Luckily, one of those is running back star LaRone Richardson.
Richardson was hampered by injuries but has the ‘wow’ factor when healthy. He was healthy as a sophomore and right now, he’s doing pretty good.
Replacing LBs Jay Lester and Jameel Whitney will be the toughest chore. The way the McGuinness system operates, the LBs make a lot of the tackles. Young said Lester and Whitney are two of the best he’s ever had.
Fort Gibson’s Jamie Orr signs with OBU…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Fort Gibson's Jamie Orr makes it official. Photo provided
Once you hit spring, it’s always that time of year for signings, and we’ve been flooded with them. If you know of any, don’t hesitate to ship them along to any of us. And if you have a photo from the ceremony, go ahead and send it.
Here’s one from Fort Gibson as soccer standout Jamie Orr will play for Oklahoma Baptist in Shawnee.
Orr, a defender, was All-State honorable mention and All-District while leading Fort Gibson, under coach Gabe Ellis, to the state quarterfinals and a 13-2 overall record.
Orr plans to major in missions and journalism at OBU.
Orr said she chose OBU because, “Everyone has close relationships with each other and with God, which will help me in my own walk of faith.”
Edmond North: Travis Townsend, Jared Benway ready to take over…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
The final stop of my Edmond trip was at North and the Huskies. Got there a little early and was waiting for coach Jeremy Dombek to get in.
Looking at his office, saw a nice gesture from the Class of 2010 seniors to Dombek. That was a special group, but it also got me thinking, ‘who’s there now?’
Joked with Dombek about that as obviously the two big names that stand out are QB Travis Townsend and RB Jared Benway.
But other than that, is the cupboard bare? Dombek certainly doesn’t think so. I mean he really believes the incoming juniors are going to be something special.
Santa Fe has 10 seniors practicing while Dombek said he has 17 seniors (where are all the Edmond seniors?). But he’s not too worried.
Obviously, it will start with Townsend and Benway. Both carry themselves with a lot more confidence and Townsend was incredibly steady as a first-year starter last year.
Didn’t get to watch Benway on Tuesday as he is out with a high ankle sprain. Nothing serious but enough to keep him out of the rest of spring practice.
Benway is a beast. Knew it last year, and I think the rest of the state is going to find it out this year. He wants to have the ball 30-40 times a game, Dombek said.
The biggest question is certainly going to be the secondary. It’s one question Dombek can’t even answer yet. How do you replace guys like Xavier Smith, Rickey Lawyer and Brandon Downing?
Dombek does believe they have the talent, but he has no idea when it’s all going to come together for some of those younger kids.
North is the host site for an incredible team camp June 2-4 that is going to feature great teams from Class A Cashion to east side power Bixby and everywhere in between.
Before the Huskies got things rolling, caught up with Townsend on his thoughts about things and how much more comfortable he now is at quarterback.
All-State soccer rosters…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Here ya go:
The Oklahoma All-State soccer rosters have been released for games that will be played June 10-12 at Sand Springs High School.
Class 4A boys and girls will play on Thursday, followed by 5A on Friday and 6A on Saturday.
The girls begin at 6 p.m., and the boys play at 8 p.m. each day. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students.
6A Boys
West
Josh Thomas, Mustang; Edgar Pineda, Mustang; Irvin Rocha, US Grant; Luis Ruiz, US Grant; Kevin Cabello, Putnam North; Matt Bray, Putnam North; Bryan Byars, Putnam North; Blake Rodgers, Yukon; Colby Anderson, Shawnee; Jacob Stivers, Edmond Memorial; Stuart Turnipseed, Edmond Memorial; Khalil Benalioulhaj, Norman North; Cole Adkins, Norman North; Ian Sanders, Edmond North; George Jackson, Edmond North; Adam Salas, Putnam West; Dylan Farmer, Lawton Eisenhower; Ray Clark, Norman; Dacota Sanor, Norman; Cal Cornwell, Norman.
East
Matt Mason, Bartlesville; Garron Hayes, Tulsa Union; Santos Rosales, Edmond Santa Fe; Ricky Tran, Southmoore; John Beckman, Stillwater; Andrew Quinn, Bartlesville; Devin Wanner, Putnam City; Omar Mata, Tulsa Union; Carl Salazar, Broken Arrow; Ryan Sanders, Broken Arrow; Brandon Reed, Owasso; Drew Hall, Edmond Santa Fe; Bobby Behrens, Sand Springs; Austin Stephenson, Ponca City; Ryan Cochran, Owasso; James Gross, Jenks; Michael Diaz, Muskogee; Hector Herrera, Bartlesville; Max Krapff, Bixby; Brian Keester, Jenks.
6A Girls
West
Bailey Boulware, Mustang; Kasey Phipps, Mustang; Madison Hillis, Edmond Memorial; Katelyn Howard, Norman North; Sherri Collins, Edmond North; Hayley Harryman, Edmond North; Carley Yates, Edmond North; Jennifer Wallace, Westmoore; Caycee McKee, Shawnee; Somer Helms, Yukon; Chandler Murphy, Norman; Lisa Hinkle, Putnam North; Ashley Bechtold, Putnam North; Jordan Taylor, Norman; Meghan McMahon, Putnam North; Elizabeth Wardlow, Yukon; Jordan Parsons, Shawnee; Rochelle Bohuslavicky, Edmond Memorial; Allison Swyden, Westmoore; Kelsey Visor, Moore.
East
Jenna Taylor, Bartlesville; Jessica Sisney, Broken Arrow; Jessica Phillips, Bartlesville; Brooke Hinch, Jenks; Alex Comer, Stillwater; Kelsey Killion, Broken Arrow; Heather Roach, Sapulpa; Cayli St. Gemme, Owasso; Blair Huffman, Jenks; Emily Megee, Bartlesville; Natalie Crosslin, Bixby; Allison Bonner, Edmond Santa Fe; Meredith Thornton, Bixby; Shelby Martin, Tulsa Union; Jennifer Abernathy, Tulsa Union; Erin Bechtel, Ponca City; Tatum Lynn, Putnam City; Haley Boettier, Southmoore; Bradi Hinch, Jenks; Savannah Torres, Ponca City; Miriam Poole, Bartlesville; Taylor Brooks, Owasso.
Deer Creek: Colten Sander video…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
The Edmond trip continued Tuesday with stops at Deer Creek and Edmond North. The energy at Deer Creek is palpable right now.
That school, community is growing by leaps and bounds and the team was forced to practice on the soccer field because of all the construction being done to the stadium.
And for the final day of spring practice, coach Grant Gower was extremely pleased with what he saw, especially when it comes to the effort and attitude.
Don’t get me wrong as I didn’t think last year’s team was down on themselves, but it’s a different energy right now for this club.
And Gower has something most coaches will take at this time of year: QB controversy. However, the controversy couldn’t be between two more different signal-callers.
In this corner, you have sophomore Joel Blumenthal. He saw his first varsity action in Week 10 against Lawton MacArthur. He’s put on a lot of weight since last year, but he’s still less than 165 pounds.
He has tremendous field awareness. I was very impressed with his presence in the pocket and that when he scrambles, he’s looking to throw instead of run.
Conversely, what can you say about senior-to-be Alex Christensen? He’s a bull who would be just as content throwing a TD pass as he would to run over some tacklers.
Christensen also wrestles for the Antlers, and he said he is closer to 250 pounds than 215 at this point. He’s also seeing time at linebacker.
The future, obviously, is Blumenthal, but is the future now? Gower said he likes certain things from both guys and has no problem utilizing both.
Solid spring for Deer Creek, who will be at the Edmond North camp June 2-4. Here is a short video with Colten Sander on how he felt things went.
