From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Thursday,
January 30, 1997
LOCAL
Trucker Killed On Turnpike
Nearly News
Volunteers Key to PC Tomorrow Success
Honor Dance Set For Carolee Bible At Frontier School
Tree Trimming Crews Hitting Various Spots
Conoco Challenge Bonuses Announced
Chamber News
Student 'Mathletes' Prepare For Regional Competition
Police Seeking Subjects With Unpaid Fines
DEATHS
Mary Lu Welborn
Lucille Brock Teichmer
Obituaries
Fay Paisley Cook
Services Pending
Stanford L. Osborne
Funerals
JoAnne Crain
NEWS BRIEFS
SPORTS
Wrestling Goal Gets Tougher
Local Hockey Players Busy
Groundhog Run Set for Saturday
A 61-year-old Chouteau man was killed in an accident seven miles east of Oklahoma 18, on the Cimarron Turnpike at 6:55 a.m. today.
Donald Ray Nickelson was pronounced dead at the scene from head injuries, according to the investigation of Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper Dick McVay. The victim was driving a 1986 Kenworth Tractor pulling an empty propane transport trailer.
He was westbound on the Cimarron Turnpike, when he apparently fell asleep or had a medical problem and ran off of the road, the trooper's report stated. The truck traveled 699 feet, struck a culvert and traveled 30 additional feet before stopping.
The driver was pinned for 50 minutes. He was wearing his seat belt at the time of the accident.
St. Remy Press in Montreal, Quebec, has contacted Kathy Adams, executive director of the Marland Mansion, asking for pictures and information to be included in a book "Great American Homes." The publishing firm is doing the book for Readers Digest. The contact said they had read about the Marland Mansion in the Smithsonian Guide. Adams said the date the book is to be published will be announced later.
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Ponca City will be in the spotlight in another area when the OETA education show with Sandy Garrett, secretary of education, airs a program featuring partnering of business and education. The show features Keni Ray, a Conoco employee, and chairman of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce's Education Committee. This program is slated on Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m. on OETA during February.
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As the old saying goes, "The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated." Jeff Garrison tells NN that even though his name was among those "In Memory of" in Wednesday's Hospice ad, he is alive and well. (He did tell NN that if he wasn't, then the phone call must be coming from a long way off.)
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
Oklahoma's first visionary group, Ponca City Tomorrow, keeps expenses down by utilizing its biggest resource, volunteers.
According to Cathryn Ferguson, executive director of PCT, the group recently received donations from Smith International, Inc. and Southwestern Bell. Also, Conoco plans to continue its pledge of $10,000.
At the board meeting Wednesday, Ferguson confirmed that 84 percent of PCT's funding comes from the city and Conoco. Expenses remained below $23,000 in 1996.
Additionally, PCT Chair Danny Thompson told board members that a discussion was held last Friday on a possible restructuring of the Chamber of Commerce, Ponca City Tomorrow, Economic Development Foundation, Main Street Authority and Tourism Authority. City Manager Gary Martin, Larry Felix, Bill Rogers and Pat Mulligan will take the next 45 days to see if efforts can be combined to increase efficiency and to address diminishing financial and volunteer resources.
In other business, Linda Ralston reported that an environmental steering committee will meet Thursday to access what is happening with solid waste and recycling issues in Ponca City. Ponca City was one of five communities in Oklahoma targeted by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and Keep Oklahoma Beautiful to create a citizen-type committee to work on solid waste issues such as public education, disposal, illegal dumping, anti-littering and clean-up activities. The committee will put together a written plan of action by June.
The Mutual Respect and Community Attitude Committee for PCT, is engaged in bringing parties together to form a Westside Neighbors Association. Area residents have expressed concern for the safety of their children.
Additionally , Ferguson said that brochures to "revisit the vision" will be available Friday. Board members will use the brochures to initiate input from citizens beginning Feb. 1. Citizens will be asked about goals and concerns related to mutual respect and community attitude, education, industrial and retail, tourism and recreation, local government, health care, transportation, retirement living and environmental awareness.
"As a functioning board and group of volunteers, we are stewards of the vision," said Thompson. "People are result-oriented," the chair said, "However, keep in mind PCT is a networking organization that reaches out to connect people who can work together to achieve collective goals established by the citizens."
Ponca City Tomorrow will be requesting input from citizens to identify whether the current goals need to be changed. To participate in "revisiting the vision" contact the PCT office at 767-0823.
An Honor Dance for Carolee Bible, 1996 Otoe-Missouria Tribal Princess and 1997 Junior Miss Indian Oklahoma candidate, will be held Saturday at Frontier School in Red Rock. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Don Patterson will be M.C. and others participating will be Wesley Hudson, Head Singer; Jimmy Wildcat, Head Gourd Dancer; Berwyn Moses, Head Man Dancer; Danielle Primeaux, Head Lady Dancer; Dennis "Punkin" Black, Arena Director.
Co-host organization will be the Osage Gourd Clan of Red Rock Creek and a special appearance will be made by the Broken Arrow Native American Color Guard.
A Gourd Dance will be held at 2 p.m., supper at 5 p.m., Gourd Dance at 6 p.m. and the Grand Entry at 7 p.m. Special contests will include Teen Cloth, Men's Traditional, and Ladies Cloth. More information may be obtained by calling Laura Warrior, 405 723-4466, or Denise Bible, 800 753-4451.
Asplundh tree crews will be pruning trees at the Waste Water Treatment Plant and around the west side of the city in the next few days of activity.
Asplundh, the professional tree trimming company contracted by the city, trims trees from power lines as an ongoing preventive maintenance policy to provide safe and reliable electric service, according to the Ponca City Electric Department.
Crews will work Waverly Street, north of Highland Avenue, and Ash Street, from Hazel Avenue to Grand Avenue.
In addition, trimming will be addressed on Fourteenth Street and South Avenue as well as other "hot spots" reported to the department.
HOUSTON - Conoco will distribute bonus payments of almost $46 million to about 11,000 non-management employees worldwide. The bonuses are more than double what they were in 1995, reflecting the company's second-best earnings performance in its history, totaling $901 million.
The bonuses will be distributed under Conoco Challenge, a program created to reward employees for helping the company achieve challenging earnings and cash generation targets.
Payments will vary from about 5 percent of base pay to a maximum of 12 percent of base pay, depending on business unit performances.
"We are holding celebrations at our offices around the world today and everyone is enjoying a piece of pie symbolic of their part of Conoco's financial pie," said Conoco President and CEO Archie W. Dunham.
"Conoco had a great year in 1996, indicating that the dramatic business improvements we've worked so hard to accomplish in recent years are reaping rewards. This is due to the determination and focused results of our employees during the year."
Dunham said Conoco's higher worldwide crude oil and natural gas volumes, including added production from Norway and Russia, helped the company take advantage of higher prices in the marketplace.
"We are clearly on track for achieving our goal of doubling Conoco's value in the next seven years," he added.
The Conoco Challenge program is for most employees through senior professional and supervisory levels. Conoco managers participate in a variable compensation program based on similar financial performance targets, plus personal leadership components.
Conoco is the energy subsidiary of DuPont.
This is the second in a series of articles introducing committee chairs for your Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce.
Communications Committee
Sister Mary Kay Liston, CSJ, is the assistant administrator for Mission Services at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She is currently serving as the Communications Committee chair for the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce.
With her background in English, Liston is comfortable in her new role. She began her love of the English language as far back as high school, when she edited her own school newspaper. Throughout her teaching career, which began at a high school in Indianapolis and continued through all levels from grade school to collegiate teaching, she has enjoyed her work in writing tremendously. She continued honing her language skills during her time of parish work by editing the parish newsletter.
When Larry Felix, chair of the chamber, contacted her and asked her to serve as Communications Committee chair, she was excited about serving on a committee in which she could provide a use for her extensive writing experience. "I have a true love of the language, and enjoy writing as well as speaking immensely," she said.
Liston received her doctorate in ministry in 1985 from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, Calif. She is also a sister of St. Joseph Carondelet, a St. Louis province.
Also serving on the Communications Committee are Lisa Coy, chamber employee, and Michele Jean, communications specialist for SJRMC.
If you are interested in serving on the Communications Committee for the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce, contact Lisa Coy at 765-4400.
ENID - Teams of 7th and 8th grade student "mathletes" from 18 area schools will compete in the Northwest Region MATHCOUNTS Competition, Feb. 8, at the Enid Conference Center, according to Robert Hitt, an engineer volunteer from Enid who serves as the local program coordinator.
MATHCOUNTS, the annual nationwide math program for 7th and 8th grade students, promotes student interest in math by making math achievement as challenging, exciting and prestigious as a school sports program. The program is designed to answer the problem of declining math skills among U.S. students. Sponsors target 7th and 8th graders, who are at a crucial stage in developing and sustaining interest and ability in math.
Students and teachers have been preparing for the competition since September. Schools conducted their own "in school" competition in January to determine an official school team consisting of four students. Using specially prepared coaching materials, these student "mathletes" have been in "training."
At regional competition, students will compete individually and as teams in written and fast-paced oral rounds. Subjects include probability, statistics, linear algebra and polynomials.
Statewide, 165 school teams will compete in one of six regional competitions to be held Feb. 1, 8 or 15th. Local schools will be competing in Enid on Feb. 8. The local schools registered are Ponca City Middle School, Ponca City Mid-High School and Tonkawa Junior High School.
Following regional competition, 18 winning school teams plus 6 "All Star Squads" will advance to state competition, to be held March 22 at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center in Oklahoma City. Following state competition, four "mathletes" and their "coach" will fly to Washington, D.C. to represent Oklahoma in national finals, May 8-11.
Ponca City police officers will focus on finding 1,239 subjects who have unpaid fines with the Ponca City Municipal Court.
According to the Ponca City Police Department, Sgt. Tom Cusick and Sgt. Randy Empting have been assigned to serve these outstanding warrants.
"These warrants have built up over time need to be taken care of," said Court Clerk Nancy Hunt. "I strongly encourage anyone who has an unpaid fine to take care of it before these officers come looking for you," she said.
The officers began their task last week and plan to make every attempt to track these subjects down. Eleven have already been arrested and $4,025 has been collected.
According to Hunt, these warrants can be served outside the Ponca City limits. In addition, the Blackwell Police Department has been assisting with arrests. The PCPD transports the subjects from Blackwell to the police department.
Some of the subjects are bonded out of jail and others serve out their
time. The length of stay depends on the amount of unpaid fines, Hunt said.
DEATHS
Mary Lu (Stundebeck) Welborn, 2505 Hummingbird, died Wednesday, Jan. 29, 1997, at her home. She was 54.
Friends may call at the Trout Funeral Home until 9 p.m. today and until noon Friday. A vigil service will be held Friday evening in the chapel of Cochran Mortuary in Wichita, Kan. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Wichita. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery in Wichita.
Mary Lou (Stundebeck) Welborn was born Jan. 7, 1943, in Chariton County, Mo., the daughter of John Bernard and Lucille Anna (Tebbe) Stundebeck. She attended schools at Salisbury, Mo., where she graduated from high school. She later attended Central Missouri State College at Warrensburg, Mo. She was employed as Regional Marketing Director for Sterling House.
On July 1, 1996, she married Richard Welborn. Together the couple enjoyed golfing, traveling, and spending time with family. Mrs. Welborn also enjoyed gardening and collecting antiques.
Surviving are her husband, Richard, of the home; two sons, Jason and Clayton, both of Wichita; her mother, Lucille Stundebeck of Salisbury, Mo.; two brothers, Bernie and John Stundebeck, both of Salisbury, Mo.; one sister, Joyce Widmer of Salisbury, Mo.; and one grandson. She was preceded in death by her father.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Welborn's name to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 North Union Street, Ponca City, OK 74601 or to Hospice of Wichita, 1650 South Georgetown, Suite 160, Wichita, KS 67216.
The family will be at 2505 Hummingbird, Ponca City.
RALSTON - Lucille Brock Teichmer, former Ralston area resident, died, Thursday, Jan. 23, 1997, in the Parkview Nursing home in Billings, Mont. She was 89.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the Ralston Bible Church with John Denny officiating. Burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery at Ralston under the direction of Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home, Fairfax.
Lucille (Brock) Teichmer was born Aug. 14, 1907, in Kendrick, the daughter of George Isaac and Agnes Edna (Cove) Brock. She attended schools at Ralston.
On Sept. 13, 1923, she was married to Walter W. Teichmer in Ralston. Mrs. Teichmer was a homemaker and a member of the Ralston Bible Church. She was a former member of the Ralston Senior Citizens and the SAC Club. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, fishing and square dancing. She had moved to Billings, Mont., in the late 1980s.
Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Howard (Peggy Louise) Anderson of Amarillo, Texas; six grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1974; one son, William Teichmer; one grandson; one great-granddaughter; her parents; and three brothers.
Rovena Fay (Paisley) Cook, lifelong Ponca City area resident, died Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 28, 1997, at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 85.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 31, 1997, at the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. David Clipson, associate pastor, officiating. At her request, Mrs. Cook donated her body to the OU Health Science Center for research and education. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.
Rovena Fay (Paisley) Cook was born Oct. 15, 1911, south of Ponca City in the Sunnyside Community. She was the oldest of six children born to Ursa Rankin and Allie (Romary) Paisley. E.W. Marland's first oil field was just a few miles from her home and she grew up there during his exciting oil boom days. As a child Fay was a frequent visitor to the 101 Ranch and attended rural schools in the Marland area. She later attended Ponca City Business School.
She was married to O.Z. Cook on Feb. 26, 1936, in the Presbyterian Manse in Wellington, Kan. He preceded her in death in 1956. Fay had been involved in business for more than 52 years in the downtown area, first as a saleswoman for Holt's Ready-To-Wear, then as a shopkeeper in her own business - Faye's Fashions - for 30 years.
Always an avid community volunteer and advocate, Fay donated more than 65 years of community service to numerous local city, civic, lodge, and religious activities. She was a charter member of several organizations and had served on the board of directors for Camp Fire, Red Cross, Adult Handicap Club, as president or in other office in the Pioneer Historical Society, Ponca City Art Association, Community Concert Association, Pioneer Genealogical Society, Helpline, Lilac Garden Club, Gardenia Garden Club, Council of Ponca City Garden Clubs, Daughters of the American Revolution, American Legion Auxiliary, Credit Women International, Business and Professional Women's Club, and Soroptimist International. She held lifetime memberships in several of these organizations. In later years she was also active in RSVP and the American Association of Retired Persons and the 55 and Older Club.
Fay became active in the First Presbyterian Church at early age by sponsoring young people. Over the years she served as deacon and elder; member of the Oxford Bible Class, president of the Presbyterian Women's Association, Westminster Guild, and Church Women United, and moderator of the Women's Association of Cimarron Presbytery. She was a founding member of the Mariners Group and rode the church van each Sunday to help assist senior citizens.
Active in political issues, she was proud to have cast her vote for E.W. Marland as Dist. 8 State Representative in 1932, and later as Governor. She was a member of the League of Women Voters, Ponca City Democrat Club, Pioneer Area Democrat Women's Club, Oklahoma Democrat Women's Club and was organizing chairman of the Young Democrats of Kay County.
Her Masonic activities included Past Worthy Matron of Eastern Star, Past Worthy High Priestess of the White Shrine of Jerusalem and Past Royal Matron of the Order of the Amaranth. She had served as delegate at the Grand Court in British Columbia. She also sponsored and worked with the Rainbow Girls and Demolay. and, earned the Grand Cross of Colors for Rainbow Girls.
In May 1981, Fay was awarded the "Volunteer of the Year" award by the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce. In 1984 she was nominated by Soroptimist International for the Women's Hall of Fame award sponsored by Governor George Nigh. She was also selected as "Outstanding Woman of the Year," by that group and her name was added to the Soroptimist "Women of Distinction" Hall of Fame in Washington, D.C.
Fay began serving as one of the first tour guides at the Marland Mansion and continued through the years, adding her own special remembrances of the Marland's she had known. She was a familiar face at local businesses each year as she rang the Salvation Army bells and at the local Red Cross, where she manned the telephones, calling for donor appointments.
Quoted in a story in the March 1989 issue of the Ponca City News, she said, "Ponca City is my whole life. I love it ... "
Surviving brothers include Arthur R. Paisley of Rotterdam, Holland and Clarence Paisley of Oklahoma City; a half-brother, Fred Paisley of Greensboro, N.C.; two sisters, Flora Gordin of Orlando, Fla., and Dorothy Jean Sellars of Bartlesville; one sister-in-law, Anna Belle Cook Ewy of Ponca City; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents; one sister, Joy Parker; and two brothers, James Robert Paisley and Jimmy Wayne Paisley.
Honorary casket bearers will be members of the Order of Eastern Star and Masonic Lodge 83 AM&FM.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Cook's name to the First Presbyterian Church Youth Missions, P.O. Box 1442, Ponca City, OK 74604.
paid obituary
Stanford Lynn Osborne, former Ponca City resident, died Wednesday evening, Jan. 29, 1997, at St. John's Hospital in Tulsa. He was 80. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home, Ponca City. Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Osborne's name to the American Heart Association, First National Bank and Trust, Box 1151, Ponca City, OK 74602.
Friday
JoAnne Crain - Funeral at 1:30 p.m. in the First Southern Baptist Church
in Arkansas City, Kan. Burial will be in Longwood Cemetery, east of Ponca
City under the direction of Hawks Funeral Home, Arkansas City.
NEWS BRIEFS
Open Swim - An Open Swim is being offered Friday this week from 1-3 p.m. at the Community Pool, Seventh Street and East Grand Avenue. Cost is $1 per person. More information may be obtained by calling the YMCA at 765-5417.
Sports Card Show - The Ponca City Collectors Club will sponsor a Sports Card Show from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Marland Mansion Chapel, 901 Monument Road. The public is invited. Admission is free. For more information call (405) 765-5333.
Wordsmith's To Meet - The Northern Oklahoma Wordsmiths writing club will meet Saturday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the basement programming room at the Ponca City Public Library. Anyone interested in writing is welcome. Purpose of the group is to exchange information, share sources for learning, hear from published writers, improve personal output and quality, and fellowship in an otherwise isolated profession or hobby.
Graduates From Basic - Army Pvt. Cory R. Gann has graduated from basic military training at Fort Benning, Columbia, Ga. During the training, students received instruction in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, first aid and Army history and traditions. Gann is the son of Gene R. Gann and Julie K. Stagner, both of Ponca City. He is a 1996 graduate of Ponca City High School.
Airman Graduates - Air Force Airman 1st Class Steven M. Nutt has graduated from the services apprentice course at Lackland Air Force Base at San Antonio. After completing the course, students attend further specialize and technical training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas. Nutt is the son of Anne L. and stepson of Glen E. Lane of Ponca City. He graduated in 1989 from Ponca City High School, and received an associate degree in 1991 from Seminole Junior College.
Completes Navy Training - Navy Airman Rickey L. Ryan, son of Jack R. and Louise M. Ryan of Ponca City, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. During the eight-week program, Ryan completed a variety of training which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval custom, first aid, fire fighting water safety, and survival. Ryan is a 1993 graduate of Ponca City High School. He graduated from Northern Oklahoma College with an A.S. degree in 1993.
Surprise Party - A surprise 50th anniversary party honoring Joe and Donna Ball of Shidler is being planned for 11:30 a.m. Feb. 8 at the Senior Citizen Center in Shidler. All friends and relatives of the couple are invited to attend the special event which is being kept as a surprise for the pair. Hosting the party will be their daughter, Kandy Wise of Idaho. Questions may be answered by calling her at 208 888-5472.
Did You Know - Ponca City police officers handled 44 traffic accidents in December 1996. The number one cause of the collisions was failure to yield. Following too closely was reported as the second major reason for the accidents, according to the police department.
Vandalism - The Ponca City Police Department received notice at 8:20 a.m. Wednesday that the School Administration Building, 111 West Grand Avenue, had been spray painted. An officer took a report.
Smoke - Insulation caught fire at the Municipal Airport terminal, 2000 block of North Waverly Street, at 9:12 a.m. Wednesday. A worker was cutting pipes with a cutting torch, when the insulation caught fire. Though the Ponca City firefighters reported smoke, no damage occurred, according to the report.
Accident - An accident occurred in the 3400 block of North Fourteenth Street at 10:57 a.m. Wednesday. A Ponca City police officer took a report.
Shoplifting - An employee of Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, notified the Ponca City Police Department of a shoplifter at 12:15 p.m. Apparently, the woman left the store and got away in her car, according to the information provided to the department. The store recovered the merchandise and an officer took a report of the incident.
Bike Stolen - A resident in the 700 block of North Oak Street contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 1:31 p.m. Wednesday to report a bike stolen. An officer took a report.
Warrants Served - A Ponca City police officer took a 33-year-old woman and a 41-year-old man into custody at the police station at 2:40 p.m. Wednesday on city warrants.
Collision - A Ponca City police officer took a report of a non-injury accident at North Fifth Street and East Highland Avenue at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Forgery - A Ponca City police officer took reports on two forged checks at Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, at 4:06 p.m. Wednesday.
Failure to Obey - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 17-year-old boy in the 2600 block of North Fourteenth Street at 5:44 p.m. Wednesday for failure to obey a lawful order by a peace officer.
Grass Fire - Ponca City firefighters, assisted by McCord Fire Department, extinguished a grass fire two miles south on U.S. 177 and .5 miles east at 6:02 p.m. Wednesday. Twelve acres of open land were burned.
Bike Theft - A resident in the 900 block of East Cherry Avenue informed the Ponca City Police Department at 7:20 p.m. Wednesday that a bike was stolen. An officer took a report.
Coat Stolen - An employee at Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, notified the Ponca City Police Department at 8:17 p.m. Wednesday that a coat was stolen out of an employee's locker. An officer took a petit larceny report.
Semi Stuck - The Ponca City Police Department received notice at 9:32 p.m. Wednesday that a semi truck was stuck in the southbound lane of the underpass two miles north of Hubbard Road on U.S. 77. PCPD advised the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Kay County Sheriff's Office.
City Warrant - A 34-year-old man was arrested by a Ponca City police officer in the 300 block of North Ash Street at 9:39 p.m. Wednesday on a city warrant for failure to pay.
Suspicious Vehicle - A Ponca City police officer stopped a suspicious vehicle in the 200 block of North Ash Street at 2:39 a.m. Thursday. A 21-year-old man was taken into custody for driving under the influence, reckless driving and driving left of center.
Blazer Overturned - The Ponca City Police Department received
a call at 2:48 a.m. Thursday about a Chevy Blazer, with dealer tags on it,
turned over two miles west of the Marland Y on U.S. 60 and 1.5 miles south.
The caller reported no one was around the vehicle. PCPD advised the Kay
County Sheriff's Office and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
SPORTS
By FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
Before the season started coach Pat Young and the Wildcat wrestlers set as their goal to equal last year's 10-2 dual record.
At the time they may not have realized how tough that was going to be.
There appears to be more balance in the Frontier Conference this year with four teams ranked in the top 10. Three of the final four duals for the 6-2 Wildcats will be against ranked teams.
That starts with the Cats going against Sand Springs, ranked No. 9 in Class 5A, at Sand Springs tonight and against 10th ranked Jenks here Friday.
The Ponca Citians also wrestle at No. 8 Sapulpa next Thursday before finishing off the season at Tulsa Union on Feb. 11.
Both losses the Cats have sustained this season have been to highly rated teams. They stumbled to No. 2 Broken Arrow, 43-12, early in the season and last week lost a close 37-30 decision to No. 4 Edmond Memorial.
That may be the key for the Poncans to reach their goal. They have wrestled well at times against tough opponents and there have been times when some mysterious malady has over taken them.
"We'll just have to see how things work out," Young said today of the stretch run. "We could be 10-2 or we could finish 6-6 at the worst."
Young noted that several of his grapplers are wrestling hurt, "but they will just have to wrestle with it."
The Cats will return two wrestlers who have been out with injuries to the lineup tonight. Willie Ivie is back at 119 pounds and Jacob Beck returns at 140.
They will need everyone to wrestle well tonight to hope of breaking the losing streak to the Sandites.
"It's been a long time since we've beaten Sand Springs," Young said, "since 1990, I think."
Last year Sand Springs popped the Wildcats 55-12.
Jenks is an example of the returning strength of the Frontier Conference. A couple of years ago the Trojans' wrestling program appeared to be on the ropes. But coach Mike Clevenger appears to have things turned around with Jenks in the thick of the conference and regional battles.
"It's going to be real tough," Young said of the Wildcats' finishing schedule. "There are a lot of ifs, ands and buts. But it's that time of the year when you have to just go out and get it done."
Five Ponca City players are on the Wichita Junior Thunder ice hockey team which will play in their fourth Texas Amateur Hockey Association Tournament this weekend in Wichita.
James Jeffries, Jeremy Leach, Justin Prado, Ryan Smith and Shaun Walker are members of the team which plays at 2:30 and 4:30 Saturday and 7:45 a.m. on Sunday in the Wichita Ice Sports Center.
Earlier in a Tri-State Hockey Association Tournament in Omaha, Neb. the team tied for first place after beating Kansas City 1-0, tying Sioux City 1-1 and topping St. Joseph, Mo., 5-0.
In Dallas, the Thunder beat the Dallas Penguins 4-1 and the Dallas Stars 4-2 before losing to the Dallas Hawks 4-2.
In the St. Joseph tournament, they beat the Omaha Gladiators 3-1, tied Sioux City again 3-3 and lost to the Omaha Knights 5-1.
For information about the Thunder, contact Mark Prado or Jim Leach.
The annual Ponca City Groundhog run will be held Saturday at Lake Ponca, starting at 9 a.m.
The USATF sanctioned 15-kilometer run starts at 9 with a 5-K fun run starting at 9:15. Both races start and finish at the Lake Ponca Shelter Houses.
Awards will be presented to the top three finishers in the open men's and women's divisions, to the top three age-sex graded finishers 35 and over and to the top two finishers in each of 12 age groups.
The entry fee is $13 with a long sleeved T-shirt for each event and $6 without the T-shirt.
For information, call 765-7855.