From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Monday, January
19, 1998
LOCAL
With Liberty and Justice for All Focus of 8th MLK Celebration
Oil and Gas Report
DEATHS
Ken E. Leathers
Aileen Mary Thomas
Obituaries
Wayne E. Love
NEWS BRIEFS
LIFESTYLES
Lillie Dye Honored Recently on Her 91st Birthday
Laureate Phi Hears Program On Investments
Xi Zeta Lambda Chapter Holds Pledge Ritual
Little News
SPORTS
Monday Evening Quarterback
Lady Mavs, Mavs Face NEO Tonight
A Rising Wildcat Star
By S.L. DICKEY
News Staff Writer
The famous words of Martin Luther King Jr. - "I have a dream" - echoed through the Poncan Theater prior to the opening of the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Saturday.
Those words, however, are only the beginning. "King started out as a man but became a movement," said Dr. George Henderson, featured speaker.
The eighth annual event began with Sonya Roberts, master of ceremonies, greeting attendees. An invocation was led by three local ministers and a proclamation was read by Keesha West, president of the African-American Club at Po-Hi. Barbara Lee Young and Regina Smith, sisters, individually performed vocal selections that inspired the crowd.
An introductory welcome was given by Catherine Ferguson, chief executive officer and president of Ponca City Tomorrow. Chester Anderson, president of Ponca City Network Group (PCNG), offered celebratory words to the crowd.
The New Life Baptist Youth Choir was introduced by Renee Paul, director, emphasizing that their only goal was ministry and not entertainment.
Master of ceremonies Roberts told the crowd what a treat the New Life Baptist Youth Choir's singing would be - a gross understatement to the harmony, rhythm and vocals that filled the theater.
Diane Anderson, Martin Luther King Celebration Committee chairperson, introduced Dr. George Henderson, dean of the College of Liberal Studies and director of the Department of Human Relations Advanced Studies Program at the University of Oklahoma in Norman.
Henderson motivated the crowd (over 100 in attendance) with a combination of history, humor and a challenge for the future. As a child Henderson was labeled "educationally retarded."
Fortunately "some teachers were my Martins," said Henderson and saw a bright, intelligent young man that needed a push in the right direction.
Henderson encouraged the crowd to finish the job King started. "We must accept and respect each other," Henderson stated. Henderson challenged the audience in his closing remarks to live the last line of our pledge of allegiance: "with liberty and justice for all."
The program was closed by a song "Lift Every Voice," that the audience sang under the leadership of Renee Paul. Hands joined hands as Rev. Robert Palmer said good night with a benediction.
The special program was made possible by donations from local businesses and volunteers in Ponca City.
Drilling operations are nearing the 5,000-ft. mark at the No. 2 Clara May in the West Autwine Field, Kay County.
Spudded on Dec. 2, 1997, the venture is located four miles northeast of Tonkawa.
Spess Oil Co. is the operator.
Section 19-township 26n-range 1e-w1/2-nw.
The No. 1-8 Hoecker, a 4,100-ft. developmental well, is scheduled to be drilled in Kay County's Ponca City Field.
Crawley Petroleum Corp. is the operator.
The well will be spudded 3.8 miles northwest of White Eagle.
Section 8 township 25n-range 2e-sw-sw.
Three Sands Oil Inc. has revealed plans to drill a 5,400-ft. developmental well in the South Gansel Field, Noble County. The operator has designated the venture as the No. 1-11 Bolay, Drillsite is four miles southwest of Perry.
Section 11-township 20n-range 2w-ne-nw.
Drillsite has been staked for the No. 2 4 Kasper, a 540-ft. developmental well in Noble County's South Tonkawa Field. The operation will be located 4.2 miles east of Billings. Geo Engineering Inc. is the operator.
Section 24-township 24n-range 2w-sw-se.
Rose Rock Resources Inc. is preparing to conduct a re-entry in Noble County, 4.5 miles northwest of Sumner. Involved in the operation is the No. 4 Williams. Rose Rock is planning to take the well to a new 2,400-ft. bottom in the Hoover Formation.
Section 13-township 22n-range 1e-se-se.
Three Sands Oil Inc. has posted first production data for the No. 1 Fred, a newly completed gas well in Noble County's South Tonkawa Field.
The well flowed 45,000 CF gas per day.
Bottomed at 520 feet, the well will produce from perforations at 445 to 476 feet into the hole.
Location is five miles east of Billings.
Section 19-township 24n-range 1w-sw-nw.
The No. 1-26 Zinke, a 2,850-ft. developmental well, is scheduled to be drilled in Osage County's Sunset Field. Zinke and Trumbo Inc. is the operator. The well will be spudded 4.4 miles east of Hominy.
Section 26-township 23-range 9-w-sw.
An 800-ft. developmental well is planned by Jaed Production Co. at a drillsite 1.3 miles east-northeast of Bowring, Osage County. The well is designated as the No. 2 Jaed. It is in the Bowring Field.
Section 23-township 28-range 11-sw-sw.
A new producer has been brought on line in Osage County's Domes Pond Creek Field, with Jones and Buck Development as the operator.
Located 1.4 miles north of Herd, the well is designated as the No. 16 Jones and Buck.
It pumped oil at the rate of 30 barrels per day plus 30,000 CF gas.
The well bottomed at 1,900 feet and will produce from the Wayside Formation.
Section 23-township 28-range 10-sw-sw.
At a location 1.3 miles southeast of Little Chief, Discovery Energy Inc. has finaled a new oil producer in Osage County's Burbank Field.
The well is designated as the No. 10 Discovery, pumping oil at the rate of three barrels per day.
Bottomed at 3,040 feet, the well will produce from perforations in the Burbank Sands Formation.
Section 16-township 25-range 6-ne-ne.
DEATHS
Ken E. Leathers
Ken E. Leathers, Ponca City resident, died Friday, Jan. 16, 1998, at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 59.
A memorial service was to be held at 10 a.m. today, Jan. 19, 1998, at Grace Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Leland Petersen officiating. Services were under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.
Ken E. Leathers was born Aug. 17, 1938, in Ponca City, the son of Sam D. and Ruby (Fergerson) Leathers. He grew up in Ponca City and received his education in the Ponca City schools, graduating from Po-Hi in 1958.
He lived in California and Wisconsin for several years before returning to Ponca City in 1969. At the time of his death Leathers was employed by Thorn Apple Valley.
He was married to Ann Kelley in 1963 and later to Bonnie Davenport. Leathers was a member of the Community Christian Church and enjoyed farming and helping others.
Surviving are two sons, Cliff and Lynn Leathers, and a daughter, Debra, all of Florida; his mother, Ruby, of Perry; a brother, R. Max Leathers of Ponca City; two sisters, Jan Harney of Perry and Mary Beth Austin of Colleyville, Texas; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Diabetes Research, 825 N.E. Thirteenth Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104.
The family will be at the Max Leathers home, 12 Donner Place.
Aileen Mary Thomas, former longtime Ponca City resident, died Friday, Jan. 16, 1998, in Green Cove Springs, Fla. She was 88.
A private family graveside service will be held Wednesday, Jan. 21, 1998, at the Newkirk Cemetery in Newkirk, under the direction of Trout Funeral Home, Ponca City. The family will greet friends at the funeral home Tuesday, Jan. 20, 1998, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Aileen Mary Thomas was born June 19, 1909, near Cherryvale, Kan., the daughter of James W. and Margaret (Gill) Haney. She received her early education in Cherryvale schools. She had spent her early life in Cherryvale and Arkansas City, Kan.
She married Mearl Arthur Thomas of Newkirk in 1935. The family made Ponca City their home. In April 1994 she moved to Green Cove Springs, Fla., to be closer to her son and his family. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and a long time member of the Ponca City Woman's Club. In the many years she had lived in Ponca City, she had worked in public, but most of her life here was spent as a homemaker and mother. Her hobbies were flower gardening, fishing and being a good neighbor.
She is survived by her son, Master Chief Petty Officer James Joseph Thomas, U.S. Navy (retired), of Green Cove Springs, Florida. In addition to her parents and husband, three sisters and six brothers preceded her in death.
Friends who wish to honor Mrs. Thomas may do so by contributing to the American Heart Association, Kay County Division, P.O. Box 348, Ponca City, OK 74602.
Wayne E. Love, Ponca City resident, died Saturday morning, Jan. 17, 1998 at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 70.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 21, 1998 at the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dr. Monty Fey, pastor, officiating. Burial will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 22, 1998, in the Baxter Springs Cemetery, Baxter Springs, Kan., under the direction of Trout Funeral Home, Ponca City. Friends may call at the funeral home until 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, 1998.
Wayne E. Love was born on Oct. 27, 1927, in Joplin, Mo., the only child of Earl and Alma Love. He was raised in Baxter Springs, Kan., and was a graduate of Baxter Springs High School. He went on to receive his BS degree from the University of Kansas.
He worked as an auditor for the Sinclair Refining Co. in New York City and Chicago, Ill., for 15 years. On May 11, 1970, he started to work with Conoco in the controllers department in Ponca City. He retired from Conoco on Oct. 31, 1989.
Love was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, American Legion, Blue Lodge Mason of Ponca City, and the Scottish Rite of Guthrie, Okla.
He is survived by close family of neighbors and friends. His parents precede him in death.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1442, Ponca City, OK 74602.
Respect Committee To Meet - Members of the Mutual Respect and Community Attitude Committee for Ponca City Tomorrow will discuss the progress of several local revitalization projects when they meet Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. in Suite 304-E of the Community Federal Building. Members will receive updates on the Westside Neighbors Association, restoration of Attucks Gym and the Community Resource Center. Members welcome citizen input and participation.
Fireworks Committee - Ponca City Tomorrow's Fireworks Committee will begin preparations for the 1998 Fourth of July celebration at 2 p.m. Thursday in Suite 304-E of the Community Federal Building. An open invitation is extended to the public. Volunteers are needed for this community-wide jubilee.
Accident - At 8:48 a.m. Saturday police were notified of an accident in the 1000 block of North First Street. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Arrest - Police arrested a 32-year-old man at 9:39 a.m. Saturday from the 2000 block of North Fourteenth Street for driving under suspension, no insurance and expired tag.
Gas Leak - The fire department responded to a call at 9:58 a.m. Saturday reporting a vehicle that was leaking gasoline in a parking lot in the 1100 block of East Prospect Avenue. The gasoline was cleaned up.
School Vandalism - At 9:55 a.m. Saturday the principal of Liberty School reported that the windows on the east side of the school had been broken out. Police found a bat inside that had paint on it that matched the paint of a nearby vandalized vehicle. A report was taken.
Vehicle Vandalized - A man in the 700 block of Albany Avenue reported to police at 10:14 a.m. Saturday that his vehicle had once again been vandalized by someone putting syrup and leaves on it.
Windows Broken - At 10:14 a.m. Saturday police were notified by a woman in the 300 block of West Grand Avenue reporting windows broken out and a blood trail left behind. An officer was assigned and report was taken.
Windows Broken - A woman in the 1400 block of West Broadway Avenue reported to police at 10:42 a.m. Saturday that windows of her vehicle had been broken out. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Windows Broken - At 10:48 a.m. Saturday a man in the 500 block of North Sunset Street reported that the windows of a vehicle had been broken out and the hood ornament stolen. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Gas Drive-Off - At 11:28 a.m. Saturday police were notified that a $19.50 gas drive-off had occurred at Conoco Travel Mart, 3305 North Fourteenth Street. An officer was assigned. The person was located and found that the credit card did not register when he paid.
Police Car Vandalized - At 11:48 a.m. Saturday police were notified that a police officer's car in the 100 block of North Birch Street had been vandalized and had to be towed.
Trash Drive-Off - At 1:32 p.m. Saturday police were advised that a person had used the landfill without paying. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Vehicle Fire - Fire units responded to a vehicle fire at 2 p.m. Saturday in the 900 block of South Waverly Street. The fire was extinguished.
School Vandalism - At 2:03 p.m. Saturday police were notified of vandalism at the High School's Howell and Anderson buildings. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Misplaced Mailbox - A woman in the 2100 block of Mary Street called police at 2:31 p.m. Saturday to report a mailbox in her front yard. An officer was assigned and the mailbox was taken to the police station.
Accident - At 4:16 p.m. Saturday police were notified of a two-vehicle accident in a parking lot in the 2800 block of North Fourteenth Street. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Attempted Break-In - A woman in the 400 block of North Osage Street advised police at 4:18 p.m. Saturday that juveniles were attempting to break the windows at the Lincoln Center. The juveniles were located and their parents notified.
Tree Accident - At 4:32 p.m. Saturday a man in the 500 block of South Franklin Street reported to police that his wife had backed into a tree. A report was taken.
Juvenile Arrest - A 15-year-old boy was arrested at 6:43 p.m. Saturday for auto burglary.
Burglary - At 6:54 p.m. Saturday a woman in the 2100 block of North Union Street reported to police that her front door had been "kicked in" while she was gone. An officer was assigned and a burglary report was taken.
Accident - A woman in the 500 block of North Elm Street reported to police at 7:20 p.m. Saturday that she had backed into a parked vehicle. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Hit and Run Accident - At 8:51 p.m. Saturday a man reported a hit-and-run accident at Fourteenth Street and Cleary Drive. A report was taken.
Arrest - At 11:47 p.m. Saturday police arrested an 18-year-old man at East Broadway Avenue and North Tenth Street for driving under suspension and on a Kay County warrant.
Stolen Car Recovered - At 12:15 a.m. Sunday police recovered a car, stolen from Kansas, in the 1400 block of South Seventh Street.
Hit and Run - At 12:43 a.m. Sunday police were notified of a hit-and-run accident in the 2500 block of Meadowlane. An officer was assigned and a hit-and-run report was taken.
Possible Gunshots - At 1:10 a.m. Sunday police received several calls from residents in the 2500 block and 2700 block of North Fifth Street, 300 block of Woodbury Road and the 2900 bock of North Union Street, reporting hearing gunshots. Officers were assigned but were unable to locate anything.
Windows Broken - At 4:29 a.m. Sunday police were notified that the windows of a vehicle in the 700 block of South First Street were broken out.
Attempted Break-In - At 4:33 a.m. Sunday police were called to the 500 block of North Osage Street for an attempted break-in. Officers did not find anything at that location. However, they did observe that a house nearby had been "busted up" with a baseball bat by a juvenile that lived there.
Gas Drive-Off - At 5:02 a.m. Sunday police were notified of a $7.57 gas drive-off from the Conoco, 1613 South Avenue. A report was taken.
Beer Burglary - At 5:13 a.m. Sunday police responded to a reported burglary at South Avenue Express, 1101 East South Avenue. Entry had been gained through the front window that had been broken out. Some beer was reported missing, and some left behind on the way out.
Arrest - A 19-year-old man was arrested at 10:50 a.m. Sunday from the 100 block of Grand Avenue for driving under suspension, no seat belt, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Juvenile Apprehended - At 11:16 a.m. Sunday police were notified of a juvenile that was being held at Buy For Less, 2405 North Fourteenth Street, for shoplifting.
Pole Hit - At 11:56 a.m. Sunday police were advised that someone had hit a pole in the 400 block of East South Avenue and then left. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Gas Drive-Off - Police received a call at 12:40 p.m. Sunday reporting a $5 gas-drive off at Citgo, 320 West Grand Avenue. The person was found and payment was made.
Vehicle Vandalized - At 1:09 p.m. Sunday police were notified of a vehicle that had been vandalized in the 2000 block of North Fourteenth Street. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Shoplifter - At 2:05 p.m. Sunday police were advised that a shoplifter was in custody at Miller Market, 904 South Fourth Street. A report was taken.
Dogs Gone - A man in the 1000 block of West South Avenue reported the theft of his dogs to police at 2:55 p.m. Sunday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Arrest - A 32-year-old man was arrested at 3:25 p.m. Sunday on a city warrant for failure to obey.
Burglary - A burglary at Northside Imports, 700 South First Street, was reported at 3:56 p.m. Sunday. One vehicle was stolen and one was vandalized. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Accident - One person was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center after sustaining injuries in a two-vehicle accident at North Fourteenth Street and Princeton Avenue at 4:56 p.m. Sunday.
Assault - A man in the 300 block of South Ash Street reported to police at 5:39 p.m. Sunday that he had been assaulted.
Grass Fire - A fire unit responded and extinguished a grass fire in the alley behind the 1900 block of Mary Street. It was determined that the fire was started by ashes from a fireplace.
Cattle Block - At 8:25 p.m. Sunday police were notified of cattle in the road in the 3500 block of North Union Street.
Attempted theft - An employee with Triple T, 3150 East U.S. 60, advised police at 1:32 a.m. Monday that he was holding three people that had attempted to steal beer and gas. The sheriff's officer was notified.
Vehicle Vandalized - A woman reported to police at 2:24 a.m. Monday
that her vehicle had been vandalized while parked in the 900 block of East
Hubbard Road. The call was transferred to the sheriff's office.
LIFESTYLES
A recent birthday celebration honored Lillie Dye on her 91st birthday.
A former Ponca City resident, Miss Lillie had made her home here with her daughter, Norma Brown, until an illness forced her to go to the Presbyterian Manor Healthcare Unit in Arkansas City.
While residing in Ponca City, Miss Lillie was employed at El Palacio, and The Kettle as a waitress, and at K-Mart as a door greeter.
This is a five-generation of girls - Lillie; her daughter, Norma Brown of Ponca City; her granddaughter, Lynn Calder of Pensacola, Fla.; Ashley Calder Gorday of New Orleans, and great-great-granddaughter, Grayson Brooks Gorday of New Orleans.
Grayson was born on July 18, 1997. All of the family are residents or former residents of Ponca City.
Laureate Phi chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority met in the home of Virginia Starks recently for a program on Stocks and Bonds Investments. The program was presented by Jim Lindsey, Senior Trust Officer of Pioneer Bank and Trust.
Lindsey gave a slide presentation on history of media influence. His examples showed that "even well respected magazines in the business world are more interested in selling magazines than accurately reporting the news of the stock market." Time and time again he pointed out how they "predicted a bear market and one year later the stock market had risen 30 per cent or more." Lindsey also talked about the influence of Japan and European stock market on the United States stock market.
A business meeting followed and was conducted by Elsie Rosenbaum, president. Discussion was held briefly on the International Endowment Funds and the six new funds that are under consideration. Members voted on the six new funds.
Plans were made for the next meeting to be held at Leanna Adams' home which will be a social for the members. A Submarine party and bingo to follow with white elephants as the prizes. Refreshments will be provided by social committee.
Ms. Adams, Ways and Means chairman, said the chapter would have an Easter Auction similar to Christmas Auction held recently. Roberta Streeter received the traveling basket. Refreshments were served by co-hostess Fran Smith after the business meeting.
Xi Zeta Lambda Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi met Jan. 8 at Hero's. Prior to dinner a Pledge Ritual was held for Carmelita Childers.
Judy Watt, Vice-President called the meeting to order with 15 members standing for the Opening Ritual. Lila Logan called roll and read the minutes. Francie James gave the Treasurer's report.
Cassandra Kifiak, Social Chairman, set a planning meeting for a Valentine's Party. The committee will meet Jan. 28 in the home of Lila Logan at 7 p.m.
Historian Doretta Jackson asked members to save articles from the Ponca City News for the scrapbook. The chapter voted to purchase a new camera.
Judy Mallory, Service Chairman, read a thank you note from meals on wheels. Ms. Mallory also set Jan. 20 as a work night for Valentine tray favors. The chapter will meet then in the home of Dottie Johnstone at 6:30 p.m.
Membership Chairman Judy Watt welcomed Carmelita Childers as a new member. Terri Barnett gave the City Council report. She reported on the Valentine Dance to be held on February 14 at the Elks Lodge and Founders Day Banquet to be held at the Marland Mansion in April.
The traveling basket was provided by Phyllis Pledger and won by Ms. Barnett. The next regular meeting will be held on Jan. 22 in the home of Ms. Mallory. Jackie Hall will be in charge of the program. Following the meeting Dottie Johnstone provided a program on Beta Sigma Phi Trivia.
Announcing the blessing of twins are Jimmy and Teresa (Parker) McPherson
of Edmond. The babies were born April 30, 1997. The McPhersons have named
their sons Jacob Taran and Joshua Timothy. Maternal grandparents are Donus
and Janice Parker of Grove (formerly of Ponca City), and paternal grandparents
are Gant and Suzanne McPherson of Duncan. The maternal great-grandmother
is Marjorie Parker of Ponca City, and maternal great-grandfather is Ivan
Godberson of Ponca City.
SPORTS
By Fred Hilton, News Sports Editor
Weight cutting has been around in wrestling almost as long as it has been a competitive sport. The controversy surrounding it has been around almost as long.
"It is a black mark on our sport," one coach told his colleagues at the recent Sapulpa Invitational Tournament of the perception surrounding high school and college athletes drastically dropping weight. "It is the only black mark."
The debate about weight cutting surfaced once again when three college wrestlers died within months of each other while working to lose weight for a match.
While coaches agree that some changes are needed, especially in the weigh-in procedures, most insist that wrestling is as safe as any sport.
"I think it has been blown way out of proportion," Blackwell coach Scott Mattison said of the publicity since those deaths. "In relation to football, there have many more deaths in that sport. Kids and coaches pull weight very responsibly. There is none of that losing 15 or 20 pounds in two days in high school.
"But parents are very protective of their children and the perception that their kids are not eating right and are losing weight too quickly causes them to have concerns. I tell my kids to eat suppers, but to watch what they eat. They must eat and then work it off if they gain weight."
Tonkawa coach Joe Styron agrees that wresting is one of the safer sports.
"There have been deaths in football and not that much was said," he said. "A few years ago there were several deaths of basketball players. Nothing was said about that."
Styron, who admits to being from the "old school" when it comes to training, notes that high schools have been ahead of college and the NCAA in protecting athletes.
"High schools banned rubber sweat suits some time ago," Styron said. "And I though steam rooms were already banned in colleges.
"The only way to lose weight correctly is through hard work. That's the way it's been done for 70 years. I tell my kids they will pass out before they die.
"That's why I feel these three (college athletes) did something else wrong. I went through all the rubber suits and steam rooms when I was in college. When you push it too far, you will pass out. The body protects itself. You don't just die."
But while defending their sport most coaches agree that some changes need to be made and will probably be made sooner in the light of the recent deaths.
"We always have a meeting during the state tournament to discuss changes," Newkirk coach Gene Bennett said. "I'm sure all this will come up this year."
There have been various proposals to cut back on wrestlers dropping weight late in the season.
The plan Ponca City coach Pat Young likes would set a Jan. 7 deadline for wrestlers to qualify at a certain weight.
"If they have not wrestled at that weight by Jan. 7, they would not be allowed to go down late in the season and for the regional tournament," Young said.
But Young said he would like to see a "growth allowance" of one pound in January and two pounds in February.
Bennett likes the proposal that would set a Jan. 20 deadline but athletes would have to have wrestled 50 percent of their matches at the weight they want to be for the regional tournament.
Most coaches would also like to see the rules of weigh-ins for matches and tournaments refined.
College wrestlers have had anywhere from five or six hours to 24 hours between weigh-ins and their matches. In high school, the time span is usually one or two hours. "When I was in college and had 24 hours between the weigh-in and the start of matches, I could cut a lot of weight and still have plenty of time to recover," Styron points out.
That recovery time is what bothers some high school coaches.
"I kinda favor a proposal that would have wrestlers step on the scales for weigh-in when they report to the scorer's table for their matches," said long-time Sand Springs coach Alan Karstaters.
Steve Dunlap, coach of the nationally ranked Broken Arrow Tigers agrees that might work.
"One time a wrester cut too much weight and had to wrestle right away, he would find out what that does to him and his ability to wrestle well," Dunlap said. "He wouldn't do it again."
However, Bennett would be a little more lenient on weigh-in before duals and some tournaments.
"I would like to see at-home weigh-ins," he said. "That way a team wouldn't have to leave an hour or two early for matches to weigh-in at the site,"
But a number of coaches are skeptical of this "honor system."
There are also some changes coaches would like to see in wrestling unrelated to weight.
Mattison favors bringing back riding time at the high school level.
"They brought it back in college," the Blackwell coach notes. "It has been a big part of wrestling and a good part of the strategy or wrestling. It would stop a lot of these overtime matches."
Bennett would like the season the wrestling season overhauled.
"I think we ought to start the season in January and run through March," he says.
"The way things are now, we get the kids out, many of them from football, in late November, start training and then have to break for Thanksgiving.
"Then we come back, just get the kids in shape and wrestling the way they should when we have to break for Christmas.
"I also think starting the season later would cut down on injuries. Kids who do several sports would get a break and everyone would be in better shape when the season starts."
While coaches feel some changes have been in the works for sometime, the deaths of the college wrestlers and the resulting publicity will probably hurry the process along.
The NOC Mavericks and Lady Mavericks take on the Norsemen of Northeastern Oklahoma College tonight in Tonkawa. The Lady Mavericks' tip off is at 6:00 p.m., followed by the men at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the door of Foster Piper Fieldhouse.
The Mavericks are flying high. Their 15-3 record is unequaled in Region II, and last week they broke into the national Juco poll with a No. 19 standing.
However, the last time NOC and NEO met, Dec. 1, it was the Norsemen getting the better of a road-weary Mavs team, 96-76. It was a performance Northern coach Mick Weiberg termed "the worst we've played all year, and they played almost a perfect first half."
The Lady Mavs, meanwhile, after taking on two of the best teams in the country to start the New Year, are looking to get back on track. At 7-10, and riding a three game losing streak, they're a team in need of a win.
The last time NEO and NOC met, it was the Lady Norse holding on after a late game rally by the Lady Mavs, 77-75.
WILDCAT WRESTLER Kyle Duren turns Broken Arrow's Brad Alexander on his
shoulders during the consolation finals of the Sapulpa Invitational Saturday.
Duren placed third, beating Alexander 8-0, to increase his bid for a berth
in the State Tournament. The sophomore was fifth in the Junior High State
Tournament last year, finishing with a 35-3 record.