From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Friday, February
6, 1998
LOCAL
High School Team 'Gears Up' For '98 Great American Race
Nearly News
Memorial Dinner
DEATHS
Wayne Garrett
Edna Mae Courtney
Helen Isabel Sterling
Timothy Cletus Dugan
Obituaries
Wanda May Collins
Funerals
Ralph A. Thorstenberg
Georgia Ellena Wickham
Alta Stout O'Dell
Services Pending
Ruby M. Feathers
NEWS BRIEFS
RELIGION
First Baptist To Host Seminar On Finances
Church Briefs
Wal-Mart Donates to Friendship Feast
Youth Will Lift Spirits Sunday At Woodlands
Special Missions Report Planned At First UMC
Christian Center Sets Special Talk
POP Lutherans Set Healing Service
Lutheran Worshippers Will Hear Guest Soloist Sunday Morning
EDUCATION
Po-Hi Homecoming
School News
Special Clinic Set
LIFESTYLES
Little News
SPORTS
Lady Mavs Falter Late In Nailbiter
Mavs Vent Frustration On Eastern
Cagers To Try T. Union Next
Wildcat Matmen Win Big
Swimmers Sweep Past Muskogee
Sophomore Girls Win, 21-13
Five Ponca City High School students have been selected to participate in the adventure of a lifetime. They are one of nine high school teams chosen from across the nation to participate in the (Generation) "X" Cup competition of the 16th annual Great American Race. They are the only team chosen from the state of Oklahoma.
The cross-country rally race draws drivers in a test of navigating skills and endurance as they pit their pre-1951 vehicles against the clock in the timed competition. Winners in the various divisions of the race take home cash prizes in addition to unforgettable memories. This is the second year for the "X" Cup competition in the race.
Team members Greg Cunningham, Matt Brewer, Robert Scott, Sarah Scott and Paul Oblad will be competing for scholarship funds of nearly $50,000 under the guidance of J.D. Hanks, drafting and architecture teacher at the high school.
"To qualify for the event, high school team members must be enrolled in a vocational course at their high school, have the endorsement of their Board of Education, be managed by a vocational class instructor and enter a pre-1951 vehicle," Hanks said.
Additionally, each team member must be 18 years old or less, maintain a 2.0 or better grade average in academic subjects, be totally involved in the
restoration/preparation of the competing vehicle and work on the fund raising for the project.
"The Great Race staff requires the team to raise funds to cover their travel and vehicle costs during the race," Hanks explained. "In addition to maintaining their class work, which is a high priority with this team, they are working after school and weekends to prepare the vehicle and will be out in our community raising sponsorship funds."
To get their fund raising started, the team will be holding a car wash on the Wal-Mart parking lot on Saturday, March 14, and again on Saturday, March 21.
The 14-day rally race will take participants along the back roads of America starting Sunday, May 31, in Tacoma, Wash. and reaching the finish line in Boston, Mass., on Saturday, June 13.
"The students will take turns being the navigator during the race," Hanks noted. "They will be responsible for taking the directions they receive each morning and charting the course - including calculating the speed we must travel - all with nothing more than a speedometer and clock. It should be a great educational opportunity for them as well as a most memorable experience.
"They will be working for zero difference against an unknown time," he added.
The team began the "body off" restoration of the vintage 1930 Model A Ford pickup they will use for the race during their winter break from classes. HGH Car Museum, in which Hanks is a partner, has loaned the vehicle to the team for the event. The restoration includes dismantling and reassembly of all major mechanical components such as engine and transmission as well as a fresh coat of paint.
Anyone interested in making a tax-deductible donation to support the team in this endeavor may mail a check, payable to NJM-Great Race, to Box 774, Ponca City, OK, 74602-0774. For further information on sponsorship opportunities or the team participation in the race, contact Vern Cunningham at 767-2300 or 765-5998.
Ooops! The article in Thursday's issue of the News has members of the local Baseball Dug Out Club disturbed. Club members are trying to solicit funds for their organization at this time - legitimate funds - and the report of a scam out of Tulsa has thrown a wrench into their activities. NN wants to point out to Ponca Citians that the solicitation currently going on by members of the local Dug Out Club are legitimate and funds may be sent to the treasurer of the Dug Out Club to P.O. Box 2577, Ponca City, OK 74602. Those with questions may contact Rick McCool at 762-8857. OK?
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NN reminds Ponca Citians tonight's the night for the annual Boy Scout chili supper, an all-you-can-eat event in the Parish Hall at St. Mary's Church. If you like chili, hot dogs, vegetable soup, cake and drinks - it's your kind of meal. Hurry on down to the church - 5 to 8:30 p.m. It's a good deal for $4.50 - all you can eat - and help the Scouts in the deal!
A memorial dinner will be held at the Otoe-Missouria Cultural Center in Red Rock on Saturday honoring Angella K. Knife Chief Kent.
Dinner will be served at noon. All friends and relatives of Angella are
invited to attend.
DEATHS
Wayne Garrett, lifelong Ponca City area resident, died Thursday morning Feb. 5, 1998, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 85.
The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Community Christian Church with the Rev. Wayne Majors officiating. Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.
Wayne Garrett was born March 16, 1912, at Three Sands, south of Tonkawa. He was the son of James C. and Martha E. (Filback) Garrett.
He was married to Pearl Edna Fox on March 20, 1956, in Ponca City. In his earlier years, Garrett was a cement finisher. He was then employed at Conoco for 20 years, retiring in April 1974. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed fishing.
He is survived by his wife, Pearl, of the home; one daughter, Carolyn Marmoy of Ponca City; one brother, J.C. Garrett of Blacksburg, Va.; one stepdaughter, Wanda McClelland of Ponca City; nine grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one son, Gene Garrett; one step-son, Arthur Lee Nash; his parents; five brothers and three sisters.
Casket bearers will be Buddy Nash, Fred Ward, Lonnie Denny, Mark Wright, Joshua Naden and Jerry Johnson. Honorary bearers will be Charles Cole, Max Stokesberry and Donnie Rosebery.
The family will be at 415 North Osage.
Edna Mae Courtney, Ponca City resident, died early Thursday morning, Feb. 5, 1998, at Highland Nursing Center. She was 96.
A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Memorial Lawn Cemetery Chapel in Arkansas City, Kan. The Rev Don Stanton, pastor of The Faith Tabernacle Church, Ponca City will officiate. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home, Ponca City.
Edna Mae (Workman) Courtney was born March 26, 1901, to William A. and Lavena F. (Bowman) Workman. She attended New Salem School in Kansas.
On Sept. 18, 1920, she married Ralph I. Courtney in Independence, Kan., and the couple made their home in the Winfield, Kan., area for many years. Mrs. Courtney was a member of the First United Methodist Church and a past member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Winfield. She enjoyed making doll dresses and crocheting. She moved to Ponca City in 1989 to be close to her family.
Survivors include a son, Dale Courtney of Ponca City; one daughter, Wanda Bridges of Denver, Colo.; two sisters, Minnie Woods of Winfield, Kan., and Grace Sanders of Rose Hill, Kan.; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1973; her parents; three sisters and three brothers.
The family will be at the Dale Courtney home, 1918 North Fifth Street, Ponca City.
LODGEPOLE, Neb. - Helen Isabel Sterling, mother of Bob Sterling of Ponca City, died Monday, Feb. 2, 1998, in Corpus Christi, Texas, after a long illness. She was 85.
The funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Holechek Funeral Home in Sidney, Neb., with the Rev. Gary Aten officiating. Burial will be in the Pleasant View Cemetery north of Lodgepole, Neb.
Helen Isabel (Ewing) Sterling, was born Dec. 5, 1912, in Lincoln, Neb., to Orpheus Quinton and Ruth (Fawcett) Ewing. She was married to James Sterling in 1947 and the couple had made their home in Lodgepole, Neb. They later moved to Corpus Christi, Texas.
Survivors include her husband of 50 years, James Sterling of Corpus Christi, Texas; one son, Bob Sterling of Ponca City; one daughter Gayle Clark of Corpus Christi; one sister, Elizabeth E. King of Ponteverdra Beach, Fla.; one brother, Richard Ewing of Sacramento, Calif.; and five grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and three uncles.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Isabel's name to the Nancy Fawcett Memorial Library, c/o Holecheck Funeral Home, 1212 Tenth Avenue, Sidney, NE 69162.
DERBY, Kan. - Timothy Cletus Dugan, father of Jeamme Specht of Ponca City, died Thursday, Feb. 5, 1998, in Derby, Kan. He was 82.
The funeral will be held at 10 a.m., Monday at Smith Mortuary in Derby, with the Rev. Lloyd Burd officiating. Friends may visit at the funeral home from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. Burial will be in the Cedar Vale (Kan.) Cemetery.
Timothy Cletus Dugan was born Jan. 17, 1916, in Cedar Vale, Kan. the son of Cletus C. and Rosa Jane (Hensley) Dugan. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was married to Betty L. Cowan. The couple made their home in Derby, where he was employed in maintenance.
Survivors include his wife Betty, of Derby, Kan.; four sons, Timothy Dugan of Derby, Ray Hainlen and Bill Hainlen, both of Wichita, Kan., and George Hainlen of Fort Worth, Texas; three daughters, Nina Quam of Wichita, Debbie Phelps of St. Louis, Mo., and Jeamme Specht of Ponca City; one sister, Vaunetta Johnson of Shidler; 11 grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
Wanda May Collins of Edmond, died peacefully Tuesday, Feb. 3, 1998, in Denver, Colo., with her granddaughter, Candice Collins Bundy, at her side. She was 86.
The funeral service will be held Saturday, Feb. 7, 1998, at 2 p.m. in the Trout Funeral Home Chapel, 501 West Grand, Ponca City, with Harvey Fix officiating. Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of the Trout Funeral Home.
Mrs. Collins was born Nov. 30, 1911, in Monett, Mo., to William and Anna Myrtle Winton Ethridge. On Jan. 26, 1929, she married Carl Vernon Collins in Newkirk. The couple established their first home in Ponca City. Wanda served as president of the Business and Professional Women's Club of Ponca City. She and her husband Carl owned the Maytag Laundromat on North Union for a number of years. They were partners in their Home Building business for 27 years. Wanda and Carl moved to McAllen, Texas in 1973 and to Edmond in 1983. After moving to Edmond, she became a member of Henderson Hills Baptist Church. Mr. Collins preceded her in death on October 18, 1986.
Mrs. Collins is survived by her daughter, Carolyn Glover of Edmond; her son, Jim Collins of Highlands Ranch, Colo.; three grandsons, Stephen Paul Glover of Houston, Texas, John Mark Glover of Anchorage, Alaska, and Daniel Glover of Canyon Country, Calif.; two granddaughters, Elizabeth Collins and Candice Collins Bundy, both of Denver, Colo. She is also survived by four great-grandsons and two great-granddaughters. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl; an infant daughter, Ruth Carlene; two sisters, Hildreth Ethridge Brissey and Florene DeFrancesco; and two brothers, Herbert Ethridge and Charles Foster.
Casket bearers will be Stephen Glover, Mark Glover, Daniel Glover, Scott Jacobson, Wayne Doyle and Loyd Johnson.
Those wishing to honor her memory may make contributions to a church or charity of their choice.
paid obituary
Saturday
Ralph A. Thorstenberg - Funeral at 2 p.m. at Trinity Baptist Church in Norman. Burial will be in the Sunset Memorial Park in Norman under the direction of Primrose Funeral Home, Norman.
Georgia Ellena Wickham - Funeral to be graveside at 10 a.m. at Greenwood Cemetery in Sedan, Kan. Arrangements are under the direction of Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home, Fairfax.
Alta Stout O'Dell - Funeral to be at 10 a.m. at the Church of Christ in Kingfisher. Burial will be in the Blackwell (Okla.) Cemetery at 1 p.m. under the direction of Sanders Funeral Home, Kingfisher.
Ruby M. Feathers, Ponca City resident, died Thursday, Feb. 5, 1998, at
her home. She was 77. Local survivors include two sons, Jimmy Feathers and
Elmer Feathers. Arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel.
NEWS BRIEFS
Salad Luncheon - The annual Valentine salad luncheon sponsored by the First Lutheran Women's Guild will be Feb. 12, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the church fellowship hall. Cost is $5 per adult and $1.50 for pre-school age children. Tickets are available from Guild members or the church office. Proceeds from the luncheon will go toward facility lighting projects.
Legion Serving Pancakes - The American Legion Pancake and Sausage Feed (all the pancakes you an eat) is scheduled for Saturday from 6:30 to 10 a.m. at 407 West South Avenue. Adults may eat for $3, children under 12, $1.50 and children under 6, free. All proceeds will go to the Legion Rehab program. Everyone welcome.
Children's Theater Auditions Set - Ponca Playhouse Children's Theater announced auditions for "The Emperor's New Clothes," scheduled for showing March 7 and 8. Auditions will be held Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. in the Rehearsal Hall at South First Street and Oklahoma Avenue. This production is made possible in part by a grant from the Oklahoma Arts Council and a gift from Conoco.
Pepperette Tickets - Tickets for the Pepperette Winter Dance will be on sale Feb. 11-18 outside the Mid-High cafeteria before school and during lunch. No tickets will be sold on the day of the dance. Ticket price is $7.50. The dance will be held Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Parents Association to Meet - The High School Girls Fast Pitch Parents Association will meet Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Fourth Street Club House.
Bus Trip Planned - The OU Club of Kay County is sponsoring a bus trip to the OU vs. Missouri basketball game in Norman on Feb. 21. Game time is 12:45 p.m. and the bus will leave at 9:30 a.m. Cost is $35 per person (includes bus ride, game ticket and refreshments on the bus). Call Sue Lunsford at 762-0213 or Michele Jean at 762-5312 by Feb. 14 for more information.
Public Hearing - There will be a public hearing at noon Feb. 17 at the Jules Valdez Conference Room in White Eagle on the goals and objectives of a proposal to enhance the Ponca Tribe's Environmental Regulatory capacity. Refreshments will be served. Comments will also be recorded about the Ponca Tribe's water quality issues.
Subject Held - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 7 a.m. Thursday that a 40-year-old man was being held on a city warrant for failure to pay.
Auto Burglary - A man from the 200 block of West Cleveland Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:07 a.m. Thursday that a vehicle had been burglarized. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Subject Held - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 2200 block of Jane Street at 9:22 a.m. Thursday that a 34-year-old woman was being held for failure to pay.
Mirror Stolen - A man from the 2200 block of Jane Street reported at 9:39 a.m. Thursday that a mirror had been stolen off his pickup. An officer of the Ponca City Police Department was assigned and a report was taken.
Item Missing - A person from the Board of Education reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:39 a.m. Thursday that a camcorder had been stolen from Trout School. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Assault - An official at Mid High requested an officer of the Ponca City Police Department at 9:52 a.m. Thursday for assistance. An officer was assigned and a report was taken on an assault at the school.
Girls Chased - An official at Liberty School reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 11:22 a.m. Thursday that two girls had been chased on their way to school earlier Thursday. An officer was assigned and the information was logged.
Attempted Auto Theft - A man with the Overhead Door Company, 213 North Third Street, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 12:16 p.m. Thursday that there had been an attempted auto theft at the business. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Accident - A vehicular accident at the intersection of North Fourteenth Street and East Highland Avenue was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 12:36 p.m. Thursday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Collision - Po-Hi security reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 2:09 p.m. Thursday that an accident had occurred in the school parking lot. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Subject Held - Two officers of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 2:10 p.m. Thursday that a 44-year-old woman was being held on a city warrant for failure to obey.
Vehicle Vandalized - A male subject in the 700 block of North Birch Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:19 p.m. Thursday that his vehicle had been keyed. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Mini-Storage Vandalism - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from Mini Enterprises, 2200 West South Avenue, at 3:42 p.m. Thursday that several units had been vandalized. Two officers were assigned and took a report that several units locks had been cut and doors were open.
Subject Held - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 400 block of West Hazel Avenue at 3:47 p.m. Thursday that a 29-year-old man was being held on a city warrant for failure to obey.
Disturbance - The Ponca City Communications Center received a 911 call from the 200 block of West Grand Avenue at 4:56 p.m. that subjects were causing disturbances behind the business. Two officers were assigned and a 33-year-old man was held for possession of marijuana.
Subject Held - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 800 block of West Grand Avenue at 4:57 p.m. Thursday that a 24-year-old man was being held on a Kay County warrant for failure to pay.
Shoplifter - A call from Wal-Mart to the Communications Center at 5:05 p.m. Thursday reported that a juvenile shoplifter was in custody. An officer of the Ponca City Police Department was assigned and took a 14-year-old man into custody for petit larceny.
Subject Held - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department requested assistance with a subject from the intersection of North Second Street and East Highland Avenue at 9:39 p.m. Thursday. Two other officers were assigned and a 21-year-old man was being held for possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of marijuana.
Suspicious Activity - An employee from Blimpies, 309 East Hartford Avenue requested assistance at closing time, 9:53 p.m., reporting that a suspicious subject wearing a stocking cap had tried to open the locked front door and walked to the back of the store. Two officers were assigned and took additional information concerning the situation.
Gas Drive Off - A clerk at Citgo, East South Avenue and South Fourth Street, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 10:45 p.m. Thursday that a subject had driven off without paying for $10 worth of gas. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Subject Held - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 200 block of South Elm Street at 10:36 p.m. Thursday that a 32-year-old man was being held on a Kay County warrant for failure to pay.
Subject Held - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of North First Street and Hartford Avenue at 11:28 p.m. Thursday that an 18-year-old man was being held for driving under suspension and having no insurance.
Arrested - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 2000 block of North Fourteenth Street at 11:55 p.m. Thursday that a 19-year-old man was being held on a city warrant for failure to pay.
Subject Held - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 1:42 a.m. Friday from the 200 block of West Chestnut Avenue that a 35-year-old woman was being held on a city warrant for failure to pay.
Arrested - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported
from the intersection of West Liberty Avenue and North Pine Street at 1:45
a.m. Friday that a 36-year-old woman was being held for driving under suspension.
RELIGION
First Baptist Church will host a seminar on Feb. 20 and 21 entitled "Your Finances in Changing Times", according to Larry Heslip, Education-Administration.
This seminar will be taught by Woody Laywell, a trainer for the Larry Burkett organization, Christian Financial Concepts, Inc.
Purpose for the seminar is to help individuals and families develop healthy financial practices. It will help participants learn to budget, deal with uncontrolled spending, set priorities for spending and manage debt.
Cost for the seminar is $30.00 for singles and $45.00 for a couple to attend. This fee covers the cost of seminar materials. Childcare is available. Call the church office at 765-4427 for more information.
Ministerial Alliance Sets Meeting
The Ponca City Ministerial Alliance will meet at noon on Feb. 12 in Conference Room C at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.
This is a special meeting, it was announced, with the medical center furnishing the meal, honoring Ponca City ministers and their Alliance.
Gary England, hospital administrator, will talk to the group about the
operation and visions of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. All minister
are urged to be present.
'Come Let Us Reason Together' at Hartford Avenue
The Hartford Avenue Church of Christ invites the public to share God's word with them every week - Sunday Bible classes, 9:30 a.m., worship 10:30 a.m., Sunday evening, 6 p.m. and Wednesday at 7 p.m. - classes for all age levels, nursery through adult.
The Church has added seven new deacons to help serve in the work of the congregation and the community. They are Lyle Harms, Yang Lee, Rick McCumber, Greg McElfresh, Melvin Schoonover, Joe Smock and Bill Young. This group joins eleven deacons currently serving in that capacity - Dennis Betterton, Denver Gearheart II, Steve Hamm, Don Jesh, Jim Kinney, Paul Lawrence, Stacey Lobaugh, Ron Pitts, Louis Riebe, Martin Stone and Ralph Wilcoxson.
Work areas for the deacons are set apart in four categories - Evangelism,
Benevolence, Support and Edification. Each of the categories has many additional
branches and responsibilities. All 18 deacons are hard at work looking forward
to the many challenges to come.
Grace Episcopal Sets Congregational Meeting
The Annual Congregational Meeting at Grace Episcopal Church will be held in the Parish Hall, Sunday, Feb. 8 at 11 a.m., immediately following the 9:30 a.m. worship service.
Morning worship usually includes an 8 a.m. service and a 10:30 a.m. service, according to Deacon Steve Mallory. The change this Sunday is due to the congregational meeting to elect members of the Vestry for 1998 and hear reports from the various church committees.
The vestry will provide sandwiches, chips, cookies and drinks for lunch.
A nursery will be provided in the Christian Education Center.
Newkirk Church Plans Mission Days
St. Francis of Assisi, 610 West Ninth in Newkirk will hold Mission Days, Feb. 15, 16, 18 and 19 at 7 p.m. You are invited to share an opportunity to prepare for Lent and the new millennium with Fr. Bob Hartmann.
A nursery will be provided for infant through Kindergarten age. A social
hour will follow in the Church Hall.
Asbury Seniors Elect Officers
The Asbury Adult Recreation Friends, the senior group in Asbury United Methodist Church, elected officers for 1998. Presidents are Tom and Stella Gaden; Vice President, Betty Pollard; Secretary-treasurer, Josephine Rice; Calling chairman, Esteleene Maxwell and Devotion chairman, Laveta Porter.
The group meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at 11:30
a.m. - sometimes in Anderson Hall at the church and sometimes in local restaurants.
New Mt. Olive Baptists Announce Services
Black history services at New Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Newkirk are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Feb. 7. Guest will be Elder J.O. Lang of Emmanuel Church of God in Christ, Pawhuska.
Soul food tasting is scheduled to follow the service. Everyone is welcome
to attend.
Eastern Heights Christian Adds Library
Eastern Heights Christian Church has a growing church library, with members sharing reading material and videos by placing items for lending. The small room, which at one time was an anti-room to the baptismal, has been refurbished to match the carpet and walls of the sanctuary.
The ample shelf space was built by Harold Waggerman, and Sue Waggerman
is serving as librarian. Books accepted range from Christian educational
material, to any kind of "how-to" books, children's books, in
fact, anything that would be suitable for family reading. Donations of excellent
reading material from any person will be appreciated. You may call Krista
or Amie Hill at 762-8266.
Lutheran Women Set Valentine Salad Luncheon
The annual Valentine Salad luncheon sponsored by the First Lutheran Women's Guild will be Feb. 12, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the church fellowship hall.
Cost of the luncheon is $5 per adult and $1.50 for preschool age children.
Tickets are available from Guild members or the church office. Proceeds
from the luncheon will go toward facility lighting projects.
Albright UMC to Hear Cookson Hills Center Head
The Rev. Meri Whitaker, Director of the Cookson Hills Center, Tahlequah, will speak in worship on United Methodist Women Sunday, Feb. 22, at Albright United Methodist Church, 128 South Palm, at 10:30 a.m.
A potluck dinner will follow the service.
The Ponca City Wal-Mart store has donated $1874 to the Board of Friendship Feast through the store's Charity Appeals Program - one of the ways Wal-Mart contributes to local Ponca City charities.
Each year the managers of the Ponca City Wal-Mart Supercenter select one local charity to be a recipient of the Charity Appeals Program, and during 1997 the managers chose Friendship Feast. The Wal-Mart program entails the donation of a certain percentage of their sales that occur during a five hour period on a selected day of the Christmas Season. Last year Saturday, Dec. 6 from 7 a.m. to noon was designated for the Charity Appeals Program. Local Wal-Mart managers chose this day and time period because, historically, it has been the busiest five-hour span of time during the Holiday Season.
Friendship Feast is a non-profit organization, begun here several years ago, led by the First Christian Church and includes various other Ponca City churches, committed to providing wholesome meals to the needy.
Approximately 50 to 100 people attend the free meals that are provided four evenings, Monday through Thursday, from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. in Fellowship Hall of the First Christian Church. Volunteers from local churches and other service organizations prepare and serve the meals and clean the hall and kitchen afterwards. When the occasion arises, leftover food from the meals is donated to other local charities including Peachtree Landing, Domestic Violence, the Mission, and Golden Villa.
Manager Randy Cornell, who coordinated the Charity Appeals program, presented the gift from Wal-Mart to the Board of the Friendship Feast. Monies from the gift will be used to purchase food, disposable plates and utensils, and cleaning supplies. Board members of the Friendship Feast are grateful, to Randy Cornell and the managers of Ponca City's Wal-Mart for their generous support. It is only through program such as Wal-Mart's Charity Appeals that Friendship Feast can continue to help others, Ed Nanni of Friendship Feast, pointed out.
Does your spirit need a lift?
That's the question the youth of Woodlands Christian Church will be asking the congregation on Sunday morning as they present the service for Youth Sunday.
Using "Faith in the 1990's" as their topic, all three youth groups of the church ... CYF, Chi-Rho, and God Squad ... will provide special music, "K The Candle Burning" and "God Is In Control"; plus several of the youth will be featured in solos, duets and instrumentals.
The morning message, "Faith in the 1990's" will be shared by all three groups in the form of brief skits. Communion will be presented in a special way as the youth share their ideas of what it means to have Christ in your life.
The Mission/Social Concerns committee at First United Methodist is sponsoring a special event at Wednesday Night Live on Feb. 11. Mark and Linda McCurdy, sister and brother-in-law of Janet Wentwroth of Ponca City, will be here from Chihuahua City, Mexico, where they work for United Indian Missions.
The McCurdys will be sharing their story about working with the people of Mexico. "United Indian Missions, or UIM International, in involved with church planting among Indians and Hispanics in the Southwestern United States, Canada and Mexico. They also have worked with Indians in the Tahlequah Services Branch.
They live in Chihuahua City, and Mark's primary job is to provide air transportation for the missionaries who live and work among the various Indian tribes in the mountains in Northern Mexico where the roads are very poor or non-existent.
He transports their kids back and forth to school in the city, takes out medical and work teams, brings in building supplies and groceries, and handles medical emergency flights.
Linda teaches at the mission school part-time as well as provides hospitality to the numerous visitors who come through the city enroute to the villages.
Other Wednesday Night Live opportunities include Spiritual Formation with the Rev. Denny Hook leading; History of the Bible led by John Friess, Boundaries led by Betsy Carter, Bridge for Beginners with Dorothy Souligny, Reel to Real with Art Mires and Life Search with Fred McDaniel speaking on care-giving and Alzheimer's.
Casinos! Will they have a good or bad influence on the morals of our state and country? Not only are there tremendous pressures applied in Oklahoma to approve Class III gambling, but also within all states with a national gaming board to oversee such from a Washington-based agency.
Issues involving State Question 672, Casino Gambling will be presented at both the 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. services this Sunday at the Word of Life Christian Center, located at 3401 North Union. Important moral issues are confronted by the desire and delusion of increased revenue for the state, higher employment, significant tourist attraction, additional monies for education, etc.
The morning service will address the moral issues of gambling. So often when advertisements are presented, key moral issues are not revealed unless the Church openly reviews such in light of the Bible. Then it becomes the citizen's responsibility to review the truth and vote his or her conscience. One cannot take that responsibility lightly. Pastor Bob Innis explained.
The evening service will be a viewing of a video presentation entitled "Gambling: America's Hidden Addiction." This video, produced by Coral Ridge Ministries, Dr. D. James Kennedy, Senior Pastor, reveals hidden truth about the impact of gambling in local communities and the state governments.
Pastor Innis invites the community to come and hear about the impact of gambling on our community, state and country.
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church will be conducting a Service of Prayers for Healing on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 4 p.m. in the church sanctuary, and Pastor Keck invites the public to attend.
A Home Bible Study group will meet Monday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. at the David Zimmerman home. Anyone interested in studying God's Word and His amazing grace is encouraged to come and participate. For more information, you may call 765-9922.
The Ladies Bible Study group will meet on Tuesday, Feb.10 at 1 p.m. at The Renaissance. Pastor Keck will lead the study from the book of Ephesians. A fellowship time is planned for the residents. All ladies are encouraged to attend.
The Church Council will convene on Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 1800 Turner, provides worship services at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Sundays, followed by a fellowship time.
Sunday School instruction for pre-schoolers through adults begins at 9:45 a.m.The congregation extends a warm welcome to anyone to visit and be a part of this fellowship of Christian believers, Pastor Keck said.
Worshippers at First Lutheran Church on Sunday, Feb. 8 will be privileged to hear a guest soloist at both the 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. services. Floris Mayopoulos, a contemporary Christian recording artist from Tulsa, will sing two selections from her album "A Gift of Love." Floris, a graduate of Newkirk High School and Northern Oklahoma college, now resides in Tulsa and is a member of The Lutheran Church of Our Savior. Her album is being used to help a young lady in her congregation who is in desperate need of a kidney transplant.
In 1993 this young lady, Ann-Michelle Madison, received a kidney from her mother. Her body rejected that kidney after four months. Now after years of dialysis, this young lady, who is studying to be a dietician/nutritionist is looking forward to another chance at a kidney transplant. Floris not only recorded the album, "A Gift of Love," but also solicited the various companies in Tulsa and Nashville who donated their services for the album.
After each service on Sunday the tapes and CDs will be available. All donations received go to Ann-Michelle's medical expense fund. Floris will also sing for the Sunday School children and tell of her work in this great mission.
Pastor Thomas Ramsey will continue his sermon series with the topic,
"What Are We Supposed to Do?" The theme of the service will focus
on readings and hymns expressing Christian trust and obedience. The congregation
will also be observing Scout Sunday. The members of First Lutheran invite
the community to join them in this special time of music and worship, Pastor
Ramsey said.
EDUCATION
THE 1997-98 HOMECOMING COURT for Ponca City High School was back row from left, Blake Geubelle and Laura Sudbury, sophomores; Micha Alexander and Natasha Anderson, seniors; and Romi Foreman and Tom Engle, juniors. Kaylyn and Connor Pulley (front row), children of Steve and Dana Pulley, presented the crown and flowers. Alexander and Anderson were selected as 1997-98 Basketball King and Queen. (News Photo by Matthew Koenig)
Pepperette Tickets
Tickets for the Pepperette Winter Dance will be on sale Feb. 11-18 outside the Mid-High cafeteria before school and during lunch. No tickets will be sold on the day of the dance. Ticket price is $7.50. The dance will be held Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m.
PTSA Meeting
Ponca City Mid-High PTSA will hold a yearbook meeting Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. in the Mid-High library. The deadline for the yearbook is Feb. 23.
MIAA Honor Roll
Kevin LaRue, 1996 Po-Hi graduate, has been listed on the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) Academic All-Conference Honor Roll. A sophomore, he is playing football at Missouri Southern State College in Joplin and has a 3.66 grade point average. He is the son of Brenda LaRue, Ponca City, and Robert LaRue, Arvada, Colo., and the grandson of Ramona LaRue, Ponca City.
Great Expectations
Woodlands School will host Linda Rieman, this area's "Great Expectations" mentor on Feb. 11 at 8:15 a.m. in the library. She will explain "Great Expectations" to parents and anyone interested.
OBU Honor Roll
Kristen White and Marci Spore were among the OBU students placed on the Dean's Honor Roll, and James Williams was among the part-time students placed on the President's Honor Roll. All three students are from Ponca City.
All-American Scholar
The United States Achievement Academy announced that Holly Harrison was named an All-American Scholar. Harrison, who attends Ponca City High School, was nominated for this award by Betsy Easley.
NWOSU Honor Roll
Several area students were placed on the honor rolls at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Alva. Students on the President's Honor Roll were Kristin Engle and Tamara Hager, Blackwell; Jina Vietta, Kaw City; Joy Hunter, Newkirk; Ryan Hintergardt and Becky Wright, Ponca City; and Merle Miller, Lauri Ott and Alla Rozanova, Tonkawa. Students on the Vice-President's Honor Roll were Kira Arnold, Nancy Clark, Brandy Goforth and Lisa White, Blackwell; Laura Layton, Radford Snelding and Kacey Whitworth, Newkirk; Traci Day and Ashley Watters, Ponca City; and Rhea Watson, Tonkawa.
A new school immunization law was passed requiring all students entering seventh grade and now kindergarten to have completed their Hepatitis B series at the time of enrollment for school in 1998.
The Kay County Health Department will be having a special immunization on Feb. 9 at St. Luke's Church of the Nazarene, 1715 E. Prospect, from 2:30 to 6 p.m. This clinic will be for those students needing this immunization.
It is a series of three injections that takes approximately 6 months to complete. It will be required for your child to have this immunization series at enrollment time next school year.
Please bring a copy of your child's immunization record to this clinic.
If you have any questions please call 762-1641.
LIFESTYLES
Carla and Dale O'Neill, 8101 South Eighth Mile Road, announce the birth of a son at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 19, 1997 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. The baby weighed 6-pounds, 10-ounces and was 21-inches long. He has been named Wesley Garrett O'Neill. He has a brother and sister, Blake and Kristina O'Neill.
Maternal grandparents are Carl and Mary Ann Giddens and paternal grandparents are Ed and JoAnn O'Neill, all of Ponca City. Great-grandparents are Jessie Giddens of Rolla, Mo. and C. F. Zimmerman of Houston, Texas.
Kelsey Ann Hawk is the name selected by Kevin and Wendy Hawk of Wamego, Kan. for their daughter born at 10:47 p.m. Jan. 28, 1998 in Wamego. She weighed 7-pounds, 5-ounces and was 19 1/2-inches long.
Maternal grandparents are Jimmy and Karen Rhoades of Marland and paternal
grandparents are Jack Hawk of Arkansas City, Kan. and the late Pat Hawk.
Great-grandparents are Frances Rhoades of Marland and Freda Studer of Ponca
City.
SPORTS
By MATTHEW KOENIG
News Sports Writer
TONKAWA - After bolting to a 2-0 record in conference play, the Lady Mavs of NOC have since dropped their last two games, the latest being a nail biter to the Eastern Oklahoma State Lady Mountaineers on Thursday, 71-67.
Down by five, 69-64, with 26 seconds left, NOC's Shannon Hands hit a 3-pointer to narrow the margin to two. Wendy Kennedy then hit 1-of-2 free throws for Eastern to force the Lady Mavs into another 3-point attempt to tie the game.
With 12 seconds left, the Lady Mavs escaped Eastern's press and managed to get the ball into the hands of Renee Reese. The 5-10 freshman - who had already nailed two 3-pointers over the previous five minutes - was just off the rim, however, and though Mandy Perkins was close to the rebound, the Lady Mountaineers regained possession with just 2 ticks left on the clock.
And though the game was close, to head coach Greg Krause it evidenced a myriad of things his team has been plagued with all season.
"There are just so many little things we need to do better," he said, after the game, "we made so many bad decisions in the second half. We're not taking care of the ball the way we should be this time of year. On defense, we're not turning it up and making the plays - for one, we're not playing them tight enough on their 3-point attempts."
Though the scoring was close through the first half, with neither team holding more than a three point advantage, the Lady Mountaineers went on a 14-5 run to open the second half and leapt to a 43-36 lead.
After working their way back to within one, 43-42, the Lady Mavs stumbled again, going back down by seven, 55-48, in the opening moments of the final stanza.
From there, a pair of 3's by Brandi McClellen and Reese quickly brought the Lady Mavs back into the game, where they kept things close until the 1:30 mark, when Summer Hull and Casey Whitledge hit consecutive 3-pointers to give the Lady Mountaineers the advantage.
"We just weren't in their faces enough," concluded Krause. "we were slow getting to the ball. We've been talking about stopping Whitledge for two days, and we didn't do it.
"These girls work hard, but there needs to be more awareness on defense if we want to be successful."
Pacing the Lady Mavs were Hands and Jessica Garner who each finished with 15 points, followed by McClellan with 13, Perkins with 7, Reese with 6, Lyndsey Warrior with 4, while Angella Ogle had 2.
For the Lady Mountaineers, Wendy Kennedy led all scorers with 26, Hall had 14, Sam Blankenship had 12, while Zike Charity had 10.
The Lady Mavs hit the road on Monday, taking on nationally ranked Seminole, and their scoring leader, Shawnta VanZant.
"75 percent of the offense goes through her," Krause says, "we're going to start tomorrow building our game plan around her. We have to stop her if we want to win."
By MATTHEW KOENIG
News Sports Writer
TONKAWA - After surprising upsets in two of their first three conference games, the Mavericks of NOC returned to their domineering selves of old, Thursday, venting their frustration on the Eastern Oklahoma State Mountaineers with a blowout, 79-53.
In the opening minutes, after the Mavs (19-5, 2-2) squandered their first few scoring attempts and the Mountaineers took the early, 4-0 lead, it looked as if the Mavs would get a fight from yet another conference giant killer.
Or so it seemed.
Forcing a bounty of turnovers from the Mountaineers, and dominating the defensive boards when their opponents did get a shot off, the Mavs went on a 40-0 scoring run that lasted until late in the second quarter.
Hitting 5-of-6 free throws, a 3-pointer and a lay-up in the final three minutes, the Mountaineers finished the half down by 32 points, 46-14.
"You don't see many 40-0 runs at this level," said a rejuvenated Mick Weiberg, head coach of the Mavericks. "Our intensity just locked them up. We had pressure on all ports, and they couldn't get an easy shot. I couldn't have been more proud with the way we played that first half."
Not that the second half was much different. Though the Mountaineers matched the Mavericks in points, they could never shave the lead closer than 24. Eighteen of Eastern's 39 second half points came from the charity stripe.
For the game, the Mavs shot very well from 2-point range, hitting 29-of-46 for 63 percent, and hit 9-of-13 free throws. Accuracy from 3-point range was off, with the Mavs going good on just 4-of-15 percent.
But it was the Mountaineers' shooting that is indicative of the Mavericks' crushing defense. Eastern was good on just 22-of-60 shots.
"I think the kids were embarrassed by those two losses," said Weiberg. "We've had very good practices the last two days, and the old adage that good practices makes good play reflected tonight. No loss really helps you, but we responded to them the right way tonight. This is a huge win for us.
"We're tough to beat when everyone can play with this kind of intensity, and the question is if we can keep this intensity up for the rest of the season."
Leading the way for the Mavericks was Marlon Towns with 21 points, including 9-of-14 shooting from the field, 10 rebounds, three assists and three steals. Following up were Joe Patmon with 14, DeShawn Denson with 13, Kyle Dean with 8, Jace Turnbull with 7, Zach Cazzelle with 5, Chris Beech and Shere-Khan Jones with 4 each, Josh Regnier with 2, while Jared Weiberg had 1.
Doug Stone led the Mountaineers with 17 points, followed by Aaron Noel with 11, while Rickey Young and Livan Ryfrom with 10 each. Fabian Lightbourne finished with no points, but still has one of the greatest names in Juco basketball.
The Mavs hit the road Monday, taking on Seminole.
By MATTHEW KOENIG
News Sports Writer
After humbling losses to Sapulpa on Tuesday, the Wildcats and Lady Cats will try to regroup against the Tulsa Union Redskins tonight. The Poncans haven't seen Union since the first game of the season, which saw the Cats lose 90-63, while the Lady Cats went down 48-38.
And while the Lady Cats don't face the same juggernaut they did three days ago against No. 1 Sapulpa, the Cats face an even greater battle, taking on the division leading and No. 3 state ranked Redskins.
Tip off for the Lady Cats will be at 6:15, while the boys' game starts at 7:45. Also, starring in their 500th basketball broadcast will be Deejay Jazzy Phil and the Fresh Craig, rapping out the play by play on WBBZ.
Wildcats (5-12, 2-9) at Tulsa Union (13-2, 9-0)
Like the Lady Cats on Tuesday, the Wildcats ride into hostile territory tonight to take on a team for whom superlatives don't quite suffice.
Stupendous? Fantabulous? Domineering?
The answer is "D", all of the above.
The Redskins are far and away the best team in the conference and arguably the best in the state. They have three players who average in double figures - Steve Geary (15.4), Kevin Ritter (12.9), and Osric Woods (12.1) - who have provided the Redskins with an average of 71.6 points per game this season. To put that figure into perspective, the next five teams in the conference average a measly 52 to 59 points per game.
The Wildcats, meanwhile, who were shooting a passable 40 percent through 15 games, have fallen on hard times in their last two outings, going a combined 32 percent from the field.
"We have to shoot better," says head coach Ron Arthur, "in the Sapulpa game we were taking good shots, and we were helping the post out. We did what we wanted to do offensively, but they weren't falling. And we didn't play good defense."
Hopefully, the Cats stepped-up action under the hoop will result in more points for the Cats than they got on Tuesday, when they were forced to shoot through the serpentine arms of 6-9 Brian Cardwell.
"We gotta pressure their guards, we gotta get in their faces, we gotta keep Woods and Dean off the boards," says Arthur, "and we gotta stay loose."
Jason Shelton, one of the Cats' inside threats, adds, "we don't have anything to lose. We're gonna go down there and play our hearts out."
Lady Cats (6-11, 2-9)
at Union Lady Redskins (3-11, 2-6)
Theoretically, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. And since Sapulpa didn't actually kill (literally, "kill") the Lady Cats on Tuesday, they should be stronger for tonight's game against the Lady Redskins.
"It should be a much better matchup," says head coach Dana Pulley, "our records are pretty much alike, and they don't have any outstanding scorers."
Still, to conquer the Lady Redskins, Pulley repeats what has now become a mantra for her after 16 games: "we have to hit our shots." She says it in monotone, now, like a prayer chant.
The last time the Lady Cats met Union, they shot just 23 percent from the field.
"But that was our first game of the season and we were nervous," Pulley says, "and we've been working on fundamentals, we've been doing a lot of shooting in practice."
Also, Pulley says they'll use a 2-3 zone to pack it in on Andera Parker and Lauren Rector. Parker averages around nine points per game, while Rector gets about 10.
Keesha West will also be out of the starting lineup for the Lady Cats until - at best - late next week. After hobbling off the court against Broken Arrow, Jan. 31, an MRI revealed on Wednesday that the 5-10 senior had suffered a sprained knee.
By FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
"I can't believe I did that." Wildcat 160-pounder Toby Red Leaf marveled after he stormed from behind to win in overtime, keying the Cats to a 38-25 win over Sapulpa in Robson Fieldhouse Thursday.
It was the Poncans' ninth dual win of the season and the 80th for coach Pat Young as a head coach at Ponca City.
"This was big win," Young said after the dual. "There were some big wins by the kids. Toby's was one. The kids wrestled real well."
Red Leaf trailed 6-2 with about a minute left in his match. But he reversed Sapulpa's Scott White to his back in the final seconds to tie the score and send the match into overtime.
In the sudden death period, the Wildcat got a takedown with 1:06 left and moved White over on his back for an 11-6 win.
"I've been working hard in practice." Red Leaf said, agreeing that conditioning played a big part in his comeback.
But there were other big wins by the Wildcats.
Sophomore Clint Stafford stepped up off the JV team to fill in at 125 pound and produced a 17-6 major decision over Ross McCarty.
At 140 pounds, Ponca City's Lorenzo Jones went into the second period against Chieftain Tim Holdman trailing 4-2. But he turned Holdman to his back and finally got the fall in 3:45.
The bonus points were the a key to the Cats success as the won eight matches and Sapulpa won six. Ponca City had four falls to two by Sapulpa and had two major decisions to one by the visitors.
In addition to Jones' fall, the Cats got pins by Josh Bailey at 119 pounds (which erased a 6-0 Sapulpa lead), Matt Dodgen at 135 and Jay Bentley at 189. Bentley's pin clinched the dual as Sapulpa won falls in the final two matches.
With the score tied at 6-6 after Bailey's fall, Stafford vaulted to a 5-0 lead over McCarty in the first period. He then played takedown-escape with the Chieftain for the next two periods, gaining seven takedowns.
Mark Dodgen built on the Wildcat team lead at 130, gaining a 9-1 major decision over Trent Jordan.
Falls by Matt Dodgen and Jones gave the Wildcats a 26-6 lead halfway through the dual.
Sapulpa won at 145 but Kyle Duren countered that with a 5-3 win at 152 pounds, getting the deciding takedown with 58 seconds left.
In the pivotal 160-pound match, White led 3-2 after two periods and padded his lead with an escape and takedown early in the third period. But as time ticked away, Red Lead slipped around the Chieftain and caught him on his back.
At 189, Bentley had two takedowns in the first period for a 4-1 lead against John Lucas. Lucas elected to start the second period in the neutral position, which proved to be a mistake as Bentley picked him up and took the Chieftain to his back, finishing off the match in 2:20.
The Wildcats end the regular season Tuesday at home against Tulsa Union. It will be Senior Night, honoring the nine seniors on the 1997-98 team.
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The Wildcats will wrestle Mustang in the first round of the Class 5A Dual State Tournament at 8 p.m. in Moore High School next Friday.
The Wildcats were seeded third in the East, nosing out Muskogee on criteria after tying the Roughers, 30-30, in the Jenks Quad.
The other first round pairings at Dual State will pit No. 2 ranked Choctaw against No. 6 Muskogee and unranked Stillwater against No. 8 Del City at 6 p.m. The other 8 p.m. dual will see No. 1 Broken Arrow take on No. 9 Westmoore.
The semifinals and finals will be at Moore at 6 and 8 p.m. Saturday
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The eastern Class 5A regional tournament Feb. 20-21, will be at Jenks. Along with the Wildcats, the field will include Bartlesville, Broken Arrow, Jenks, Midwest City, Muskogee, Mustang, Owasso, Sand Springs, Sapulpa, Stillwater, Tahlequah, Tulsa Central, Tulsa Hale, Tulsa Memorial, Tulsa Rogers and Tulsa Washington.
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Ponca City 38, Sapulpa 25
103 - Newport (S) d. Brotherton, 6-2
112 - Ludiker (S) d. Gelino, 10-3
119 - Bailey (PC) p. Fees, :46
125 - Stafford (PC) md McCarty, 17-5
130 - Dodgen (PC) md Jordan, 9-1
135 - Dodgen (PC) p. Leslie, 1:27
140 - Jones (PC) p. Holdman, 3:45
145 - Scott (S) d. Osborn, 12-6
152 - Duren (PC) d. Daniels, 5-3
160 - Red Leaf (PC) d. White, 11-6 (OT)
171 - Ross (S) md Noonan, 16-3
189 - Bentley (PC) p. Lucas, 2:20
215 - Broom (S) p. Michael, 3:54
275 - Wheaton (S) p. Steichen, :20
How The Scored
Takedowns - Ponca City 24, Sapulpa 17, Escapes - Ponca City 10, Sapulpa 15. Reverses - Ponca City 2, Sapulpa 3. Penalties - Ponca City 2, Sapulpa 1. 2-Near Falls - Ponca City 1, Sapulpa 1. 3-Near Falls - Ponca City 3, Sapulpa 4.
Falls - Ponca City 4, Sapulpa 2, Major Decisions - Ponca City 2, Sapulpa 1. Decisions - Ponca City 2, Sapulpa 3
The Po-Hi swimmers finished their season in fine form by blowing the Muskogee Roughers out of the water Thursday. The Wildcats came out on top 108-42, while the Lady Cats won 98-45.
For the Cats, DJ Nuzum qualified for state in the 200 free for the first time with a time of 2:11.72, good enough for second in the meet behind teammate Rory Peterson. Eric Whitebay also had a fantastic swim in the 500 free, posting a personal best time at 6:03.03 - .03 off the state qualifying mark - and good enough for a second place finish to the indomitable Peterson.
The Wildcats also teamed up to sweep both relay events.
"DJ has been so close all year," said head coach Dave Strah, "It's good for him to get it now and not have to worry about doing it at conference. Unfortunately, Eric's race was close on the wrong side of the qualifying time. But I know he can make it at conference. We'll be rested and he'll swim faster."
For the Lady Cats, Sunita Chahar placed first in both the 200 IM and the 100 breast, at times of 2:50.97 and 1:25.24, respectively. Megan Tomek also had a pair of wins, in both the 50 free and the 100 free, at 30.18 and 1:07.67, respectively, while Andra Nuzum won two races as well, in both the 100 fly and the 500 free, at times of 1:19.30 and 6:52.12, respectively. Shannon Mersman also won the 100 back at a time of 1:19.25. The Lady Cats also swept all three relay events on the girls' side.
"The girls raced much better than they did last week at Jenks," says Strah, "Melissa Alcantra and Carol Stauffer are both closing in on state qualifying times and they should get them with good swims in conference."
Also, out of the Ponca City Athlete to Watch file, lone Wildcat diver Eric Chambray reset his team record to 236.55 points, up from 213.25.
"Eric is improving and he's doing dives with a higher degree of difficulty. That can really bring his score up if he executes them well. He should be one of the top 5 at state," Strah says.
The swimmers next try to make a splash in the Conference meet, Saturday in Bartlesville.
BLACKWELL - In a battle of high octane defenses, the Po-Hi sophomore girls out-slugged the Bartlesville junior varsity Thursday, 21-13.
"It was definitely a defensive struggle," said coach Mark Huster, "it was pretty intense. We ran some man-to-man, a 1-3-1 zone and a half court trap and it really shut them down."
Up by just two, 9-7 at halftime, the Lady Cats went on to outscore Bartlesville 12-6 in the second period to get the win and up their season record to 6-4.
Leading the Lady Cats was Allison Stotts with 9 points, followed by Brooke Hines with 7, Laura Sudbury with 3, and Alana Smith with 2.
"Allison been consistent for us lately," says Huster, "she's coming up."
The Lady Cat sophomores square off against Braman, here, on Monday.