From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Monday, February
16, 1998
DEATHS
Everett V. Lofton
Chester Elmer Postelwait
Jesse Wayne Cox
Obituaries
William Malcolm McNutt
Earlene O. Brown
Services Pending
Florence B. Huffman
Dr. Ray L. Lessert
Terry Dale Wrolstad
NEWS BRIEFS
LIFESTYLES
Kildare FCE Names Service Project Plans
Chrysanthemum Club Holds Brunch Meeting
Little News
SPORTS
Monday Evening Quarterback
Conference Meet Highlights Swimmers' Season Thus Far
UDALL, Kan. - Everett V. Lofton, father of Margaret Mantz of Newkirk, and brother of Harley Lofton of Ponca City, died Saturday evening, Feb. 14, 1998, at his home in Udall, Kan. He was 90.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, at the Udall United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Udall Cemetery under the direction of Miles Funeral Service, Winfield, Kan. Friends may visit at the funeral home from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday.
Everett V. Lofton was born Aug. 10, 1907, in La Harpe, Kan., one of six children born to Lester and Lula (Schamal) Lofton. He grew up and received an education in Lincoln County, Okla., attending Carney schools and working on the family farm.
On Dec. 13, 1930, he married Mary Hicks in Chandler and the couple made their first home in Perkins. They moved to Mulvane, Kan., in 1942, and Lofton began employment with Boeing Aircraft Co., in Wichita, Kan. They moved to Udall in 1946, where they continued to reside for more than 50 years. Lofton retired as a tool and die maker at Boeing in 1970 after 28 years of service. He also farmed in the Udall area for many years.
Lofton was a member of the Udall Methodist Church, Udall Senior Citizens and Udall Lions Club. He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren, playing guitar, woodworking and jigsaw puzzles.
Survivors include his wife, Mary, of the home in Udall; one son, Max Lofton of El Dorado, Kan.; three daughters, Maxine Howell of Boise, Idaho, Mary Ruth Booth of Independence, Mo., and Margaret Mantz of Newkirk; one brother, Harley Lofton, Ponca City; one sister, Cora Potter of Augusta, Kan.; 19 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Glendale L. Lofton; one daughter, Mildred Lodean Klein; one brother, Rosco Lofton; two sisters, Ruth Picket and Hazel Thomas; and one grandson.
Memorials have been established in Mr. Lofton's name for the Udall United Methodist Church and for the Udall Historical Museum, c/o Miles Funeral Service, P.O. Box 720, Winfield, KS 67156.
Chester Elmer Postelwait, longtime Ponca City resident, died late Thursday evening, Feb. 12, 1998, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 88.
The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Trout Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Larry Heslip, minister of education, First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery.
Chester Elmer Postelwait was born Oct. 16, 1909, in Perry, the son of Samuel and Mary (Humphrey) Postelwait. He grew up on a farm east of Perry and graduated from Liberty Rural School in Noble County.
On July 28, 1928, he married Barbara Pauline Dixon in Newkirk. She preceded him in death one day before their 68th Anniversary on July 27, 1996. The couple moved to Ponca City in 1929, where Postelwait was employed at the Ford agency. He began employment with Continental Oil Co. on Aug. 28, 1933, retiring Nov. 1, 1971.
During his 38 years of service with Conoco he worked almost exclusively in the mechanical division. He worked six years as a rigger and rigger foreman; a year in Artesia, N.M., helping build a refinery there, then as a tractor driver or crane operator from February 1948 until retirement. For a short time Postelwait and his family operated the Security Cigar Store. He and his wife were avid bowlers, and won numerous trophies and awards on the Ponca City teams. They also enjoyed traveling and camping.
Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Phillip (Joyce) Smith of Walnut Creek, Calif.; one sister, Hazel Dixon of Ralston; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Della Rose Grove; one son, Donal Eugene Postelwait; six brothers and two sisters.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Postelwait's name to the American Heart Association, Oklahoma Affiliate Inc., 3545 N.W. 58th, Suite 400-C. Oklahoma City, OK 73112.
FAIRFAX - Jesse Wayne Cox, relative to several Fairfax residents and a Fairland resident, died as the result of an automobile accident near Joplin, Mo., on Saturday, Feb. 14, 1998. He was 19.
A rosary will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home chapel in Fairfax. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fairfax, with Father Ken Lewis officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairfax Cemetery. Friends may visit with family members at the funeral home until service time.
Jesse Wayne Cox was born in Pawnee on Jan. 6, 1979 to Joseph L. Cox Jr. and Mary Bennett. He had resided in Independence, Kan., with his paternal grandparents Leonard and Bonnie Cox most of his life. Cox received his education in Independence, where he participated in football, track and weight lifting. He was active in full contact Twai Kwan Do and was active in hunting, fishing and water skiing since early childhood.
Cox was a construction worker and a member of the Eagle Clan, where he served in the capacity as a committee member of the Gray Horse District. He was a member of both the Native American and Catholic churches.
Survivors include his father, Joseph L. Cox Jr. of Taft; his mother, Mary Bennett of Oilton; paternal grandmother, Sandra K. Cox of Irving, Texas; maternal grandmother, Gloria Jennings of Plano, Texas; brother, Joseph Leonard Cox III of Burbank, Okla.; two brothers, Justin and Eric Bennett, both of Pawnee; two sisters, Catylin and Lacey Cox, both of Henryetta. He was preceded in death by his paternal great-grandparents, Thomas and Juanita Cox; and maternal grandfather Thomas Jennings.
Casket bearers will be Ron Burke, Matt Peltser, Justin Jarragan, Dave Wiley, all from Independence, Kan.; Jason Evans, Jason Conners from Grand Lake; and Bruce Cass and Joey Bills from Pawhuska. Honorary bearers will be Josh and T.J. Armstrong.
William Malcolm "Yogi" McNutt, longtime Ponca City resident, died Sunday, Feb. 15, 1998, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 57 years of age.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, 1998, at the First Baptist Church worship center with the Rev. Paul Graham, pastor of Second Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will follow in the Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.
Malcolm McNutt was born May 13, 1940, in Purcell, the son of Elmer and Pauline (Evans) McNutt. The family moved to Ponca City in 1945. He attended Ponca City schools and graduated from Ponca City High School in 1959. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in October 1959 and served two tours in Japan. Following his discharge in 1963, he attended Oklahoma State University Extension in Oklahoma City, graduating in January 1966, with an associate's degree with honors in environmental protection.
Malcolm was united in marriage to Sharon Neal on Dec. 23, 1959, at the Second Baptist Church in Ponca City. They lived in California from 1960 to 1962, while he was in the U.S. Navy. They returned to Ponca City in 1962, where they lived while he attended college. The couple moved to Oklahoma City in 1966 and returned to Ponca City in 1968, where they have since made their home.
He worked with the Governair Corporation in Oklahoma City from February 1966 until February 1968, then began employment with Conoco as an inspector in the Maintenance Department. He retired from the Inspection Department as senior inspector in September 1994, and started his own inspection company, Eco-Tech Services Inc. in October 1994.
Surviving are his wife, Sharon, of the home; two daughters, Michele "Micki" McNutt of Ponca City and Heather and David Johndrow of Edmond; one granddaughter, Carson Johndrow; his mother, Pauline McNutt of Ponca City; one sister and her husband, Madella Faye and Don Nottingham of Fairfax; close friends, Jim, Janet, and Jared Sindelar of Ponca City; and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his father on May 13, 1991.
Casket bearers will be Guy Anderson, Paul Combrink, Tom Keith, Mike Brooks, Sylvan Harris, and R.J. Weber. Honorary casket bearers will be employees of Eco-Tech, Inc.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Ponca City Inc., 1904 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, OK 74601.
Friends may call at the funeral home until 9 p.m. Tuesday.
The family will be at the home, 2309 Calvert Drive.
paid obituary
Earlene O. Brown, longtime Ponca City resident, died Friday, Feb. 13, 1998, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 74.
The mass of Christian burial will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, 1998, at St. Mary's Catholic Church with the Rev. John J. Michalicka, pastor, as celebrant. A Rosary service will be held Monday evening, Feb. 16, at 7 p.m. at the Trout Funeral Home Chapel with Father Michalicka officiating. Burial will be in Grace Hill Cemetery in Perry with the Rev. Kevin Devlin, pastor of St. Rose of Lima, officiating.
Ms. Brown was born June 20, 1923, in Perry, to Earl and Elizabeth (Tobin) Brown. She attended Perry schools and graduated in 1940. She then attended the Ponca City Beauty School. She moved to Ponca City in 1949 and owned and operated the Highland Beauty Shop. In 1980 she moved her business into her home. For the past several years, she also worked part-time at Westminster Village.
Ms. Brown was a member of the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ponca City. She enjoyed knitting, handiwork, and quilting. She also made and delivered baby booties to newborn Catholic babies at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.
She is survived by one sister-in-law, Doris Brown of Perry; three nieces, Connie Clement of Ardmore, Alanna Brown of Perry, Debbie Conley of Oklahoma City; three nephews, Bill Stone and Bob Inselman of Ardmore, and Bill Inselman of Ringling; cousins, Eva and Hank Tremper of Fresno, Calif.; and numerous great-nieces and great- nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Margaret Stone and Alice Inselman; one brother, Edward Brown; and one nephew, James Brown.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church, P.O. Box 1330, Ponca City, OK 74602.
paid obituary
Florence B. Carson Huffman, longtime Ponca City resident, died Saturday evening, Feb. 14, 1998, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 86. Survivors include two sons, Phillip of Ponca City and Steve of Lake Charles, La. The funeral is planned for 2 p.m. Tuesday at the First Christian Church. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery. Other arrangements will be announced later by Grace Memorial Chapel. Friends may call at the funeral home until noon, Tuesday.
Dr. Ray Leo Lessert, retired local veterinarian, died early Monday morning, Feb. 16, 1998, at his home in Osage County. He was 76. Survivors include his wife, Patsy of the home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 N. Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, OK 74601. Other arrangements will be announced later by Trout Funeral Home. The family will be at the Ray Lessert III home, 2405 Cardinal.
Terry Dale Wrolstad, Ponca City resident, died Sunday evening, Feb. 15,
1998, at the Stillwater Medical Center. Arrangements are pending with Trout
Funeral Home.
NEWS BRIEFS
Dance Scheduled - Young-At-Heart Dance every Wednesday at the Elks Lodge, 7 to 10 p.m. through February. Beginning in March, Young-At-Heart Dance will be held every Thursday from 7 to 10 p.m. Everyone welcome. Ken Wilson and the Sunshine Playboys Band.
Royal Neighbors Meeting - The Royal Neighbors of America will hold a special business meeting on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. at the Community Christian Church. All members are urged to be present.
Vandalism and Theft - At 7:59 a.m. Saturday police were notified that a vehicle at Honey Bee Florist, 516 East Hartford Avenue, had been vandalized and some flowers had also been stolen. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Harassment - A woman in the 300 block of South Oak Street reported harassment to police at 8:35 a.m. Saturday.
Arrest - Police arrested a woman at 9:14 a.m. Saturday in the 1000 block of North Third Street for violation of protective orders.
Attempted Break-In - At 10:53 a.m. Saturday a resident in the 100 block of West Gary Street reported an attempted break-in at the business. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Suspect Caught - A suspect in a gas drive-off was reported in custody at 11:41 a.m. Saturday at the E-Z Mart, 2225 North Fourteenth Street. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Arrest - A 21-year-old man was arrested at 12:20 p.m. Saturday from Marcella Avenue and Mary Street for driving under suspension.
Gate Stolen - At 1:05 p.m. Saturday a woman in the 1000 block of South Seventh Street reported the theft of a chain link gate. An officer was assigned and the information was logged.
Vandalism - A man in the 400 block of North Osage Street reported vandalism at 1:10 p.m. Saturday. A report had already been taken.
Arrest - Police arrested a 59-year-old man at 2:30 p.m. Saturday from Whitlock Lane and North Fourteenth Street for driving under the influence, transporting an open container and left of center. A report was taken.
Arrest - A 28-year-old man was arrested at 3:21 p.m. Saturday from the 2600 block of Meadow Lane for child abuse.
Harassing Calls - At 5:51 p.m. Saturday a woman called police from Waverly Street and South Avenue reporting harassing phone calls.
Subject Held - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department requested assistance with subjects at the intersection of South Franklin Street and West South Avenue at 5:58 p.m. Saturday. Another officer responded and a parent was contacted to pick up juveniles. A 25-year-old man was held for driving under suspension, having no tag, having no insurance and having no inspection sticker. A report was taken.
Harassment - A resident in the 1900 block of Jane Street contacted the Ponca city Police Department at 6:24 p.m. Saturday to report harassment. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Arrest - Police arrested a 20-year-old woman at 6:27 p.m. Saturday on a city warrant for failure to pay.
Vandalism - A man in the 800 block of North Lake Street reported to police at 7:11 p.m. Saturday that a young male was kicking lights in his yard. An officer was assigned and the information was logged.
Gas Drive-Off - At 7:11 p.m. a $5 gas drive-off was reported at Citgo, 320 West Grand Avenue. An officer was assigned and the information was logged.
Attempted Break-In - A woman in the 200 block of East Overbook Avenue reported to police at 7:35 p.m. Saturday that someone had attempted to break into her home. An officer was assigned.
Peeping Juveniles - At 7:56 p.m. Saturday it was reported that 8-10 juveniles were window peeping. The juveniles and their parents were contacted.
Arrested - A 21-year-old man was arrested at 8:25 p.m. Saturday from the 200 block of West Grand Avenue for public intoxication and on a Webb County, Texas, warrant for failure to appear for auto burglary. Two other males, one 26 and the other 44, were held for public intoxication. A report was taken.
Fight - One person was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center at 8:54 p.m. Saturday after receiving injuries in a fight at the Ponca Bowl, 2000 Lake Road. Four officers of the Ponca City Police Department responded to the scene and a report was taken.
Vandalism - At 9:37 p.m. Saturday a clerk at Citgo, 320 West Grand Avenue, reported that someone had thrown a brick through the window of a pickup truck. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Assault - The Communications Center received a report of an assault from a clerk of Citgo in the 300 block of West Grand Avenue at 10:52 p.m. Saturday. An officer was assigned and a report was made that a female was going to go to the emergency room of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for treatment of injuries received in the assault.
Residence Vandalized - The Communications center received a request for assistance at a residence in the 200 block of North Third Street at 12:15 a.m. Sunday. An officer was assigned and information was logged that the door of the residence had been vandalized.
Citation Issued - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of West Highland Avenue and North Osage Street at 12:30 a.m. Sunday that a juvenile female was being taken to an apartment on North Fourteenth Street and released with a juvenile citation issued to an adult relative.
Assault - The Communications Center received a 911 call at 12:41 a.m. Sunday from the 800 block of North Palm Street that a fight was occurring in the alley. Two officers were assigned and a 38-year-old female was held for domestic assault and battery.
Curfew Violations - An employee at Ponca Bowl, 2000 Lake Road, requested assistance at 12:41 a.m. Sunday reporting that several juveniles in the business had been requested to leave as a result of the curfew ordinance. Several refused and three officers of the Ponca City Police Department responded, and issued citations to those that had stayed behind.
Gas Drive-Off - The Communications Center received a 911 call from a clerk at Jack Griffiths, 2501 North Fourteenth Street, that a subject had driven off without paying for $8 worth of gas at 3 a.m. Sunday. An officer was assigned and the information was logged.
Subject Held - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of South Fourteenth Street and East South Avenue at 4:02 a.m. Sunday that a 41-year-old man was being held for DUI. A vehicle was towed from the scene.
Fight in Parking Lot - The Communications Center received a report at 5:46 a.m. Sunday that a fight had occurred in the parking lot of a business at Fourth Street and East South Avenue. Four officers were assigned and the information was logged that subjects had left the scene. The emergency room of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center reported a victim receiving treatment from the fight at 7:41 a.m. Sunday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Accident - A vehicle accident in the 900 block of East Highland Avenue was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:13 a.m. Sunday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Accident - A man was at the Ponca City Police Department at 9:59 a.m. Sunday to report an accident. Oklahoma Highway Patrol was notified that the accident had occurred 2.6 miles east of Fourteenth Street on Lake Road.
Gas Drive-Off - An employee of Conoco Convenience, 1613 West South Avenue that a subject had driven off without paying for gas at 11:01 a.m. Sunday and headed north on Waverly Street. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Larceny - An employee at Barely New, 1804 North Fifth Street, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 2:47 p.m. Sunday that a larceny had occurred. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Suspicious Activity - The manager at EZ Mart, 2225 North Fourteenth Street, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:05 p.m. Sunday that a subject had attempted to cash a possible stolen money order. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Subject Held - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of Oak Street and West Grand Avenue at 4:12 p.m. Sunday that a 40-year-old man was being held on two city warrants for failure to appear.
Subject Held - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 2100 block of North Fourteenth Street at 4:08 p.m. Sunday that a 42-year-old man was being held for driving under suspension.
Hit and Run - A clerk at Triple T, South Waverly Street and West South Avenue, reported to the Communications Center at 5:04 p.m. Sunday that three vehicles had been hit by another vehicle that had left the scene at old U.S. 60 and Waverly. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol and two officers of the Ponca City Police Department were notified and a suspected vehicle was located at the intersection of North Lake Street and West Hazel Avenue.
Bicycle Stolen - A person in the 800 block of Gray Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 5:48 p.m. Sunday that a bicycle had been stolen. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Hay in the Roadway - A man reported to the Ponca City Police Department
at 6:06 p.m. Sunday that two large bales of hay were in the northbound lane
of U.S. 177 4.5 miles south of U.S. 60. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol was
notified to handle the situation.
LIFESTYLES
Margaret Hoepfinger was hostess for the Feb. 11 meeting of the Kildare FCE group. She read the devotion and Helen Janda led the singing of "By the Sea." Moni Neville called roll with 10 members answering with a "favorite fabric."
Melba Irwin, treasurer, reported a donation of $20 each was sent to the Heart Association and the Cancer fund. A committee report was given on serving supper for the Rural Water District three meeting. Kildare FCE and Kildare 4-H will serve the supper on March 14 at the Kildare school. This will be the first year for the groups to combine in this effort.
Ms. Neville distributed material for the Tooth Fairy pillows with nine pillows to be presented to Kildare kindergarten students and 11 pillows to Peckham kindergarteners.
Announcement was made that the county association meeting would be Feb. 23 at the FCE building in Blackwell. Helen Janda and Margaret Hoepfinger were recognized for perfect attendance this past year. Each member attending is asked to take a display exhibit and a covered dish for the luncheon.
A discussion was also held on the Northwest District Association meeting planned for March 12 at Red Rock. Ms. Neville and Ms. Janda will help with registration of guests. Mary Buesing reported the Feb. 22 meeting will be hosted by Moni Neville with Karen Overman serving as lesson leader.
The January brunch and meeting of the Chrysanthemum Garden Club was held in the home of Rita Robbins. Following recitation of the Gardener's Creed Florence Williams read the minutes and roll call was answered by "flowers that bloomed during the holiday season." Eva Sales was welcomed back as a member of the group.
Mary Copeland presented the treasurer's report and Mrs. Robbins, president, read several items pertaining to upcoming events such as a program by the garden council and a trip to the Wichita Lawn and Garden show. A seed swap will be conducted at the garden center. Deloris Letourneau will be the hostess for the Feb. 20 meeting.
Billy Ray and Nici Thurman, 609 South Palm, announce the birth of a daughter
Feb. 12, 1998 at the Blackwell Regional Hospital. The 6-pound, 6-ounce baby
has been named Victoria Raylynn Thurman.
SPORTS
By Fred Hilton
News Sports Editor
Don't count the Sooners out just yet.
The Oklahoma basketball team limped out of Gallagher-Iba Arena Saturday after losing 70-66 in a game when nothing went the way it was supposed to, especially for OU.
The win gave the Sooners and Cowboys identical 8-4 records in the Big 12 with the Pokes getting the edge if the two teams end the season still tied.
The two Oklahoma teams are now two game in front of the rest of the Big 12 southern division pact. But there is still a lot of basketball to be played.
OSU has a pair of tough road games, at Texas Tech and Kansas State, before ending the regular season with two even tougher home games, against Texas and Kansas.
The Cowboys held off Tech for a hard fought 66-63 win at home back in January, but the Raiders have won eight of 10 home games this season. Tech is 6-6 in the Big 12 (one of six 6-6 teams in the league) and is positioning itself for a favorable seeding in the conference tournament.
K-State, also 6-6, was unbeaten at home until the Jayhawks broke that string, 73-58, Saturday.
Texas has been up and down in the Big 12 but not against OSU. The Horns swept the Cowboys last season and easily handled the Pokes, 88-73, at home three weeks ago.
Kansas (11-1, 27-3) is, well, Kansas.
OU is at home this week against Baylor and Missouri and then take to the road against Kansas and Texas Tech.
The Sooners nipped the Bears 61-60 on Baylor's court. Baylor has lost six of eight games since upsetting OSU 97-95 in two overtimes on Jan. 17.
Missouri hasn't won on the road yet.
Kansas is still Kansas and Texas Tech beat the Sooners at home 70-68 earlier this month.
Still Oklahoma State coach Eddie Sutton said after Saturday's win he feels the remaining schedule favors the Sooners, although he did not say for the umpteenth time that he feels OU is the second best team in all of the Big 12.
OU spark plug Corey Brewer is still not convinced OSU is the better team and said so even after the latest loss to the Cowboys.
"I thought if we had gotten a few breaks at the end of this game then we would have won," Brewer said.
"We started out aiming to win the Big 12 southern division and that is still the aim," OU coach Kelvin Simpson said late Saturday.
The fact that the Sooners have a myriad of injuries was not used as an excuse by Sampson.
But he admitted, "the thing that hurts with all the injuries is that we can't practice. You don't practice much at this point in the season, but you still need to stay sharp and we can't."
Sampson didn't say so, but that might explain the unexplainable - how the Sooners could hit 56 percent of its shots from the field, hold the Cowboys to 39 percent shooting and still lose.
Part of the answer only deepens the mystery. The shorter Cowboys out rebounded OU 35-24, 18-8 in the crucial second half. Worst still, the Cowboys had a 20-4 advantage on the offensive boards.
That gave OSU 61 field goal attempts to just 39 by the Sooners.
OU had gone into the game averaging 39.2 rebounds per game and had the second best (to Kansas) rebounding margin, a plus-8.2 in the Big 12.
Saturday's rebounding margin surprised even the Cowboys.
"We killed them" Brett Robisch said, more in shock than in bragging.
"I'm not a betting man," Sutton said, "but I would have bet we wouldn't have out rebounded OU. That is something they do really well."
Sampson did give a partial explanation. Trying to slow the smaller, quicker Cowboys, the coach put the Sooners in a zone defense.
"The longer the shot, the longer the rebound," Sampson said after the game, "We have to get more rebounding from our guards."
That's why Adrian Peterson tied Brett Robisch with nine rebounds for the Cowboys while Desmond Mason had eight before fouling out with almost four minutes left.
But it's harder to explain why OU's 6-11 Evan Wiley managed just one rebound and 14 minutes of playing time.
But if this is considered a one-game anomaly, then Sutton's assessment of the Sooners' chances may still hold true.
But this is the same Sutton who agreed readily with the preseason prognosticators who predicted the Cowboys would do well to be also-rans in the Big 12 southern division.
BARTLESVILLE - The Po-Hi swim team pulled out all the stops Friday and Saturday, taking on seven teams in the Frontier Conference Swimming and Diving Championships in Bartlesville.
Both the boys' and girls' teams finished in fifth place.
"Everyone had pretty solid swims," said coach Dave Strah. "It would have been nice to see some quicker times at this point in a few races, but overall the kids did a fine job."
For the Wildcats, sophomore Rory Peterson placed third in both the 200 and 500 free to garner All-conference honors, and led the Cats with 24 points.
For the Lady Cats, junior Megan Tomek was the lead point earner, placing second in the 50 free and eighth in the 100 fly for 18 points. Tomek's second place finish also qualified her for All-conference honors, as did freshman Sunita Chahar's third place finish in the 100 breast.
Sophomores Jessica Leung and Shannon Mersman won All-conference on the girls' side as well. Along with Tomek and Chahar, they placed third in the 200 medley relay and second in the 200 free relay, setting a new team record in the latter, at a time of 1:48.79.
Adding points to the Poncans' total on the boys' side were DJ Nuzum with a tenth place finish in the 200 free, Chris Kana with a sixth place finish in the 200 IM and a seventh in the 100 back, Greg Dunham with a fourth in the 100 breast and an eighth in the 200 IM, while Dane Pryse got a tenth in the 50 free.
Kana posted personal best times in both his finishes, while Dunham had a personal best time in the 200 IM.
Freshman Eric Whitebay also had a pair of personal best times in the 200 and 500 free, beating his previous best in the latter by six seconds to qualify for state for the first time in any event.
"Eric has done great work over the last year," said Strah. "He trained all summer with the club team, and he's continued to work hard this year with the high school."
Also posting points for the Lady Cats were Melissa Alcantra with eleventh place finishes in both the 200 and 500 free, Chahar with a ninth in the 200 IM, Mersman with a twelfth in the 200 IM and a fifth in the 100 back, Carol Stauffer with a seventh in the 50 free and a ninth in the 100 free, while Andra Nuzum had an eighth place finish in the 500 free.
Alcantra and Stauffer posted personal best times in both their races, Nuzum had a best time in the 500 free, while Mersman had a personal best in the 100 back.
Diver Eric Chambray also garnered All-conference honors, placing second in a field of seven divers with a score of 350.75 over 11 dives.
The swim team goes to a "last chance" qualifying meet on Thursday
at Tulsa Union for swimmers who are close to state qualifying times. The
state meet is Feb. 27-28.