From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Monday, April
4, 1998
LOCAL
Campaigning for Mayor Beginning To Wind Down
Nearly News
Editorial
Open Meeting Seminar Important
Cyclists To Make Run to 'The Wall That Heals'
Outdoor Drawing Class Offered
Clay Class For Adults Offered
Where To Vote
DEATHS
Augustus Louis Robedeaux
Obituaries
Verl Dean Hess
Funerals
Zelma Earlene (Sober) Nelson
Services Pending
Kathleen A. Dixon
NEWS BRIEFS
LIFESTYLES
Class of 1968 Schedules Reunion
Little News
Professor Will Present Archeology Program
Garden Club Meeting
SPORTS
Monday Evening Quarterback
Lady Cat Netters Win Sapulpa Tournament
Glencoe Wins Frontier Tourney
By PATTI PFEIFFER
News Staff Writer
For the four mayoral candidates, it will not be business as usual but campaigning as usual, on this the last full day before the election. From phone calls to personal appearances to campaign drives throughout town, this will be the day the candidates will strive for the attention - and votes - of the citizens.
For some more than others, the day will be used to its fullest. Candidate Tom Leonard wanting to make the most of the day, hit the campaign trail early. Beginning at 6:30 a.m. he was front and center at the gates of a local company, greeting employees on their way to work.
According to Leonard, he will continue to be make those campaign appearances at several locations throughout the day. The campaigning will end with the phone bank as Leonard and his team make calls to remind voters of the election tomorrow.
Candidate Melvin Schoonover also started campaigning before the break of dawn. Beginning at 6 a.m. Schoonover spoke to several groups and then began handing out flyers throughout the city. He will continue his flyer campaign into the evening.
Throughout the day people may see the "Balcer banner truck" as Candidate Carl Balcer drives his campaign through the streets of Ponca City. The white truck will be hard to miss with the big blue campaign banner surrounding it. The Balcer team will also be busy manning the phones today, making those last minute reminder calls.
Candidate Richard (Dick) Stone will spend his day attending to business and the evening campaigning in front of a television camera. According to Stone, his campaign phone bank has been operated for a full week. However those that have yet to receive a call from Stone will not be receiving one tonight. Stone feels that voters have already seen the ads, read the newspaper articles, attended the forums, received the calls and have made their decision.
For those voters who are yet undecided, a taped broadcast of Tuesday's mayoral forum can be seen at 7 p.m. tonight on channel 22.
The election has kept and will continue to keep the Kay County Election Board officials busy. In preparation of tomorrow's election ballots and voting machines will be delivered to the precincts today.
Absentee voting which began Thursday, will continue until 5 p.m. today. Described Thursday afternoon as "really good" absentee voting later slowed.
"Voting slacked off and almost died Friday," Election Board Secretary Carol Stafford said today. However, due to the large number of mayoral candidates, Stafford is predicting a higher than average turnout Tuesday.
The election polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and any registered voter, residing in the city limits, may vote. The location of the voting precincts are listed on page 8B.
The names of the mother and daughter identified in Sunday's paper at McCord Elementary were wrong. The correct names should be Debbie and Amy Robbins.
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Members of various government boards, agencies and committees as well as all elected officials are reminded about Attorney Gen. Drew Edmondson's Tuesday afternoon seminar on the Oklahoma Open Meetings and Open Records Act. The event is 1-4 p.m. at Pioneer Area Technology Center. The public is encouraged to attend. The event is co-hosted by The News.
Vote Wisely Tuesday
Ponca City voters will go to the polls Tuesday to select a new mayor, or at least narrow the field down.
Four volunteers have stepped forward as candidates and each has campaigned to the best of his abilities to succeed two-term Mayor Marilyn Andrews.
Although stranger things have happened, it is quite likely the field will be cut in half after Tuesday's vote and a runoff will be held for the city's chief executive officer position.
Two city commissioners - Richard Stone and Tom Leonard; a former mayor, Carl Balcer, and a former city employee, Melvin Schoonover, are in the running.
Each has presented his case and now it is up to the voters to wisely consider just which candidate should be elected.
Consider the issues, reflect upon the candidates' positions, and cast the vote for the man who you think is mostly qualified to lead Ponca City into the 21st century.
Attorney Gen. Drew Edmondson and assistants will be at Pioneer Technology Center Tuesday for an important session.
Edmondson is a firm believer in Oklahoma's Open Meeting and Open Records Act. He and his staff will conduct a three-hour seminar to explain the act to area elected officials and members of any board, commission or committee that comes under the jurisdiction of the act.
The public is invited to attend the session.
Edmondson and his staff will explain the responsibility public servants have to keep their meetings and their records available to you, the public.
Openness in government is essential and this session should help each of us to achieve that goal.
By KATHY ZEHR
News Staff Writer
More than 500 motorcyclists plan to participate in a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Run to "The Wall That Heals" Vietnam Memorial on April 18 in Ponca City. The ride will begin at 11 a.m. at Performance Plus, 111 East Oklahoma Avenue, and continue to the Wall, located at Resthaven Memorial Park, north on U.S. 77 then east on Hubbard Road.
According to Jeri Casey and Sue Salmon, coordinators, the first 200 riders to register for the ride will received free Vietnam Wall Memorial t-shirts, courtesy of United Supermarkets of Oklahoma.
J. Snell, Oklahoma United Supermarkets representative has also been instrumental in subsidizing costs for the 300 t-shirts for worker/volunteers during the Wall's visit. United has also advertised the Ponca City exhibit throughout Oklahoma in weekly grocery tabs, and has been a leading financial contributor.
"The Wall That Heals" is an exact half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. More than 58,000 names are listed on the wall in chronological order according to the date of death. It will be open 24-hours-a-day April 16-19. Admission is free.
Other activities planned in conjunction with the Wall's visit include an opening ceremony at 10 a.m. April 16 with more than 320 U.S. Flags flying (weather permitting); a 24-hour manned watchfire, 15 to 20 Color Guards, a Vietnam memorabilia exhibit, information trailer, and a closing ceremony at 6 p.m. April 19. Distinguished guests for the event include Oklahoma Adjutant General Stephen Phelps Cortright, a former Ponca Citian, and Col. Roger Hugh Donlon (ret.) the First Medal of Honor recipient of the Vietnam War.
The traveling "Wall That Heals" is a 250-foot wide replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. The half-scale replica, exact to the letter and inch of the original has two wings, approximately 123 feet each. The wings meet at an angle of 121 degrees to raise to a height of 5-feet at their vertex. The 58,202 names on the Wall are laser-etched into panels of reflective black, powder-coated heavy aluminum.
"'The Wall That Heals' replica is now traveling to towns and cities across the nation - taking the souls enshrined on the Memorial back to the places they called home - to exist among friends and family once more - in the comfort and peace of familiar surroundings," says Jan Scruggs, memorial founder.
More than 100,000 people have viewed the replica since the tour began in 1996. The Wall can only travel to 40-45 communities across the U.S. this year, staying approximately 3-days at each location. Citizens from many miles around the area are expected to visit the Ponca City site to search for names of husbands, fathers, sons and friends.
For more information or to register for the Memorial Motorcycle ride to the Wall, interested persons may call Casey at (580) 765-7925 or Salmon at (580) 762-5223 or Resthaven Memorial Park 762-5659.
Outdoor drawing is a new class offered during the next session of youth art classes at the Ponca City Art Center.
Cindy Rasche and Anna Adams feel the outdoor drawing class is a wonderful way to enjoy drawing and the fresh spring weather together. Students can choose from a variety of media including pastels, pencils, colored pencils and charcoal. Drawing can be done outside but can be brought inside if the weather turns bad.
Clay handling classes start Wednesdays, 3:30-5 p.m. Students can make a bowl, a bank, sculpt a head or animal or try the potter's wheel. The cost of the clay handbuilding class is $25 with a $10 fee for the stoneware clay and lead-free glazes. Anna Adams will be the instructor.
No experience is needed for any of the classes. Even though basic skills will be stressed, students will be encouraged to develop their own creativity. All tools and material are provided, but old shirts, aprons or smocks are recommended.
The mixed media class has had to be delayed.
If there is an interest for adult art classes in any media, contact Donna at the Art Center at 765-9746.
To register, call 765-9746, Wednesday-Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Classes are limited to 10 students. Students need to be members of the Art Center and yearly memberships begin at $10. For more information about the courses, contact instructors Anna Adams at 765-5086 or Cindy Rasche at 765-5332.
For people who like the feel of potters clay in their hands, the clay class for adults offered by the Ponca City Art Center may be just the thing. Join Cindy Rasche on Fridays, 1-3 p.m., at the Art Center and she will be available to answer any questions while students work on their hand-built or wheel-thrown projects.
The studio fee is $25 and does not include the cost of the clay. The clay is available from the ceramics lab at $10 for 25 pounds.
To register, call Donna Secrest, 765-9746, Wednesday through Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Students need to be members of the Art Center and yearly memberships begin at $10. For more information concerning the clay class, call Cindy Rasche, 7675-5332.
Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday for the Ponca City mayoral election, and the Blackwell commissioner of public property election.
Where to vote:
Kay County Precinct Locations
Rural
Ponca City
Blackwell
PAWNEE - Augustus Louis "Gus" Robedeaux, former Pawnee area resident, died Friday, April 3, 1998, in Skiatook. He was 85.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Pawnee (Okla.) Indian Baptist Church with the Rev. Warren Pratt Jr. and the Rev. Greenfeather officiating. Burial will follow in the Otoe-Missouria Cemetery at Red Rock, under the direction of Poteet Funeral Home, Pawnee.
Augustus Louis "Gus" Robedeaux was born Feb. 3, 1913 in Morrison, the son of Charles Augustus and Julia Bahylle Robedeaux. He attended Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma. Robedeaux served as a technical sergeant in the 8th U.S. Army Air Corps and the 9th Air Force during World War II.
He was married to Jessie Mae Butler, and she preceded him in death on April 19, 1979. Robedeaux served as a guidance counselor at Chilocco Indian School for many years. He was an active volunteer in the Boy Scouts of America for many years and a member of the Pawnee Indian Baptist Church.
Survivors include one son, Jess Robedeaux of Skiatook; three grandsons; one brother, Baptiste Robedeaux of Blackburn; one sister, Lolly Wilson of Tahlequah; a sister-in-law and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
OKLAHOMA CITY - Verl Dean "Bud" Hess, former Ponca City resident, died Saturday, April 4, 1998, surrounded by family and friends at his home in Oklahoma City. He was 67.
A wake service will be held at 7 p.m. today at the Vondel L. Smith and Son Mortuaries South Colonial Chapel, 6934 South Western Street, Oklahoma City. Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 7, at Little Flower Catholic Church. Burial will be in Resthaven Memory Gardens Cemetery in Oklahoma City.
Verl Dean "Bud" Hess was born July 21, 1930 in Ponca City, to John and Ludena (Weber) Hess. He served as captain of the basketball team and graduated from St. Mary's High School in Ponca City.
Bud retired in 1984 as manager of Beneficial Finance after 25 years of service. He continued his career as vice-president of Frontier State Bank for seven years, and had worked the last six years with his family at Video Vending.
Survivors include his loving wife of 49 years Carolyn Hess; one daughter, Dee Marie Benvenuto and husband Kenny; one son, Kent Hess and wife Dina; one brother, William Hess and wife Dorothy; one sister, Doris Bussey and husband Tugan; and four grandchildren, Dana Martin and husband Mike, Angie Benvenuto, Nicole Hess, and Michael Hess.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and two sisters, Pat Goodner and Alice Johnson.
paid obituary
Wednesday
Zelma Earlene (Sober) Nelson - Funeral to be at 9:30 a.m. at the Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home, Southeast Chapel in Del City. Graveside rites and burial will be at 2 p.m. at Longwood Cemetery, east of Ponca City.
Kathleen A. Dixon
Kathleen A. White Dixon, longtime Ponca City resident, died Saturday
evening, April 4, 1998, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 82.
The funeral is set for 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Community Christian Church.
Memorials may be made to Community Christian Church, 2109 West Grand, Ponca
City, OK 74601. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.
NEWS BRIEFS
Tea Party - Sage, Rosemary and Thyme Garden Club members will meet Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at the home of Jannie Ross, 402 North Sixth. Co-hostess will be Hilary Cooley. Holly Harpster will present the program "An English Tea Party." For more information about the organization call Mary Anne Potter, 767-1957.
Civil Air Patrol - The Civil Air Patrol, civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, will hold its organizational meeting Tuesday, 7 p.m., in the Emergency Operations Center in the police station.
Easter Eggs - The Group One, Inc. Realtors Easter Egg Hunt will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at War Memorial Park (south of Hutchins Memorial) for children eight years of age and younger. There will be four age groups: two and under, three and four-year-old, five and six-year-olds and seven and eight-year-olds. Every child who participates will have the opportunity to meet and have their picture taken with the Easter Bunny.
Auxiliary Meeting - American Legion Post 38 (Ponca Indian Buffalo Post) auxiliary will meet this evening at 7:30 in Office 108 of the Ponca Tribal Cultural Center in White Eagle. Women interested in membership are urged to attend. The auxiliary meets the first Monday of each month.
Monthly Meeting - American Legion Post 38 (Ponca Indian Buffalo Post) will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday for its regular monthly meeting, according to Delbert Cole, post commander. All members are urged to attend. Membership and other items will be discussed. The meeting is in Office 108 of the Ponca Tribal Cultural Center in White Eagle. Refreshments will be served.
Loose Nuts - At 8:41 a.m. Saturday a man reported to police that the lug nuts on his vehicle had been loosened while he was at work in the 1900 block of North Fourteenth Street. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Stolen Sandals - A woman called police at 10:36 a.m. Saturday to report that her sandals had been stolen from the 1900 block of North Fourteenth Street. An officer was assigned and a grand larceny report was taken.
Boat Fire - At 10:44 a.m. Saturday a man called police requesting assistance after his boat caught fire on Kaw Lake. The Kay County Sheriff's officer was notified.
Juvenile Shoplifter - A juvenile was issued a citation at 12:58 p.m. Saturday after he reportedly shoplifted at Hastings Books and Videos, 2101 North Fourteenth Street.
Attempted Break-In - At 1:21 p.m. Saturday a man in the 700 block of East Albany Avenue called police to report that someone had attempted to break into his home. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Minor Accident - A minor backing accident was reported at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in the 1000 block of North Pine Street. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Accident - At 4:33 p.m. Saturday an accident in the 3000 block of North Fourteenth Street was reported. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Theft - A woman in the 1000 block of Shady Place contacted police at 6:45 p.m. Saturday to report some items stolen off her pickup truck. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Arrest - Police arrested a 45-year-old man at 6:58 p.m. Saturday from the 500 block of West Cleveland Avenue for giving false information to a police officer and on a city warrant for failure to appear.
Sneaky Snake - At 7:05 p.m. Saturday a man in the 400 block of South Fifth Street called police reporting that he had caught a snake in his residence.
Hit and Run - A man contacted police at 7:54 p.m. Saturday to report that his vehicle had been hit in a parking lot in the 1200 block of East Prospect Avenue. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Accident and Arrest - A 53-year-old man was arrested for driving while intoxicated, transporting an open container and following too close after being involved in a three-vehicle accident at 8:45 p.m. Saturday in the 800 block of East Prospect Avenue.
Flower Pot Thrown - At 9:18 p.m. Saturday a woman in the 900 block of North Third Street called police to report that someone had thrown a flowerpot and broken it. A report was taken.
Arrest - Police arrested an 18-year-old man at 10:19 p.m. Saturday from North Ash Street and West Broadway Avenue on a city warrant for failure to appear and no driver's license.
Window Broken - At 10:38 p.m. Saturday a woman in the 2500 block of East Hartford Avenue called police to report that the window had been broken out of a vehicle she was driving. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Arrest - A 40-year-old man was arrested from the 1700 block of Little Lane at 10:59 p.m. Saturday for domestic assault and battery.
Harassment - At 1:51 a.m. Sunday a man in the 3500 block of Springwood advised police that he was being harassed. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Window Broken - Police were notified at 3:13 a.m. Sunday that a window at the VFW, 2900 block of East Prospect Avenue, had been broken. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Arrest - Police arrested a 40-year-old female at 4:46 a.m. Sunday from the 100 block of South Pine Street for domestic assault and battery.
Stolen Bike - At 9:15 a.m. Sunday a woman in the 900 block of North Osage Street contacted police to report the theft of a bicycle. A report was taken.
Stinky Surprise - At 10:11 a.m. Sunday police were notified there was a skunk in the ladies restroom at the soccer field in the 4100 block of Lake Road. Animal Control was notified.
Gas Drive-Off - At 11:53 a.m. Sunday an $11 gas drive-off was reported at the Citgo, 400 East South Avenue. A report was taken.
Bike Stolen - A woman in the 800 block of West Highland Avenue advised police at 12:30 p.m. Sunday that a bike had been stolen. A report was taken.
Assault - A woman called police at 4:19 p.m. Sunday to report that she had been assaulted in the 900 block of South Twelfth Street. An officer was assigned and an assault and battery report was taken.
Arrest - Police arrested a 27-year-old man at 11:51 p.m. Sunday on a city warrant for failure to obey.
Break-In - At 1:01 a.m. Monday police were notified of a break-in at Wentz Camp. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Arrest - A 36-year-old man was arrested at 2:23 a.m. Monday from Hubbard Road and North Union Street for driving under the influence, left of center and speeding.
Burglary - At 4:16 a.m. Monday a burglary at Old West Liquor, 3211 North
Fourteenth Street, was reported. An officer was assigned and a report was
taken.
LIFESTYLES
The 30th reunion for the 1968 graduating class at Ponca City High School is scheduled July 3-5. The reunion committee is asking class members to respond by e-mail, fax or mail as soon as possible.
Committee members and their e-mail addresses are Darlene Hughes LaPilusa, JDLAPILUSA@aol.com; Marilyn Ellis Inselman, Trader.Dave@mailexcite.com; Marion Neese Kelly, mkelly_wf@compuserve.com; Sharon Holcomb Jones, cnlyjns@aol.com Information may be sent by fax to the class of '68 at 817 416-9204 or mailed to class of '68, 2309 Glenmore Pl., Ponca City, Ok 74601.
A Ponca City High School Alumni Web Page is available on the Internet. If you are not registered with your e-mail address please do so soon. If you have moved, please update your address on the page. The Po-Hi address is http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~cburch/pohi/index.html
On July 3, 7:30 p.m., there will be a gathering at Hero's Bar and Grill. Dress is casual. July 4 registration will be at the Ponca City Cultural Center on Grand Avenue, 10 a.m.-noon. A photo will be taken at that time. The evening of July 4 will include dinner and dancing at the Ponca City Country Club. Music will be provided by Eskimo Joe's Road Crew's disc jockey. More information as to cost and details will be provided by a member of the committee.
Rick and Kristi Myers, 1605 Blake, announce the birth of their son, Paxton Grey Myers. He was born at 5:06 p.m. Feb. 25, 1998 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He weighed 9-pounds, 12-ounces and was 22-inches long. The baby has a sister, Madison, 5, and a brother, Garrett, 2-years-old.
Grandparents are Jack and Mary Mason of Ponca City, Cecil Crabtree and Dorothy Marquardt of Guthrie, Larry and Winnie Myers of Kaw City. Louise Cochran of Fairfax is the great-grandmother.
Zaramae Evon Jackson is the name selected by Ronnie and Michelle Jackson for their fifth daughter. Her sisters are Sharhonda, 7; Camille, 6; Rashonda, 5; Alexis, 1.
Paternal grandparents are Ora and Curtis Jackson of Ponca City. Paternal great-grandparents are Ed and Juanita Swygert of Ponca City.
Maternal grandparents are Lucinda Sutton of Braman and Jess and Rose Sutton of Blackwell. Maternal great-grandparents are Wanda Gilmore of Abilene, Kan., Linnie Sutton of Tonkawa, the late Henry Gilmore and the late Jess Sutton.
The Kay County Chapter of the Oklahoma Anthropology Society will meet Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Conoco Fourth Street Clubhouse. The public is welcome to attend.
Guest speaker will be Dr. Cameron Wesson, Associate Professor of Archeology at the University of Oklahoma. His topic will be "Archeology of the Olmec of Central Mexico."
Sage, Rosemary and Thyme Garden Club members will meet April 8 at 9:30 a.m. at the home of Jannie Ross, 402 North Sixth. Co-hostess will be Hilary Cooley.
Holly Harpster will present the program "An English Tea Party." Members of the garden club are asked to come attired for a tea party, including hat.
Club members are asked to bring items for the Serendipity Table being
taken care of by Mrs. Ross, Mrs. Cooley and Maye Glasgow. For more information
abut the organization call Mary Anne Potter, 767-1957.
SPORTS
by FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
STILLWATER - The Oklahoma State connection couldn't come through to help Team USA retain the World Cup Freestyle Wrestling title Sunday at Gallagher-Iba Arena.
The three U.S. wrestlers with OSU ties all lost in the gold medal dual against Russia. All three were handicapped going into the last bout of the tournament.
Heavyweight Tom Erikson was wrestling with one eye and a slight concussion. J.J. McGrew was ill, throwing up twice during his match, and Tony Purler was exhausted.
"This is a tough tournament," USA coach Mike McArthur said before accepting the runner up trophy. "Wrestlers expend more energy in one day than most athletes do in a week."
The Worlds Cup wrestlers ground out five duals in two days as some of the top freestyle wrestlers in the world clashed.
The U.S. beat Germany 20-8 and Cuba 21-10 Saturday afternoon before edging Iran 16-12 in an emotional dual Saturday night. The Americans then topped Japan, 29-1 early Sunday to head into the final dual unbeaten. However, Russia (which lost to Iran 16-13) and Iran each had just one loss in the tournament.
The Russians won five of the eight matches to overcome the American's bonus points in two weights to win the deciding dual, 16-15.
The dual came down to the final match, Erikson against Russia's Andrei Shumilin. But Erikson's left eye was swollen shut after he was kicked while pinning Japan's Hiroyuki Obata just an hour earlier.
"Tom had a slight concussion and couldn't see out of that one eye," McArthur said. "It was very painful and since heavyweights do a lot of leaning in Tom kept aggravating it."
Shumilin got an early one-point takedown and then all he had to do was keep Erikson from scoring. He did that, winning a referee's decision after overtime.
But there were other disappointments for the Americans.
At 127.75 pounds. Purler lost a close 5-2 decision to Chamil Umakhanov.
But Purler hadn't completely recovered from a grueling 12-9 decision over Japan's Yuji Ishijima earlier when the former Cowboy had to come from behind.
"Definately,' McArthur said when asked if Purler had left it all on the mat against the Japanese. "That match was much tougher than we had anticipated."
That loss gave Russia a 6-2 lead in the team scoring. But, Cary Kolat quickly tied the score with a 11-0 technical fall at 138.75 pounds, Lincoln McIlravy got a fall at 152 and Dan St. John won 3-2 in overtime at 167.5 to give the Americans a 13-7 cushion.
But reigning World Champion Les Gutches was upset 4-2 by Russia's Alexi Krupniakov at 187.25 pounds.
That left McGrew to face Russian World champion Kuramagomed Kuramagomedov and the Russian held off the former OSU NCAA champion, 6-2.
"J.J. was pretty sick," McArthur said. "He hadn't warmed up properly and it affected him."
That closed the gap to 15-13, Russia needed a shutout win in the final match and got it.
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The World Cup is the best example of sports overcoming political adversity. Although the U.S. has strained relationships with both Iran and Cuba, none of that showed through the two days the athletes were in Stillwater.
Iran almost had the home court advantage as at least half of the 3,000-plus fans in Gallagher-Iba were Iranian, mostly those living in the U.S.
They brought a monstrous Iran flag which was draped over most of the upper level seats at the north end of the arena. The fans also had smaller Iran flags to wave and were by far the more vocal group at the World Cup.
The U.S. fans countered with wavable flags of their own. But it was all in the spirit of good sportsmanship.
This World Cup was the first time Iran athletes had participated on U.S. soil and was preceded by the U.S. taking a wrestling team to Iran a month earlier.
Conoco got in on the good-will by picking up the tab for the Russian and Iranian teams.
Conoco officials admit they hope those points will count with the Iran government when, and if, sanction against Iran are lifted.
Team Standings
1, Russia; 2, United States; 3, Iran; 4, Cuba; 5, Germany; 6, Japan.
Individual Winners
119 pounds - Gold, Bahman Tayebi, Iran; Silver, Sam Henson, Norman, Okla.; Bronze, Leonid Chuchonov, Russia.
12734 - Gold, Ali Reza Dabier, Iran; Silver, Chamil Umakhanov, Russia; Bronze, Tony Purler, Norman, Okla.
13834 - Gold, Cary Kolat, Lock Haven, Pa.; Silver, Jurgen Scheibe, Germany, Bronze, Abbas Haji Kenari, Iran.
152 - Gold, Lincoln McIlravy, Iowa City, Iowa; Silver, Teymuraz Oroussov, Russia; Bronze, Yosmany Sanchez, Cuba.
16712 - Gold, Alexander Leipold, Germany; Silver, Dan St. John, Tulsa, Okla.; Bronze, Majied Khodaeem Iran.
18714 - Gold, Yoel Romero, Cuba; Silver, Alexei Kruopniakov, Russia; Bronze, Les Gutches, Corvallis, Ore.
21334 - Gold, Abbas Jadidi, Iran; Silver, Kuramagomed Kuramagomedov, Russia; Bronze, Wilfredo Morales, Cuba.
286 - Gold, Andrei Shumilin, Russia; Silver, Tom Erikson, W. Lafayette, Ind.; Bronze, Alexis Rodriguez, Cuba.
Sunday's Duals
Cuba 24, Germany 9
119 pounds - Wilfredo Garcia, Cuba, dec. Vasili Zeihe, Germany, 8-1.
12734 - Joendris Albear, Cuba, dec. Othmar Kuhner, Germany, 6-0.
13834 - Carlos Ortiz, Cuba, dec. Jurgen Scheibe, Germany, 5-1.
152 - Yosmany Sanchez, Cuba, inj. dft. over Fatih Ozbas, Germany.
16712 - Alexander Leipold, Germany, dec. Daniel Gonzales, Cuba, 3-1.
18714 - Yoel Romero, Cuba, dec. Andre Backhaus, Germany, 8-0.
21334 - Wilfredo Morales, Cuba, by forfeit.
286 - Alexis Rodriguez, Cuba, dec. Sven Thiele, Germany, 5-0.
Iran 16, Russia 13
119 - Bahman Tayebi, Iran, dec. Leonid Chuchunov, Russia, 7-2.
12734 - Ali Reza Dabier, Iran, dec. Chamil Umakhanov, Russia, 13-6.
13834 - Abbas Haji Kenari, Iran, dec. Andrei Yakovlev, Russia, 5-0.
152 - Teymuraz Oroussov, Russia, pin Massoud Jamshidi, Iran, 4:37.
16712 - Adam Saitiev, Russia, dec. Majied Khodaee, Iran, 14-5.
18714 - Ali Reza Heidari, Iran, dec. Alexei Krupniakov, Russia, 4-3.
21334 - Abbas Jadidi, Iran, dec. Kuramagomed Kuramagomedov, Russia, 3-1, ot, 5:37.
286 - Andrei Shumilin, Russia, vs. Ali Reza Rezaei, Iran, 3-0, ot, 6:24.
Iran 17, Cuba 10
119 - Bahman Teyebi, Iran dec. Wilfredo Garcia, Cuba, 3-0.
12734 - Ali Reza Dabier, Iran, dec. Joendris Albear, Cuba, 10-4.
13834 - Abbas Haji Kenari, Iran, dec. Carlos Ortiz, Cuba, 6-0.
152 - Yosmany Sanchez, Cuba, dec. Massoud Jamshidi, Iran, 3-1.
16712 - Majied Khodaee, Iran, pin Daniel Gonzales, Cuba, 0:49.
18714 - Yoel Romero, Cuba, Ferydon Ghanbari, Iran, 1-0, ot, 8:00.
21334 -Abbas Jadidi, Iran, ref. dec. over Wilfredo Morales, Cuba, 1-0, ot, 8:00.
286 - Alexis Rodriguez, Cuba, dec. Ali Reza Rezaei, Iran, 3-0.
USA 29, Japan 1
119 - Sam Henson, Norman, Okla., tech. fall over Takeshi Morita, Japan, 11-0, 2:19.
12734 - Tony Purler, Norman, Okla., dec. Yuji Ishajima, Japan, 12-7.
13834 - Cary Kolat, Lock Haven, Pa., tech. fall over Isami Tsuboi, Japan, 11-0, 4:13.
152 - Lincoln McIlravy, Iowa City, Iowa, tech. fall over Ryasburo Katsu, Japan, 10-0, 4:23.
16712 - Dan St. John, Tulsa, Okla., dec. Takayasu Tomoyose, Japan, 5-0.
18714 - Les Gutches, Corvallis, Ore., ref. dec. over Tatsuo Kawai, Japan, 2-0, ot, 8;00.
21334 - J.J. McGrew, Stillwater, Okla., tech. fall over Hiroshi Kosuge, Japan, 10-0, 3:59.
286 - Tom Erikson, W. Lafayette, Ind. pin Hiroyuki Obata, Japan, 0:43.
Russia 16, USA 15
119 - Leonid Chuchunov, Russia, dec. Sam Henson, Norman, Okla., 4-3.
12734 - Chamil Umakhanov, Russia, vs. Tony Purler, Norman, Okla., 5-2.
13834 -Cary Kolat, Lock Haven, Pa., tech. fall over Andrei Yakovlev, Russia, 11-0, 4:52.
152 - Lincoln McIlravy, Iowa City, Iowa, pin Teymuraz Oroussov, Russia, 3:50.
16712 - Dan St. John, Tulsa, Okla., dec. Alexei Kasiev, Russia, 3-2, ot, 6:34.
18714 - Alexei Krupniakov, Russia, dec. Les Gutches, Corvallis, Ore., 4-2.
21334 - Kuramagomed Kuramagomedov, Russia, dec. J.J. McGrew, Stillwater, Okla., 6-3.
286 - Andrei Shumilin, Russia, ref. dec. over Tom Erikson, W. Lafayette, Ind., 1-0, ot, 8:00.
SAPULPA - The Ponca City Lady Wildcat tennis team pulled out another impressive win, Saturday, blowing past highly regarded Claremore and Muskogee to win the Highway 97 Tennis Tournament.
The Lady Cats finished with 39 points, Claremore was second with 33, while Muskogee came in third, with 31. Other teams competing were Norman North, Owasso, Sand Springs, Sapulpa, Tahlequah, and Tulsa Union.
The Lady Cats took all but one of four events, with Ashley Roussel winning in No. 1 singles play, Romi Foreman and Melissa Collogan winning No. 2 doubles, while Natalie Lindsay and Abby Frick beat out their doubles team nemesis of Susan and Miriam Yoo, of Muskogee, for the No. 1 doubles crown. The only Ponca City loss on the day came in No. 2 singles, when Emmy Hufnagel fell in the finals to finish second.
"I was really pleased with the girls," said coach Don Lambring. "We got some good draws, and some teams were without some of their best players, but hey - we'll take it. Right now we're playing with a lot of intensity, and we need to keep that up because it starts getting tougher from here."
Roussel cruised to her first place finish with straight set victories over Jackie Crahan (Sand Springs, 6-3, 6-1); Kerry Allen (Tahlequah, 6-4, 6-1); and Julie Heck (Claremore, 6-4, 6-3).
Lindsay and Frick, after shooting past Tahlequah and Sand Springs without losing a game, faced off against the Yoo Sisters, a duo the Poncans had beaten last year in the state championship to finish third. Again, Lindsay and Frick prevailed in split sets, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.
Hardly breaking a sweat were Foreman and Collogan, who lost just one game en route to their first place finish. Routs included straight set victories over Roberts-Sixkiller of Claremore and Thompson-Sanders of Sand Springs, with Dennehy-Smith of Muskogee blowing the Poncans perfect record, but succumbing, 6-1, 6-0.
Hufnagel, after topping Amy Garrett (Tahlequah, 6-0, 6-1), and Linda Sacks (Muskogee, 6-3, 6-0), ran into a worthy opponent in Claremore's Jennifer McKenzie. McKenzie won in split sets, 6-4, 0-6, 3-6, to take first place.
The Lady Cats continue play at home, Wednesday, in a dual with Cassady.
Glencoe Wins Frontier Tourney
RED ROCK - The championship game of the Frontier Tournament went down to the wire in an offensive showdown Saturday before Glencoe pulled out a 12-11 win over Ripley.
The score was tied at 10 entering the seventh inning. Glencoe's J.M. Reeves collected a one-out single and Shaun Patten followed with another base hit to put runners on first and second. The runners had to hold on a groundout back to the pitcher, but Bradley Stalling ripped his first offering into left center, scoring two runs,
But Ripley wasn't about to go away easily. Andy Toles led off the bottom of the seventh with a double. A walk to Matt Cooper put the tying run on base.
Travis Tilly forced out Cooper with Toles scoring. Tilly advanced to second and then to third on consecutive passed balls. But Glencoe pitcher Patten struck out the next batter and forced the third out on a bouncer to the shortstop.
In the other games Saturday, Carney took third place in the tournament,
battering Calumet 12-1. Cimarron won the consolation trophy, blanking Kremlin-Hillsdale,
10-0.