From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Monday, April
20, 1998
LOCAL
Nearly News
Marland Estate Panel Set To Take Up New Entrance
Reunion Sunday at Poncan Finds Three Friends Autographing Books
Miss Kaw Lake Pageant Set For May 9
Free Concert Features Area Musical Talent
Erik Love Gets High Cub Award
Kaw Lake Group Shows Off New 1998 Magazine
New Head Start Program Planned By Ponca Tribe
Po-Hi Orchestra Student Among Selected Seniors
DEATHS
Joseph Hamilton Butt
NEWS BRIEFS
LIFESTYLES
Newcomers Club Elects New Officers
Kelsey Aupperle Engaged
Little News
SPORTS
Mark Dodgen Is All-Stater
Monday Evening Quarterback
Wildcat JV Runners Up In Tourney
Mid High Tennis
Correction
The powwow set for Native American Heritage Week for April 22 at St. Mary's School has been canceled. A powwow has also been set at Trout Elementary from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. April 22.
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Staff Writer
Marland Estate Commission is slated to take action on matters tabled at the March meeting regarding the removal of the house at 1901 Rose Lane and the proposed southeast entrance into the Estate. The Rose Lane house is a part of the Estate.
Under old business the Commission, chaired by Larry Stephenson, will hear a recommendation from Nancy Severance, Facilities Committee chairman, on the Rose Lane house and the proposed south entrance.
Gerald Nield, representing the residents of Edgewood and Sugar Maple Streets, which lead to Rose Lane (the proposed south entrance would face Rose Lane), is to make a presentation.
Following these two items, the Commission is slated to "consider and vote on recommendation to remove the house at 1901 Rose Lane, widen the gate on Rose Lane for an additional entrance and exit. The Rose Lane entrance to be designated as bus and traffic entrance/exit. Post 'No truck/bus traffic signs on north and south ends of Sugar Maple and Edgewood."
Raising Admission Fees
Under new business the Estate Commission will consider and vote to approve waiver of admission fee inside the Marland Mansion for Oil Boom Day, and consider and vote to change admission fee. Ponca City residents will still be admitted free.
The proposed change is from $4 to $5 for adults, and from $2 for groups of 20 or more to $3. Senior fees which are $3 for individuals and $2 for tours would increase to $4 and $3 respectively. The fees for students ages 6 to 17 would increase from $2 to $3. State sales tax is paid on admission charges.
Increased fees, which would go into effect in June, if approved by the Estate Commission and finally the City Commission. Reasons for upping the fees are that opening of additional buildings, Lydie's Cottage and the Artist Studio, is for revenue to assist in expense of increased utilities, cleaning and maintenance.
The current fee structure charges the same admission whether on guided or self-guided tours. Additional buildings will be treated no differently than a guided or self-guided tour, but guided tours will add two buildings.
Fee comparisons are Alabaster Caverns, Freedom, Okla., $5; Prairie Song, Dewey, $6; Cherokee Heritage Center, Tahlequah, $5; Cowboy Hall of Fame, $6.50; Philbrook, Tulsa, $4 and Woolaroc, Bartlesville, $5.
The reunion of three old friends, Burt Kennedy, Hollywood director, Carlton Weber, film producer and writer, and Truman Smith, a multi-talented fellow of Ponca City, will take place here at The Poncan Theatre at an event on Sunday evening.
This event, free to the public is slated for 7 p.m., when Kennedy shares some of his movie making adventures. According to Smith, the friendships of Kennedy, Weber and himself has spanned half a century and has stretched from coast to coast, with Kennedy in California and Weber in Florida and Smith here in the heartland.
The event that brings this dynamic trio together, in addition to being a reunion, will give them the opportunity to discuss film making and for each to sign their recently authored books.
Kennedy has written "Burt Kennedy: Hollywood Trail Boss," and Carlton Weber, has authored "Jonathan Creek," for youthful readers, and Smith, who as most Ponca Citians already know has written "The Wrong Stuff," about his World War II aviation experiences.
Smith, who has a background in film also, tells about how the reunion came about, "Burt called me and said he would be in Fort Riley, Kan., where he had served in the Horse Cavalry and that he had recently been elected to the board of that memorial association. He said since he would be close by, suggested he come to Ponca City for a reunion."
Smith thought it would be a great idea and suggested that Kennedy might want to have a book signing while he was in town. Kennedy agreed, and since Weber had been planning a visit to Ponca City maybe he would like to sign some books too.
So these three, who had been brought together in earlier days by film making are now linked by the thread of authorship - on three different subjects - will help provide an entertaining evening at The Poncan Theatre.
KAW CITY - The Miss Kaw Lake Pageant, sponsored by the Kaw City Area Chamber of Commerce, will be held Saturday, May 9, at the New Community Center here, starting at 5 p.m.
There will be three divisions in the contest - Miss Kaw Lake (for 15 to 18-year-olds), Junior Miss Kaw Lake (for 11 to 14-year-olds) and Little Miss Kaw Lake (for 6 to 10-year-olds).
The contestants will be judged in a dress of their choice and a one- or two-piece swimsuit of their choice.
Contestants are required to be in the Mayfest parade at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 9, and rehearsal will follow at 3 p.m. in the community center. The pageant will get under way at 5 p.m.
Entry forms can be picked up at all business places in Kaw City, at the Bancfirst in Shidler and Blackwell, the NationsBank north branch in Ponca City, and the Chamber of Commerce office in Tonkawa.
Entry forms can also be picked up by contacting Amy Rowe, Box 136, Kaw City, OK 74641, or calling 580-269-2956.
The Miss Kaw Lake Pageant is held in conjunction with the annual Mayfest celebration, which the community uses to symbolize the beginning of spring and the opening of another season on Beautiful Kaw Lake.
The Ponca Area Chamber Orchestra will present a free concert for the community at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Northern Fine Arts Building on the campus of Northern Oklahoma College. Dineo Heilmann, fine arts division chairman at Northern Oklahoma College, will conduct.
The orchestra will present a mixture of classical music and show tunes sung by high school and college student from the area.
Selections to be presented by the orchestra are "Adagio from Concerto No. 1 in G Minor" by Max Bruch, featuring Molly Baugh as solo violinist; "Andante from Concerto in E Minor" by Felix Mendelssohn with Mark Oblad on the violin; and "Allegro from Concerto No. 20 in D Minor" by W. A. Mozart featuring Andrew Grein on the piano.
Following an intermission, two selections will be presented from the musical "Miss Saigon," with music by C.M. Schonberg, lyrics by R. Maltby Jr. and A. Boublil, adapted from the original French lyrics by A. Boublil, and arranged by C. Custer. "Sun and Moon" will be sung by Shane Ellis and Kitty McNamara while Tim Muniz and Katie Thompson will sing "Last Night of the World." Andrea Schmitz will sing "I Don't Know How To Love Him" from "Jesus Christ Superstar " by A.L. Webber, lyrics by T. Rice and arranged by Henry Mancini.
"Don't Cry For Me Argentina" from the play "Evita" will be sung by Molly Hall. The music is by A.L. Webber, lyrics by T. Rice, and arrangement by C. Custer. Julie Goodger will sing "Memory" from "Cats" by Andrew Lloyd Webber and arranged by B. Lowden.
The concert will conclude with several selections from the musical "Les Miserables," with music by C.M. Schonberg, lyrics by H. Kretzmer, original text by A. Boublil and J.M. Natel, and arrangement by B. Lowden. Ryan Foster will sing "I Dreamed a Dream," Dru Heffington will sing "On My Own," and Rebecca Perry, soloist, and the Roustabout Company will perform "Do You Hear The People Sing."
Erik Love, son of Steve and Gayle Love of Oklahoma City and the grandson of Kenneth Berniece Love, Ponca City, and Don and Betty Bloom, Oklahoma City, received the Arrow of Light Award, the highest award you can earn while in Cub Scouts.
He also earned all 20 of the Webelos Activity Pins and his scouting religious medals, such as God and Me and God and Family.
Love was the top popcorn salesman for Pack 117 for three years in a row, always selling more than $1,000 each year in Trails End Popcorn.
He is a fifth grade student in the Putnam City School District and has been on the principal's honor roll all year.
The Kaw Lake Association recently introduced a new 1998 magazine at the Area-Wide Business After Hours at 101 Beverage Co., in Ponca City.
Approximately 150 people from Ponca City, Newkirk, Blackwell, Tonkawa, Kaw City, Shidler and Fairfax attended. Food and beverage was provided by 101 Beverage Co., 7-Up Bottling Co., Golden Corral and Buy For Less. Entertainment was provided by Bill Brown's Oklahoma Jubilee from Shidler.
Copies of the colorful new 32-page magazine were given to all in attendance. Photos and articles in the magazine promote Kaw Lake and surrounding communities. A total of 50,000 copies were published.
The magazine is a major tourism/promotional tool for the Kaw Lake Association group. It is distributed through the Kaw Lake Association office, Ponca City Tourism office, Ponca City Tourism Authority, Oklahoma Welcome centers, area Chambers of Commerce, local motels, restaurants, convenience stores, and area attractions.
The purpose of the Kaw Lake Association is to build a region-wide partnership of towns, businesses, service agencies, and local governments within the north central Oklahoma Kaw Lake area.
The mission of Kaw Lake Association includes recruitment of a broad membership base, creation of a financial support system, addressing infrastructure needs, tourism development, broadening the business base, and marketing the region as a whole.
The annual publication of the Kaw Lake Association magazine was coordinated by magazine chairman Betty Rutz and other committee members Marilyn Harmon, Rich Cantillon, John Sutton, Mike Mott, Robert Cartlidge, Gordon Thompson, Sam Fite, and Keith Fruits. Consultants were Judy Trice and Gael Hancock of Hancock and Associates.
"We want to thank the many advertisers and members who made this publication possible," said Bill Rutz, Kaw Lake Association president.
Businesses interested in advertising in the 1999 magazine should contact Kathy Tippin, executive director of Kaw Lake Association at (580) 762-9494 or Betty Rutz (580) 762-7389.
The Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma, in conjunction with the Ponca City Public Schools and United Cap Agency (Pawnee), will begin a Head Start program in the fall semester (August) of the 1998-99 school year. The program will be open to children ages 3 to 5.
Carol Brown, executive director; Burgess (Charlie) Primeaux, administrative assistant of the A.T.T.G program; Jeffrey Lieb, education director; Paula Mendoza and Henry Rhodd, Ponca tribal business committee members are working with the Ponca City Board of Education and Charlie Hare of the United Cap Agency in developing the program. Two area board members must be elected to attend all advisory board meetings.
Pre-enrollment is encouraged to determine the number of classrooms, transportation needs and routes, and cafeteria count for the lunch program.
Classes will be at the Ponca Tribal Cultural Center, which will provide classrooms, a lunch room, parents meeting room and playground equipment.
The Head Start committee will hold its next community meeting 5 p.m. Monday at the Ponca Tribal Cultural Center and they will elect the board members to attend the advisory meetings. Supper will be served and all community members are encouraged to attend.
For further information and for registration, contact any of the above-listed members or the local school.
Lance Johnson, orchestra student at Po-Hi, was among the 65 high school seniors from across the state who were selected for State Superintendent Awards for Arts Excellence.
Award recipients are being recognized in the categories of excellence in vocals, band, orchestra, piano, visual arts, theater and dance.
Johnson will be recognized April 23 at the Scottish Rite Temple in Guthrie.
"It is no coincidence that students who excel in the visual and performing arts are often the students who achieve success academically, as both require discipline, hard work and sacrifice," said State Superintendent Sandy Garrett. "This year's honorees are no exception; they are uniformly outstanding."
Board members of the Oklahoma Alliance for Arts Education, State Department of Education arts education staff and community representatives chose the award recipients on the criteria of artistic excellence, academics, leadership and community service.
The State Superintendent Awards of Arts Excellence program was established
in 1991 by The Oklahoma Alliance for Arts Education in cooperation with
Garrett. The alliance is a state affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center
for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The 1998 award ceremonies is
underwritten by the Oklahoma Masonic Fraternity.
DEATHS
Joseph Hamilton Butt, infant son of Mike and Theresa Butt, died at birth, early Friday morning, April 17, 1998, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.
A graveside service and burial will be at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at St. Mary's Cemetery with the Rev. John J. Michalicka, pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.
Survivors include his parents, Mike and Theresa Butt of the home; sisters,
Martha, Megan, Elizabeth, Emily and Angela, all of Ponca City; grandparents,
Hubert and Therese Butt of Ponca City and Florence Behara of Newkirk. Joseph
was preceded in death by a grandfather, John J. Behara.
NEWS BRIEFS
Ponca Tribal Meeting - A Ponca Tribal Community meeting noon Wednesday in the conference room of the Jules Valdez Social Services building, White Eagle, concerning a proposal application to the Health and Human Services, Administration For Native Americans for funding a Ponca Tribal ANA project in Fiscal Year 1998.
50th Anniversary - Fun and Fundamental FCE (Family, Community, Education) group will celebrate their 50th anniversary April 26, 2-5 p.m., with an event at the home of Mary Ruth Leatherman, 1207 East Grand. An open invitation is extended to members and friends to attend.
Break-In - At 6:15 a.m. Saturday police received a call from the 900 block of East Grand Avenue, reporting that the building had been broken into. A woman reportedly had been hit in the head. Two officers were assigned and reports were taken on an unlawful entry and assault and battery.
Accident - A two-vehicle, non-injury accident at West Hartford Avenue and North Waverly Street was reported at 8:32 a.m. Saturday. A report was taken.
Accident - At 10:21 a.m. Saturday an accident in the 400 block of East Grand Avenue was reported. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Minor Accident - At 12:29 p.m. Saturday an accident was reported at Fresno Avenue and North Union Street. Two officers were assigned and a report was taken.
Windows Broken - A man from the 2100 block of North Fourteenth Street reported to Ponca City Police Department at 5:19 p.m. Saturday that windows of a business in the area had been broken out. An officer was assigned and information was logged.
Subject Held - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of Third Street and East Grand Avenue at 5:40 p.m. Saturday that a 17-year-old male was being held for DUI, having no driver's license and not wearing a seat belt. The juvenile was released to a parent and a report was taken.
Tree Fire Extinguished - A person from the VFW reported to the Communications Center at 7:21 p.m. Saturday that a tree was on fire in the area. A unit from the Ponca City Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire.
Two Hurt in Accident - A two-vehicle accident at the intersection of North Fourteenth Street and East Prospect Avenue was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:05 p.m. Saturday. Two officers were assigned and two ambulances responded to take two victims to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for treatment of injuries.
Banned from Store - An official from Wal-Mart requested assistance with a subject at the store at 10:24 p.m. Saturday. Two officers were assigned and information was logged that the subject is banned from entering the store.
Suspicious Activity - A person reporting a stolen vehicle earlier reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 1:03 a.m. Sunday that the vehicle had been returned, but there is suspicion that stolen property was in the vehicle. An officer was assigned and the information was logged.
Embezzlement - The Communications Center received a 911 call at 1:36 a.m. Sunday that someone had taken an item from a business in the 400 block of North First Street. Two officers were assigned and information was logged on an embezzlement.
Window Broken - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 2:05 a.m. Sunday that a window of a business in the 200 block of East Grand Avenue had been broken. Two other officers were assigned and a report was taken.
Subject Held - Two officers of the Ponca City Police Department reported from Tenth Street and East Grand Avenue at 2:32 a.m. Sunday that a 37-year-old man was being held on a city warrant for failure to obey.
Subject Treated - The Ponca City Police Department received a report from an official at the emergency room of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center that a 41-year-old female was being treated for an assault from the 800 block of South Fourteenth Street. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Subject Held - Three officers of the Ponca City Police Department were assigned at 3:15 a.m. Sunday to an area of the 1700 block of Little Lane. A 38-year-old female was being held for domestic assault and battery. A report was taken.
Window Damaged - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 3:56 a.m. Sunday that a glass had been cracked at a business in the 200 block of West Grand Avenue. The officer also reported at 4 a.m., that another glass had been broken at a business in the 100 block of South Pine Street. The officer also found similar damage at another business in the 100 block of South Pine Street at 4:27 a.m., and in another in the 500 block of South Pine Street at 4:49 a.m. The information was logged.
Graffiti - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 4:09 a.m. Sunday that Woodlands School had been the victim of graffiti. The information was logged.
Items Missing - An official with Lew Wentz Golf Course reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:18 a.m. Sunday that some items were missing. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Burglary - A man reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 10:10 a.m. Sunday that someone had broken into rental property in the 400 block of North Pine Street. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Abandoned Bicycle - A person from the 200 block of South Pine Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 1:01 p.m. Sunday that a bicycle had been abandoned. Animal Control was notified to handle the situation.
Accident - An accident in the 2000 block of North Fourteenth Street was reported to the Communications Center at 1:33 p.m. Sunday. Two officers of the Ponca City Police Department were assigned and a report was taken.
Fan Missing - A person was at the Ponca City Police Department at 3:57 p.m. Sunday to report that a fan had been stolen from Highland Nursing Home. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Building Damaged - A man from the 700 block of West Grand Avenue reported at 4:46 p.m. Sunday that someone had spray painted graffiti on the back of a building. The information was logged.
Suspicious Activity - A person from the 1400 block of West Highland Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 5:16 p.m. Sunday that some checks had been stolen and cashed. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Vehicle Towed - A person from the 600 block of South Palm Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 8:28 p.m. Sunday that a suspicious vehicle was parked in the area. An officer was assigned and the vehicle was towed from the scene for having no tag.
Son Assaulted - A man reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 8:42 p.m. Sunday that his son had been assaulted while at a business in the 2200 block of North Fourteenth Street. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Burglary - The Communications Center received a call at 9:39 p.m. Sunday that some subjects had been caught in the 400 block of South Palm Street breaking into a vehicle. An officer was assigned and a burglary report was taken.
Subject Held - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 9:47 p.m. Sunday that a 39-year-old female was being held on a city warrant for harassment.
Electric Pole on Fire - The Communications Center received a report at 10:05 p.m. Sunday that a vehicle was on fire in a field near U.S. 77 and Oklahoma 11. The Kildare Volunteer Fire Department was notified and handled the situation, extinguishing a fire on an electric pole.
Unpaid Fare - A man with a taxi service was at the Ponca City Police Department at 10:16 p.m. Sunday to report that a male subject had not paid for a taxi fare. An officer was assigned and the information was logged.
Gas Drive Off - A clerk at Sav-A-Trip, Second Street and Highland Avenue, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 10:40 p.m. Sunday that someone had driven off without paying for $18.83 worth of gas. The information was logged that it was a subject in a pickup towing a boat.
Subject Held - Two officers of the Ponca City Police Department responded
to a call in the 300 block of South Franklin Street at 2:22 a.m. Monday
and took into custody, a 31-year-old man for domestic assault and battery.
LIFESTYLES
The Ponca City Newcomers Club held it's April 16 meeting at the Marland Mansion. Vicky Bishop, president, presented a slate of candidates for the board.
Elected as officers and board members were Vicky Bishop, president; Dixie Weer, vice president; Joyce Allen and Barbara Gowan, public relations; Theory Chui, programs; Blanche Thorson, correspondence; Angela Blanton, reservations; Laura Eichor, hospitality; Jennifer Hoak, treasurer; Desta Parks, newsletter; Lee Maniatis and Lynne Anthony, decorations; Joyce Fox, sponsor.
Following dinner Missy Moreland from Ponca City Tourism addressed the group and explained the history and goals of the tourism department. The theme "Ponca City Where the 20's Still Roar" is being used by tourism she said and outlined the schedule of events for the coming months.
Newcomer activity groups looking for additional members are bridge and bunko. If you are interested in joining the group or other activity groups call Dixie, 765-6948. The Newcomers Club was formed to help women new to Ponca City "settle in and make friends." If you are new to Ponca City or know someone who is a newcomer call Vicky, 765-4146, or Joyce, 762-9578.
Kelsey Aupperle and Duane Smith are planning a June 6 wedding at the First Methodist Church in Newkirk. The couple extends an open invitation to friends and family to attend the 2 p.m. ceremony. A reception at the church will follow the event.
The bride-elect is the daughter of Mimi Aupperle and Ronnie and Denise Aupperle, all of Newkirk. Smith is the son of Doyle and Cheryl Smith, also of Newkirk.
Miss Aupperle is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bennie Aupperle of Newkirk, Rita Phillips of Oaxaca, Mexico, the late Jo Ann Huene McInnis and the late Neil McInnis. She is the great-granddaughter of Mrs. Maureen Hawkins and Mrs. Viola Aupperle. Smith is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. L. D. Smith of Newkirk and Mr. and Mrs. Woodrow Higgenbothan of Baldwin, Fla.
The bride-to-be plans to graduate this spring from Oklahoma State University. The prospective bridegroom, an OSU graduate, is currently a flight instructor at the university.
Madison Paige Wamsley is the name selected by Ami Wamsley and Jeremiah Hall for their daughter born at 6:25 p.m. April 15, 1998 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. The baby weighed 6-pounds, 12-ounces and measured 20-inches long.
Grandparents are Marla Sparks and Doug and Charlene Crouch of Ponca City.
Great-grandparents are Margaret and Kenton Kendrick of Arkansas City, Kan.,
Verna Hutson of Lee's Summit, Mo., Ms. Charlie Horsman, Jeannie and Dan
Crouch of Bartlesville. Great-great-grandparents are Margaret and Leland
Brier of Arkansas City, Kan.
SPORTS
By FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
Wildcat wrestler Mark Dodgen will get a chance to avenge a very old loss when he takes part in the All-State dual July 28 at Tulsa Union High School.
Dodgen, who won his second state title this past season, was selected to represent the East squad in the All-State dual. He will pitted against Chad Whitney of El Reno in the 125-pound match.
While Dodgen was winning the Class 5A title at Norman in February, Whitney took the Class 4A crown.
The two champions have brushed up against each other in tournaments, but they have not met since both were sophomore when Whitney won the lone meeting in the Geary Tournament in 1996.
"I feel pretty good about it," Dodgen said of being selected as a All-Stater.
The only think that might have made the honor better would have been to have twin brother Matt, a state champion in 1997 and a runner-up this year, also on the team. Muskogee's Brian Elgin, who edged out Matt, 8-6, in this year's state finals, was selected at 130 pounds.
"Those things happen," Mark said.
"It's a good deal for Mark," Po-Hi coach Pat Young said of the selection. "Being selected to All-State can help when these kids talk to college coaches. The coaches know to be on the All-State team you have to have a pretty good record.
Dodgen's record is more than pretty good. He is 106-19 with 47 falls in three years for the Wildcats.
Mark and Matt are still receiving offers from colleges, but they appear to be favoring Oklahoma NCAA Division II power, the University of Central State.
As they have said all along, Mark and Matt are a "package deal," and will go to college together.
"It's a shame Matt couldn't be on the All-State team, too," coach Young said, pointing to his 85-14 record.
Matt missed most of his sophomore year with the Wildcats, was a state champion as a junior and a runner-up this past season.
Mark said he and his brother are currently trying to get in shape for their college season.
Mark will have to get into shape a little quicker. The All-State dual has a five-point weight allowance. However, Mark has been eating well since the season ended. He reports he currently weights about 145.
But he feels he can trim off that weight quickly and could be helped by the new NCAA weights. Mark says he hopes to wrestle at either 125 or 133 pounds.
---
As usual the All-State dual will have a strong Kay County flavor, In addition to Dodgen on the Large East team, the Small East (classes 2A and 3A) select team includes Jared Spry (135 pounds) and Shawn Leatherman (140) of Blackwell, Jeff Styron (152) of Tonkawa and Jeff Schieber (160) of Newkirk.
New Ponca City coach Todd Steidley was selected as the Small East All-State coach before resigning at Bristow to take the Ponca City post.
by FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
The process of picking a new high school coach can often take months.
But almost before the (typewriter) ink was dry on Pat Young's resignation, Todd Steidley had his impressive resume on the desks of Ponca City Athletic Director Rusty Benson and School Superintendent Dr. Bill White in applying for the head wrestling coach position.
Why?
"Ponca City has a great program," Steidley says. "It's amazing. I am going to only the seventh coach Ponca City has had since they started wrestling (in 1935). That's phenomenal. I've know program which have had seven or eight coaches in 10 years.
"Ponca City has had some great coaches. Pat Young, Charlie Gomez, Bobby Wilson - these are coaches who should be in the Oklahoma Coaches Hall of Fame."
Admitting he has some big shoes to fill, Steidley appears to have all the right credentials to continue the tradition.
He almost came to Ponca City as an assistant fresh out of the University of Central Oklahoma. But he got an offer he couldn't refuse - an offer to be an assistant at Clemson University, where he could also do post graduate work.
He returned to the state to coach two seasons at Enid and then moved to Bristow in 1993.
In six seasons with Bristow, Steidley has taken the Purple Pirates to three State Class 3A championships and his team has been the state runnerup on two other occasions. In the same time period, Bristow won two Dual State titles and was second once,
Steidley was named state Coach of the Year in 1997 and will be the Small East All-State coach this summer.
Acknowledging that the competition will be tougher at the Class 5A level, Steidley feels that wrestlers are wrestlers at any level. But he also knows it is getting tougher and tougher to get the kind of numbers coaches would like into the wrestling room - at all levels.
"Everyone is having problems with numbers," Steidley said. "with the possible exception of Broken Arrow and BA has 3,000 kids to choose from.
"It take as certain type of people to be wrestlers. They have to be dedicated and like to work hard. Wrestling is a tough sport."
Steidley is firmly convinced it takes a community effort to have a successful program, starting with the elementary school level.
"Ponca City has a pretty good program going," the coach said. "Greg Hadley is doing a great job with the elementary school kids. He is making wrestling fun for them.
"That's important. A lot of times, young kids win a bunch of trophies and start to feel they've accomplished all they can. You have to make it fun at the elementary level, then the kids will be looking forward to the high school challenge.
"Ponca City has had good junior high teams and I hope the new coach they bring in at that level can continue that."
Steidley has experience of losing wrestlers between junior high and high school.
"You have to teach kids to be patient. A lot of times kids coming up from junior high know they won't start with the high school team and they don't want to wait. You have to convince them their turn will come.
"That's why a junior varsity program is so important. It gives they younger kids a chance to wrestle and to improve.
"A head coach can't do it all. He has to rely on his assistants and other coaches. Jim Sharon has indicated he will stay on and I hope he does. There also a chance we'll get another very good assistant."
Steidley plays to jump right into the Ponca City program.
"I plan on being in Ponca City by June 1 and starting to work with the kids," he said. "I would like to take as many as possible to the OSU wrestling camp this summer.
"I took some of the Bristow kids last summer and it was great. They get to work with the OSU coaches and wrestlers. My team was teamed with J.J. McGraw. The kids really loved it. They also got in a lot of work. We had 12 duals in three days."
Steidley also feels a freestyle program is important, but feels participation summer programs are up the individuals.
"Some kids just need just three or four months of wrestling. Others need eight or nine months."
As an All-State coach this year, Steidley would like to bring some of that talent into the Po-Hi wrestling room.
"We have a couple of kids from Blackwell, one from Tonkawa and one from Newkirk," the coach notes of his Small East team. "I'd like to bring them in here for workouts before the All-State matches. It takes a couple of weeks for them to get into good shape."
Steidley may also be hoping that some of that All-State talent rubs off on the Po-Hi wrestling room.
The Ponca City Wildcat junior varsity baseballers finished second in their own tournament Saturday, falling in the finals to Edmond North, 7-4.
After a four run first inning by the Huskies, the Cats found themselves in an early hole. Though a monstrous, 2-run home run by Barry Geheb in the fifth inning drew the Cats back to within one run, 4-5, it wasn't enough, as Edmond pitchers shut the Cats down for the final two innings to escape with the win.
Brian Coppeck started on the mound for the Cats, but after getting into trouble early in the first inning, gave way to reliever Wes Day. Day went the rest of the game, giving up just three more runs to the Huskies.
Hitting well for the Poncans were Geheb (2-for-4, 3 RBIs, home run), Chris McCool (2-for-3), and Buddy McCoy (2-for-3, RBI).
"The played well and did a good job battling back," said assistant coach Mike Gronigan. "Barry's home run was huge. But we just dug ourselves too big a hole."
The Cats, now 10-13 on the season, travel to Bartlesville tonight for a double header with the Bruins.
Edmond North 7, Ponca City 4
Edmond North 400 111 0 - 7
Ponca City 010 030 0 - 4
Goolsby and Quade; Coppeck, Day (1), and Michael
Ponca City 14, Ark City 1
April 16
singles
1 - Mark Parsons def. Wiley, 8-0
2 - Trevor Viljoen def. Staab, 8-0
3 - Michael Stuemky def. Postlewait, 8-0
4 - Squire Lawrence def. Ison, 8-1
5 - Shane Samples def. Kabba, 8-1
6 - James Cullin def. Hale, 8-5
7 - Thomas Quillin def. Chattam, 8-2
8 - Nick Hartman def. Fry, 8-0
9 - Terry Pappan def. Noatson, 8-0
10 - Levi Branson lost to Bruce, 3-8
doubles
1 - Parsons-Viljoen def. Potter-Scott, 8-0
2 - Stuemky-Samples def. Hockenbury-Buffington, 8-0
3 - Lawrence-Cullin def. Ray-Banta, 8-1
4 - Quillin-Hartman def. Fry-Lane, 8-1
5 - Pappan-Branson def. McLeod-Hess, 8-0
Ponca City 6, Stillwater 8
April 14
singles
1 - Mark Parsons def. Andrew Jaco, 8-4
2 - Trevor Viljoen lost to Sean Hellman, 8-9 (3-7)
3 - Shane Samples def. Steve Anderson, 9-7
4 - Michael Stuemky def. Andrew Chan, 9-8 (9-7)
5 - Squire Lawrence def. Vikram Hosur, 6-5, 6-0
6 - Matt Caine lost to Will Eastman, 0-6, 1-6
7 - James Cullin lost to Chase Dearinger, 8-9 (4-7)
8 - Nick Hartman def. Eric Davis, 9-8 (7-5)
9 - Thomas Quillin lost to Jimmy Kappel, 0-8
10 - Terry Pappan def. Andrew Lugg, 8-4
11 - Levi Branson lost to Abdul Anzaloua, 5-8
12 - Levi Branson def. Ben Needham, 6-3, 6-2
doubles
4 - Cullin-Hartman lost to Dearinger-Davis, 6-2, 6-4
5 - Quillin-Pappan lost to Kappel-Lugg, 6-8
Gary Bintz was a member of the first place team in the men's Division I American Cancer Society Golf Tournament held Friday at the Ponca City Country Club.
The News regrets the misspelling.