LOCAL

Immunization Is Most Effective Way Of Preventing Disease in Children

Immunization Is Most Effective Way Of Preventing Disease in Children

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma has improved its immunization coverage level for children who are two years of age. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention attributes the improvements from efforts of both the public and private sector.

Oklahoma improved its immunization coverage level from 72 percent to 78 percent. This increase moves the state up from 48 to 31 in the nation.

State Health Commissioner J.R. Nida, M.D. said new parents began receiving a congratulatory Hallmark card shortly after the birth of a new baby. The cards, donated to the state by Hallmark Corporation, include a personalized note from Governor and Mrs. Keating about the importance of immunization.

Additionally, the state’s computerized immunization registry is helping. The registry, which is accessed by both public and private physicians, tells providers which shots are due when a child comes in for care. The registry also generates a friendly reminder to parents via postcard when their chid is overdue for a shot. According to Nida, “Last year, more than 60,000 reminders were sent out to parents of newborn to five-year-olds.

Finally, Nida mentions improvements in local immunization outreach efforts among public and private health providers and organizations.

“Local coalitions are also making a contribution to improving our state’s status by putting in place new thoughts and ideas on how to reach kids and parents more effectively,” Nida said.

The results of the national survey precede events leading to National Infant Immunization Week, April 18-24.

“While Oklahoma’s standing has improved,” said Nida, “there is still much work to be done.”

Immunization is one of the most effective ways of preventing disease. The level of vaccine-preventable disease has been reduced by more than 99 percent since the introduction of vaccines. Children need 80 percent of their vaccinations in the first two years of life. This requires multiple doses of vaccine given in about five visits to a health care provider.

“Although it is rare to hear of children becoming ill with many of the vaccine-preventable diseases, we don’t want parents to believe that we have eliminated these diseases,” Nida said. “The control of infectious diseases is an everyday struggle.”

Immunization prevents the following 12 serious infections that can cause disease, disability and death: diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw), pertussis (whooping cough), polio, measles, mumps, rubella (German measles), Hib meningitis, hepatitis B, varicella (chickenpox), hepatitis A, and rotavirus.

For every dollar spent on immunization, as much as $29 can be saved in direct and indirect health care costs. The Oklahoma State Department of Health is requesting new funding from the Oklahoma legislature to maintain current immunization levels and further protect the health of Oklahoma’s children. Currently, the federal government provides for 97 percent of Oklahoma’s public vaccine efforts.

For more information about benefits and risks of childhood immunizations, check with a local health care provider or the county health department.

DEATHS

Darrell Gene Williams
Ruth M. Baughman
Ben Langdon
Cleo Frederick Bowser
Edwin Floyd Cole
Celestine M. Tinker
Wesley L. Jones

Darrell Gene Williams

DEER CREEK — Darrell Gene “Willie” Williams, son of Lavern and Maurine Williams of Deer Creek, died Saturday morning, April 10, 1999, at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kan. He was 44.

The funeral is set for 2 p.m. Tuesday at the First Christian Church in Deer Creek with the Rev. Dennis Murray, officiating. Burial will be in the Blackwell Cemetery under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home, Blackwell.

Darrell Gene “Willie” Williams was born July 6, 1954, in Anthony, Kan., to Lavern and Maurine (Johnston) Williams. He grew up in the Anthony area, attending Plainview School and graduating from Chaparral High School in 1972, where he excelled sports, especially basketball. He attended Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, Kan., before beginning employment at Cessna Aircraft in Wichita, Kan.

He was married to Tanis McKee in Anthony, Kan. in 1974. After 14 years with Cessna, he began employment as lead man in the final assembly department at Learjet. He had worked there for nine years before his death. He was active in the company sports leagues for several years and enjoyed spending time outdoors with family and friends. He was an avid fisherman and spent many days fishing with his children. He also enjoyed being involved in their various other activities, keeping scrapbooks of their accomplishments. His favorite season was Christmas.

Survivors include one son, Heath Williams of Lenexa, Kan.; one daughter, Bobbie Williams of Anthony, Kan., his parents, Lavern and Maurine Williams of Deer Creek; one brother Richard of Denver, Colo.; one sister, Pam Williams of Wichita, Kan.; one grandson; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by an infant sister, Vickie; one brother, Gary Williams; and his grandparents.

Casket bearers will be Heath Williams, Carlen Williams, Travis Williams, Richard Williams, Gary Misak, and Bill Sharkey. Honorary bearers will be Paul Gallup, Maxie Williams, Michael Williams, Cary Williams, J.D. McClung, Richard Byers, Larry Kalbfleisch and Danny Fisk.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Williams’ name to Ethan Francis Scholarship Fund, c/o First National Bank, Anthony, KS 67003.

Ruth M. Baughman

KAW CITY — Ruth M. Baughman, Kaw City resident, died Monday, March 29, 1999, at the Via Christi Medical Center-St. Francis Campus in Wichita, Kan. She was 70.

The funeral was held April 2, at the Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home in Arkansas City, with the Rev. Ruth Tipps officiating. Burial was in the Grandview Cemetery in Kaw City.

Ruth M. (Schirmer) Baughman, was born March 1, 1929, in Chemnitz, Germany to Curt A. and Irma H. (Grimm) Schirmer. She grew up in East Berlin, but escaped to West Berlin in 1947. She lived in the Frankfurt area until her marriage.

She was married to Johnie B. Baughman on April 20, 1953, in Hanua, Germany and the couple lived in the United States and Germany at various times during Mr. Baughman’s career in the military service. She continued her education in the U.S. at Cowley County Junior College and at Northern Oklahoma College. She was employed as a registered nurse with the Arkansas City (Kan.) Memorial Hospital, and at Blackwell and Winfield, Kan., hospitals. She served as a Kaw Tribal Nurse for six years and also provided private nursing care. Mrs. Baughman was a member of the Kaw City Christian Church and a member of several other clubs and organizations.

She is survived by one son, Tom Baughman of Douglas, Kan.; a sister Sonja Gunther and a brother, H. Schirmer, both of Chemnitz, Germany; a half-sister Margot Deiss of Muhlheim, Germany; and four grandchildren. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband in 1975; and her parents.

Ben Langdon

SHAWNEE — Ben Langdon, brother to Francis Langdon of Tonkawa, and former Oklahoma newspaper publisher, died at his home in Shawnee on Tuesday, April 6, 1999. He was 85.

A memorial service was held Saturday, April 10, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Shawnee.

Langdon and his wife, Betty, published the Mangum Star for 33 years. His newspaper career was interrupted by three years of active duty in the U.S. Army during World War II. He served as president of the Oklahoma Press Association in 1970-71.

Langdon also enjoyed a second career in state government serving under three Oklahoma governors. He served as director of Oklahoma Industrial Development and Oklahoma Excess Property, and for eight years served as senior staff member for former Governor George Nigh. In 1995, the Langdon’s moved to Shawnee to live near a daughter.

Survivors include his wife, Betty; daughter Nance Diamond of Shawnee; son H. Benj Langdon Jr. of Big Sur, Calif.; brother, Francis Langdon of Tonkawa; five grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Shawnee, 1102 West MacArthur, Shawnee, OK 74801.

Cleo Frederick Bowser

NEWKIRK — Cleo Frederick Bowser, former Newkirk resident, died Sunday, April 11, 1999, at the Medicalodge North Post Acute Care Center in Arkansas City, Kan. He was 87.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 13, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Arkansas City, Kan., with the Rev. Mark Boxman officiating. Burial will be in the Newkirk (Okla.) Cemetery under the direction of Hawks Funeral Home, Arkansas City, Kan. Friends may visit at the funeral home until 8 p.m. today, and from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday.

Cleo Frederick Bowser was born Feb. 12, 1912, southeast of Winfield, Kan., to Bert R. and Goldie (Crabtree) Bowser. At age 12, he moved with his family to Arkansas City, Kan., where he grew up and attended school.

On Feb. 8, 1929, he married Gertrude Augustus Akers in Arkansas City, Kan., where they made their home. Akers was foreman and switchman for the Santa Fe Railroad until he retired in 1975. He was a member of the Redeemer Lutheran Church for many years and helped with the construction of the church in 1941. He was a member of NARVE. They moved to Newkirk in 1990 and Gertrude Akers died on July 17, 1994.

He married Nellie T. Jeffrey Matoy on March 29, 1995, in Newkirk and the couple moved to Arkansas City in the fall of 1998. He attended St. John’s Lutheran Church while living in Newkirk.

Survivors include his wife, Nellie, of the home in Arkansas City; one son, Duane Roger Bowser of Newkirk; three daughters, Betty Greenhagen of Newkirk, Virginia Cleavor of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Ramona Wilde of Collinsville, Texas; 15 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren. In addition to his first wife and parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers and two sisters.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Bowser’s name to Hospice Inc., c/o Hawks Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1, Arkansas City, KS 67005.

Edwin Floyd Cole

NEWKIRK — Edwin Floyd “Sonny” Cole, former Newkirk resident, died early Sunday morning, April 11, 1999, at his home in Ponca City. He was 65.

A memorial mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 14, at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Newkirk with the Rev. Richard Beckman as celebrant. Arrangements and cremation were under the direction of Miller-Stahl Funeral Service. No viewing will be held at the funeral home.

Edwin Floyd “Sonny” Cole was born Sept. 14, 1933, in Arkansas City, Kan., the son of Floyd Lee and Helen Katherine (Simpkins) Cole. He grew up and received his education in Newkirk, graduating with the class of 1951. He attended Arkansas City Junior College for two years, then worked in the oil fields.

On Oct. 29, 1955, he was married to Geraldine Mayfield in Arkansas City, Kan., and they established their first home in Winfield. They later moved to Arkansas City, Kan. He was employed with Westinghouse in the 1960s, and moved with that company to Michigan, Louisiana, New York, Wisconsin, Brazil, Korea and Ponca City. He retired in 1991. Cole was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ponca City and the Pipefitters Union. He enjoyed fishing and hunting.

Survivors include his wife, Jerri, of the home; two sons, Tracy Edwin Cole of Post Falls, Idaho, and Clark Chad Cole of Newkirk; one brother, Bennie Cole of Newkirk; one sister, DeAnn Goodson of Arkansas City; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter and his parents.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Cole’s name to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 North Union Street, Suite 103, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Obituaries

Celestine M. Tinker

FAIRFAX — Celestine M. Tinker, longtime Fairfax resident, died Saturday, April 10, 1999, at her home. She was 88.

The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 13, 1999, at the First Osage Baptist Church, in Fairfax, with the Rev. Robert Glasgow, pastor, officiating. Burial will be held at 1 p.m. in the Floral Haven Cemetery in Broken Arrow under the direction of Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home, Fairfax.

Honorary pall bearers will be Tommy Smith, Bob Clark, Herman Rhoads, Wayne Hall, Earnest Hood, Leo Johnson, Tommy Rhoads, Ray Whittaker, Roy Whittaker, Bill Lytle and Jack Looney.

Born March 27, 1911, in Fairfax, she was the daughter of Barnet and Rosa Mae (Latimer) Morrison Sr. She grew up in Fairfax and graduated from Fairfax High School in 1930. She went on to attend Oklahoma A&M for two years.

Mrs. Tinker worked for the Oklahoma Telephone Company, later GTE, for more than 20 years. At the age of 50, she attended nurses training in Blackwell and worked as an LPN for various hospitals and nursing homes until her retirement at age 75.

She was married to Onis Clyde Moore on April 18, 1935 in Pawnee. He preceded her in death in March 1945. She was later married to George Tinker. He preceded her in death in November 1971.

She was a member of the First Osage Baptist Church and had been a Sunday School teacher for many years and was also a member of the Rebekah Lodge. She was also active with the Senior Citizens in Fairfax and Salina. She enjoyed reading, fishing, sewing, traveling and gardening. She especially enjoyed being with her son and his family.

Surviving are her son and daughter-in-law Clyde and Hazel Moore of Fairfax; grandsons, Barney Moore of Fairfax, and Jim Moore of Oklahoma City; great-grandsons, Garrett and Grant Moore of Fairfax; a nephew, Charles Morrison of Oak Harbor, Wash.; and a niece, Nancy Ross Morrison of Longview, Wash. In addition to both husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Charles Morrison, George Morrison and Barnet Morrison Jr.; and one sister, Trilby Morrison.

Memorials may be made to the First Osage Baptist church, P.O. Box 217, Fairfax, OK 74637-0217.

The family will be at the Clyde Moore home in Fairfax.

paid obituary

Services Pending

Wesley L. Jones

Wesley L. Jones, longtime Ponca City resident, died Sunday morning, April 11, 1999, at his home. He was 58. Survivors include his wife, Jeanne, of the home. The funeral is set for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Grace Memorial Chapel. Other arrangements are pending and will be announced later.

NEWS BRIEFS

Free Clothing Tonight — Monday, April 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. at First Assembly of God Church, to anyone with a need. Use the farthest northwest door. We are also in need of clothing for donating. Clothes may be left at the same farthest northwest door of the church.

Pauline's Every Monday Night Special. Fried Chicken Only- all

white meat. All you can eat, $6.50. For reservations call 765-5460. adv.

Road Rage — At 9 a.m. Saturday a motorist called police reporting someone had attempted to run them off the road on U.S. 60 east of the Old River Bridge. An officer was assigned.

Concrete Statuary. 25% off price marked. Keathly’s Nursery. 2448 Bridge Avenue. Monday Friday 8-5:30. Saturday 8-5. Sunday 1-5. adv.

Vehicle Vandalism — A man in the 400 block of Fairview Lane contacted police at 10:35 a.m. Saturday after discovering that lug nuts on his vehicle had been loosened.

Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential. Hours: Monday, 4-6 p.m., Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday, 6-8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. adv.

Cat Prowler — A resident in the 1000 block of Rosedale Drive reported at 1:42 p.m. Saturday that a cat had gotten into their house and they couldn’t get it out. Animal Control was contacted.

Petunia Baskets. $9.99 wave petunia, net included. Keathly’s Nursery. 2448 Bridge Avenue. Monday-Friday 8-5:30. Saturday 8-5. Sunday 1-5. adv.

Nurse Assaulted — At 2:22 p.m. Saturday a nurse at the Ponca City Nursing Home, 1400 North Waverly Street, was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center after being assaulted.

Accident — One person was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for injuries received during a two vehicle accident at 2:33 p.m. Saturday in the 2900 block of North Pecan Road.

Arrest — A 19-year-old man was arrested from Fourteenth Street and Parkview Lane at 3:43 p.m. Saturday for driving under suspension.

Hit & Run — At 4:22 p.m. Saturday a woman in the 2000 block of North Fourteenth Street reported that her vehicle had been hit. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Accident — An accident at Kelley Road and North McCord Road was reported to police at 4:37 p.m. Saturday. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol was notified.

Accident — A two-vehicle accident in the 3500 block of North Fourteenth Street was reported to police at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Child Hit — At 4:42 p.m. Saturday police were informed that a juvenile had been hit by a car at East Chestnut Avenue and North Seventh Street.

Injury Accident — One person was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center after receiving injuries in a three-vehicle accident at 6:17 p.m. Saturday at Academy Road and East Hartford Avenue.

Police Pursuit — At 7:09 p.m. Saturday police became involved in the pursuit of a vehicle, northbound on Waverly Street from Grand Avenue, which had run over a stop sign at Olympia Street and West Highland Avenue.

Vandalism — Police were informed of vandalism at the rodeo grounds on North Ash Street and West Prospect Avenue at 11:49 a.m. Sunday. An officer was assigned and grand larceny and destruction of private property reports were taken.

Arrest — Police arrested a 22-year-old man at 7:43 p.m. Saturday from South Tenth Street and East Cherry Avenue for resisting arrest, giving false information to an officer, attempting to elude, running a stop sign and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Arrest — A 20-year-old man was arrested at 10:26 p.m. Saturday from the 400 block of South Lake Street on a city warrant.

Stolen Clubs — A woman in the 2900 block of Meadow Lane reported the theft of golf clubs to police at 10:28 p.m. Saturday. An officer was assigned and a larceny to a vehicle report was taken.

Attempted Theft — At 11:16 p.m. Saturday police were informed of the attempted theft of a van in the 900 block of East Grand Avenue. An attempted grand larceny police report was taken.

————

Arrests — At 1:24 a.m. Sunday a 40-year-old woman was arrested from the 700 block of North Osage Street on a city warrant for failure to pay and a Kay County warrant for failure to pay and application to revoke. A 31-year-old man was also arrested on a city warrant.

Batty Visitor — At 1:43 a.m. Sunday a resident in the 400 block of North Sixth Street contacted police reporting a bat in the attic.

Bike Handling — At 10:27 a.m. Sunday three juveniles were cited after attempting to remove bikes from “the corral” at the police station.

Gas Drive-Off — A $12 gas drive-off at Conoco, 3505 North Fourteenth Street, was reported to police at 11:46 a.m. Sunday.

Yard Vandalism — At 1:32 p.m. Sunday a man in the 500 block of North Stephen Street requested extra police patrol due to someone driving through his yard during the night.

Peppered Vehicle — A woman in the 1400 block of West Grand Avenue contacted police at 2:19 p.m. Sunday to report that someone had thrown jalapeno peppers on her vehicle.

Break-In — At 2:45 p.m. Sunday a man in the 800 block of East Ponca Avenue reported that his apartment had been broken into. An officer was assigned.

Arrest — Police arrested a 19-year-old man at 5:02 p.m. Saturday from the 700 block of North Lake Street on a city warrant.

Arrest— A 23-year-old man was arrested from the 600 block of North Oak Street at 5:46 p.m. Sunday on a city warrant for failure to pay.

Accident — At 2:54 p.m. Sunday a man in the 900 block of South Twelfth Street called police to report that a person had been hit by a car. Although the victim was taken by a private vehicle to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center it was reported that the victim was not seriously injured.

Gas Drive-Off — A $5 gas drive-off at Midwest Easy Stop, 1100 North Union Street, was reported to police at 6:56 p.m. Sunday.

Peeping Prowler — At 10:48 p.m. Sunday a man in the 1600 block of North Osage Street reported a male prowler which was looking in windows. An officer was assigned.

Curb Vandalism — At 5:18 a.m. Sunday a woman in the 100 block of Whitworth Avenue contacted police regarding a curb being vandalized.

LIFESTYLES

Alpha Gamma Members Will Attend Event
American Legion Auxiliary Meets
Little News
Xi Zeta Lambda Chapter Meeting At Eureka Springs

Alpha Gamma Members Will Attend Event

Alpha Gamma Mother’s Club met in the home of Karen Yost on March 22. Deborah Cordes served as co-hostess. Teresa Doerksen led in the reading of the collect and aims. Ten members answered roll call and Chaplain Jean Hess gave the devotional from the book “Hold Me Up A Little Longer, Lord.”

Plans were made to attend the Oklahoma Association of Mothers Clubs convention at the Saddleback Inn in Oklahoma City April 23-24.

Karen Yost presented the program on “Natural Things” from the Natural Health Magazine. She demonstrated how to make several cleaning solutions from natural products.

The slate of officers for 1999-2000 was selected. They are Mary Spears, president; Helen Wilson, first vice president; Deborah Cordes, second vice president; Carol O’Rear, secretary; Pat Koehler, treasurer; Leslie Hoover, parliamentarian; Billie Stepken, historian; Jean Hess, chaplain.

The Friendship basket and the hostess gift were won by Billie Stepken. The next meeting is scheduled April 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Pat Koehler, with Deborah Cordes as co-hostess. This will be the group’s birthday party and each member will bring a gift for her “secret sister.”

American Legion Auxiliary Meets

American Legion Auxiliary members met April 8 at the American Legion Children’s Home for their regular monthly meeting, with Betty Brown presiding.

Lisa McGee led the group in prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance and the Preamble were recited in unison and everyone sang “The Star Spangled Banner.”

Cecelia Easky read the minutes and Dora McGee gave the treasurer’s report.

Mrs. Easky reported membership of 440 seniors, nine juniors and 12 V.I.M.s. She also reported that five Ponca City girls have been chosen to attend Girls State at East Central University at Ada, from May 22 to May 29.

McGee reported there were 15 entries in the Americanism Essay Contest: “Voting — Why It’s Important.” The essays will be judged locally with first and second place winners to be announced by May 1. The winning entry in each classification will be entered in the Department Contest.

Dora Adkins reported on community service and the Children and Youth Programs. She told of several outings with girls from the Children’s Home and of celebrating the birthday of Angela, who is sponsored by the Post and Auxiliary Unit 14.

VA and R. Chairman Evelynn McCutcheon, reported on the ditty bag program and a work day was discussed to finish the project.

Additionally, members also discussed the upcoming visit of American Legion dignitaries to the Post, April 24, and the American Legion Children’s Home on April 25, for Youth Sunday activities.

A banquet will be held at the Post on South Avenue on April 24, at 6:30 p.m. The decorating committee needs to meet at 10 a.m. to prepare for the event.

Members were reminded of the poppy sales designated for May 14 and 15, and encouraged to participate. Thank you notes were read from the families of Lorene B. Walker and Louise Boedecker.

The next meeting will be held May 13 in the Auxiliary Room at the Post on South Avenue, at 1:30 p.m.

Little News

Danielle Elizabeth Michelle Duroy was born at 8:30 p.m. March 20, 1999. She is the daughter of Jenni Palmer and Daniel Duroy of Kaw City. The baby’s sister is Tristen Palmer. Grandparents are Jenifer Brewer of Newkirk, Joe Huffman of Newkirk, Jim Duroy of Newkirk, and Danita Duroy of Ponca City.

Xi Zeta Lambda Chapter Meeting At Eureka Springs

Xi Zeta Lambda chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority recently met in the home of Jill Sims. Dottie Johnstone, president, called the meeting to order with 14 members standing for the Opening Ritual.

Doretta Jackson called roll and read the minutes of the last meeting. In addition, a Thank You note was shared with the group before Judy Mallory presented the financial report.

Johnstone gave the City Council report and took a count of those planning to attend Founders Day, April 20, at the Country Club, at a cost of $11.75 per person.

The members were informed that the executive board would meet April 13, at Johnstone’s home to plan the installation of officers.

Additionally, program chairperson Lila Logan announced the next meeting would be held in Eureka Springs, Ark. at the home of Tobie Neal. During the planned weekend visit of April 23, 24 and 25, Francie James will be in charge of the program.

The scrapbook committee scheduled a time to finish the book. Also, Service Chairperson Melva Keen announced $50 would be donated to Feed the Children for the Kosovo children.

Prior to the April meeting, members visited the Kaw City Museum. J.A. Walker of Kaw City hosted the tour.

SPORTS

Win Streak Ends With Losses to Murray for NOC Mavericks
Monday Evening Quarterback
Wildcat JV Take Title In B’ville

Win Streak Ends With Losses to Murray for NOC Mavericks

TONKAWA — Northern Oklahoma’s baseball win streak came a screeching halt here Saturday as the Mavericks lost a Twin State Conference doubleheader to Murray State, 8-7 and 13-9.

“The hitting was great and the fielding was good,” groaned coach Terry Ballard. “But the pitching fell apart. It was just horrible. The pitchers gave up far too many walks.”

Ponca City’s Daniel Denny was his own worst enemy in the first game, giving up six runs in just over two innings. He walked five and hit one batter.

Josh McMartin, Blackwell, started the second game, and fared fairly well until the middle innings. He was touched for nine runs in the fourth and fifth innings.

As poor as the pitching was, the hitting was that good.

“The hitters really came through and the team showed a lot of heart,” Ballard said. “Down 10-1 in the fifth inning, we had to score two runs to avoid having the game called (by run rule). We did that.

“Then the guys scored six runs in the sixth inning to close the gap to 11-9. That was then greatest showing of heart we’ve had all season.”

Several Maverick hitters are on fire, according to Ballard. Ponca City’s J.R. Fry is now hitting at a sizzling .492 clip. Enid’s Brett Hibbets has raised his average to .408 and Jason Ross, Ponca City, is hitting .358 and leads the team in doubles with seven.

The Mavericks are now in fifth place in the league standings at 4-6 and face Redlands at the Mavericks field Tuesday in a twinbill starting at 1 p.m.

“The conference race is close and the regional tournament is going to be something else. Everyone is beating everyone else,” Ballard notes. “This last weekend the No. 1 team (Carl Albert) split with Western and we beat Western twice. Redlands earlier split with Murray and we have beaten Redlands twice.”

The regional tournament is scheduled for May 7-10 at Fort Smith, Ark. But in the meantime, the Mavericks have 14 conference games left to play.

Following Tuesday’s games, the Mavs play Pratt, Kan., in a non-league game at Allie Reynolds Field in Stillwater on Thursday. They return home against North Ark at 2 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday.

Monday Evening Quarterback

Ponca City High School’s first professional athletic trainer Becki Sober has some words of warning for the wanna-be athletic trainers and person trainers.

This is not a job for the squeamish or for those expecting to work 9-to-5.

Sober and her fellow trainers at the St. Joseph’s Medical Center’s outpatient clinic have a quick way of weeding out potential trainers during career days.

“We take them back to see all the blood and really serious injuries we have to deal with,” she says. “We had one girl faint and another tell us this is not what she wanted to do after all.

“You have to be a little bit morbid,” Sober said of the work she does. “When you come across a really gross or different injury, you have to be professional enough to attend the patient, but at the same time you’re saying to yourself, “Hey, this is neat, it’s something I can learn from.’”

Athletic trainers can also expect some very long days.

Sober estimates she put in 75 to 80 hours last week at soccer matches, baseball games, tennis matches, etc.

Her day starts early in the morning at the St. Joseph’s clinic, working with patients recovering from illness and injury. Then its off to the high school where she works with the Po-Hi athletes. She often doesn’t get away until 10 or 11 p.m. after the game of the day.

“A lot of people think this is an easy job, that we just sit around during the games,” Sober said.

They don’t see all the hours she puts in before the games helping athletes recover from injuries and showing them how to prevent injuries.

“And it’s important we see how and injury occurs,” Sober says. “It’s important to see if a knee was hit from the outside or from the inside instead of having some player come in and just tell me his knee hurts.”

Sober being on the job during various games can be a relief for coaches, players and parents, too, according to Athletic Director Rusty Benson.

“Most coaches are trained or know from experience how to deal with injuries,” Benson notes. “But while a coach is tending to a player, it takes them away from coaching.”

It is also important to have someone who is trained to treat all types of injuries and who can give a player their full attention.

A recent injury to a soccer player demonstrated the time and expertise needed for proper treatment.

The player had hurt a knee, but had apparently recovered fairly quickly.

However, Sober felt something was not right.

“It was hurting at one place and we got that fixed. Then it started hurting somewhere else. We got that calmed down and it starting hurting in a third place.”

Sober was able to stay with the player long enough to go through all of the problems and to use her expertise to know if that player should return to the game or see a doctor.

She works closely with coaches, but she says she is the final authority of whether a player can return to action or must sit out a game.

“I had two (soccer) players on the bench the other night,” Sober noted.

Sober brings an enthusiasm and professionalism to the job that is making it easy to win the confidence of players and coaches.

That, she says, can be vital.

"Working with high school athletes, a lot of the time they are not in tune with their bodies. They think they can eat just anything. It’s important that athletes have the proper diet.”

It’s also important that players trust her enough to follow her advice about training.

Treating injuries for boys or girls are pretty much the same, but Sober notes that “girls are more prone to have bad eating habits.

“They think they have to be skinny. In track especially a lot of girls don’t have the proper diet where they get enough vitamins and calcium.

“Also, because of their body structure, girls are more prone to knee injuries.”

Like almost all trainers, Sober also hates artificial turf.

“It just doesn’t give,” she says of the artificial surfaces on some playing fields. “It catches the foot and holds it. The knees and ankles go one way and the foot stays put.

“When the soccer team played at Tulsa Union earlier, all of the players came off with their knees and ankles hurting.

“Also,” she adds. “sliding on turf is like sliding on concrete.

When I was at TU we were always treating players for turf burns. And we were always having to pick pieces of turf out of the skin.”

Sober attended the University of Tulsa, because, she says it has the only accredited athletic training program in the state. She had made her choice of a career after her sophomore year when she attended a summer clinic at TU while a Mat Maid for the Wildcat wrestling team.

“Coach (Pat) Young wouldn’t let me be a manager for any other sport,” she smiles. “And I didn’t keep score, or anything like that as a mat maid. Coach Young told me to follow around the trainers for other teams at tournaments.”

That experience came in very handy when she applied to TU.

“Athletic Training is a growing profession,” Sober says. “Tulsa gets 400 to 700 applications every year. About 30 are accepted to take the courses for one semester. Then 10 are allowed to go on.”

The Athletic Training courses at TU include many of the courses taken by pre-med students, such as anatomy, chemistry, physics, etc.

Sober completed the program in three and a half years, taking a full load of courses while traveling with the team.

Sober would like to teach at the college level at some point and is working on her Master’s degree and eventually expects to get a doctorate.

She will get her first taste of teaching this fall when she will offer a class for athletic trainers at Po-Hi.

Girls looking to hang around the boy athletes and boys wanting a substitute for playing need not apply.

Wildcat JV Take Title In B’ville

BARTLESVILLE — The Wildcat junior varsity pulled out an impressive first place finish in the Bartlesville JV Tournament, taking the title in all but one bracket, Thursday.

The Lady Cat junior varsity, though hampered by three first round losses, still managed to finish fourth in the eight team tournament. Oologah’s varsity won the event, followed by a tie with Tulsa Union and Bartlesville.

Squire Lawrence didn’t drop a set in cruising to the No. 2 singles title, while Matt Cain and Scot Mitchell also went 3-0 in claiming the No. 1 doubles crown. Mark Goddard and Michael Stuemky also won in No. 2 doubles, but had to survive two, 3-set matches.

In No. 1 singles, Mark Parsons cruised through his first two matches, but fell in the finals to Edmond Memorial, to finish second.

After a first round loss to eventual champion Union, Claire Winterrowd went on to win her final two matches to finish fifth in No. 1 singles. Likewise, Morgan Mongold lost in round one, only to bounce back and win-out for a fifth place finish in No. 2 singles.

In No. 2 doubles, Anna Stalcup and Amber Ailey won the tournament title, surviving a 3-set marathon in round one, and another in the championship match against Bartlesville. In No. 1 doubles, Ashley Atteberry and Karly Merrifield finished in seventh place.

The junior varsity plays again April 22, traveling to Stillwater.

Team Standings

Bartlesville Tournament

boys

1 — Ponca City JV 34

2 — Bartlesville JV 22

3 — Edmond Mem. JV 20

4 — Grove V 18

5 — Owasso V 17

6 — Oologah V 13

7 — Sand Springs V 12

8 — T. Union JV 11

girls

1 — Oologah V 27

2 (tie) — T. Union JV 21

2 (tie) — Bartlesville JV 21

4 — Ponca City JV 17

5 — Owasso V 15

6 — Sand Springs V 14

7 — Grove V 13

8 — Edmond Mem JV 12