LOCAL

Medical Center Offers Babysitter Basics Course
District Court
Conoco Expects Strong Quarter
IOGCC Monument Relocated To Marland Mansion Grounds
First Assembly School to Close Doors
Poppy Day Set for Friday, Saturday

Medical Center Offers Babysitter Basics Course

St. Joseph Regional Medical Center will provide students ages 11-14 an opportunity to learn to become better babysitters Saturday, June 3 through its Babysitter Basics course.

SJRMC staff designed this program to help students learn important facets of babysitting. The curriculum includes lifesaving techniques, minor injury first aid, use of the community’s emergency medical system and age-specific information on child care. Class members are also provided tips on management of the “business” aspect of babysitting, and each receives a certificate upon the completion of the one-day course.

The class will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Conference Room “C” on the ground floor of the Medical Center. A $35 enrollment fee covers instruction and all materials. There is a discount for two or more babysitters from the same family. Call Janet White, 580-765-0594, for more information or to enroll. The enrollment deadline is Friday, May 26.

District Court

Newkirk

Marriage Licenses

Anthony Tyrone Johnson, 25, and Becky Kathline Horton, 23, both of Ponca City.

Troy Glyn Anderson, 27, and Kristi Leigh Rinehart, 23, both of Ponca City.

James Nash Walters IV, 28, Berea, Ohio, and Kathleen Diane Nickles, 27, North Canton, Ohio.

Terence Lee Newlin, 41, and Kristi Ann Hamrick, 37, both of Ponca City.

Divorces Sought

Terresa Ann Siler vs. James Scott Siler.

Divorces Granted

Robert William Schuyler III vs. Monica L. Schuyler.

Amanda Kay Glass vs. Brent Lee Glass Sr.

Patricia Elaine Solee vs. Michael Christian Solee.

Blackwell

Divorces Granted

Glen Dale Curtis vs. Synthia Renea Curtis.

Ponca City

Divorces Sought

Billy Gene Moore vs. Christina Marie Moore.

Georgia Lynn Buellesfeld vs. Rick Joseph Buellesfeld.

Mitzi Sue Neuman vs. Kit Allen Neuman.

Jayanna Wise vs. Stephen Wise.

Leisa R. Parent vs. John Mark Parent.

Billy Jack Adkins vs. Marta Jane Adkins.

Patricia L. Caudillo vs. Eric Quin Caudillo.

David Wayne Chanslor vs. Jean Marie Chanslor.

Betty J. Spears vs. Douglas D. Spears.

Schley Earline Wensler vs. John Alan Wensler.

Ruth Elizabeth English vs. Harold Dwayne English.

Divorces Granted

Angela T. Rhea vs. John J. Rhea; plaintiff restored to former name Angela J. Simpson.

Briska Marie Leer vs. Ryan Chris Leer.

Windy Judith Jordy vs. Donny Lynn Jordy.

Sandra Lee Linton vs. John Carl Linton.

Shannon Kay Curfman vs. Tracy Wayne Curfman.

Shelly L. McHargue vs. Rory F. McHargue.

Milissa Denise Lawson vs. Kevin Leroy Lawson.

Conoco Expects Strong Quarter

HOUSTON — Conoco officials announced that continued strong crude oil prices, along with rising natural gas prices and a "rebound" in its downstream business, could result in strong second quarter earnings along the same lines as the company’s first quarter results that were the best in its 125-year history.

In remarks prepared for delivery at the company's annual stockholder meeting Tuesday, Conoco chairman and CEO Archie W. Dunham said, “April was an outstanding month. The rebound we’ve seen in downstream is very encouraging, as well as the recent rise in natural gas prices.

“Both these improvements should help offset the seasonal decline in European natural gas demand. If these trends continue, we would expect our second quarter results to be strong, generally in line with our record first quarter earnings.”

Dunham described Conoco's oil and gas production growth outlook as the best in the industry, with a four-to-five percent average annual growth rate. He said the company will continue to maintain "strict cost and capital discipline" while generating a 22-percent production in-crease between 1998 and 2001.

Overall, Conoco's operating costs were cut by 20 cents a barrel in 1999 — “a major reduction in a single year,” according to Dunham.

“Last year, fifty percent of our wildcat exploratory wells were potentially commercial, improving on a 30 percent success rate the previous year," Dunham added, noting discoveries in Indonesia, the deep water Gulf of Mexico and the United Kingdom.

“This year, we plan to drill 25-30 wildcat wells in the Gulf of Mexico, Vietnam, Nigeria and other locations.”

Downstream — refining, marketing, supply and transportation — is contributing to Conoco's ambitious growth plans, Dunham stated.

“Our global downstream business committed to deliver $1 billion in cash to fund growth in our upstream operations between the mid-1990s and 2003, and so far it has delivered more than half that amount," he noted.

“Our refineries set a throughput record in 1999, with a six percent increase from the previous year, and our North American marketing sales volumes under the Conoco brand increased 10 percent in 1999.”

Dunham also described a recent meeting with Saudi Arabian government leaders as "promising."

The meeting was held to discuss Conoco's proposal to invest in the country's natural gas sector. “Conoco's proposal is innovative and integrated, and I’m looking forward to more discussions in the near future.,” he stated.

Dunham said Conoco was recently ranked the safest among global energy companies in the U.S. for 1999 by the American Petroleum Institute.

It was the third consecutive year Conoco topped API safety rankings, and the 15th time in the past 21 years. Conoco employees also ranked number one in the API's first survey of safety performance outside of the U.S.

IOGCC Monument Relocated To Marland Mansion Grounds

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Staff Writer

The first piece of the Boomer Affair celebration slated for May 27 at the Marland Mansion fell into place Tuesday with the moving of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission’s monument and time capsule to the Marland Estate.

The monument had been located on the grounds of the Pioneer Woman Museum since 1984.

At that time, the IOGCC, on the 50th anniversary of the organization, met here with Oklahoma Gov. George Nigh, Gov. Mark White of Texas and Gov. Toney Anaya of New Mexico for the event. The time capsule containing memorabilia of the commission was buried at the base of the monument during the event.

The IOGCC promotes the conservation and efficient recovery of domestic oil and gas resources while protecting health, safety and the environment.

During the Boomer Affair event, the monument will be rededicated at the Marland Estate near the Petroleum Hall of Fame by the IOGCC director Christina Hansen and Oklahoma officials, according to chairman Karen Furman.

The Marland Estate is the birthplace of the organization. The initial meeting to form the commission was held here in 1935. Hosted by Marland, attendees included governors from Kansas and Texas and representatives of the governors from five other states.

The Boomer Affair includes the celebration of three anniversaries: the IOGCC, initiated by Gov. E.W. Marland; the Pioneer Woman statue, also initated by Marland; and the 125th anniversary of Conoco, which merged with Marland Oil in 1929.

A number of other events have been slated for May 27 at the Marland Estate, including the presentation of an award to Conoco by the Oklahoma energy secretary Michael Smith.

The Pioneer Woman Award, which has not been presented in seven years, will be presented with the recipient to be announced next week, according to Furman.

First Assembly School to Close Doors

By KRISTI HAYES

News Education Editor

First Assembly Christian School is closing its doors.

The school, located on Bradley Street, has provided private school education for Ponca City residents since 1983.

Now, because enrollment numbers are low and with increasing money woes, the church board has decided to shut its doors.

This year the school, which offers classes for three-year-olds through sixth grade, enrolled about 145 students. School officials said that number did not begin to approach enrollment figures necessary to meet financial obligations.

Pastor Mark Shorey said the decision to close the school was one of the hardest the church has been forced to make.

“We have tried everything possible to make the next school year work, but the primary factor in this decision was declining enrollment,” he stated. “This has been a steadily worsening condition for the past several years.”

Shorey said the church considered combining classes, but that move would not provide enough financial relief.

“Declining enrollment brought with it the decreasing ability of the school to fund itself,” Shore explained.

“Because First Assembly Church believes in the ministry of [the school], it has done everything possible the last number of years to make up for the loss,” Shorey said.

Administrator Jackie Hughes said the decision was a tough one.

“This school has been my heart and soul for the past 17 years,” she said. “We’ve touched many people and gave them a good Christian education. I want to thank the community for all they did for us.”

Because of the closing, some of the other private schools are accommodating First Assembly’s students.

Administrator Elizabeth Watson of First Lutheran School said a number of classes at the school are closed, but a few openings still remain.

“We have openings in our third, fourth, seventh and eighth grade classes. All others are closed,” Watson said.

Watson added the church board met Tuesday night to discuss the high demand for the three-year-old program.

“At the start of enrollment, we weren’t going to offer an afternoon Tuesday and Thursday class, but the board decided to offer it this fall. We have many parents on the waiting list for that program and I am in the process of calling them,” she said.

She also reported she had received phone calls from parents of First Assembly School students. “We are accepting students in the areas we have openings,” she said.

St. Mary’s School will also accommodate the overflow.

Sally Caughlin, head of St. Mary’s, said enrollment is still open. “None of our classes are full. We are still accepting enrollment,” she said.

Caughlin also said she had received phone calls from parents at First Assembly. “I’ve already made contacts and a few have already enrolled for next year,” she said.

St. Mary’s offers classes for three-year-olds through eighth grade.

Ponca City superintendent Dr. Bill White said the district has received calls from parents wanting to get their children into the public schools.

“A few of them have already called and decided to place their children in the public school environment,” he said.

Poppy Day Set for Friday, Saturday

The memorial poppy, a reminder of the sacrifice of countless thousands of United States veterans of war, will be available to the public when the American Legion Auxiliary conducts its poppy sale this Friday and Saturday, May 19 and 20.

The nationwide sale of memorial poppies was begun by the American Legion and Auxiliary in 1921, so the poppy program has been a part of Auxiliary programs for nearly 80 years. This annual event honors and pays tribute to all veterans of wars involving the United States, a spokesperson for the local Legion Auxiliary pointed out.

The crepe paper poppy was selected because it provided the maximum of work with the minimum expenditure for materials. These blossoms are hand-made by disabled veterans and members of their families.

During the months of combat during World War I, the men of all nations engaged in that conflict, noticed and symbolized the Poppy. The poppies grew wild in the fields of France and in Flanders, “with a freshness and strength untouched by the strife surrounding them.” They were used on the graves of men of all nations in the cemeteries of Verdan and Chateau Thierry, thus becoming a symbol of that time.

That period in the history of the world became immortalized with the picture of white crosses in fields of poppies as visualized in the poignant poem by Col. John McCrea, “In Flanders Fields” ... remember?

Funds collected here on Poppy Days are used to rehabilitate and assist veterans in need and their families throughout Oklahoma. Betty Brown, Poppy Chairman 2000 for Unit 14 of the American Legion Auxiliary, reminds Ponca Citians — “We would appreciate the public’s support.”

DEATHS

Chelsie Jolyn Boyd
Bonnie P. Chitwood
Ruth Jean Ingham
Patricia L. Caudillo

Chelsie Jolyn Boyd

Chelsie Jolyn Boyd, infant daughter of Raymond Boyd and Jennifer VanAusdal, died Monday, May 15, 2000, at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.

The funeral was held graveside 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, 2000, at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Fredia Widener officiating. Arrangements were with the Trout Funeral Home.

Survivors include her parents, Raymond and Jennifer of Red Rock; paternal grandparents, Raymond L. and Frankie Boyd of Red Rock; maternal grandparents, Dennis VanAusdal of Albany, Mo., and Georgia P. VanAusdal of Albany, Mo.; maternal great-grandparents, Don and Jean Hopkins, Albany, Mo.; and two half sisters Victoria Boyd and Stacia Adams both of Fairfax.

Bonnie P. Chitwood

Bonnie P. Chitwood, resident of Ponca City, died Monday, May 15, 2000, at the Tender Heart Nursing Home. She was 86.

The funeral will be 10 a.m. Thursday, May 18, at the First Christian Church in Ponca City with the Rev. Paul Krueger, pastor of Woodlands Christian Church, officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairfax Cemetery under the direction of the Trout Funeral Home.

Bonnie P. Chitwood was born Oct. 10, 1913, in Brumley, Mo., the daughter of Charles Clayton and Sylvia May Robinson McClain. Her mother died when she was 3 years old, and she was raised by an aunt and uncle in St. Louis, Mo. She was reunited with her father and moved to Skiatook where she graduated from high school.

On Aug. 5, 1932, she married Ross Arnold Chitwood, and the couple settled in Osage County; he preceded her in death on Sept. 4, 1966. She moved to Ponca City in 1969.

She enjoyed reading her bible and being with her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by four daughters, Joann Otto, Jerri Pittman, and Judy Duggins, all of Ponca City, and Linda Summy of Fairfax; two sons, Bill Chitwood of San Antonio, Texas, and Larry Chitwood of Ponca City; 12 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, one sister, and a granddaughter.

Casket bearers will be Joe Otto, John Otto, Brett Chitwood, Matthew Summy, Errol Ray Heath, Mark Chitwood, Rob Innis, and Jimmy Allen.

Memorials may be made to Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation — Heart Research, 825 N.E. 13th, Oklahoma City, Okla. 73104.

The family will be at 3 Spring Village.

Obituaries

Ruth Jean Ingham

Ruth Jean Ingham of 1801 Cedar Lane, a longtime resident of the Ponca City area, passed away May 15, 2000, at Shawn Manor Nursing Home in Ponca City. She was 78.

The funeral will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, May 18, 2000, at the First United Methodist Church with the Rev. J.D. Ward, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery with arrangements made under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.

Ruth Jean McCormick Ingham was born Sept. 17, 1921, to Austin and Martha McCormick near the town of Peckham. She received her early education in Peckham schools. When she started high school, her father purchased a farm west of Newkirk so she could attend high school in Newkirk, where she graduated in 1938. She then attended Oklahoma A&M College, now Oklahoma State University, receiving a bachelor of science degree in secretarial administration in 1942. She worked for a short time in the county superintendent of schools in Newkirk.

She married Herbert L. Ingham in Everett, Wash., on Jan. 8, 1943. They made their home there for three years while Mr. Ingham was serving in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. During that time, she was employed at the post exchange on Paine Field, Washington.

She returned to Ponca City when her husband was discharged in 1946 and he accepted employment with Conoco. She returned from the work force to concentrate on raising a family.

She was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church. Her main interest in life was her family. She enjoyed traveling, attending church, spending time with friends and summer vacations to the mountains of Colorado.

Survivors include her husband of the home; one son, Dr. Laird Ingham Jr. and his wife Carol of Lawrence Kan.; one daughter, Martha McLeod and her husband Ed of Cincinnati, Ohio; five grandsons, Christopher, Brent and Cory Ingham of Lawrence, Kan., and twin grandsons, Sean and Hank McLeod of Cincinnati, Ohio. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews including Deming Lowrey of Ponca City.

Casket bearers will be Christopher Ingham, Brent Ingham, Cory Ingham, Curtis Bradley, Dennis Dye and Royal Whitney.

The family requests that contributions be made in her name to the First United Methodist Church, 200 South Sixth, Ponca City, Okla. 74601 in lieu of flowers.

The family will be at 1801 Cedar Lane.

paid obituary

Services Pending

Patricia L. Caudillo

Patricia L. Caudillo, Ponca City resident, died Tuesday, May 16, 2000, at her residence. She was 33. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home.

NEWS BRIEFS

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New Life Baptists In Revival — New Life Baptist Church, corner Waverly and Oklahoma, will be in revival tonight at 7 p.m. through Friday, May 19. Theme for the three-day meeting will be “Being Made Excited for the Lord.” Service time is 7 p.m. An invitation is extended to everyone to attend these meetings.

Motorcyolist Ride for Domestic Violence Center May 20th, meet Connestoga I-35 and HWY 60 at 1 pm. adv.

Be Cool! Sears central air conditioning 0% financing until September 2001. Offer ends May 31. 1-877-226-1550. adv.

Memorial Dinner — A memorial service and dinner for Cara Lynn Webster is planned for Sunday, May 21, at the Ponca Indian Methodist Church. The service begins at 11 a.m. and will be followed by dinner. All are welcome and those attending should bring dishes and chairs.

Stormescape Shelters, perfect for garage, under vehicle, installation. $1,695. 765-2633. adv.

Mother’s Day Out at First United Methodist Church meeting

Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 10am to 3pm beginning August

2000. Public enrollment Friday, May 19, 12-2pm. Information call 762-3069. adv.

Retiring Teacher’s Reception — There will be a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday for three teachers retiring at the end of the year — Donna Clark, Mary Lou Ferguson and Judy Friess — at the Lincoln Elementary Gymnasium. For additional information, call 767-8050.

Look Younger in one hour. Hair stylist JoAnn Watkins is

working on Fridays. Call for appointment. 765-5055. adv.

Have Pet? Can travel! In-home pet sitting service. We love them when you have to leave them! 762-4205. adv.

Burglary — Someone in the 200 block of North Union Street reported to Ponca City police at 9:46 a.m. Tuesday that a safe had been broken into and money had been taken. An officer was assigned and a report taken.

Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential.

Hours: Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday, 6-8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. 765-9689. adv.

Anyone Who witnessed an accident where a blue four door vehicle struck a man on a bicycle at Highland and 7th Street on April 22, 2000, between 10 and 10:30 pm,

please contact Kenneth Jean at 765-9967 as soon as possible. adv.

Burglary — Someone in the 100 block of Westbury Road reported to Ponca City police at 12:53 p.m. Tuesday that a vehicle had been broken into. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Allergy Season got you sneazen. Call 718-0532 or 762-0351 for immediate relief. 10 am to 5 pm. adv.

Subject Held — A Wal-Mart associate, 1101 East Prospect, reported at 1:36 p.m. Tuesday that a 38-year-old man was being held for shoplifting. An officer was assigned and the subject was taken into custody for grand larceny.

Head Country, One half bar-b-que chicken with choice of vegetables, $4.25, Thursday, 11 am until gone. 1217 East Prospect. 767-8304. adv.

www.HeartlandHealth.com -Buy or sell Rexall natural

health products online. adv.

Subject Held — An officer reported from East Middle School, 612 East Grand Avenue, at 1:38 p.m. Tuesday that a 14-year-old girl was being held for drug possession of synthetic narcotics.

Ponca Language Arts Council of the Ponca Nation of Oklahoma

is sponsoring a dinner for all Ponca elders, those who speak the Ponca Language, and other interested people at noon Friday, May 19th, Ponca Indian United Methodist Church in White Eagle. Commissioner of Indian Affairs

of the State of Oklahoma, Barbara Warner will be here to discuss clanship with us. For information or rides call 762-4126 or 765-3001. adv.

John Deere gift items and toys for the whole family now in stock at Throop Lawn and Garden, Hwy 177 South. adv.

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Subjects Held — A Wal-Mart associate, 1101 East Prospect, reported at 3:04 p.m. Tuesday that a 17-year-old woman and a 26-year-old woman were being held for shoplifting. An officer was assigned and the two women were taken into custody for grand larceny.

Windshield Chips repaired professionally. Guaranteed and

insurance approved. Ponca Glass, 300 W. Highland and Pine. 762-6522. adv.

Jim Bowen Construction­ Custom homes, room additions and

remodeling. Call 762-3077. adv.

Theft — Someone in the 900 block of North First Street reported to Ponca City police at 4:21 p.m. Tuesday that several items had been stolen from a yard. An officer was assigned and a report was taken for grand larceny.

Court Allen Construction. Brick, flagstone, concrete, walkway’s, patios and planters. Call 765-2720. adv.

Burglary — Someone in the 500 block of North Thirteenth Street reported to Ponca City police at 6:21 p.m. that a suspected burglary was in progress at a friend’s residence. Two officers responded. Police reported that the house checked secure but there was evidence that a burglary had occurred. The owner of the residence was contacted and a report was taken.

Come Let us eat bugs and party. Third Annual Bug O’Mania,

10AM-??PM, Saturday May 20th at Parker Pest Control. All proceeds go to Northern Oklahoma Youth Services Center. Call Brad 762-6614 for details. adv.

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LIFESTYLES

Event Will Honor Clouds
VFW, Auxiliary To Attend Event
Laureate Phi Officers Named

Event Will Honor Clouds

Mr. and Mrs. Troy Cloud will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary with a “come and go” reception on May 21st, 2-4 p.m. today at their home, 114 South Olympia. Hosting the event will be a daughter, Lisa Fowler.

Troy Cloud and the former Marilyn Slater were married May 21, 1960, in Sulphur, La. They made their first home in Sulphur and moved to Ponca City in 1961.

Cloud retired from the Ponca City Fire Department in 1978 and from Conoco in 1985. Mrs. Cloud retired in 1998 from employment with the Ponca City Housing Authority. They are members of the Second Baptist Church.

The couple has two daughters, Shari Dagg of Denver and Lisa Fowler of Ponca City; one son, the late Troy Lee Cloud; a son-in-law, Randy Fowler; and two grandchildren, Kylie and Peyton Fowler.

VFW, Auxiliary To Attend Event

Ken Pike, Altus, state junior vice commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Oklahoma and Georgia Hill, Tulsa, past state president of the Oklahoma VFW Ladies Auxiliary will represent the state organizations at the convention of the 15 posts and 11 auxiliaries of District Eight on May 21 at the Blackwell VFW.

District commander Cecil Hemrick, Perkins and District Auxiliary President Trudy Farmer, Blackwell will conduct the 10:30 a.m. sessions.

Those expected to attend are from Barnsdall, Bartlesville, Blackwell, Cushing, Dewey, Fairfax, Glencoe, Marland, Newkirk, Pawhuska, Pawnee, Perkins, Ponca City, Stillwater and Tonkawa.

Laureate Phi Officers Named

Six members of Laureate Phi chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority recently toured the iris garden of Lillian Williams, hostess for the May program meeting. Ms. Williams pointed out the names of the irises as they were shown. Pat Hill read a treatise about “Iris Horticulture.”

Fran Smith, president, led the opening ritual. City Council minutes were read by Roberta Streeter. Longevity certificates were given to Mrs. Williams for 45 years and Mrs. Hill for 35 years of membership in the sorority. Certificates presented at Founder's Day went to Meire K. Harris for 45 years, Roberta Streeter for 40 years and Elsie Louise Rosenbaum for 10 years.

Mrs Smith installed officers for the 2000-2001 year : president, Roberta Streeter; vice-president, Lillian Williams; recording secretary, Alice Beman; corresponding secretary, Erma Rusch; treasurer, Pat Hill; extension officer (City Council Representative), Velma Case; and city council alternate, Elsie Rosenbaum.

The next meeting will celebrate the chapter’s birthday with a picnic to be held in Pioneer Park at 1 p. m. Sunday, May 21, with Ms. Streeter as hostess for the event.

SPORTS

OSU Hoping Six Conference Teams Qualify

OSU Hoping Six Conference Teams Qualify

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma State baseball coach Tom Holliday has more than just a personal interest when he says the Big 12 Conference deserves to have six teams invited to play in the NCAA tournament.

Holliday, whose team finished sixth in league play this year, points out that six Big 12 teams received NCAA bids a year ago. Two of them advanced to the College World Series.

‘‘Why should we go backwards, from six to five this year?’’ he said Tuesday. ‘‘It would be a shame to see us go backwards.’’

Holliday said he believes four conference teams are good enough to reach the College World Series this year. Whether his Cowboys even have a chance won’t be known until Monday, when bids are announced.

Oklahoma State (36-20) and Texas Tech (33-22) are NCAA bubble teams heading into the Big 12 tournament, which was to begin today at Southwestern Bell Bricktown Ballpark. The tournament’s top four seeds — Baylor, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas — are sure to have their names called.

Baylor (42-14) and No. 3 seed Oklahoma (37-19) have been chosen to host regional tournaments. Second-seeded Nebraska (42-14) is a lock to get a bid, as is Texas (39-16).

‘‘We know if we don’t make a big play or get a big hit, we’re still going to be playing next week no matter what happens,’’ Nebraska coach Dave Van Horn said.

Texas Tech coach Larry Hays, whose team lost two of three to OSU last weekend, said the Cowboys deserve an NCAA bid. He feels his team does, too.

‘‘I want to say 18-12 (in conference play) ought to get us in, but I’m nervous,’’ Hays said. ‘‘I think this league should get six teams in. I would be very disappointed if we don’t. If we don’t get that done, our league’s letting us down a little bit.’’

The Big 12 began this week with a record of 184-94 against nonconference teams, including a 159-86 record against Division I schools. ‘‘I would find it very hard to believe our conference doesn’t have at least five of the top 64 teams in the country,’’ Baylor coach Steve Smith said.

Holliday said his team’s good finish should work in its favor. The Cowboys have won nine of their past 11 and 22 of their final 30.

‘‘We’ll play every game here as hard as we can,’’ he said. ‘‘Sunday night I might say an extra prayer or two, and Monday we’ll either be happy or sad.’’

Missouri (32-22) and A&M (23-33) need to win this title to get to NCAA play. Both finished below .500 in the conference during the regular season.

The double-elimination tournament was to begin this morning with Oklahoma playing Oklahoma State. Nebraska was to play Missouri at 1 p.m., followed by Texas-Texas Tech at 5 p.m. and Baylor-Texas A&M at 8.