LOCAL

Traffic Stops Lead To Arrests of Four
Official Wants Keating’s Conoco Trip Investigated
Mourners Dinner Slated
Ponca City Man Weekly Winner in Red Cross Event
DEQ Has Next Air Quality Council Meeting in PC

Traffic Stops Lead To Arrests of Four

By JEFF POLITTE

News Staff Writer

Two Kay County sheriff’s deputies arrested four alleged illegal drug manufacturers following two traffic stops earlier this week.

Both stops took place in rural areas where recent thefts of anhydrous ammonia, a precursor to the manufacture of methamphetamine, raised suspicions of illegal drug activity.

The names of the four people were withheld pending the filing of charges.

According to undersheriff Buddy Thomas, the first arrest was initiated by deputy Dana Wilson.

“He was on a surveillance patrol of the Bender elevator following the multiple thefts of anhydrous ammonia over the last several nights” from tanks in the area at the time of the arrests, Thomas said.

“The officer observed a white car driving by the area around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday,” he continued.

This was odd because the area is usually deserted that time of morning, Thomas explained. “[It] made the officer suspicious,” he added.

“Once he stopped the vehicle, he smelled an odor that was consistent with the chemicals used in the manufacture of methamphetamine” which incited further caution, he said.

Wilson searched the vehicle and found several precursors to the manufacture of meth: lithium battery strips, starting fluid, mason jars with liquid chemicals inside and crushed pseudoephedrine.

Wilson arrested a 29-year-old woman for driving under a suspended license and attempting to manufacture meth. She was later charged with attempted escape. Her 30-year-old husband was arrested for attempting to manufacture meth. He was also wanted under a Cowley County, Kan., warrant.

The second stop occurred in the Kildare Co-op area. The driver of the vehicle, a 31-year-old male, was arrested for driving under a suspended license, attempting to manufacture meth and possession of the drug.

The passenger, a 38-year-old male, was also arrested on charges of attempting to manufacture and possession of meth. Both were Kansas residents.

The Kildare arrest was initiated by deputy Greg Schuette.

“He was on patrol Tuesday night when he received a call from dispatch (11:10 p.m.) advising of a black van in the area” of the co-op, Thomas said.

“Here again we’ve had a number of anhydrous ammonia thefts” from the co-op.

At 11:55 p.m., Thomas said, the deputy stopped the vehicle. He found several precursors to the manufacture of meth.

In addition, he found a glass vile containing some of the illegal drug.

“They had basically everything needed to have a methamphetamine lab in their van,” noted Thomas.

“Both officers did a fine job,” praised Thomas.

He also applauded the efforts of people in Kay County for their help in solving these crimes. “People are starting to pay attention to what’s going on around them,” he said.

“We rely on the public’s help to report these suspicious vehicles and activities.”

Official Wants Keating’s Conoco Trip Investigated

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A state Democratic official threatened on Wednesday to file an ethics complaint against Republican Gov. Frank Keating if the governor doesn’t reimburse the Conoco Corp. for a fishing trip to Alaska.

Gordon Melson, Democratic Party executive director, held a Capitol news conference to question Keating’s explanation that the trip was a gift to the state.

Melson said he knows of no other governors who have accepted expense-paid vacations as a state gift. He said Keating should pay back the cost of the four-day trip made in July, estimated by Conoco officials to be between $6,000 and $7,000.

Keating should at least come up with a better explanation for what ‘‘appears to be a clear-cut violation’’ of state ethics laws, Melson said.

Spokesmen for Keating defended the trip and said the governor had no intention of paying back the money.

John Cox, the governor’s press secretary, called Melson’s comments a smokescreen to deflect attention from an investigation of the state Health Department and patronage favors given Democrats.

‘‘Utilizing corporate aircraft has saved the state thousands of dollars,’’ Cox said. He said Keating would use any means of private transportation to bring jobs to the state.

Melson said Keating had never contended the fishing excursion was an economic development trip, while describing as ‘‘silly’’ criticism of who paid for it.

‘‘The governor can call this silly, or whatever, but I just think that’s his ego talking,’’ the Democratic official said.

He said there are good reasons for state ethics laws prohibiting unlimited expenditures on public officials, including those in the executive branch.

Melson released an open records request he has made to the Department of Central Services asking for ‘‘all records of reported gifts of transportation, lodging and accommodations taken by the governor of Oklahoma and accepted by a governor as a gift of the state’’ since 1980.

Mourners Dinner Slated

WHITE EAGLE — The New Ponca Hethuska will be feeding the Mourners from the past year this Sunday at the White Eagle Cultural Center.

The event is sponsored by the New Ponca Hethuska War Dance Society.

Time is from noon-1 p.m.

Ponca City Man Weekly Winner in Red Cross Event

American Red Cross blood donor Royce Swaim, 1108 South Sixth Street, is the winner of this week’s drawing for a $100 gift certificate from the Bass Pro Shop in Springfield, Mo., according to Red Cross officials. Swaim has donated blood 26 times with Red Cross, meaning his gifts have touched the lives of 78 patients in need.

The Red Cross promotion includes a weekly drawing for donors through the month of August. One donor per week from the Red Cross collection centers is selected and one donor weekly from Red Cross blood mobiles is also selected.

“The gift certificates are a way of saying thank you to our wonderful donors like Mr. Swaim who take time from their busy lives to give the gift of life,” says Maggie Jewell, American Red Cross Blood Services Communications Manager for Oklahoma.

“By partnering with such a popular retail outlet as Bass Pro Shop, we also hope to encourage donors to donate during the month of August when blood inventories typically take a slump.”

Jewell adds that during August, the extreme heat, end of summer vacations and back to school activities often keep donors from coming in to give blood. “We are feeling it particularly this year because the use of blood has significantly increased since the beginning of the year and it is more challenging than ever to keep blood collections on pace with demand.”

The Red Cross collection center is located at 525 Monument in the Ponca City Area Chapter building. The hours for blood donation are Mondays from noon to 7 p.m. and Wednesday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Appointments may be made by calling 765-6605 or 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (448-3543). The dates of community and company blood drives in the Ponca City area are also available by calling the toll-free number.

Jewell reminds donors that during the heat of summer, it is very important to be well hydrated before donating. “We encourage all donors to drink at least eight extra glasses of water or fruit juice the day before donating as well as the day of donation,” she says. “This will help assure that the donation process goes smoothly.” Jewell adds that beverages containing caffeine or alcohol should be avoided.

DEQ Has Next Air Quality Council Meeting in PC

Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality will hold its next Air Quality Council meeting in Ponca City on Wednesday at Pioneer Technology Center, Education Business Center. The meeting and public rule making hearing will begin at 9 a.m. and is open to the public.

The Air Quality Council was first created in 1967 to recommend air pollution control rules to the Board of Health. Later, in 1993, the function was brought under the newly consolidated Department of Environmental Quality.

The nine members of the Air Quality Council are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate and serve six-year terms. Other duties of this Council include conducting hearings on enforcement matters, variance petitions, and rule making. The Council meets six times per year.

The agenda for Wednesday’s meeting is available from the DEQ Website and includes rule making hearings on the permitting process for both major and minor facilities, dust control regulations, and emission controls for sulfur compounds. The meeting will also include an air quality report from DEQ’s Air Quality Director, Eddie Terrill.

The Air Quality Council meeting also provides an opportunity for citizens and affected industry to give input to the rule making process, according to Joel Wilson Environmental Consultant, Conoco Inc. and Air Quality Council member.

DEATHS

Albert J. Smith
Roger Lee Rose
Clarence Elton Banning
Charlotte M. Hassman

Albert J. Smith

RANCHO BERNARDO, Calif. — Albert J. Smith, former resident of Ponca City, died Thursday, July 27, 2000, at his home in Rancho Bernardo, Calif. He was 72.

Albert J. Smith was born June 10, 1928, in Norman. He graduated from Ponca City High School and was employed as a butcher at Monsours grocery in the early 40s. He lived in Rancho Bernardo, Calif., for 20 years where he was employed as a state and federal meat inspector from 1957 to 1985 and later owned a 7-11 in Escondido for 25 years. He was a member of the Masons, San Diego Lodge 35, and the Elks Club, Escondido Lodge for 37 years.

Survivors include his wife, Billie Smith of the home; a daughter, Gail L. Hinson; and a sister, Mary Ella Turner of Hattiesburg, Miss.

Roger Lee Rose

NEWKIRK — Roger Lee Rose, Newkirk resident, died Wednesday morning, Aug. 9, 2000, in the Veterans Administration Hospital in Wichita, Kan. He was 66.

The funeral has been scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 11, in Miller-Stahl Funeral Chapel with Danny W. Cornish, minister of the Newkirk Church of Christ, officiating. Burial is to follow in Newkirk Cemetery under the direction of Miller-Stahl Funeral Service.

Roger Lee Rose was born March 13, 1934, in Cordell, the son of Jesse and Zola (Sweigart) Rose. At a very early age, he moved with his family to Wellington, Kan., and later to Wichita, Kan., where he grew up and received his education. He graduated from Wichita High School. After graduation, he was employed at odd jobs in farming. On Jan. 15, 1952 he entered the U.S. Armed Forces, serving overseas.

On Sept. 9, 1960, he married Helene Schorr in Germany. He was discharged in October 1960, and they made their home in Wichita. He was employed with General Electric at Strother Field. A short time later, they moved to a farm at Ashton, Kan., and he continued his work at GE. Later they moved to Arkansas City and then to Neosho, Mo., where he worked for Teledine. After a time, they moved to Newkirk, and he started his own aircraft repair business. He retired in 1996. He enjoyed agriculture, his family and sightseeing.

Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Terry Rose Sr. of Newkirk; and two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the American Diabetes Association, c/o Eastman National Bank, Box 468, Newkirk, Okla. 74647-0468.

Clarence Elton Banning

PAWNEE — Clarence Elton Banning, resident of Pawnee, died Monday, Aug. 7, 2000, in Tulsa. He was 77.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 11, in the Masham Baptist Church in Pawnee with the Revs. George Boston and Virgle Calvert officiating. Burial will follow in the Highland Cemetery in Pawnee under the direction of Poteet Funeral Home.

Clarence Elton Banning was born Jan. 22, 1923, in the Watchorn area of Pawnee County, the son of Harley and Zella (Smith) Banning. He married Elaine Venable on Dec. 31, 1943. He served in the United States Army during World War II, from September 1943 to January 1946, in the European Theater. In 1946, he moved to a farm in Pawnee County, living there since. He was employed in Fairfax at Carroll Chevrolet from 1960 to 1972 and then operated his own garage in Fairfax from 1972 to 1988, retiring in January of 1988. He served as a deacon and Sunday school superintendent at the Masham Baptist Church, and he enjoyed working with his cattle, playing the fiddle and guitar, and his family.

Survivors include is wife of the home, a daughter, Lina Vance of Owasso; a son, Carl Banning; a sister, Deloris Robinson of Ponca City; a brother, Frank Banning of Pawnee; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a number of other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Harold Banning; and a sister, Dorothy Banning Malone.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Masham Baptist Church, Route 1, Box 37, Pawnee, Okla. 74058.

Services Pending

Charlotte M. Hassman

Charlotte M. Hassman, 2 Pecan Place, died early this morning, Aug. 10, 2000, at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 84. Survivors include her children, Fred Hassman, of the home and Becky Averett, Columbus, Ga. A vigil service will be held Friday evening, 6:30 p.m. in the Chapel of Trout Funeral Home. Other arrangements are pending.

NEWS BRIEFS

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Marland Round-Up Club — The Marland Round-Up Club will meet at 8 p.m. Friday at its arena. Also, there will be a work night for the junior rodeo starting at noon Saturday.

Come join us at Jean Lasso’s, Aug. 12th, Hwy 60, for South East

Ok wood art works. 10’ rocking chair, bird houses, planter, etc. adv.

VFW 9145 Meeting — Post 9145 of VFW will meet at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the White Eagle Methodist Hall. Reorganization status and membership are on the agenda. For additional information, call Keith Buffalohead at 718-9475.

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.

Sundowners — The Sundowners Ladies Bowling League will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15, at Ponca Bowl.

Tag Sale by appointment. Numerous household and furniture items. 762-7288. adv.

Head Start — White Eagle Head Start is taking applications for the three- and four-year-old programs. Call 762-8909 for more information. Classes start Aug. 21.

Dougan's Bar-B-Q Friday special from 4-8 p.m., all you can eat ribs with beans, potato salad and coleslaw, $7.49. 215 South 14th, 765-7979. adv.

Luncheon and Business Meeting — The Royal Neighbors of America will have a luncheon and business meeting at noon, Monday, Aug. 14, at the Western Sizzlin, for members only.

Rusty Barrell now taking applications for cook’s helper, apply in person. adv.

Animal Call — A Ponca City Animal Control officer reported a rottweiler attacking another dog in the 300 block of South Osage Street at 9:28 a.m. Wednesday.

Accident — A motorist reported a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of North Elm Street and West Highland Avenue to Ponca City police at 1:56 p.m. Wednesday. One officer was assigned and a second officer assisted. A report was taken. A 45-year-old man was taken into custody for no drivers license and failure to yield.

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

Narcotics Violation — Someone reported seeing two males smoking pot in an alley in the 800 block of South Fourth Street to Ponca City police at 11:27 p.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned, but subjects were gone on arrival.

Head Country all day Friday special­ All you can eat, smoked BBQ ribs, beans, potato salad, and coleslaw, only $7.49, all day. 1217 East Prospect. 767-8304. adv.

Subject Held — An officer in the 2000 block of East Lake Road reported a 39-year-old man was taken into custody for driving under revocation after a traffic stop at 11:55 p.m. Wednesday.

Pauline Steak and shrimp dinner $11.95 Friday the 11th. For reservations call 765-5460. adv.

Subject Held — An officer at the intersection of Bradley Avenue and Rice Street reported a 19-year-old woman was taken into custody on a city warrant for failure to pay, driving under suspension and no insurance after a traffic stop at 10:21 p.m. Wednesday.

Subject Held — A 40-year-old man was taken into custody for violation of a protective order and assault and battery on an officer after a suspicious person called received at 12:47 a.m. Thursday.

Suspicious Person — Someone in the 1200 block of West Summit Avenue reported to Ponca City police at 5:53 p.m. Wednesday an intoxicated man had shown a gun to a subject mowing grass for a business in the area. Two officers responded to the scene, but were unable to locate the intoxicated man. Officers spoke with the subject with the complaint, who was not sure it was a gun. Officers will give an extra patrol to the area.

Theft — A resident in the 400 block of North Palm Street reported a stolen window air conditioning unit to Ponca City police at 4:08 p.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Theft — Someone in the 1100 block of North Union Street reported a stolen bicycle to Ponca City police at 5:05 p.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Accident — A Ponca City police officer reported a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of South Fifth Street and East South Avenue at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday. A report was taken. One person complained of arm and chest pain from the air bag. An ambulance from the fire department responded and handled the injury. A vehicle was towed from the scene.

Reckless Driver — A motorist in the 1100 block of East Prospect Avenue reported a reckless driver to Ponca City police at 12:35 p.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned, but was unable to locate the suspect vehicle. The motorist advised of willingness to sign a complaint.

Subject Held — An officer in the 2000 block of North Fourteenth Street reported a 20-year-old man was taken into custody for driving under suspension after a traffic stop at 10:21 p.m. Wednesday.

Prowler — A woman in the 300 block of South Lake Street reported to Ponca City police at 1:50 a.m. Thursday she believed someone was on her porch and tapped on a window. An officer was assigned, but was unable to locate anyone.

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GARDENING

Farmers Market
Remains of Elm Tree Becomes Whimsical Home for the Elves
A Seed Without Patience
Diggin In The Dirt

Farmers Market

Starting at 7 a.m., members of the Ponca City Farmers Market will have homegrown produce for sale Saturday at Prospect and 14th Street on the Country General parking lot.

The market is also open on Wednesdays. For more information call 762-3489 or 362-2187.

Available items include free ranging chicken eggs, onions, new potatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, pecans, honey, beets, carrots, sweet yellow bell peppers, miniature bells, tomatoes, okra, cucumbers, peaches, purple cabbage, green beans, beets, carrots, cantalope and much more.

Remains of Elm Tree Becomes Whimsical Home for the Elves

By JACKIE SCHROEDER

News Summer Intern

Cathy Beasley didn’t want to see the 70-year-old elm tree in her front yard go to waste, so she turned it into a five and a half foot Elf House. Cathy knew it was either that or the tree would be mulch since it had rotted clear through.

Cathy said the tree had rotten limbs, and some were starting to fall due to strong winds. She didn’t want the limbs hitting a person or a car, so she knew she had to take steps to do something, and that’s when she decided she had to have the tree taken down. “I hated the idea of killing the tree, so after much thought, I decided to make the stump into an ‘Elf House,’” said Cathy.

Cathy had two “accomplices” in her “crime of love.” Carl Searcy and Lee Carpenter helped Beasley shape the tree to match her vision. “They were good sports and worked hard in taking the tree down so as not to damage my garden.”

“My mom and I then added wood shingles, a brick for a chimney, doors, (made out of molding pieces), steps, windows, (made out of brass sheets which she drew the frames on), rock walls, (surrounding the house like a fence), and a climbing yellow rose to the new dwelling.”

Also used on the elfin abode were old dust pans, recycled as awnings, an earring for a wind chime, parts of lamps used for flower boxes. The area is lined with many figurines of what else — elves. The little people have their own water well on the side of the house, and surrounding the house are various flowers and plants, some tall enough to serve as shade trees for the elves. The entire house is a vision created from recycled products. Beasley says that she would get things from garage sales, or out of alleys. “I couldn’t bear to see them thrown away.”

“It could have been mulch, but is a source of joy instead. I like that,” Beasley said. Her elf house is still a work in progress. Beasley explained, “It will never be totally done.” She wants to add flowers to the flower boxes on the windows, and small clotheslines. At Christmas she wants to incorporate Santa and his reindeer as a roof feature.

Beasley says she enjoys helping people come up with creative ways to make their houses, gardens or businesses unique. “It seems like a lot of young people are into ...making their houses look different,” Beasley said. That is why she and Jane Trussell opened their own antiques shop. “We don’t have very many things over $50,” Beasley said.

She also said that she didn’t like to spend a lot and was sure others didn’t either. The name of their shop is After The Gold Rush. It is located at 2818 Bridge Avenue. “One thing I love most is to assist people in creative ideas for items and for spaces — rooms, porches and gardens. Their eyes light up and you’ve made a difference in the way they see things. It’s wonderful.

I suppose it’s similar to watching peoples reaction when they look at the elf house — it brings a spark to the eye. The smiles make all the thought and work involved in the creation worth a million dollars.”

A Seed Without Patience

By JOYCE NEWMAN

News Staff Writer

Nature does its thing — as one Ponca City gardener discovered recently. When conditions are right, tomatoes can and do germinate their own seeds. Loretta Rankin discovered seeds already trying to grow when she sliced into one of her tomatoes, recently.

“I had never seen anything like it before,” she said. “I didn’t know what was going on.” According to research via yougrowgirl.com on the Internet, it was discovered that seeds are their own energy source — a plant in embryo form. They store energy that is released and used only when water, oxygen, soil and a close-to-ideal temperature are part of their surroundings.

Germination inhibitors are part of the make-up of every seed. They prevent a seed from germinating until its chances of survival are good. Where there is moisture and warmth, good conditions for germination, it is possible for the seed to sprout right inside the fruit. Mrs. Rankin said she is going to experiment with the seeds and hopes they will continue to grow. At last count, 12 of 14 tomatoes revealed newly sprouted plants inside.

“It happens regularly, and there’s some long scientific name for it which I deliberately do not remember. It is not unusual — she could plant the seedling and it would grow. Call it a seed without patience,” said Doug Green, contributing columnist to The News garden page.

Whatever the reasoning, it was unusual for so many to have sprouted and we wish Mrs. Rankin success in growing the new plants.

Diggin In The Dirt

By Kathy Zehr

Peonies and Roses Need Care

Todays column will attempt to help with several questions I have received about peonies and roses and how to care for them during the hot dog days of summer.

A. Moore, a writer with Natures Promise Newsletter on the web, says peonies experience heat stress shutdown in summer if they do not receive adequate water. The plants protest with wilting leaves, which eventually turn brown. The plant is not dead, just protecting itself and using all moisture to preserve the fleshy roots, says Moore.

The gardener should deep water the plants if the leaves are still a dark green and they will usually revive. If leaves have turned brown, they should be cut off and the plants watered weekly. It may help to remember that peonies are originally from an area of the world where summer monsoons provide abundant moisture during the hottest months of the year. Sometimes after a good rain, peonies will put up new shoots, but they are of little value since they will be cut back by the first heavy frost.

A Rose by Many Other Names

In many ways, rose lovers are fortunate to live in northern Oklahoma because of the wonderful gardening climate. Roses however, have high maintenance requirements, and will grow and flower poorly without a lot of good care.

Since there are so many varieties its really hard to write about general care of roses in this column, but I will pass along some basic summer tips for growing most roses and avoiding problems. I suggest that gardeners, who want to grow beautiful roses seriously in north central Oklahoma, purchase a good instruction book.

Also visit the Ponca City Library and/or visit or call the Kay County Extension office at 580-362-3194 and ask for the free brochures on growing and caring for roses in this area.

Roses are classed in two main categories bush and climbing roses. Bush rose types include hybrid teas, floribunda, grandiflora, tree rose, polyantha rose, miniature, hybrid perpetuals, shrubs, and old-fashioned varieties. Climbing roses including rambler, everblooming, climbing hybrid tea, climbing floribunda and polyantha and the trailing rose. Some are hardy and disease resistant, some are very susceptible to problems.

Each rose type has special requirements, but all have some care basics in common. First, cleanliness is a top priority. If leaves, grass and other debris are allowed to build up under and around the plant, the waste is very likely to harbor insects and disease most harmful to that plant.

Humidity,Moisture Encourage Fungus.

Water the roots deeply each week but do not let the soil stay soggy. It is also very important HOW you water roses. Always water only the soil, not the leaves and stems. A soaker hose or trickle irrigation system is ideal for roses. Always water early in the day since wet leaves and stems are like a magnet attracting fungal diseases after sundown. Wet, humid weather, like we have experienced in Ponca City this summer also encourages fungal spread.

The most frequent fungal diseases appearing in the Ponca City area include powdery mildew, blackspot, downy mildew and rust. According to the OSU extension brochure 6403, several varieties of roses require a combination insecticide-miticde-fungicide treatment applied each week.

Use of a systemic insecticide/fungicide sometimes reduces the need for such aggressive spraying. The weekly treatment should begin in early spring, but in hot, dry weather treatment may be reduced.

A good homemade spray to use weekly on foliage and stems for powdery mildew can be made by mixing one rounded tablespoon of baking soda, and one tablespoon of horticultural oil in one gallon of water. Spray on leaves and stems, not on the soil.

Another non-toxic spray includes fish emulsion/seaweed, which is believed to prevent the spread of spores to neighboring plants. Several other less-toxic fungicides, along with popular and stronger commercial mixes are listed in OSU rose growing brochures.

The last heavy fertilizer should have been applied to roses in July and the final date to use a diluted liquid fertilization is set by experts at Aug. 15, so the plant will not have excessive soft, freezable growth during coming winter months. Test the soil at least once a year and keep acidity at about 6.0 pH for strong, healthy roses.

Keep plants free of dead and diseased branches and stems by judicious pruning and deadhead all blooms as soon as they start to fade. Seal any and all wounds with a wound paint or white glue to protect from rose cane borers. Always use sterile (dipped in alcohol) nippers, so disease will not spread from plant to plant as you prune.

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SPORTS

National Champion McGraw Was a Winner from the Start
Small Sooner Has Big Role
Hurricane Has New Confidence

National Champion McGraw Was a Winner from the Start

By FRED HILTON

News Sports Editor

Vance McGraw may have been destined to be a motocross champion.

He certainly started winning early enough. He refused to let pain slow him down and he showed the perserverance of a champion.

That all came together last weekend when he won the 125 cc Beginners class of the NMA National Motocross Championships held here.

McGraw certainly belonged in the Beginners’ class. He didn’t start competitive racing until last September. He went from new racer to a national champ in just 11 months.

Racing might have been new to the 15-year-old, but riding cycles was not.

“I started riding a four wheeler when I was three years old at my grandmother’s,” he recalls.

McGraw gradually moved up in motorcycle sizes, going to the 125s two years ago. But, still, all of his riding was recreational.

Then he met a couple of motocross competitors, long-time contestant Jerrod Gray, who has turned pro, and Garrett Teasley, who was just breaking in.

They talked McGraw into testing his skills in races.

McGraw did not have immediate success. In his first race in September, he crashed, finished ninth. “and I broke my toes when my bike fell on me.”

Still he continued to compete.

He entered the Oklahoma State series and the NMA qualifiers.

In his first qualifier in Oklahoma City in May, he won his first heat, but at a price. He fell during the last lap which caused a compression of the bones in his wrist.

“It still hurts a little,” he said rubbing his right forearm.

But in that race, he had enough of a lead he was able to get back on his bike and still win.

With the painful arm bothering him. McGraw finished third in his second moto at Oklahoma City. But that was enough to start the qualifying process.

A month later, McGaw was back in competition, winning both motos in a race at the Ponca City track.

In July he took part in a State Series race at Stillwater and finished second in his two motos.

He missed out on being a state champion in his class by just two points. But he was qualified for the nationAL championships.

Going against riders from across the country last Thursday, he finished first in his first moto.

“I was third coming out of the hole shot, but I caught up and was in the lead by the time we reached the bridge,” he said.

He kept that lead through the seven laps of that first moto,

In his second moto on Saturday, the race was shortened to five laps.

McGraw needed to grab the lead quickly. He did just that and was well on his way to a national title.

It is ironic that as McGraw’s racing career is taking off, that of his friend Gray may be ending. Gray was seriously injured in the first race of the 125 pro class and was still in the hospital early this week.

But the injury to his friend has not dimmed McGraw’s desire to race.

He’ll start the state winter series next month and plans to race in the NMA championships at Branson, Mo., in October.

Then its on to qualifying for next year’s national championships.

McGraw will move up in class, moving to the Novice division, “which is a little tougher.”

The Ponca City champion says he plans on getting a new 125 bike and weighing the posibilty of getting a 250 to race.

“But we’ll have to see about that,”he says. “It depends on if I can get the money.”

McGraw is sending out letters to posible sponsors.

Right now his resume looks pretty good.

Small Sooner Has Big Role

By OWEN CANFIELD

AP Sports Writer

NORMAN (AP) — Oklahoma’s coaches hope the Sooners will be able to run the football more effectively this year than they did a year ago. That means big expectations for the smallest member of the team.

At just 5-foot-6, Quentin Griffin is two inches shorter than any other Sooner. But he proved capable of handling the job after being thrown into the mix as a freshman last year, and be begins this season as the starting tailback.

‘‘He brings a dimension to our offense that we need in the run game,’’ offensive coordinator Mark Mangino said Wednesday at OU’s annual media day. ‘‘He’s going to help us in the run game tremendously.’’

Griffin, from Houston, didn’t expect to have to help out at all last season. But as the year progressed, he stood out as a member of the scout team and in weekly scrimmages against other freshmen.

‘‘As the year went, he just had a good knack for making plays, making people miss,’’ coach Bob Stoops said.

When injuries began to thin out the varsity running corps, Mangino went to Stoops and suggested using Griffin. Oklahoma was already seven games into the season at that point.

‘‘The problem we had to deal with was, if we just take his redshirt off and play him and then don’t use him the rest of the season, then we blew a whole season for him,’’ Mangino said. ‘‘So we said if we put him on the field, we were going to live and die with him. It was a good decision.’’

Griffin ran for 69 yards in his first game, against Missouri, then had 123 on just 11 carries the following week against Iowa State. He finished the season with 285 yards, the second-highest total on the team despite playing in just five games. His average of 6.5 yards per carry was the best among running backs who carried at least 10 times.

Stoops said Griffin’s willingness to play was telling.

‘‘There’s a lot of players that might not have wanted to do that, to give up their year in the last half of the season, but that tells you the team player he is — that the team is most important to him,’’ Stoops said. ‘‘He felt if he could help us get into a bowl and have a successful year, he was willing to do it.’’

Griffin said the decision to play was an easy one.

‘‘The team needed me to help, and that’s what I’m here for, to go to school and play football. So it was no big deal,’’ he said.

At 190 pounds, Griffin is about 15 pounds heavier than last year, which Mangino said has made him quicker and more explosive. If that holds true, it would provide a needed complement to an offense that threw 67 percent of the time last year.

‘‘All of our running backs, including Quentin, need to do a great job, and they will. I’m confident in that group,’’ Mangino said. ‘‘I think it can be a really good group and Quentin is a young man that we’re relying heavily on, we really are.’’

SOONER NOTES: Stoops said there are a handful of freshmen who could play this year. ‘‘We couldn’t be more pleased with the group as a whole,’’ he said. ‘‘They’re what we hoped they would be.’’ Offensive lineman Wes Sims of Weatherford and quarterback Hunter Wall of Coppell, Texas, have been particularly impressive. ... Stoops was asked if his linebackers (Rocky Calmus and Torrance Marshall) are as good as any in the country. ‘‘We’re not much on saying we’ve got the best here or there,’’ he said. ‘‘We feel good about our linebackers. How they compare to the rest of the country, we’ll see.’’

Hurricane Has New Confidence

By KELLY KURT

Associated Press Writer

TULSA (AP) — They’ve got new turf under their feet, and new helmets on their heads. And they’ve got a new coach who talks fast and tells this Tulsa team and everyone else that they’re winners.

But the biggest sign of change at Tulsa’s annual media day came in the way players who have known nothing but losing seasons cocked their chins and spoke with a newfound confidence Wednesday.

‘‘I know we’re going to win this season,’’ said offensive guard Steve Wiedower.

Coach Keith Burns believes it, too.

But Burns, the former defensive coordinator at Arkansas, has been making bold statements about Tulsa since the day he took the job in December. He said then that he believed the Golden Hurricane, a team that hasn’t had a winning season since 1991, could win a championship. And he said he feels even better about those statements now.

‘‘I think we’ve got as good a chance as anybody,’’ he said Wednesday. ‘‘I’ve made that statement and people have thought I’m smoking something, I’m sniffing something. It’s neither of those things. I’ve got a firm belief.’’

Burns recently attracted attention for saying he thought Tulsa was on its way to surpassing Oklahoma State.

His high expectations and enthusiastic talk have done nothing but bolster players who were languishing after last year’s 2-9 season and the firing of longtime coach Dave Rader, said Ashon Farley, senior linebacker.

‘‘People don’t make comments unless they have complete confidence in what they’re saying,’’ Farley said. ‘‘I believe that that confidence comes from us. I believe he sees the potential in us and can speak freely because he sees the potential that we have.’’

Burns offers Arkansas’ turnaround as proof.

In two seasons there, the defense under Burns climbed from a national ranking of 103rd to within the top 20 in total defense last year. During his tenure, the Razorbacks posted an overall 16-7 record.

Burns said he tries to live what he believes. He strives to create excitement. And he said his coaching is based on creating an environment conducive to success.

‘‘There’s laughter, there’s encouragement, there’s hard work and praise,’’ he said.

And the ‘‘little things’’ have only helped, Burns said.

The new artificial turf glistens and cushions like real grass. Helmets and uniforms will have a new look for the first time since 1991. There’s fresh paint in the football offices and a Nintendo in the locker room.

Sixty players stuck around this summer to condition and practice, Burns said.

He happened upon them one night practicing on their own, having found someone to flick on the stadium lights.

‘‘To me that’s a great thing and a sign of things to come,’’ Burns said.

Despite lingering uncertainties, particularly questions about who will step up on defense, players said the new attitude is something that can be carried to the field, even when the newness wears off.

Quarterback Josh Blankenship, who completed 51 percent of his passes for 1,416 yards last year, said players have bought into the idea they can win.