LOCAL

Roaring Waters From Kaw Draw Curious Spectators
Election Officials Dispute Charges
Nearly News
Street Surface Testing Begins

Roaring Waters From Kaw Draw Curious Spectators

By PATTI PFEIFFER

News Staff Writer

People flocked to Kaw Lake over the weekend to watch the muddy, murky and mighty waters gush forth from the floodgates of the dam.

At one point there were so many onlookers that the parking area below the dam backed up with cars awaiting a look at the sights that the floods provided — flooded beaches, swollen river banks, soaring seagulls, and water, water, water everywhere!

“Awesome,” said Vicki Hyde, who was watching with her friend, Thomas Whitebeaver, who’d never seen the lake so full of water.

New to the Ponca City area, Yancey Romero found the dam release a way to entertain his children.

“We have been here three times this weekend,” Romero said. “The kids think it’s great.”

However some children found the scene of the wall of water flowing from the dam more frightening than fun.

“He doesn’t like this,” Shane Cloud said of his 4-year-old son Dalton who snugly held onto his father’s neck. “I thought I’d come and see if they had gotten control of it yet and I can see they still have a problem.”

Roger Greer of Ponca City said the flooding in town prompted his visit.

“I saw where water was rising and it was flooding near town and so I knew that they would have to be releasing a lot of water,” Greer said. “I just wanted to come and see it for myself.”

Then there were those that had been keeping watch on the water for a while. “We came last week when they were still holding water back, and only had one gate open,” said Keith Lawrence. “We wanted to see what had happened since then.”

“It really is pretty amazing,” Vickie Lawrence added.

All eight of the floodgates were opened last week in an attempt to handle record inflows from both the Arkansas and Walnut Rivers.

Late last week the releases caused flooding in low-lying areas east of the city on Pecan Road and Central Avenue. Sections of both roads are still closed due to the high water.

According to the Corps of Engineer, all eight of the floodgates will remain open and, unless conditions change, releases of 40,000 cubic feet of water per second will continue at least for the next few days.

“The channel downstream has hit its capacity and so we’re not expecting any increases unless conditions change. We are part of the Tulsa District and work as a system so what we do depends on what others in our district do,” Corps of Engineers Manager Bill Powers says. “Our biggest problem right now is the uncertainty of the weather.”

Election Officials Dispute Charges

NEWKIRK — State and county election board officials today denied any irregularities in last week’s Senate 20 election between incumbent Paul Muegge (D-Tonkawa) and challenger David Meyers (D-Ponca City).

Meyers alleged possible irregularities in absentee and in-person absentee balloting in connection with a rural Ponca City precinct in a press release concerning his 87-vote defeat and consideration of a recount.

He said the matter had been discussed with Lance Ward, state Election Board secretary. Meyers said he decided not to pursue a protest due to time constraints and difficulty in finding people to prove irregularities.

Carol Stafford, Kay County Election Board secretary, said today, “The voters in Kay County have a fair and honest election process. I have 93 honest, hard-working, dedicated employees (volunteers) that give 12-14 hours on election day to see that the voting process is done with accuracy.”

She added, “We have come a long way in the last eight years in the state election system. Oklahoma has the finest in the nation.”

Concerning the candidate’s allegations, she said, “In our last election, I became totally aware that Mr. Myers does not understand our election system. I have contacted Lance Ward concerning how very disappointed I was at the misleading accusations of irregularities from Mr. Meyers.”

Ward, in a letter to Stafford, explained the contact he had concerning irregularities, saying, “I was contacted by an attorney who represents Republican candidates with questions about possible irregularities with in-person voting.

“I explained that although it was unlikely anyone, much less many people, were given the wrong ballot, there were records to prove if it happened or not. I detailed how the verification could occur.”

Ward detailed in the letter his contact with Stafford concerning the conversation with the lawyer and how to make the records available. “There was ample time to check these records by the deadline to file a contest of an election,” he said.

Ward discounted a talk of irregularities, saying, “It is misleading to say or suggest I discussed irregularities. I am not aware of any irregularity in the Senate 20 race. I did discuss the process and how anyone could determine if there were irregularities.”

As for comparing problems in this election with a previous city election, he said, “It is wrong to say there are any problems with a Senate election because there were problems with a city election. As you and Ponca City officials know, boundaries set by the city were the problems (with the previous election) and do not affect other elections.”

Nearly News

Ponca City citizens have been so generous with their contributions to the Honduras relief that a need has arisen for boxes in which to ship the supplies. The Grand Avenue Church of Christ, 1300 West Grand Avenue, is asking for boxes for the packing and shipping of the contributions. All sizes are welcomed and appreciated.

Street Surface Testing Begins

Infrastructure Management Services (IMS) personnel are in Ponca City to begin surface testing of the city streets. The tests will be conducted with their Laser Road Surface Tester.

“This is a van equipped with an array of lasers that provide data on roughness, rut depth, cracking, and texture,” City Traffic Engineering Manager Mike Lane stated. “Environmental data are also gathered including physical dimensions of the streets, surface type, and drainage characteristics.”

The testing will take approximately one week to complete. After the surface testing is complete, another crew from IMS will begin base testing of the streets using a Dynaflect machine.

According to Lane the testing is being done to update the data in Ponca City’s pavement management system.

“We use this system to investigate many different scenarios regarding traffic, budgets, and rehabilitation strategies and their effect on pavement performance levels and budgets,” Lane stated. “It is a powerful tool to assist City staff in formulating the most cost-effective treatments for our streets and the best timing for those treatments so that we can get the most out of the one-half cent street improvement sales tax.”

DEATHS

LeFreda Dove O’Mealey
Jean Edith Briscoe
Bruce E. Hearon
Maxine L. Wutrz
Patsy R. Miller
Vera Fay Smith

LeFreda Dove O’Mealey

TONKAWA — LaFreda Dove Jones O’Mealey, longtime Tonkawa resident, died Friday, Nov. 6, 1998, at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Ponca City. She was 88.

The funeral will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, 1998, at the First Baptist Church in Tonkawa with the Rev. Richard Thomasson, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the Riverview Cemetery under the direction of McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home.

LaFreda Dove Jones O’Mealey was born on March 4, 1910, in Buffalo, Mo., the daughter of Charles Rosenthal and Myrtle Dove (Lotton) Jones. In 1913 the family moved to a farm southwest of Tonkawa. She received her education at the Home Valley Country School and the University Preparatory School in Tonkawa. She married Elmer W. O’Mealey on Jan. 13, 1928, in Garber. The couple lived in the Continental camp southwest of Tonkawa until 1936 when they were transferred to the Conoco camp in Geneseo, Kan. Following six years there, they were transferred back to the Tonkawa field. They made their home on a farm west of Tonkawa in 1942 where they remained prior to moving to Tonkawa in 1973, when the Salt Fork River took their home. Her husband preceded her in death on Nov. 5, 1983.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church and attended the Riverview Church for many years. She was also a member of the WMU, the Riverview Ladies Aid, the Mary Martha Sunday School class, the American Legion Auxiliary, and for many years had the Good News Club. She taught Sunday School at the Riverview Church and First Baptist Church for a number of years and often wrote feature and local news columns for the Tonkawa News.

Surviving are two daughters, LaRieta Hayes of Riverside, Calif., and Elma Jean Danford of Fort Morgan, Colo.; two sons, Garry W. O’Mealey and Gerald D. O’Mealey, both of Tonkawa; two brothers, C.R. Jones and Atwood Jones, both of Tonkawa; nine grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, two step-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband; her parents; a sister, Radell Jones Matthiesen; and two brothers, Allen Lee Jones and Melvin Dean Jones.

The family will be at 801 North Seventh in Tonkawa.

Jean Edith Briscoe

DALLAS — Jean Edith Briscoe, former resident of Ponca City and resident of Dallas, died Saturday, Nov. 7, 1998, in Dallas, Texas. She was 97.

She was born Feb. 14, 1901.

A private service was held Nov. 9, 1998, under the direction of the Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home in Dallas.

She is survived by several nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to Family Hospice, 1140 Empire Central, Dallas, Texas 75247.

Bruce E. Hearon

Bruce E. Hearon, longtime Ponca City resident, died Friday, Nov. 6, 1998, at his home. He was 46.

Graveside service will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, 1998, in Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Don Stanton, pastor of Faith Tabernacle Church, officiating. Services are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.

Bruce E. Hearon was born on Oct. 14, 1952, in Ponca City, the son of Bob and Gloria Sue (Grayson) Hearon. He attended school in Ponca City and graduated from Ponca City High School in 1972. On June 23, 1984, in Newkirk he married the former Diane Eitzmann. He later went to work for the City of Ponca City.

His hobbies included pictures and models of semi trucks, visiting with friends, drinking coffee and playing cards.

Survivors include his wife Diana of the home; mother; one brother, Bryant Hearon; two sisters, Dianna Murtishaw and Stephanie O’Hare; grandmother, Ida Mae Gould; four nephews and four nieces. He is preceded in death by his father, one niece, one grandmother and two grandfathers.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Opportunity Center of Ponca City, 2225 N. Union Street, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Maxine L. Wutrz

Maxine L. Wurtz, Ponca City resident, died Friday, Nov. 6, 1998, at Westminster Village. She was 80.

The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, 1998, in the Grace Memorial Chapel with the Rev. David Bigger, pastor, Free Will Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be held at 4 p.m. in the Pleasanton Cemetery in Pleasanton, Kan., under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Maxine L. Wurtz was born Dec. 6, 1917, in Bressie, the daughter of Fletcher and Bertha (Howell) Jeffries. She grew up in the Bressie Community and attended school and graduated from Marland High School.

She was married to Kenneth Wurtz in Dodge City, Kan., on April 25, 1949. The couple made their home in Dodge City where they lived until his retirement, and the couple moved to Ponca City in 1982. She was a longtime member of the V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary and enjoyed gardening, crocheting and knitting.

Surviving are a brother, Cecil Jeffries, of Ponca City; 12 nieces and nephews; and numerous great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1996; her parents; and one sister, Christine Wright.

Patsy R. Miller

Wichita, Kan. — Patsy R. Miller, former resident of Ponca City, died Saturday, Nov. 7, 1998, in Wichita, Kan. She was 69.

A funeral will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, 1998, at the Hillside Funeral Home East in Wichita, Kan., and burial will follow at 3 p.m. in the Longwood Cemetery, east of Ponca City on Lake Road.

Patsy R. Miller was born on March 15, 1929, the daughter of Joseph and Ruth Akard. She was married to Charles H. Miller. She was a homemaker.

She is survived by five sons, Billy Ray Chick of Phoenix, Ariz., Phillip Wadley of Fort Worth, Texas, David L. Miller of Augusta, Kan., James G. Miller of Wichita, Kan., and Shawn W. Miller of Wichita, Kan.; two daughters, Carol J. Maxwell of Tamball, Texas, and Betty M. Zlaitich of Richmond, Texas; one brother, Clyde Jo Akard of San Francisco, Calif.; 19 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Obituaries

Vera Fay Smith

Vera Fay Smith, Ponca City resident, died Sunday, Nov. 8, 1998, at Westminster Village. She was 89.

A graveside service will be held Tuesday, Nov. 10, 1998, at 10 a.m. at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery with Mr. Carl Maples, elder, and Mr. Don Huddleston, minister, Hartford Avenue Church of Christ, officiating. Burial will be under the direction of the Trout Funeral Home.

Mrs. Smith was born Nov. 25, 1908, in Elk City to James William and Maude (Johnson) Ellis. She grew up in Elk City and graduated high school there. On Aug. 19, 1928, she married Edward H. Smith in Sayre. She and her family moved from Elk City to the Oklahoma panhandle in 1947. They were engaged in farming and ranching in the Eva community until moving to Ponca City in 1984.

Mrs. Smith was a member of the Hartford Avenue Church of Christ. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, oil painting, quilting and crocheting. She loved the mountains of New Mexico and spent many summers there. In one of her final conversations she said, “I love my family.”

She is survived by her husband, Edward Smith of the home; two sons: Jack Smith of Ponca City and Jerry Smith and wife Freddie of Dallas; daughter, Pat Hicks and husband Bill of Ponca City; sister, Dorothy Cronk of Farmington, N. M.; five grandchildren: Kent Hicks and wife Susan Tallon, Jennifer Hicks Hurley and husband Kevin, Ann Smith Pederson and husband Tom, Jonathan Edward Smith and Alexander Gerlach Smith; and four great-grandchildren: Yana Tallon-Hicks, Rory Tallon-Hicks, Nicole Hurley and Brittni Hurley. In addition to her parents, one sister and four brothers preceded her in death.

paid obituary

NEWS BRIEFS

Club Meeting — Sage, Rosemary and Thyme Garden Club will meet at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the home of Natalie Nelson, 1404 Academy Road. Co-hostess will be Barbara Kegler. Joe Widner, guest speaker, will present “Soap Making 101.” Members are invited to bring items for the Serendipity table being taken care of by Ms. Nelson and Janet Neylon. For more information about the club call Mary Anne Potter, 767-1957.

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. adv.

Illegal Parking — At 8:47 a.m. Saturday police were called to the 400 block of East Grand Avenue due to a car parked in a handicap space without a sticker. A citation was issued.

Instant Passport pictures. Graham Photo, 201 North First, 765-

4348. adv.

Arrests — Police arrested a 19-year-old woman and 22-year-old man at 11:46 a.m. Saturday from the 500 block of South Fourteenth Street for domestic assault and battery.

Appliances, Rebuilt Maytags and others. Plus new

scratch/dent. 1989 Ford pickup full size, 4X4, $5,000. 1991 Cougar,

loaded, $3,900. Copeland’s, 315 East Grand, 762-6896. adv.

Arrest — A 32-year-old man was arrested at 12:20 p.m. Sunday from the 1200 block of South Twelfth Street on a city warrant for failure to appear.

You Are invited to the 5th annual BBQ and auction at the

First Lutheran School on Friday, November 13, 1998 at 6:00 p.m.

Tickets available at the door for $12. Advance tickets are $10. Call

the school office, 762-4243 for more information. adv.

Stolen Bike — A woman in the 2200 block of Jane Street reported the theft of bicycle at 1:46 p.m. Sunday.

Auxiliary’s Birthday — The American Legion will celebrate the 79th birthday of the Legion Auxiliary with a family dinner at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Huff-Minor American Legion Post 14, 407 West South Avenue. A regular meeting will follow the dinner. All Legion and Auxiliary members are urged to attend.

Pauline's Every Monday night special. Fried chicken only - all

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

adv.

Break-In — At 1:18 p.m. Saturday police were advised of a break-in at a Fort Knox Storage Unit, 1301 East Prospect Avenue. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

You’re Invited to a cruise party at Elks Lodge. Tuesday, November 10, 7:00 p.m. Royal Caribbean and Carlson Wagonlit Travel.

Wagonlit Travel, 323 East Grand,

762-7591. adv.

Auxiliary’s Birthday — The American Legion will celebrate the 79th birthday of the Legion Auxiliary with a family dinner at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Huff-Minor American Legion Post 14, 407 West South Avenue. A regular meeting will follow the dinner. All Legion and Auxiliary members are urged to attend.

Pauline's Every Monday night special. Fried chicken only - all

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

adv.

Arrest — Police arrested a 51-year-old woman at 2:03 p.m. Saturday from Drug Warehouse, 2214 North Fourteenth Street for petit larceny.

WWF Survivor Series. Only the strong will survive this series! Only on Pay Per View, Sunday, November 15th at 7:00 p.m., $29.95. Cable ONE 762-6684.

adv.

Assault — At 2:41 p.m. Saturday a woman in the 400 block of North Fourteenth Street contacted police regarding her son being assaulted. An officer was assigned.

Beer Theft — At 6:09 a.m. Sunday a beer theft at Conoco, 3305 North Fourteenth Street was reported. An officer was assigned.

Hit and Run — A woman in the 2000 block of El Camino Street advised police at 3:57 p.m. Saturday that she had been involved in a hit-and-run accident. An officer was assigned.

Arrest — A 43-year-old man was arrested at 7:58 p.m. Saturday from South Sixth Street and East South Avenue on a Kay County warrant for obtaining public assistance and food stamps by fraud.

Attempted Theft — At 10:55 p.m. Saturday a clerk at Sav-A-Trip, 501 West Highland Avenue contacted police reporting an attempted beer theft. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Assault Arrest — At 11:08 p.m. Saturday a woman was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center after sustaining injuries in a domestic assault. A 29-year-old woman was also later arrested for domestic assault and battery.

Arrest — Police arrested a 20-year-old man at 1:17 a.m. Sunday from East Hartford Avenue and Northeast Woodlands for possession of marijuana and driving under the influence.

Vehicle Break-In — At 3:39 a.m. Sunday police received a report of two juveniles getting into a pickup truck in the 100 block of Viola Avenue. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Break-In — A break-in at the Friendly Bar, 705 North Osage Street, was reported to police at 7:03 a.m. Sunday. A report was taken.

Assault Arrests — Two women were arrested Sunday for domestic assault and battery. A 40-year-old woman was arrested at 2:15 p.m. from the 3500 block of B Street and a 19-year-old woman was arrested at 3:46 p.m. from St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.

Arrest — Police arrested a 21-year-old man at 5:35 p.m. Sunday from the 1000 block of North Birch Street for driving under suspension and on a city warrant for failure to obey.

Extra Patrol — Extra patrol was assigned to the 800 block of Spring Road at 5:45 p.m. Sunday after a woman called reporting that someone had broken into her home and garage.

Extra Patrol — Extra patrol was requested at 9:27 p.m. Sunday in the 1500 block of Cookson Drive after a man reported that someone had tried to pry the screen of his window.

Beer Theft — At 10:09 p.m. Sunday a clerk at the E-Z Mart, 2225 North Fourteen Street, contacted police reporting the theft of two 12-packs of beer.

Arrest — A 38-year-old man was arrested from North Fifth Street and East Park Avenue at 10:10 p.m. Sunday for driving under suspension, left of center and no driver’s license.

Arrest — At 10:18 p.m. Sunday an 18-year-old woman was arrested, on a city warrant for failure to pay, from North Ash Street and West Hartford Avenue.

Arrest — Police arrested a 20-year-old man at 11:14 p.m. Sunday from the 1500 block of Bradley Avenue for driving under the influence, no insurance, speeding and transporting a loaded firearm under the influence.

Break-In — At 1:33 a.m. Monday a man in the 700 block of North First Street reported that his home had been broken into. An officer was assigned and a breaking and entering report was taken.

Arrest — A 32-year-old man was arrested at 1:44 a.m. Monday from West Chestnut Avenue and North Pine Street for driving under the influence, left of center and no headlights.

America Recycles Day — The Ponca City Recycling Center is joining thousands of other recyclers across the country in celebrating America Recycles Day by having displays of recycled content materials at various stores throughout the city. Some stores will also have contests on that day to enhance the program.

LIFESTYLES

Little News
Head Start Students Tour Fire Department
McKinzies Mark Anniversary

Little News

Danny and Alicia (Arnold) Taylor of Wichita, Kan. announce the birth of a daughter at 2:37 p.m. Oct. 17, 1998 at the Wesley Birth Center in Wichita. Sara Nicole Taylor weighed 6-pounds, 13-ounces and measured 18 1/2-inches long. She has a sister, Courtney Suzanne Taylor.

Maternal grandparents are Sherman and Barbara Arnold of Ponca City and paternal grandparents are Allen and Beverly Taylor of Blackwell.

Alexxya Naomi Daily is the name chosen by Heather Dawn Thornbrugh of Ponca City and Billy Allen Daily of Kaw City for their daughter born at 6:20 p.m. Oct. 21, 1998 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. The baby weighed 6-pounds, 3-ounces and was 22-inches long.

Grandparents are Curtis and Francita Thornbrugh of Ponca City and Carol Sue and D. B. Daily of Kaw City. Maternal great-grandparents are Clarence and Gwen Swopes of Ponca City and Mary J. Thornbrugh of Oklahoma City. Great-great-grandmother is Jewell Stiner of Ponca City.

Announcing the birth of their first child, a daughter, are Tom and Tammi (Fryar) Dragg of Broken Arrow. Aliya Ciarra Dragg was born at 11:04 a.m. Nov. 3, 1998 at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa. She weighed 7-pounds, 10-ounces and measured 18 1/2-inches long.

Maternal grandparents are Garvin and Guarry Fryar of Ponca City and paternal grandparents are Bonnie Dragg of Houston, Texas and Charles Dragg of Norman.

Head Start Students Tour Fire Department

Students at the Otoe-Missouri Head Start program recently toured the volunteer fire department to learn about fire prevention.

Otoe-Missouria Head Start is a federally funded program operated through the American Indian programs branch. However, the program is not just for Indian children. Enrollment is based on age and family income eligibility requirements. Priority is given to children with special needs and those with Tribal membership.

Otoe-Missouria Head Start is operated in a building located on the what was the campus of Marland school until the consolidation in fall 1989. To enroll in the Otoe-Missouria Head Start boys and girls must have been three or four years old by September 1, 1998. Enrollment for the program is 40 students.

Throughout the year, various educational programs concerning a variety of topics, including fire prevention are provided for the students. During National Fire Prevention Week the students visited the Marland Fire Station where they observed equipment including the SCBA gear. Fire Chief Mickey Robinson talked with the students about the protective gear needed when fighting a fire, to reassure the children not to fear the gear, in the event that it may save their life one day. Each student was given a “Junior Firefighter “ Hat and information to take home.

McKinzies Mark Anniversary

Mr. and Mrs. Charles David McKinzie, 2603 Bluestem Road, celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary with a trip to Branson, Mo. They were married Nov. 7, 1953 at Grace Lutheran Church in Fort Worth, Texas.

They moved to Ponca City in 1965. Mr. McKinzie retired from Conoco in 1985 after 30 years of service. Mrs. McKinzie retired as Business Office Manager at Ponca City High School in 1995. They are members of the First Lutheran Church.

The couple’s children and their spouses are Cynthia Linthicum of Ponca City, Brad and Silvia McKinzie of North Richland Hills, Texas, and Scott and Stephanie McKinzie of Ponca City. Grandchildren are Lance Linthicum, Erica and Jeremy McKinzie, and Joseph McKinzie.

SPORTS

Monday Night Quarterback
Mavericks Fall To Nationally Ranked Team
Lady Mavs Lose Heartbreaker
P.C. Express Keeps Perfect Record Alive
Williams Still A Factor Even Without Statistics

Monday Night Quarterback

Ponca City head football coach Todd Kimrey has vowed fans will see a different Wildcat team next season — stronger, faster and with a new attitude.

It won’t be easy. Especially on the players. Kimrey is starting an off-season conditioning program next week designed to make his players stronger, quicker and mentally tougher.

It all starts Tuesday with testing for the approximately 100 eighth through 11th graders. That testing — of strength and speed — will last about two weeks before the coaching staff gets down to testing the more important thing of all, the players’ will.

“These players are going to have to be committed,” Kimrey said. “Because if they are not committed, they aren’t going to make it through the off-season and they won’t make it when the season starts.”

Taking part in the off-season program is not an option for those who want to play next season.

“We’re not going to have guys who sit over at the high school all year and then try to come out for football in the fall,” the coach warns. “If they sit during the off-season we’ll tell them ‘thanks, but we can’t use you.’”

That doesn’t mean that Kimrey doesn’t want footballers playing other sports.

“I feel the other coaches will keep them in good condition,” he said. “I want them to play other sports, but we put a lot of emphysis on weight training. So we want them lifting, too.”

Kimrey is ready to accept the fact that the strenuous off-season will run some players off, costing him numbers next season.

“I am like everyone else in that I would like to have the big numbers,” the coach said. “But sometimes I think big numbers can be a distraction to the team when some of those players aren’t committed.

“I’ve talked to the younger players and they are excited about getting in an off-season program. They want to win.”

Despite the Wildcats’ 1-9 finish on this season, Kimrey was not disappointed in some of the things he saw and restated his committment to the wishbone offense.

‘”We had 2,100 yards rushing this year,” he noted. “That’s pretty good. That’s 210 yards rushing a game. I’ll take that again next year.

But he won’t take another season with 32 turnovers, 27 of those fumbles.

“Turnovers were key,” Kimrey said of the lack of scoring. “Turnovers killed us.”

“I’d like to throw the football a little more. But this is not a passing team. We don’t have the quarterbacks who can throw the ball around like some of the teams we faced do.”

Playing so many teams with good quarterbacks had an impact on his team this year, Kimrey notes.

“We played some very good football teams. Four of the teams in our district are still among the top 10 (in the state high school poll).

“And we played against some very good quarterbacks, starting with Tulsa Hale (#Beau Kemp), and Tahlequah (Justin Sutherland). Stillwater’s Josh Fields and Owasso’s J.W. Morgan.”

Not to mention Tulsa Union’s Josh Blankenship, who shredded the Wildcat defense for 184 yards and three touchdowns in one half of play Friday.

“Playing quarterbacks who are that good, puts a lot of stress on your defense,” Kimrey said.

Kimrey admits he was somewhat disappointed in his defense, that gave up 337 points on the season.

“But our defensive players were just outmatched,” he said. “When your defensive line players weight 210 and their offensive linemen weigh 250, you are going to get pushed around. When your secondary people run 4.7 and the other team has players who run 4.5, you’re going to get outrun.

“That’s what happened this year, we were pushed around and outrun.”

Kimrey figures his program to make the Wildcats stronger and faster will make for a more even playing field.

The physical differences are probably the easiest for Kimrey and his staff to fix in the off-season. Breaking the mindset brought on by 10 years of losing will be more difficult.

“We can break through that,” Kimrey says confidently. “You have to believe you can win and by the time they get through the off-season program, the players will believe they can win.

“It’s not that we are going to be mean with these kids. I care about these players. But I want them to think like champions and we can show them what is like to be a champion.”

Mavericks Fall To Nationally Ranked Team

HOBBS, New Mexico — The Mavericks of NOC (3-1) settled for the runners-up spot in the New Mexico Juco Classic, Saturday, falling in a bruising dogfight to the No. 8 nationally ranked Utah Valley Wolverines, 76-65.

Though Mavs’ coach Mick Weiberg is quick to point out that there’s no such thing as a good loss, it was a great game.

“You couldn’t have asked for a harder fought ball game,” he said. “There wasn’t an uncontested look at the basket for the first 20 minutes — it was one of those games where, if you got the ball inside, you better hold onto your shirt, your shorts. . .”

After falling back 35-31 at halftime, the Wolverines battled with the Mavs until the seven minute mark, when they finally surged ahead for the lead. Holding to a tenuous, 3-4 point advantage from there, the Mavs were forced to send 6-3 Danny Brotherson to the line in the waning moments, where the Wolverines’ super-aggressive guard went good on 6-of-6 to put the game away.

Brotherson’s fevered pitch also led to repeated trips to the charity stripe, where he went good on 13-of-17.

“He’s the catalyst to that team,” said Weiberg. “He’s ultra aggressive and makes thing happen.

“And they’re just an awfully good basketball team. There were some scouts there, and some national writers, and they were impressed. Then again, I think we impressed some people, too. You couldn’t have asked for a better test this early in the season.”

An iron-clad defense on both ends of the court led to some awful shooting statistics for both teams from the 3-point arc. The Wolverines were good on just 2-of-16, while the Mavs hit just 3-of-23. All three of those came from Maverick sophomore point guard Josh Regnier, who led all scorers with 17 points.

The Mavs also took just 23 trips to the line, while the Wolverines took 39.

“Those are big stats,” said Weiberg. “With 10 less free throws for them it could have been a different game.”

The Mavs did equal their foes from 2-point range (46 percent), and had just 10 turnovers — the Wolverines finished with six.

Garrett Pelton had a break-through game with 13 points, Ron Banks had 12, Larry Reid had 10, Ryan Williams and Nathan Gregory had 4 each, while Josh Nichols, Latarvis Norman and Shere-Khan Jones all had two.

The Wolverines were led by Justin Sant, with 16. Brotherson had 15.

The Mavericks will be at home on Tuesday, taking on the Oklahoma Baptist junior varsity, at 8. The Lady Mavs will play the early game, against LaBette County, Kansas, at 6.

Lady Mavs Lose Heartbreaker

LEVELLAND, Texas — The Lady Mavericks of NOC lost a heartbreaker in the final round of the Lady Texas Tour, Saturday, falling to the McLennan (Texas) Lady High Landers in overtime, 103-93.

The Lady Mavs finished fourth in the tournament, and with the loss drop to 1-2 on the year.

In a tight race all the way to the end, the Lady High Landers got the final push over the Lady Mavs in overtime, 18-8. Down by two at halftime, 45-43, the Lady Mavs went on to outscore their opposition 42-40 in the second half to knot the score at 85-all. Freshman guard LaTonya Douglas had a stellar game, finishing with a whopping 27 points for the Lady Mavs. Douglas fouled out late, however — undoubtedly a factor in the extra period loss.

Also, after getting to bed at around midnight the night before, and playing in their third straight road game, the Lady Mavs seemed to give into fatigue.

“But that’s no excuse,” said Lady Mavs’ coach Greg Krause. “The other team was tired, too. We just turned it over a few times (in overtime), gave up a rebound on a second free throw, and their press got to us in the last couple of minutes. We also took a couple of shots we shouldn’t have taken.

“It was a bunch of little things. But we played hard. We hung in there an fought.”

Though they nearly matched their foes on shooting percentage from the field — 48 percent versus 49 for the Lady High Landers — the Lady Mavs lost badly in the turnovers department, giving up 30. The Lady Highlanders had 22.

“If we keep improving in the fundamental areas — shooting, blocking out, and executing passes — we’ll be all right,” said Krause. “This tournament gave us an idea of who will perform, and helps us to understand our substitution patterns. And I know at this point that we don’t need any major overhauls.”

Following up Douglas’ hot hand were Jennifer Williams with 15, Chenise Robinson with 14, Suzi Eisenhauer with 10, Jessica Garner with 9, Kacey Whitworth with 6, while Shaneta Lewis and Lyndsey Warrior each had 2.

The Lady Mavs also suffered the loss of 5-7 freshman Lorraine Rice, who went out with a knee injury in Friday’s game. Krause says the injury isn’t likely serious, and expects Rice back in the lineup soon.

The Lady Mavs will play their first home game of the season on Tuesday, taking on LaBette County, Kansas. Tip off is at 6.

P.C. Express Keeps Perfect Record Alive

BROKEN ARROW — The P.C. Express, an first-year under-14 soccer team coached by Marc Castillo and Gary Brown, upped their season record to a near perfect 6-0-2 on Sunday, topping the Broken Arrow Highlanders, 3-2.

Matt Brown started things off with a corner kick that was deflected off the heel of teammate Sean Smethers and kicked in by the Highlanders for a Ponca City goal. Justin Bush then followed that feat by scoring from 20 yards out — glancing the ball off a Broken Arrow player’s head.

“They (the Highlanders) scored two goals for us,” Castillo laughed.

With a 2-1 lead going into the second period, Brown scored again with a left foot kick on the near post. The Highlanders added a late goal, but the Poncans held on for the win.

The Express could wrap up an undefeated season and the first place in the Green Country Conference with wins against Bixby (away) on Saturday and the Prior Flames (at the Ponca City soccer complex) on Sunday.

Williams Still A Factor Even Without Statistics

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Ricky Williams didn’t have to put up gaudy rushing statistics when Texas played Oklahoma State.

That’s because the mere presence of the 6-foot-2, 225-pound senior in the huddle for the No. 18 Longhorns (7-2, 5-1 Big 12) made the Cowboys go into almost every down expecting Williams to get the ball.

The more committed Oklahoma State (3-6, 2-5) was to stopping the run, the less the Cowboys could do about the pass. Major Applewhite, a redshirt freshman, took advantage of it to turn in the first-ever 400-yard passing day by a Texas quarterback.

‘‘Our offensive plan is always to come out and take what the defense gives us,’’ said Applewhite, who went 29-for-40 for 408 yards and three touchdowns in Texas’ 37-34 victory Saturday. ‘‘They just kept giving us passes.’’

Three of the passes went to Williams for 74 yards, the most of his career. The highlight was a short pass that he turned into a 48-yard touchdown by first showing off his open-field running moves, then his breakaway speed.

But the Oklahoma State offense also did some damage. The Cowboys overcame deficits of 21-7 and 34-21 to tie the game at 34 with 10:25 to go.

After two stalled drives by each offense, Texas took over again at its 17 with 3:52 left. Longhorns coach Mack Brown decided it was time to go back to Williams, who rushed 23 times for 90 yards and one touchdown, and his relatively fresh legs.

He went up the middle for five yards on first down, then made a nifty move to get around left end for 24 yards on the next play.

Applewhite moved Texas to the Oklahoma State 40, then went back to Williams. He gained two yards by diving backwards after being spun around at the line, then used a big second effort to gain six more on second down.

A pass interference penalty gave the Longhorns a first down at the Cowboys 17. Williams dragged several Cowboys to the 12, then Kris Stockton kicked a 29-yard field goal with three seconds left to give Texas its sixth straight victory.

‘‘Ricky was probably the biggest difference in the fourth quarter,’’ Brown said. ‘‘Guys got tired and he ran right at ’em.’’

It was the third straight week that the 6-foot-2, 225-pound senior came up big in the fourth quarter, with the Longhorns either tied or trailing each time.

He scored two touchdowns in the final 2:03 to give Texas a 30-20 victory over Baylor on Oct. 24, then he churned out first downs in the finals minutes against Nebraska to burn the clock on a 20-16 victory.

For the season, Williams has a nation-leading 1,724 yards and his career total is 5,879. He needs 204 yards in his last two games — against Texas Tech in Lubbock on Saturday, then at home against Texas A&M the day after Thanksgiving — to pass Tony Dorsett as the leading rusher in major college football history.

Even with that lofty goal so close, Williams didn’t mind having his fewest carries in 11 games and his second-fewest rushing yards of the season.