Lexie Streeter and Asia Smith
Photo by Joe Masoner
Waurika’s boys’ and girls’ cross country team traveled to Shawnee last Saturday for the Class 2A State Cross Country meet held at the Gordon Cooper Technology Center.
The Lady Eagles wrapped up a successful season with a ninth-place finish among the 21 teams that qualified from three regional meets held the week before.
Boise City-Keyes won the team title for Class 2A with 78 points. Waurika accumulated 244 points in the meet.
In the boys’ competition, Waurika finished in 12th place. Mooreland dominated the team competition with 55 points, while runner-up Lomega was well back with 137 points.
The Eagles finished with 333 points – just one point ahead of Carnegie.
Heading the Lady Eagles as she did through most of the meets this season was Asia Smith.
Her finish of 13th place earned her a medal. She covered the 3,200-meter course in 13:02.2 –her best time of the season.
Lexie Streeter also turned in a great performance in the state meet with a 25th place finish. Her time was 13:19.8 – less than one second better than her season-best time.
Rounding out the competitors for the Lady Eagles were Tallin Mora (63rd, 14:09.6), Faith Roberson (93rd, 15:03.3), Hope Cummings (114th, 15:37.8), Kacie Reynolds (129th, 16:11.6) and Dallas Fristoe (140th, 16:33.3).
A total of 157 runners competed in the state meet for Class 2A girls – which was a particularly tough division this year.
All of the team members for the Lady Eagles will return next year for Coach Joe Masoner’s cross country squad.
The Lady Eagles earned two runner-up spots at invitational meets and finished third in three other competitions.
Bryson Hernandez was the top competitor for the Eagles at the state meet. He was 52nd in the race and finished the 5K with a time of 19:23.
As he has been all season, Cache Arellano was the second-best performance for the Eagles as he earned a 60th place with a time of 19:40.5.
The other finishers for Waurika in the state meet that featured 160 runners and 21 teams were Kevin Garcia (77th, 20:07.7), Octavio Gomez (107th, 21:08.9), Edwin Garcia (116th, 21:32.7), Gustavo Gomez (132nd, 22:13.6) and Nicholas Alvarado (137th, 22:27.8).
All six of the competitors should return for the Eagles next season. Four of them are sophomores and two are juniors.
The Eagles, also coached by Masoner, finished with the season having won two meets – at Waurika and Cameron University and finishing second in two other meets.
It was a disappointing day at the Class B District Baseball Tournament at Grandfield for the Ryan Cowboys last Thursday.
The Cowgirls dropped a heart-breaking 16-14 decision to Grandfield in the first game of the tournament and were eliminated in the second game by Olustee-Eldorado, 17-2, to end the season.
Olustee-Eldorado won the district title with a 14-1 victory over Grandfield in the finals last Friday. The Diamondbacks are slated to begin the Class B Regional tournament today at Leedey where they will meet Timberlake in the first round.
The first game for the Cowboys was a bitter one. Poor pitching allowed Grandfield to build a lead and the Cowboys trailed, 16-8, heading into the seventh inning.
A furious Cowboy rally was ended with the bases loaded when a Cowboy runner was caught between third base and home.
It was the fourth meeting between the Cowboys and the Bearcats this season and the Cowboys had won the previous three meetings in dominating fashion.
The Bearcats jumped on the Cowboys in the top of the first inning as four of the first five Grandfield batters scored to carry Grandfield to a 4-0 lead.
In the bottom of the first, the Cowboys got a run when Tate Kimbro was hit by a pitch and Joseph Martin reached on an error. Grayson Tomberlin walked to load the bases and Kimbro scored on Dawson Tomberlin’s fielder’s choice. That trimmed the Grandfield lead to 4-1.
But, the Bearcats struck for three more runs in the top of the second. Three consecutive singles resulted in three more runs for the Bearcats.
The Cowboys got things going in the bottom of the second with walks by Pacen Wiest and Cameron Villerreal. Trey Bryant was hit by a pitch and Kimbro singled home a run. Two more runs scored when G. Tomberlin reached on an error to get Ryan to within 7-5 heading to the third.
Grandfield scored one more run in the third inning and left the bases loaded. The Cowboys kept pace with a run in the bottom of the third when Andrew Villerreal walked and scored when Bryant was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
In the top of the fourth, Grandfield added another run and held the Cowboys scoreless to notch a 9-6 lead.
Grandfield continued the offensive onslaught with an unearned run in the top of the fifth inning to extend the lead to 10-6. The Cowboys failed to score in the bottom of the inning.
The Bearcats erupted for six runs in the top of the sixth and sent 10 batters to the plate. An error, three walks, two hit batsmen and two singles led to the uprising to give Grandfield a 16-6 lead.
The Cowboys kept the game alive in the bottom of the sixth taking advantage of four walks and a two-run single by Bryant to cut the lead to 16-8 heading to the final inning.
Grandfield threatened in the top of the seventh but left the bases loaded without a run.
This set up the dramatic near comeback by the Cowboys.
Martin got things started by reaching on an error and G. Tomberlin walked. After D. Tomberlin’s fly out, A. Villerreal walked to load the bases and River Williams got a walk to score Martin.
Wiest walked to score G. Tomberlin and A. Villerreal scored on C. Villerreal’s ground out. Bryant got a two-run single that scored Williams and Wiest to cut the margin to 16-13.
Kimbro walked and Martin was hit by a pitch to load the bases again for the Cowboys. G. Tomberlin walked to score Bryant and Kimbro scored as D. Tomberlin reached on an error.
The final out came when Martin was trying to score on the error and was caught between third and home to end the game and the Cowboys falling, 16-15.
Kimbro and A. Villerreal each scored three runs for the Cowboys and Bryant was 2-for-3 with four runs batted in.
The Diamondbacks overwhelmed the Cowboys in the second game and held the Cowboys to only two runs in the game shortened to five innings because of the run rule.
In the bottom of the second, the Diamondbacks struck for seven runs, including a three-run home run to take a 7-0 lead.
Ryan got on the board in the top of the fourth when G. Tomberlin and D. Tomberlin both reached on errors and came around to score. The Cowboys left two runners stranded, but cut the lead to 7-2.
The Diamondbacks answered, however, with 10 runs in the bottom of the fourth inning including another three-run homer that extended the advantage to 17-2 and ended the game.
Coach Judd Matthes’ squad finishes the year with a 4-13 record.
It is the fewest wins for the Cowboys since winning only four games in 2009. The 13 losses mark the most losses by a Cowboy squad since a 15-loss season in 2006.
Five Cowboy seniors saw their final action in the district tournament – Kimbro, D. Tomberlin, Williams, C. Villerreal and Martin.
It was a disappointing end to what has been a notable track season for the Ryan Cowgirls.
While posting several school record times through the course of the season, the competition at the Class A State Track Meet at Western Heights last Friday and Saturday proved to be a bit overwhelming for the four-member Cowgirl track squad.
The Cowgirls failed to score in the meet which was won by Boise City with 72 points.
The best performance of the meet came by the 3,200-meter relay team of Lilybet Harmon, Lily York, Holland Carter and Juliet Spangler.
This team, which broke the school record four times during the season and owns the top six performances in school history, recorded a time of 11:17.26.
That mark is the second best recorded time in the event in school history – some 17 seconds behind last week’s regional meet mark that established the newest school record.
In the 800 meters, Carter ran into a talented field that included Ellie Gilbreath’s meet record performance. The Regent Prep student recorded a time of 2:16.4, which was a full second better than the previous state track meet mark.
Carter’s time was 2:39.08, which was her personal best time of the 2018 season.
Spangler competed in the 3,200 meters at the state meet and like Holland faced a very talented field for the event which featured another state meet record-breaking performance by Gilbreath.
Spangler’s time of 13:49.54 was only her fourth best performance of the season.
The talented Ryan sophomore, however owns the top eight times in this event in school history including a time of 13:37.56 – a school record set at Konawa earlier this season.
The lone representative at the state track meet for the Cowboys was Walker Rawlings.
Rawlings had a tough weekend against an experienced field. Only three of the 16 competitors in the event were freshmen or sophomores.
Rawlings’ mark of 34-2.5 was well short of his season-best throw in the regional meet a week prior.
In the discus, Rawlings fell short of placing in the event with a throw of 114-07.
OVAL OBSERVATIONS: A big apology to Rawlings is due as last week’s edition of the Waurika News-Journal tabbed him as a freshman, but he is a sophomore at Ryan High School….However, Rawlings’ older brother, McCain, is the last state champion in track for the Cowboys as he won the shot put in 2015….Prior to that, the last gold medal performance by a Cowboy thinclad was in 1988 when Gary Waitman won the discus event….The Cowgirls have never had a state champion in any event in track and field….It was the third straight year the Cowboys failed to score at the state meet…The Cowboys have only recorded points at the state meet in six seasons since 2000….The highest finish ever for the Cowboys at the state track meet was fourth in 1973 when the mile relay team claimed the gold medal….The Cowgirls have not fared any better in state competition having only scored on four occasions since the 2000 season….The Cowgirls have had only one top ten finish in the state meet and that came in 1990 when the Cowgirls scored 14 points and tied for ninth place….The Cowgirls’ 1,600-meter relay squad did not qualify for the state meet, but turned in an outstanding 2018 season setting the school record in the event five times…..The best time prior to this season in the event was posted in 1990.
Waurika will play host to the regional cross country meets for Classes 2A, 3A and 4A at Harmon Park on Saturday.
The competition begins at 10 a.m. with the Class 4A girls race. The Class 4A boys race will follow at 10:45 a.m. There are 14 schools that have been assigned to the Waurika regional.
The Class 4A girls race will feature three top ten teams and second-ranked Madill and fourth-ranked Pauls Valley are expected to battle for the team title.
The Class 4A boys grouping will feature third-ranked Madill and fourth-ranked Byng along with seventh-ranked Cache.
The Class 2A portion of the competition which will feature teams from Waurika and Ryan and the girls competition begins at 12 noon, while the boys race will follow at 12:45. Runners from 33 different schools are expected to compete.
The Ryan and Waurika girls, along with Merritt, are the top ranked teams entered in the Waurika regional. The Cowgirls and Eagles have battled on near even terms in a number of meets this season, but the Cowgirls come into the regional ranked fourth, while Waurika is ranked fifth.
Ryan has won a total of five meet titles during the regular season. The Merritt girls are ranked sixth so the Class 2A girls race may be the one to watch throughout the day.
The Class 2A boys will have a total of seven top twenty teams. Carnegie, ranked fourth, and Merritt, ranked fifth, are expected to battle for the team title. Waurika will also be running on its home course and while the Eagles are ranked just outside the top 20, they could contend for the team title.
The Class 3A girls and boys will run at 2 and 2:45 p.m., respectively. There are 16 schools expected for the Class 3A part of the meet.
Marietta is the top-ranked Class 3A girls team in the state, while the Marietta boys hold down the number two spot in the state rankings.
Plainview will feature to be the threat to Marietta. Plainview girls are ranked second, while the Plainview boys are ranked fifth.
This will be an excellent opportunity to witness some of the top cross country teams and individuals in the state as they compete to advance into next week’s state cross country competition.
The top seven teams in each class will advance to the state cross country meet, while the top seven individuals not on a qualifying team will also earn spots in the state meet.
The Class 2A, 3A and 4A state meets will be conducted at Shawnee’s Gordon Cooper Technology Center on October 26. The Class 2A portion of the meet will begin at 12:30 with the girls competition and the boys will follow at 1:15.
It will likely be a trying season for the Ryan Cowboy and Cowgirl basketball squads.
The most trying aspect of the upcoming 2018-19 season will be having a place to play and practice as the Ryan gym undergoes a significant makeover.
It is hoped that a limited number of games can be played at home, but otherwise the Cowboys and Cowgirls will be on the road most of the season.
The Cowgirls and Cowboys will open the season on Tuesday by hosting Grandfield. Tipoff for the high school games will be 6:30 p.m. after a pair of junior high contests against the Bearcats.
It will be the homecoming game for Ryan because of the uncertainty of the future availability of the facilities.
Construction of the remodeled gym that opened in 1957 is going well and at the moment is on time for completion near the end of the current basketball season. The updated facility will feature new home locker rooms, a new concession area, and new entry.
The biggest change in the gym will be an added limited number of seats on the south side. The south side will be the new home of the bench areas and the scorer’s table.
Watch for announcements about changes for the location of upcoming games on social media or in this newspaper.
Second-year Cowgirl coach Steve Spangler is hopeful his three returning starters, who were all-conference a year ago, will be able to carry the squad that is small in number.
The Cowgirls will depend on the return of Samantha Good, Lily York and Juliet Spangler to carry what will be a rather young squad that will feature five juniors, one sophomore and three freshmen.
Those three will be counted on to provide the bulk of the offense and hopefully, the Cowgirls can find some more scoring. York was the co-offensive most valuable player in the Southern Eight Conference a year ago and was the leading scorer in 13 of the Cowgirls’ 24 games.
Spangler says at least one and at times, two freshmen will work their way into the starting lineup.
The Cowgirls traveled to Oklahoma City to face some tough foes in preseason scrimmages and the team held its own, according to Spangler.
Last season the Cowgirls made a marked improvement but still finished only 8-16 after going 3-20 in 2017. The team did finish as the district runner-up.
In the Southern Eight, Spangler believes that Big Pasture will be the top contender as the Lady Rangers welcome all five starters back from a year ago.
The Cowboys will be under the direction of first-year coach Austin Masoner. Not only is it his first as the Cowboy mentor, but it is also his first year of full-time coaching responsibilities.
According to Masoner, the Cowboy practices have been spirited and the 15-man roster seems to be buying into what Masoner hopes the team will become during the 2019 campaign.
Overall, the Cowboys will feature some size that will enable play with an inside post. Guard play is also in good hands for the Cowboys.
Grayson Tomberlin, who started a year ago as a freshman, and senior Skyler Parkhill, a Southern Eight Conference all-star last season, will be called upon to carry the offense. Those two were the leading scorers for the Cowboys in 11 of the 22 contests last season.
Travis Fristoe and Brock Smith will be counted on to help carry the Cowboy defense. The Cowboys will employ a great deal of zone defense, but Masoner noted he would also mix in some man-to-man and specialty defenses of the situation called for it.
The Cowboys’ weakness this season will be the overall lack of experience. The Cowboys also lack depth at the guard positions, but Masoner is hoping he can develop some of the other plays to help with the ball-handling.
The Cowboys hope to rebound from the disastrous 2018 season when the Cowboys slumped to a 5-17 mark after posting four straight winning records and two district titles.
The race for the conference title may be a tough one with Waurika and Big Pasture looking to be the top contenders along with conference newcomer Frederick.
The scheduled season-opener with Waurika was postponed because of the involvement of both schools in the football playoffs.
Following the season lid-lifter with Grandfield, the Cowboys and Cowgirls will travel to St. Jo, Texas for an invitational tournament.
The Cowgirls get the tourney started a week from today (November 29) with a 1:30 p.m. contest against Alvord. If the Cowgirls get a first-round win, they will play on November 30 at 1:30 p.m. against the winner of Sacred Heart and Ringling.
The Cowboys will take the court in the St. Jo Tournament on November 29 when they take on the Paradise Junior Varsity. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. and the game will be played in the auxiliary gym at the St. Jo campus. A win would advance the Cowboys to a 6 p.m. game on November 30 against the winner of Sacred Heart and St. Jo.
The next weekend the Cowboys and Cowgirls will compete in the Black and Gold Classic hosted by Wilson.
While the Ryan Cowboys snapped a long losing streak last Thursday against Thackerville, it was still a difficult weekend for the Ryan squads.
Last Thursday, Thackerville edged the Cowgirls, 36-33, while the Cowboys scored a 42-39 victory over the Wildcats on Raymon West Court to end a six-game skid.
Ryan traveled to Healdton last Friday and fell in both contests. The Lady Bulldogs took advantage of poor shooting by the Cowgirls to gain a 43-26 verdict.
Healdton, 18-2 on the year and ranked 18th in Class 2A, rolled to a 48-13 victory over the Cowboys.
Against Healdton, the Cowgirls got off to a tough start falling behind the Lady Bulldogs, 9-1, after one quarter.
All of Healdton’s first-quarter points came on three converted long range field goals.
The Cowgirls battled the Lady Bulldogs on even terms in the second quarter and were competitive most of the rest of the game trailing by 15 points with just three minutes to play.
Ultimately it was the first quarter deficit that was too much to overcome.
Lily York led the Cowgirls in scoring with 10 points.
Coach Steve Spangler’s Cowgirls are still playing without one starter.
The Cowgirls have lost nine straight to the Lady Bulldogs dating back to the 1993 season.
The Cowboys were short-handed also as two starters were missing against Healdton with illness.
Healdton got off to an impressive start and took a 14-3 lead after the first quarter.
The Bulldogs struggled, however, in the second quarter, but the Cowboys could not trim the margin and trailed 19-5 at the half.
For the second time this season the Cowboys came out of the intermission and could not score a point. The Bulldogs went on a 16-0 run in the period for an insurmountable 35-5 lead heading into the final frame.
The Cowboys broke the scoring drought, but Healdton still managed to outscore Ryan, 13-8, to set the final margin.
The 13 points scored in the game is the second fewest in school history and is the fewest since recording only 15 points in a 1988 encounter with Sulphur.
Dawson Tomberlin was the leading scorer for Coach Judd Matthes’ squad with seven points.
The Cowboys have lost six of the last eight meetings with the Bulldogs dating back to the 1993 season.
In the game with Thackerville, the Cowgirls trailed by a 9-5 count after the first quarter and again it was hot outside shooting by the Lady Wildcats that doomed the Cowgirls.
Thackerville’s nine points came on three treys.
Thackerville was able to increase the margin to 20-15 at the half before the Cowgirls came alive after the halftime break and managed to narrow the score to 26-24 at the end of the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Wildcats sealed the victory by scoring the last seven points from the free throw line. The Cowgirls could not cut into the deficit in the final frame thanks to missing three of five charity tosses.
York finished with 17 points for the Cowgirls and she was responsible for all five of Ryan’s first quarter point total.
Thackerville moved to 15-3 after this win.
The Cowgirls are 25-13 against Thackerville in the last 38 meetings, but have now lost two in a row to the Lady Wildcats.
The Cowboys established a seven-point lead after the first quarter and were able to extend the lead to 20-11 at intermission.
The Wildcats cut into the lead in the third quarter and trailed only 30-24 heading to the fourth quarter.
The Cowboys could not shake the Wildcats mainly because of a struggle at the free throw line.
For the entire game, Ryan only converted on 35% of its free throw attempts.
Skyler Parkhill led the Cowboys in scoring with 14 points and he scored five of the Cowboys’ eight first-quarter points and was the only player for the Cowboys to score in every quarter.
It was the fourth win in a row for the Cowboys over the Wildcats.
The Cowboys and Cowgirls were to have met Geronimo last Tuesday on Raymon West Court.
Both squads return to action tonight by traveling to Burneyville to face Turner for a doubleheader.
Tomorrow night will be Senior Night for the Cowgirl and Cowboy basketball teams as they play host to Temple.
Ryan will finish the regular season on Tuesday as they travel to Empire.
The Class A District Tournament will begin on February 9 at Central High
Prior to the last regular season home games, Waurika and Ryan honored their seniors.
Waurika Senior Night (l-r) Curtis Ballard, Sara Ballard, Christina Ballard, Larry Etheridge, Travis Etheridge, Vicki Etheridge, Antonio Garcia, Edwin Garcia, Lourdes Garcia, John Hobbs, Hannah Hobbs, Emily Follis, Lisa Waid, Seth Waid, Dowd Waid, Jarriett Watkins, Porscha Woods, Jordan Watkins, Veronica and Clint Rhodes, Boomer Wesberry, Hunter Wesberry, Stephanie Wesberry, Turner Mora, Shelly Mora, Joe Hernandez, Bryson Hernandez, Glenda Hernandez, Jim Fletcher, Payton Fletcher, Peggy Fletcher, Michael Burton, Nicole Burton, Celeste Burton, Benny Juarez, Nic Alvarado, Leslie Juarez (Photo by Adam Brinson)
Ryan Senior Night Front Row: (l-r) Juliet Spangler, Lily York, Gunner Phillips, Andrew Villarreal, Samantha Good, Walter Snider Jr., Parker Carey, Jonathan Clark, Grace Stamper, Brooklyn Charmasson. Back Row: (l-r) Steve Spangler, Amanda Spangler, Amy Schrick, Donna Westberry, Jason Phillips, Amanda Phillips, Martin Villarreal, Carrie Villarreal, Tim Good, Teresa Good, Stephanie Snider, Walter Snider Sr., Victoria Clark, Gaylon Clark, Tanya Diaz, Rudy Diaz, Deonna Charmasson, Josh Charmasson. Photo by Sheree Hanson
Brian Major Honored
Front Row: (l-r) Chris Williams, Martin Villarreal, Dana Major, Cal Major, Joe Hernandez. Back Row: (l-r) Randy Kimbro, Dustan Bryant, Ross Terrel. As part of the recognition of 100 years of football, Ryan recognized 1989 and Brian Major at Ryan Friday evening.
Brooklyn Charmasson was recognized before the Ryan game as the only senior cheerleader. Photo by Trey Smart Samantha Good was honored on Senior night for her service as one of the team managers. Photo by Trey Smart
Lilybet Harmon, Juliet Spangler, Lily York, and Holland Carter
Photo by Shannon McCord
…Small Group of Ryan Thinclads Qualify For State Meet
It was a two gold-medal kind of day for Ryan’s Walker Rawlings at the Class A Regional Track Meet at Alex last Saturday.
Rawlings, a freshman for the Cowboys, won the shot put and discus at the regional meet and he will compete in the Class A State Track Meet Friday and Saturday at Western Heights High School.
Lilybet Harmon Photo by Shannon McCord
In most meets this season, Rawlings has competed in the junior high division, but for the regional meet he stepped into the high school division and had an outstanding day.
Rawlings’ throw of 40-9 was first in the shot put, while his toss of 118-6 was good enough for first in the discus.
Rawlings has a little work to do over the next few years to try to break the shot put school record that his owned by his older sibling, McClain.
The older Rawlings was a three-time regional champion in the shot put and a two-time regional titlist in the discus.
The regional titles won by Walker in the shot put and discus marked the eighth and ninth regional titles in those events by a Ryan athlete this century.
M. Rawlings owns five of the titles, while Elijah Greeson won a title in the discus in 2002 and Jay Bergeron claimed a title in the shot put the following year.
W. Rawlings was the only competitor at this year’s regional meet for the Cowboys.
His two first-place finishes earned 20 team points, which put Ryan in 14th place among the crowded field of Class A schools.
It was another good day for the four-member Cowgirl track squad at the regional meet.
Holland Carter Photo by Shannon McCord
The Cowgirls finished ninth in the regional meet with a total of 27 points.
The 3,200-meter relay team of Lilybet Harmon, Lily York, Holland Carter and Juliet Spangler recorded a time of 11:00.89, which is another school record.
The mark earned the squad a silver medal and a spot in the Class A State Track Meet.
Lily York Photo by Shannon McCord
It marks the fifth time this season the squad has set a school record in the event and it was 27 seconds better than the school mark set just four days prior at Velma-Alma’s invitational meet.
Juliet Spangler Photo by Shannon McCord
Despite a sixth-place finish in the 3,200 meters, Spangler earned a spot in the state track meet in the event as an additional qualifier. Her time in the event was 14:00.63.
In the 800 meters, Carter qualified for state with a third-place finish. She recorded a time of 2:39.63.
Spangler also placed sixth in the 1,600 meters with a time of 6:18.30, which is the third best time in school history in the event – all posted by Spangler.
Also scoring for the Cowgirls was Harmon in the 800 meters. Her time of 2:48.09 put her in fifth place among the competitors.
The 1,600-meter squad of Harmon, York, Carter and Spangler did not place in the regional but did record a time of 4:54.46 – which was less than a second off the school record set last week for the Cowgirls in the event.
It was a wild district tournament for the Waurika Eagles at Central High last Thursday and Friday.
Normally, when a team scores 30 runs in two games they come out on top on both. But, when a team gives up 27 runs, they normally lose both contests.
However, Coach Glenn Howard’s squad went 1-1 in the first two games of the district tourney. The Eagles dropped a 15-5 decision to Empire in the first game of the tourney, but came back to defeat Central High, 25-12, to earn a berth in the district title game.
Empire proved to be too much for the Eagles and hand Waurika a 12-0 defeat to claim the district championship.
Empire will move on to the Class A Regional at Amber-Pocasset today and they were to have met the host school in the first round.
In Friday’s championship game, the Eagles could get nothing going at the plate.
Empire had a 3-0 lead after two innings and struck for six runs in the top of the third. The Bulldogs added two runs in the fourth and another run in the fifth that ended the game after Waurika could not score in the bottom of the fifth.
In the first game of the tourney the Eagles got off to a good start. Zachary Brown got an infield hit with the bases loaded to score a run and give Waurika 1-0 lead after one inning.
The Eagles added two more runs in the top of the second on Hunter Wesberry’s two-run double, but Empire came back with a run in the bottom of the inning leaving Waurika with a 3-1 lead after two innings.
The Eagles added another run in the top of the third as Jordan Watkins led off with a triple and Gatlin Black scratched out an infield hit to score Watkins.
Empire responded with another run in the bottom of the inning, but the Eagles clung to a 4-2 lead after three innings.
In the top of the fourth, Michael Bryant was hit by a pitch and came around to score to put the Eagles in front, 5-2.
Empire knotted the score in the bottom of the fourth with three runs that included a two-run double and an RBI-single.
The wheels came off in the bottom of the sixth inning for the Eagles as Empire exploded for 10 runs to end the game on the run-rule.
The Bulldogs capitalized on four walks by adding eight hits and three stolen bases. The big hits in the inning came on a bases-loaded double and a two-run double.
This set up an elimination game between the Eagles and Central High and it was a wild affair.
Central High picked up six runs in the bottom of the first inning and things looked dismal for the Eagles to advance.
In the top of the third, however, Waurika struck for seven tallies helped along by three walks in the inning – two of those with the bases loaded gave the Eagles their first two runs.
Seth Waid followed with an RBI-single. M. Bryant followed with a bases-loaded walk and Jordan Watkins had a two-run single to cap the uprising.
Central High regained the lead at 8-7 in the bottom of the third with two runs helped along by two walks and an error.
Waurika responded, however, essentially blowing the game open with a six-run uprising.
Kevin Garcia was hit by a pitch, Ben Hernandez walked and Waid followed with a two-run double.
Colton Bryant walked to load the bases and M. Bryant followed with a bases-loaded walk. Brown followed with a two-run single and Watkins belted a two-run double that scored two more to put Waurika ahead, 13-8.
But, the Eagles were far from done as they added seven runs in the top of the fifth. Big hits included Waid’s RBI-single, M. Bryant’s RBI-infield single, Brown’s two-run double and another RBI-single by Watkins.
The Eagles left the bases loaded, but had a commanding 20-8 advantage heading to the bottom of the fifth.
The Bronchos tried to make it interesting with four runs in the fifth including a sacrifice fly and a three-run home run that cut the lead to 20-12.
The Eagles put all hopes of a Central High rally with five more runs in the top of the sixth.
A run-scoring single by Watkins and an RBI-double by Black were followed by a two-run triple by Kevin Garcia. Garcia scored on an error to set the final margin.
Watkins had four hits in the contest that led to four runs batted in. Waid had three hits and three runs batted in and M. Bryant scored four runs and had three runs batted in.
The Eagles had 18 hits in the game.
The victory over the Bronchos ended a five-game losing streak by Waurika in district tournament play.
Waurika closed out the 2017 campaign with a 10-15 mark.
The future is somewhat bright for the Eagles on the diamond as the entire team returns for 2019 with the exception of M. Bryant, who played his final game for the Eagles in the district tournament.
“I was happy with our season,” said coach Glenn Howard on reflected on the season. “The team chemistry was good and I felt like we really started to put things together after spring break.
“Hopefully we can continue that improvement next season with the numbers we have returning,” added Howard, who finished his second year as the head coach of the Eagles.
Some people are more talented athletically than others. Some athletes work hard to earn whatever accolades and honors come their way.
For two Waurika graduating seniors, it would seem they have both.
Slade Cathey and Tallin Mora have been outstanding athletes at Waurika High School the past four years. And, it just so happens they come from a rich heritage in high school athletics by family members.
Tallin Mora
However, it is not like Mora and Cathey have not put in the hard work to earn their own achievements at Waurika High School.
The two cousins will finalize their high school experiences Friday night when they participate in high school graduation exercises at Cy Sloan Stadium.
Their grandparents – the late Doug Cathey and Sue Kellner – were both standout athletes at Ryan High School.
As a matter of fact, both grandparents earned all-state honors. Cathey earned all-state as a quarterback at Ryan and at one time he was the backup quarterback for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. An injury sidelined that dream, but he moved to defensive line where he earned All-Big Eight honors and he went on to serve as an assistant coach on the Oklahoma State football staff.
Slade Cathey
“We regarded him as a very promising sophomore at quarterback,” said Phil Cutchin, the OSU football coach at the time. That was a quote from 1964 when Cathey suffered a knee injury.
Kellner (formerly Hoffman in high school) was an all-stater on Ryan’s 1965 state championship basketball team. She was on the all-tourney team for the 1965 state tournament and co-captain of the Cowgirl team.
Not many high school athletes across the state can brag that two of their grandparents were all-staters.
And, it doesn’t stop there. Parents and siblings have also reeled in their share of honors and accomplishments in athletics at Ryan and Waurika.
Slade’s father, the late Scott Cathey, was a standout on playoff football teams at Ryan and was the defensive lineman of the year in the district in the 1986 season.
The football fieldhouse at Waurika is named in Scott’s honor.
Jennifer, Slade’s mom, was not an athlete in high school, but she certainly has been be a staunch supporter of her sons through the years.
Sage and Seth, Slade’s older brothers, were recent excellent performers for the Eagle football team and track squad. Seth is on the football squad at Evangel University.
And, there is still one sibling, Roxie, that may or may not choose the path of athletics for high school.
Tallin’s parents were also outstanding athletes. Guy Mora, Tallin’s father, was a state qualifier in the 880 yard run in high school and also played football.
Tallin’s mom, Shelly (Cathey) Mora, was a standout at Ryan High School in basketball. In 1988, Shelly was named Miss Bench Player by The Duncan Banner. She also holds two school records at Ryan – most points scored in a game (50 against Big Pasture) and most field goals made in a game (16).
Tatum, Turner and Tucker Mora – Tallin’s siblings – were multi-sport athletes at Waurika and earned plenty of accolades during their careers for the Eagles and Lady Eagles.
Tatum was a member of the school record 1,600 and 3,200 meter relay teams for the Lady Eagles.
Turner was a member of the 800 and 1,600 meter relay teams that hold the school record for the Eagles.
TAKING THE BATON – Waurika’s Tallin Mora takes the baton in a recent track meet. Mora credits track with teaching her how to work through pain in competition. (Photo by Trey Smart).
Tucker holds the school record in the high jump – and it is one of the best jumps in Class A in the state. He was also a member of the 1,600 meter relay team that holds the school record.
You would think that with a heritage like that, Slade and Tallin would feel the pressure to continue the heritage. But both athletes deflect that thinking.
“I never felt pressure to perform well because of my family,” Slade said in a recent interview. “Instead I felt a drive and burning desire to make myself be someone that my future kids and grandkids will look up to the way I look up to my dad and his dad before him.”
“As far as my siblings, it was more to show everyone that I am not just Seth’s or Sage’s little brother,” Slade added. “I am my own person and that is another thing that has pushed me so hard to be the best athlete I could be.”
“I have felt a little pressure because of my heritage, but I brought it on myself,” Tallin said in a recent conversation.
“My siblings and parents have always been super supportive and they always have been proud of me no matter my performance,” Tallin noted.
“I always felt pressure because I wanted to make them proud, but at the end of the day, they were proud no matter the outcome,” Tallin said.
The journey for the two cousins has been one of determination, drive and dedication, but it has come with the absolute support from their families.
“My family has had the best impact on my life,” said Tallin. “A lot of families seem so loving on the outside and then you get to know them and they are not as close as they looked.”
“That is not the case with my family. We are truly a team that strives to make each other better, help each other and celebrate each other,” Tallin remarked when asked about the impact of her family.
“”My family has shown me that regardless of what happens, if you stand tall and take whatever life throws at you, it will get better,” Slade said about the impact of his family on his life.
Slade has had his share of adversity as he lost his father a couple of years ago. In addition to his efforts and dedication to Eagle athletics, he has had to assume responsibility for his dad’s cattle ranch.
“This is a lot of responsibility for any kid to handle,” Slade commented. “This is especially true without having my dad to ask questions and to have by my side to support me.”
LISTENING EAGLE – Slade Cathey (40) listens intently to Waurika head football coach Joe Allen during a break in the action of a football game last fall. Other than his own family, Cathey points to Coach Allen as his greatest influence in his life. (Photo by Trey Smart)
The two multi-sport athletes pointed to other influences in their lives that have helped provide guidance and support.
“God has really made a big impact on my life,” said Tallin. “In life, you will never truly be successful unless you have a relationship with God.”
“God has helped me through sports by guiding me on how to be a proper leader to my teammates and how to keep my composure in nearly all situations,” Tallin added.
Slade pointed to his high school football coach, Joe Allen, as the person outside his family that has had influence on him.
“Coach Allen pushes everyone to be the best he can in every aspect of life.” Slade said. “He isn’t only a role model on the field, but in life all around.”
“After my father passed he was one of two people that came and sat with me and talked to me,” Slade reflected. “From that moment on, I knew that I would do anything I could for him.”
Slade particularly lived that out during his senior year of football. With the Eagles facing a rash of injuries, including Slade, he made the decision to play through his injuries that included a dislocated ankle, a torn ACL, a broken finger and pneumonia.
Slade was even tabbed to play quarterback late in the season when both Waurika’s quarterbacks had suffered injuries.
Opposing coaches and fans took notice of Slade’s sacrifices and commented to him after one of the games.
“It was crazy to me that I never second guessed playing that night and I guess that makes sense with my dad and grandad’s blood running through me,” Slade said. “It made me happy when I realized I was living up to the Cathey name.”
That series of events during Slade’s senior season stands out has his greatest sports memory in high school, but Tallin’s best memory is a little more celebrative.
“My greatest memory would have to be being regional champions in track this year,” Tallin recalled. “Throughout the season, I could see my teammates coming together, so our team could eventually win regionals.”
“My teammates and I gave our every effort on the day of regionals and it felt amazing to have it play off when we won the team title,” Tallin added.
While Tallin credits track with helping her learn to work through pain, she notes that basketball is her favorite sport.
“It would be basketball,” said Tallin when asked about her favorite sport. “I think it is because of the team aspect. The feeling of a play working perfectly is unmatched, especially a defensive play.”
For Slade, it is definitely football that tops his list of sports he has participated in through the years.
“I grew up watching my brothers play and hearing stories of my grandfather playing for OSU and I knew it was something I would do for as long as I could,” noted Slade.
“I never had an adrenaline rush like the rush you get when you make a big play and look to see the whole crowd cheering,” Slade added.
While sports have been a great focus for the two cousins the last few years, they do have other interests.
Slade pointed to his work on the ranch as well as roping as some of his hobbies. Tallin listed going to church, hanging out with friends and focusing on academics as the things that occupy her time when she is not on the track or court.
And the pair of relatives are ready to put sports behind them as far as competition goes.
Slade plans to attend Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant and obtain a degree as a professional pilot. He hopes to someday fly for a major airline.
Tallin’s plans are to attend the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond and pursue a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology.
Both have lofty plans for the future and no doubt the accomplishments in sports, hard work and support of family have shaped them and will continue to do so moving forward into young adulthood.
They are certainly great role models who stand alone from the rest of their heritage and are worthy for future Waurika athletes to emulate when it comes to dedication and discipline.
