Ryan Annual Sports Banquet

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May 10, 2019

Ryan High School athletes were honored Monday night in the school’s cafeteria at the annual all-sports banquet.

A total of 47 athletes were recognized for their accomplishments in the 2018-2019 school year.

Two Ryan athletes were honored with a new award – Cowboy and Cowgirl Award. Holland Carter, a standout track, cross country and cheerleader, and Travis Fristoe, the school’s only four-sport letterman, were selected for the award.

Carter was also honored with a special letter jacket given to the girls cross country seniors that finish in the top ten in the state cross country meet. She was also presented with a special award for her contributions to cross country and track the past four years.

Their names will be on a plaque that will be placed in the lobby of the remodeled Ryan gym before the start of next year’s basketball season.

Athletic Director Tony Tomberlin also recognized two people for contributions to the Ryan athletic program. Ricky Phillips, the long-time public address announcer for the Cowboy football team, was presented a football signed by Ryan athletes in recognition of 20 years of service.

Ricky Phillips recognized for being the voice of the Ryan Cowboys for 20 years.
Photo by Sheree Hanson

This reporter was also recognized for contributions to the Ryan athletic program and was presented with a signed basketball.

Trey Smart was honored for being not only a journalist with distinction but for recording the story of the Cowboys in print.

Plaques were presented to the graduating seniors that participated in the various sports for the Cowboys and Cowgirls.

But, the evening belonged to the athletes that participated in the sports of cross country, cheerleading, fast-pitch softball, football, boys basketball, girls basketball, slow-pitch softball, track and field and baseball.

Letter awards were given to each of the athletes in every sport and special recognition was given to selected athletes in each sport. All-conference, all-district and conference all-stars were also presented certificates during the evening’s activities.

Coaches Cheryl Carter, Steve Spangler, Tony Tomberlin, Stan Mueggenborg, Austin Masoner and Tony Roberts presented the awards during the evening.

Special recognition was also given to grade school coach Shelly Cain. Tomberlin presented her with five tickets to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City for her contribution to the grade school, junior high and high school athletes.

Shelly Cain is presented with five tickets to the Women’s College World Series for her contribution to Ryan Athletics. Photo by Sheree Hanson

Here’s a list of the student-athletes honored during the evening:

Cross Country

Co-Most Valuable Participants: Lilybet Harmon, Juliet Spangler.

(l-r) Lilybet Harmon and Juliet Spangler
Photo by Sheree Hanson

Football

Lineman of the Year: Sam Brown; Newcomer of the Year: Mike Regehr; Defensive Player of the Year: Travis Fristoe; Offensive Player of the Year: Skyler Parkhill; Most Valuable Player: Grayson Tomberlin.

Fast-Pitch Softball

Teammate of the Year: Lily York; Most Valuable Player: Juliet Spangler.

Offensive Player of the Year: Samantha Good; Defensive Player of the Year: Laken DeBoard; Most Valuable Player: Emilee Martin.

(l-r) Laken DeBoard, Samantha Good, Kodi Duke, Emilee Martin

Girls Basketball

Newcomer of the Year: Alicen Williams; Most Improved Player: Bailee Martin; Defensive Player of the Year: Lily York; Offensive Player of the Year: Juliet Spangler; Most Valuable Player: Samantha Good.

(l-r) Samantha Good, Juliet Spangler, Lily York, and Alicen Williams.
Photo by Sheree Hanson

Boys Basketball

Sixth Man Award: Andrew Villerreal; Mr. Hustle Award: Travis Fristoe; Offensive Player of the Year: Kaine Howard; Defensive Player of the Year: Landen Alexander; Most Valuable Player: Grayson Tomberlin.

(l-r) Back Row: Andrew Villarreal, Kaine Howard.
Front Row: Grayson Tomberlin, Travis Fristoe, and Landen Alexander.
Photo by Sheree Hanson

Slow-Pitch Softball

Defensive Player of the Year: Justyce Keith; Offensive Player of the Year: Samantha Good; Most Valuable Player: Emilee Martin.

(l-r) Samantha Good, Emilee Martin, and Justice Keith.
Photo by Sheree Hanson

Baseball

Most Improve: Daniel Alsup; Co-Most Valuable Players: Travis Fristoe and Pacen Wiest.

(l-r) Pacen Wiest, Travis Fristoe, and Daniel Alsup.
Photo by Sheree Hanson

Boys Track

Most Valuable Player: Travis Fristoe.

Girls Track

9th Grade Letters: Landen Alexander (track, boys basketball), Raesh Casebolt (boys basketball, football), Carter Combs (fast-pitch softball, slow-pitch softball, girls basketball), Carson Cooper (football, baseball), Katelynn Dabbs (track, cross country), Danielle Garza (slow-pitch softball), Kaine Howard (boys basketball), Caleb Perrin (football, baseball, boys basketball), Lindsey Reake (fast-pitch softball, slow-pitch softball, girls basketball), Michael Regehr (football, boys basketball), Skylar Wickware (football, boys basketball, baseball), Alicen Williams (cross country, girls basketball, track).

(l-r) Travis Fristoe, Lily York, Holland Carter, and Juliet Spangler

10th Grade Letters: Daniel Alsup (baseball, boys basketball), Trey Bryant (football, basketball, baseball), Crystal Chazaretta (cheerleading), Diamond Chazaretta (slow-pitch softball), Kyla Essary-Phillips (slow-pitch softball), Lilybet Harmon (cheerleading, track, cross country), Eimilee Lowry (cheerleading), Trista Perry (slow-pitch softball), Grayson Tomberlin (football, boys basketball, baseball), Tawny Vanover (cheerleading).

(l-r) Back Row: Grayson Tomberlin, Kodi Duke, and Trey Bryant.
Front Row: Lilybet Harmon, Kyla Essary-Phillips, and Daniel Alsup.
Photo by Sheree Hanson

11th Grade Letters: Brooklyn Charmasson (cheerleading, slow-pitch softball, fast-pitch softball), Samantha Good (fast-pitch softball, girls basketball, slow-pitch softball), Avery Howard (fast-pitch softball, slow-pitch softball), Savannah Lashley (fast-pitch softball, slow-pitch softball), Bailee Martin (girls basketball), Gunner Phillips (football, boys basketball, baseball), Walker Rawlings (track), Madisen Rhoades (fast-pitch softball, slow-pitch softball), Walter Snider (football), Juliet Spangler (cross country, girls basketball, track), Grace Stamper (cheerleading, slow-pitch softball), Andrew Villarreal (football, boys basketball, baseball), Lily York (cross country, girls basketball, track).

(l-r) Back Row: Andrew Villarreal, Juliet Spangler, Savannah Lashley, Avery Howard, Samantha Good, and Gunner Phillips.
Front Row: Lily York, Grace Stamper, Madisen Rhoades, Brooklyn Charmasson.
Photo by Sheree Hanson

12th Grade Letters: Samuel Brown (football, baseball), Holland Carter (cheerleading, cross country, track), Laken Deboard (cheerleading, fast-pitch softball, slow-pitch softball), Travis Fristoe (football, boys basketball, track, baseball), Justyce Keith (fast-pitch softball, slow-pitch softball), Emilee Martin (fast-pitch softball, slow-pitch softball), Skyler Parkhill (football), Kalen Weldon (football), Pacen Wiest (football, baseball), Justin Williams (football).

(l-r) Back Row: Skyler Parkhill, Kalen Weldon, Pacen Wiest, and Sam Brown.
Front Row: Travis Fristoe, Justyce Keith, Holland Carter, Laken DeBoard, and Emilee Martin.
Photo by Sheree Hanson.

Eagles Post Second Straight Shutout for 2-0 Start

By

Trey Smart

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September 13, 2018

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1-Waurika-Football-3 — Photo by Adam Brinson

It has not happened often, but for the second straight week to open the season the Waurika Eagles’ flexed their defensive muscle in shutting out their opponent.

The Eagles rolled to a 52-0 victory over Grandfield last Friday night at Cy Sloan Stadium.

Waurika has opened the season by shutting out the two opponents and that has not happened since the 1975 season and it has only happened eight other times since Waurika began playing football in 1919.

The defense will likely get a much tougher test Friday night when the Eagles travel to Carnegie to battle the Wildcats.

Carnegie did not play last week and comes into the contest with a 1-1 mark with a loss to Seiling and win over Mountain View-Gotebo.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

In last Friday’s contest, the Eagles got off to a slow start with only a single score in the first quarter.

Kevin Garcia busted loose for a 30-yard scoring run and Waurika was up 6-0 with 4:03 to play and that is how the score stayed for the remainder of the first quarter.

The Eagles got things going, however, in the second quarter as they exploded for 46 points in route to ending the game at the half because of the 45-point mercy rule.

Turner Mora opened the scoring in the second quarter for the Eagles with a six-yard rushing touchdown. Mora added the two-point conversion giving Waurika a 14-0 advantage just 31 seconds into the second quarter.

Colton Bryant became the third Eagle to score as he scampered 20 yards for a score. The two-point conversion run failed leaving Waurika with a 20-0 advantage with 9:22 to play in the first half.

The Eagles took to the air for the next score with Hunter Wesberry catching a 28-yard touchdown pass from Mora. Bryant ran for the two points and Waurika had opened a 28-0 lead with 8:32 left before intermission.

Mora got his second rushing touchdown of the night for the next Waurika score. Mora covered 13 yards for the score and Wesberry converted the two-point conversion and Waurika was pulling away at 38-0 with 6:04 left in the half.

The next score came on the defensive side of the ball as Bryant picked off the Grandfield quarterback on the ensuing drive after the Eagle score and raced 30 yards for the touchdown. Bryant ran for the two points to put Waurika on top, 44-0.

The final score came just 29 seconds before the half as Bryant galloped 78 yards for the touchdown. Matt Arriola ran for the two points to fashion the final margin.

Thanks to that big run, Bryant ended the night with 102 yards rushing on only four carries.

Mora was effective in the passing game with five completions in six attempts and 143 yards. Garcia caught two passes for 85 yards and Bryant added two catches for 30 yards. Wesberry had the other catch for a touchdown.

The Waurika defense held Grandfield to only 88 total yards on the night.

EAGLE FLIGHTS: This was the 40th meeting between the two schools with the first meeting coming in 1922…Waurika’s win over Grandfield narrowed the series margin to 18-19-3…The 52 points scored by the Eagles equals last year’s total in a 52-6 victory over the Bearcats….The 52 points is the most ever scored in a game against Grandfield….The 52-point margin of victory for Waurika is the largest ever against the Bearcats and is also the largest margin of victory by either team in the 40 meetings between the two schools…The previous largest margin of victory against Grandfield was 47 points in a 47-0 victory in 1939…Waurika is 2-0 for only the third time since beginning eight-man play in 2012….The back-to-back wins over Grandfield had not been accomplished by Waurika since the 1968 and 1969 seasons…The Eagles and Grandfield have only played each other five times since the 60’s….The back-to-back shutouts posted by Waurika is not a frequent thing – it has only happened twice since Waurika began eight-man football in 2012…Back-to-back shutouts at any point during the season has only happened 27 other times in school history….The most consecutive shutouts in a single season by Waurika came in 1933 when the Eagles recorded eight straight shutouts on the way to an 8-0-2 record.

Game in Figures

GHS WHS

First Downs 6 7

Yards Rushing 25-31 16-195

Yards Passing 57 143

Passes 3-9 5-6

Passes Int. By 0 1

Fumbles Lost 0 1

Punts N/A 1-36

Penalties 5-25 7-47

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Grandfield 0 0 x x–0

Waurika 6 46 x x–52

WAURIKA – Kevin Garcia 30 run (run failed)

WAURIKA – Turner Mora 6 run (Mora run)

WAURIKA – Colton Bryant 20 run (run failed)

WAURIKA – Hunter Wesberry 27 pass from Mora (Bryant run)

WAURIKA – Mora 13 run (Wesberry run)

WAURIKA – Bryant 30 interception return (Bryant run)

WAURIKA – Bryant 78 run (Matt Arriola run)

Woods and Waters June 7 2018

By

Mike Gaines

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June 8, 2018

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As I write this, we are enjoying a fabulous Sunday afternoon with temps in the 80s and moderate winds. Quite a relief from last week – whew! It was flat hot!

If you haven’t started fishing yet, then you better get going before the summer passes you by. It’s difficult for me not to think about fishing, living next to the Cathey boys and getting many calls a week from Hoot about his most recent lunker bass!

Well, we have talked about getting our fishing gear ready and cleaned up for the upcoming season and with the current temps , it seems like the time might be here.

In fact, as I was working on this article, I got a call from Houston Scott and was asked to accompany he and his brother, Lodge, for an afternoon of fishing on some of their ponds. We had a great trip, caught several bass and crappie, with all returned safely back to the water. No monsters but spending an afternoon with two quality young men in the outdoors is hard to beat! They certainly come from “good stock”!

Growing up it was different, fishing was such a simple affair back then. A quick trip to the barn or my mother’s flower beds and in a few minutes you would have dug up enough juicy worms to fill up a tin can; it was going to be a good day! It didn’t matter if you were after catfish, perch or anything, they were all suckers for a fresh red worm. A simple cane pole with a hook and cork was all you needed to be masters of the water. We could sit for hours and watch that cork “bob” on the water waiting for that slight twitch which signaled a fish was interested.

Back then a mess of perch and yellow cats was a good day! My, how things have changed. With thousands of lure and bait options available it’s easy to get lost in the process and sometimes it gets so complicated you feel like you need a degree in fishology, if there is such a thing!

On a brighter note, it doesn’t have to be that complicated. You don’t have to use a cane pole, but they are fun if you haven’t tried them. Just grab your rods and reels, hooks, sinkers and bobbers, if you wish, and some bait. As we mentioned, tried and true worms are hard to beat but if you are after catfish you might add some chicken livers and bait shrimp! I might add if you use bait shrimp be sure to wash your hands well before returning home. Your wife will appreciate it!

Now that we have everything together let’s head out to our favorite fishing hole, whether a pond, lake or creek it doesn’t matter. This is a great time of year for creek fishing if you don’t mind snakes. A hot day in the shade of a tree while sitting on the creek bank is a pretty good way to spend the afternoon, especially if you have a nice breeze. An occasional bite and the company of a good buddy, like grandkids or your spouse just makes it better.

Fishing should be relaxing and a time of peacefulness and reflection. OK, I’ll admit those days when the sand bass are running, and you’re wearing out a silver jig or small spoon, thinking your arm will fall off from casting so many times are pretty hard to beat. But so is sitting on a quiet pond or creek in the early morning while watching the woods come alive with bird and wildlife – it is hard to beat!

Remember our Saviour, Jesus Christ was the greatest fisherman of all time and he didn’t have a bass boat! Slow down and take time to witness and enjoy all that our Creator has blessed us with and get out and renew your acquaintance with our beautiful Oklahoma outdoors!

And remember, take someone with you!

Waurika High School Athletes Feted At Recent All-Sports Banquet

By

Curtis Plant

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May 25, 2019

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A number of recognitions were handed out to Waurika High School athletes at the recent All-Sports Banquet held at the school a week ago Tuesday.

All athletes were given their letters for participation in fast-pitch softball, baseball, powerlifting, football, boys basketball, girls basketball, baseball, boys track, girls track and cross country.

It was an eventful year as many of the teams had great accomplishments, but on this night it was all about individual honors that were well-deserved.

The Waurika Athletic Booster Club presented scholarships to two senior athletes – Aaron Nitka and Madison Roberson.

Each of the coaches took time to recognize the athletes for honors or performances they achieved in the 2018-19 school year.

Here is a list of some of the notable accomplishments by sport:

Cross Country

State Medalist: Asia Smith

Class 2A All-Star: Asia Smith

Regional Medalist: Asia Smith, Lexie Streeter

Fast-Pitch Softball

All Southern Eight Conference: Destiny Barnes, third base; Madison Roberson, second base.

All Southern Eight Conference Honorable Mention: Hope Cummings, shortstop; Landry Forsyth, 1st base.

Football

Oklahoma Eight-Man Football Coaches Association All-Stars: Aaron Nitka, Colton Bryant.

Oklahoma Eight-Man Football Coaches Association All-Star Alternates: Gatlin Black, Zachary Brown.

District B-4 Player of the Year: Turner Mora

District B-4 Offensive Lineman of the Year: Gatlin Black

District B-4 Defensive Lineman of the Year: Aaron Nitka

District B-4 Newcomer of the Year: Zachary Brown

District B-4 First Team: Colton Bryant, running back; Jordan Watkins, guard; Edwin Garcia, linebacker; Kevin Garcia, cornerback.

District B-4 Second Team: Seth Waid, center; Gabe Jenkins, defensive end; Hunter Wesberry, cornerback; Austin Dyer, defensive end.

Power Lifting

Oklahoma State Power Lifting Meet: Gustavo Gomez, 4th (645 total pounds); Hunter Wesberry, 5th (630 total pounds).

Oklahoma State Power Lifting Meet Results by Division: Madison Christian, 3rd; Olivia Ralls, 7th; Landry Forsyth, 10th.

State Eight-Man School Meet: 123 Pound Division: 3rd – Gustavo Gomez, 625 pounds; 5th – Hunter Wesberry – 600 pounds; 13th – Dallas Fristoe, 400 pounds; 132 Pound Division: 15th – Sara Ballard, 400 pounds; 145 Pound Division: 6th – Colton Bryant, 765 pounds; 157 Pound Division: 15th – Landry Forsyth, 580 pounds; 198 Pound Division: 10th – Olivia Ralls, 665 pounds

Boys Basketball

Oil Field Conference 1st Team: Aaron Nitka

Oil Field Conference 2nd Team: Kevin Garcia

Oil Field Conference Honorable Mention: Cache Arellano, Turner Mora

Southern Eight Conference 2nd Team: Kevin Garcia, Turner Mora, Cache Arellano.

All-Area Basketball: Aaron Nitka

Girls Basketball

Oil Field Conference 1st Team: Madison Roberson, Asia Smith

Oil Field Conference 2nd Team: Lexie Streeter.

Oil Field Conference Honorable Mention: Hope Cummings, Madison Dees, Tallin Mora, Faith Roberson, Gracie Walling

Southern Eight Conference Most Valuable Player: Madison Roberson

Southern Eight Conference 1st Team: Asia Smith

Souther Eight Conference 2nd Team: Gracie Walling, Tallin Mora.

All-Area Basketball: Madison Roberson

Boys Track

Regional Champions: 800 Meter Relay (Kevin Garcia, Turner Mora, Nic Alvarado, Colton Bryant); 1,600 Meter Relay (Kevin Garcia, Turner Mora, Colton Bryant, Cache Arellano); 400 Meters, Turner Mora; Discus, Aaron Nitka

State Track Meet Medalists: 400 Meters, Turner Mora; 800 Meter Relay (Turner Mora, Colton Bryant, Nic Alvarado, Kevin Garcia); 1,600 Meter Relay, (Kevin Garcia, Turner Mora, Colton Bryant, Cache Arellano)

State Track Meet Qualifier: 3,200 Meters (Cache Arellano, Bryson Hernandez, Gustavo Gomez, Octavio Gomez.

Girls Track

Regional Champion: Shot Put, Madison Roberson.

State Track Meet Champion: Shot Put, Madison Roberson

State Track Meet Medalists: 1,600 Meters, Asia Smith; Discus, Madison Roberson.

State Track Meet Qualifier: 3,200 Meters (Asia Smith, Lexie Streeter, Faith Roberson, Tallin Mora.

Baseball

Oil Field Conference Most Valuable Player: Aaron Nitka

Oil Field Conference First Team: Gatlin Black, catcher; Bowden Forsyth, first base; Hunter Wesberry, infield; Zac Brown, outfield; Austin Dyer, outfield.

Oil Field Conference Honorable Mention: Jordan Watkins

Southwest Coaches Association All-Area: Aaron Nitka

Region Five All-Stars: Austin Dyer, Gatlin Black, Zachary Brown.

Cowgirl Harriers Finish in Fifth Place Tie at State Meet

By

Trey Smart

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October 26, 2018

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The Ryan Cowgirl cross country team finished the most successful season in school history last Saturday at Shawnee’s Gordon Cooper Technology Center – the site of the Class 2A State Cross Country Meet.

The Cowgirls finished in a tied for fifth place with Cherokee. Both teams had 192 points. Team places are settled by the finish of the sixth runner on each team and Cherokee earned the tie-breaker.

Katelynn Dabbs and Juliet Spangler pushing each other at the state Cross Country meet in Shawnee
Photo by Amy Morgan

Boise City-Keyes won the Class 2A girls’ title with 78 points, but Hooker was right behind with 80 points and Watonga was third with 90 points.

It was a much more conducive day for a cross-country race than last week’s regional meets around the state. The Class 2A girls’ division featured the 21 teams that qualified in the regionals last week and 157 total runners.

Lilybet Harmon placed the Cowgirl team members with a 42nd-place finish. Her time was 13:39.3 over the 3,200-meter course. Harmon’s time was just short of her best time of the season set at the Cameron University meet a couple of weeks ago.

Holland Carter, the only senior on Coach Steve Spangler’s squad, was 47th for the Cowgirls and finished with a time of 13:50.1, which was an individual best for the 2018 season.

Finishing 53rd for the Cowgirls was Juliet Spangler with a time of 13:55.4. Spangler was appearing in her third state meet after qualifying as an individual her freshman year.

Freshman Katlyn Dabbs was 54th for the Cowgirls with a time of 13:56.9 and that was just two seconds above her best finish of the season which came at the Cameron meet.

Coach Spangler presented Senior, Holland Carter with a heartfelt speech and a photo album of her Cross Country career
Photo by Amy Morgan

Lily York was next for the Cowgirls and finished just behind Dabbs in 56th place with a time of 13:58.2. York’s time was also a personal best for the 2018 season.

Rounding out the team finishers for the Cowgirls was Alicyn Williams, who was 111th and recorded a time of 15:32.6. The Cowgirl freshman bested her top time of the season by over 10 seconds in the state meet.

Lilybet Harmon lead the Ryan Cowboys at State Cross Country in Shawnee
Photo by
Amy Morgan

The competition at state marked the end of incredible achievements by the Cowgirl cross country squad in only their third season of competing as a team.

The Cowgirls won meets at Waurika, Walters, Frederick, Healdton and Cameron University. The team successfully defended the titles won in 2017 at Waurika and Healdton.

The Cowgirl harriers also finished second at Sulphur and third at the Class 2A regional and were ranked among the top 10 girls’ cross country teams in Class 2A all season.

Green All-Stars Roll to 56-8 Victory Over White Team in Eight-Man Game

Sports

By

Trey Smart

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June 22, 2018

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…Local gridders on the wrong side of the scoreboard

It was a tough evening for four Jefferson County football stars last Saturday evening in Miami at the Oklahoma Eight-Man Coaches Association All-Star game held at Northeastern A&M’s Red Robertson Field.

But, the 56-8 loss by the White team, which featured players from Waurika and Ryan, did not dampen the experiences of the week for Seth Cathey of Waurika and Ryan standouts Dawson Tomberlin, Tate Kimbro and Joseph Martin.

Martin was a late addition to the White squad and was able to join his two teammates for most of the week’s festivities.

In addition, two Ryan cheerleaders, Laken DeBoard and Holland Carter, were part of the all-star cheerleading group that performed during the game.

Tomberlin, who was awarded one of 12 scholarships by Oklahoma Farm Bureau during the awards banquet last Friday night, saw action at linebacker on defense.

Tomberlin also carried the ball three times on offense in the game and accounted for a total of three yards.

(l-r) Dawson Tomberlin, Seth Cathey of Waurika, and Tate Kimbro. Photo by Jennifer Cathey

Kimbro anchored the White’s offensive line at the center position – much like he did through most of his high school career for the Cowboys, He had a tough assignment most of the night facing a couple of outstanding nose guards on the Green squad.

Martin, the defensive leader on the 2017 edition of the Cowboys, saw action at both defensive end and nose guard.

Cathey, the Eagles’ lone representative at the game and the team leader on the 2017 playoff team, also saw action at defensive end and nose guard. In the fourth quarter, Cathey was in the White backfield on a number of plays and helped stop the Green’s final two-point conversion try.

The Green team scored on three straight possessions in the first quarter to build a 22-0 advantage.

Ryan eight-man all-stars and cheerleaders are pictured with Ryan principal and Cowboy assistant football coach Tony Tomberlin (center) at the end of last Saturday’s eight-man all-star game in Miami. Pictured are, from left to right, Laken DeBoard, Joseph Martin, Coach Tomberlin, Dawson Tomberlin, Tate Kimbro and Holland Carter (photo provided).

Early in the second quarter the White squad put its only points of the night on the board as Boogie Brown of Dewar capped a seven-play, 63-yard drive with a one-yard run. Brown caught a pass for the two-point conversion to cut the deficit to 22-8.

That would be as close as the White team would get the rest of the night as the Green scored 34 unanswered points over the remainder of the game. He gained the offensive most valuable player for the White.

The game capped off a five-day stay for the outstanding eight-man footballers in Oklahoma and the players participated in various events throughout the week.

The City of Miami and the Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) in partnership with Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College and the Oklahoma Eight Man Football Coaches Association (OEMFCA) sponsored the festivities.

SCHOLARSHIP WINNER – Ryan’s Dawson Tomberlin, front row, second from left, was one of 12 athletes honored at the Oklahoma Eight-Man Coaches Association awards banquet last Friday in Miami. Tomberlin received his award from Oklahoma Farm Bureau. (Photo courtesy Miami News Record)

Sparkman Legacy Began in Jefferson County

By

Trey Smart

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July 6, 2018

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When you write about past things, you never know what memories it might invoke in the minds of people.

In a recent article about Waurika track, one of the outstanding athletes mentioned was Hurschel Sparkman, an outstanding hurdler for the Eagles in the 1930’s.

A cousin of Sparkman made a point to reach out and share a few more stories about this family that had deep roots in Jefferson County.

Hurschel was one of two boys born to Frederick and Willie Pearl Glazner Sparkman. The other brother was named Carl, who was born in 1918. The family also had a sister, Theda. They made their home in Ryan, but moved to Waurika at some point before Theda was born in 1922.

All three siblings eventually ended up in Great Bend, Kansas, with the two boys heading there about the same time – probably in the early 1940’s.

The family was known for strict discipline and one summer evening Carl tested that discipline of his father and it resulted in Carl taking off that night and running eight miles in the dark to his grandparents that lived near Ryan.

Carl ended up graduating from Ryan High School. He followed his brother to Great Bend and became a businessman, insurance salesman and entrepreneur having founded Sparkman Aerial Photography.

In 2010, Carl passed away in Hutchinson, Kansas, which had been his home for a number of years. He was less than a month short of his 92nd birthday at the time of his death.

Carl had two sons, Dean and Gene, who is a well-known artist. Gene held art shows up and down the east coast and makes his home in Maryland.

Dean, who currently is a resident of Hudson, Wisconsin was a successful businessman as well, but also served as a lobbyist and worked for Elizabeth Dole lobbying for some of her causes at one time.

Carl, or Sparky as he was known in his younger days, also ran track at Ryan, but results from that time for the Cowboys are scarce.

Hurschel, who carried the nickname “Speedy”, was one of the stars of the Waurika track dynasty in the 1930’s and much of his success is well-documented.

The older Sparkman won both hurdles races at the OU Invitational in 1935 and that was considered the state championship at the time. His time in the 120 high hurdles at the OU meet set a meet record and was the fastest time in the United States that season among high school thinclads.

He also won the 200 yard low hurdles at Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State) a week later.

In 1936, Hurschel continued to dominate the hurdles’ events. He repeated as champion in the 200 low hurdles and 120 high hurdles at OU and helped Waurika earn the team title that season.

At the 1936 Oklahoma A&M meet, he won the 220 low hurdles and helped the 880 and mile relay teams claim first place.

Later that fall in 1936, Hurschel scored three touchdowns in Waurika’s 71-0 rout of rival Ringling.

Hurschel went on to run track at Oklahoma A&M.

Hurschel was not the only Waurika native that made a mark on track success of Oklahoma A&M. R.V. Wright, also an accomplished hurdler at Waurika, was a star for the Aggies and eventually was named the Aggies’ freshman track coach in 1940 after completing his collegiate career.

One of Hurschel’s dreams was to compete in the Olympics. In 1936, he competed while still a high school student at Waurika in the regional Olympic tryouts and he finished second in the 120 high hurdles. The winner of the race advanced to a semifinal competition in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

However, in that day, competitors trying to fulfill that dream had to pay their own way and Hurschel’s dreams were quickly dashed as he could not afford the expense it would take to earn a spot and then actually travel and compete in the Olympics.

When Hurschel made his way to Great Bend, he actually hopped on a freight train that was departing Waurika.

The area was good to Hurschel as he eventually married and had four children – Randy, Tommy, Mike and Carla. He retired as an engineer of the Missouri Pacific Railroad after 33 years of service.

Hurschel was a veteran who served in the U.S. army during World War II. He died in 1983 in Great Bend.

While the Sparkman family made more of a mark in central Kansas, it all started in Jefferson County.

NOTE: Thanks to Waurika News-Journal/The Ryan Leader reader Ramona Bryant who provided some of the information for this article. She is a cousin to the Sparkman boys and resided near Ryan for many years. She is currently a resident of Duncan.

Ryan Softball Seniors Honored at Home Game

By

Curtis Plant

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October 5, 2018

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The Ryan Senior girls were honored recently at recent home game. The community expressed their gratitude for their commitment and hard work….

The following is a picture of the seniors and their parents.

(l-r) Darwin Deboard, Laken Deboard, Regina Reimer, Kory Reimer, Candice Keith, Justyce Keith, C.J. Keith, Sebastian Guzman, Sadie Guzman, Susan Torress, Josie Martin, Emilee Martin, and Jason Martin. These Seniors along with their parents were honored at the last home softball game of the season.Photo by Sheree Hanson

Ryan Honors Seniors

By

Curtis Plant

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February 7, 2018

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Ryan Seniors were honored recently at a home ball game!

Ryan Seniors (l-r) Morgan McGhghy (parents Mr. and Mrs. David McGhghy behind her), Tate Kimbro (parents Mr. and Mrs. Richard Kimbro – Mom-Jamie and sister Shaylee stand behind him), Dawson Tomberlin (parents Mr. and Mrs. Tony Tomberlin behind him), River Williams (son of Eric and Carmen Griffin, and Dale and Felecia Williams), Joseph Martin (parents Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Martin behind him), Mackenzie Lewis (parents Mr. and Mrs. Brad Lewis behind her), Cassidy Charmasson (paretns Mr. and Mrs. Josh Charmasson behind her).

Waurika Wins District Championship

By

Trey Smart

-

November 10, 2018

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The Waurika Eagles overcame a somewhat sluggish start to the first and second half of last Friday’s contest with Empire to claim a 68-22 victory over the Bulldogs.

The win earned the Eagles their first district title since 2016 and will ensure the squad of two home playoff games.

The first game will be tomorrow night at Cy Sloan Stadium when Waurika will play host to Cyril in a rematch of last year’s first-round contest. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

Empire took the opening kickoff and moved 66 yards in 11 plays to get the first score of the game.

Rodolfo Martinez found a wide-open Lucas Contreras on a 23-yard touchdown pass and Martinez ran for the two points to put Empire in front, 8-0, with 7:58 to play in the first quarter.

The score by the Bulldogs apparently ignited the Eagles as they took the ensuing kickoff and in just two plays traveled 56 yards for the game-tying score. Turner Mora connected with Colton Bryant on a 43-yard pass play for the touchdown. Zac Brown added the two-point conversion to tie the game at 8-8.

Empire looked like it would answer the Eagle challenge as they drove the ball deep inside Waurika territory before a fourth down stop ended the threat at the Eagle 16.

Gatlin Black shutting down an Empire ball carrier.
Photo by Adam Brinson

On Waurika’s next possession the Eagles could not pick up a first down and on fourth down Empire blocked the Waurika punt and took possession at the Eagle 12.

The Bulldogs, however, handed the ball right back to Waurika as they fumbled at the Eagle 10 and the Waurika offense was back on the field.

The Eagles looked poised for the go-ahead score as a long drive ended the first quarter, but early in the second quarter the drive ended on a failed fourth down play just inside Empire’s 20-yard line.

Empire gambled on its next drive and it proved to be a costly one. On a fourth and short the Bulldogs elected to go for it but were stopped giving the Eagles excellent field position at the Bulldog 32-yard line.

Zac Brown looking for an opening in the Empire defensive life.
Photo by Adam Brinson

In just three plays the Eagles got the go-ahead score as Mora found Kevin Garcia for a 33-yard touchdown pass. Mora ran for the two points and Waurika’s lead expanded to 16-8 with 5:47 to play in the half.

Another failed fourth down attempt on Empire’s next drive set Waurika up inside Bulldog territory at the 41-yard line.

On the first play, Mora swept to the left side and scooted down the sideline 41 yards for the score. The try for two failed, but Waurika held a 22-8 lead with 4:11 left before intermission.

The Eagles were not through lighting up the scoreboard in the quarter as Empire failed on yet another fourth down attempt and gave Waurika the ball at the Empire 37.

Waurika could not move and was in punt formation on fourth down when Mora from punt formation took the ball and after being forced to reverse his direction, picked up 12 yards to keep the drive alive.

Edwin Garcia scoring a touchdown in Waurika’s game against Empire.
Photo by Adam Brinson

After an incomplete pass, Mora spotted a wide open Garcia for a 25-yard touchdown pass. Bryant added the two points and Waurika held a commanding 30-8 advantage heading to the locker room.

Empire threatened to tighten the game early in the second half. After stopping Waurika’s opening drive, the Bulldogs went 59 yards on three plays for a touchdown. The big play was a 38-yard scoring run by Peyton Booth and Brandon Mendenall caught the two-point conversion pass from Martinez to make it a 30-16 game with 8:52 left in the third quarter.

Again the Eagles shook off the uninspired effort and after a failed onside kick by Empire Waurika took the pigskin and traveled 49 yards on four plays. Mora found a wide open Edwin Garcia for a 35-yard scoring pass. After Bryant ran for the two-point conversion, the Eagles held a 38-16 advantage with 7:46 left in the third quarter.

Empire did not fold, however, and drove all the way to the Waurika 11-yard line before a fourth down effort resulted in a four-yard loss.

The Eagles took the ball and marched the length of the field helped a pass interference penalty and two unsportsmanlike conduct fouls on Empire. The score came on a 14-yard pass from Mora to Aaron Nitka to extend the Waurika lead to 44-16 with 11:19 to play in the game.

Turner Mora and the Waurika offensive line.
Photo by Adam Brinson

After another failed attempt on fourth down, Waurika took over at the Bulldog 27. On the first play, Brown found paydirt on a 27-yard scamper to the end zone. Bryant ran for the two points and the Eagles were firmly in command with a 52-16 lead.

The Bulldogs’ final score of the night came on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Martinez to Meray Weber. This put the margin at 52-22 with 5:44 to play in the game.

Empire attempted another onside kick, but this time Mora picked up the ball and sprinted 50 yards for a touchdown. Matt Arriolla ran for the two points and Waurika held a 60-22 lead with 5:35 left in the game.

Waurika’s offense.
Photo by Adam Brinson

The Bulldogs could not move on the next drive and punted to the Eagles. Brown capped the drive with a 29-yard run and after Bryant ran for the two-point conversion the game ended on the mercy rule with 3:14 left in the game.

With the Eagles getting a short field most of the night, the top ball carrier for Waurika, Mora, had only 73 yards on the ground, but the talented quarterback threw for 189 yards on the night. Brown added 64 yards and Bryant had 50 to help the Eagle offense.

Coach Joe Allen is congratulated with a Gatorade bath following Waurika’s victory over Empire.
Photo by Adam Brinson

EAGLE FLIGHTS: Waurika now holds a 21-11 advantage in the series with Empire that started in 1974 when Empire began playing football…The two schools have split the two meetings in eight-man competition…The 68 points scored by the Eagles is the most in the history of the series with the Bulldogs….The 22 points scored by the Bulldogs was the most for Empire in a losing cause in games with Waurika….The 46-point margin of victory for Waurika is tied for the third highest margin of victory in the 32 games with Empire…The game turned a bit ugly in the second half as the Empire bench was called for a total of three unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and the head coach for the Bulldogs being ejected last in the game….This will be the fourth straight playoff appearance for Waurika after going 14 years without a playoff appearance….Waurika head coach Joe Allen is the first coach in school history to compile an undefeated regular season in the first year as a head coach.

Game in Figures

EHS WHS

First Downs 11 9

Yards Rushing 45-214 37-203

Yards Passing 61 189

Passes 3-12 6-13

Passes Int. By 0 0

Fumbles, Lost 2-2 0-0

Punts N/A N/A

Penalties 3-45 3-35

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Empire 8 0 8 6–22

Waurika 8 22 8 30-68

EMPIRE – Lucas Contreras 23 pass from Rodolfo Martinez (Martinez run), 7:58, 1st Quarter

WAURIKA – Colton Bryant 43 pass from Turner Mora (Zachary Brown run), 7:06, 1st Quarter

WAURIKA – Kevin Garcia 33 pass from Mora (Mora run), 5:47, 2nd Quarter

WAURIKA – Mora 41 run (run failed), 4:11, 2nd Quarter

WAURIKA – Garcia 25 pass from Mora (Bryant run), 1:00, 2nd Quarter

EMPIRE – Peyton Booth 38 run (Brandon Mendenall pass from Martinez), 8:52, 3rd Quarter

WAURIKA – Edwin Garcia 35 pass from Mora (Bryant run), 7:46, 3rd Quarter

WAURIKA – Aaron Nitka 14 pass from Mora (run failed), 11:19, 4th Quarter

WAURIKA – Brown 27 run (Bryant run), 9:49, 4th Quarter

EMPIRE – Meray Weber 30 pass from Martinez (run failed), 5:44, 4th Quarter

WAURIKA – Mora 50 kickoff return (Matt Arriolla run), 5:35, 4th Quarter

WAURIKA – Brown 29 run (Bryant run), 3:14, 4th Quarter

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

WAURIKA: Rushing – Mora 17-73, Brown 5-64, Bryant 9-50, Garcia 6-16; Passing – Mora 6-13-189-0; Receiving – Bryant 2-78, E. Garcia 1-35, K. Garcia 1-33, Brown 1-29, Nitka 1-14

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