Waurika Set To Host Regional Cross Country Competition Saturday

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October 17, 2019

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.

Waurika & Ryan Honor Seniors at Football Games

By

Curtis Plant

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November 7, 2019

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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

Injury-Riddled Cowgirl Harriers Finish Sixth in State Meet

By

Trey Smart

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November 1, 2019

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A record-setting season for the Ryan Cowgirl cross country squad ended in disappointing fashion, on a muddy and tough course at Shawnee last Saturday.

The Cowgirls were one of three regional team champions and came into the Class 2A state meet at the Gordon Cooper Technology Center ranked fourth in the state.

But with one runner battling a pulled muscle, another a hip flexor and still another a sprained ankle, the Cowgirls’ gutty performance was able to only net seventh place in the meet.

Watonga and Hooker battled for the team title with the Lady Eagles coming out on top with 52 points. Hooker finished with 53 points. The Cowgirls totaled 219 points.

The Cowgirls, winners of six meets during the season, had battled through the injuries in claiming the regional crown, but the injuries finally caught up with the squad at the state meet.

Even with the disappointing ending at the state meet, the Cowgirls had easily the most impressive season in the short school history of the sport.

The team qualified for the state meet for only the third time in school history. The regional title was the first in school history.

In the regular season the Cowgirls never finished lower than fourth in any meet they entered and a couple of them were full of teams that were in higher classes and relatively talented.

The Cowgirls never backed down from a challenge all season and the state meet was no different when taking into consideration the injuries.

Ryan won team titles at Walters, North Rock Creek, Frederick, Sulphur and Healdton, plus the regional title. The Cowgirls were runner up at Prague.

Lilybet Harmon led the team performance at the state meet. The junior finished 20th in the field of 154 runners in Class 2A with a time of 13:42.50.

It was not Harmon’s best time of the season, but it did surpass her time and finish at the state meet a year ago.

Harmon has been the ringleader for the Cowgirls all season and she won three individual titles during the season – a first for a Cowgirl runner.

Katlyn Dabbs finished 30th for the Cowgirls and she turned in a time of 13:49.33 – her second best time of the season over a 3,200-meter course.

Juliet Spangler, running in her fourth straight state cross country meet, finished 45th with a time of 14:02.58.

The next three finishers for the Cowgirls had to overcome injuries to finish the race at the state meet.

Lily York was 86th among the competitors for the Cowgirls with a time of 15:01.70.

Alicyn Williams finished 109th with a time of 15:38.60.

Whittany Spangler, a freshman for coach Steve Spangler’s harriers, was 119th with a time of 16:06.89.

Gracie Stamper, a senior running in her first state cross country meet, finished with a time of 17:39.76, which was good for 145th.

York and J. Spangler were running in their final races for the Cowgirls and the two Ryan seniors have been cornerstones in the building of the Ryan cross country program.

The 2019 Cowgirl cross country team accomplished much during the season and the performance at the state meet should in no way take away from a great season.

Eagles Demolish Bray-Doyle to Claim District Championship

By

Trey Smart

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November 8, 2019

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Waurika used a smothering defense and a powerful offense to claim a second straight 60-0 victory – this time over Bray-Doyle last Friday Night on Norman West Field.

The win, coupled with an Empire loss, gave the Eagles their second straight district title and the third overall since beginning eight-man competition.

The Eagles will travel to Empire tomorrow night (Friday) for the regular season finale and Waurika will try to earn a second straight undefeated season among District B-4 foes. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on the Bulldogs’ home field.

The Eagles, now 8-1 on the year counting a forfeit win from Temple, were no match for the hapless Donkeys that are now 2-7 for the season and winless in district play on a near perfect night for football.

It did not take the Eagles long to get the first score of the night as they drove 53 yards in five plays. Gabe Jenkins got the touchdown and Turner Mora added the two points on the ground to give Waurika an 8-0 lead just a little over one minute into the game.

The Eagles forced Bray to punt and this gave Waurika the ball at the Eagle 49. In just two plays the Eagles covered the 51 yards with Hunter Wesberry getting a 37-yard scoring strike from Mora. Jordan Watkins ran for the two points and Waurika held a 16-0 lead with 6:34 left in the first quarter.

The Donkeys could not make a first down on their next possession and the Eagles took over on downs at the Donkey 46. Mora scampered 46 yards for the score and this gave Waurika a 22-0 advantage with 4:40 left in the first quarter.

The Waurika defense continued its impressive play as Bray-Doyle’s next possession netted only one yard and Waurika took over on downs.

This time it took Waurika three plays to get the final score of the first quarter. Kevin Garcia swept around the right side and then zig-zagged across the field to score from 31 yards out. Mora ran for the two points giving Waurika a 30-0 lead with 2:07 left in the second quarter.

It was nothing doing for the Donkey offense as Bray-Doyle turned the ball back over to the Eagles at the Donkey 36.

After a 15-yard run by Mora, the talented senior quarterback found Garcia for a 21-yard touchdown pass. Watkins ran for the two points and with 11:10 left in the second quarter, Waurika was in command with a 38-0 advantage.

An interception on Bray’s next possession by Treyton Torrez put the Eagles in business at the Waurika 46. In two plays Waurika traveled the 54 yards for a score. Garcia picked up 37 yards on the scoring play and Watkins added the two points for a 46-0 lead with 8:50 left in the half.

Another interception – this time by Travis Etheridge – gave Waurika the ball. Trent Arellano capped the drive with a 25-yard scoring run to put Waurika in front, 52-0, with 6:17 left in the first half.

Following a Bray punt, the Eagles launched their final scoring drive of the night from the Bray 18. Torrez scored from 18 yards out and Seth Waid carried the ball over the goal for the two-point conversion to give the Eagles a 60-0 lead with only 1:51 left in the half and the game.

The quick scores and excellent field position did not allow for many impressive numbers, but the Eagles did manage 265 yards rushing on just 15 attempts. Mora led all Waurika rushers with 71 yards on only five carries.

The Eagle defense had one of its most impressive performances of the season limiting Bray-Doyle to minus-seven yards on 19 carries. The Eagles also forced a pair of interceptions.

It was Senior Night for the Eagles and nine Eagle seniors were recognized before the start of the contest.

Donning the red and white for the final time in a regular season game at Waurika were Mora, Edwin Garcia, Wesberry, Waid, Watkins, Payton Fletcher, Bryson Hernandez (who has been injured most of the year), Etheridge and Colby Mead.

EAGLE FLIGHTS: Even with a loss to Empire and a Wilson win against Bray-Doyle, the Eagles would have the tie-breaker over Wilson with the win earlier this season…The first round playoff opponent for the Eagles will be determined tomorrow night in the contest between Snyder and Cyril….Waurika will take on the loser of that game in Waurika….Waurika is now a perfect 10-0 against Bray-Doyle with the first meeting between the two schools coming in 2008…The 60 points ties with the 2016 team for the most points scored against the Donkeys….The 60 total points is the third most points scored by both teams in this 10-game series….The win was the third straight shutout for Waurika and that has been done only 12 other times in the past 100 years of football at Waurika….The longest shutout streak by the Eagles is eight recorded in the 1933 season that included one tie….This was the fifth consecutive game the Eagles have scored 50 or more points….The 60-point wins against Central High and Bray-Doyle mark only the second time in school history Waurika has scored 60 or more points in back-to-back games….Waurika held down the sixth spot again this week in the Class B poll by The Daily Oklahoman.

Game In Figures

BDHS WHS

First Downs 2 13

Yards Rushing 19-(-7) 15-265

Yards Passing 1 84

Passes 1-4 3-6

Passes Int By 0 2

Fumbles Lost 0-0 0-0

Punts 2-31 0-0

Penalties 1-5 2-20

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Bray-Doyle 0 0 x x—0

Waurika 30 30 x x—60

FIRST QUARTER

WAURIKA – Gabe Jenkins 10 run (Turner Mora run), 10:44

WAURIKA – Hunter Wesberry 37 pass from Mora (Jordan Watkins run), 6:34

WAURIKA – Mora 45 run (run failed), 4:40

WAURIKA – Kevin Garcia 31 run (Mora run), 2:37

SECOND QUARTER

WAURIKA – Garcia 21 pass from Mora (Watkins run), 11:10

WAURIKA– Garcia 37 run (Watkins run), 8:50

WAURIKA – Trent Arellano 25 run (run failed), 6:17

WAURIKA – Treyton Torrez 18 fun (Seth Waid run), 1:51

Eagles Fall in District Tourney Title Game to Rock Creek

By

Trey Smart

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April 26, 2019

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The Waurika Eagles closed its 2019 baseball season in heart-breaking fashion by dropping the title game of the Class A District Tournament to Rock Creek, 7-6.

Last Thursday on the first day of the tourney the Eagles did manage one win in the tourney opener with a 10-6 victory over Ringling. Rock Creek had already defeated the Blue Devils so the loss to the Eagles eliminated Ringling.

This meant that Waurika or Rock Creek had to win two games to claim the district championship.

Late Thursday, Rock Creek got the first win, 11-3, setting up a championship round on Friday. The Eagles would have had to beat the Mustangs twice to win the tourney.

The Mustangs scored a run in the bottom of the seventh in the 7-6 win to claim the district crown.

Waurika finished the 2019 campaign with a 16-7 record.

In the final game on Friday Rock Creek took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.

With the score tied at 4-4 in the bottom of the fifth, the Mustangs took the lead on a two-run home run.

In the top of the seventh, the Eagles fought back to get a pair of runs – one on Jordan Watkins’ sacrifice fly.

The Mustangs scored the winning run in the bottom of the inning to end the Eagles’ season and advance to today’s Class A Regional Tournament.

Hunter Wesberry was 3-for-4 in the game with a triple and two singles. Aaron Nitka finished 2-for-4 with two runs batted in.

Austin Dyer took the loss on the mound as he surrendered eight hits and struck out five in the game.

In Thursday’s nightcap of the tournament the Eagles fell behind early and could not launch a serious threat during the game.

Peyton Fletcher was the starting pitcher for the Eagles, but he gave up six runs on four walks and a hit and did not retire a batter.

The Mustangs made the 6-0 first inning lead stand the rest of the way.

The Eagles only had three hits in the game – one each by Nitka, Watkins and Colton Bryant. Nitka and Jordan each had doubles with Nitka driving in a run with his two-bagger.

In the tournament’s second game on Thursday, Waurika took the lead for good with five runs in the fourth inning.

Waurika had the lead in the second inning when Wesberry picked up a run-scoring double.

The Blue Devils seized the lead in the top of the third inning, but the Eagles came back in the bottom of the third to take the lead in the game for good.

Senior Baseball Players were recognized at Monday’s Baseball Game.
Seniors pictured with their parents and/or those special in their lives (l-r) Chad Black, Gatlin Black, Miranda Black,
Zachary Brown, Michelle Salazar, Colton Bryant, Heather Bryant,
Bobby Dyer, Austin Dyer, Lisa Dyer, Megan Allen, Gavin Fitzgerald, Coach Joe Allen, Aaron Nitka, and Sloan Roberson
Photo by Curtis Plant

One of the big hits in the inning was Bowden Forsyth’s run-scoring single.

Watkins also doubled to score two runs and a Ringling error produced another run to put Waurika on top, 6-3, after four innings.

The Eagles continued to pad the lead and held off the Blue Devils the rest of the way.

Zac Brown, Forsyth and Watkins each had two hits for the Eagles. Watkins finished 2-for-3 with a double and two runs batted in. Dyer, Fletcher, Wesberry and Forsyth all had doubles in the game.

The Eagles helped produce the 10 runs on the base paths as they stole 10 bases during the game.

Nitka picked up the win on the mound despite giving up six runs of which only two were earned. Nitka struck out nine Blue Devils in four innings of work. Fletcher pitched three innings in relief and recorded the save.

SEASON ENDING NOTES: The 16 wins by Waurika in 2019 is the most by a Eagle baseball squad since the 2012 season when Waurika finished with an 18-7 mark….The 16 wins by coach Joe Allen’s squad is also tied for the eighth most wins since baseball returned to the high school sports menu in 1987 (with four seasons missing final records)….The district tourney runner up finish was the best performance in a district tourney since 2012 when the Eagles last won a district championship in baseball….The 16 wins is the fourth best by a first year coach since 1987.

Cowgirl Harriers Claim First Regional Team Title In School History

By

Trey Smart

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October 24, 2019

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1-Ryan-Cowgirls-Champions — Above: (l-r) Whittany Spangler, Grace Stamper, Lily York, Juliet Spangler, Lilybet Harmon, Alicen Williams, and Katelynn Dabbs

It has been a season of many firsts for the Ryan Cowgirl cross country squad.

The Cowgirls added to the list last Saturday by claiming the regional championship in the Class 2A division of the meet held at Waurika.

The Cowgirls will be competing Saturday at the Class 2A State Cross Country meet at Shawnee’s Gordon Cooper Technology Center. The race time is set for 12:30 p.m. for the Class 2A girls.

Ryan topped the crowded field at the Waurika regional with 58 points – the fewest points ever scored in a regional meet by the Cowgirls. Merritt finished second with 71 points, while the host Waurika earned third place with 73 points.

“The victory was the result of months of hard work, dedication and commitment from the girls,” said coach Steve Spangler.

The fourth-ranked Cowgirls did overcome some adversity to take the regional meet. While the squad wore the favorite’s role coming into the regional meet, the Cowgirls had a few nagging injuries and one runner actually suffered an ankle injury about one quarter into the 3,200 meter race.

“We ran well despite some nagging injuries,” noted coach Spangler. “This was a testimony to their mental toughness and their desire to win.”

The Cowgirls had two runners win medals, but were able to lock up the team title because of great depth. Ryan finished with five runners in the top 26 in the field of 110 participants.

Lilybet Harmon led the way for the Cowgirls as she has in all but one meet during the season.

Harmon’s time of 13:14.8 was her second best time of the year and the mark earned her fifth place in the competition. Her time was just one second out of fourth place.

Also winning a medal for the Cowgirls was Juliet Spangler. She posted a season-best time of 13:41.33 to claim the 15th spot in the race.

This will be J. Spangler’s fourth straight trip to the state meet as she qualified as an individual her freshman year and with the team the other three seasons.

The other three runners – Katlyn Dabbs, Lily York and Alicen Williams – were the key to the Cowgirls claiming the team title as they finished between 17th and 26th in the meet.

Each of the three girls posted their best times of the season. Dabbs was 17th with a time of 13:45.27, while York managed to finish 23rd with a time of 14:00.5. Williams came in 26th with a time of 14:11.43.

Also competing for the Cowgirls were Whittany Spangler who was 65th with a time of 15:58.40 and Gracie Stamper who turned in a season-best performance of 16:51.59 to finished 82nd.

W. Spangler’s time was the best among the sixth place finishers on teams competing for the title. That is significant because had there been a tie for the team title, that would have been the tie-breaker.

Mason Adsit was the lone Cowboy to compete in Saturday’s Cross Country Meet.
He finished with his best time of the season.
Photo by Curtis Plant

It was a talented field overall at the Waurika regional.

The individual champion was Kira Berkey of Hydro-Eakly. She covered the 3,200 meters in a time of 12:46.62.

“Our seniors, Lily York and Juliet Spangler have been tremendous leaders this year,” said coach Spangler. “They have encouraged, led by example and held the team accountable for their actions.”

The Cowgirls will join the other two regional meet champions, Watonga and Hooker, at the state meet on Saturday.

Boise City and Cherokee will also send strong teams to the state meet and the Cowgirls will have to turn in their absolute best performance of the season if they have any hope of upsetting Watonga, the favorite to take the state title.

Hooker, Boise City and Cherokee will also provide stiff competition for the Cowgirls if they hope to improve on last year’s fifth-place finish at the state meet.

Above: (l-r) Whittany Spangler, Grace Stamper, Lily York, Juliet Spangler, Lilybet Harmon, Alicen Williams, and Katelynn Dabbs
Photo by Curtis Plant

“Watonga and Hooker are great teams that will be difficult to beat,” noted coach Spangler. “If I have learned anything this year, however, it is our girls love a challenge and I think they will rise to the competition.”

“I am proud of these girls – not just because of what they accomplish on the course, but also because of their actions off the course,” added coach Spangler.

The Cowboys had one representative at the regional meet.

Mason Adsit finished 67th in the race, which featured 105 runners. However, his time of 22:59.66 over the five kilometer course was his best time of the season.

COWGIRL HARRIER NOTES: The Cowgirls have qualified for the state meet for three straight years….Ryan’s girls won a total of six meets this season, which topped last year’s school record mark of five titles…The fourth-place ranking among Class 2A cross country teams is the highest ranking in the short history of the sport at Ryan….The previous best finish in a regional meet for the Cowgirls was in 2017 when they finished second….In 2018, the Cowgirls were third and in 2016 – the first year for team competition at the regional meet – Ryan finished tied for seventh place….This will be Harmon and York’s third straight appearance in the state meet….Harmon has three of the top four best times in 3,200-meter races in school history and will be seeking to become only the second girl in school history to post a time of under 13 minutes when she competes at the state meet….This was the first time in regional competition the Cowgirls had two runners on the awards stand….It was the first time in school history the Cowgirls had five runners finish in the top 30 in the regional meet….The top four times for the Cowgirls in the regional marks the first time four runners have posted times of 14 minutes or better….Juliet Spangler becomes the first Cowgirl in school history to earn a medal in two regional meets….Over the past three seasons the Cowgirls have won 13 meet titles – one of the top marks in the state.

Success on Diamond For Waurika Has Not Been Frequent

By

Trey Smart

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May 24, 2019

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2019 Waurika Baseball Season Hopes to Be Foundation to the Future

With the recently completed successful baseball season, it is time to take a look back at the history of high school baseball at Waurika.

Waurika baseball has struggled over the years much like every football-playing school that has to compete against schools that also play in the fall of the year.

The recently completed 2019 season, however, could serve as a foundation for a good future for the Eagles.

This past season saw the Eagles fashion a 16-7 mark and they played for the district title for the first time since 2012.

The Eagles had the most valuable player in the Oil Field Conference in Aaron Nitka. He also played in the recent Southwest Oklahoma Coaches Association all-star game in Lawton.

The Eagles also dominated the first team selections with five – Gatlin Black, Bowden Forsyth, Hunter Wesberry, Zac Brown and Austin Dyer.

The 16 wins are the most wins in a season since that 2012 club put together 18 wins.

Research has not yielded a lot of information about baseball at the school but it is thought that no teams were fielded from at least 1953 to 1986. Prior to 1953, baseball might have been offered but it is hard to find results.

Only eight seasons in the past 29 years when baseball was brought back to Waurika have the Eagles won more than 16 games. There are four seasons where the final record could not be determined.

Baseball at Waurika returned in 1987 after the school had not fielded a team since as far back as 1952 when Waurika lost to Ryan in the county tournament finals, 13-4.

Even prior to that time it is hard to discern if Waurika fielded many baseball teams which may be attributed to the tremendous success Waurika had in track.

But in 1987, Norman West put together the first Waurika team and they began the season with a doubleheader sweep of Terral. The Eagles finished 8-5 in that inaugural season.

Todd Overstreet, Byron West, Doug Frost and Jay Chapman were some of the ringleaders of that first squad. Frost was named to The Duncan Banner’s all-area team at the conclusion of the season.

The next season Waurika slipped to 1-16 before coming back in 1989 and putting together a 13-9 record.

That would be West’s final season coaching baseball and he finished with a 22-30 mark in the sport.

Don Patchin took over the baseball program for the next two years, but a final record for either year could not be located.

Patchin became the first of four different coaches in four years and the Eagles managed only one winning record in that stretch – an 18-17 record in 1992.

The 1993 squad earned district runner up honors despite a 10-22 final record.

In 1994, Tim Hightower took over the reigns of the Waurika program for the next five years. During his tenure the Eagles claimed their first district title in 1997.

The Eagles earned the district crown as the tourney host and defeated Walters in the best-of-three series for the district title. The Eagles defeated the Blue Devils, 13-1, and 17-7, for the title.

However, the 1997 team found the regional tournament to be too tough. Ringling was the tournament host and the Blue Devils downed the Eagles in the first round. Velma-Alma eliminated the Eagles in the next game.

The 1998 squad – the last coached by Hightower – finished second in the Southern Eight Conference tourney.

The Eagles claimed their second district title in 1999 under the direction of Buddy Husted. Husted coached the Eagle nine for two seasons and finished with a 30-24 record.

The 1999 Class 2A district tournament was also a best-of-three series and the Eagles played host to Empire. Waurika downed the Bulldogs in impressive fashion, 19-5, and 25-4.

Waurika traveled to Healdton for the Class 2A regional tourney and lost to Velma-Alma, 16-0, in the first round and to Washington, 11-0, in an elimination game.

Brad Logan assumed the coaching duties for the baseball program in 2001 and he served six seasons.

During that time the Eagles were district champions in 2002. The Eagles traveled to Turner for a best-of-three series and the Eagles won the first two games, 21-0, and 7-4, to earn the district crown.

Waurika was sent to Dewar for the Class A regional and the Eagles dropped a pair of one-run games. In the first round, Dewar defeated the Eagles, 2-1. In the elimination game, Okay edged the Eagles, 9-8, to end the season.

In 2005, the Eagles hosted the conference tournament and claimed the title with a 12-7 victory over Big Pasture in the championship game.

The next season, Waurika was the conference tournament runner up. This time Big Pasture claimed the conference title with a 9-1 victory over the Eagles at Walters.

Keith Henderson stepped in as the Waurika coach in 2007, but after a 5-10 mark, Everett Hodges coached the Eagles for two seasons.

Under Hodges in those two seasons, the Eagles did not win a district title but put together the first 20-win season at Waurika in 2009. The Eagles did finish as the district runner up in 2009. The 2009 team traveled to Sterling for the district tourney and won a 6-4 contest against Empire before falling twice to the host school Sterling, 18-0 and 11-0.

Larry Vanbeber coached baseball for the 2010 and 2011 seasons and the Eagles were district runner up both seasons.

The 2010 squad had a 24-6 record – the most wins ever for a Waurika baseball team. Velma-Alma eliminated Waurika in the district finals that season.

The 2011 club claimed the conference tournament title. The tournament was played at Empire and the Eagles cruised to victories over Big Pasture, 18-3; Temple, 22-2; and, Walters, 11-2.

Waurika finished the season with a 16-16 record and were eliminated by Chattanooga in the district finals.

Hodges took over the program again in 2012 and coached the baseball team for five seasons. The 2012 team claimed the district title and finished with an 18-7 record – the fourth most wins in school history.

Waurika hosted the district tournament and earned a first-round win over Empire, 11-1. The Eagles then defeated Healdton, 13-3, and came back to shutout Healdton, 9-0, in the championship game.

The Eagles traveled to Caddo for the Class A regional tourney and as in previous regional appearances, the Eagles dropped the first two games. Waurika fell to the host school, 7-1, and then fell to Elmore City-Pernell, 6-4, in an elimination game.

Waurika is 0-8 in all regional tournament games.

The 2012 team had three players on The Duncan Banner all-area baseball squad. Gage Pittman was named as a catcher and pitcher and Taylor Fuller was tabbed for the team as a pitcher and third baseman. Tyler Fuller earned the area’s pitcher-of-the-year honors.

The Eagles fell on hard times during the rest of Hodges’ coaching days and did not win more than eight games in any season.

Hodges finished with a 77-79 mark in his six total seasons coaching baseball, but that did include one district title and one district runner up finish.

The 2013 team did have one all-area selection – Mason Wilkerson as a pitcher.

Glenn Howard took over the team in 2017 and 2018. The first year under Howard the Eagles could only manage a 6-14 mark, but improved to 10-15 in 2018.

Joe Allen was handed the baseball coaching duties when he was named the football coach last year. The first-year mentor hopes a foundation has been laid for future success on the diamond for the Eagles.

Allen will have to find replacements for six seniors – five of which were starters for all or much of the season.

Here are the full names of the 1920 WHS baseball team seen in the picture above.

Harrell Cotner

Ray Powell – Left Field

Herschel Alexander – Right Field

Bill Bradford – 2nd Base

Coach J.J. Corbett

Jake Turnage

Charles Thompson – Pitcher

Byrd Adams (Mascot)

Maurice Prescott (Captain) – Center Field

Clifford Bone – Pitcher

Leslie Stone – 1st Base

Ernest Dickey – 3rd Base

Leon Boyles – Short Stop

Pierce Carter – Catcher

Roy Scott (Score Keeper)

Record

WHS 8 – Ryan High School 9

WHS 10 – Addington First Team 6

WHS 7 – Ryan High School 13

WHS 11 – Sugden First Team 11

WHS 22 – Hastings High School 6

WHS 13 – Ryan High School 13

WHS 6 – Hastings First Team 17

WHS 13 – Hastings High School 10

WHS 6 – Terral High School 4

Eagles Overwhelm Cowboys In District Clash

By

Trey Smart

-

October 25, 2019

0

Waurika halted Ryan’s initial drive of the game near midfield and went on to crush the Cowboys, 52-0, at Bob Givens Sports Complex last Friday night.

Waurika moved to 6-1 and travels to Central High Friday with the kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.

Ryan, 3-4 for the season, will be back in action tonight trying to shake off two straight big losses as they travel to Bray-Doyle to battle the Donkeys. Kickoff is slated for 7:30.

The Cowboys simply had no answer for the powerful Waurika offense last Friday night.

Gunner Phillips makes a tackle assisted by Trey Bryant.
Photo by Adam Brinson

The Eagles scored four times on one-play drives and only one score was from less than 15 yards out.

The big-play scores were simply too much for the grind-it-out Cowboy offense to keep up with. A pair of turnovers by Ryan and two onside kick recoveries by the Eagles also contributed to the rout.

The Cowboys punted on their first drive and Grayson Tomberlin launched a 41-yard punt which Waurika’s Kevin Garcia fielded and returned it to the Waurika 43.

Kevin Garcia tackles Grayson Tomberlin in Friday night’s game.
Photo by Adam Brinson

In just four plays the Eagles moved 57 yards. Turner Mora found connected with Payton Fletcher for a 28-yard touchdown pass to put Waurika up, 6-0, with 8:18 to play in the first quarter.

On the ensuing drive, the Cowboys fumbled and Hunter Wesberry recovered for the Eagles to give Waurika the ball inside Ryan territory at the 46-yard line,

Mora again found Fletcher – this time wide open over the middle – and Fletcher did the rest to complete a 46-yard scoring play. Mora ran for the two points and with 7:15 left in the first quarter the Eagles had a 14-0 advantage.

The wheels began to fall off for the Cowboy as they could not field the kickoff and Octavio Gomez was there to cover the ball for the Eagles at the Ryan 43.

Garcia picked up 18 yards on first down and after a Waurika penalty, Mora broke into the Ryan secondary and scampered 24 yards for the score. Garcia added the run for the two points to increase the lead to 22-0.

In just a little more than 90 seconds the Eagles had scored 22 points and that wave of scoring was too much for the Cowboys to overcome.

Kevin Garcia looking for the end zone.
Photo by Adam Brinson

The Cowboys put together their best offensive thrust of the night after Jonathan Clark fielded the short kickoff and returned it to the Waurika 48.

It took nine plays, but the Cowboys had moved the ball to the Waurika 30 after overcoming a holding penalty, but on a fourth down Tomberlin was sacked by Fletcher and Jordan Watkins to give the Eagles the ball at the Waurika 40.

On the first play Mora ran through the Cowboy defense for a 60-yard touchdown run. The Cowboys had stopped the two-point conversion, but Ryan was flagged for a penalty and on the second try Garcia converted to put Waurika in front, 30-0, with 1:40 still showing on the first quarter clock.

The second Ryan turnover of the night – an interception by Treyton Torrez – set the Eagles up deep in Ryan territory at the Cowboy 24. In five plays – the longest drive of the night for the Eagles – Waurika had another score.

Garcia took a direct snap and weaved his way through the Cowboy defense for a 14-yard scoring run. Mora ran for the two points and with 10:44 left in the second period the Eagle lead was now 38-0.

The Cowboys’ Andrew Villerreal returned the kickoff to the Ryan 46 and on first down Tomberlin found some gaps in the Waurika defense for a 23-yard run.

But two sacks, an incomplete pass and a failed fake punt gave Waurika the ball again at the Ryan 42.

A penalty set the Eagles back five yards, but it made little difference as Mora broke loose again for a 47-yard scoring run. The Cowboy stopped the two-point conversion, but now it was 44-0 with 8:17 still left in the half.

Gomez recovered the kickoff for the Eagles after the Cowboys could not field the ball and on first down Garcia crossed the goal line from 32 yards out. Torrez ran for the two-point conversion and that would wrap up the scoring in the game with 8:01 left in the half.

The Cowboys punted on the next drive and the Eagles cleared the bench, but moved from the Waurika 31 to the Ryan 25 in eight plays. The drive ended in a fumble that was recovered by Ryan’s Walter Snider, but only 1:55 remained in the half.

Ryan attempted to score to keep the game from ending at the half, but the Waurika defense held up and the game clock expired and the game ended on the mercy rule.

Mora once again dominated the offensive attack for the Eagles with 165 yards on just five carries and three touchdown runs and a pair of touchdown passes.

The Eagle defense was equally impressive holding the Cowboys to only 38 yards rushing and 52 total yards in the game.

Waurika faced a third down only twice in the game and converted on both of them. Ryan was only one of eight on third downs.

HIGHWAY 81 RIVALRY NOTES: Waurika now holds a 42-17-3 advantage in the series that began in 1919….This is the second straight year the Eagles have shutout the Cowboys…Waurika has recorded 20 shutouts in the 62-game series excluding ties and a forfeit….Three of those shutouts have come in the past four years….The Eagles have scored 50+ points against the Cowboys for two straight years and that has happened only one other time in the series – in 1971 and 1972…Waurika has won five of the last six meetings between the two rivals….The 52 points scored is the fifth most points scored by the Eagles in contests against the Cowboys….Waurika moves to 2-0 in district play, while the Cowboys are 0-2…The Eagles remained sixth in The Daily Oklahoman Class B poll for this week…The Eagles are ranked as high as fifth in Class B in one poll…The 52 total yards for the Cowboys is a season low.

Game in Figures

WHS RHS

First Downs 13 5

Yards Rushing 17-278 24-38

Yards Passing 74 14

Passes 2-5 2-8

Passes Int. By 1 0

Fumbles, Lost 1-1 1-1

Punts 0-0 2-40

Penalties 4-40 3-30

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Waurika 30 22 x x—52

Ryan 0 0 x x—0

FIRST QUARTER

WAURIKA – Payton Fletcher 28 pass from Turner Mora (run failed), 8:18

WAURIKA – Fletcher 46 pass from Mora (Mora run), 7:15

WAURIKA – Mora 24 run (Kevin Garcia run), 6:46

WAURIKA – Mora 60 run (Garcia run), 1:40

SECOND QUARTER

WAURIKA – Garcia 14 run (Mora run), 10:44

WAURIKA – Mora 47 run (run failed), 8:17

WAURIKA – Garcia 32 run (Treyton Torrez run), 8:01

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

WAURIKA: Rushing – Turner Mora 5-165, Kevin Garcia 5-69, Treyton Torrez 2-14, Colby Mead 2-6, Octavio Gomez 2-14; Passing – Mora 2-5-74-0; Receiving – Payton Fletcher 2-74; RYAN: Rushing – Grayson Tomberlin 14-19, Andrew Villerreal 8-16, Caleb Perrin 2-3; Passes – Tomberlin 2-7-14-0, Villerreal 0-1-0-1; Receiving – Perrin 2-14; Tackles – Jonathan Clark 8, Trey Bryant 6, Villerreal 5, Walter Snider 3, Gunner Phillips 3, Tomberlin 2, Skyler Wickware 2, Perrin 2, Parker Carey 1.

Lady Eagle Harriers Qualify for State Meet For Third Straight Year

By

Trey Smart

-

October 24, 2019

0

1-Third-Place-Lady-Eagles — Waurika Girls Qualify for state competition. (lr) Tallin Mora, Liberti Simmons, Kaci Reynolds, Hope Cummings, Asia Smith, Lexie Streeter, Faith Roberson. Photo by Curtis Plant

The Waurika girls cross country team turned in a third-place performance at the Class 2A Regional Cross Country meet held last Saturday at Harmon Park.

The third-place finish put the Lady Eagles in Saturday’s Class 2A State Cross Country Meet at the Gordon Cooper Technology Center in Shawnee. The girls’ race begins at 12:30 p.m.

It will be the third straight year for Waurika to send the high school girls cross country team to the state meet.

The Ryan Cowgirls claimed the regional crown with 58 points, while Merritt was the runner up. The Lady Eagles finished two points behind Merritt in third place.

The Class 2A girls’ competition featured 110 runners and 11 teams – the largest number of runners of any of the three regionals last weekend.

The top 15 runners earned medals at the regional meet and the Lady Eagles had three runners awarded medals.

Waurika Girls Qualify for state competition. (lr) Tallin Mora, Liberti Simmons, Kaci Reynolds, Hope Cummings, Asia Smith, Lexie Streeter, Faith Roberson. Photo by Curtis Plant

Asia Smith led the way with a sixth-place finish. She turned in a time of 13:17.36 – nearly 40 seconds better than her best time of the season – over a 3,200-meter course.

Tallin Mora was right behind her teammate and finished seventh. She also bested her top time of the season. Her time of 13:21.21 was 30 seconds better than her best mark of the year.

Liberti Simmons finished ninth in the crowded field with a time of 13:29.31 to round out the medal winners for the Lady Eagles.

Lexie Streeter finished 18th with a time of 13:49.94, while Faith Roberson finished 68th with a time of 16:01.47 to contribute to the team scoring.

Also competing for the Lady Eagles were Kaci Reynolds (75th, 16:14.77) and Hope Cummings (84th, 17:00.51).

The previous best finish at a regional meet for Waurika’s girls has been fifth place and they accomplished that three times – in 2013, 2014 and 2017.

The 73 points scored by the Lady Eagles was by far the best mark of any regional competition since 2007 when Waurika first had enough runners for the team competition. The previous best point total was 123 points set in 2013.

The Waurika boys competed in the regional meet, but finished ninth with 205 points. Only the top seven teams qualify for the state meet.

The top seven individuals not on a qualifying team also advance to the state meet.

Waurika Boys
(l-r) Nick Alvarado, Cache Dunn, Kevin Garcia, Bryson Hernandez, Edwin Garcia,
Gustavo Gomez, Octavio Gomez, Cody Ramsey. Photo by Curtis Plant

Kevin Garcia was Waurika’s top finisher and he finished 30th with a time of 20:16.28. He was just two places off qualifying for a spot in the state meet. His time was the second best of the season for the Waurika junior.

The other competitors for the Eagles included Gustavo Gomez (44th, 21:09.54), Octavio Gomez (49th, 21:30.39), Cache Arellano (58th, 22:16.61), Edwin Garcia (79th, 24:01.92), Nic Alvarado (90th, 25:09.6) and Cody Ramsey (95th, 26:34.22).

Oklahoma Christian claimed the team title with 61 points, while Carnegie was the runner up with 66 points. Silo was third with 98 points.

Waurika also played host to the Class 3A and Class 4A regional competition for the boys and girls.

Marietta and Plainview girls tied for the Class 3A crown with Marietta claiming the championship on the tie-breaker. Each team had 35 points.

Marietta also won the boys’ title for Class 3A with 47 points. Marlow was the runner up with 77 points.

In the Class 4A division, the Madill girls took the title with 55 points, while Pauls Valley was the runner up with 64 points. The Cache girls finished third.

Madill claimed the boys’ title with 27 points, well ahead of Byng’s 61 points and Cache was third with 83 points.

Ryan Softball Seniors Recognized at Last Home Game

By

Trey Smart

-

April 11, 2019

0

It has been a busy few days for the Ryan Cowgirl slow-pitch softball squad.

Last Thursday the Ryan Cowgirl slow-pitch softball team battled through pool play to advance to the championship game where they fell to Grandfield, 8-1.

Ryan advanced to the finals by defeating Wilson, 9-8, and handing Temple a 10-0 setback in the one-day tournament.

Grandfield earned a spot in the title game with a 10-5 victory over Geronimo and a 6-5 win over Thackerville.

Ryan hosted its own tournament for the first time at Larry Ninman Field and it featured five other schools divided into two pools. The winner of each pool played in the finals.

On Monday, the Cowgirls dropped their second straight game, 12-2, to Wilson. Wilson’s junior high squad nipped the Cowgirls, 8-7.

Tuesday’s game with Empire was postponed when Empire had only eight players. It was slated to be the final home game for the Cowgirls so seniors Emilee Martin and Laken DeBoard were honored after the junior high game.

The Cowgirl junior high squad defeated Empire, 9-3.

The Cowgirls were to have continued the season today competing in the 17-team Fletcher Invitational.

Ryan was to have met Bray-Doyle today at 10 a.m. The winner was to have met the winner of Verden and Fletcher at 12:15 p.m.

A loss by the Cowgirls would have them playing tonight at 5 p.m. A win in any game on Thursday would guarantee Ryan to be in action on Friday.

In the game with Wilson on Monday, the Lady Eagles took charge with five runs in the top of the first and held on to a 5-0 lead through two innings.

In the top of the third, the Lady Eagles exploded for seven more runs to hold a 12-0 lead.

The Cowgirls got their only runs of the game in the bottom of the third. Savannah Lashley and Samantha Good each had base hits and eventually came around to score.

However, the Cowgirls went down in order in the bottom of the fourth and the game ended on the run rule.

In the first two innings of the tourney title game the Cowgirls went down in order, while the Lady Bearcats left four runners stranded, but took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second.

But, in the top of the third the Cowgirls managed to put a run on the board as Carter Combs reached base and scored on Lashley’s RBI-ground out to knot the game at 1-1.

Grandfield answered in the bottom of the fourth with a seven-run uprising and held off the Cowgirls in the top of the fifth to secure the title.

The Cowgirls scored in every inning in the encounter with Temple in the tourney.

In the first inning, Good walked and scored on Brooke Charmasson’s RBI-double that gave Ryan a 1-0 advantage.

The Cowgirls increased the lead in the second inning with a pair of runs. Lindsey Reake singled and eventually scored on Laken DeBoard’s RBI-single. DeBoard crossed the plate later in the inning and Ryan held a 3-0 lead.

Another pair of runs in the third inning put the advantage at 5-0 for the Cowgirls. Emilee Martin and Reake each singled and then Justyce Keith walked. Successive walks by combs and DeBoard drove in the two runs as the Cowgirls left the bases full to end the inning.

The Cowgirls added another two runs in the fourth inning. Kodi Duke got an infield single and she scored on Good’s double. Charmasson drove home Good with a double. The inning concluded with two Cowgirls stranded.

In the fifth inning, the Cowgirls got three runs – all after two outs. Lashley reached base and Grace Stamper came in to run for her. Duke followed with a single and Good picked up two RBI’s with a base hit. Good scored on Charmasson’s hit to set the final margin.

Keith got the shutout in the circle for the Cowgirls.

The Cowgirls picked up a dramatic win in the first game of the tournament.

Wilson took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning, but the Cowgirls recorded seven runs in the bottom of the inning to take the lead.

Martin started off the inning with a base hit and then Madisen Rhoads followed with a two-run homer run. After two outs, Combs got an infield hit and DeBoard and Lashley followed with hits. Duke drove in another run with a base hit that was followed by a grand slam by Good to give Ryan a 7-2 lead.

It didn’t take the Lady Eagles long to answer. After one out, four consecutive Wilson batters reached base and scored. After two were out an infield hit produced another run and the game was tied at 7-7.

In the bottom of the third the Cowgirls got a solo home run from Martin giving the Cowgirls an 8-7 advantage.

Wilson tied the game in the top of the fourth to tied the score at 8-8 and set up the dramatic win for the Cowgirls.

The Cowgirls were retired in order in the bottom of the fourth and Wilson did the same in the top of the fifth.

Good led off the bottom of the fifth with a walk and moved to third on Charmasson’s double down the left field line. Martin’s single scored Good giving the Cowgirls the victory.

2019 Articles

Waurika, Ryan Thinclads Tune Up For Regionals at V-A Meet

1973 Eagle Roundballers Lead List of Top Teams in Waurika History

Face of Eight-Man Football in Oklahoma Undergoing Change

Top Ten Cowgirl Thinclads Easier to Identify Than Male Counterparts

Top Ten All-Time Ryan Coaches Selected

Waurika Set To Host Regional Cross Country Competition Saturday

Waurika & Ryan Honor Seniors at Football Games

Brian Major Honored

Injury-Riddled Cowgirl Harriers Finish Sixth in State Meet

Eagles Demolish Bray-Doyle to Claim District Championship

Game In Figures

Eagles Fall in District Tourney Title Game to Rock Creek

Cowgirl Harriers Claim First Regional Team Title In School History

Success on Diamond For Waurika Has Not Been Frequent

Eagles Overwhelm Cowboys In District Clash

Lady Eagle Harriers Qualify for State Meet For Third Straight Year

Ryan Softball Seniors Recognized at Last Home Game

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