Sandite Recruiting Report: Nine Sandites Sign College LOIs

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#55 Marcus Sims, middle, signed with NWOSU and #2 Kenneth Page, right, was offered by NSU. (Photo by Charity Emigh).

Nine seniors from Charles Page High School signed letters of intent to play collegiate sports Wednesday morning at the Ed Dubie Field House on National Signing Day.

For the football team:

Offensive linemen Mason Harris, Marcus Sims, and Marcum Sims and linebacker Keagan Gilman signed to play at Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

Marcus, a 6’1”, 270-pound guard picked Northwestern over offers from Southwestern College, Langston University, and Kansas Wesleyan University.

Marcum (5’11”, 225-pounds) didn’t announce any other offers prior to committing to Northwestern on Tuesday, nor did Harris, a 6’0”, 260-pound center.

Gilman (5’10”, 190 pounds) picked Northwestern over Bethel College. He had 58 tackles, 3.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks, and 3 fumble recoveries this season.

Marcus and Gilman were All-District selections this year while Marcum was an All-District Honorable Mention. Harris was an All-District and OCA All-Star selection.

Northwestern is an NCAA Division II program competing in the Great American Conference. The Rangers went 1-10 this year in a rebuilding season under first-year head coach Ronnie Jones.

The assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for the program is Jason Medrano, who coached offensive line at Sand Springs for two seasons before joining the Rangers.

The four seniors will be reunited with fellow Sandites Blake Jones, Drake Fain, Kyle Morrall, and Jacob Blevins, who also followed Medrano to Northwestern.

Offensive lineman Tyler “Tank” Smith (5’10,” 285 pounds) signed with Hendrix College, a Division III program in Conway, Arkansas.

The Warriors compete in the Southern Athletics Association and went 3-7 last season under 11th-year head coach Buck Buchanan.

Smith was an All-District selection and chose Hendrix over offers from McPherson College and Southwestern College.

Lineman Evan Williams (5’10”, 215 pounds) signed to play at Bethel College, an NAIA program in North Newton, Kansas.

The Threshers went 6-5 last season in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Championship under first-year head coach A.B. Stokes.

Several other football players have received offers but have yet to commit or sign.

Senior linebacker Owen Floyd (6’0” 190 pounds) holds offers from Oklahoma Baptist University, Hendrix College, Oklahoma Wildcats Prep, and Kansas Wesleyan University.

Senior running back Kenneth Page (6’0” 190 pounds) holds two offers from Northeastern State University and Northwestern Oklahoma State.

Senior defensive end Dallas Elifrits (6’1”, 230 pounds) holds offers from McPherson College and Bethel College.

Sophomore lineman Ryley Kester (6’4” 270 pounds) holds offers from North Texas, UNLV, Houston, Tulsa, Georgia Tech, Texas Tech, and Northwestern Oklahoma State.

Sophomore quarterback Easton Webb (6’3” 175 pounds) is committed to playing baseball at Oklahoma State University, but he also holds a Division I football offer from UNLV.

Sophomore receiver Brock O’Dell (5’10” 170 pounds) holds one college offer from Northwestern Oklahoma State.

Junior receiver Kooper Kelly holds one offer from Northwestern Oklahoma State.

Girls Basketball

5’10” forward KiAryn Taylor signed with Ranger College, an NJCAA program in Ranger, Texas.

Taylor averaged 8.6 points, 6 rebounds, and 1.4 steals over the first five games of the season before tearing her ACL. She chose Ranger College over Cleveland Community College, Western Texas College, and Lincoln Trail College.

The Rangers are 4-19 this season under first-year head coach Mark Morefield.

5’7” guard Taiona “Yonnie” Morris signed with Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, an NJCAA team in Miami.

Morris is averaging 10.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 2.1 steals per game this season, leading the team in scoring six times.

5’3” senior guard Sakauri Wilson signed a letter of intent to play at Southwestern Oklahoma State University on Wednesday, November 8th.

Boys Golf

Zane Downey signed with Southern Nazarene University, an NCAA Division II program in Bethany, Oklahoma.

The Crimson Storm competes in the Great American Conference, taking third place in the GAC Preview tournament in September and seventh in last year’s GAC Championship in April. They are coached by Derrick Taylor in his 13th year.

Downey was an Academic All-Conference selection last year, placing as high as third at the Muskogee tournament last season.

Mason Ward signed with Coffeyville Community College, an NJCAA program in Kansas. The Red Ravens placed 10th in the KJCCC Championship last season under fourth-year head coach Conner Murrell.

Ward was an Academic All Conference selection in 2022 and an All-Conference Honorable Mention in 2023 as a State qualifier. Ward took first place at the Jenks S.L.A.M. event last year.

Baseball

Senior RHP/OF Cole Pearson (6’2” 150 pounds) signed to play at McPherson College next season.

McPherson is an NAIA program competing in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. The Bulldogs went 37-16 overall and 26-7 in conference play last season. The program is led by Chris Dawson in his first year.

Six Sandite baseball players signed letters of intent to play college ball on November 8th.

Senior INF/RHP Jackson Stewart (5’11” 195 pounds) signed with McPherson College.

Senior RF/LHP Kayden Campbell (5’9” 165 pounds) signed with Cowley County Community College.

Senior right-handed pitcher Eli Buxton (6’6” 185 pounds) signed with Arizona State University.

Senior OF/LHP Miller Tavaglione (6’2” 190 pounds) and senior INF/RHP Jace Arnold (6’2” 180 pounds) signed with Allen County Community College.

Senior INF Wyatt Rutledge (6’2” 170 pounds) signed with Northern Oklahoma College at Enid.

Softball

Senior RHP/INF Kelsi Hilton signed an LOI with Southern Nazarene University on November 8th.

Junior RHP/IB/OF Addison Hughes announced on X this week that she has received an offer to play at Southwestern Christian University in Bethany. She also holds offers from East Central University, Oklahoma Wesleyan University, and Coffeyville Community College.

Boys Basketball

6’4” junior guard Deke Thompson holds one offer from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Soccer

Two senior soccer players signed LOIs on November 8th.

Senior Ava Watts signed to play Division I soccer at Texas A&M-Commerce.

Senior Kate Webb signed to play at University of the Ozarks.

Coaches, players, and parents can send recruiting updates to sanditepridenews@gmail.com.

Sandite Recruiting Report: Sims Commits to NWOSU, 4 Other Sandites Announce Offers

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#55 Marcus Sims, middle, committed to NWOSU and #2 Kenneth Page, right, was offered by NSU. (Photo by Charity Emigh).

Charles Page High School senior lineman Marcus Sims announced on X Thursday that he has committed to playing football at Northwestern Oklahoma State University next season.

"I would like to thank God for everything he has done in my life and the opportunities he has given me,” tweeted Sims.

“Thank you to my mom who had poured everything she has into me and my brother to be the best athletes we can be. Thank you to my brother who pushes me to be the best I can be everyday. I also want to thank all of my coaches, friends, and gf who have helped me make the best decision possible.”

The 6’1”, 270-pound guard picked Northwestern over offers from Southwestern College, Langston University, and Kansas Wesleyan University.

Northwestern is an NCAA Division II program competing in the Great American Conference. The Rangers went 1-10 this year in a rebuilding season under first-year head coach Ronnie Jones.

The assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for the program is Jason Medrano, who coached offensive line at Sand Springs for two seasons before joining the Rangers.

Sims will be reunited with fellow Sandites Blake Jones, Drake Fain, Kyle Morrall, and Jacob Blevins who also followed Medrano to Northwestern.

Senior linebacker Owen Floyd (6’0” 190 pounds) announced on Thursday that he has received an offer to play at Oklahoma Baptist University, a Division II program in Shawnee. OBU went 6-5 this season under 11th-year head coach Chris Jensen.

Floyd also has offers from Hendrix College, Oklahoma Wildcats Prep, and Kansas Wesleyan University.

Sophomore lineman Ryley Kester (6’4” 270 pounds) announced on Thursday that he has received an offer to play at the University of North Texas, an NCAA Division I program in Denton.

The Mean Green went 5-7 overall and 3-5 in the American Conference last season under first-year head coach Eric Morris.

Kester has also received offers from UNLV, Houston, Tulsa, Georgia Tech, Texas Tech, and Northwestern Oklahoma State.

Senior running back Kenneth Page (6’0” 190 pounds) announced on Tuesday that he has received an offer to play at Northeastern State University, an NCAA Division II program in Tahlequah.

NSU went 1-10 last season and fired head coach JJ Eckert. The Riverhawks will be coached by Darrin Chiaverini next season - a former NFL star who coached Chaffey junior college to an 11-0 record in 2023.

Page also holds an offer from Northwestern Oklahoma State.

Senior linebacker Keagan Gilman (5’10”, 190 pounds) announced on Sunday that he has received an offer to play at Bethel College, an NAIA program in North Newton, Kansas.

Bethel went 6-5 last season under first-year head coach A.B. Stokes, winning their straight KCAC championship.

Six other Sandite football players have received offers to play at the collegiate level:

Senior OL Tyler “Tank” Smith (5’10,” 285 pounds) is committed to playing at Hendrix College.

Senior DE Dallas Elifrits (6’1”, 230 pounds) holds offers from McPherson College and Bethel College.

Senior lineman/TE Evan Williams (5’10”, 215 pounds) committed to play at Bethel College on November 10th.

Sophomore quarterback Easton Webb (6’3” 175 pounds) is committed to playing baseball at Oklahoma State University, but he also holds a Division I football offer from UNLV.

Sophomore receiver Brock O’Dell (5’10” 170 pounds) holds one college offer from Northwestern Oklahoma State.

Junior receiver Kooper Kelly holds one offer from Northwestern Oklahoma State.

Boys Golf

Senior Zane Downey is committed to Southern Nazarene University.

Senior Mason Ward is committed to Coffeyville Community College.

Softball

Junior RHP/IB/OF Addison Hughes holds offers from East Central University, Oklahoma Wesleyan University, and Coffeyville Community College.

Senior RHP/INF Kelsi Hilton signed an LOI with Southern Nazarene University on November 8th.

Baseball

Senior RHP/OF Cole Pearson (6’2” 150 pounds) is committed to playing at McPherson College next season.

Six Sandite baseball players signed letters of intent to play college ball on November 8th.

Senior INF/RHP Jackson Stewart (5’11” 195 pounds) signed with McPherson College.

Senior RF/LHP Kayden Campbell (5’9” 165 pounds) signed with Cowley County Community College.

Senior right-handed pitcher Eli Buxton (6’6” 185 pounds) signed with Arizona State University.

Senior OF/LHP Miller Tavaglione (6’2” 190 pounds) and senior INF/RHP Jace Arnold (6’2” 180 pounds) signed with Allen County Community College.

Senior INF Wyatt Rutledge (6’2” 170 pounds) signed with Northern Oklahoma College at Enid.

Girls Basketball

5’10” senior small forward KiAryn Taylor is committed to Ranger College.

5’3” senior guard Sakauri Wilson signed a letter of intent to play at Southwestern Oklahoma State University on Wednesday, November 8th.

5’7” senior guard Taiona “Yonnie” Morris recently announced her commitment to play at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.

Boys Basketball

6’4” junior guard Deke Thompson holds one offer from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Soccer

Two senior soccer players signed LOIs on November 8th.

Senior Ava Watts signed to play Division I soccer at Texas A&M-Commerce.

Senior Kate Webb signed to play at University of the Ozarks.

Coaches, players, and parents can send recruiting updates to sanditepridenews@gmail.com.

Sandite Recruiting Report: Sims and Floyd Offered by Kansas Wesleyan, Downey Commits

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#55 Marcus Sims, far right, was offered by Kansas Wesleyan.

Charles Page High School senior Zane Downey recently announced his commitment to play golf at Southern Nazarene University.

“I want to give thanks to my Lord Jesus Christ for blessing me with this opportunity,” Downey posted on Instagram. “I want to thank all my family and friends for believing in me and pushing me to be the best that I can.”

“I also want to thank my coach Matt Webb for always reminding me to stay level headed and take it one day at a time. And most importantly my Dad for all those times driving me to the course to practice and always being my biggest supporter and competitor.”

SNU is an NCAA Division II program in Bethany, Oklahoma, competing in the Great American Conference. The Crimson Storm tied for seventh in last year’s GAC tournament and tied for 17th at the NCAA Super Regional Preview in October. They are led by 13th year head coach Derrick Taylor.

Fellow senior Mason Ward announced his commitment to Coffeyville Community College on Monday, November 13th.

Football

Two senior football players announced offers to play college ball recently. Owen Floyd and Marcus Sims were both offered by Kansas Wesleyan University.

Wesleyan is an NAIA program in Salina, Kansas, competing in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. The Coyotes went 8-3 on the season and 4-1 in the KCAC under second-year head coach Matt Myers.

Floyd (6’0” 190 pounds), a linebacker, also has offers from Hendrix College and Oklahoma Wildcats Prep.

Sims (6’0,” 265 pounds), an offensive lineman, also holds offers from Southwestern College, Langston University, and Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

Eight other Sandites have received offers to play football at the next level.

Senior OL Tyler “Tank” Smith (5’10,” 285 pounds) is committed to playing at Hendrix College.

Senior DE Dallas Elifrits (6’1”, 230 pounds) holds offers from McPherson College and Bethel College.

Senior lineman/TE Evan Williams (5’10”, 215 pounds) committed to play at Bethel College on November 10th.

Sophomore quarterback Easton Webb (6’3” 175 pounds) is committed to playing baseball at Oklahoma State University, but he also holds a Division I football offer from the University of Nevada at Las Vegas.

Sophomore lineman Ryley Kester (6’4” 270 pounds) has received offers from UNLV, Houston, Tulsa, Georgia Tech, Texas Tech, and Northwestern Oklahoma State.

Sophomore receiver Brock O’Dell (5’10” 170 pounds) holds one college offer from Northwestern Oklahoma State.

Senior running back Kenneth Page (6’0” 190 pounds) holds one offer from Northwestern Oklahoma State.

Junior receiver Kooper Kelly holds one offer from Northwestern Oklahoma State.

Softball

Junior RHP/IB/OF Addison Hughes announced on Wednesday that she had received an offer to play at East Central University, an NCAA Division II program in Ada, Oklahoma.

The Tigers went 21-27 overall and 14-19 in the Great American Conference last season under 17th-year head coach Destini Anderson.

Hughes went 12-7 in the circle this season with a 2.89 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP, 115 strikeouts, and two perfect games.

She also holds offers from Oklahoma Wesleyan University and Coffeyville Community College.

Senior RHP/INF Kelsi Hilton signed an LOI with Southern Nazarene University on November 8th.

Baseball

Senior RHP/OF Cole Pearson (6’2” 150 pounds) is committed to playing at McPherson College next season.

Six Sandite baseball players signed letters of intent to play college ball on November 8th.

Senior INF/RHP Jackson Stewart (5’11” 195 pounds) signed with McPherson College.

Senior RF/LHP Kayden Campbell (5’9” 165 pounds) signed with Cowley County Community College.

Senior right-handed pitcher Eli Buxton (6’6” 185 pounds) signed with Arizona State University.

Senior OF/LHP Miller Tavaglione (6’2” 190 pounds) and senior INF/RHP Jace Arnold (6’2” 180 pounds) signed with Allen County Community College.

Senior INF Wyatt Rutledge (6’2” 170 pounds) signed with Northern Oklahoma College at Enid.

Girls Basketball

5’10” senior small forward KiAryn Taylor is committed to Ranger College.

5’3” senior guard Sakauri Wilson signed a letter of intent to play at Southwestern Oklahoma State University on Wednesday, November 8th.

5’7” senior guard Taiona “Yonnie” Morris recently announced her commitment to play at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.

Boys Basketball

6’4” junior guard Deke Thompson holds one offer from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Soccer

Two senior soccer players signed LOIs on November 8th.

Senior Ava Watts signed to play Division I soccer at Texas A&M-Commerce.

Senior Kate Webb signed to play at University of the Ozarks.

Coaches, players, and parents can send recruiting updates to sanditepridenews@gmail.com.

Sandites Win Skiatook Tournament With Three Champions

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The Charles Page High School boys’ wrestling team crowned three champions en route to a team title at the one-day Skiatook tournament Friday - the second team title of the season for the Sandites.

No. 6 Sand Springs locked up first place very early on, scoring 254.5 points to runner-up 4A No. 2 Catoosa’s 194.

It was a strong bounce-back performance for the Sandites (10-1), who suffered their first dual loss of the season the night before. No. 3 Broken Arrow (8-0) won 12 out of 14 matches in a 45-11 rout.

“We responded well,” said head coach Ty Bowling. “Last night, it was rough, but I think we needed that. I think we will learn a lesson from it, we’ll get better from it. And today I think we started the process. We had a good day and rebounded well.”

The Sandites put seven in the finals with Jayden Pait, Zander Grigsby, and Jaxon Trotter winning their brackets while Dawsen Briscoe, David Ritchey, Isaac Sensintaffar, and Peyton Callis finished as runners-up.

Pait suffered an MCL tear in the quarterfinals of the Mid America Nationals last December in Enid, but he looked very much back to form, winning the 138-pound bracket with four falls.

“I was pretty upset going throughout the whole season,” said Pait. “You never want to get hurt your senior season…I’ve been out for about a month and a half now so getting these wins today really boosted my confidence.”

After pinning his first three opponents in the first period, he took a 2-0 lead into the second period against Catoosa State qualifier Michael Blendowski before reversing into a fall.

“Getting that reversal meant a lot because I knew that he was good at riding legs and I knew what I had to do on bottom,” said Pait.

“I’ve been battling some recovery, battling some confidence issues in some of my matches, but I feel confident now…I’m feeling good, I’m ready to come back, ready to compete some more and qualify for State.”

Zander Grisgby earned his third tournament title of the season, winning the 165-pound bracket with a technical fall, a forfeit, and three pins. In the finals he easily handled Hilldale’s Nathan Stroble with a second-period fall.

Trotter picked up his first tournament title of the year at 175, pinning his first two opponents and earning a 20-5 technical fall in the semifinals before meeting Bixby State qualifier Colton Kaiser in the finals.

“I knew I’d have a good match in the finals,” said Trotter. “Throughout the day I was just trying to focus on my shots and really dial in my neutral to help me in this match and just have me warmed up. I think it helped out a lot.”

The two stayed neutral throughout the first period but Trotter scored an escape early in the second before scoring a double-leg takedown for the 3-0 lead. Kaiser managed an escape in the third but Trotter’s defense kept the Spartan at bay for a 3-1 decision.

Briscoe won his first four matches at 106 before falling 9-0 to Skiatook State qualifier Cole Smith in the finals.

Ayreson Reiss went 4-1 and placed third at 113, losing only to Skiatook State runner-up Jagen Jones. He received a forfeit in the third-place match.

Kase Skaggs and Ritchey both went 4-1 at 120, with their only losses coming to Bixby State qualifier Colden Dyer. Dyer teched Skaggs in the semifinals before winning a 4-1 decision against Ritchey in the finals. Skaggs bounced back with a 19-3 technical fall against Tonkawa’s Tate Coffey for third place.

Jaxon Grigsby pinned his first two opponents at 126 before falling 12-4 to eventual champion Logan Hargrove, from Catoosa, in the semifinals. Grigsby bounced back with a 16-0 technical fall against Skiatook’s Landon Dodd.

Matthew Moore pinned his first three opponents at 132 before falling 7-0 to Catoosa State qualifier Tucker Collinsworth in the semifinals. He bounced back with a 10-1 major decision over Darin McWhorter for third place.

Jesse Moore teched his first two opponents at 144 before falling 3-0 to tournament champ Tharyn Hausler of Bixby. In consolation he pinned Inola’s Bryson Faulkner for third place.

Brody Ensten and Sensintaffar both competed at 157 and suffered their only losses to the champion.

Ensten pinned two opponents before falling to Wagoner State placer Bryce Steele in the semifinals. He bounced back with an 8-3 decision over Catoosa State qualifier Fernando Dominguez for third place.

Sensintaffar pinned his first three opponents and beat Dominguez 7-3 in the semifinals before falling 5-0 to Steel in the championship.

Callis pinned his first three foes at 190 and won an 8-4 decision in the semifinals before falling 3-2 to Bixby State placer Hank Puckett in the finals.

Heavyweight Ryley Kester pinned his first two opponents before falling to Catoosa’s Tank Love in the semifinals. In consolation he won a 5-1 decision over Wagoner’s Dax Griffin

Preston Reyna placed fourth at 150, Jaden Allen placed fourth at 215, Hunter Spencer placed fifth at 126, Nathan Feather placed seventh at 113, Jackson Burdge placed seventh at 144, Brock O’Dell placed seventh at 157, and Gage Gunn placed 10th at 132.

Varsity Girls

The varsity girls took second place at the Ray Murphy Jr. Memorial Tournament on Saturday with 144.5 points, just a hair behind Rogers, Arkansas with 147.

Ambrielle Chambers, Trinity Owens, Laila Mirza, Audree Robinson, and Kelsi Hilton all took first place.

Chambers recorded three first-period pins and a major decision at 105 pounds; Owens had three pins at 110; Mirza had two pins and a tech fall at 115; Robinson had two pins and a decision at 125; and Hilton had three pins at 140.

Samantha Baker placed fourth at 125, Mia Bruns placed third at 130, Kayla Arnold placed fourth at 145, Tessa Urrey place fourth at 155, and Emily Ambriz placed fifth at 235.

JV Boys

The junior varsity Sandites took third place at the Ray Murphy tournament with 154.5 points and three champions.

The mostly varsity tournament was led by Coweta’s JV with 190 points and Bartlesville’s varsity with 183.5.

Skaggs took first place at 120, Spencer won at 126, and Kaden Pope won at 132.

Brody Wilson placed second at 113, Caleb Childers placed fourth at 113, Scott Halpain place fourth at 150, Reiss placed fifth at 113, Nathan Feather placed sixth at 120, Dallas Flores placed sixth at 165, Jeffery Norton placed seventh at 120, Jesse Kerr placed eighth at 113, Logan Childers placed eighth at 126, Gage Gunn placed eighth at 132, and Alex Lahmeyer placed eighth at 175.

Sandite Wrestling Routs Enid, Owasso & Union for District Championship

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Sand Springs is headed back to Dual State after winning its 19th overall District Championship Thursday night at the Ed Dubie Field House.

Sand Springs has now won back-to-back district titles under second-year head coach Ty Bowling, who has won five in a row including his days at Glenpool.

“I love Dual State,” said Bowling. “It’s an honor to be able to compete there. I’ve been on both sides. Having to stay home isn’t very fun. Having the opportunity to give ourselves a chance is special.”

The No. 5 ranked Sandites improved to 10-0 for the first time since 2017 after winning 77-6 against Enid (1-8), 46-18 against Owasso (1-7) and 53-16 against No. 15 Union (3-4).

“I think we all wrestled good, battled hard, and even if we lost, we did our job to not get pinned or whatever,” said junior middle-weight Preston Reyna.

The Sandites started off with a dominant win against Enid, jumping out to a 36-0 lead with six pins before the Plainsmen earned their one and only victory.

Dawsen Briscoe (6-5), Ayreson Reiss (4-3), David Ritchey (5-3), Colt Hood (10-6), Matthew Moore (16-7), and Jackson Burdge (1-2) all pinned their foes before Steven Brooks broke up the run by pinning Jesse Moore (13-4) at 144 pounds.

Reyna (15-4) got the home team back on track with a 17-1 technical fall in 4:44, followed by first period falls from Brody Ensten (17-6), Zander Grigsby (19-0), Jaxon Trotter (20-5), Peyton Callis (20-5), Jaden Allen (7-7), and Ryley Kester (2-0).

It was at least the 14th consecutive win against Enid in a streak dating back to before any of the current Sandites were alive.

Sand Springs got in an early hole against Owasso and trailed through the first eight matches before rallying to their third consecutive win over the Rams.

Dallas Thorpe pinned Reiss to open the dual and returning State placer Bryson Humphries won an 8-2 decision against Ritchey before Hood got the Sandites on the scoreboard with a 5-0 decision against Jaxon Truitt.

Matthew Moore picked up a big 7-5 decision against State qualifier Jaxson Humphries at 132, but Burdge suffered a pin by Ryder Seago and Jesse Moore lost a 6-2 decision to Mason Moore to make it 18-6.

Finally, Reyna kicked off an eight-match win streak with a close 4-3 decision over Derek Lockridge at 150. Lockridge scored a takedown in the opening period, but gave up a penalty point in the second and Reyna tied it with an escape in the the third before scoring a takedown.

“He was getting in his own head and I kind of felt that, so I just kept pushing it,” said Reyna.

“That was a good win,” said Bowling. “That kid was one match away from being a State qualifier last year. Preston was wrestling up to 150. Every time we’ve bumped him up to 150, he’s won every one of those matches so he’s done well for us.”

Ensten followed it up by pinning Kam Miller on a second period reversal and Grigsby gave his team their first lead with a 46-second pin of Corbin Smith.

Trotter pinned Ari Davis in 48 seconds, Callis received a forfeit, and Allen won a 6-0 decision against Chris Turner at 215 to clinch the dual.

Mason Harris (20-2) had the fastest pin of the night in just 29 seconds against Alijah Hills and Briscoe wrapped it up with a 13-5 major decision against Chace Hill.

In the Union dual Kase Skaggs (17-3) started things off with a bang, working up a 17-2 first-period technical fall against Jaraett Sims, then Hood pinned Ben Mielcarek to make sure the Sandites never trailed.

Matthew Moore lost a close 1-0 decision to State qualifier Dariuz Black and Burdge was pinned by State qualifier Thomas Toteh to make it 11-9, but Sand Springs won the next five matches.

Jesse Moore kicked off the streak with a pin of Asher Davidson and Reyna won a 2-1 decision against Reyon Williams.

“Those last two were tough kids,” said Reyna. “I can’t wait to wrestle them again. I love matches that are close like that.”

Ensten added a 7-3 decision against Uriah Delonia and Grigsby continued his undefeated season by working up an 7-1 lead against State qualifier Tanner Jarvis before pinning him in 2:33.

Trotter also played with his food before eating it, taking an 11-2 advantage against Ethan Kimrey before pinning him in 2:48 to make it 35-9.

State qualifier Wura Yinusa won a 17-5 major decision against Allen at 190, but Callis pinned Ezequiel Palos to clinch the dual at 215.

Harris added a 35-second pin of Contrell Richardson and Briscoe pinned Mason Mitchell in 2:23 for a 40-point advantage before Derrick Elmore won an 11-6 decision against Nathan Feather (0-1) to wrap up the night.

It was the Sandites’ fourth consecutive win against Union.

Technically there are no All-District accolades in wrestling, but if there were they would go to Briscoe, Hood, Reyna, Ensten, Grigsby, Trotter, and Callis who all went 3-0 on the day. Harris went 2-0 and Kester and Skaggs both won the only matches they wrestled.

Sand Springs has just one dual left in the regular season and will travel to No. 3 Broken Arrow (4-0) next Thursday, but first it will host the 56th annual Bobby Lyons Invitational Friday and Saturday.

“We’ve wrestled a good schedule,” said Bowling. “Each time we’ve wrestled they get tougher and tougher and we’re going to finish with probably the toughest one yet with Broken Arrow next week.”

Zander Grigsby Leads Sandites to Jenks Tournament Title

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Sand Springs took home its 11th tournament title from the Larry Wilkey Invitational in Jenks on Saturday, furthering its lopsided reign as the most dominant team in the tournament’s 51-year history.

“If you want to win a tournament during the regular season, this is the one,” said second-year head coach Ty Bowling.

“This is kind of like a little pregionals, Regional preview. It’s a good win for our team, especially going into districts.”

The Sandites sent three to the finals and crowned one champion with 12 top-six placers. They scored 208 points to defeat Westmoore with 194 and Melissa, Texas with 192.

Zander Grigsby pinned all four of his opponents to win the 165 pounds bracket and remain undefeated on the season.

“I’m feeling good,” said Grigsby. “Winning Mid-America definitely helped my confidence and then winning this as well, I’m feeling great.”

Grigsby outscored his opponents 17-4 without giving up a single takedown and is now 16-0 in his senior campaign. In the quarterfinals he pinned Kansas State runner-up Brady Martin and in the finals he pinned Jenks junior Joshua Henderson.

“That was big,” said Bowling. “It was one of those tricky matches where if something could go wrong, that would be the match. We had a good talk with him, me and coach TeDon (Fleischman), to make sure he kept his mind right. He did exactly what he said he was going to do. It was a good experience for him to win this tournament.”

It was the third tournament title of Grigsby’s varsity career. In addition to the Enid tournament earlier this year, he also won the Cabot tournament during his sophomore campaign.

“I feel like the energy that we bring in the practice room has really changed everything,” said Grigsby. “The way that we go about practice, the way that we lift each other up, helps everybody to work harder, which is resulting in more success.”

Mason Harris (18-2) was runner-up at heavyweight after clawing his way back through the consolation bracket. The senior pinned his first three foes before falling 6-0 to two-time Sallisaw State Champion Maverick Williamson in the semifinals.

In consolation he pinned two more opponents to clinch third, then pinned Southmoore’s Jacob Clay in the second-place challenge match for his 100th career win.

“He’s tough,” said Bowling. “He’s a returning State placer, we’ve got big expectations for him this season.”

David Ritchey (4-2) took third place at 120 pounds, losing a close 6-4 sudden victory decision to Civic Memorial’s Bradley Ruckman in the finals before forfeiting the second-place challenge match.

“In the preseason he kind of tweaked his knee,” said Bowling. “He felt like he might be ready towards the end (of last year) but we decided to go ahead and give it another two weeks, Christmas break, and make sure we’re at 100 percent.”

The junior made his return to the mat in Thursday’s duals and entered the Jenks tournament as a non-scoring wrestler, while Kase Skaggs (16-3) placed fifth as the scoring wrestler in the same weight class.

Bowling made the decision to list Skaggs as the scoring wrestler “based on just what I know from a year and a half of getting to know the team and who is showing what, whether it’s in the room or on their own time, or on the mat out here.”

The Sandites were without a 113 wrestler as they sent both Ayreson Reiss (3-2) and Caden Rodriguez (1-3) to the Inola tournament with the JV team.

“They’re both kind of younger guys,” said Bowling. “We’re just trying to get them a few more matches and a little bit of confidence.”

“It was a possibility (that Ritchey or Skaggs might cut to 113) but I think now it’s probably off the table. We’ve got three duals this week, we’ve got our home tournament this weekend, so I think both of them will get plenty of matches this week and we’ll try to figure out what we’re going to do with them.”

Freshman Kasen McAffrey (8-1) was runner-up at 138 pounds, suffering his first loss of the season in the finals. He pinned his first four opponents before falling 6-0 to Westmoore senior Gannon Morales, who he actually defeated 7-4 in the dual just two days earlier.

“We have a returning (State) qualifier at that weight who’s a senior,” said Bowling.

“We asked McAffrey to step up and fill in for him over the past month and he’s done an excellent job. He’s someone’s who’s wrestled well and he’s looking to try and keep that spot. One of those situations where we’ve got all these matches this coming week and we’ll just see how that plays out.”

Dawsen Briscoe (3-5) placed sixth at 106, Colt Hood (7-6) placed sixth at 126, Matthew Moore (14-6) placed fourth at 132, Jesse Moore (12-2) placed fourth at 144, Brody Ensten (14-6) placed fifth at 157, Jaxon Trotter (17-5) placed sixth at 175, and Peyton Callis (17-5) placed fifth at 190.

The JV team took 14th place at the Inola tournament. Reiss took third palce at 113, Hunter Spencer placed fourth at 126, and Ryley Kester placed third at 285.

The wins over Westmoore in both dual and tournament action launched the Sandites to No. 5 in the 6A rankings released Monday.

Sand Springs will look to move to 10-0 in duals for the first time since 2017 when they host a district quad on Thursday at 2:00 p.m., followed by its home tournament over the weekend.