Clayton Giddens and Kaden Glass bring home Battle of the Belt titles

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Seven Sand Springs elementary and junior high wrestlers competed at the Battle for the Belt tournament this past weekend at the Oklahoma City Cox Pavilion and two took first place in their divisions.

Clayton Giddens (9-1) picked up his second first-place finish this season at 64 pounds in Division 1. He won a 12-0 major decision over Lawson Knox (Marlow), defeated Matthew Patton (Sperry) by 16-0 tech fall, and recorded two pins. He took down Andrew Havens (Sperry) in 1:23 and Krystian Moore (C4 WC) in 1:15.

Kaden Glass (6-0) competed in Division 5 at Heavyweight and took first place for his second-straight tournament. He defeated Colin Naney (Tiger WC) 3-0 and pinned Tony Davidson (Geary) in 0:27 to remain undefeated for the season.

Grady Mittasch (10-1) was just one win shy of his fourth-straight first place victory, instead settling for third place after a close 4-2 decision to OKUSA State Champion Camden Webb (Muskogee). He snapped back with a 4-1 decision over Wesley Madden (OWA), then pinned Legend Yates (Marlow) in 1:23 and Bo Ware (Cleveland) in 1:05 for yet another stellar performance. He competed in Division 3 at 70 pounds.

Carter Young (5-1) competed in Division 5 at 100 pounds and took second place. He majored Kolbe Madron (Premier WC) 9-0 and decisioned Caleb Williams (Tironook) 6-3, but was pinned in 2:29 by State Champion and Dual National team member Tucker Owens (Matrix).

Ethan White (2-1) wrestled his first tournament of the season and drew only one competitor. He was defeated 10-1 by Harley Andrews (Tiger WC), but received a pair of forfeits for second place. He competed in Division 4 at 120 pounds. 

Sam Harris (5-6) competed in Division 5 at 120 pounds and took fourth place. He lost 13-5 to Cody Hicks (Durant) and was pinned in 0:58 by Parrish Terry (Tiger WC), but received a forfeit from Luke McCain and defeated Brayden Early (Harrah) 6-4. 

Jaxon Trotter (8-5) competed in Division 3 at 85 pounds. He pinned Kenison Rodgers (StandFast WC) in 3:27 and Trey Linam (Marlow) in 0:43, but fell in 1:25 to Ladarion Lockett (Cowboy WC) and was defeated 6-0 by Tyler McCall (Catoosa).

Moore, Flores, Furr, Spurgeon all take first place at Team Neo Tournament

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Fourteen members of the Sand Springs Team Big wrestling club competed at the OKUSA Team Neo Tournament at Union Intermediate High School recently, and four took first place in their division. Samuel Moore, Ryder Flores, Bentley Furr, and Joshua Spurgeon all took home the gold.

Samuel Moore (5-2) competed in Division 1 Novice at 46 pounds and took first place. He won a close 8-7 decision over Corde Williams (Bristow), pinned Gunner Killingsworth (Warner) in 0:16 and Jonathan Valadez (Sperry) in 1:11, then defeated Weston Little (Bristow) 11-7.

Ryder Flores (3-0) competed in Division 1 Novice at 40 pounds and took first place. He won a close 10-7 decision over Johnny Ray Ashcroft (Bartlesville), pinned Barry Ritter Jr. (Coweta) in 0:19, then defeated Zaden Emerson (Catoosa) 15-8.

Bentley Furr (6-2) competed in Division 1 Novice at 60 pounds and drew only two competitors. He pinned John Harvill (Cushing) in 0:45, then won a close 9-8 decision over Xander Maggard (Sperry) for his second first-place finish this season. 

Joshua Spurgeon (7-1) competed in Division 3 Novice at 58 pounds and drew only two competitors. He won a close 9-7 decision over teammate Mathew Moore, then majored Jimmy Groden (Coweta) 8-0 for first place. 

Brysyn Jones (6-4) competed in Division 2 Novice at 43 pounds. He pinned Santos Valencia (Collinsville) in 1:22, but was in-turn pinned in 0:16 and 0:27 by Cody Horner (Sapulpa) and Benson Hunt (Warner), respectively.

Jesse Moore (2-1) competed in Division 3 Novice at 76 pounds and took second place. He defeated Clay McKiddy (Cushing) 15-8, then pinned Reece McCutchen (Sperry) in 0:58 before giving up a close 5-3 decision to Cable Golden (Collinsville). 

Evan Williams (6-2) competed in Division 3 Novice at 90 pounds and took second place. He won a 7-1 decision over Jackson O'Kelley (Cushing), then pinned Christopher Akers (Sperry) in 0:19 before falling 14-2 to David Cooper (Bartlesville).

Sammy Naugle (4-4) competed in Division 4 Open at 88 pounds and took third place. He lost a 16-4 major decision to Eli Zar (Terminator WC), but came back to pin Blake Radford (NEO) in 2:45, then won a close 1-0 decision over teammate Ethan Norton.

Dallas Flores (1-1) competed in Division 2 Novice at 67 pounds and drew only two competitors. He pinned Bryce Ward (Cushing) in 4:!7, but lost a close 8-6 sudden-victory overtime match to Dane Jensen (Claremore) and took second place.

Matthew Moore (1-3) competed in Division 3 Novice and drew only two competitors. He lost his opening match 9-7 to teammate Joshua Spurgeon, but rebounded with a 7-6 decision over Jimmy Groden (Coweta) for second place. 

Aiden Wilkerson (1-1) competed in Division 3 Novice and drew only two competitors. He won his opening match with an 8-1 decision over John McDougal (Bristow), but lost 6-3 to Dylon Link (Cushing) to take second place.

David Cline (1-2) competed in Division 2 Novice at 70 pounds. He lost his first match in a close 4-1 decision to William Cade (Coweta), but rebounded with a 14-0 major decision over Jaxson Matthews (Owasso) before falling in 2:42 to Griffin Goins (Broken Arrow). 

Colt Cothran (1-3) competed in Division 3 Open at 55 pounds. He was defeated 9-0 by Cayden Cupps (Catoosa) and 6-0 by Cavin Peper (Sapulpa).

Ethan Norton (4-6) competed in Division 4 Open at 88 pounds. He was pinned in 0:50 by Kai Shultz (Pryor) and gave up a close 1-0 decision to teammate Sammy Naugle for fourth place. 

Seven Sand Springs Elementary wrestlers take first place at Cushing Tournament

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Several members of the Sand Springs Team Big wrestling team traveled to the Halloween Takedown Tournament in Cushing last month and seven took first place in their respective divisions. The Oklahoma USA Youth Wrestling League event featured five age divisions with Open and Novice classifications in each. 

Christian Forbes (2-0) competed in Division 5 Open, the oldest division, at 76 pounds and drew only one competitor. He pinned Corban Zugelder (Catoosa) twice in a best-of-three competition for first place with times of 3:00 and 1:31.

Owen Martin (2-0) competed in Division 4 Open at 67 pounds and drew only one competitor. He pinned Rhyder Morrow (Cushing) in 0:52 and 0:44 for first place. 

Ethan Norton (2-0) competed in Division 4 Open at 88 pounds and drew two competitors, both from his team. He pinned Jacob Lewis in 1:57 and Sammy Naugle in 3:00 for first place. 

Jackson Martin (2-0) competed in Division 3 Open at 52 pounds and drew only one competitor. He pinned Kevin Mongo West (Ponca City) in 0:46 and 0:54 for first place.

Robert Burke (2-0) competed in Division 3 Open at 64 pounds and drew only one competitor. He pinned Cache Pierson (Bristow) in 2:31 and 1:34 for first place.

Grady Mittasch (2-0) competed in Division 3 Open at 70 pounds and drew only one competitor. He pinned Bo Ware (Cleveland) in 1:16 and 0:55 for first place.

Bently Furr (2-0) competed in Division 1 Novice at 60 pounds and drew only one competitor. He pinned John Harvill (Cushing) in 1:06 and 0:34  for first place.

Jacob Burdette (2-1) competed in Division 5 Open at 113 pounds and took second place. He pinned Teague Fittje (Cushing) in 1:24 and Tyson Rivas (Standfast WC) in 3:00 before falling in 1:18 to Hayden Lemmons (Cushing).

Will Meredith (2-2) competed in Division 2 Open at 46 pounds and took fourth place. He defeated Austin Kennedy (Cushing) by 10-0 major decision before giving up a 4-2 loss to Landon Earp (Chandler). He rebounded with a close 9-8 decision over Ty Yocham (Bristow) but was majored 11-0 by Blake Cooper (Cleveland).

Mitchell Smith (1-2) competed in Division 4 Open at 70 pounds and took third place. He won his first match 4-2 over Kaiser Simpson (Cushing), but was pinned in 3:00 by Landyn Sommer (Cowboy WC) and 2:45 by Corban Zugelder (Catoosa).

Adrian Flores (1-2) competed in Division 3 Open at 110 pounds and took third place. He pinned Paden Diese Pearson (Bristow) in 2:59 in the opening round, but was pinned in return in 1:56 by Bryson Kelley (Cushing) and 3:00 by Shaun Franks (Cowboy WC). 

Blayton Collins (1-2) competed in Division 2 Novice at 55 pounds and took third place. He pinned Cadyn Dodson (Cushing) in 2:31,  but fell in 1:17 to Devyn Main (Cushing) and 3:00 to Jaiden Stibbens (Cushing).

Wyatt Meredith (1-1) competed in Division 4 Open at 76 pounds and won second place. He pinned Rye Henley in 2:19, but was pinned in return by Caiden Poff (Sapulpa) in 1:55.

Sammy Naugle (1-1) competed in Division 4 at 88 pounds and won second place. He pinned teammate Jacob Lewis in 1:57, but was in turn pinned in 3:00 by teammate Ethan Norton.

Sam Harris (0-2) competed in Division 5 Open at 120 pounds and took third place. He fell in 2:35 to Blake Gonzalez (BA) and 3:00 to Michael Harjo (Sapulpa).

Jacob Lewis (0-2) competed in Division 4 Open at 88 pounds and took third place. He fell in 1:57 to teammates Ethan Norton and Sammy Naugle. 

Kaden Glass (0-0) signed up for heavyweight in Division 5 Open but drew no competitors. 

Abraham Flores (0-0) signed up for 100 pounds in Division 4 Open but drew no competitors. 

2X Sandite of the Week: Kasey Bales scores two touchdowns in Semi-Final loss

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Photo: Morgan Miller

By: Sandite Pride Editorial Board

Charles Page High School senior Kasey Bales was selected as Sandite of the Week for his outstanding performance in the Sandites' 35-21 loss to No. 1 Bixby this past Friday.

The 5'10" 165 pound wide receiver hauled in seven receptions for 69 yards and 2 touchdowns in the semi-final playoff round, accounting for nearly 40% of total yardage for the Sandites. He also punted a career-high six times in the defensive battle, averaging 42 yards per punt, twice pinning the Spartans within their own 20. 

Bales picked up the first yards of the game with a four-yard reception on  shovel pass. He picked up five more on a screen not long after. On the Sandites' first scoring possession he brought in another five-yarder, then scored on a six-yard touchdown reception to cut the deficit to 14-7.

One turnover and 1:12 later he hauled in a 23-yard fourth-down pass to tie the game seconds before halftime. 

He picked up the first Sandite first-down of the second half on an eleven-yard pass, then received a thirteen-yarder to set up Payton Scott's four-yard touchdown run for the 21-21 tie. He didn't get another offensive play after that, but did register a nineteen-yard kick return in the final minute of the game, setting up the Sandites at the 34 for one final drive.

Bales finished the season just shy of the 1000 mark with 68 receptions for 946 yards and eleven touchdowns. He also had seven runs for 44 yards this season. His career mark is 106 receptions for 1593 yards and seventeen scores. He was previously recognized as Sandite of the Week in October after scoring twice in a 30-14 win over Yukon.

Sandite of the Week is a weekly recognition given to any one person with significant ties to the Sand Springs community who accomplishes remarkable achievements during the Sunday through Saturday week preceding the award. Prior achievements may be noted in the article, but do not bear direct influence on the selection committee which only considers prior week accomplishments. Candidates may be nominated by anyone by emailing SanditePrideNews@gmail.com. The award is not given to anyone in consecutive weeks, but any recipient may be nominated and awarded again in the future, so long as the weeks are not consecutive. Final selection is made by a majority vote of the Sandite Pride Editorial Board.

Businesses or organizations seeking to sponsor the Sandite of the Week award may contact the above email for inquiries.

Daton Fix becomes fourth Division One commit in CPHS Class of 2017, more are possible

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Charles Page High School is on a roll lately with talented athletes in all areas, and has signed seven to play at the collegiate level this week. Four of those are going to NCAA Division One schools, and we haven't even got to winter and spring sports yet. 

Senior three-time State Champion Daton Fix signed with No. 1 Oklahoma State University as the number one most sought-after recruit in the nation. He's a ten-time Freestyle National Champion, three-time Folkstyle National Champion, three-time Greco-Roman National Champion, Freestyle and Greco Pan-American Champion, and two-time World Championship Freestyle Bronze Medalist. 

SEE RELATED: National Champion Daton Fix signs to No. 1 Oklahoma State University wrestling

Senior pitcher Jake Terry signed with the No. 21 University of Oklahoma to play baseball after committing to the program in 2015. He finished last season with a 5-4 record and 3.88 ERA and is currently recovering from shoulder surgery with his Senior year still ahead of him. 

SEE RELATED: CPHS Senior Jake Terry officially signs with University of Oklahoma baseball

Senior pitcher/short-stop Sydney Pennington signed with the No. 31 Oklahoma State University softball team after committing to the program in 2014. She finished last season with a 6-0 record, 1.41 ERA, and .543 batting average and is also the leading scorer on the Lady Sandite Basketball team.

SEE RELATED: CPHS Senior Sydney Pennington signs with Oklahoma State University Softball

Senior seven-time State Champion Cheyenne Walden signed with the No. 15 Oklahoma State University cowgirls after committing to the program in October. She finished her Cross Country career with four State Titles and looks to the Spring track season where she already holds three State Titles in two distances. 

SEE RELATED: CPHS Senior Cheyenne Walden signs with Oklahoma State University Cross Country

Senior four-time State Qualifier Alexis Davis signed with the NCAA Division II Southwestern Oklahoma State University. She finished her career as the first ever Lady Sandite (along with Walden) to ever qualify for State all four years. She took 21st in the State this fall and will continue to show off this spring in Track.

SEE RELATED: CPHS Senior Alexis Davis signs with SWOSU Cross Country

Senior All-State outfielder Jessica Collins signed with NJCAA Division I Connors State. She finished last season with a .316 batting average and was named to the All-District, All-Region, and All-State teams. She will join the Lady Sandite basketball team this winter before finishing her high school career with Spring slow pitch.

SEE RELATED: CPHS Senior Jessica Collins signs with Connors State College Softball

6'6" Senior center Kyle Keener signed with the NCAA Division II University of Central Oklahoma basketball team after committing to the program in September. He finished his junior year as the number three scorer on his team with 11 points and 6 rebounds per game.

SEE RELATED: CPHS Senior Kyle Keener signs with University of Central Oklahoma Basketball

The only other Sand Springs student currently committed to a college is Class of 2018 volleyball player Gloria Mutiri, who verbally committed to Ohio State University in September, but there are several other Seniors expected to go to the next level.

CPHS wrestling coach Kelly Smith says he has two or three other seniors who are more than capable of wrestling at the Division One level if they can get the exposure necessary. 

Sandite Pride's most eligible senior recruits are:

Wrestling
Jack Karstetter (73-15, 132 State Runner-Up)
Beau Bratcher (87-23, 138 State Runner-Up)
Zane Basma (62-25, 160 State Third-Place)
Delvin Jordan (31-12, 220 Regional Champ)
Michael Ritchey (29-24, 113 Regional Champ)
Derek Davis (17-12, 132)
Cody Mathis (18-14, 145)

Cross Country
Jacob Garbey (5K time 17:36)
Ian Baustert (5K time 18:36)

Football
Delvin Jordan (6'0" 224 LB)
Lincoln Adams (6'3" 300 OL/DL)
Hunter Greathouse (6'3" 180 QB)
Nathan Simonton (6'2" 256 OL/DL)
Kasey Bales (5'10" 165 WR/K)
Dalton Morgan (6'0" 190 RB/LB)
Josh Taber (5'11" 160 DB/WR)
Danny Ropp (5'11" 253 OL/DL)
Treyce Tolbert (5'10" 170 DB)
Brett Freeman (6'2" 174 DB)

Mens Soccer
Alex Hernandez (2 goals last season)

Mens Basketball
Mack Thompson (5'10" 7 points per game)

Volleyball
Baylee Mudd (167 digs last season)
Lee Leslie (68 kills, 131 digs last season)

Womens Soccer
Megan Deshazo (13 goals last season)
Kyndal Zicker (12 goals last season)
Melina Flores
Brooklyn Flores

Baseball
Hunter Greathouse (.405 AVG, 3.73 ERA)
Josh Taber (.363 AVG)
Treyce Tolbert (.306 AVG)
Mack Thompson (.238 AVG)
Josh Cordell (3.91 ERA)

CPHS senior Michael Ritchey takes first place at Joe Zamora Open

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Several members of the Sand Springs wrestling team traveled to Broken Arrow this past weekend for the Joe Zamora/Skyler Holman Open, and seven wrestlers took first place.

Charles Page High School senior Michael Ritchey competed in the high school division at 126 pounds and took first place with a 4-0 record. He won his first match 3-0 over Ernie Chavez of Jenks, then majored Garrett Jarvis of Broken Arrow 8-0. In the semifinals he won another 3-0 decision, this time over Owasso's Tristan Herrera, and wrapped it up with a close 3-2 win over Chase Slatton of Jenks.

Rhett Peak competed in the sixth-seventh grade division at 80 pounds and finished 4-1 for third place. He lost his opening round in a 6-0 decision to Aiden Boyd (Claremore), but finished strong with a 20-10 major decision over Jaden Mathis (Pryor), then pinned his next three opponents in a cumulative 1:27. Kaleb Burns (Sallisaw) went down in 0:12, Denton Degner (Bristow) fell in 0:36, and Bradley Vanblaricom (McAlester) lost in 0:39.

Ryder Barnes competed in the sixth-seventh grade division at 98 pounds and finished 3-0 for first place. He won his opening match with a 10-5 decision over Bradley Saucedo (Broken Arrow), then pinned Rashaud Morgan (Vinita) in 3:26. His final match was a close 2-0 decision over Brock Mattioda (Broken Arrow).

Chase White competed in the sixth-seventh grade division at 113 pounds and finished 2-1 for second place. He won his opening bout with a 1:13 pin over Drake Norfleet (Broken Arrow), then defeated Carson Young (Claremore) by 5-0 decision before falling in 3:56 to Isaac Xiong (Oologah) in the finals. 

Luke Burdette competed in the sixth-seventh grade division at 126 pounds and finished 5-1 for third place. He won his opening match with an 1:21 before falling in 1:53 to Gustabo Ramirez (Bixby). He won out with a 9-3 decision over Jarahmy Blakely (Oologah) and a 2-1 decision over Connor Linam (Oologah), before pinning Jon Lane (Muskogee) in 2:41 and Daltyn Jory (Jay) in 1:21. 

Carter Young competed in the junior high division at 89 pounds and finished 3-0 for first place. He won his opening match 9-3 over Blazik Perez (Broken Arrow) then pinned Grant Edwards (Oologah) in 3:00. The final match was won with a 16-4 major decision over Garett Strickland (Collinsville).

Caden Vaughn competed in the junior high division at 113 pounds and finished 3-1 for third place. He won his opening match with a 1:16 pin of Dayton Hill (Broken Arrow) before giving up a 9-0 major decision to teammate Josh Taylor. He rebounded with a 2-0 decision over Christian Knight (Broken Arrow) and wrapped the tournament up with a 6-1 decision over Kolby Encinas (Pryor).

Josh Taylor competed in the junior high division at 113 pounds and finished 4-0 for first place. He won his opening match with a 2:57 pin of Kaelan Drake (Broken Arrow), then majored Blake Salt (Oologah) 11-1 and Caden Vaughn 9-0 before pinning Pason Dotson (Sallisaw) in 1:38. 

Tyler Rush competed in the junior high division at 126 pounds and finished 4-1 for third place. He was pinned in 2:33 in his opening match by Kohlin Garriott (Jenks), but rebounded with a 1:00 pin over Gunnar Spence (McAlester) and a 1:34 pin of teammate Jared Jenkins. From there he won a close 4-1 decision over Jared Douglas (Cascia Hall) and a 5-2 decision over Christian McIntosh (Pryor).

Caleb Phillips competed in the junior high division at 126 pounds and finished 3-0 for first place. He won his opening match with a 1:02 pin of Eric Wilson, then majored Nate Shaw (Metro Christian Academy) 11-0. In the finals he took down Garrett Weis (Jenks) 8-4.

Christopher Kirby competed in the junior high division at 140 pounds and finished 3-0 for first place. He won his opening match with an 0:31 pin of James Cothran (Bixby), then pinned Devon Vazquez (Broken Arrow) in 0:36. In the finals he majored Caleb Buzzard (Jay) 16-6.

Teagan Campbell competed in the junior high division at 175 pounds and finished 3-1 for third place. He won his opening match with an 0:28 pin of Jonathan Navarro (Broken Arrow), before giving up a 10-3 decision to Bryce Jackson (Oologah). The next two rounds were close, but Campbell prevailed 4-3 over Tyler Bachman (Bixby) and 3-0 over Matt Roach (Bristow).

Kaden Glass competed in the junior high division at 200 pounds and finished 4-0 for first place. He won his opening match in an 0:12 pin of Zach Garrison (Pryor), then won an 8-2 decision over Aaron Lytle (Sapulpa). He finished out with pins of 3:17 over Cameron Johnson (Broken Arrow) and 1:27 over Chad Tinney (Bixby).