April 26, 2019 Issue, Page 13 of 14

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Sports help keep junior wrestler focused While he missed out on that tion. He noted that two of his wrestling and he noted that he opportunity because of his brothers, former wrestlers was aware that he was being move, he said moving to the themselves have been very looked at by several schools. state ended up being the best helpful in helping him to grow He said with another season possible thing for him. and improve in the sport. under his belt he is hopeful to “Looking back on it moving Wright said he picked up be able to continue wrestling to Oklahoma was good for me, the sport in the seventh grade in college. in part because it is not nearly and in the last several years While Wright plays several as dangerous as California has earned a number ofac- sports he noted that wrestling was,” Wright said. colades in the sport. is his favorite. He said he He said it was also the His accomplishments in- enjoys both the mental and best move because living in clude being a three-time state physical aspect of the sport, Elk City has allowed him to qualifier including finishing excel both as an athlete and third in the 4A 132 pound but noted that he still felt he needed work on controlling in the classroom. He said weight class this season, He the coaches at ECHS are has also won all-conference his emotions and the mental outstanding. When asked to honors three times and was aspect of the sport. name his favorite coach, he named most improved 4A Wright is also a perfec- couldn’t name just one and in wrestler. tionist when it comes to his fact named close to a dozen His accomplishments this technique and he noted that coaches in a number of differ- season were even more im- he spends hours pouring over ent sports who have helped pressive because he wrestled videos of his matches look- Elk City junior William Wright (center with armraised) after a victory inarecent mold him into a multi-sport this season with a torn labrum ing for ways to improve and match. Wright finished third in his weight class as the state meet earlier this year and athlete and young man. in his shoulder. Wright said learn from his mistakes. It has set as his goal a state title next year. Submitted photo. “It was really a blessing he originally had pain in his is not uncommon for Wright coming to Elk City,” Wright shoulder, but didn’t realize to spend hours watching a said. “Everyone here re- how bad the injury was until match over and over again, By William B. Carroll one ofthe schools busiest Wright, who originally ally has pushed me to be my his shoulder started slipping especially a match he may Sports Editor athletes, he is also a good grew up in California said the best. It makes you want to out of its socket for no reason. have lost, to see how he can student and all around good first sport he really played work hard to make everyone After going to the doctor improve his performance Multi-sport athlete William young man. was football, beginning when proud.” he was told he had a torn Wright says he would play Wright, a junior, plays a he was 3-years-old. He said next time. One of the people he most labrum, but he waited until Wright's other endeavors every sport Elk City High number of different sports. when he was in grade school wants to make proud is his after the completion of the School offers if he could, not- This year for instance, he has he played flag football in mother Yolanda Linder, who season to have surgery. include football, soccer and ing that keeping busy helps been amember of the football California and also ran cross- he called “my rock.” Wright said while it was track. In football Wright is a him with every other aspects team, wrestling team, soccer country. In fact he said when “She helps me a lot,” difficult he learned to wrestle running back and cornerback. of his life, including his edu- team and track team. He said he first moved to Oklahoma Wright said of his mother, my with the injury and came In soccer Wright plays mostly cation. he also wishes he could play several years ago he had family is my main motivation very close to winning a state defense and in track his event “like when my life is basketball. Ifhe had to pick placed high enough in cross- to do what I do. She tried to title this year. He said that is the 800 meter run. With busy,” Wright said. “IfI am one sport though, that sport country to go to nationals and come to all of my events and he believes next year, with a his injury this season and the not busy, I get bored easily.” would be wrestling, a sport he asked his family if they cheer me on.” repaired shoulder, he has a timing of his surgery though Elk City High School Ath- where he has a good chance could wait a little before mov- As one of 20 brothers and good shot of winning the state he has had little opportunity letic Director Bill Weatherly next year to win a state title in ing to Oklahoma so that he sisters, Wright has a number title in his weight class. this year in either soccer or said that not only is Wright his weight class. could compete in nationals. of family members who have Wright said he would like to track, but he hopes next year been important in his matura- be able to get a scholarship in will be a different story. Historical Sports Senior runner has big ment on Thursday. The event plans for the future With every hitter getting was played at Sugar Creek The Elk City Daily News at least one extra base hit, Canyon. April 1969 the Elk City High School The Elkettes finished with baseball team connected for a team score of 384, which Elk City, Sayre Win Team 23 hits and three home runs was good for second place. he can accomplish endurance whereas track Titles In County to pummel Leedey 28-3 here Individually Haley Gunkel anything.” events, even at the longer Monday afternoon. shot an 80 for fourth place. Ivester, who also distances, are slightly more EIk City’s junior high and The Elks, who stand 23-6 ‘Molly Starbuck shot 95, competes in the 800 speed based. He said he is not Sayre’s grade school made heading into Thursday’s Lacey Millican had 101 and meters, one mile and clean sweeps of the Beckham district tournament opener Kalyn Fuchs shot 108. two mile runs in track anaturally speedy runner and County track meet in Elk in Alva against the host Gold- and field, said that so he has to work on develop- City Tuesday as the local bugs, scored eight runs in the unlike other sports, ing that aspect. This season Junior Elks finished the meet first and fourth innings. Tyler Russell Wins 44 running is a24 hour Ivester has had some high with 201 team points with Sophomore Cade Harris State Golf Preview a day seven day a finishes to earn points for the Sayre second with 134 and gave up just four hits through week sport, espe- Elk City boy’s track and field Erick finishing with 59. the run-rule shortened con- ‘The Elk City high school cially with respect to team and he said he thinks he Sayre’s grade schoolers test. Harris (9-0) struck out boys golf team competed in cross country. While racked up several points in 13 Leedey hitters and walked the 4A State Golf Preview other sports may only can continue to improve as the shuttle relays and ended two, according to coach Tournament at Lake Hefner require a few hours the season reaches its conclu- the all day meet with 155 Quint Nichols. North in Oklahoma City on of practice a day to sion. team points with their closest Monday. The Elks shot 321 be successful, being a Due to his high finish in the competitors being Fairview to finish third in the team By William B. Carroll runner is a complete state cross country meet last grade school of Elk City with Indians Win Just In Time results, Big Elk Tyler Russell Sports Editor lifestyle choice. fall, Ivester said he received 109. shot 68 to take first in the “With running, you will some scholarship offers to Late El Reno goal beats individual scoring. Elk City cross country suffer a lot if you don't stick Elks, 4-3, ends season The Big Elks finished coach Jim Taylor said one of with your training,” he said. compete in college but he has Elk Golfers Nip Clinton In just two strokes behind the things he loves most about “It will have negative effects decided not to run in college, Match Unranked El Reno scored Deer Creek, who shot a319 his job is having young ath- ‘on you.” choosing instead to focus on the game-winning goal with for second place. The Elks Jetes who reach down and find Training doesn’t just con- his education. Coach Jim Keith was al- 12 seconds left to hand No. 11 were just three shots behind something inside themselves sist of running, but getting “Balancing school and most beside himself Tuesday EIk City a 4-3 loss in a Dis- Tuttle, who finished with a they didn’t know was there. the proper rest and eating sports is difficult at times,” afternoon as his high school trict 4A-1 high school soccer 318 for first place. One ofthose athletes ac- the right kinds of foods. With Ivester said. golfers took their first win of game Tuesday night at Big cording to Taylor is Elk City the season when they clipped Elk Stadium. senior Joseph Ivester. cross country for instance, Ivester prepared for the fall He added that at the col- Clinton by 11 strokes, 176 to ‘The loss put an end to l year ago Ivester, who in addition to season beginning back in legiate level the competition 187. the season for the 4-5-1 Big competing in cross country May, to get his body ready level is much higher and “We cut our score by 22 Elks who ended the district The Elk CityNews also competed in basketball for the rigors of long-distance requires more time and dedi- strokes since our last match campaign in fourth place April 2018 and track and field this year, running. cation than in high school and with Clinton. I’m real proud with a 1-2-1 record after win- said he loves to run. Ivester, who also was post- based upon his career plans of our kids,” Keith said ning the championship last “There is nothing better up player in basketball, said he really wanted to focus Wednesday morning. season. Weatherford (4-0) Elkettes headed to 4A state golf than getting out and going on he actually found basket- more on his education. Only the top four scores wrapped up the title with a along run in the evening,” are counted in the matched 2-1 win over Clinton (1-1-2). Ivester said, noting that the ball season to be somewhat relaxed because the training Ivester plans to attend the battles and Elk City’s top boy El Reno will take the second Elk City qualified in spades experience is very relaxing. required was not quite as rig- University of Oklahoma in was Johnny Ashley with 41. spot in the playoffs with its for the Class 4A state golf the fall where he wants to tournament. Ivester said he also enjoys orous as in cross country. He was followed by Mike 2-1-1 mark. the competitive aspect of the Because of his height at study economies and politics. Bullard with 44, Lynn Shel- The Elkettes shot an sport. He has been involved 6’4” Ivester makes for an Ivester also recently joined ton with 45, Craig Martin and 18-hole round of 368 and in cross country since the ideal post player. He noted the Air National Guard and Roger Woodson with 46 and Elkettes Sweep W ford finished second to tourna- ment champion Newcastle in seventh grade, this season that one of the things he will be serving his country Marvin Rainey with 54. Tuesday most had to work on was his an event played at Riverside he earned all-state honors footwork and on a variety of while he is getting his educa- Golf Course, a 6,117-yard in cross country by finishing tion. ‘Tuning for Thursday's post moves. He said one of his regional tournament, the course with a par of 70. seventh in the 4A state meet. Ivester said his father has School Plans Tennis Sophomore Baylee Miller “I was really happy with proudest accomplishments Matches Elk City High School girls how I did at state,” Ivester this season is in being able to served in the U.S. Army and softball team swept a pair Jed the way for Elk City with said. “There were over 100 pass on what he has learned that he found the opportunity Elk City high school and of S-inning games from a seven-over-par 77. Hay- lee Poole, the only upper- to younger players to help compelling not only because junior high school tennis Weatherford here Tuesday runners at the state meet and Iwas able to beat my person- them improve their games. he would be able to serve his girls will host Seiling Tues- afternoon at Rader Park. classman on the team, shot 85. Sophomores Allison al best by 40 seconds.” Now that he is competing in country, but also because it day at 1:30 p.m. in matches Elk City, which upped “Fle ran an outstanding track, Ivester’s training regi- at the high school courts and its season record to 12-13 Rainey shot 99 and Kourtney men has changed again. He would help pay for his college also at the Ackley Park ten- overall, will play No. 1 Moore Stevens shot 107. race,” Taylor said noting that education. Ivester’s state meet time was said that cross country comes nis courts. in the SA regional opener significantly better than his somewhat easier for him than Taylor said no matter what Girls competing for Elk Thursday in Weatherford regional meet time. the track and field events Ivester chooses to do he feels City will be Sandra Piemons, at noon. Other teams in the Canute girls play for Class because he has a really high he will be successful. Lanelle Koffman, Brenda trounament are Weatherford 2A state birth Ivester said he originally Cook, and Chris Surbaugh tried football in junior high EUROPE SPECIAL and Anadarko. in the junior high level and Canute’s fifth-ranked slow- but due to his build he found Delilah Chester, Donna 10 Sago pitch softball team competed cross country was a better Stout, Dianne McDonald Thursday in the Class 2A re- sport for him, and Jan Johnston in the high The Elk City Daily News gional tournament at Binger. Taylor noted that Ivester 15-day Tour ofGERMANY, AUSTRIA& SWITZERLAND by Image school matches. April 2009 ‘The regional includes host $4240 took some time to mature into and fourth-rated Binger- his physical frame but when ars ago Elkette Golfers Take 2nd Oney, No. 11 Sterling, Canute he did he became an out- September 19 & 26 departures at Anadarko Tournament and No. 10 Kiowa. standing runner. Includes AIR from OKLAHOMA CITY The Elk City Daily News Canute takes a 28-8 won- “He isa very hard worker Includes 22 meals, 13 nts.hotels air taxes transportation and escort in Europe, April 1994 The Elk City High School lost record into the regional, and pays attention to detail,” per person, double occupancy, BOOK BY 6/5/19, Call fora FREE brochure, girl’s golf team finished sec- which will be played on one Taylor said. “He’s just got a Elks Go On Bison Kill ond at the Anadarko Tourna- day. lot of heart. His mentality is SW TRAVEL Ph: 580-323-3050 that if he can just maintain,