July 26, 2019 Issue, Page 12 of 12

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Sports Page 12 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Friday, July 26, 2019 Elk City native named IFYR Youth Director ina semi-circle,” Thomas competition. around horses.” selected. They are Kenlee said. “All 10 of the inter- When asked about her Thomas said a meeting Close of College Station, viewers were staring at me performance in IFYR, led to her beginning to learn Texas; Will Thibodeaux of at one point. I was definitely Thomas said, “I feel like the skills necessary to com- Elmer, La.; Lily Crickmar nervous.” itis really rewarding. In pete in rodeo events. of Mt. Juliet, Tenn.; Clay Thomas said the inter- events like this it is all on “When I was in seventh viewers asked her sev- you and you see the results grade a guy named Steve Stark of Bellevue, Texas; eral questions specifically based exactly what you put Haley came to shoe our and Aubrey Lee of Vernon, designed to determine if she into it.” horses and he eventually Ark. could keep up with the pace Thomas said her training taught be how to rope,” “We are proud to an- required to be a competitor regimen for competition Thomas said. nounce the youth directors at IFYR in 2020 and a youth includes two to three hours Later, Thomas said she selected for next year’s ro- director. Thomas explained of practice every single learned how to tie goats, but deo,” said Stephanie Meiler- that directors have to be in day. She said her mother it was one person in particu- Elk City native Abigail Thomas, second from the arena for every single and father, Christi and Josh lar who helped her in the Gideon, Interim Director right was the only 2020 International Finals Rodeo event, including their own Thomas, are her biggest event. of the Heart of Oklahoma Youth Director selected from the state of Oklahoma. events, so the directors stay supporters and have been “Amy Maynard helped Exposition Center and The other 2020 Youth Directors are pictured left to busy throughout the compe- instrumental in her competi- me a lot tying goats,” International Finals Youth right: Lily Crickmar, Kenlee Close, Clay Stark, Will tition. tive rodeo career. Thomas said. “She is one of Rodeo. “We know they will Thibodeaux and Aubrey Lee. Submitted photo. Thomas said the role of a “My mom grew up with my biggest inspirations.” be great leaders and repre- By William B. Carroll “T think one of the things youth director also includes horses,” Thomas said. In addition to Thomas, “When I was little we who was the only selec- sentatives for the IFYR and Sports Editor I like most about it is recruiting kids for IFYR knowing I will be playing would grow up and ride all tion in Oklahoma, five we are looking forward to throughout the year and An Elk City native an important part in such a providing suggestions to the the time; we always were other youth directors were working with them.” received a huge honor big production,” Thomas board regarding possible recently, being named as one of six youth directors said. “I think it will be really cool to see what all changes to the IFYR. According to Thomas, Elk City golfer earns goes into it, all of the work honors at all-state meet for the International Finals 2019 was her first year Youth Rodeo. behind the scenes.” competing in IFYR. Her pri- Abigail Thomas, 18, of Thomas said the inter- mary events include break- Elk City, was also the only view process wasa little away roping and goat tying, Oklahoman selected as a intimidating, but that the although she said she is also youth director for the IFYR. interviewers made a quick looking to expand and will The IFYR selected the six decision on the final direc- be competing in barrel rac- to serve as youth directors tors. She said she initially ing during this year’s high for 2020. applied as part of the check school rodeo events. Thomas said she was in process to compete at In the IFYR goat tying extremely excited to be IFYR and was selected for competition, Thomas quali- selected as a youth director an interview that occurred fied for the top 15 out of 97 and noted that it was a huge July 10. competitors from all around honor for her to be selected “There were 10 people in the United States. Her final to be part of such an impor- the interview and they were results placed her 12th after tant event. kind of sitting around me three complete rounds of the Elk City Historical Sports ) years ago Texas The Elk City Daily News Michael Grasso, Arlington, ‘The Elk City Daily News July 1994 Texas July 1969 Michael Burton, Grand Recent Elk City High School graduate Haylee Poole (right) poses with Okla- Beachfest Contest Results homa Coaches Association All-State teammate Megan Brown of Cordell during Preps Fall In District Play The following results were Travis Dennett, Vici the OCA's All-State golf tournament at the Cherokee Hills Golf Course in Catoosa Elk City’s Preps ended recorded during Beachfest Slalom Course their 1969 summer baseball activities at Elk City Lake. Monday.; Elk City native Haylee Poole shows off her All-State medalist and win- Expert Ski season in the opening round International Jet Ski Boat ning team honors following the Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State golf tour- Dayid Kossman, Altus of the District 8 tournament Association Races Expert Runabout nament at the Cherokee Hills Golf Course in Catoosa Monday. Submitted photos. in Elk City with a 6-5 loss Closed Course Events Brian Walter, Lubbock, to Cache, while El Reno Expert Runabout Modified Texas By William B. Carroll, Catoosa was divided into Oklahoma Coaches Associ- ‘advanced to the Saturday Brian Walter, Lubbock, Lee Luinstra, El Dorado, Sports Editor four separate —_ matches. ation following a stellar se- finals with a 10-4 win over Texas Kan. A recent Elk City High The matches consisted of nior season for the Elkettes Eldorado. The loss was only Beginner Runabout Expert Women Ski School graduate competed a_six-hole scramble, six- the second of the season for Shane Whittenberg, Elk Stephanie Garrett, Okla- golf team where she was Coach Derrell Nutley’s Preps in the last golf tournament hole best ball competition City homa City. the team’s No.1 bag golfer. of her high school career this and a six-hole alternate with the first loss being to El John Caldwell, North Rich- week and came away with a shot competition. The final During her senior sea- Reno in the final of the Elk Jand Hills, Texas City Fourth of July Tourna- Shannon Jackson, Elk City memorable performance. match was a comparison of son, Poole won first place ment. Novice Sport Modified ‘The Elk City Daily News Recent TECHS gradu- each pairing’s final score. individual medalist in the ‘The Elks outhit their oppo- Shawn Schaffner, Wichita July 2009 ate Haylee Poole and her Poole and Brown not only Class 4A Regional tourna- nents 10 to six but committed Falls, Texas teammate Megan Brown of won their four matches by ment held in Elk City and four costly errors which added Expert Runabout 785 ‘Travelers Start 3-1 at Justin Cordell cruised to a 4-0 win shooting a combined 68, but then followed that up with to the loss. Limited Sullivan Memorial Tourna- over their opponents Cal- also won medalist honors fol- Duane “Peewee” Vestal a 10th place finish at the Lee Luinstra, El Dorado, started on the mound for Kan. ment lie Jackson of Coweta and lowing a scorecard playoff. Class 4A State meet at Lake Kenny Sims, The Colony, Tt took some late-inning Emily Potter of Henryetta The All-State tourna- the Elks but was relieved heroics but the Oklahoma Hefner South May 1 and 2. by Larry Vermillion in the Texas to help push the West Okla- ment included the top fe- contest. Expert Women Ski ‘Travelers 18U squad got off homa All-State golf team male golfers in the state in Poole was the lone se- ‘Nutley’s Preps were trailing Stephanie Garrett, Okla- toa 3-1 start in the Justin Sul- to a 19-5 win over the East all classes. The event in- nior on an Elkettes golf livan Memorial Tournament. 6-2 entering the final inning homa City Oklahoma All-State golf cluded participants from team that won their home but Joe Joy, who went four Beginner Ski ‘The Elk City-based squad regional convincingly and improved to 54-10 with two team Monday in Catoosa. Class 2A to Class 6A. for four at the plate, led off Travis Dennett, Vici then finished seventh at the inning with a single and Amanda Burton, Grand pool play contests remaining The 18-hole tournament Poole was named an all- against the Wichita Sluggers at Cherokee Hills Golf in state participant by the the Class 4A state meet. later scored as L.B. Taylor Prairie, Texas drew a base on balls and David Bell, Elk City and Ada Braves. Area coaches Larry Vermillion doubled Mark York, Elk City In the tournament opener, both boys home. Vermillion Novice Sport 785 Limited the Travelers had no trouble later scored on a single by Shawn Schaffner, Wichita with the Southwest Okla- homa Shockers, notching a attend OCA Clinic Paul Smith. Falls, Texas In the first game Friday Novice Runabout 785 22-4 victory with a 17-hit night El Reno protected their Limited onslaught as they plated at undefeated season mark by Dayid Green, Harrisonville, least four runs in every in- quickly disposing ofEl Do- Mo. ning, Dillon Overton sparked By William B. Carroll, the OCA and is meant to eral special functions as well. rado ina 10-6 battle in which Kip Moeller, Harrisonville, the offensive barrage with Sports Editor not only act as a training The week also includes EI Reno gathered in seven Mo. three hits, including a double, Several area coaches in- opportunity for Oklahoma All-State games in golf, hits. Expert Ski 785 Limited triple, three RBIs and four cluding many from Elk City coaches, but also serves as a swimming, tennis, volley- E] Reno and Cache were David Kosaman, Altus. tuns scored. Jace James added spent the week getting ready business meeting for coach- ball, wrestling, girls and scheduled to meet in the Stephanie Garrett, Okla- three hits including a double for their upcoming seasons es ina wide variety of sports. District 8 finals Saturday at 8 homa City and two batted in while boys basketball and football. p.m. for a chance at the state Novice Ski 785 Limited ‘Trevor Bowen contributed a by attending the Oklaho- The week includes a care The OCA selects members tournament that is scheduled Michael Burton, Grand double, homer and two RBIs. ma Coaches Association and prevention boot camp Brendan McCurry, Clayton clinic in Tulsa this week. for coaches to ensure players in the All-State teams who for next week. Prairie, Texas Freestyle Green and Tyler Palmer had The clinic is an annual stay safe in their respective then generally compete in ‘Andy Wilson, Arlington, two hits apiece. week-long clinic hosted by sports and also includes sev- an East versus West format.