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Spring Sports Preview

F o c u s M o v e s O u t d o o r s

Volume 1, Issue 2

Baseball Full of Fresh Faces Slow Pitch Loaded with Experience Finding Net Key for Soccer Teams Tennis, Golf Set Goals High Track Athletes in Pursuit of Gold

The 2015 version of the Broken Arrow Tigers baseball team is short on varsity experience, but the benefits of a new, all-turf field have increased outdoor practice time. According to head coach Shannon Dobson, the more his club can practice outside then the better prepared it is for the season opener, no matter what the experience level. “This time of year we’re lucky to get out there because the fields are usually frozen or wet and that makes it more difficult to practice on a daily basis,” Dobson shared during a late-January conversation. “As far as practice goes, we’re a lot further along, but I don’t know if we are as a team yet because we have so many young guys and new faces who

will be playing. But from a practice standpoint, we’re a lot further along than we would be if we just had the natural grass.” The Tigers’ home is the only completely turf field on which BA will play this year. Other schools have turf infields, but are dirt around the bases, home plate and pitching mound. They also are natural grass in the outfield. “It plays faster and that goes into how we like to coach the game,” Dobson

said of the turf, which was completed in December. “We like to do a lot of small ball type stuff – steal, bunt, run – so the speed of the game is good. You’re going to get down the base paths a lot quicker.” Fleet-footed center fielder Devon Johnson - one of two returning starters along with catcher Harrison Whitworth – sees the benefits of the turf offensively and defensively. Johnson’s offensive turf evaluation:

When the ball hits, it rolls a lot faster. If you hit it in the gap it makes it easier to get to second or third,

wherever you’re going to go. Johnson’s defensive turf evaluation:

When the ball bounces you can judge where it’s going to go a lot easier. On grass you never knew if it was going to hit and go right or hit and go

left. On the turf, the ball bounces just perfectly. In the outfield, Dobson notes that “guys must take better angles to the ball because the ball is going to get through the gaps a lot quicker. The ball is not going to slow down like it does on a natural surface.” From a catching perspective, Whitworth used the word “comfortable” numerous times in describing playing on the cushiony turf as opposed to the hard, dry, uneven dirt that makes up most batting circles. “You’re always sitting on a flat surface, so it makes it a lot easier to stay in an athletic position,” the senior said. “It makes it a lot easier to block balls that are down. It’s also easier to throw. It’s more comfortable in the batters’ box too, because there are no holes. It’s like playing at a Division 1 college. It really is.”

Home TurfADVANTAGE

“It’s like playing at a Division One college. It really is.”

“It plays faster and that goes into how we like to coach the game.”

Dobs’ thoughts on his young Tigers•ALWAYS HIGH EXPECTATIONS YEAR IN YEAR OUT….. A LOT OF NEW FACES WILL BE IN THE LINEUP THIS YEAR.

•PITCHING AND DEFENSE SHOULD BE OUR STRENGTHS WITH HITTING TO IMPROVE AS THE YEAR MOVES ALONG.

•WE’LL NEED TO GROW UP QUICKLY AND ADJUST TO THE SPEED OF THE GAME AT THE VARSITY LEVEL. WE’LL BE INEXPERIENCED AT MANY KEY POSITIONS SO WE’LL NEED GUYS TO STEP UP AND TAKE OVER THOSE SPOTS.

•GRADUATED 12 SENIORS FROM LAST YEAR SO SEVERAL POSITIONS ARE UP FOR GRABS.

Pitcher: Brad VerelPitcher: Cody BurkeCatcher: Harrison WhitworthCenter Fielder: Devon Johnson

Returning Varsity Experience

Tiger Varsity Baseball ScheduleDate Time Opponent Location2/16/2015 4:30 PM Shawnee Tiger Baseball Field2/17/2015 4:00 PM Sand Springs Tiger Baseball Field2/19/2015 3:00 PM Owasso Tiger Baseball Field2/20/2015 5:30 PM Yukon Tiger Baseball Field2/21/2015 12:00 PM Stillwater Tiger Baseball Field2/24/2015 4:00 PM Jenks Tiger Baseball Field2/26/2015 3:30 PM Berryhill Tiger Baseball Field2/27/2015 4:00 PM Sapulpa Tiger Baseball Field2/28/2015 12:00 PM Union Tiger Baseball Field3/2/2015 5:00 PM Ponca City Tiger Baseball Field3/3/2015 5:00 PM Ponca City Ponca City HS3/5/2015 5:00 PM Bixby Bixby HS3/6/2015 5:30 PM Bixby Oneok Ballpark3/9/2015 4:30 PM BTW Tiger Baseball Field3/10/2015 4:30 PM BTW Tulsa BTWashington HS3/12/2015 5:00 PM Stillwater Stillwater HS3/16/2015 TBA Arizona To Be Determined3/23/2015 4:30 PM Bishop Kelley Bshp Kelley HS3/24/2015 4:30 PM Bishop Kelley Tiger Baseball Field3/26/2015 TBA BA/Jenks Trn. Tiger Baseball Field3/31/2015 5:00 PM Muskogee Tiger Baseball Field4/3/2015 6:00 PM Union Tulsa Union Int.4/4/2015 1:00 PM Union Tiger Baseball Field4/6/2015 5:30 PM Enid Enid HS4/7/2015 5:30 PM Enid Tiger Baseball Field4/9/2015 TBA Wood Bat Trn Tiger Baseball Field4/13/2015 7:00 PM Bartlesville Bartlesville HS4/14/2015 5:00 PM Bartlesville Tiger Baseball Field4/16/2015 5:00 PM Sand Springs Tiger Baseball Field4/17/2015 5:30 PM Ed. Mem. Edmond Memorial HS4/21/2015 6:00 PM Jenks Tiger Baseball Field4/24/2015 7:00 PM Owasso Tiger Baseball Field4/28/2015 4:30 PM Sapulpa Sapulpa HS5/1/2015 6:00 PM Yukon Yukon HS

With five returning players who averaged more than six home runs, nearly 12 doubles, 40 RBIs and a batting average of .558, the high expectations Coach Randall King has for the slow pitch season are understandable. As a reminder, those numbers do not include centerfielder Hannah Heinrichs, who missed two slow pitch seasons because of back-to-back labrum surgeries. “We have a good nucleus from last year’s team that made it to the state tournament coming back,” King said. “We have a challenging schedule but look forward to the competition.” The schedule includes threeteams that made the state tournament last year – Muskogee, Tahlequah, and Union – and a tournament hosted by defending state champion

Southmoore. “We will have to

play our best day-in and day-

out with our schedule,” King added. “In slow-

pitch

you are not going to shut people down, so you have to limit their opportunities by not making mistakes and not giving people extra bases. “We will have to play consistent defense and get good pitching to have the type of season we are capable of having,” he said. A statistical breakdown of the Lady Tigers top returning players gives evidence to King’s optimism. •Senior Caitlin Paolini – SS – Hit .546 with 2 homeruns, 8 doubles and 30 RBIs; King’s Comment: “She anchors the shortstop position defensively as well as anyone in the state.” •Senior Maegan Rollow – OF – Hit .520 with 8 homeruns, 21 doubles, 2 triples and 31 RBIs; King’s Comment: “Maegan really solidifies our outfield.”

•Senior Alexa Romero – 1B, C – Hit .671 with 12 homeruns, 12 doubles, 2 triples and 55

RBIs; King’s Comment: “We have no better hitting threat in our lineup.” •Junior Marcella McKinney – OF – Hit .500 with 9 homeruns, 9 doubles, 1 triple and 48 RBIs; King’s Comment: “She is going to have to make the transition to the outfield after playing infield last year.” •Junior Ashley Chesser – 3B – Hit .553 with 3 homeruns, 8 doubles, 5 triples and 36 RBIs; King’s Comment: “We’ll be asking a lot of Ashley as she moves from first to third base.” •Junior Kinzy Mathis (left) – P – Hit .300; King’s Comment: “She has the ability to keep the ball out of the middle of the plate and put it in the right spot, which is key for a slow pitch pitcher.” •Senior Hannah Heinrichs – OF – Missed the last two seasons due to back surgery; King’s Comment: “She can be a difference maker for us. We look for big things from her.” Other players that King mentioned who will be needed to make key contributions are seniors Briana Agimude and Taylor Johnson, sophomore Cameron Ortiz and freshmen McKenzie Carney, Mary Collins and Eden Lawson.

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ucleus

The stern, almost threatening look which Caitlin Paolini displayed in her Metro Player of the Year picture that appeared in the Tulsa World on January 2 may reflect her game-time determination, but it is not a depiction of the Lady Tiger shortstop’s most prominent facial expression. “You smile all the time, don’t you?” was the question. The answer was simple and came with a wry, innocent, fun-loving

laugh. “Yeah, I do.” The smile is genuine. So is the love for softball. Paolini began playing the game at the age of seven. “We moved here from New York, and I wanted to find something to do and it turned out to be softball,” she recalled. Coach Randall King is glad softball is the “something” she found. Beyond her near .550 batting average and 30 RBIs

from last spring, Paolini is a sure-handed shortstop and a team leader. “The minute I step on the field, I become more competitive and more determined in my softball way.” But, she confesses, that even in heat of competition that smile does not go away. Whether it’s on the field or off, Paolini says she tries “to do what you’re supposed to do.” It appears she is doing that. “A” is the only letter on her seven-semester transcript. On the field “nobody is 100 percent all the time, but I try to make the least errors as I possibly can,” she concludes the statement with a smile. She thought King erred when he informed her that she was the World’s Metro Player of the Year. “I said, ‘Are you sure? You serious? Me?’ He was like, ‘Yeah, you.’” Paolini recalled that day, a couple of weeks before the story appeared in the Tulsa World. “I didn’t make All-State, so I was really confused. I really didn’t know what to say. I told my mom, and she was so happy.” A few non-softball playing students congratulated her after they saw her picture in the paper. To her surprise, the photo made the school bulletin board. “I was just like walking by (the bulletin board), and I was like ‘What the heck,’” Paolini said, of course, with a smile. “That was pretty cool.”

is All s :)Tulsa World Fast Pitch

Metro Player of the Year

Caitlin Paolini

After the spring slow pitch season and graduation, Paolini plans to play competitive fast pitch this

summer. In the fall, she will still be a Tiger, but it will be as a freshman

at East Central University. Odds are good that “Paolini” smile will be as prominent on the campus in Ada as it is on the High School

campus in Broken Arrow.

A shrug of the shoulders. A shake of the head. “Oh, my gosh. It was extremely frustrating last year. We always had chances, but couldn’t finish.” Leading goal scorer KB Harris expressed his feelings. He was summing up his thoughts about last spring’s soccer season but could just as easily been talking about the Tigers, 1-0, State Semifinal loss to eventual state champion Norman North. “When you’re one of the players that needs to score that was the worst parts about that,” Harris said. “We talked about it last year. We tried different things. We just couldn’t figure it out.” Finishing has been an emphasis during preseason practice for Coach Kyle Rodell and his Tigers. Rodell is confident this year’s group will consistently find the back of the net.

“This team has some very dangerous offensive weapons. I think this will be our greatest strength,” Rodell said. Expected to lead the scoring charge are a pair of seniors – Harris, who had eight goals and six assists

Tiger SoccerBoys Look to Finish

last season, and Alejandro Chavez, who had seven goals and five assists last spring. Chavez missed more than half the season after breaking his collarbone skiing during Spring Break. He was back on the field for the State Tournament, but was not completely game ready, Rodell said. “We return a large portion of a team that lost in the state semifinals and, as a result, we have high expectations for this season,” the coach said. “Defensively we will have to come together to be successful. We will have a new goal keeper along with two new players in our back line. This unit will need to develop well together so that we can be successful. With that said, we do expect to compete for a district championship and state championship.” Harris shares the same expectations as his coach.

“I want to see us improve each week and advance further in state.” Do that and the Tigers may bring home their first soccer gold ball since 2011 and, in the process, fulfill coach and team expectations.

For an example of reliability and never quitting, Austin Schroeder need look no further than his driveway. The Broken Arrow senior drives a 1990 Volvo station wagon with 278,000 miles.

“It’s a family heirloom,” Schroeder says. “My father drove it. My sister drove it six years ago and now it’s mine. I’m the last. I’m the youngest. It dies with me.” Schroeder has no doubt the car will get him through his senior year. As keeper, he is promising a similar type of dependability as the Volvo. That is to be a consistent performer as the final line of defense for his Tiger soccer teammates. “It’s a big responsibility, but I like it,” he said. “You have to be mentally focused the entire match. You can’t let up for one second. If I mess up, it will probably result in a goal. If someone else messes up, it’s probably not that big of a deal, so it’s not as noticeable. But I like the responsibility of

As reliable as the family wagon...

Tiger Soccer Katie Killion’s two favorite things almost sound like the punch line straight from a book of puns. One is making net kicks. The other is watching Netflix. “I love Netflix,” said Killion, who when she wasn’t watching online tv was scoring 10 goals and contributing four assist for the Lady Tigers as a junior last spring.

“It’s fun to score goals,” Killion added. “They don’t come as often as I need or would like, but it’s fun when you score.” Coach David Cosby said Killion “looks poised

to be a solid goal finisher again this year.” And, with graduation taking a heavy toll on the Lady Tigers - who suffered, as Cosby describes it, “a heart-breaking loss” to Norman North in the State Semifinals - will need offensive contributions from returners Sierra Beall, Tiffany Jones, Shelby Brewster and Paulina Chavez. “Beall broke her leg early in the season and wasn’t able to play in the playoffs, so having her healthy and ready to go this year should give us an added bonus in the attack,” Cosby said. Three of the Lady Tigers four starting defenders graduated, so junior Reagan Whitlow, who netted eight goals as a sophomore, has moved to the backline. Whitlow, Hannah Arning and keeper Tayler Stover will be called on to direct the defense. Though graduation impacted the Lady Tigers, it’s not as if they are lacking experience. Twelve seniors will suit up for BA’s varsity team this spring.

“Experience and leadership will be a vital piece in the success of the team this year,” he said. As will Killion’s net kicks.

“It’s a family heirloom,” Schroeder says. “My father drove it. My sister drove it six years ago and now it’s mine. I’m the last. I’m the youngest. It dies with me.” Schroeder has no doubt the car will get him through his senior year. As keeper, he is promising a similar type of dependability as the Volvo. That is to be a consistent performer as the final line of defense for his Tiger soccer teammates. “It’s a big responsibility, but I like it,” he said. “You have to be mentally focused the entire match. You can’t let up for one second. If I mess up, it will probably result in a goal. If someone else messes up, it’s probably not that big of a deal, so it’s not as noticeable. But I like the responsibility of

having to keep the ball out of the net.” Schroeder is not only responsible to his teammates, he is responsible to himself. To that point he ranks 33rd in a class of more than 1,000 students. His course load features multiple Advanced Placement classes. “Taking the harder courses requires so much mental preparation and mental focus. When I come out to the soccer field for a game, I have to have that same mental focus,” he said. “It’s a challenge to practice soccer here and then practice club soccer and keep up with the school work. I have to sacrifice free time and stay up late for the school work, but that’s what’s important.” That, and being as trustworthy as a 25-year-old Volvo.

Senior goalie Austin Schroeder prepares for a drill with Coach Kyle Rodell during preseason workouts.

As reliable as the family wagon...

Girls Adjust Line-up

There are a couple of noticeable things about Reagan Whitlow when seen on the soccer field. At 5-foot, 10-inches, it is obvious she is one of the taller players on the field. Get closer and her luminous fingernails quickly draw attention. “My freshman year I got my picture in the Ledger and all you could notice was my bright green nail polish,” said Whitlow, whose mom was quick to point that out to her daughter. “I’ve always been known for my fingernail polish. I usually stick with

Reagan Whitlow

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NAILSas

the bright colors. My friends always tell me I’m tan, so the bright colors make me stand out more.” Whitlow’s game is as polished as her nails. The junior, who was among team leaders in goal scoring last season, will be moved to the defensive side of the field this year, demonstrating her versatility on the pitch. “We graduated our centerback and stopper, which I’ll be playing this year. I just thought it was the best choice to go back on defense,” said Whitlow, who earlier in the school year discussed the move with Coach David Cosby. “I knew we had a lot of offensive players.” As a defensive player her, game - unlike her fingernails - will need to be slightly more conservative. “When you’re playing forward you can take more risks,” Whitlow said. “You can’t make nearly as many mistakes as you can when you’re playing offense. You have to be good with the ball and make sure your passes are on point. “I just want to keep our backline calm. A major thing with defense is not to get sporadic and just try to kick the ball out. Coaches are trying to get me to do more talking, because I can see the field better than when I was on offense, so that’s what I’m going to try and do this year.” In early spring drills she’s working on using her head more – mentally and physically. “I’m going to have to be more aggressive in the air,” said Whitlow when discussing what will make her the all-around defender of which she aspires. “My coaches have always stressed that I had to be good in the air. You have to keep your eye on the ball and have the mentality that you’re going to be first to the ball. You have to forget about everyone around the ball. The more scared you are the more chance there is of getting hurt, so you just have to go in and go for it.” A second generation soccer player, Whitlow has been playing the game since she was three. “I tried playing volleyball a couple of years, and I really liked it, but my heart is in soccer,” she noted. So are those vivid, radiant nails.

“My freshman year I got my picture in the Ledger and all you could notice was my bright green nail polish.”

Boys SoccerDate Time Opponent Location2/16/2015 6:00 PM Alumni Memorial Stadium2/21/2015 11:00 AM Deer Creek Deer Creek HS2/21/2015 2:45 PM Ed. Memorial Deer Creek HS2/21/2015 6:30 PM Ed. North Deer Creek HS2/24/2015 TBA TBA Putnam City North HS3/3/2015 7:00 PM Rogers Heritage Rogers, Ark.3/6/2015 8:00 PM Union Memorial Stadium3/10/2015 8:00 PM Jenks Jenks3/12/2015 8:00 PM Sand Springs Sand Springs HS3/27/2015 5:15 PM Enid Stillwater HS3/27/2015 8:40 PM Southeast Stillwater HS3/28/2015 TBA TBA Stillwater HS3/31/2015 8:00 PM Yukon Yukon HS4/7/2015 8:00 PM Putnam Memorial Stadium4/14/2015 8:00 PM Muskogee Muskogee HS4/16/2015 8:00 PM Owasso Owasso HS4/21/2015 8:00 PM Bartlesville Memorial Stadium4/23/2015 8:00 PM Bishop Kelly Memorial Stadium

Girls SoccerDate Time Opponent Location2/19/2015 6:00 PM Bartlesville Memorial Stadium2/21/2015 10:45 AM Westmoore TU Soccer Field2/21/2015 1:00 PM Edmond Mem. TU Soccer Field3/6/2015 6:00 PM Union Memorial Stadium3/10/2015 6:00 PM Jenks Jenks3/12/2015 6:00 PM Sand Springs Sand Springs HS3/24/2015 6:00 PM Union Tulsa Union HS3/31/2015 6:00 PM Yukon Yukon HS4/7/2015 5:30 PM PC West Memorial Stadium4/10/2015 8:30 AM Norman Bishop Kelley HS4/10/2015 1:45 PM Norman North Bishop Kelley HS4/11/2015 11:00 AM Edmond North Bishop Kelley HS4/14/2015 6:00 PM Muskogee Indian Bowl4/16/2015 6:00 PM Owasso Owasso HS4/21/2015 6:00 PM Bartlesville Memorial Stadium4/23/2015 6:00 PM Bishop Kelley Memorial Stadium

Boys & Girls TennisDate Time Opponent Location3/2/2015 8:00 AM **16 Team Trn Tulsa Union Tennis Complex3/3/2015 8:00 AM *16 Team Trn Tulsa Union Tennis Complex3/6/2015 8:00 AM **16 Team Trn Jenks3/7/2015 8:00 AM *16 Team Trn Jenks3/9/2015 8:00 AM Boys/Girls Trn Bixby HS3/12/2015 3:00 PM *Claremore HS Tiger Tennis Complex3/24/2015 3:00 PM Bixby Dual Bixby HS3/30/2015 8:00 AM 8 Team Trn Enid HS4/2/2015 8:00 AM *16 Team Trn Ada High School4/3/2015 8:00 AM **16 Team Trn Ada High School4/6/2015 8:00 AM **Tiger Classic Tiger Tennis Complex4/7/2015 8:00 AM *Tiger Classic Tiger Tennis Complex4/9/2015 8:00 AM 8 Team Trn Ponca City CC4/10/2015 8:00 AM Union/BA Trn Tiger Tennis Complex4/13/2015 8:00 AM *Edmond Trn Edmond North HS4/15/2015 8:00 AM **16 Team Trn Edmond Racquet Club4/17/2015 8:00 AM **BA Tiger Inv Tiger Tennis Complex4/18/2015 8:00 AM *BA Tiger Inv Tiger Tennis Complex4/24/2015 8:00 AM *Tournament Muskogee HS 4/25/2015 8:00 AM **Tournament Muskogee HS4/27/2015 8:00 AM **16 Team Trn Tulsa Union Tennis Complex4/28/2015 8:00 AM *16 Team Trn Tulsa Union Tennis Complex5/2/2015 8:00 AM Union Quad Tulsa Union Tennis Complex5/4/2015 8:00 AM **Regionals A To Be Determined5/8/2015 8:00 AM State Oklahoma City Tennis Center5/9/2015 8:00 AM State Oklahoma City Tennis Center5/11/2015 8:00 AM *Regionals A To Be Determined5/15/2015 8:00 AM **State Oklahoma City Tennis Center*Boys Only**Girls Only

Varsity Soccer & Tennis Schedules

It’s not as if Scott Milner just rolls a bucket of tennis balls onto the court and says “Go practice, boys.” But the Tiger tennis coach has seen a “superb effort at every practice,” and he does minimal coaxing to produce the energetic attitude he has noticed from his players. Leadership and motivation are the strength of the team, Milner maintains. That’s a unique quality when you consider the two players at the top of the lineup are only sophomores.

“Our guys are motivated like I’ve never seen,” he said. Senior captain Trent Howard is credited for providing the enthusiasm and drive, both of which set the tone for preseason workouts. “I have to do very little motivating when he leads the guys through tough conditioning and practices,” Milner revealed. “The rest of the team respects Trent and follows in his footsteps.” Milner is confident the effort he witnesses in practice will carry over into matches. Though the 2015 lineup is not totally set, Milner believes his Tigers have the depth to get

two singles spots and two doubles teams – the maximum that can qualify - into the state tournament.

That translates to high expectations for sophomores David Kubis (sixth at No. 2 Singles in the state tournament) and Jeremy Berryman.

“They performed well last season against great competition,” Milner said. “I’m anxious to see them compete now that they have a year of experience behind them and know what is coming.” The Tigers were on the verge of sending it’s No. 1 Doubles team to state last year, but injuries halted that. Milner has no qualms when it

comes to emphasizing his expectations for his doubles teams. “If last year’s doubles team would have made it to state, and placed, we could have had a much better team result,” the coach said. “In addition to our singles guys making it to state, it will be crucial for at least one of our doubles teams to qualify. “As a team, I believe we are ready to make a statement. I anticipate an exciting season.”

Good Return Coaches expect multiple state qualifiers again

Coaches Stephanie Smith and Scott Milner agree that good health is the No. 1 ingredient for a succesful tennis season.

Says Coach Smith: Staying physically healthy at the singles positions is key for any team to have a good year. The season can place a heavy wear and tear on a player’s body.

Says Coach Milner: Two of our top four players were out most of last season with injuries. We’ll need all of our top players to stay healthy in order to compete this year.

Key to Success staying healthy

Coaches expect multiple state qualifiers again Blending the experience of three returning seniors with the energy and enthusiasm of younger players is the early spring task for girls tennis coach Stephanie Smith. “The combination of the two groups should make us stronger as the season progresses,” Smith said. “As our younger players improve, hopefully they will challenge our more experienced players. In turn, the experienced players will be able to share their knowledge of the existing competition with the newbies.” Smith’s top three players return with the knowledge of what it takes to reach the state tournament. Shaylee Smith, no relation to her coach, placed second in Regionals and seventh in State at No. 1 Singles. At No. 2 Doubles, Kamryn Gavlik and Hadyn Krause placed eighth in the state tournament. “Shaylee is a stronger player than last year, so as long as she can stay healthy, I see even better results for her,” Coach Smith said of Shaylee, who will be in her second year of playing No. 1 Singles. At doubles, the challenge for a coach is to find players whose strengths complement each other. “You need partners who have good communication skills on the court, motivate each other, and can not only capitalize on each other’s strengths but also cover each other’s weaknesses,” Smith said. Smith is confident the blending and the challenges will result in “stronger and improved” play from her returners, helping fulfill the goal of qualifying No. 1 and No. 2 Singles and Doubles for state.

Clockwise from top right:Shaylee Smith, Trent Howard, Hadyn Krause, Kamryn Gavlikand David Kubis

For Michelle Sheppard, the individual and team goal is the same. “Nothing less than a state championship,” said Shepperd, who hides an ultracompetitive spirit inside a tiny 5-foot tall frame and behind a smile that sprinkles droplets of joy among teammates and friends. “I have a personal drive to be better,” said the two-sport athlete, who signed a letter of intent to play softball at Paris (Texas) Junior College, but is gearing up for track season. “I believe that hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. A lot of people

Meet the

Competitor

inside Michelle Shepperd are built with the natural ability to run, but if you don’t work hard it’s put to waste.” Shepperd ran the finals at the Class 6A State Track Championship, placing eighth in the 100-meter hurdles. Bartlesville’s Blair Koster, whom Shepperd beat in last spring’s Frontier Conference meet, is the only returning state finalist with a faster time. “It’s a fun challenge every single day,” said Shepperd, who began running the hurdles in seventh grade. “At the time I thought it was a good decision until I realized the height of the hurdle continued to go up and I didn’t. I haven’t grown since and the hurdles got taller.” Most of the top female hurdlers in the state are nine or 10 inches taller than Shepperd. The hurdles are more than half her height – she is 60 inches tall and the hurdles are 33 inches high. “I’m a senior this year and I still can’t three-step,” Shepperd said of the number of strides it takes the average sprinter between hurdles. “It’s so frustrating.” Shepperd, as a four-step hurdler, has to alternate lead legs as she goes over every other hurdle. “It’s supposed to take eight steps to the first hurdle and I have to take nine,” she said. “My technique has to be perfect every time. It takes more work because I have to work on technique with both legs, while most girls just have to concentrate on technique with one lead leg.” As Shepperd gathers her thoughts, the corners of her mouth turn upward. Her eyes gleam. The voice of the camouflaged competitor returns. “That’s all right, though. I try to stay positive about it,” she said. “No one can control how I run other than myself. Being shorter, that just makes me push myself that much harder.”

...and running again A sudden burst of explosive energy. Swift yet effortless strides. Open palms and fingertips slice the air. A smooth 10-second blur. A snap of the head. A forward lean of the chest. It’s only a preseason practice, but for Warren Leak it’s a part of the journey along a path that ends with another climb to the top perch of the medal podium at the Class 6A State Track and Field Meet. He won the 100 meter and 200 meter as a sophomore. An injury kept him from repeating that same feat last spring. “At first, I was really devastated and sad about it because I wanted to repeat as state champion in 100 and 200 meter dash,” he recalled between practice sprints on the Tigers new track in the southwest corner of the high school campus. “But as the months passed, and while I was rehabbing, I realized that I’m developing my body and getting it stronger for my senior year. I’m excited and ready to compete. “I tried not to feel sorry for myself, but looked toward the future and not the present. I have the determination to get back on top and make my future even better.” According to Tiger sprint coach Denny Beach, Leak is doing all the little things to not only make himself better but also his teammates. “He continues to want to learn and gain knowledge for his sprints,” Beach said. “He sets a good example through his work ethic, his encouragement and the way he is able to push his teammates to get better He has a good heart. He’s always looking out for everybody but himself. He has a servant mentality.” Supporting Beach’s assessment is the fact that Leak received football’s Ultimate Tiger Award, given to the player who best exhibits a team-first attitude, always displays a positive attitude and is a leader on and off the field. “I’m always there to help my teammates. I will never turn down helping them in being better sprinters and being better people,” said Leak just before he took his place next to fellow sprinters for the start of another sprint. And the 100-meter scene repeated itself with the same surge, speed and precision as the previous one and the one before that.

For Michelle Sheppard, the individual and team goal is the same. “Nothing less than a state championship,” said Shepperd, who hides an ultracompetitive spirit inside a tiny 5-foot tall frame and behind a smile that sprinkles droplets of joy among teammates and friends. “I have a personal drive to be better,” said the two-sport athlete, who signed a letter of intent to play softball at Paris (Texas) Junior College, but is gearing up for track season. “I believe that hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. A lot of people

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After injury last season, Warren Leak back in the fast lane

are built with the natural ability to run, but if you don’t work hard it’s put to waste.” Shepperd ran the finals at the Class 6A State Track Championship, placing eighth in the 100-meter hurdles. Bartlesville’s Blair Koster, whom Shepperd beat in last spring’s Frontier Conference meet, is the only returning state finalist with a faster time. “It’s a fun challenge every single day,” said Shepperd, who began running the hurdles in seventh grade. “At the time I thought it was a good decision until I realized the height of the hurdle continued to go up and I didn’t. I haven’t grown since and the hurdles got taller.” Most of the top female hurdlers in the state are nine or 10 inches taller than Shepperd. The hurdles are more than half her height – she is 60 inches tall and the hurdles are 33 inches high. “I’m a senior this year and I still can’t three-step,” Shepperd said of the number of strides it takes the average sprinter between hurdles. “It’s so frustrating.” Shepperd, as a four-step hurdler, has to alternate lead legs as she goes over every other hurdle. “It’s supposed to take eight steps to the first hurdle and I have to take nine,” she said. “My technique has to be perfect every time. It takes more work because I have to work on technique with both legs, while most girls just have to concentrate on technique with one lead leg.” As Shepperd gathers her thoughts, the corners of her mouth turn upward. Her eyes gleam. The voice of the camouflaged competitor returns. “That’s all right, though. I try to stay positive about it,” she said. “No one can control how I run other than myself. Being shorter, that just makes me push myself that much harder.”

HighexpectationsLowscores== Four of the top five Tiger golf spots are currently occupied by juniors. The fifth belongs to a sophomore. The youthfulness does not deter this group nor their coach. “I have some really good players who have high expectations of themselves, which is always good,” said Kaleb Harris, boys golf coach. “We’re still young, but we have lot of experience. “Our first goal is to play well in every tournament and then ‘podium’ in the state tournament. That is not outside our reach. If we play to our ability, we have the possibility of doing even better than that. It’s not going to come easily but if you don’t set your goal high then why set a goal at all,” Harris said. The top four players – Justin Moore, Will Beaulieu, Ty

Shellnut and Harrison Gearheart – all played in the 2014 Class 6A State Tournament, so they know what to expect. That group, as well as other young Tiger golfers, played in tournaments during the summer to enhance their game and stay competition ready. “There is so much timing and rhythm in the game of golf that you can’t just drop it and expect to be good,” Harris said. “The fact that they can stay competitive all summer, improve, and do the stuff they do away from school golf raises expectations and goals.” Along with his top four, Harris has several players who are separated by less than two strokes that could break into the starting mix. Those players are Jason Ohman, (Continued on next page...)

Justin Moore, Junior - third year of varsity experience, two-time state qualifier, part of the 2013 Regional Championship team as a freshman, Red River Tournament qualifier this past summer, Eastern Oklahoma Ping Junior Player of the Year Current scoring average 74.4. “Laid back approach to the game. Never lets anything bother him. Real even keel. He’s always going to be in contention, like he was in tournaments all summer.” William Beaulieu, Junior – two years of varsity experience, All-Conference player in 2014. Current scoring average 74.6 “Hits ball a long

way. Stalwart last year for varsity. He is challenging Justin on a daily basis, which is good to have competition even at the top of your roster. He’s always been able to hit it so much farther than most of the people he’s played against that he’s been able to rely on that. Now he’s focusing more on getting his short game under control to where he’s becoming an all-around player.” Ty Shelnutt, Junior - Third year of varsity experience, two-time state qualifier, part of the 2013 Regional Championship team as a freshman, All-Conference player in 2014. Current scoring average of 76.6. “Really consistent. He’s the kind of guy you can look at and know he’s going to post a number that will help us in every tournament. He’s looked to as a leader as far as the team is concerned. He’s always there early and stays late. He’s just a super teammate; always encouraging the other guys.” Harrison Gearheart, Sophomore - Second year of varsity experience, 2014 state qualifier, All-Conference player in 2014. Current scoring average 79.4. “He’s a mature kid that, as a sophomore, is playing extremely steady right now. We look forward to more growth out of him. He’s the type of kid that you never have to worry about whether he’s doing the right thing or not, and that means a whole lot to me.”

Taking a look at the

Tigers Top4

High ConsistencyLady Tiger golfers will be led by the steady play of Shannen Stewar t and Taylor Dobson

Taylor Dobson’s tee shot fell 20 yards short of the green on the 156-yard, par 3. It was a blustery day at Forest Ridge Golf Club. Her follow chip arched to about 8 feet, took three hops and rolled 6 feet before shaking the pin slightly as it plopped into the bottom of the cup. It was only pre-season practice. A nine-hole round, if the Lady Tiger threesome could get in that many holes before sunset. Shannen Stewart and Baylee Brewer each followed with a chip and putt, and the trio walked off the green at the third hole with a combined score of one-under par. Coach Charlie Brown, watching from a cart, shook his head and grinned. “That’s the kind of play we will need if we are going to meet our expectations for this season,” he said. Those expectations are no different this year than any other – to win Regionals and State. The Lady Tigers won Regionals for the first time ever last spring. In doing so, they knocked off the Union Lady Redskins. It was Union’s first tournament loss in three years. The Lady Tigers couldn’t match that success on a gusty weekend in Ponca City, falling short of winning a state title. Dobson and Stewart are the Lady Tiger golf headliners – respectively placing second and sixth at State. “Shannen and Taylor are wonderful team leaders,” Brown said. “They have been extremely good at showing the younger girls how to prepare for the upcoming season.” To match last year’s team success, Brown said he needs at least three more players to move beyond “breaking 85 and get below 80 or close to it” on a consistent basis. The type that Dobson and Stewart provide. Last season, Dobson shot 79 or better in every round. In four of her last six rounds, Stewart posted scores in the 70s. After early March tournaments in Stillwater and Bixby, the Lady Tigers head to Tangle Ridge Golf Club in Midlothian, Texas, for Spring Break to defend their Midlothian Spring Cup title. “Many of the Texas’ top high school programs are in that field,” Brown said. “We were tremendously excited about winning that tournament. It would be nice if we could win it again.”

Isaac Bullen, Colby Hutchinson and J.P. Ray. When basketball season ends, Jacob Knutson will be joining that group. “I let their score determine who is going to play. It’s not up to me,” Harris said. “It’s a tossup between any of those guys. Whoever is putting up better scores for qualifying, that’s who is going to play. It’s their qualifying play that dictates it.”

Harris is also excited about his players in waiting – those in grades seven through nine. “We have the potential over the next five or six years that we could become the power on the east side of the state and be a constant fixture in the battle for a state championship,” he said. With high goals and low scores, there’s no time like the present.

Expectations high for boy golfers...Continued from previous page

Eye on the Tiger: Spring Sports Preview Volume 1, Issue 2Photo Credits: Donna Looney, capturedmemoriesbydonna.com; Jason Kelly, Ruth Kelly Studio; Steve Cowen, Sports Information Coordinator, BAPS

Varsity Golf, Slow Pitch & Track Schedules

A Publication of Broken Arrow Public Schools Athletic Department

Slow Pitch SoftballDate Time Opponent Location2/26/2015 4:00 PM Muskogee Tiger Softball Field3/9/2015 5:00 PM Jenks Tiger Softball Field3/10/2015 4:00 PM Sapulpa ( DH ) Tiger Softball Field3/12/2015 TBA Union Trn Tulsa Union BA/SB3/13/2015 TBA Union Trn Tulsa Union BA/SB3/23/2015 5:00 PM UnION JV Tiger Softball Field3/24/2015 4:00 PM Muskogee Muskogee HS3/24/2015 6:00 PM Tahlequah Muskogee HS3/27/2015 TBA Southmoore Trn Southmoore HS3/28/2015 TBA Southmoore Trn Southmoore HS3/31/2015 4:00 PM Berryhill Tiger Softball Field3/31/2015 7:00 PM Union Tiger Softball Field4/2/2015 5:00 PM Bixby ( DH ) Tiger Softball Field4/3/2015 TBA Muskogee Trn Muskogee HS4/4/2015 TBA Muskogee Trn Muskogee HS4/6/2015 TBA Jenks Festival Jenks4/7/2015 5:00 PM Muskogee Tiger Softball Field4/9/2015 TBA Muskogee Fes Muskogee HS4/13/2015 5:00 PM Tahlequah Tiger Softball Field4/16/2015 4:00 PM Tahlequah Seq. Tiger Softball Field4/20/2015 4:00 PM BTW Tiger Softball Field4/20/2015 7:30 PM Bartlesville Tiger Softball Field

Boys and Girls TrackDate Time Meet/Location3/13/2015 3:00 PM Jenks Track Complex3/27/2015 3:00 PM BA Freshman Academy 4/3/2015 9:00 AM Tahlequah HS4/10/2015 9:00 AM Owasso HS4/17/2015 9:00 AM Yukon HS4/24/2015 2:00 PM Muskogee Indian Bowl5/9/2015 9:00 AM Regionals - TBD5/15/2015 9:00 AM State @ Yukon HS5/16/2015 9:00 AM State @ Yukon HS

Boys GolfDate Time Location3/6/2015 TBA Dallas, Texas3/23/2015 TBA Jimmie Austin, Norman3/28/2015 TBA Forest Ridge3/30/2015 TBA Bailey Ranch, Owasso4/6/2015 TBA Indian Springs4/16/2015 TBA Fairfax, Edmond4/20/2015 TBA Indian Springs4/23/2015 TBA Karsten Creek, Stillwater5/4/2015 TBA Bailey Ranch, Owasso (Regionals)5/11/2015 TBA Karsten Creek, Stillwater (State)5/12/2015 TBA Karsten Creek, Stillwater (State)

Girls GolfDate Time Location3/5/2015 TBA Karsten Creek, Stillwater3/7/2015 TBA Whitehawk, Bixby3/20/2015 TBA Midlothian, Texas3/21/2015 TBA Midlothian, Texas3/26/2015 TBA South Lake, Jenks3/31/2015 TBA Farifx, Edmond4/6/2015 TBA Owasso Golf & Athletic Club4/13/2015 TBA Muskogee CC4/16/2015 TBA Indian Springs4/21/2015 TBA Whitehawk, Bixby4/28/2015 TBA Bailey Ranch, Owasso (Regionals)5/6/2015 TBA Indian Springs (State)5/6/2015 TBA Indian Springs (State)

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