|
Two Tulsa Talons Receive League Honors
05/13/2010
 Talons' Linebacker Jamar Ransom and Wide Receiver Donovan Morgan have earned week 6 league honors. Ransom was named the JLS ironman of the week and Morgan made the Cutters catch of the week.
Ransom led a tenacious effort by the entire Talons defense in the 2nd half of the game against Alabama last Saturday. He finished with 7.5 tackles, a pass break up and sacked Vipers' QB Kevin Eakin for a safety which helped the Talons erase a 1st half deficit.
Morgan who leads the Talons in catches, receiving yards and touchdowns had another great week making seven catches for 76 yards and four touchdowns. Morgan, nicknamed Spiderman because of his web-like hands, made his best catch of the night in the 3rd quarter with a diving on-handed grab in the endzone which led to the Talons tying the game at 42.
The Talons are on the road in Cleveland this Saturday taking on the Gladiators. The Talons official watch party is at Fair Meadows Grill (21st and Yale-just North of Big Splash) at 6pm. The Talons return home Saturday May 22nd against in-state rivals the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz. Call the Talons office at 294-1000 to get your tickets for the game on May 22nd today.
Talons Score Late to Beat Dallas
04/12/2010
Tulsa 63, Dallas 59
TULSA, OK. – Justin Allgood scored his second rushing TD in the final 2:35 and the Tulsa defense stopped Dallas’ final drive on the six-yard line to remain undefeated, 63-59 at the BOK Center.
The Tulsa defense forced two second-half fumbles and forced another on the final play of the game. Linebacker Jamar Ransom recovered a fumble at the Vigilantes one yard line with :28 remaining to set up the winning score.
Dallas outgained Tulsa 361-188 and dominated the time of possession with 37:15 to 22:21. However, Tulsa forced two fumbles and did not turn the ball over in the second half.
Shane Stafford completed 31-of-47 passes for 374 yards and five TDs for Dallas. Derek Lee and Kenny Henderson combined for 23 catches for 249 yards and four TDs.
Allgood finished 10-of-23 for 182 yards and five TDs. But it was his two one-yard TD plunges that keyed the Talons’ win. Donovan Morgan led the Talons in receiving with four catches for 112 yards and three TDs.
Allgood broke Craig Strickland’s Tulsa Talons’ career TD passing record on a 45-yard completion to Donovan Morgan midway through the third quarter. It was Allgood’s 213th career TD pass as a Talon. The Central Oklahoma graduate finished the game with 215 career TD passes.
Gabe Nyenhuis forced a Stafford fumble with a sack. John Scott scooped up the ball and raced 19 yards to the end zone to cut the Dallas lead, 45-41 with 1:58 remaining in the third quarter.
Scoring by Quarter
Dallas Vigilantes – 14 – 17 – 14 – 14 – 59
Tulsa Talons – 7 – 14 – 20 – 22 – 63
Golden Eagles Fall in Slugfest to UALR, 13-9
04/13/2010
 UALR scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning to top Oral Roberts by a score of 13-9 on Tuesday night at J.L. Johnson Stadium. The Golden Eagles dropped to 16-14 overall, while the Trojans improved to 21-14.
ORU pounded out 16 hits in the contest, as Nick Baligod posted a 4-for-5 performance at the plate and Chris Elder and Bennett Pickar each tallied three hits.
With the contest tied going into the ninth inning, Tyson Park drew a leadoff walk, and advanced to third on a throwing error on the next at bat. After an intentional walk, Tim Emmons was hit by a pitch to score the go-ahead run. Brock Feldmann then lined a single down the right-field line to score two and a groundout the following at bat rounded out the scoring.
The Golden Eagles got on the board first with two runs in the opening inning. Baligod roped a two-out double to left center and Elder singled up the middle two batters later for the first run. Robert Barbosa then followed with a single through the left side for the game’s second run.
The Trojans coaxed three straight walks to lead off the second inning en route to four runs, but ORU battled back to plate three in the bottom of the frame. Baligod hit a two-out single up the middle to drive in a run, and Seth Furmanek followed by crushing a bomb over the left field wall that was later called foul. After returning to the plate, Furmanek hit a single through the left side to score two.
UALR answered with a five-run third inning to take a 9-5 lead. The Trojans laid down three bunt singles in the inning and were aided by two ORU errors.
The Golden Eagles added a run in the fifth inning off a Colby Price sacrifice fly, and knotted the contest with three runs in the bottom of the seven inning. Tyler Garewal plated a run with a sacrifice fly and Baligod posted his fouth hit of the night to score two runs.
ORU was unable to score again, missing an opportunity in the bottom of the eight inning with runners on second and third and only one out.
The Golden Eagles return to play this weekend at Southern Utah.
Bedlam Tennis Hits Norman Wednesday
04/13/2010
 The 43rd-ranked University of Oklahoma women’s tennis team hosts in-state rival No. 59 Oklahoma State on Wednesday, April 14 at 3 p.m. at the Headington Family Tennis Center.
Oklahoma (13-4, 3-3 Big 12) is coming off a 4-3 loss to No. 41 Texas A&M last weekend. The Sooners rallied to tie the match at 3-3 after a two-point deficit, but the Aggies held on to claim the win.
Despite the loss, OU is off to one of its best seasons in school history. The Sooners reached their highest ITA national team ranking since 2005 (No. 31) on March 16, and have remained in the rankings for ten-straight weeks.
This season Oklahoma has beaten four nationally-ranked teams and has shut out its opponent five times. OU’s four losses were all to nationally-ranked opponents, including No. 1 Baylor and No. 20 Arkansas.
Oklahoma is led by nationally-ranked players in both singles and doubles. Ana-Maria Constantinescu and Teona Tsertsvadze are ranked No. 23 in doubles, while Constantinescu is ranked No. 88 in singles.
Oklahoma State (8-7, 2-4 Big 12) enters Wednesday’s match following a three-match losing streak. OSU also lost to Texas A&M last weekend, 6-1. The Cowgirls fell to Tulsa, 4-3, and Texas, 5-2, before the loss to A&M.
Wednesday’s match is one of OU’s three remaining home matches this season. Admission to all OU women’s tennis home events is free for all.
Cowgirls Shut Out Cyclones 4 - 0
04/11/2010
 Oklahoma State freshman Kat Espinosa threw a complete-game shutout, scattering six hits, and the 12th-ranked Cowgirls defeated Iowa State 4-0 here Sunday afternoon to sweep the two-game series over the Cyclones.
Espinosa, who improved to 15-3 on the year, has now thrown 36-consecutive innings without allowing an earned run and 22-straight shutout innings. The last time she gave up an earned run was in the fourth inning against Illinois on March 21.
Oklahoma State scored all the runs it needed in the bottom of the first inning. Leadoff hitter Mariah Gearhart reached first after being hit by a pitch, her 20th of the season, leading the nation. A sacrifice bunt and a wild pitch advanced her to third. After a walk issued to Julie Ward, Tamara Brown hit a base hit up the middle, scoring Gearhart.
Megan Castle followed up with a single to right field. Ward scored from second, and Brown beat the throw at the plate to make the score 3-0.
Espinosa worked out of several jams throughout the day. Iowa State had the leadoff hitter reach base in four innings, and had runners on second and third in both the second and fifth innings. In both instances, the Houston, Texas, native forced a popup to end the threat.
Oklahoma State has now won 13-straight games, matching the longest streak of last season. The Cowgirls are 36-7 overall and 7-0 in Big 12 Conference action, the best mark through 43 games since 1993.
OSU will travel to Tulsa, Okla., to face the Tulsa Golden Hurricane on Wednesday, April 14 at 6 p.m.
Softball Plays Host to #9 Oklahoma State Wednesday
04/13/2010
 The University of Tulsa softball team returns home to play host to 9th-ranked Oklahoma State Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Donna J. Hardesty Sports Complex.
The first 150 fans to enter the ballpark will receive a free seat cushion. Live stats via Gametracker and live video/audio via Hurricane Vision will be available at www.TulsaHurricane.com. The game will be broadcast in the Tulsa area on 88.7 FM HD3 Hurricane Spirit Radio.
The Golden Hurricane (22-16) defeated the Cowgirls, 6-2, in Stillwater back on March 9. TU eners the game hitting .290 (297-for-1023) on the season with 183 runs, 171 RBI, 51 doubles, 39 home runs, 121 walks, a .455 slugging percentage and a .370 on-base percentage. TU pitchers carry a 3.07 ERA in 255.1 innings, allowing 232 hits, 137 runs, 112 earned runs, 115 walks and 266 strikeouts, and a .239 opponent batting average.
Tulsa is led in hitting by senior right fielder Lauren Lindsay who is hitting .456 (52-for-114) with 39 runs, 44 RBI, 13 doubles, 17 home runs, 28 walks, a 1.018 slugging percentage, and a .563 on-base percentage. Freshman shortstop Samantha Cobb is second on the team with 35 RBI and is hitting .369 (48-for-130) with 25 runs, 11 home runs, six doubles, six walks, a .669 slugging percentage and a .403 OBP. Freshman center fielder Caitlin Everett is hitting .336 (42-for-125) with 28 runs, 13 RBI, three doubles, 11 walks and a .384 on-base percentage.
In the circle, freshman Kalynn Schrock is 7-4 with a 2.88 ERA and has allowed 45 hits, 35 runs, 27 earned runs, 33 walks, 90 strikeouts and a .189 Opp. BA in 65.2 innings. Senior Jackie Lawrence is 9-6 with a 2.96 ERA and has allowed 103 hits, 56 runs, 45 earned runs, 39 walks, 89 strikeouts and a .250 Opp. BA in 106.1 innings. Junior Jordan Kinard is 6-6 with a 3.36 ERA and has allowed 84 hits, 46 runs, 40 earned runs, 43 walks, 87 strikeouts and a .263 Opp. BA in 83.1 innings.
Oklahoma State (36-7) carries a .296 batting average (331-for-1117) with 224 runs, 200 RBI, 56 doubles, 25 home runs, 113 walks, a .423 slugging percentage, and a .379 on-base percentage. Cowgirl pitchers carry a 1.73 ERA in 287.0 innings, allowing 196 hits, 92 runs, 71 earned runs, 82 walks, 290 strikeouts and a .189 opponent batting average.
Oklahoma State's leading hitter is junior third baseman Mariah Gearhart, who is hitting .406 with 40 runs scored, 15 RBI, and has a .510 on-base percentage. Sophomore first baseman Julie Ward is hitting .361 with 22 runs, 47 RBI, eight home runs, 19 doubles, a .713 slugging percentage and a .448 OBP. The Cowgirls are led in the circle by freshman Kat Espinosa, who leads the team with a 1.24 ERA, allowing 82 hits, 30 runs, 21 earned runs, 33 walks, 106 strikeouts, and a .193 OBA in 118.2 innings. Senior Anna Whiddon has a 1.95 ERA, allowing 78 hits, 43 runs, 37 earned runs, 34 walks, 144 strikeouts and a .168 OBA in 133.0 innings.
Oklahoma State leads Tulsa, 22-10 in the all-time series. Tulsa defeated the Cowgirls, 6-2 back on March 9 in Stillwater. The Golden Hurricane beat OSU once in three meetings last season, taking a 5-3 decision in Tulsa. Oklahoma State won, 3-0, in Stillwater, and 7-4 in the Border War held in Tulsa. The Hurricane is 5-6 vs. OSU in Tulsa, 4-11 in Stillwater, and 1-5 in neutral site games.
Tickets for all Tulsa softball home games are $6 for adults and $4 for youth. Tickets can be purchased at the TU Athletics Ticket Office, by calling 631-GoTU (4688), or at the gate.
For all Tulsa softball news and information, visit www.TulsaHurricane.com. Follow Tulsa Athletics on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/TulsaHurricane. Become a fan of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane page on Facebook - search "Tulsa Golden Hurricane."
Another Late Loss For the Drillers
04/13/2010
 The Tulsa Drillers concluded the opening homestand of the 2010 season with another tough loss Tuesday night. For the third time in the first six games, the Drillers watched an opponent score in their final at-bat to post a victory. In Tuesday's loss, the San Antonio Missions broke a tie game with a pair of runs in the top of the ninth inning to gain a 6-4 victory.
The result left the Drillers with a 1-5 record in their first-ever homestand at ONEOK Field.
The two ninth inning runs came against Tulsa closer Craig Baker. The rally began when Baker hit the inning's leadoff hitter, James Darnell, with a pitch. Henryetta product Sawyer Carroll followed with a bouncing single into left field.
Catcher Luis Martinez was then called upon to lay down a sacrifice bunt. He squared to bunt, but he produced a half swing while attempting to avoid an inside pitch. The result was a fast-moving grounder that rolled just inside the foul line. Third baseman Daniel Mayora eventually picked up the fair ball and took a couple of steps toward third base. After not having a play there, he then threw late to first base.
With the bases loaded, Baker walked Mitch Canham to force in the go-ahead run. A sacrifice fly by Cedric Hunter gave the Missions a two-run cushion, but Baker escaped further damage by retiring the next two hitters.
San Antonio reliever Craig Italiano set Tulsa down in order in the bottom of the ninth to end the game.
Darnell not only scored the game-deciding run, he had earlier opened the game's scoring. With one out in the top of the second inning, he became the first hitter to truly take advantage of the right field corner at ONEOK Field by looping a fly ball just inside the foul pole that is located just 307 feet from homeplate. The solo homer gave the Missions a 1-0 lead.
San Antonio pitcher Nathan Culp helped his own cause with another solo homer in the top of the third.
Darnell upped the lead to 3-0 in the fourth when he singled and eventually scored on an error by Wilin Rosario. The Tulsa catcher failed to control a throw from right fielder Ryan Harvey, and when the ball rolled into the first base dugout, Darnell trotted home with the third run for the Missions.
Rosario got the run back in the bottom of the fourth with a solo home run. His first Double A homer made it 3-1.
Culp struck again in the fifth. He reached on an infield single, his second hit of the night, and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Logan Forsythe.
Three runs from the Drillers in the bottom of the fifth evened the score at 4-4. With two outs and the bases empty, Mayora doubled, and Jeff Kindel followed with a run-scoring single. Harvey, who led Tulsa with 23 homers last season, belted his first home run of 2010 to tie the score. The blast easily cleared the fence in left-center field.
Relievers Brandon Gomes and Ching-Lung Lo mad sure the score remained tied. Gomes worked two scoreless frames for the Missions, while Lo faced the minimum nine hitters in three innings of work for the Drillers. He allowed only one hit, but that runner was erased on a double play.
Tulsa starter Christian Friedrich, making his second start of the year, allowed six hits and four runs (3 ER) in five innings of work. He walked one hitter and struck out three.
Mayora finished with three hits for the Drillers, while Harvey and Kindel added two each.
Tulsa will now take a day off before beginning a six-game road trip Thursday night in Corpus Christi. Cory Riordan (0-1, 11.12) will make his second start of the season for the Drillers against Douglas Arguello (1-0, 1.69 ERA) of the Hooks. It is the home opener for Corpus Christi with the first pitch slated for 7:05PM.
Large Crowd Opens ONEOK
On the field, the Inaugural Game at ONEOK Field produced a disappointing 7-0 loss for the Tulsa Drillers, but off the field, the new park was a resounding success. More than 8,600 fans flocked to downtown Tulsa, producing a major league type setting for the first game in the Drillers new home.
 The attendance total did not include the numerous fans that watched the game from the nearby rooftops of surrounding buildings.
It was a historic night as it was the first professional baseball game played in downtown Tulsa in over 80 years. The last game played in the area came in 1929 when the Tulsa Oilers played their final game of the season at McNulty Park which was located about a mile south of ONEOK Field.
Official attendance was 8,665.
The loss also spoiled the Double A debut of Tulsa starting pitcher Christian Friedrich. The lefthander has been ranked as one of the Top 50 prospects in Minor League Baseball. Friedrich suffered the loss despite allowing only one run and four hits to Corpus Christi in six innings of work. He walked two and struck out five.
The Hooks lone run against the 22-year-old came in the top of the fourth inning when Jon Gaston led off with a double. He moved to third on a single by Jhon Florentino before scoring on a double play grounder off the bat of Wladimir Sutil.
The Drillers had missed a chance to take an early lead in the top of the first inning as Anthony Jackson and Hector Gomez started the frame with consecutive singles. The threat ended when Kenny Perez struck out, and Ryan Harvey grounded into a double play.
Corpus Christi settled the game with three runs off reliever Andy Graham in the seventh inning. Three more runs in the eighth inning produced the final score.
NOTES: Country music star and actor Tim McGraw threw a ceremonial pitch before the game. McGraw, the son of former major league pitcher Tug McGraw, performed a concert at the nearby BOK Center later in the evening.
The official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of ONEOK Field took place at the Oil Derrick Entrance at the corners of Archer Street and Elgin Avenue two hours before the start of the game. Drillers President Chuck Lamson, Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett and former Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor did the cutting.
Click Here for Web Page
That’s All Folks
03/20/2010
 The Tulsa Oilers dropped their season finale to the Mississippi RiverKings Saturday night, 5-2 in Mississippi. The loss leaves the the Oilers with a final record of 28-29-7 for 63 points in sixth place in the Northern Conference and out of the playoffs.
Bobby Chaumont and Louis Dumont gave Mississippi a 2-0 lead with goals just 48 seconds apart in the first seven minutes of the game. Derek Eastman cut the lead to 2-1 before the period ended.
The second period mirrored the first with Derek Landmesser, and Ken Davis stretching the Mississippi lead to 4-1. David Alexandre Beauregard got the Oilers back within two just 47 seconds later.
Mississippi’s Ryan Held had the only goal of the third period with just 2:03 left to play.
24th Annual Chili Bowl Starts This Week 
Just one week into the new decade, the nation's premier motorsports spectacle is already upon us as the 24th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals brings the City of Tulsa to life like no other time of the year.
Closing in on a quarter-century of unforgettable racing action atop the QuikTrip Center's ¼-mile Tulsa Expo Raceway clay oval at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds, the 24th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals kicks off Tuesday night, January 12, before finally culminating with Saturday night's (January 16) 50-lap championship main event.
The entry list for the prestigious event is currently at 266, with a worldwide field representing 28 different states, a pair of Canadian provinces, Australia and New Zealand.
Click Here for Web Page
 Jenks football coach puts himself on suspension for remainder of season
the coach of one of Oklahoma's most prominent high school football programs has suspended himself for the rest of the season. Jenks coach Allan Trimble's decision comes in the wake of a ruling by the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association earlier this semester that one of the Trojans' players was ineligible.
The district subsequently had an attorney investigate the school's football program. The results of that investigation were released Friday and found that Trimble, athletic director Tony Dillingham and others within the program committed ``numerous personal and institutional errors and omissions'' in dealing with Jenks players and following OSSAA rules. Trimble said in an e-mail to Jenks parents and booster club members that he will be completely removed from the football program for the rest of the season.
 Lancaster coached some of Jenks best teams in 90's
Ron Lancaster has many, many years of experience. In fact, he was the head coach at Jenks in the 90's. He says, at Broken Arrow they do their best to run a good program, but the way he tells it, there's not really a system for them to verify where their players live.
Lancaster says, "We expect us to do the right things, be honest about our approach to the game of football. We have to talk to our kids all the time. Be honest with us and we'll try to be honest with you." But, he says, essentially they have to take kids at their word, and he adds that he's not in charge of enrollment. Coach Lancaster did not talk about the financial-based allegations against the Jenks coaches.
OneOK Field, a Swing and a Hit, part one and two
 We're months away from hearing the crack of the bat at the corner of Archer and Elgin but work to finish Tulsa's new downtown ballpark is at a fevered pitch. Driller's owner Chuck Lamson says "There's just a bevy of activity." Lamson is chomping at the bit to move his team into OneOK Field. Last week, they started laying the sod and head grounds keeper Gary Shepherd says it's no ordinary grass, it's built for sports. "You can get a nice low height of cut on it. You can cut it frequently. It will keep its color through the heat. It's real stress tolerant."
Driller's General Manager Mike Melega says the next step isn't too far off. "Probably sometime by the end of October we're going to go ahead and pull home plate out of Drillers Stadium and have a ceremony and bring that on over here." And Bob Jack, the project manager for Manhattan Construction says you'll seats installed in about a month. "Really then starts to make the field look like a baseball stadium and that will happen in early November. Mayor Taylor points out one of the stadium's best features is a few blocks away. "Isn't it a spectacular view of the skyline, a view that you never see really." We'll continue our swing through OneOK Field Tuesday and hit on a few other items.
Near-riot at Tulsa High School Football Game
 September 14, 2009
Friday Football Fever took an ugly tone this past week as a near-riot broke out at the game between Booker T. Washington High School and East Central High School. It happened at the Washington High School Stadium just after the second half got underway. Police say a group of non-students were at the game with a pre-arranged plan to start trouble.
Emanuel Collier is a parent who was there and was caught in the crossfire of pepper spray. He says, "Everybody was getting to the place where they couldn't breathe and then you got hundreds of people trying to get out at the same time trampling over...I think some people innocently got hurt." 3 people were arrested and several were treated at hospitals for minor injuries.
Congradulations to Autumn, af2 Dream Team
August 17, 2009
 arenafootball2 (af2) announced that Autumn Long , a member of the Tulsa Talon’s Cheerleaders, will represent the team at ArenaCup10 in Las Vegas as part of Aaron’s af2 Dream Team.
The special 12-member all-star dance and promotional team, an exciting new addition to this year’s ArenaCup festivities, will be involved in a number of ArenaCup10 activities including performing during halftime of the championship game and appearances throughout the weekend of events. The 2009 ArenaCup Weekend takes place August 20-22 with numerous appearances and performances, with the title game played Saturday, August 22, at the Orleans Arena.
Throughout the final eight (8) weeks of the regular season, af2 fans had the opportunity to vote for their favorite team dancers. The top vote getter for each squad represents their team on the Aaron's af2 Dream Team. More than 45,000 votes were registered on af2.com earning the following dancers spots on the 2009 Aaron's af2 Dream Team:
Dancer Team
Katie Green Bay Blizzard
McKenzy Quad City Steamwheelers
Autumn Tulsa Talons
Amy Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers
Chantel Spokane Shock
Alyssa Manchester Wolves
Nicole Peoria Pirates
Tanya Milwaukee Iron
Shellie Boise Burn
Laura Rio Grande Valley Dorados
Lee Stockton Lightning
Lacey Iowa Barnstormers
"We're very pleased that Aaron's has partnered with the af2," said af2 President Jerry Kurz. "We are equally excited about the Aaron's Dream Team and how the addition of this special group will enhance our ArenaCup festivities."
Ken Butler, COO of Aaron's said, "It's been an exciting season and we had great response in the ‘Vote for your favorite Aaron's af2 Dream Team' contest. We look forward to an equally responsive turnout for the 2009 Arena Cup Weekend festivities." Butler went on to encourage employees and voting participants alike to turn out or tune in for the event August 20-22 and support their favorite dancer, the competing teams, and Aaron's. "This has been a wonderful partnership and it has been a great privilege to work with the af2."
The 2009 af2 playoffs continue this Saturday, August 15 with the American and National Conference Championship games. On the American side, the No. 1 seed Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers host the No. 6 seed Green Bay Blizzard at 7 PM ET. The No. 1 seed Spokane Shock host the No. 2 seed Tulsa Talons at 10 PM ET on the National side. The winners advance to the 2009 ArenaCup Championship game next Saturday, August 22 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.
Tickets to the 2009 ArenaCup are available by visiting www.orleansarena.com, all Coast Casinos box offices, The Galleria at Sunset or by calling 800-675-3267 and mention code: ARENACUP.
Shock Hold Off Tulsa, 51-44, to Claim National Conference Title
August 15, 2009
The Spokane Shock were crowned the National Conference Champions for the second straight year after they defeated the Tulsa Talons, 51-44, Saturday night at Spokane Arena. Spokane moves on to the ArenaCup and will face the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers who won the American Conference Championship earlier Saturday evening.
This will be the second meeting of the season between the Pioneers and the Shock. In their first meeting of the season, the Shock defeated the Pioneers 56-52 in Spokane. With tonight's win over the Talons, the Shock were a perfect 11-0 at home in 2009 throughout the regular season and the playoffs.
In a game that was billed as one of the greatest Conference Championships in af2 history, the top-seeded Shock and the second seeded Talons delivered one of the most entertaining games in league history.
Coming into tonight's game, much of the credit for the Talons' 15-win season was given to their powerful offense that averaged 74.5 points per game in the first two rounds of the post-season. Led by QB Justin Allgood, the Talons lived up to their reputation scoring on their first drive of the game with a five-yard strike to WR Carlese Franklin. Tulsa's offense continued to pour it on and took a 14-3 lead at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Shock's offense began to find a rhythm and scored 20 points in the final frame of the first-half. The Shock scored early in the quarter on a nine-yard touchdown strike to WR Charles Dillon from QB Nick Davila. Davila scored the second touchdown - on a one -yard run - and followed it up with a six-yard touchdown pass to WR Markee White.
Tulsa's offense continued to keep pace with Spokane scoring on every possession in the first half.
"If you don't get pressure on that QB (Justin Allgood), he's going to do exactly what he did, for the first two quarters" Head Coach Adam Shackleford said.
In the second half, the Shock's offense continued to build on the momentum they established in the second quarter. WR Andy Olson became the go-to receiver and got things going with a 22-yard touchdown strike for Spokane's first lead of the night.
Tulsa fired back with a 14-yard touchdown pass to WR Jeff Hughley to take back the lead from Spokane. Olson, who led Spokane in receptions (12), responded with a 6-yard touchdown pass to regain a Shock lead.
The heavy-weight bout continued as each team exchanged scores that included 10 points from Tulsa and 14 points from Spokane. With just over a minute left in the game, Allgood stepped onto the field for Tulsa's final drive and last chance to tie the game. After Allgood completed three-straight passes, he had his offense just outside the redzone on Spokane's 11-yard line. But Spokane's defense wasn't going to let them get any further and put relentless pressure on Allgood that forced four straight incompletions and clinched the victory for the Shock.
"Our defensive line has been the heart and soul of our team all year," Shackleford said. "And they came up big tonight just when we needed them."
Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score
Tulsa Talons 14 13 7 10 44 Record: (15-4)
Spokane Shock 3 20 14 14 51 Record: (18-1)
JLS Ironman of the Game: TULSA - WR/KR Jeff Hughley
Aaron's Defensive Player of the Game: SPOKANE - DB Virgil Gray
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game: TULSA - QB Justin Allgood
The Big Game Catch of the Game: SPOKANE - WR Markee White's 3rd Q TD reception
Attendance: 9,247
Middleton Pitches Midland Past Tulsa
08/16/2009
 Midland pitcher Kyle Middleton has now pitched in the Texas League for parts of six seasons after signing a minor league free agent contract with the Oakland A's earlier this season. In his five previous seasons in the league, Middleton pitched for Wichita and Corpus Christi and amassed only a 1-6 career record against the Tulsa Drillers. His lack of success against the Drillers changed with his outing Sunday night at Drillers Stadium in the RockHounds 10-4 win over Tulsa.
Middleton was the starting and winning pitcher and dominated the Drillers during his seven innings, allowing only three hits and one run. He walked three hitters while striking out six. With the win, Middleton improved his record to 3-0 since joining the RockHounds on July 26. The impressive outing lowered his ERA to 1.50.
The RockHounds' offense was also on display in the victory. Matt Spencer led Midland with three hits and four runs batted in. He also scored a run scored and finished a triple short of the cycle.
Alex Valdez recorded three hits and scored three times while driving in two runs. Josh Horton also had three hits.
The RockHounds took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first. After Horton doubled, Spencer hit a fly ball to left field that appeared to be a routine out. However, thanks to a strong 13 miles per hour wind, the ball cleared the fence for a two-run homer.
Midland added another two-run home run in the second. Archie Gilbert singled and Valdez homered over the netting in left field to give the Hounds a 4-0 advantage.
Cole Garner cut Midland's lead to 4-1 with a towering home run down the left field line in the bottom of the second. The homer extended his hitting streak to a team season high of 17 games.
The RockHounds extended their lead to 6-1 in the fifth inning. Valdez led off with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Corey Wimberly. A double by Chris Carter plated Valdez. Spencer followed with a single to bring home Carter.
A pair or run-scoring doubles by Horton and Spencer gave Midland an 8-1 edge in the seventh.
When Middleton departed after the seventh, the Drillers' had some success against the RockHounds' bullpen. Danny Sandoval led off the eighth with a single, and he moved to second on a wild pitch. Jeff Kindel doubled home Sandoval, and then scored himself on a single by Michael Paulk to make it 8-3.
Midland plated two more runs in the top of the ninth before Tulsa closed the scoring with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. Garner struck again with another solo home run. It was his 15th homer of the year. Daniel Mayora followed with a double. He later scored on a base hit by Anthony Jackson to make the final 10-5.
Paulk and Garner led the Drillers offense with two hits a piece as Midland out hit Tulsa 16-9.
Tulsa starting pitcher Keith Weiser (7-13) took the loss, giving up six runs on 11 hits in six innings of work.
With the defeat, the Drillers stayed only two games behind first-place Northwest Arkansas as the Naturals were beaten by Frisco.
The Drillers will look to avoid a three-game sweep to the RockHounds as they complete their six-game homestand Monday night. Samuel Deduno (11-2, 2.72 ERA) will take the mound for Tulsa against Midland's Tyson Ross (2-2, 6.26 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM at Drillers Stadium.
NOTES: Tulsa activated Anthony Jackson before Sunday's game. He was placed on the disabled list on July 30th with a left hip flexor strain. To make room for Jackson, the Drillers placed outfielder Brad Corley on the disabled list.
Talons to Appear in National Conference Final with 59-34 Victory
August 10, 2009
 The Talons got off to a fast start as QB Justin Allgood connected with WR Jeff Hughley on a 48-yard touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage. The BattleWings tied the game at 7-7 just a few minutes later when QB Andrico Hines hooked up with P.J. Berry on a 15 yard scoring strike. After Jeff Hughley's second receiving touchdown of the night, Wings' FB Jason Schule ended the first quarter with a 3 yard rushing touchdown to tie the game at 14-14.
The second quarter was a back and forth affair, much like the first quarter. Talons' WR Charlese Franklin gave the lead back to the Talons with a 17 yard touchdown reception, but the BattleWings answered right back with a P.J. Berry rushing touchdown. WR Buchie Ibeh gave the Wings' their first lead of the game when he hauled in a 22 yard touchdown pass to make the score 27-24 with 3:52 remaining in the first half. Talons' K Luke Phillips tied the game (27-27) with a 21 yard field goal as time expired in the first half.
Wings' WR Buchie Ibeh started the second half scoring with a 27 yard touchdown reception to give the Wings' a 34-27 lead early in the 4th quarter. Unfortunately for the BattleWings, that would be the final time they would reach the end zone in this game. Charlese Franklin nabbed two receiving touchdowns in the 3rd quarter to give the Talons a 39-34 lead going into the 4th quarter.
The BattleWings were unable to move the ball effectively in the final quarter of the game, as dropped balls, penalties, and the ejection of WR Buchie Ibeh doomed their comeback efforts. The Talons took advantage of the Wings' woes and scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to make a tight game seem like a blowout.
The Talons will move on to the National Conference Championship game against the Spokane Shock.
Score By Quarters: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final
Bossier-Shreveport 14 13 7 0 34
Tulsa Talons 14 13 12 20 59
JLS Ironman of the Game: TUL LaRico Stevenson
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game: TUL Jeff Hughley
Aaron's Defensive Player of the Game: TUL Terrance Carter
Big Game Catch of the Game: TUL Jeff Hughley
Nifty Tv Hit of the Game: TUL Jamar Ransom
Former Oklahoma great Tisdale dies at 44
May 14, 2009
 Wherever Wayman Tisdale went, whatever he was doing, chances were he was smiling. Tisdale was a three-time All-American at Oklahoma in the mid-1980s before playing a dozen years in the NBA and later becoming an accomplished jazz musician.
But those who knew Tisdale, who died Friday at a hospital in his hometown of Tulsa, Okla., recalled not only his professional gifts but a perpetually sunny outlook, even in the face of a two-year battle with cancer that took his life at 44.
"I don't know of any athlete at Oklahoma or any place else who was more loved by the fans who knew him than Wayman Tisdale," said Billy Tubbs, who coached Tisdale with the Sooners. "He was obviously, a great, great player, but Wayman as a person overshadowed that. He just lit up a room and was so positive."
Jeff Capel, the current Oklahoma coach, noted Tisdale's "incredible gift of making the people who came in contact with him feel incredibly special."
After three years at Oklahoma, Tisdale played in the NBA with the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns. The 6-foot-9 forward, with a soft left-handed touch on the court, averaged 15.3 points for his career. He was on the U.S. team that won the gold medal in the 1984 Olympics.
Gov. Brad Henry attended Oklahoma at the same time Tisdale did and later appointed him to the state's Tourism Commission.
"Oklahoma has lost one of its most beloved sons," Henry said. "Wayman Tisdale was a hero both on and off the basketball court. ... Even in the most challenging of times, he had a smile for people, and he had the rare ability to make everyone around him smile. He was one of the most inspirational people I have ever known."
State senators paused and prayed Friday morning after learning of his death.
Tisdale learned he had cancerous cyst below his right knee after breaking his leg in a fall at his home in Los Angeles on Feb. 8, 2007. He said then he was fortunate to have discovered the cancer early.
"Nothing can change me," Tisdale told The Associated Press last June. "You go through things. You don't change because things come in your life. You get better because things come in your life."
His leg was amputated last August and a prosthetic leg that he wore was crimson, one of Oklahoma's colors. He attended an Oklahoma City Thunder game April 7 and later that month was honored at the Greenwood Cultural Center in Tulsa. During the ceremony, he spoke about his cancer, saying "In my mind, I've beaten it."
He recently told Tulsa television station KTUL he had acute esophagitis, which prevented him from eating for about five weeks and led to significant weight loss. Among the causes of that condition are infections, medications, radiation therapy and systemic disease.
Last month, Tisdale was chosen for induction into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.
He was the first freshman to be a first-team All-American since freshmen were allowed to play again in the 1971-72 season. He was also one of 10 three-time All-Americans. Patrick Ewing and Tisdale were the last to accomplish the feat, from 1983-85.
"On the court, he was an offensive machine that could score with the best of them," said Dallas Mavericks president Donnie Nelson, an assistant on Tisdale's Suns teams. "Off the court, he was grounded in faith and family."
Tisdale played on an Olympic team that sailed to the gold medal in Los Angeles. The squad was coached by Bob Knight and featured the likes of Ewing, Michael Jordan, Sam Perkins and Chris Mullin.
"Wayman was kind of a catalyst for people accepting roles," said C.M. Newton, the manager of the '84 team and now chairman of the NIT selection committee. "Michael was the leader of the team but Wayman was special in that way."
Perkins and Tisdale shared a love of music and became friends during the Olympics. Perkins later was the best man at Tisdale's wedding.
"That's a real friend who's got your back and would do just about anything for you," Perkins said. "That smile just gets you."
As a musician, Tisdale recorded eight albums. A bass guitarist who often wrote his own material, his most recent album, "Rebound," was inspired by his fight with cancer and included guest appearances by several artists, including saxophonist Dave Koz and country star and fellow Oklahoma native Toby Keith.
His "Way Up!" release debuted in July 2006 and spent four weeks as the No. 1 contemporary jazz album. His hits included "Ain't No Stopping Us Now," "Can't Hide Love" and "Don't Take Your Love Away."
"He was truly an inspiration to me, paving the way for an athlete like myself to pursue a passion for writing and performing music," said Bernie Williams, the former New York Yankees star turned jazz musician. "I had the honor and privilege of having Wayman perform on the title track of my new album, and was looking forward to collaborating with him again."
Tisdale averaged 25.6 points and 10.1 rebounds during his three seasons with the Sooners, earning Big Eight Conference player of the year each season.
He still holds Oklahoma's career records for points and rebounds. Tisdale also owns the school's single-game scoring mark — 61 points against Texas-San Antonio as a sophomore — and career marks for points per game, field goals and free throws made and attempts.
In 1997, Tisdale became the first Oklahoma player in any sport to have his jersey number retired. Two years ago, then-freshman Blake Griffin asked Tisdale for permission to wear No. 23, which Tisdale granted. Griffin went on to become the consensus national player of the year this past season as a sophomore.
"I spoke with him pretty frequently this past season and he helped me in ways he probably doesn't even know," Griffin said.
Tisdale is survived by his wife, Regina, and four children.
Sammy Swindell Gets One for the Thumb
 Sammy Swindell put the finishing touches on a perfect week by racing to victory lane in Saturday night's 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire 50-lap championship feature event, besting an event record of 281 competitors. After slipping back as far as fifth for a brief moment at the race's midway point, the Tennessee shoe took to the upper reaches of the QuikTrip Center's ¼-mile Tulsa Expo Raceway clay oval and blitzed to the head of the pack in short order, taking the lead away from Tracy Hines on the 34th circuit.
23rd Annual Chili Bowl
Each January, the City of Tulsa comes to life like no other time of the year. Auto racing fans and competitors from throughout the nation swarm the northeastern Oklahoma town.
Motels are filling, restaurants are abuzz and certain nightspots flourish when each night's final checkered flag flies.
Event officials have somehow crammed a record 290-plus entries inside a QuikTrip Center that can only accommodate 179 trailers, a trick slicker than any mystical rabbits plucked from any ol' magician's hat.
And thousands upon thousands of methanol-starved fans are ready to call Tulsa, and the QuikTrip Center's Tulsa Expo Raceway in particular, home for the next few days.
It's time for the 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire as nearly 300 drivers from 30 different states and Canada battle it out in pursuit of the coveted Golden Driller trophy.
After Monday's practice session, it's down to business with Tuesday's O'Reilly Qualifying Night, which will feature 70-plus competitors. And an added bonus is the Chili Bowl Race of Champions, a special 20-lapper featuring 14 top Chili Bowl competitors including eight past event winners.
Locals that missed out on tickets for the rest of the event even have chance for a reserved seat at this one, as a limited number of Tuesday tickets remain. Without ticket in hand, it'll be pit passes for the rest of the week.
Tuesday Entry Notes:
Tuesday History: This year marks just the third night of Tuesday competition in 23 years of Chili Bowl history and the first full-blown qualifier after Bubba Altig (2006) and Josh Most (2007) topped Pre-Qualifying over the past two years. Among Tuesday's qualifying field, Danny Lasoski, Brad Kuhn and Davey Ray have topped past Chili Bowl qualifying features.
Past Feature Starters (16): A total of 68 drivers entered in this year's Chili Bowl have started past Chili Bowl championship main events. Sixteen are included in Tuesday night's Qualifier, including: Danny Lasoski (14), Shane Carson (4), Donnie Lehmann (4), Davey Ray (4), Rick Hendrix (3), Brad Kuhn (3), Keith Rauch (3), Chad DeSelle (2), Bobby East (2), Mike Hess (2), Casey Shuman (2), Terry McCarl (1), Paul McMahan (1), Bobby Michnowicz (1), Kevin Swindell (1), Paul White (1).
2008 Chili Bowl Main Event Starters: K. Swindell (6th), D. Ray (15th), Terry McCarl (19th), B. Michnowicz (21st), B. Kuhn (23rd)
Rookies (20): A total of 68 Rookie competitors have entered this year's Chili Bowl thus far. Twenty of those are slated for Tuesday night, including: Jerry Bell, Henry Clarke, Cody Darrah, Eli Deshaies, Jim Donley, Mark Dotson, Andrew Elson, Frank Flud, Eric Jacobsen, P.J. Gargiulo, Drew Heistand, Rob Kershaw, Tanner Mullens, Aaron Ott, Daniel Robinson, Landon Simon, Nick Smith, Brandon Spithaler, Nick Wagner, Chris Zrinski.
Race of Champions: The 20-lap Race of Champions will include Dave Darland, Jay Drake, Damion Gardner, Scott Hatton, Johnny Heydenreich, Tracy Hines, Kasey Kahne, Cory Kruseman, Jason Leffler, Tim McCreadie, Sammy Swindell, J.J. Yeley, Steve Buckwalter, Tony Elliott.
Veterans: When Donnie Lehmann of Springfield, IL, hits the track on Tuesday night, it will mark the official start of his 20th Chili Bowl effort. The veteran Midgeteer, fielding four entries in addition to his own, will become the first driver in event history to reach that mark.
Danny Lasoski is next on Tuesday's seniority list as he makes his 18th Chili Bowl start. "The Dude" has made 14 career Chili Bowl championship feature event starts, second only to four-time winner Sammy Swindell. Lasoski has missed the feature cut over each of the past two years however.
Rhode Island Rep: Aboard one of four Chris Walker entries, Eli Deshaies of N. Kingstown, RI, is set for Tuesday night's action. Deshaies, who recently landed a central PA Sprint Car ride when his sister won a race-ready Sprint Car in the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum's drawing, will become the first competitor in Chili Bowl history to hail from Rhode Island.
Keepin' Busy: The Wilke-Pak team will have a full plate on Tuesday night. A late addition to the potent four-car stable, Terry McCarl is set for Tuesday night action as fellow Wilke-Pak entries Dave Darland and Tim McCreadie mix it up in Race of Champions action.
Oddity: It's not a likely candidate to win the "Best Appearing" car award, but French Grimes' No. F1 Midget certainly falls into the "unique" category.
Tuned Up: Gary Taylor got a good feel for the Tulsa Expo Raceway clay oval with a dominant Micro Sprint "A" Class win on January 3 at the Tulsa Shootout. Taylor pilots one of four Triple-X chassis entered in this year's Chili Bowl and the only one on Tuesday night among a field of 25 Spikes, 16 Stealths, 4 Beasts, 4 Bullets, 4 TCR's, 3 DRC's, 3 Ellis', 2 Maxims, 1 AC, an Eagle, an Edmunds, an FSC, a Gamester, a Grimes, a Twister, a Predator, a Buzzard and a Barnstormer.
Full Bodies: While open wheel fans have all variety of favorites to cheer on each night in the from of numerous Sprint Car and Midget aces, Late Model fans will have at least a pair of drivers to keep an eye Tuesday as Josh Richards and Eric Jacobsen tackle the Midget ranks. It marks Richards' fourth Chili Bowl try aboard a Tony Stewart Racing entry, while Jacobsen tries out the Midget ranks for the first time in a Knepper mount.
Ladies: New York's Jessica Zemken, an ASCS Patriot feature winner in 2007, will be the lone lady racer among Tuesday night's field. A part of a seven-car California-based effort, Zemken is one of seven women among this year's Chili Bowl entries.
Tuesday Entries: The latest and greatest updated list of Tuesday contenders is at http://www.chilibowl.com/2009qualtue.
Tuesday Tickets: A limited number of reserved seats for Tuesday night's Qualifying Event and Chili Bowl Race of Champions are available for $26 per person and may be obtained by calling 918-838-3777 or at the gate. Pit passes are available as well.
Tuesday Times:
9:00 a.m. – Building Opens
11:00 a.m. – Pit Pass Booth Opens
11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. – Trade Show
2:00 p.m. – Clear Building
2:30 p.m. – Open Grandstands and pits for entry with ticket and/or pit pass
3:00 p.m. – Driver's Draw for Starting Position
4:15 p.m. – Driver's Meeting
5:00 p.m. – Hot Laps
6:00 p.m. – Heat Races Start
Vipers Bite Down on 66ers During Matinee Game
Ronald Dupree scored a game-high 25 points for the Tulsa 66ers, but it was not enough to defeat the Rio Grande Valley Vipers during the first of two Kids Day games this season at the SpiritBank Event Center. The Vipers led throughout in a 89-80 victory.
"We showed spurts where we played pretty well, and others where we were discombobulated" 66ers Head Coach Paul Woolpert said. "That's been the story of our season so far."
The Vipers jumped out to an early 28-17 lead in the contest, forcing eight 66ers turnovers in the first quarter. Smush Parker led the charge early, scoring 10 of his 17 points in the period.
The 66ers fought back from a 14-point halftime deficit. They went on a 23-10 run in the third quarter to cut the Viper lead to 56-57, after Jeremy Kelly hit a shot and a free throw with 4:24 left in the third quarter. The Vipers subsequently went on a 9-0 run of their own to start the fourth quarter, giving them a 73-62 lead with eight minutes left in the game.
"We have got to be more consistent at the offensive end," Woolpert said. "We have to do a better job of getting the ball to places where we can score the ball."
Keith Clark came off the bench to score 15 points and grab nine rebounds, while Kelly finished with 12 points, Chris Richard grabbed 13 rebounds.
Alpha Bangura scored a team-high 19 points off the bench for the Vipers, while Kendall Dartez added 17 points and pulled down eight rebounds. Trent Strickland added 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the victory.
Rio Grande Valley (5-5) continues their four-game road trip on Friday, Dec. 19 at the Iowa Energy before heading to Austin on Sun., Dec. 21.
Tulsa (2-7) plays the Colorado 14ers on Saturday, Dec. 20 at home, before heading to Colorado on Tuesday, Dec. 23.
Man who ran in Tulsa marathon event dies
A 21-year-old man competing in a race connected with the Route 66 Marathon collapsed Sunday and died, event organizers said.
The man, who was not identified at the request of his family, collapsed while participating in a 13.1-mile half-marathon. Emergency medical personnel immediately began attending to the man, who died later at a Tulsa hospital.
It was the first death of a runner in the event's three-year history. About 5,000 people registered to participate in Route 66 Marathon events, about 2,000 of those for the half-marathon.
"We are deeply saddened that one of our runners didn't come home," said the event's executive director, Chris Lieberman.
Lamont Cavanagh, the marathon's medical director, said the man's cause of death had not yet been determined. He said marathon officials and authorities are working to gather details about what happened.
Jerry Faulkner of Tulsa set a course record to win the men's marathon division in 2:27.19. The women's winner, Gail Brooks of Waco, Texas, also set a course record, finishing in 3:02.40.
Tulsa signs 2 to basketball scholarships
Tulsa basketball coach Doug Wojcik (WOH'-jick) says two high school basketball players have signed national letters of intent with the Golden Hurricane. Six-foot-six forward Bryson Pope of Jenks High School and 6-foot-10 post Kodi Maduka of Arlington, Texas, signed with TU.
Pope averaged 16.6 points and just over eight rebounds per game as a junior last season at Jenks. Maduka averaged 6.1 points and 5 rebounds per game as a junior at Arlington Martin High School.
Oilers Bring Down the Thunder 
Michel Beausoleil scored two goals, including the 200th of his professional career, in leading the Tulsa Oilers to a 3-1 victory over the Wichita Thunder Saturday night.
Beausoleil’s goals came 3:08 apart in teh first period and Brendon Hodge assisted on both of them. The Oilers sealed the win with an empty net goal by Jeff Christian with two seconds left, with Beausoleil picking up an assist on that goal.
The only Thunder shot to elude Kevin St. Pierre was a power play goal by Jason Duda in the third period.
No. 25 Tulsa looks to bounce back after first loss
Tulsa's hopes for a perfect season are over so now the 25th-ranked Golden Hurricane are focused on remaining unbeaten in conference play. TU is 8-1 overall and 5-0 in Conference USA going into tomorrow's game against Houston. The Cougars are 5-4 but 4-1 in C-USA and would create a three-way tie with Rice for first in the West Division by beating the Golden Hurricane.
The game appears to have the ingredients for an offensive explosion. Tulsa leads the nation in total offense at 593 yards per game and Houston is fourth at 547. And TU quarterback David Johnson and Houston's Case Keenum both rank in the top five nationally in passing yards per game.
ORU at Tulsa to open season tomorrow
Oral Roberts will travel across town to open the college basketball season tomorrow at Tulsa. The Golden Eagles are looking for a fourth straight NCAA tournament appearance this season. Tulsa is coming off a season in which the Golden Hurricane won the first-ever College Basketball Invitational postseason tournament. Tipoff is at 4:05 Saturday afternoon.
Drillers Stadium Lease Okayed
A downtown home for the Tulsa Drillers is a big step closer to reality. The trust overseeing the planned stadium and the Drillers ball club have reached agreement on a lease. At a city hall meeting, members of the trust unanimously approved the lease. It was a necessary step before construction can begin. Plans are to open bids December 1st, and break ground at the downtown site before the end of the year. Construction should be complete in time for the 2010 baseball season.
Additional News
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Kevin Durant says he expects to play tonight against the New York Knicks despite a sore ankle. Durant missed Wednesday's game but took part in this morning's shootaround at Madison Square Garden with an ankle brace. He left the session with his ankle wrapped in ice.and says he thinks he'll be ready for tonight's game.
Tulsa's hopes for a perfect season are over so now the 25th-ranked Golden Hurricane are focused on remaining unbeaten in conference play. TU is 8-1 overall and 5-0 in Conference USA going into tomorrow's game against Houston.
Former University of Oklahoma gymnast Jonathan Horton is already looking ahead to the 2012 Olympics. Horton led the U.S. squad to a team bronze medal in Beijing and won an individual silver on the high bar and says he knows he can possibly win three gold medals in the London Games in four years.
Ever since former Oklahoma star Adrian Peterson was a star in Pop Warner in Palestine, Texas, he's been taught to let his play do the talking for him. Now in his second NFL season with the Minnesota Vikings Peterson is showing signs of becoming a vocal and inspiring leader after speaking out during Sunday's game against Green Bay.
|
