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

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sandite Pride's most eligible senior recruits are:

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

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

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

Mens Soccer
Alex Hernandez (2 goals last season)

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

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

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

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

New Soccer Coach headed to Charles Page next season

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Bobby Behren's Varsity Girls team won the Edison Green and White Tournament this year.

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Two-year Head Girls Soccer Coach Bobby Behrens will not be with Charles Page High School going into the 2017 season. Behrens was recently announced to be the new Men's Soccer Assistant Coach at Oral Roberts University, and will be replaced by former Coweta coach Matthew Miller. 

Behrens carries an injured player off the field.

Behrens didn't spend long in the coaching spot at CPHS, but his two short years left big shoes to fill. The 2010 Sand Springs graduate made the All-State team his senior year and played collegiate for John Brown University and Northeastern State University before returning to his Alma Mater as Head Girls coach in 2014. The girls finished the 2016 season with a 9-6 record, six shutouts, and the Edison Green and White Tournament Championship. In addition to Behrens, the Sandites sent four players to the collegiate level, including All-State player Brooklyn Eardley who will go with Behrens to ORU. 

Miller was previously the head coach for the Coweta boys team for a year. Specifically, he was the third head coach in three years for Coweta, who can't seem to find a match. Miller previously worked as an assistant coach for the Tulsa Thunder Soccer Club on the Red 95 Team. He worked with the Oklahoma Olympic Youth Development Team from 2000-2004 and served as a Camp Coach for ORU from 2011-2012. Coweta's boys went 7-7 under Miller in the regular season before falling to Memorial in the 5A State Tournament. 

Sandite of the Week: Edgar Soberano

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

This week Sandite Pride would like to recognize Charles Page High School sophomore Edgar Soberano as Sandite of the Week for his continual impressive goal keeping for the varsity soccer team.

While Sandite Pride hasn't tracked saves this season, there's no disputing that if we had a number, it would be impressive. He blocked multiple shots in an overtime win over Sapulpa last Tuesday, and was incredible in a game against a nationally ranked team from Edmond.

The Deer Creek Antlers were ranked No.18 in the Nation when they hammered the Sandites 7-0. Despite the large amount of goals, were it not for Soberano's quick wits and desperate dives, it would have been a mercy ruling in no time. The Antlers got off thirteen shots in the first twenty minutes of the game, with seven resulting in impressive saves by Soberano. 

Photo galleries from this Soccer season can be found at https://sanditepride.smugmug.com/2016-Soccer

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

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

Sandite Boys' Soccer season comes to an end at Deer Creek

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Charles Page High School Boys' Soccer Team (3-12) saw their season come to a close in Edmond Thursday night as they were handily defeated 7-0 by the defending State Champions, No.18 nationally ranked Deer Creek (12-1). 

The boys finished the season with the same number of wins as last year, plus two more losses. In 2015 the boys started 0-4 before they found their first win, but this year they pulled off an impressive 4-0 shutout of Muskogee in the second game of the season.

They lost five straight from there, but placed sixth in the Edison Green and White Tournament after freshman Ethan Baxter scored a hat trick in a 4-1 defeat of Regent Prep. The third win this season is the most important game to win for a Sandite. The Highway 97 Rivalry went to Sand Springs in a 2-1 overtime victory Tuesday night. 

The Antlers wasted no time in getting on the board as sophomore Chris Smirlis notched a goal less than three minutes into the game. The game was a shooting melee, but Sandite keeper Edgar Soberano was all over it, picking up seven saves on thirteen shots before allowing a goal with 13 minutes remaining in the half. The Sandites finally got off their first shot of the game in the 32nd minute, but it was no where close.

The Antlers added another goal for the 3-0 lead with a little over five minutes in the half, then scored a fourth with only 0:50 seconds left. With moments left, Alex Hernandez fired off the second shot of the half for the Sandites from thirty yards out, but sent it wide left as the clock expired. Deer Creek added a PK 16 minutes into the second half for the 5-0 advantage. Tucker Brown added the sixth goal of the evening with 21 minutes to play, and from there Deer Creek sent in the backups to finish the night. The Antlers scored on a free kick with 16 minutes left and the rest of the night consisted of driving back and forth with neither team making any really close runs.

Redistricting really hurt the boys this season, who actually played better than last season in many ways. The tough district included two nationally ranked teams in Deer Creek and Union. The boys' season opener was also to a nationally ranked team, though East Central wasn't a district game. The boys were far better than their record indicated, as demonstrated by the fact Union and East Central each only beat the Sandites by two goals. Seven of the losses this season were decided by two goals or less.

Baxter led the team in scoring with 5 goals, followed by Andrew Morrison with 3, Kaleb Brooks with 2, Alex Hernandez with 2, Cade Loomin with 1, Cody Gurley with 1, and Ignacio Garcia with 1. 

The team will be graduating seven this year: Brooks, Lazaro Franco, Dylan Lambert, Simon Hollekve, Dalton Lane, and Hunter Jacob.

This season's photo galleries can be found at https://sanditepride.smugmug.com/2016-Soccer

Ethan Baxter Golden Goal seals Highway 97 victory for Sandites

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By: Virgil Noah, Marketing Director
Photo: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Neither the Charles Page High School boys soccer team (3-11) or the Sapulpa High School boys (2-10) are having season to brag about, but when the two face each other the Highway 97 Rivals are always playing for something to brag about.  

Sapulpa came storming out of the gates as Senior Paige McCracken raced up the right line and took a shot that bent straight across the front of the goal. Sand Springs came right back with a chance of their own as Logan Jeffus sent a ball high over the defense and into the box. Sapulpa Goalkeeper Ethan Tanton came out in an attempt to grab the ball but Ignacio Garcia was able to get his head on the ball and chip it over Tanton to give the Sandites the first goal of the game. Moments later Garcia took a shot from well outside the box that dipped at the last moment and struck the crossbar and was cleared by the Sapulpa defense. 

Sapulpa was able to equalize the game when a cross was sent into the Sandite box and a cluster of players blocked Sand Springs goalie Edgar Soberano's vision and allowed Colten Broughton to tap in the goal. Sapulpa would have a couple more chances to score but both shots went just high over the bar. 

The second half started out slow but picked up about halfway through, when a Chieftain corner found the head of Jesse Evans but his shot hit the crossbar and Soberano blocked away the shot attempt that followed. Soberano made another save right after that to keep the game level.  

The Sandites then took back control of the momentum as Cade Loomin dribbled all the way down the left line and into the box but Tanton made an impressive save on the shot. Ignacio Garcia then made a run of his own but crossed the ball back post to Simon Hollekve who first timed a shot that went barely wide. Then Loomin found himself wide open for another shot opportunity but his attempt hit the post and bounced away. 

Neither team was able to score before the end of regulation and the game was sent into extra time tied 1-1. The first few minutes were uneventful but then a Chieftain defender played the ball back to Tanton whose clear went directly to Ignacio Garcia. Garcia took a shot that Tanton was able to dive and save, but it ricocheted straight to Ethan Baxter who stroked the ball to back post for the game-winning golden goal. 

The Sandites will end the regular season Thursday night in Edmond against Deer Creek (11-1) while Sapulpa will take on Westmoore (1-12) Friday night on the road. 

Sandite Soccer celebrates 19 on Senior Night

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STAFF REPORTS

Charles Page High School celebrated its senior soccer players and trainers Friday night at Memorial Stadium. The girls lost their game 2-1 in overtime to Westmoore and the boys lost 2-1 in double overtime.

Taylor Coyle is the daughter of Kary and Mike Stephens and James Coyle. She's been a player for the Sandite soccer team for three years. Throughout high school, she's been a member of the National Honor Society (NHS), the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) secretary, a counselor at Make Promises Happen special needs camp, and a Peer Tutor in Ms. Harper's Special Ed class. After graduation she plans to attend Tulsa Community College (TCC) where she will major in Mild/Moderate Special Education.

Jacob Dixon is the son of Mike and Tammy Dixon. He's been a player for the Sandite soccer team for four years. During his high school career he's been involved in NHS and Future Farmers of America (FFA). After graduation he plans on enlisting in the United States Navy. 

Kylee Cramer is the daughter of Jill and Barrett Cramer and has played for the Sandite soccer team for four years. Throughout high school she's been involved in NHS, the Fellowship of Christian Students, the Native American Student Association (NASA), Calvary Baptist Youth Group, and the Oklahoma Indian National Honor Society. She's played competitive soccer with the West Side Alliance (WSA) 97 Girls for two years and Blitz United 98 Girls for one year. After graduation she plans to attend Oklahoma Baptist University where she will major in Nursing.

Lazaro Franco is the son of Lazaro and Elisabeth Franco and has played for the Sandites for three years. After graduation he plans on attending TCC where he will major in Electronics and Electrical Engineering Technology. 

Marissa Doll is the daughter of Russell and Elfi Doll and has played for the Sandites for three years. She's been a four-year member of Student Council and a three-year member of NHS, where she served as Vice President her senior year. She's a member of Youth and Government, has played soccer since she was five and has played competitive soccer with WSA for seven years. After graduation she plans to attend the University of Oklahoma (OU) where she will major in biochemistry with the goal of becoming a dentist.

Hunter Jacob is the son of Dawna Maron and Randy Jacob. He has played for the Sandites for one year, has played with the Sand Springs Soccer Club for eight years, and the WSA for one year. After graduation, he plans to attend OU where he will major in Biomedical Engineering. 

Madison "Hoot" Dye is the daughter of Erik and Nina Dye. She's played for the Sandites for one year. Throughout high school she has participated in NHS, FCCLA, and made the TCC President's Honor Roll. She's played for WSA for twelve years and has been the captain of her competitive team for the last six years. After graduation she will be attending Northeastern State University on a soccer scholarship. 

Dylan Lambert is the son of Robert and Jennifer Lambert and has played for the Sandites for four years. During his high school career he has been involved in NHS, FFA, Boy Scouts, Venturing Crew, Soccer, and Spanish Club. He attained the rank of Eagle Scout in 2015 and is graduating with honors. He has played recreational soccer with the Sand Springs Soccer Club for eight years. After graduating he plans to attend Oklahoma State University where he will major in Architecture and minor in Paleontology, Archaeology, and Horticulture.

Brooklyn Nicole Davis Eardley is the daughter of Sunnie and Josh Eardley and the late Marques Davis. She has been a player for the Sandites for four years. During her high school career she has been involved in NHS, NASA, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Competition, as well as CPHS Volleyball. She has played competitive soccer with the WSA 98 Girls Red for twelve years. She is signed to play soccer for Oral Roberts University where she will major in Pre-Sports Medicine. Eardley is fourth on her team in scoring this season with 9 goals.

Twin brothers Austin and Andrew Morrison are the sons of Steve and Leslie Morrison and have both played for the Sandites for four years. Austin has played soccer for six years. Both plan on attending TCC where Austin will major in Aviation and Andrew will major in Nursing. Andrew is one of the leading scorers for the Sandites with four goals this season. 

Kayla Foster is the daughter of Mark and Melissa Foster and has played for the Sandites for four years. Throughout high school she has participated in NJHS, NHS, Spanish Club, and played volleyball her freshman and sophomore years. She has played competitive soccer with WSA 98 Girls Red for nine years. She is signed to play for Missouri University of Science and Technology and plans to major in Petroleum Engineering. Foster is third in the team for scoring this season with 10 goals over six games after sitting out more than half the season with a leg injury. She's scored two hat tricks in wins over East Central and Enid.

McKinzie Horton is the daughter of Kassi and Colin Horton and has played for the Sandites for four years. Throughout high school she has participated in WSA, Ultimate Youth, FCS, and FCCLA. She has played recreational and competitive soccer with WSA for eleven years. After graduating she plans to attend TCC and major in Sonography. 

Dalton Lane is the son of Shannon Dobson and Kevin Smith and has played for the Sandites for one year. He's been a four year member of NHS and has played recreation and competitive soccer with SSSC and WSA for nine years. After graduating he plans to attend the University of Tulsa where he will major in Petroleum Engineering. 

Courtney Langley is the daughter of Dana and Gene Langley and has been a trainer for the Sandites for three years. Throughout high school she has served as the President of Student Council, Secretary of NHS, and has participated in Youth and Government, Fellowship of Christian Students, Horizons, and Key Club. After graduating she plans on attending NSU to major in Biology and Business. 

William Pelfrey is the son of Benjawan Sanka and William and Duangpon Pelfrey. He's played for the Sandites for four years, and has played soccer for twelve years. After graduation he plans on enlisting in the US Army.

Bryn Lewis is the daughter of Jim and Sharon Lewis and has played for the Sandites for four years. She's played in the Gold Pride Marching Band for four years, including two years as Drum Major. She's participated in the Sandite Concert Band for seven years, FCS, President of Youth and Government, and President of NHS. She also plays for Sandite Volleyball and is a volleyball partner with the Sandite Special Olympics. She's played competitive soccer with WSA for thirteen years. After graduation she plans on attending the University of Tulsa where she will major in Engineering. 

Ashley Marino is the daughter of Juan and Maria Marino and has played for the Sandites for four years. During her high school career, she's also been involved in Masa Club and Sandite Track. After graduation she plans on majoring in Criminal Justice at NSU. 

Alexis Slabby is the daughter of Kristina Slabby and Shane Morgan and has played for the Sandites for the past two years. During her high school career she has also participated in FCCLA and Make Promises Happen. After graduating she plans on attending the University of Central Oklahoma to obtain a liberal arts degree, then enlisting in the Marine Corp. 

Full photo galleries from both games and Senior Night festivities can be viewed and purchased at https://sanditepride.smugmug.com/2016-Soccer/41516-Sand-Springs-vs/