Sports

Redlands athletes earn NJCAA All-Academic laurels

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Redlands Community College had several student athletes honored for their academic achievements as multiple teams and individuals were recognized by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) for their outstanding academic performances.

Carlie Golden was named to the NJCAA All-Academic First Team

5A-2 upset bid falls short

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After flirting with a major upset bid in district play, El Reno High School’s fast-pitch softball team was outscored 4-1 over the final three innings of a 7-3 loss to perennial powerhouse Piedmont.

The loss was the second in a row for El Reno, which slipped to 4-3 overall and 0-1 in the District 5A-2 standings for fifth place.

Piedmont jumped out to a 3-0 lead before El Reno closed the gap to a run with a pair of scores in the bottom of the third. Maddy Brinkman singled before scoring on a double by Taylor Acosta.

Izzy Choat has a pickoff throw glance off her glove as a Piedmont runner slides into the bag

It’s three, two, one, Zero Week

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While all eyes have been focused on the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State’s season openers, one of the state’s oldest rivalries will be played before either college team takes the field.

El Reno High School’s football team welcomes in Chickasha Thursday night to Memorial Stadium for the 2024 installment of the U.S. 81 Battle.

The regular-season opener for both squads is set for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Being played during what is termed Zero Week by the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association, Thursday’s game will be the 105th meeting in the rivalry.

Glenn Boese throws a stiff arm during a recent practice

Indians end losing skid in Sapulpa

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El Reno High School’s volleyball team snapped a five-match losing streak over the weekend by winning the final three outings in the Sapulpa Invitational.

Following losses to McAlester (2-0), Glenpool (2-1) and Shawnee (2-0), El Reno defeated Noble (19-25/25-10/15-8), Sapulpa (27-25/28-26) and Tulsa Memorial (25-16/25-16).

The 3-3 tournament split left El Reno with a 6-8 overall record after falling to Shawnee (25-18/25-12/25-19) in its Suburban Conference opener two days earlier.

Brantlie Charmasson follows through on a kill attempt

Cook feels Indians have the talent to extend run

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While he expects outsiders to cast clouds of doubt over his El Reno High School football team as far as being a playoff contender, head coach Russell Cook knows his team has the ability to prove those naysayers wrong.

El Reno kicks off the 2024 season Thursday night at home in the annual U.S. Battle with Chickasha. The Indians begin their third season under Cook’s watch looking to extend their string of playoff appearances.

Russell Cook, El Reno Head Coach

Behind every good line

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It may not be as dramatic as Lt. Col. William Travis drawing a line in the sand at the Alamo, but El Reno High School head coach Russell Cook feels strongly that winning or losing rests with his young men on the line.

El Reno’s offense is coming off a record-breaking 2023 season in which a veteran group of linemen blocked for Malachi Nicholson’s school records for the most yards in a single game, season and career.

Elijah Fisher runs to the outside
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