September 28, 2024 Issue, Page 16 of 22

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4+ SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2024 The Elk City News even 60, which he repeated at things not taught in college, home and take your shower, kids, only aerobic exercise and GRAY least a couple of other times and the main one, according especially in the morning: fitness drills for strength and to talk to dad’, meaning, he didn’t have time to practice Continued from page 3 that I know off. In the 2012 to him, was how to deal with you go early, work out, you flexibility. He wants to teach like he used to a few years Club Championship, compet- people, how to be nice even maybe go to the steam room, kids how to be better at what earlier. That day I told him, “obsessed” with golf, I had a ing against other very good when he didn't want to, how then take a shower, and go to they do with simple exercises “You're better off talking to closer look, and he was just players, adults who also shot to actually sell himself, how to work from there, saving driv- at home or the gym. He does mom”. He laughed that day at someone with a lot of love for rounds in the 60's, one of serve people’s needs, whether ing time. not want smaller kids to lift the memory, and said, “Now, the game and obsessed, if any- whom had been champion as it be customers or fellow em- I made a comment that the weights and hurt themselves, 1 do not regret those 10-hour thing, with giving it his best to well, and other standout play- ployees. place looked like new, and he especially at home when days, and sometimes I think, come on top: determined, fo- ers, he won by seven shots Along the way, with two said to me that he wants to alone, so he preaches against 12-hour days could have been cused and diligent to see how shooting identical rounds of children and one on the way, always look like new, fixing it. better. I learned a lot and I far he could get, and for that, 65. he also realized how much everything that needs fixing, When he is not at the gym, don't think I would be here he needed strength and flex- When Joby then went to he enjoyed teaching children, and keeping everything clean. he has a couple of young la- had it not been for those life ibility. To the daily observer college, played golf, gradu- and helping people, so, when It has many windows and dies of whom he says, “I can lessons not taught in school”, who played golf, they only saw ated in business, and contin- his dad sold the dealership, natural light, so all dirty ar- leave the gym from a week Yes, experience has a way to Joby at the course, but they ued to stay in shape as it had he did not think of working eas or equipment will show, and never be worried that change a person's mind. never saw what he did away become habit. At one time, for anyone else, and began so he makes it a point to have things won't get done”: Emily He still plays golf, and can from the course. he had contemplated turning looking for business ventures, his staff, or himself in person, Osborn and Taylor Ford. beat almost everyone, but his Part 2: College & Adult- professional, but at the same and when the gym, a 8,400 cleaning everything regularly. Here is a short story I re- priorities are now much dif- hood time, love had something to sq ft facility went up for sale, Bathrooms are cleaned minded him of and that we ferent now. He coaches base- He had some success in col- say about it: got married to his he knew that this was his op- 2-3 times a day, and “deep laughed at: on his first year ball for Tuff’s team, he stays lege, but not what he expect- high school sweetheart, Hay- cleaned” 2-3 times a month, portunity to not only own a at the dealership, he entered at home with Hayley as often ed, even though he had gained ley Gunkel, and went on to business, but to implement sometimes by himself. Of the Club Championship, on as he is able to, plays with 20-30 yards off the tee and no work for his dad at one of the ideas born out of his work- course, his members help by the first day, he did “okay” his sons, enjoys that much one in Elk City could beat family auto dealerships. ing experiences along with his trying to help keep every- but not great, but still had a more than a birdie here or him. He won the club cham- In his words, he did not en- thoughts in the solitude in the thing clean as well, something chance to catch the golfers in there. Sharing his knowledge pionship four times in seven vision a life away from home dark of the night. everyone is proud of. He has front of him the second day. with kids and gym members years. for weeks at a time without ‘This gym is by far, the big- added equipment, and is He didn't, as I was patrolling is something he enjoys, lift- In his home course, he usu- holding a baby, or his wife. gest gym in Elk City, it also of- around every day. the course and taking pic- ing people up. Helping them ally scored in the mid 60's He and Hayley now have two fers showers and locker rooms He recently held a “junior tures, I ran into his group, get better at whatever they with ease, and I played with sons, Tuff and Jagger, and a for men and women separate- camp” for fitness, teaching and a clearly frustrated Joby, want to get better at. Good him twice when he shot an girl on the way. ly, and steam rooms! After a kids how to stay in shape. No he said to me, “These 10-hour job friend and good luck with At the dealership he learned workout, you don't have to go weightlifting for the smaller days are going to stop, I need your business! Gabe is the manager of KECO, regular job, thought of a clean- psychology” in a round-about EDNEY in her case, takes too much of her mental joy when she does and Jennifer owns a medical ing business and recruited her way, by listening to players Continued from page 3 not perform the way she wants supply business, and both are little sister. Now, together, who make comments about to help her team. She has always wearing a smile as well they have a cleaning business, their needs or why they did to their worth because they practiced hard, and reached (good teachers!). She is given usually at nights or week- not perform well. If that is her recognize that a sport is some- her best, which was not good little, and continues to work ends. Something that fits their calling, expect her to be one of thing you do, not who you are. enough for her. Golf can do hard to pay for her personal schedule in their off hours. the best sports psychologists As always, it was a pleasure that to you if you are com-stuff, which started at age 12 ‘They clean Trinity Church and that you will ever meet. to talk to Camryn, whom petitive! Allow other more or 13, when she began work- their adjacent buildings, and For now, she is already IT have never seen without talented players take her place ing to earn some spending other local businesses, and thinking about her last semes- a bright smile on her face. and move on with peace in her money. earn much more cash than she ter in high school, graduating, Someone who lights up the heart. For instance, since she was made picking up range balls making plans to go to college room with just her presence. However, she will not stop not old enough to drive, she and washing golf carts. She nearby (Weatherford), getting Camryn plays soccer and golf playing golf, which she enjoys would get rides from dad or now is able to drive herself in a place to live (dorm or apart- regularly. In soccer, she plays much more as a pastime with mom to her part-time work. a nice, well kept, 13-year old ment), getting a job there, or in the Elk City High School dad or mom for example, or She worked at the golf course and drives all over Oklahoma maybe driving back on week- team as a tough mid-fielder maybe occasional rounds with picking up range balls and to go to her soccer games. ends to continue her cleaning and she plays in a league as friends, where she can laugh cleaning golf carts, and I can This young entrepreneur business with her sister if time well, “WGA OKC 06 Girls” She also played in the Elk at a bad shot that means noth- attest that she did better than has a new “seed” in her mind allows. Working and being with players from Weather- City High School golf team, ing. For now, her plans are to any other older teenagers I for which she is finding the productive has become a hab- ford, Clinton, Elk City, Cordell usually bag #4 or #5, but re- continue playing soccer in had hired to that point. She best way to grow it: because it. A good habit. And expect and Woodward. They recently cently felt that she did not the league and on the team in knew the difference between she volunteers part time for her to do great in whatever she won a weekend tournament have as much time for it as High School, when season re- perfection and excellence. As the football team, where she chooses to do. It’s in her blood, and are 2-0 in league games. her responsibilities had grown sumes later in the year. she grew, the few hours she sometimes helps the EMT ath- She credits her parents, sis- Their coach is Mark Persson, and she had to choose one or Camryn is daughter to Gabe got at the golf course were not letic trainer with wrapping a ter Jadyn and Mrs. Bridgette the SWOSU soccer coach, and other sport. She chose soccer enough to pay for her needs, and Jennifer Edney, both of heel, ora hand with a small in- Shelton for everything she has they play around the state. because, as she admits, golf, whom have taught the value and soon partnered with older jury, she was introduced to the learned so far, and been in- of discipline and self-worth; sister Jadyn, who aside from a need of “the forensics of sports spired to do. Good Lutk Fo Our Area GILLETT Continued from page 3 baseball to softball. You can imagine him throwing balls in the backyard or in the solitude When he coaches, there is no question that the crack of the bat at impact, has a special ofa no game afternoon. That sound in his ears, or the throw cal or work related, studies, nagging feeling that he was to first base to take someone ANYTHING, this verse ap- missing something with Dare- out, or the pitch for a strike- plies. It shows what his teach- na and/or Tatum, was growing out. On the field, the smell of ing/coaching philosophy is: stronger, until he made the fresh-cut grass, and the cama- in four words, “learn to work change. raderie of the dugout are as hard” (and enjoy it!) We can see him approaching much a part of him as his own His road to Canute was the School Principal, “I've got heartbeat. He loves the game through different experiences a BIG request! I have a Physi- of baseball and its younger where he learned much from cal Education degree. The “sister” softball. The strategy. high school to the time he game fundamentals are the As the seasons have passed, graduated from Bacon College same in baseball and softball. there is no question that ev- in Muskogee, OK in Physical I NEED to change from base- eryone knows his dedication Education and Health. He ball coach to softball coach” for his students, on and off the was a baseball player in high and then went on to explain field, that dedication is exem- school and college, as an out- why he wanted to change, plary, He is looking forward to fielder, and he coached in without ignoring all his other going to district competition other smaller schools. When responsibilities. Being there with cities like Cordell and this job opened, close to his for his daughter was very im- Thomas, then regionals and wife's hometown, he took it. portant to him, it gave him how about State Tournament, He credits Derena, his wife, additional encouragement. is there one coming up soon for all he has accomplished Perhaps some of the baseball for his girls? Who knows, they in his professional career, as players or parents felt left out, will give it their best effort. she has been beside him every sad, especially after Canute He has been blessed to have step of the way. The term “Be- won the State Baseball title for coached several good play- side every good man is a good “A” schools in 2020 and run- ers, including a World Series woman” or Prov 31:10 is very ner up the following year. The pitcher, back in Putnam. His fitting here. change was not easy, but it was name is Andre Heaney, and A coach’s job, along with re- accepted. plays for the Texas Rangers sponsibilities of other athletic One of the things that he who won the World Series last activities, IS NOT your regu- mentioned, is that he makes year, but the thing he enjoys lar 40-houra week job. It takes it a habit to treat Tatum just the most and most proud of, is him away from home much like other players, maybe even being able to teach girls how too often, so, when his daugh- a little more demanding of to swing that bat in the right ter Tatum became a teenager her, so there are no misunder- plane for better contact, and and wanted to play softball, he standings with other players using a sport to teach about decided to coach softball in- or parents that he will have lifes needs: understanding stead of baseball so he would “benefits” for her as a coach. and managing emotions, re- be in contact with daughter It is all about family by show- solving conflicts, setting up much more often than before. ing that everyone has to work step-by-step goals, planning He saw her eyes lit up when hard, and everyone has to earn for the future, diligence, etc. he decided to change from their place on the team. One day, students and coaches will be thinking of him like he thinks of those who helped and encouraged him in the past, those role models who were before him who shaped his unique and personal way of coaching. Those smiles of satisfaction of his students, and their success are irre- placeable. Coach Gillett is one of thou- sands of coaches in America who follows the rule of giv- ing more than he receives, and one who by his actions, encourages students, other coaches and parents, to use their seat of authority to help change lives for the better.