July 12, 2025 Issue, Page 3 of 12

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SPORTS The Elk City News SATURDAY, JULY 12, 2025 • 3 Xuan Bhan - 3rd D Nathan Womack - 2nd A Mark Fairchild - 4th Championship Jordan Williamson - 2nd Championship Jason Cordell - 3rd C Dustin Gunkel - 3rd Championship Brian Daly - 4th C Rachel Davis - 4th E Logan Gore - 1st Championship LeeDon Wiseman Greg Dodson - 2nd C David Lantz - 1st D Local Sports nessed: hit first putt from 45 feet to July 4th. It was very popular. Championship Flight: 1st 58-Lo- “E”: 1st 80-Kaidance Cordell; was 5 feet short, he thought he Individual, straight golf, no mulli- gan Gore; 2nd 59-Jordan William- 2nd 80-Kenneth Kunsman; 3rd 81- would improve on that, except he gans, play the ball as it lies. It went son; 3rd 60-Dustin Gunkel; 4th 61- Russ Lenius; 4th 81-Rachel Davis Amanda Hunter hit the ball short 17 feet, which he on for about 8 years, and it “fizzled” Baer Anehansley. Note: in case of ties, there was a Andy Peffer - 4th B By Alex Alvarez had to use, missing both putts from out when more and more players “A”: 1st 62-Anthony Moore; scorecard playoff 6th grade the new distance. It made a differ- preferred team events than indi- 2nd 62-Nathan Womack; 3rd Flag Football begins September JULY 4TH FIRECRACKER ence on whether he got paid or not! vidual events. During the presen- 62-Brooks Cross; 4th 63-Mark KIDS INC – ELK CITY OKLA- 20. Ages Pre-K to 6th grade. OPEN Just because you can hit as many tation of prizes last Friday, Dustin Fairchild HOMA Basketball 3rd to 6th grade be- The Firecracker Open at Elk City mulligans as you want, the strategy Gunkel, board member, suggested “B”: 1st 67-Alex Alvarez; 2nd 68- Registration for the fall schedule gins 11/3/25. Registration for this Golf & C.C. drew over 100 players here is to not take a mulligan when that the current format goes on for Joe Williams; 3rd 68-Brian Young; began June 16. There will be soft- sport begins August 18. which were divided into six flights. your first shot is close to your av- two days instead of one, and have 4th 69-Andy Peffer ball, baseball, Fall Dream Legue, Basketball K-2nd grade begins The format is unique: it is an indi- erage. It also helps your back and it the weekend of or the weekend “C”: 1st 71-LeeDon Wiseman; Flag Football and basketball. To 1/2/26 and registration begins vidual tournament where the play- your stamina: you don’t want to feel after July 4th. It is yet to be decid- 2nd 71-Greg Dodson; 3rd 71-Ja- contact Kids Inc to enter a team or 10/6/25. er can select to take a “mulligan” that you played 54 holes in a single ed though about 50% of the golfers son Cordell; 4th 72-Brian Daly/Jay information on how to join a team, Thank you to Amanda Hunter, in order to better his original shot, round of golf! present thought it was a good idea. Brown call 580-374-4332. head of Kids Inc. in Elk City, for her however, if your mulligan shot is The Firecracker Open has been Anyway, some of the better golf- “D”: 1st 76-David Lantz; 2nd Softball and baseball begins Au- expertise in scheduling games and worse than the first one, you must going on for over 25 years, how- ers in town shot scores that most 76-Ashley Underwood; 3rd 76- gust 25 (ends 10/3/25). Ages 8-12 age groups! play the ball from that position, as ever, for a while, there was a 2-day people could only dream of. Here Xuan Bhan; 4th 76-Gordon Lay- Outdoor Soccer begins Septem- Sources: NCAA, MSN Sports, Lo- at least one golfer did which I wit- tournament the previous weekend are the results for each flight: man ber 8 (end 10/3/25). Ages Pre-K to cal Clubs Professional Individual Sports By Alex Alvarez After the tournament, several defend the title in front of his coun- Schauffele 3rd J.J. Spaun 4th Russell Upper bracket (#1) Jannik Sinner many). The winner will play the of the top players who played the trymen, and Xander Shauffele will Henley 5th Bryson DeChambeau (Italy) vs (#10) Ben Shelton (USA). winner between (#13) Amanda JOHN DEERE CLASSIC John Deere Classic and who have be defending the Open Champion- 6th Justin Thomas 7th Collin Mori- The winner will play the winner Amisinova (USA) vs Anastasia Californian Brian Campbell shot qualified for the Open Champion- ship title (AKA British Open) the kawa 8th Ben Griffin 9th Keegan between (#22) Flavio Cobolli (Ita- Pavlychenkova (RUS). rounds of 65-66-68-67 (-18) to tie ship or Scottish Open, joined many week after the Scottish Open. Bradley (Captain) 10th Harris En- ly) and (#6) Novak Djokovic (Cro- Bottom bracket Mira Andreeva in first place with Emiliano Grillo others in a chartered flight to Scot- glish 11th Maverick McNealy 12th atia). (RUS) vs Belinda Bencic (SWI). who was after his fourth title on land. In addition, other players not FEDEX CUP STANDINGS: Brian Harman 13th Andrew No- In the bottom bracket (#5) Tay- The winner will play the winner be- the PGA Tour. Campbell won the qualified, joined as well to play the 1st Scottie Scheffler 2nd Rory vak 14th Patrick Cantlay 15th Sam lor Fritz (USA) vs (#17) Karen tween (#4) Iga Swiatek (POL) and playoff on the first extra hole with qualifying rounds in Scotland and/ McIlroy 3rd Sepp Straka 4th Russell Burns Khachanov. The winner will play (#19) Liudmila Samsonova (RUS). a birdie for his second title in the or England if necessary, as there Henley 5th Justin Thomas 6th Ben the winner between Cameron Nor- Note: In the round of 16, Jannik PGA Tour. Kevin Roy and David will be three extra players added to Griffin 7th J.J. Spaun 8th Keegan WIMBLEDON CHAMPION- rin (England) and (#2) Carlos Al- Sinner lost the first two sets to Bul- Lipsky tied for third with 17 un- the Open Championship from the Bradley 9th Harris English 10th SHIPS caraz (Spain). garian Grigor Dimitrov and were der par. David was tied at 18 under top finishers in the Scottish Open. Tommy Fleetwood 11th Maverick As of Monday last week, the Note: Carlos Alcaraz has won 2-2 on the third set when Dimitrov coming to his last hole, but pulled McNealy 12th Andrew Novak 13th Wimbledon Champiosnhips have the last two Wimbledon Cham- pulled a muscle and could not get his tee shot too far left and bogeyed SCOTTISH OPEN Corey Conners 14th Ludvig Aberg finished the round of 16 in both pionships, both against Novak back to the match. Sad story. the hole to finish one back. Previ- Defending champion, from 15th Collin Morikawa gentlemen and ladies, and the Djokovic. Sources: ESPN, TV Sports, Wiki- ous Tour winners, Lucas Glover Scotland Robert MacIntyre, who quarterfinals began Tuesday. Quarterfinals in the ladies side: pedia, Golf Channel, CBS Sports, and Matt Kuchar tied for 5th at 16 also won the Canadian Open on RYDER CUP STANDINGS: Quarterfinals in the Gentlemen’s Upper bracket (#1) Aryna Sa- Personal Golf Library, MSN Sports under par with two other players. the PGA Tour will be anxious to 1st Scottie Scheffler 2nd Xander side: balenka vs Laura Siegmund (Ger- Professional Team Sports By Alex Alvarez are in last place of their division Juan Soto from the Mets was not East: Philadelphia Phillies 53- Boyd (Cubs) 9-3, ERA 2.52; Hunt- gave the women’s basketball league with a record of 37-53 fired Gen- picked for the All Stars, but he took 37, New York Mets 52-39, (Last er Brown (Houston) 9-3, ERA 1.92 a “shot in the arm” in viewership, MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL eral Manger Mike Rizzo and man- it professionally: I always try to play – Washington Nationals 37-53); Batting 2025: Aaron Judge (New especially since the former Iowa STANDINGS ager Davey Martinez. Whatever is to the best of my ability. I’m glad I Central: Chicago Cubs 54-36, Yor Yankees) is best so far with a Hawkeye girl has been in the news Lots of news in Major League needed to get better! made it four years in a row. I will Milwaukee Brewers 50-40. (Last .360 avg, followed by Jacob Wilson more than any other player be- Baseball. Lets list a few: The Luis Ortiz investigation do my best to come back stronger - Pittsburgh Pirates 38-53); West: (Athletics) with .335; Will Smith cause of her play and the seemingly The Tampa Bay Rays recalled has sent shockwaves through the next year. Los Angeles Dodgers 56-35, San (Los Angeles Dodgers) .332; Jere- rough plays against her by players right-hander Joe Boyle from Tri- Guardians organization, with a STANDINGS: Diego Padres 48-41 (Last - Colora- my Pena (Houston Astros) .322. who have been several years in the ple-A Durham on Sunday before promising young starter potentially AMERICAN LEAGUE: do Rockies 21-69). Home Runs: Cal Raleigh (Seattle league. Standings in the two con- the finale of their three-game series facing baseball’s harshest penalties East: Toronto Blue Jays 52-38; Toronto Blue Jays have the best Mariners) 35; Aaron Judge (New ferences: against Minnesota. if allegations are proven true. Ac- New York Yankees 49-41 (Last - winning streak with 8; Cleveland York Yankees) 33; Shohei Othani Eastern: New York Liberty 12-6; Now 15 games under .500 after cording to league sources, Major Baltimore Orioles 40-41); Central: Guardians have the worst losing (Los Angeles Dodgers) 30. Atlanta Dream 11-7; Indiana Fever a historic shutout this past week- League Baseball is investigating Detroit Tigers 57-34, Minnesota streak with 10! 9-9. end in Seattle, the Pirates are most whether Ortiz deliberately influ- Twins 43-47 (Last – Chicago White Pitching 2025: Max Fried (New WNBA Western: Minnesota Lynx 17- definitely going to be sellers at the enced prop bets through his pitch- Socks 30-60); West: Houston As- York Yankees) 11-2, ERA 2.27; The 2025 WNBA season is in full 2; Phoenix Mercury 12-6; Seattle deadline and need some good ing performance. Could face from tros 55-35, Seattle Mariners 48-42 Tarik Skubal (Detroit) 10-2, ERA stride with 19 out of 44 regular sea- Storm 12-7. trades. one year suspension to a lifetime (Last - Oakland Athletics 37-55) 2.02); Framber Valdez (Houston son games played. The drafting of Sources: ESPN, MSN Sports, On- The Washington Nationals, who ban! NATIONAL LEAGUE: Astros) 10-4, ERA 2.90; Matthew Caitlin Clark by the Indiana Fever Line media sports. Sports Tidbits McConnell Joins ECHS By Alex Alvarez top ten seeds! A record no player wants to be part of! that many of the black players are jealous of this great white player. Is it ever going to stop. Tennis Coaching Staff BASEBALL: Novak Djokovic won his 100th game at Remember the movie “White Men Can’t A two-time state champion and Actor Kevin Costner disclosed that the Wimbledon! He hopes he doesn’t stop there Jump”?, well, they can, and women can too! Oklahoma Player of the Year will coach classic “For Love of the Game” from 1999, and wins his 103rd in this year’s tournament! the current crop of ECHS tennis play- filmed at Yankee Stadium, almost didn’t And speaking of Djokovic, he has lost the INTERNATIONAL SOCCER ers. happen, as former Yankees owner George last two finals in Wimbledon, both to Carlos The FIFA Club World Cup has not at- Joni McConnell, who had coached Steinbrenner was upset that the Yankees Alcaraz. He is not only seeking his 25th ma- tracted many fans, which force the FIFA to Elk City’s middle-school tennis play- lost in a game of the film and cancelled the jor, but also his 8th Wimbledon title to tie lower the price of tickets from $473 to $13- ers since she became Elk City Inter- initial shooting. Costner convinced him that Roger Federer with eight wins. If he reach- $15! It means that tickets are cheaper than mediate Librarian in 2021, joins Amy the game in the movie didn’t matter, then es the finals this year, he is on the opposite beer inside the stadium! Busby and Pat Senger as Elk City High the Yankees went on to win the World Series draw from Carlos, and could be facing him The semifinals of the FIFA Club World School’s tennis coaches. that year. Obviously, THEY BOTH WON! again in the final, but will most likely have Cup will be: Real Madrid (Spain)vs PSG “I am thrilled about the opportunity to beat #1 Jannik Sinner if he reaches the (France) and Chelsea (England) vs Flumin- to help at the high-school level,” McCo- GOLF: semi-finals. Good luck “old man!” (he’s 38!) ense (Brazil). What!! Only one team from all nnell said. “I look forward to working There was a full chartered plane out of Jannik Sinner on his interview after win- of America? with Amy Busby and Pat Senger as we Joni McConnell Moline, IL headed for Scotland with all of ning his third match this year: “I need to Maybe the timing was wrong for the strive to keep the strong tradition of nament, and MacKinley Brewer earned the golfers who will participate in the Scot- leave to watch the F1”. Major champions FIFA Club World Cup, at the CONCACAF tennis in ECPS.” a 5th-place medal in 1 Singles and a tish Open this week, and the Open Cham- need a little distraction in order to ease the (North America, Central America, Carib- Busby and McConnell will be Co- spot on the podium. pionship next week. Good luck to the likes pressure! bean teams) “Copa de Oro” which Mexico Head Coaches, and Senger, who works The 2025 ECHS boys’ team was 4A of Scottie, Jordan, Bryson, J.J., Phil, Brooks, Also, Jannik Sinner broke 2004 Roger won versus Team USA 2-1 in Houston last full time outside of the school system, State Champion, a first in program his- Xander, Keegan, etc. Bring a couple of tro- Federer’s record of only 19 games lost in the Sunday. will return as an assistant lay coach. tory. phies home! first matches by losing only 17 games! Pretty McConnell assisted with the high McConnell was 1 Singles State dominant! OTHER SPORTS school teams in addition to her mid- Champion her junior and senior sea- TENNIS: Beatrice Chebet, from Kenya, demol- dle-school coaching duties during the sons at ECHS, and she was the 1996 Twenty-three seeded players, 10 men WNBA: ished the World Record in the Women’s recent tennis season. Oklahoma Player of the Year before and 13 women, lost in the first round of the The drama against Caitlin Clark continues All the 2025 ECHS girls’ varsity ten- starting four years for the University of Wimbledon Championships, including 8 in the WNBA. People are beginning to feel See TIDBITS page 11 nis players qualified for the State Tour- Missouri women’s tennis team.