Connection: Number 10, Volume 2

A Publication of Connors State College

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N U M B E R

CSC Students Attend Higher Ed Day at the Capitol

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CONNORS STATE COLLEGE WARNER CAMPUS

700 College Road Warner, OK 74469

Inside this issue VOLUME 10, NUMBER 2

THREE RIVERS PORT CAMPUS

2501 N 41st St E Muskogee, OK 74403

ADMINISTRATION PRE S I DE NT Dr. Ronald S. Ramming FEATURE

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H i gher E duc at i on D ay at t he C apit ol

COMMUNITY

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B as eball B as h and Auc t i on are S uc c es s f ul • S hoot i ng S por t s H os t s Q uai l For ever B anquet • C S C R odeo H os t s Fant as y R odeo • N ero H onored at E C U

COWBOY FAMILY

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Meet Maxey, Williamson, Morr is, and Lane

EDUCATION

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Twin Takeover • S eni or D ay is S uc c es s f ul

ATHLETICS

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LJT has Success at Dixie Nationals • R odeo Team has S uc c es s i n K ansas • E nd of S eas on W rap U p for B as ke t ball

CAMPUS LIFE

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Life A round C am pus

VICE PRES I DENT F O R ACADEMIC AFFAIRS Dr. Janet Wansick VICE PRES I DENT F O R FISCAL SERVICES Mike Lewis

CONNECTION LA Y OUT & DE S I GN Annie Jo Gilbert CONTRI B UTO RS Wayne Bunch East Central University Annie Jo Gilbert Robin O’Quinn Stacy Pearce Janet Wansick

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Connors State College, in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational services. In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, crime statistics for both the Warner and Muskogee campuses may be reviewed at http://connorsstate.edu/asr. This publication was printed and issued by Connors State College as authorized by the Director of College and Community Relations. The information given herein is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination or endorsement is intended by Connors State College.

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FEATURE

CSC President’s Leadership Class and Student Government Attend Higher Ed Day at the Capitol Hundreds of students, faculty, and staff members from Oklahoma’s public colleges and universities traveled to the state capitol on Tuesday, February 11, to promote the value and importance of higher education in Oklahoma.

Among the hundreds included Connors State Student Government Association members and the President’s Leadership Class, along with Dr. Janet Wansick, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Jake Lawson, Assistant Dean of Students, and Rochelle Vanover, Coordinator of Student Activities.

“Higher Ed Day is such a great

opportunity for our students to be able to advocate for Connors State College,” said Vanover, Coordinator of Student Activities.

“Our students are able to tell their stories to their legislators how important higher education is to them. Not only do they tell their stories, but they are able to walk away with knowledge on how our state government works as well as being able to network with other individuals from colleges and universities in our state.”

The students took this rare opportunity to meet with their local state representatives and thank

them for their contributions to help restore higher education.

Speakers included Chancellor Glen D. Johnson, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education; Vice-Chair Ann Holloway, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education; Matt Pinnell, Lieutenant Governor; Senator Greg Treat, Senate President Pro Tempore; Representative Jon Echols, Majority Floor Leader; Representative Jadine Nollan, Chairperson of House Higher Education and Career Tech Committee; and President Jeanie Webb, Rose State College.

Four students also spoke at

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FEATURE the event. Ruth Herman, East Central University; Kimberly Cotter, Seminole State College; Natanya Hernandez, Southwestern Oklahoma State University; and Casandra Salinas, Oklahoma State University.

The speakers told attendees how they have benefitted from higher education and how attending one of Oklahoma’s public colleges and universities has positively impacted their lives.

Prior to spending the day at the Oklahoma Capitol, CSC students had the opportunity to enjoy a meal the night before with legislators and senators.

Angel Morales, CSC sophomore, had the pleasure of sitting by Representative Avery Frix, Chair of the Transportation Committee, representing District 13, and Representative Scott Fetgatter, Assistant Floor Leader and Chair of the A&B Finance Committee, representing District 16.

Morales talked about how eye opening the candid conversations were with the legislators.

“I appreciate how candid and straight forward they [Frix and

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Fetgatter] were,” said Morales.

“I learned a lot about state government and how the Capitol works just over dinner.”

Morales also had the opportunity to visit with Representative Chris Sneed, Vice Chair of Insurance and Conference Committee on Insurance, representing District 14.

Morales is from Chandler, Ariz., and grew up in an urban community. He talked about how difficult it is for someone from out of state to obtain internships.

“Representative Sneed just picked up the phone and made a call to an employer in his district, potentially setting me up with an interview for an internship,” said Morales.

Another area of focus during the legislative session will be maintaining current law regarding weapons on higher education campuses.

Oklahoma higher education does not oppose the Second Amendment or gun ownership. Under current law, campus presidents have the discretion to grant exceptions to the weapons ban when an exception is warranted. The State Regents and the presidents of all 25 state

system institutions strongly believe that expanding authorization to carry weapons on higher education campuses would create a more dangerous environment for our students, faculty, staff and visitors.

The State Regents will also continue efforts to preserve the Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship as an access program, which provides funding for 18,000 students.

Recognized by many as America’s best college access program, Oklahoma’s Promise is considered a model that combines emphases on academic preparation and financial support for college.

More than 80,000 students have earned college tuition scholarships through Oklahoma’s Promise since the program’s inception in 1992.

Eighty-eight percent of Oklahoma’s Promise graduates stay in Oklahoma and are employed in Oklahoma after college graduation.

COMMUNITY

CSC Baseball Bash and Auction Success Excites Team for New Season

On Saturday, January 25, supporters of Connors State Baseball gathered in the Warner Student Union for the fifth Annual Baseball Opening Day Bash & Auction. Cowboy fans had a chance to meet the 2020 baseball team and coaches, enjoy ballpark foods and bid on auction items for the Cowboys’ fundraiser.

Live and silent auction items were donated to this annual fundraiser from members of the community and past players of Coach Keith’s.

The funds collected will be used for travel expenses, scholarships and

equipment.

Coach Perry Keith has been head coach at CSC for 34 seasons, producing 124 MLB players drafted, 12 MLB players, 40 All Americans, 58 Academic All Americans, and numerous players who have gone on to D1 schools to play baseball.

“We were pleased with another great turnout from our special group of fans and boosters,” said Coach Perry Keith.

Auction items included: St Louis Cardinal tickets, Texas Rangers tickets, Kansas City Royals tickets, several pieces of custom-made

furniture, Gold bracelet and dinner, and over 100 silent auction items. .

For over four decades, the Connors State Cowboys have been nationally ranked, bringing home 18 conference championships, 9 regional championships, and have attended the JUCO World Series seven times.

The team has begun the season 11-0, and CSC looks forward to more success this season with Coach Keith and the Cowboys.

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COMMUNITY

CSC Shotgun Shooting Team Hosts Quail Forever Banquet

On February 20, the Connors State College Shooting Sports Team hosted the Annual Quail Forever Banquet at the American Legion in Muskogee at 7:30 p.m. More than 150 people came out to attend the event, including faculty, staff, and past students who were members

of the Shooting Sports Team.

Attendees dined on an exotic bird meal, and enjoyed conversations with one another. The CSC Shooting Sports Team auctioned off four different guns, two fireplace settings, paintings of quail and other outdoor bird in the live auction,

and several small items in the silent auction.

Money raised during this fundraiser will go towards trip expenses, and scholarships to incoming freshman students.

Fantasy Rodeo Kicks Off Spring Rodeo Season Connors State College held their annual Fantasy Rodeo in the Fred Williams Indoor Arena on Thursday, February 6, 2020. With freezing temperatures dropping and winter mix stirring outside, dozens of faculty, staff, students and family members cheered on the men and women of the 2019-2020 Rodeo Team during this event.

Rodeo contents were: Women’s Barrel Racing: Jennah Allen, Aston Been, Rylee Burch, Autumn Cullum, Kila Dalton, Hope Lockhart, Rachel Parsons, Kylee Rodriguez, Gracie Roth, JaDee Swindler, Trisha Walden, and Lisa Williams.

Tie-Down Roping: Anthony Craig, Tre Craven Goff, Jarvis Demery, Walker McMahan, Wyatt McMahan, Cadon Remington, and Trey Keiss.

Breakaway Roping: Kassie Adams, Autumn Cullum, Cassidy Fuhrman, Hope Lockhart, and Cheyenne Shaver Steer Wrestling: Jarvis Demery,

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Quan Laskey, Taylor Miller, and Tre Craven Goff.

Team Roping: Caden Dunham/ Cheyenne Shaver, Cassidy Fuhrman/ Dontre Craven, Walker McMahan/ Wyatt McMahan, Taylor Miller/John Paul Donelson, Dawson Mitchell/ Trevor Bailey, Cadon Remington/ Kaden Cagle, Autumn Cullum/ Cooper Younkin, and Mason Stowell/Walker Hood.

The students also paired up with faculty/staff and members of the community and surrounding areas for ribbon roping. Thank you to Rochelle Vanover, Nate Bell, Keri Lawson, Chandler Young, Derotha

Rivenbark, James McMahan, Zack Mitchell, and Annie Jo Gilbert for participating.

The CSC Rodeo team takes off on the trail again in March, and nearly every weekend in April.

Several of our students are chasing the National Collegiate Rodeo qualification. The region CSC is a part of is the Central Plains Region, made up of 18-25 Colleges & Universities within Oklahoma, Kansas, and a portion of Missouri.

This is the largest Region in the NIRA Organization. Our college Rodeos average 500 competitors at each college rodeo.

Nero Named 2019 Trailblazer Award Recipient for ECU

The East Central University Black Alumni Association honored lifetime educator and ECU alum Donnie Nero with its prestigious Trailblazer Award as part of the program for the annual Louise Young Diversity Lecture on campus Thursday night.

A native of Spencer, Nero graduated from Dunjee High School in 1967. He earned a bachelor’s degree in education from East Central University in 1971. Nero earned his master’s degree in educational administration in 1977 and his doctorate in Occupational and adult education in 1993, both from Oklahoma State University.

Nero progressed through the ranks at Tulsa Community College to become Provost of the TCC Southeast Campus. He then achieved the presidency of Connors State College in 2000, becoming the first African American to lead a predominantly non-black college or university in the state of Oklahoma.

Under his leadership, Connors experienced record student enrollment and campus renovation.

He retired from the presidency in 2011.

In 2002, ECU named Nero a Distinguished Alumnus. In 2010, the ECU Educators Hall of Fame

inducted him, along with fellow alum Jimmy Scales, making them the first African American to receive that honor. Also in 2010, Nero founded the Oklahoma African American Educators Hall of Fame Inc., and currently serves as its president.

In 2016, Nero completed two terms as chair of the Office of Juvenile Affairs. He is a founder of the Oklahoma Legal Issues Conference, a graduate of Leadership Tulsa Class XVIII, and Oklahoma state coordinator of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.

In addition, he is a member of the Oklahoma Global Education Consortium.

The ECU Black Alumni Association presented Nero with the Trailblazer Award preceding the 2020 Louise Young Diversity Lecture that featured Cheryl Brown Henderson, whose father was instrumental in the 1954 landmark Supreme Court decision Brown v. Board of Education. He is the second person to receive the Trailblazer Award. The inaugural winner, Dr. Shirley Mixon, introduced Nero at the lecture.

Story by East Central University

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COWBOY FAMILY

Clint Maxey, Faculty

Walter Clinton Maxcey is an instructor in the nursing division at Connors State College, teaching Maladaptive States I, Pharmacology, Math for Nurses, and Laboratory and Diagnostics.

“I like being able to work with such experienced and supportive faculty,” said Maxcey. “Everyone in the nursing department is always available to answer any questions you might have.”

Likewise, Maxcey enjoys his daily teaching schedule.

“The students impact me daily,” said Maxcey. “It is very rewarding to see their eyes as the lightbulb comes on.”

A native of McAlester, Oklahoma, Maxcey completed his bachelor of science at Oklahoma Christian University, his BSN at Oklahoma City University, and received his MSN from Vanderbilt University.

Maxcey is also the coach of

the cheerleading and dance teams, a position fitting his own undergraduate pursuits.

“During my second bachelor’s degree I won an NCA collegiate national cheerleading championship,” said Maxcey.

One of Maxcey’s favorite things about Connors is that it is an affordable option in higher education that provides a quality education. He related that there is a small school atmosphere which helps to make sure each student feels supported and encouraged.

“Connors State College allowed me to do two things I am passionate about – coach cheerleading and mentor/teach the next generation of nurses. These programs are both well supported, and I am so happy to be here.”

Taylynn Williamson, Student Dade City, Flor., native Taylynn Williamson is set to graduate May 2020 from Connors State College with a degree in Pre-Veterinary Medicine. Upon graduation from high school, Williamson’s family moved to Clarksville, Ark. From the time Williamson was a small child, she always knew she wanted to become a veterinarian.

Her mom managed an animal hospital for over 20 years, and Williamson grew up learning about vet medicine from her mother and local vet.

“Dr. Taylor, the local veterinarian in our area was a great mentor to me besides my mom,” said Williamson. “He would invite me on farm calls and opportunities to work when there was an exciting day or the clinic was in need of some extra hands.”

Williamson said she knew just how much strength she would need to pursue this career, but also the enjoyment and excitement she

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would get out of it.

Williamson chose Connors State College because of the family and welcoming atmosphere of the college.

“Another big part in choosing Connors as my choice school was that couldn’t wait to be around those that were just as passionate about agriculture as I was,” said Williamson.

Williamson said that Connors has helped her to continue to be motivated to accomplish her goals. She is very active within the agricultural division on campus, recalling several events that she has helped with over the last two years.

“I had an amazing experience getting to volunteer for many different events that the agricultural division has hosted. The Bull Sale, Fall on the Farm, and Aggie Day are 3 of my top favorite events by far that have really made a lasting impact.”

Upon graduation from Connors,

Williamson will be attending Arkansas Tech University to obtain her bachelors in Pre-Vet Medicine.

Dick Morris, Alumni Alumnus Richard John Morris was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota, as one of 10 children.

Thanks to his father’s traveling sales position, by high school graduation Morris had attended 13 different schools and lived all over the Midwest, from Minnesota to Wisconsin, and South Dakota to Missouri. He ultimately graduated from Frederick High School in Frederick, South Dakota in 1957.

He pursued many educational avenues, from the Navy’s electronics school, to Dun & Bradstreet’s sales school, to Tulsa University, but found a home at Connors State College in 1974 and 1975, working toward a degree during evening classes, taken on the GI bill.

“Connors State is a good place to start to further your education,” said Morris.

“Attending Connors – and being paid to do so by the federal government – allowed me to successfully start my first

manufacturing business in my garage, Morr Contol, in 1976,” Morris continued. “I sold Morr Control in 1989, when it had 125 employees.”

From 1975 to 1989, Morris founded nine different companies in Muskogee. He retired in November of 1989.

He came out of retirement in 1994 to found Advantage Controls with his son and one other employee in an 1,100 sq. ft. space in downtown Muskogee. The business has grown over the years and now employs more than 100 and has expanded to a 50,000 sq. ft. manufacturing building in the Muskogee industrial park. He also founded Advantage Terrafab, a business employing more than 35 people.

The family sold Advantage controls in June 2019, and Morris is now semi-retired. Morris says he is responsible for helping five others to become millionaires, including himself.

a role that will allow her to use her experience and skills to the best of her ability.

“Connors has all of the opportunities of a larger school at a fraction of the cost,” said Lane. “The faculty and staff truly care about the students and there is a true desire to see students do well in their futures.”

Lane spent the last five years as the Executive Director of Canadian County CASA, Inc. where she more than doubled the operating budget, doubled paid staff and increased the number of children served to the highest level since 2012.

Prior to her time at CASA, she was first a recruiter then the Director of the Division of Adult Education at Bacone College. She also previously worked for the Southwest Center for Human Relations Studies at the University of Oklahoma for the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education. She served as

a presenter for the conference showcasing her study on the connection between socioeconomic status and educational attainment.

Her research focus includes race, class and gender issues as elements of intersectionality within micro and macro levels of society.

Dr. Krystle Lane, Staff Dr. Krystle Lane, a native of Checotah, Oklahoma, was recently named the Executive Director of the Connors State College Development Foundation.

Lane says that when pursuing a new job, she ultimately wanted to return to her hometown region.

“I believe in the mission of Connors and I know that I can help,” said Lane. “I’m excited to be a part of something that will change so many lives for the better.

“I love the feel of family,” she continued. “There is a strong foundation of support and collaboration that is unique to this campus.”

Lane completed her degrees at the University of Oklahoma, obtaining a bachelor of arts in sociology, master of arts in human resources, and her PhD in educational studies with an emphasis on research methodology and statistics.

Lane said Connors has allowed her to return to the field of education in

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EDUCATION CSC is Seeing Double

According to statistics in the year 1999, 28.9 percent per 1000 births in the United States were born a twin.

Connors State College is fortunate enough to have three sets of identical twins all on teams this year.

Sara and Tara Dillingham are both members of the cheer team, Wyatt and Walker McMahan are members of the rodeo team, and Lauren and Kailen Wright are members of the women’s basketball team.

For sophomores, Lauren and Kailen Wright, playing on the same team is very encouraging.

The Wright sisters have grown up playing basketball with one another, always challenging the other to do better.

“Experiencing playing basketball with my twin has always been a big part of my life,” said Lauren.

“Growing up, playing basketball with my twin has allowed me to form a deeper bond with every loss and every win. With this, I know that even after basketball and when we grow up, I know that Kailen will always be there for me when I need

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her through every challenge and victory that life presents me.”

For these twins, the connection is much deeper than basketball.

The Wright sisters are constantly encouraging and helping each other strive for greatness.

“Playing basketball with Lauren is like playing basketball with myself,” said Kailen. “We have this unspoken connection, and anybody that plays against us doesn’t want that double trouble.”

Upon graduating this spring from CSC, the Wright sisters have goals to attend a D1 University, and continue their basketball careers. Together.

For sophomores Wyatt and Walker McMahan, regardless of what is happening, they always have each other’s backs, inside and out of the arena. Like the Wright sisters, the McMahan brothers have grown up on the back of horses roping with one another.

“I like being on the rodeo team with my twin because he can watch me and make sure I’m doing things right, and tell me what I’m doing

wrong,” said Wyatt. “It gives me someone to try and beat and help each other get better.”

The McMahan brothers both plan on continuing their rodeo careers into D1 universities. No matter if they attend the same school or not, they will continue to rodeo together at the collegiate level.

“Being on the rodeo team with my twin is easy because we’ve roped together our whole lives and we can always coach each other and help each other get better,” said Walker.

For freshman Sara and Tara, coming to college with each other has made the transition much easier than if they were alone. Both girls have plans on finishing their nursing degrees at Connors State College.

Tara would like to become an RN, and Sara would like to become a NICU nurses, both girls familiar with the NICU unit, being born early.

The best thing about being a twin on a team together? “If you’re not twinning, you’re not winning.”

Senior Day Hosts over 500 Students

On Thursday, February 20, Connors State College welcomed more than 500 students, their parents, school counselors, faculty and staff to the Warner campus for Senior Day. “We were so excited to welcome all the students to campus, and give them an opportunity to see what life at Connors as a student is all about,” said Chandler Young, Assistant Director of Recruitment. “We could not of had such a successful day if it wasn’t for the students on campus who made this possible.”

During the day, students met with Connors’ administrative staff as they gave a brief overview of

what to expect during their college experience, and gained valuable information about who to speak with when applying for scholarships.

The students were then given a tour of the campus. Tours were each specialized to each group, with agricultural tours highlighting the bull test, equine, and horticulture facilities. Each tour got the opportunity to visit with the Division Heads of the area they were interested in. The tour ended in the A.D. Stone Student Union; where various clubs, teams and organizations had booths set up. Groups included in the set up ranged from Basketball to BCM, and

Shooting Sports to Softball. This also provided a great opportunity for clubs and organizations to get exposure, and students to branch out of their comfort zones and speak to other students. The booths provided information about getting involved while at Connors. Sodexo then provided the students and their families lunch in the cafeteria before departing.

“Senior Day is so special because of the involvement from the faculty and staff,” said Young. “Not many other places you can go and speak directly to the people you will interact with while on campus as a student.”

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ATHLETICS

Livestock Judging Has Great Success at Dixie Nationals CSC Livestock Judging Team sophomore and freshman teams both experienced great success at the Dixie National in Jackson, Miss.

Both Connors State teams were crowned high teams of the contest and combined to win every division except one. Results are as follows: The sophomore team placed High Team Overall, 1st high team in Brahman, Continental, English, reasons, and the steer divisions.

Individual results include: Dalton Flatt - 1st high individual overall, 1st in Brahman, 2nd in reasons, 2nd in English, 5th in Continental, and

8th in steers; Kali Mabe - 2nd high individual overall, 1st in English, 4th in continental, 5th in reasons, and 8th in Brahman; Daniel Lujan – 3rd high individual overall, 1st in steers and reasons, and 3rd in Brahman; Johnna Stottlemyre - 7th high individual overall, 2nd in continental, 4th in reasons, 6th in steers, and 7th in Brahman; Hunter McKinnon – 13th high individual overall, T10th in Brahman and steers, and 13th in reasons; Garret Cooper - 9th in continental. The freshman team results include High Team Overall, high team in Brahman, Continental,

English, reasons, and steer divisions.

Individual results include: Lauren Erickson - 2nd high individual overall, 3rd in steers, and 5th in English; Kristen Massingill - 3rd high individual overall, 1st English, 4th in reasons, 7th in Brahman, and 10th in steers; Logan Jackson - 5th high individual overall, 2nd in Brahman and Continental, and 10th in reasons; Katie Kempen - 13th high individual overall, 2nd in steers, 4th in English, and 7th in reasons; Rylee Simpson - 9th Brahman; Andi Theodore - 10th Brahman; and Olivia Eager - 8th Continental.

Rodeo Team has Success at First Spring Rodeo The CSC Rodeo team competed at the college rodeo hosted by Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan., February 14-16, 2020. Several Connors students had great runs, putting them in what would be the top 15. In the short go Sunday afternoon, the top 10 students make it back. CSC had two students qualify. Dontre Craven qualified in steer wrestling, placing 3rd in the long round. Trisha Walden qualified in the barrel racing, ending up 3rd in the short round and 4th overall in her event. The CSC Rodeo team has a very busy spring schedule ahead of them, getting back out on the road March 13-15, 2020, in Fort Scott, Kan.

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End of Season Wrap-Ups for Basketball Under the guidance of Coach Jamie Fisher the Connors State Cowgirls have posted their best season since he took over the program during the 2015-16 season.

Entering the Region II Basketball Tournament at Oklahoma Baptist University March 4-7, the Cowgirls are involved in the play-in game at Melvin Self Field House on Monday, March 2nd against Arkansas Baptist College with a 19-11 record.

A win over Arkansas Baptist (5-19), which is expected, will give the Cowgirls their first 20-win season in 10 years.

“This league is so balanced any team can win the region tournament,” said Fisher. “We will face the top seed Redlands Community College after Arkansas Baptist and we played them close both games.

“I told our kids that upsets will happen and we could be the spoiler.

Why not us,” said Fisher.

The winner of the tournament advances to the national tournament in Lubbock, Texas, March 16-21.

Spearheading the Cowgirls this season has been De’Asia Reid, 6-2 center from Cincinnati, Ohio.

Reid, who averages 13.8 points a game, ranks fourth in free throw shooting in the conference, connecting on 88-of-137 attempts, fourth in blocks with 47, first in rebounds with 240 and third in average with 8.9 per game.

Tateum Jones 5-5 sophomore guard from Hugo, Okla., leads the league in assists with 158 and fifth in steals with 62.

Jasmyn Taylor 6-1 freshman forward from Cedar Park, Texas, is third in league play with 49 blocks.

Caylin Livers, 5-7 freshman guard from Stillwell, Okla., ranks second in three-point percentage shooting at 42.5.

It has been a year of up-and-down for the Connors State Cowboys as they enter the Region II Basketball Tournament at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Okla., March 5-7.

Connors which has won the Oklahoma Collegiate Athletic Conference title four of the past five years, will finish the 2019-20 fourth in the conference after a year of injuries and lack of depth.

However, it’s not all bleak for the Cowboys entering Region II Tournament play. Cowboys will take a 22-8 record into the fray, the 13th consecutive time a Muse club has posted 20 or more victories.

“We’ve had problems with injuries and depth this season, but this club is still capable of winning the region tournament,” said Muse. “We just have to play good defense and shoot the ball well.

“If we do those things, along with holding down the turnovers, we could go back to Hutchinson for the national tournament,” said Muse.

Cowboys have won seven of their last nine conference games as they go after their 12th Region II crown and a 12th trip to the NJCAA National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kan., March 16-21.

Muse opened the season with bad news. The dean of the OCAC coaches lost 6-11 freshman center Oumar Keita when he sustained an ACL tear in a preseason pick-up game which required surgery. Keita was red-shirted and will be available next season, joining four other returning talented players.

Also lost was guard Isaac Barger with an injured wrist, along with talented sophomore guard Isaiah Francis, who sustained much of the season. Along with the dismissal of a player at midseason, it left the Cowboys lacking in depth.

Sophomore point guard Callen Haydon leads the Cowboys in scoring with a 16.2 average, fifth in the OCAC. He also his third in free throw percentage at 81.2, third in the league and second in assists with175.

Caleb Riggs, sophomore guard from Okay, Okla., is third in threepoint shooting draining 81-of-206 attempts.

Freshman Jahcoree Ealy from Twin Groves, Ark., ranks fourth in league play with 425 points, averaging 15.7 points a game, second in free throws, draining 114-of-161 attempts and second in block shots with 38.

Jarquavious Cain, freshman forward from Jonesboro, Ark., ranks second in both rebounds per game at 9.4 and total rebounds collected 262. He is fourth in free throws draining 106-of-166 attempts.

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CAMPUS LIFE

Life Around Campus

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CONNORS STATE COLLEGE

700 College Road | Warner, OK 74469

PLC and SGA students had the opportunity to visit the floor in the House of Representative Chambers before the official programming started.

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