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EDUCATION

Above, Left: During the Fall 2020 Nursing Pinning Ceremony Dr. Sandra Watson presents both Julie Bishop and Kelsey Lerma with the Florence Nightingale Award. Above, Right: Lloyann Ferrell Bishop and John Lewis pause for a selfie during the pinning ceremony.

Connors, ICTC Hold Pinning Ceremony for PTA & OTA Grads

In cooperation with Indian Capital Technology Center, Connors State held a pinning ceremony for 13 Physical Therapist Assistant Program graduates and 15 Occupational Therapist Assistant Program graduates on December 15 at ICTC.

The pinning ceremony recognized the accomplishments of the graduates following clinical and coursework completion.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program helps students gain the skills needed to help individuals regain physical function and improve mobility under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist.

“The PTA faculty are very proud of this group of students,” said Sarah Foster, PTA Program Director. “We feel so blessed to have had this group of outstanding graduates to go through this unusual year with. They faced the trials of learning throughout a pandemic with positivity and determination.”

This year’s graduates are: Taylor Compton, Tyler Conley, Kara Enkey, Melissa Girty, Bristen Graves, Keylee Hiler, Dakota Lashley, Anthony Miller, Maryah Milton, Christy Murry, Ariana Riley, Hunter Roberts, and Gabrielle Tucker.

Enkey and Miller were recognized with an outstanding academic performance award in the PTA Program, while Riley received the outstanding clinical performance award.

The Occupational Therapist Assistant Program delivers occupation-based intervention in diverse settings to assist those with autism, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, traumatic injuries, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, or mental health conditions. The program utilizes rigorous curriculum with relevant clinical instruction in a variety of settings.

Graduates of the fall OTA Program include: Rayleigh Beck, Raye Brown, Stacy Classen, Shelby Copeland, Vannessa Dunham, Brittany Flores, Caitlyn Gregg, Kaitlyn Hill, Blair Kerns, Lesli Payne, Jayla Riley, Brooke Rose, Maecie Smith, Tatum Terry, and Deanna Vann-Vest.

“We are proud of the positive outcome the success of these students brings to our society,” said Dr. Ron Ramming, CSC President. “These students are a great example of the partnership between ICTC/CSC.”

For more information about the Connors State College and ICTC Physical Therapist Assistant program or Occupational Therapist Assistant program., visit http://www.ictctech. com/full-time/adult_health_careers/.

Livestock Judgers Earn Success on Fall Competition Trail

The Connors State Livestock Judging Team has continued its successful start to the 2020-2021 season by winning champion overall team honors at The American Royal in Kansas City, MO., and earning the reserve national champion team honors at the North American International Livestock Exhibition in Louisville, KY.

Following is a list of accomplishments from the fall 2020 livestock judging season.

At the Griswold Cattle Contest, the team placed first overall. Individual overall placings included: Ross Wingert, first; Lauren Erickson, third; Maddie Schroeder, fourth; Kristen Massingill, sixth; Katie Kempen, eighth; Abby Johnson, tenth.

The team claimed second high team overall honors during the North American International Livestock Exhibition, and placed first in cattle, second in reasons and fifth in sheep. Individually, team members placed as follows: Kristen Massingill, second overall, first in cattle; Logan Jackson, third overall, fourth in reasons, third in cattle; Katie Kempen, fourth in cattle; Lauren Erickson, ninth in reasons, seventh in sheep.

Earning Champion Team honors at the American Royal, the CSC crew placed first in reasons, first in sheep and goats, third in hogs, and fourth in cattle. Individually, team members earned the following accolades: Logan Jackson, second overall and in hogs, sixth in reasons, and eighth in sheep and goats; Kristen Massingill, third overall, first in hogs, fourth in reasons, and tenth in sheep and goats; Katie Kempen, seventh overall, second in reasons, and third in sheep and goats; Maddie Schroeder, seventh in reasons and ninth in cattle.

The scholars claimed Champion Team honors at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas, placing first in hogs and reasons, second in cattle, and third in sheep and goats. Individually, the team members placed as follows: Maddie Schroeder, fourth overall, second in reasons, third in cattle, and ninth in sheep and goats; Mesa Ware, fifth overall, second in cattle and eighth in sheep and goats; Kristen Massingill, sixth overall, first in reasons, second in sheep and goats, and tenth in hogs; Lauren Erickson, eighth overall, fourth in hogs, and fifth in reasons; Logan Jackson, ninth overall, third in hogs, and fourth in reasons; Kyntlie Wiles, sixth in sheep and goats, and ninth in cattle; Katie Kempen, second in hogs and tenth in cattle; Andi Theodore, fourth in sheep and goats, and eighth in reasons.

The team both hosted and took champion team overall honors during the Connors State Alumni Invitational, placing first in reasons and cattle, second in sheep and goats, and second in hogs.

At the Cimarron Classic in Stillwater, OK, the team again claimed champion team overall honors, with a first place grab in cattle, second overall in reasons, hogs, sheep and goats.

During The National Swine Judging Contest in Des Moines, IA, the squad routed all, claiming high team overall honors, placing first in reasons and first in boar judging. –

Livestock judging team members include: (front row, L-R) Riley Scott, Central, OK; Kohl Bright, Le Grand, CA; Colby Griffin, Pauls Valley, OK; Hunter May, Keezletown, VA; Kyntlie Wiles, Mena, AR; Katie Kempen, San Antonio, TX; Lauren Erikson, San Luis Obispo, CA; Kristen Massingal, Hamilton, TX; Taylor Litterell, Tuttle, OK; Garrett Bowe, Madera, CA; Carson Lott, Sapulpa, OK; (middle row, L-R) Houston Klump, Bowie, AZ; Rylee Simpson, Kansas, OK; Mesa Ware, Cone, TX; Abby Johnson, Hermitage, AR; Maddie Schroeder, Columbia City, IN; Olivia Eager, Fitztown, OK; Ross Wingert, Rose Bud, AR; (Third row, L-R) Austin Manners, Santa Rosa, CA; Adam Erickson, Haskell, OK; Jacksen Ketner, Central, OK; Brett Forgy, Silo, OK; Logan Jackson, Eastlake, TX; Andy Theodore, Coweta, OK.

Cowboys Prepare for Abbreviated Schedule

The 2019-20 season was one that Connors State men’s basketball coach Bill Muse and the Cowboys are glad to put in the past for a number of reasons.

The season started with just one starter returning – Callen Haydon, a 6-0 sophomore from El Reno – which made it the least experienced starting crew Muse has had in his 28 years at Warner. But despite the inexperience and the fact that Haydon was injured for several weeks, Muse coached the Cowboys to a 22-9 record but an uncharacteristic early end of the season, losing in the opening round of the Region II tournament.

And then there was the pandemic. It led the Nation Junior College Athletic Association to delay the start of the 2020-21 season until late January and it hit close to home as it claimed the life of a member of the Connors family in Sports Information Director Wayne Bunch.

Ten freshmen and a transfer will join two returning starters, a redshirt and a role player for Connors as Muse begins his 29th year at the helm seeking his fifteenth conference title and eleventh trip to the NJCAA Big Dance in Hutchinson, KS. The head coach is the elder statesman among Oklahoma Collegiate Athletic Conference coaches and his 671-238 record (a 73 percent winning percentage) continues to be the alltime best in Connors history.

Leading the list of returning Cowboys is Jahcoree Ealy, a 6-5 wing man from Damascus, AR. He averaged 15.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per game last season for Connors and was a first-team selection to the OCAC All-Freshman team. He scored 25 or more points in four games last year with his best being a 29-point outing against the Oklahoma Wesleyan junior varsity.

“Coree has got a big, big upside and I’m really anticipating him having a big year,” said Muse.

Also, back in the fold is the Cowboy’s muscle man Jarquavious Cain, a 6-6 forward from Jonesboro, AR. He averaged 14.9 points and 9.5 rebounds a game in 2020. He had a season high 27 points against Cedar Valley and scored over 20 points in eight games.

“Jarquavious is undersized for a forward but he gets a lot done with his athleticism,” said Muse. “He’s strong and plays extremely hard which makes up for his lack of size and he’s usually having to guard players bigger than him.”

Jace Jordan from Broken Bow played off the bench last year seeing action in 21 games with a season high 18 points

against the Central Baptist junior varsity.

“Jace is a good outside shooter who’s gotten stronger during the offseason and should be able to help us more this year,” said Muse.

A big question mark for the Cowboys will be the status of redshirt freshman Oumar Keita from Hazard, KY. The 6-11 big man tore his ACL in pre-season last year and the injury has been slow to heal.

“Oumar’s rehab has been slow and difficult and I don’t know what we’ll be able to get out of him this year,” said Muse.

Perhaps the most immediate help might come in the form of Northeastern Oklahoma State transfer Gavin Harris from Jackson, MO. The 6-4 guard transferred in the first semester last year and sat out the second and Muse has high hopes for him.

“He’s got good length; is a good shooter and he’s got some experience in a college program. He’s mature and has a great basketball IQ and should be able to help us out on the perimeter,” said Muse.

The Cowboys should have good depth at the guard spot thanks to the incoming freshmen. The most notable has been Brandon Taylor from Coppell, TX, who looks to run the point for the Cowboys.

“He’s a good facilitator and good scorer when needed and he knows how to set an offense up and run a team. He’s pretty much a pure point guard,” said the Cowboy coach.

Other faces that will rotate in and out of the lineup at one of the guard spots for Connors are Donald Garrett III from Garland, TX, Quintavious Bailey from Memphis and Jordan Tillmon from Pine Bluff, AR.

“These guys are all combo guards that can play the point or the wing. Quintavious and Jordan both have great upsides and are good shooters and Donald will probably sub in at the point when needed,” said Muse.

Muse is also anxious to see more of 6-8 Mason Alexander. The Tulsa Edison product played just one year of high school basketball but could be a breakout player for the Cowboys this season.

“Mason plays hard, is physical and hits the boards hard. He’s got a great upside and the more games he gets under his belt, the better he’ll get. I think he’s going to surprise a lot of people in our league.”

Another freshman that might see immediate action is 6-9 forward Sammy Mike from Warner Robbins, GA. His presence could be vital if Keita is unable to go.

“Sammy played at Washington Prep in North Carolina and will add needed size inside for us,” said Muse.

Other recruits for the Cowboys that are battling for playing time include TJ Maxwell from Hilldale and Jalen Cloud out of Stigler. Hometown product Jack Van Daley and newcomer Wyatt Holland from Atoka will both redshirt this year.

But perhaps the biggest “recruit” to join the Cowboys this season will be the coach’s son Bill Muse Jr. who comes aboard as an assistant coach for his dad. “Junior,” as the players call him, grew up on the Warner campus, attended Hilldale High School and then played for his father for two years before moving on to play Division I ball at Coastal Carolina and Southern Mississippi.

“Having him here is big for several reasons,” said the elder Muse. “First, he grew up around the program and played for me, so he knows the system inside out and I don’t really have to tell him what to do. Second, is that he can relate to these players who all have the goal of playing at the next level. He’s been there recently and can tell it like it is to the guys. And third, he and I are really close and it’s just nice to be able to have him around all the time.”

The decision to delay the start of the season this year brings some changes for the Cowboys in their schedule.

“Our season has been cut from 30 to 22 games, so we’ll have only three non-conference games to start instead of the usual 10 or so to sort things out and we’re not doing any outside scrimmages to try and keep everyone healthy,” said Muse.

Cowboys fans will enjoy the season starting with four home games beginning January 22 against Oklahoma Wesleyan followed by contests with Central Baptist and the University of Arkansas-Cossatot and then the OCAC opener February 1 against Western State. The season ends April 1 followed by the Region II tournament. Muse tabs NEO, Murray State, the defending region champion, and Northern-Tonkawa as top teams to be beat in the OCAC race this year.

Although the NJCAA’s decision to delay made last summer was questioned at the time, it appears it was the right call. But as the pandemic continues to rage on, Muse wonders what lies ahead.

“Covid-19 is still lurking around. Will we have interruptions? Will we be able to get through the schedule? Can we stay healthy as a team? I guess we’ll just have to see what happens.”

Good riddance to 2020 as the Cowboys turn the page on a new season. –

Cowboy Basketball team members include: (front row, L-R) #40 Jalen Cloud, Stigler, OK; #23 Jordan Tillmon, Pine Bluff, AR; #21 Jack VanDaley, Warner, OK; #34 TJ Maxwell, Muskogee, OK; #14 Brandon Taylor, Coppell, TX; #3 Donald Garrett III, Garland, TX; #10 Jace Jordan, Idabel, OK; (back row, L-R) Assistant Coach Bill Muse, Jr.; #15 Jahcoree Ealy, Damascus, AR; #4 Mason Alexander, Tulsa, OK; #20 Sammy Mike, Warner Robbins, GA; #42 Oumar Keita, Hazard, KY; #32 Jarquavious Cain, Jonesboro, AR; #2 Gavin Harris, Jackson, MO; and Head Coach Bill Muse.

Diamond Cowboy Alumnus, David Mendham, named Canadian Baseball Network’s 2020 College Player of the Year

Dorchester, Ontario, native David Mendham, who batted .493 and had 36 hits and 26 RBIs in 21 games for the Connors State Cowboys in Warner, OK, was named Canadian Baseball Network’s 2020 College Player of the Year.

The 6-foot-3 infielder received first-place votes on 54 of 62 (87.1%) ballots cast by a large panel of scouts, coaches, executives, former players, writers and broadcasters.

In a spring season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, Mendham topped all Canadian college players in hits (36) and finished second in doubles (10). He was also third among Canucks in RBIs (26) and on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) (1.401) and scored 31 runs and stole six bases.

Mendham, who honed his skills with the Ontario Nationals and is the son of former Intercounty Baseball League star Dan Mendham, was in his sophomore season with the Cowboys. In his freshman campaign the previous year, he batted .422 with 14 home runs and 85 RBIs in 61 games and was rewarded with CBN All-Canadian Third Team honours.

The left-handed hitting Mendham spent the summer of 2020 with the Savannah Bananas, a college team in Georgia where he continued to excel at the plate, batting .338 with 25 hits in 22 contests. He is set to play this spring for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks in Columbia.

Mendham also claimed the third base position on CBN’s All-Canadian First Team.

The Canadian Baseball Network’s 21st annual All-Canadian First Team consists of five NCAA players, six NJCAA players and one NAIA player. The players on the All-Canadian teams represent the best of the 775 Canadians playing the majority of their schedule south of the border.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM PREPS FOR SPRING PLAY Players include (front row, L-R) #20 Caylin Livers, Stillwell, OK; #3 Trakil Holman, Hugo, OK; #5 Zee McCallister, Russellville, AR; #4 Cheyanne Crain, Mounds, OK; #33 Baylee Hall, Hulbert, OK; #22 Shayni Green, Okay, OK; #21 Sha’Daja Thompson, Hugo, OK; (back row, L-R) student assistant Nyia Hollis, Haskell, OK; #32 Kionce’ Woods, Dallas, TX; #31 Isabel Gonzalez, Santiago, Chile; #24 Zippora Johnson, Paducah, KY; #34 Chalynn Mayes, Muldrow, OK; #23 Jasmyn Taylor, Austin, TX; and Jamie Fisher, Head Cowgirl Basketball Coach.

CAMPUS LIFE

FALL 2020 NURSING PINNING CEREMONY (Clockwise from above) Fall Class of 2020 Nursing Graduates standing to be recognized. Kelsey Lerma, nursing graduate, and CSC Recruiter Chandler Young at the Nursing Pinning Ceremony. Robert Glander, Fall 2020 Nursing Graduate, celebrating with loved ones after graduation. FALL BULL TEST SALE Students from the Division of Agriculture helped to organize and work the fall 2020 Bull Test Sale. (Pictured, clockwise from top left) Livestock judging teammates Kristen Massingill, Houston Klump and Abby Johnson (far right) work the sale gates with show team member Rhiannon Sellers (second from right). Greyson Epperson and Blayke Bolen, both members of the show team. Maddie Schroeder, Lauren Erickson, Kyntlie Wiles and Logan Jackson, all livestock judging team members, work the phones for proxy bidding.