TEAMS

Annual Bash Raises Funds for Baseball Team

On Saturday, January 30, over 250 supporters of Connors State Baseball gathered in the Melvin Self Field House for the sixth Annual Baseball Opening Day Bash & Auction. Cowboy fans had a chance to meet the 2021 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 35 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.

Along with Coach Perry Keith on the coaching staff is assistants Bobby Foreman, and Korey Keith. Foreman has been with Coach Keith for 17 seasons, and Korey is beginning his sixth season with the Cowboys.

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

Auction items included: MLB Baseball Memorabilia from the Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, and St. Louis Cardinals, Tulsa Driller Tickets, several pieces of custom-made furniture, heart necklace from Haley and Loyd, 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. Cowboy’s Head Coach Perry Keith holds an impressive record of 1677473 throughout his time with Connors.

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the 2020 Cowboys Baseball season got cut short; and due to the recent weather, the season has begun, but games have been postponed. The team’s season has started, with the Cowboys being 2-0, and CSC looks forward to more success this season with Coach Keith and the Cowboys. –

Above: The 2021 Cowboy baseball team introduces themselves to the audience. Below left: Coach Perry Keith and Ira Jackson, Warner FFA Advisor and Auctioneer. Below, right: Landon McAllister, Springdale, Ark., helps auction off live auction items.

Baseball Team Readies for Spring Play

His 36th season start thwarted by Mother Nature, head coach Perry Keith and his Connors State baseball squad went indoors for four days this week to get some work in.

If any program should be used to rolling with the punches, Keith and the Cowboys should — those who have been around the past two seasons being prime examples.

The Cowboys were 16-5 last season when the NJCAA stopped all spring sports — for the season. That was after a year where due to delays in completion of the artificial home field turf, they had to play the entire season on the road all the way to the NJCAA World Series.

So, saddled with that and a Feb. 8 opener and everything since blown away by a historic winter storm?

Just grind, baby.

“We had a good fall. With COVID we were able to do everything we wanted to,” Keith said regarding minor off-season adjustments on practices and scrimmages by the NJCAA. “Then we came in in January and the weather was exceptional for baseball, we were able to get a lot done, ready to go, and then supposed to open up the 8th and that’s when the weather hit. So we’ve done what we can.”

His fingers crossed and the weather cooperating, that barely broke-in turf field should be clear for a Sunday doubleheader against TCS Post Grad, the first of five games in three days at home with Arkansas Tech in on Monday and a doubleheader with Southern Nazarene on Tuesday. The twin bills will start at 1 p.m. and the Monday single game will begin at 2 p.m.

At that point lies the unfinished challenge of polishing a roster which includes several sophomores who opted to use the extra year of eligibility given them by the spring cancellation, all his freshman returnees from a year ago, and the 2020 recruiting class of new freshmen.

The NJCAA rules will also not count this season against eligibility, meaning some of Keith’s current crew could be four-year players if they choose.

Two of last year’s sophomores who decided to move on are infielder David Mendham, who will likely start for South Carolina, and Mike Coletta as Missouri’s starting catcher, Keith said.

Returning sophomores are outfielder Kaleb Glass of Vian, infielder Peyton McCowall (Cibolo, Texas) and pitcher Kaden Alexander (Broken Arrow).

Two areas Keith is excited about is his infield and a handful of pitchers who were starting to break out when the season stopped last year.

McDowall and Carson Foreman (Warner) alternating between first and designated hitter, Tyson Fourkiller (Stilwell) at second and Reid Stockman (Coweta) at shortstop are all back, and Grant Randall (Norman) moves from the outfield to third base.

McDowell (.389 in 54 at-bats), Fourkiller (.361 in 72) and Stockman (.350, 60) had extensive play at the plate. Randall (.458, 24) and Foreman (.273, 44) saw fewer trips to the plate.

Fourkiller hit .361 in 72 at-bats, Stockman .350 in 60, McDowell .389 in 54,

All had fielding averages of .957 or better with only four total errors among the group.

“It’s got a chance to be as good infield wise as we’ve had here,” said Keith.

On the mound, COVID freshmen Keiten Asbill (Stilwell) and Mozart Duarte (Dominican Republic), are promising left-handers, and Brennan Berdon (Frisco, Texas) is a righthander with a strong upside.

Asbill was 3-0 with a 2.04 ERA in 17 2/3 innings with 15 strikeouts, Duarte was 3-1 with a .491 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 18 innings and Berdon was 1-0 with a 3.63 ERA in 22 1/3 innings. He also had 25 strikeouts.

“They were all really starting to get their feet on the ground and take off when we stopped,” Keith said. “Now it’s just figuring how the pieces are going to fit together in the bullpen.”

Jonathan Pena (Brooklyn, N.Y.) is back in the outfield. He hit .380 in 50 at-bats. –

Story by Mike Kays, Muskogee Phoenix

Judgers Dominate Cattlemen’s Congress, Patriot, Dixie National

The Connors State Cowboys had a dominating performance at the inaugural Cattlemen’s Congress collegiate livestock judging contest. The team won the contest by 96 points and had all six team members place inside the top ten overall, individually. Results are as follows:

High Team Overall, High Team in Reasons, Cattle, Sheep and Goats, Second High Team in Hogs.

Individually, Katie Kempen was high individual overall, high individual in cattle reasons, second in cattle, third in sheep and goats, and second in reasons. Logan Jackson was third overall, third in cattle, first in sheep and goats, and eighth in reasons. Lauren Erickson placed fourth overall, first in cattle, and seventh in reasons. Kristen Massingill was fifth overall, sixth in hogs, sixth in reasons and tenth in cattle. Maddie Schroeder was eighth overall, seventh in sheep and goats, and twelfth in reasons. Mesa Ware placed tenth overall, and was fourth in sheep and goats.

Other team members include: Rylee Simpson, Kyntlie Wiles, Andrew Theodore, Hunter May, and Adam Erickson. The team is coached by Nolan Hildebrand and Jesse Henson.

The CSC livestock judging team would like to give a huge thanks to the whole OYE and Cattlemen’s Congress crew for putting on the third major contest of the year. Thank you for putting on a high-quality contest and providing our students with these opportunities. –

Above, L-R: The livestock judging team displays their winnings from the Cattlemen’s Congress. Pictured are Dr. Ron Ramming, Andi Theodoore, Hunter May, Katie Kempen, Kristen Massingill, Mase Ware, Logan Jackson, Maddie Schroeder, Lauren Erickson, Kyntlie Wiles, Rylee Simpson, Adam Erickson, Coaches Jesse Henson and Nolan Hildebrand.

THE PATRIOT

The CSC livestock judging team had a great weekend trip to Abilene, Texas.

The sophomore team results are as follows: High Team Overall, High Team in Cattle, Sheep and Goats, and Reasons.

Individually, Katie Kempen placed first overall, first in reasons, second in cattle, and fourth in sheep and goats. Kyntlie Wiles took third overall, fourth in reasons and sixth in cattle. Kristen Massingill was fourth overall and first in cattle.Maddie Schroeder placed 10th overall, seventh in sheep and goats, eighth in cattle, and 10th in reasons. Rylee Simpson was third in cattle, while Lauren Erickson placed ninth in sheep and goats. Mesa Ware placed 10th in sheep and goats, and Logan Jackson was eighth in hogs.

The freshman team results were: Second High Team Overall, High Team in Reasons, Cattle, and Hogs. Individually, Carson Lott placed first overall, first in cattle, seventh in hogs, and eighth in reasons. Abby Johnson was sixth overall, second in cattle, and ninth in reasons, while Kolby Griffin placed seventh overall and first in hogs. Garrett Bowe was seventh in cattle, Ross Wingert placed 10th in cattle and sixth in reasons, Riley Scott was fourth in reasons and fifth in hogs, and Taylor Litterell took sixth in hogs.

DIXIE NATIONAL

Both the sophomore and freshman teams took champion team honors in Jackson, Miss.

Sophomore: High Team Overall; High Team in Reasons, Brahman, Continental, English and Steer

Divisions.

Individually, Maddie Schroder placed first overall, second in Brahman, first in Continental, third in English, first in reasons, first in steers. Katie Kempen took second overall, first in Brahman, fifth in Continental, second in English, second in reasons and in steers. Lauren Erickson placed third overall, fourth in Brahman, fourth in Continental, first in English, fourth in reasons, third in Steers. Logan Jackson placed fourth overall, sixth in Brahman, sixth in Continental, fifth in English, third in reasons, and fourth in Steers. Mesa Ware placed fifth overall, third in Brahman and Continental, seventh in English, eighth in reasons and ninth in Steers. Kristen Massingill placed sixth overall, ninth in Brahman, 10th in Continental, fourth in English, sixth in reasons, and sixth in steers. Kyntlie Wiles took seventh overall, fifth in Brahman, 12th in Continental, ninth in English, fifth in reasons, and fifth in steers. Rylee Simpson placed 10th overall, 10th in Brahman, 11th in Continental, fifth in English, seventh in reasons, and eighth in steers.

Freshman Team: High Team Overall; High Team in Reasons, Brahman, Continental, English, Reasons and Steer Divisions.

Individually, Ross Wingert placed first overall, third in Brahman, second in Continental, fourth in English, second in reasons, and ninth in steers. Abby Johnson was third overall, second in Brahman, seventh in English, third in reasons, 10th in steers. Brett Forgy took fourth overall, eighth in Brahman, 10th in Continental, 1st in English, fourth in reasons, sixth in steers. Taylor Litterell placed sixth overall, fifth in English, seventh in reasons, and second in steers. Garrett Bowe was seventh overall, 1st in Brahman; while Houston Klump placed eighth overall, and fourth in Brahman. Riley Scott placed ninth overall, fifth in Brahman, sixth in Continental, third in English, and fifth in reasons, while Kolby Griffin was 10th overall, sixth in English, 10th in reasons, and fourth in steers. –

Below: The livestock judging team poses after their win at The Patriot in Abilene, Texas. Pictured are (L-R) Coach Nolan Hildebrand, Garrett Bowe, Jacksen Ketner, Andi Theodoore, Adam Erickson, Kolby Griffin, Ross Wingert, Lauren Erickson, Austin Manners, Katie Kempen, Riley Scott, Logan Jackson, Brett Forgy, Maddie Schroeder, Carson Lott, Kristen Massingill, Rylee Simpson, Houston Klump, Kyntlie Wiles, Hunter May, Mesa Ware, Abby Johnson, Taylor Litterell, and Assistant Coach Jesse Henson.

Harris Led All Scorers Against Seminole

Gavin Harris (pictured), a sophomore from Jackson, MO, scored a career high 25 points to help the Cowboys survive a late Seminole rally for a 82-77 win at Seminole on Monday night inside Raymond Harbor Field House.

The Cowboys (6-0) improved to 3-0 in league play while the Trojans (0-2) dropped to 0-1 in conference action after coming off quarantine.

Gavin Harris led four Cowboys in double figures with 25 points. Jahcoree Ealy added 17 points and 10 Rebounds, while Brandon Taylor added 16. Jarquavious Cain nearly missed a Double scoring 10 points and bring in 9 Rebounds for the Cowboys.

Connors State shot 43 percent from the field and 36 percent from 3-point range.

The Cowboys host NOC- Enid Thursday night February 18th with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. inside Melvin Self Field-House. –

Story by Nick Hampton

Taylor Leads Cowgirl Charge

The Connors State Cowgirls dropped a hard-fought battle on the evening of February 11 on Dixie Woodall Court to OCAC opponent Seminole State College Belles, 52-46. The Cowgirls started off the game firing on all cylinders leading 12-11 after the 1st quarter, but a bad second quarter found the Cowgirls trailing the Belles 29-14 at intermission.

“I felt we had a decent start, but then had a horrible second quarter, where we allowed them to have to many second chance points and easy baskets off a turnover,” said Head Cowgirl Coach Jamie Fisher.

The Cowgirls came out after half cutting the deficit to 9 points within a matter of two minutes when Seminole took a time out only finding themselves leading 29-23. The Cowgirls cut the Seminole lead all the way to 1 with a 43-42 Seminole advantage in the 4th quarter. Until a big three pointer by Seminole State guard Walker helped give the Belles the cushion, they needed to finish the game with a 52-46 victory over the Cowgirls.

“I felt we really came out second half and competed and doing all the little things that gave us an opportunity to have a chance to win the game,” said Fisher. “Basketball is a game of possessions, and I felt like we were one or two possession away from sneaking out of there with a win, but unfortunately it didn’t fall that way.”

The Cowgirls were led in scoring by sophomore forward from Austin, Texas, Jasmyn Taylor (pictured), who had 14 points, 18 rebounds, 3 blocked shots on the evening; followed by freshman forward Kionce’ Woods, who added 11 points and 5 rebounds. –

Story by Nick Hampton

CAMPUS LIFE

Aggie Club Hosts Annual Aggie Homecoming

On February 4, students, families, and friends gathered in the Fine Arts Building to celebrate the students in Aggie Homecoming. Students from the Agricultural Division put on their best dresses and starched shirts for a night celebrating them and their accomplishments.

The agricultural division is home to five recognized teams – Shooting Sports, Archery, Livestock Show Team, Livestock Judging, and Rodeo. Thirtyeight pairs representing eight states and all five teams participated in the night’s activities.

In tradition, Aggie Homecoming has been held at half time during men’s basketball. With the challenges that COVID-19 brought, the club sponsors of Aggie Club decided to move homecoming to the Fine Arts. Students came on stage pair by pair, while Rodeo Team Coach and Equine Instructor Jake Walker read a bio about each student and a slide show with further information about the students was displayed.

“The night turned out to be a great success,” said Annie Jo Gilbert, Aggie Club Co-Sponsor. “The purpose of a club is to highlight the achievements of our students and instill in them the confidence to go out and do great things.”

The week of January 25, students were able to vote on which candidate they would like to be crowned king and queen. Students involved in Aggie Homecoming were required to be Aggie Club members, and the royalty was for sophomore students only.

In attendance was Miss United States Agriculture Junior, Jade McPeak of Checotah, Okla. McPeak, along with junior queens Lucille Lawson and Zabrey Walker, and escort Dewey Lawson crowned Cadon Remington of Gove, Kansas as Aggie Homecoming King, and Jacey Dyer of Gore, Okla.

Remington is a member of the rodeo team, a heeler, and Dyer is a member of the shooting sports and archery team. –

Above, L-R: Sierra Walker, Dewey Lawson, Aggie Homecoming Queen Jacey Dyer, Lucille Lawson, Zabrey Walker, Aggie Homecoming King Cadon Remington, Jade McPeak, Nolan Hildebrand and Mike Lewis.

AGGIE HOMECOMING CORONATION (Clockwise from top left) Sophomore shooting team member Bobby Risley and sophomore Emily Morris, Livestock Show Team member. Cheyenne Shaver and Jarvis Demery, sophomore rodeo team members. Sophomore Rylee Simpson and Freshman Jacksen Ketner, Livestock Judging Team members. Attendant Lucille Lawson crowns Cadon Remington. (Opposite page, top, L-R) Lauren Erickson, San Luis Obispo, Cali, and Adam Erickson, Haskell, Okla. Gracie Roth, Tonkawa, Okla., and date Grayden Penny, Troy, Kansas.

EQUINE FIELD DAY Cadon Remington, Gove, Kansas at the Equine Field Day. REGENTS VISIT PLC Kylea Terrell, Warner, Okla., listens to Regent Davis and Ramsey speak to the President’s Leadership Class.

BASEBALL BASH (Clockwise from top left) Nolan Koon, Yukon, Okla., shares a hug with Coach Keith’s grandson. Mozart Duarte, San Francisco, DR, and Jonathan Pena, Brooklyn, NY. Assistant Dean of Students, Jake Lawson. Auction items at the Bash. Texas Rangers Baseball player Nick Starr, Coach Perry Keith, and CSC Alumnus Brice Collier.

COWGIRL BASKETBALL President Ramming (far left) is the honorary assistant coach of the cowgirl basketball team.

700 College Road | Warner, OK 74469

AFR/OFU Cooperative President Scott Blubaugh speaks to the CSC/AFR group about the endowment scholarship and the history of Connors and AFR/OFU. Dr. Ron Ramming thanks AFR for their continued support of Connors State College.