19th Street Magazine November 2023

YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

19

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Unique Culinary Creations

Chef Dee’s

STREET November 2023 • Issue 11 • Volume 6

DRIVE

Softball State Champions

Sabercats

Business Spotlight

Jennifer Campbell

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what’s inside

NOVEMBER CONTENTS 2023

10 “Acceptional” Coffee

ISSUE 11– VOLUME 22

Locally owned coffee shop selected as Moore Love beneficiary.

14 Jennifer Campbell

Local champion, entrepreneur and community builder

16 New Heights

Moore Norman celebrates the opening of new aviation program.

18 Reclaiming the Crown

Sabercats’ late-season turnaround results in Class-6A Fastpitch Championship.

30 Sabercats Winter Sports Previewing basketball, wrestling and swimming

32 Jaguars Winter Sports

Previewing basketball, wrestling and swimming

34 Lions Winter Sports

18

Previewing basketball, wrestling and swimming

38 Chef Dee’s Creations

Chef Dee’s unique Cajun and Creole creations bring in customers from all walks of life.

42 Myths & Misconceptions Local doctor shares what’s new in medically assisted weight loss.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mark Doescher

on the cover YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

19 TH STREET November 2023 • Issue 11 • Volume 6

MANAGING EDITOR Lindsay Cuomo

PHOTOGRAPHY

Mark Doescher Kera Jaworsky

CONTRIBUTORS

Roxanne Avery | Lindsay Cuomo Chris Plank | T. J. Turner

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES

Trevor Laffoon - trevor@kref.com Perry Spencer - perry@kref.com Tanner Wright - tanner@kref.com

PUBLISHER

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Casey Vinyard

STREET

19th Street Magazine 2020 E. Alameda Norman, Oklahoma 73071 Phone: (405) 321-1400 E-mail: 19thstreetmagazine@gmail.com Copyright © 19th Street Magazine

Any articles, artwork or graphics created by 19th Street Magazine or its contributors are sole property of 19th Street Magazine and cannot be reproduced for any reason without permission.

Any opinions expressed in 19th Street are not necessarily that of 19th Street management.

19thstreetmagazine.com

Unique Culinary Creations

Chef Dee’s

State Champions

DRIVE Business Spotlight

Southmoore Softball Jennifer Campbell

22 Golden Drive

Dillon Gabriel leads the Sooners on a drive for the ages at the Cotton Bowl.

Cover photo by: Mark Doescher

C OM MU NI T Y

“ACCEPTIONAL” COFFEE

Locally Owned Coffee Shop Selected as Moore Love Beneficiary 10 | November 2023

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BY: VICTORIA STEPHENS

riving through any given town in Oklahoma, there appears to be a coffee shop on every corner, but finding an exceptional one is not so simple. The owners of Not Your Average Joe, a growing Oklahoma coffee business, pride themselves on not only the exceptionalism of their coffee but also the exceptionalism of the people in their shops.

Their mission is to inspire the community by including students and adults with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities.

This year, Not Your Average Joe is the recipient of the Moore Love campaign, a philanthropic school fundraising initiative by Moore Public Schools to give to local nonprofit organizations. Last year, the initiative raised more than $378,000 that went to the Regional Food Bank’s Backpack for Kids Program, Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children, the Mary Abbott House, Bridges Moore and The Sparrow Project.

Not Your Average Joe is hoping the Moore Love campaign can help bring their mission of inspiring the community with an inclusive environment to Moore with one of their beloved coffee shops.

Not Your Average Joe owners, Tim and Lynn Herbel, are about as Moore as it gets. Tim is an NCAA sports commentator who also gives his time to commentate Moore Public Schools games and Lynn has been the Moore High School choir director for more than 10 years. Now, they would like to expand their already growing coffee business to include the Moore community.

“My wife and I bleed Moore,” Tim said. “It is very much our desire to open a shop in the Moore community.”

Tim and Lynn are planning a seminar for Moore junior high and high school students to talk about the importance of including people of all abilities.

“Approximately 10 to 12 percent of the average school district student body makeup is made up of those with some kind of neurodiversity that are on an IEP plan or have a diagnosed disability, so that’s a big deal,” Tim said.

They are also planning to talk to students about how you learn more efficiently in an inclusive environment with individuals of all abilities, and how a business practice with integrative principles can have greater success.

“More than 80 percent of neurodivergent people are unemployed,” Tim said. “After they graduate high school, they go home and sit on the couch. They also typically pass away about 20 years earlier than the rest of us. They are excluded.”

Tim saw exclusionary behavior firsthand when his nephew, Braxton, was born with cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus after suffering multiple seizures in the womb. Tim’s brother and his family had difficulties finding the right educational environment for their son.

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When Braxton passed away at the age of 11, Tim made a commitment that he would work to somehow create a more inclusive environment for neurodiverse individuals, and in 2019 he made that promise a reality, opening the first Not Your Average Joe coffee shop.

They now have five locations in Oklahoma, including three in Oklahoma City and one in Norman and Broken Arrow. The culture there is known to be, “acceptional,” meaning they include people of all abilities.

“I love the community and the story behind it,” said Danielle Robinson, a Not Your Average Joe cashier.

Danielle was the shop’s first employee and continues to boast about its amazing coffee and culture four years later. Her mom was unsure what Danielle would do after high school, and that was right around the time the Herbel family opened their shop. She is not the only one life that Not Your Average Joe’s has changed.

“We have a young man that’s 39 with us who didn’t learn to read and now not only has he had his first job this year at Not Your Average Joe, but he has learned to read,” Tim said.

A part of the coffee shop’s commitment to exceptionalism is that they put a lot into the quality of their cup of joe to ensure it exceeds expectations, and their staff is proud of their product and the training provided to their baristas.

“There’s hospitality, there’s southern hospitality, then there’s radical hospitality,” Tim said. “We practice radical hospitality.”

Not Your Average Joe has the first female certified coffee roaster by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) in the state of Oklahoma and they are the only coffee shop in the state to send a barista to the U.S. Barista Championship. – 19SM 19TH STREET MAGAZINE | 11

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C OM MU NI T Y

JEN NIF E R CA M P BE L L 14 | November 2023

BY: LINDSAY CUOMO

Local Champion, Entrepreneur and Community Builder

J

ennifer Campbell wears many hats in the Moore community - she’s a lifelong citizen, a mother, and a business owner.

“I am proud to be from Moore and I am more proud to have a store here that encourages people to shop local,” she said.

It was that pride that led her to open Showplace Market 13 years ago. Showplace Market is a retail space that offers a distinctive shopping experience by providing a physical location for over 100 vendors and artisans, all housed under one roof. You can find handmade jewelry, home décor, pet accessories, ballpark gear, Crockpot meals, metal yard art, custom tumblers, baby items, antiques and so much more.

“My main reason for starting Showplace is that I love shopping locally and the personal side that shopping local provides,” Campbell shared. “I found myself needing to leave Moore to shop and I wanted our small town to have a place that had unique gift items.”

In her capacity as owner, Campbell views herself as a partner to local entrepreneurs.

“They are taking on their dreams. I feel responsible for making sure they are successful,” she said.

Campbell also takes the in-store shopping experience seriously because she recognizes its significance as more than just an errand.

“As a crazy busy mom, I get how special our store is – that moment to yourself just browsing and enjoying the cozy presence of the store,” she said.

With Showplace Market now firmly established, Campbell is venturing into new endeavors. Her family was real developers, and she’s following in their footsteps.

“I am very passionate about real estate, especially commercial real estate,” she explained. “I remember how exciting it was to get our building (for Showplace Market) and making that dream work. I want to build commercial real estate space for other businesses to have a place in Moore.”

Campbell’s inaugural development, situated on 4th Street near I-35, is now available for lease.

band and kids at the lake, traveling, watching football and tending to her animals.

“I’ve kind of turned my place into a mini-farm,” she said with a laugh. “I love animals and have taken in quite a few strays.”

She is also fervent about bolstering the Moore Chamber of Commerce and Moore Public Schools through the Moore Schools Foundation, saying both causes are near and dear to her family.

“There are so many worthy causes, but the Foundation and Chamber are personal for me,” she said. “It makes me proud to have them because they love the community.” – 19SM

Outside of work, Campbell enjoys supporting her two children in their activities, spending time with her huskref.com

19TH STREET MAGAZINE | 15

C OM MU NI T Y

N EW HE IG HT S

Moore Norman Celebrates the Opening of New Aviation Program

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ith the theme song from the movie “Top Gun” playing in the background, dignitaries and others gathered in an airplane hangar on the campus of Moore Norman Technology Center to celebrate the opening of its aviation maintenance center training program.

The hands-on training program, offered at the center’s Franklin Road campus, provides students with a direct path to a career in aviation and aerospace, Oklahoma’s second largest and fastest growing industry.

Glen Cosper, president of the MNTC board, was among those who spoke at the Sept. 25 ribbon cutting ceremony. He thanked current and former board members for their contributions to the program and compared it to a “Tom Brady 90-yard touchdown drive late in the game.”

“You don’t know how long it will take, you don’t know how it will happen, you don’t know how many players will be involved,” he said. “But you do know we will score, and our fans will be happy with the outcome.”

MNTC teamed with industry partners and state and local leaders to develop the training program in response to the region’s growing demand for workers who are certified by the Federal Aviation Administra-

16 | November 2023

tion in airframe and powerplant mechanics.

Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, worked closely with Cosper and Lee Dow, the center’s director of aerospace and technology, to get the program off the ground two years ago. Rosino said the aerospace and aviation industry contributes approximately $44 billion annually to Oklahoma’s economy. Cleveland County, meanwhile, is home to more than 28 related companies, including 19 in Norman.

“One of my biggest concerns, as a south Oklahoma City representative, was Will Rogers (Airport) is right here, Tinker (Air Force Base) is right here, we have Max Westheimer, and Moore Norman had no aviation program,” he said. “I just couldn’t understand that.”

Rosino recognized the program’s inaugural class, which started with 17 students in August and will take 18 months to complete.

“Those students are the future of aerospace and aviation in the state of Oklahoma, and it’s starting right here in Moore Norman,” he said.

Students will learn how to conduct pre-flight inspections, perform routine aircraft maintenance, and repair airframe and powerplant (engine) components,

BY: TIM WILLERT

“Those students are the future of aerospace and aviation in the state of Oklahoma, and it’s starting right here in Moore Norman,” Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City said. and receive Federal Aviation Administration certification upon course completion.

Careers in the field offer starting salaries of $60,000 or more annually.

The program will not only help meet the growing workforce demand, but it will also allow many Cleveland County residents whose jobs were negatively affected by COVID-19 to receive the training they need to return to work, according to the county.

In April, county commissioners approved a request for $1 million in federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for the training center, which includes classrooms, training labs, top-of-theline equipment, aircraft components, the hangar and a tarmac.

A red and white twin-engine Beechcraft airplane was donated to the in-person program, which will prepare students to become certified in three different areas – General Aviation, Airframe and Powerpoint.

At 56, Bret Smith is the program’s oldest student. Aviation maintenance is the latest in a series of careers Smith said include blacksmith and railroad track welder.

“So far, it’s great,” he said. “Being the industry it is, it’s held to a higher standard. The railroad was highly regulated, but this is even more regulated due to the gravity of what we are working on here.”

Things came easy in high school for Westmoore graduate Danny Garcia, 19, who took Advanced Placement courses and exams but wasn’t “a big studier.”

The aviation program presents a far greater challenge, Garcia said.

“Now I have to have good study practices,” he said.

“You really have to be sure you know the material because in December, when we take the written exam for the FAA, you have to know all of this information.

You can’t not know it because if you do, you’ll fail.”

In addition to the ARPA funding, various grants and Ad Valorem taxes will help pay for the program, which will expand to include high school students in 2024, according to Dow. “Today is truly icing on the cake,” he said. “It is just fantastic what it’s going to mean to the economy, the community and the work force.”– BSM kref.com

19TH STREET MAGAZINE | 17

H I GH S C H OOL S PORT S

R E CL A I M I N G THE CR OWN Sabercats’ Late-Season Turnaround Results in Class-6A Fastpitch Championship

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n a comfortable fall Saturday afternoon in Norman, Oklahoma, the fast-pitch softball team from Southmoore High School dramatically snared its third championship trophy in the last four years, edging out the defending Class 6A state champion, Edmond Memorial Bulldogs, 2-1, in a walk-off thriller.

Photos by: Kera Jaworsky

It was an instant classic at Marita Hynes Field at the University of Oklahoma – a stadium that is used to hosting championships. Both squads had stalwart pitching in the circle that produced a combined four hits and only two runs between both teams going into the decisive seventh inning.

The Bulldogs, the visiting team and defending Class 6A champion, got the first hit of the game in the second inning when senior catcher Beth Damon doubled into right-center field but was left stranded. The Sabercats got their first base runner of the game when Kaylee Stover was hit by the Bulldogs’ starter, sophomore Keegan Baker, in the bottom of the third. After reaching second, Brylee Fanning doubled and Stover was waved around third to score on a close play at home, swiping the plate with her hand to avoid the tag-out by Damon.

The Sabercats’ one-run lead was brief as the Bulldogs picked up two hits in the top of the fourth.

Sophomore outfielder Hattie Bishop doubled which was followed by another knock from senior outfield-

18 | November 2023

er Sydnee Seat bringing in the tying run to even the score at 1-1.

The game quickly developed into a nail-biter for the next three innings as neither team could muster any offense against the pitching of Southmoore’s Lainey King and Baker. King kept her team in the game after retiring the Bulldogs in order in the top of the seventh.

All Southmoore needed was one run to grab hold of its third gold ball in the last four years.

Ryen Bullock led off the bottom of the final inning with a hit into left-center field. With the decision to play small ball, an attempted bunt popped up for the first out.

With Bullock still at first, the Sabercats’ batters calmly reached base on two successive singles before Karissa Reddout came to the plate with bases loaded.

Reddout, looking to hit the ball deep, split the open space on the right side of the infield between first and second, delivering a well-hit single into right field for the championship-winning, walk-off run, scoring Bullock from third. The first-base dugout quickly erupted and emptied as the Sabercats stormed the field to celebrate their Class 6A Fast-Pitch Softball Championship.

“We knew if we calmed down and simply executed our game plan against Baker, who had our number all game, we could get runners on,” said head coach Jason Lingo, after securing the win for another crown.

To get to the title game, Southmoore eliminated their

BY: DANNY HENDERSON

crosstown foe, Moore, in the first round, 5-3, after dropping two games to the Lions during the regular season, 7-1 and 4-0. Moore entered the state tourney as the No. 2 seed.

The Sabercats then beat the No. 3 seed Broken Arrow Tigers in the semifinal game, 6-2, a team with whom they split their regular season games.

Lainey King, Southmoore’s senior pitcher, went the distance to get the win. Despite not all of the pitches in her arsenal working over the weekend, Jason Lingo and King decided to go with what was working.

“We stayed with what we were confident could yield outs and relied on her defense to shoulder the load,” Jason Lingo said. “She gave us everything in the series as her tank was about empty.”

The No. 7 ranked Southmoore team was still trying to find some consistency in early September when they were only one game over .500 (10-9 overall) and 5-3 in solid District 6A-2 which was good for fourth place at the time. Along with the guidance of his brother and assistant coach, James Lingo, Southmoore be-

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gan putting together a streak, winning fourteen of their next seventeen games.

“Nobody was feeling sorry for us when we were struggling earlier, but these players were amazing and they never gave up,” Jason Lingo said.

Asked what turned it around, Jason Lingo was quick to credit the older players on the team.

“Our veteran players picked up the pace in practices and games and made sure the dugout was always involved,” he said.

Lingo pointed out a statistic that embodies Southmoore Sabercat softball.

“Every single player that has played or will play softball at Southmoore for their 4-year career from 2013 through 2027 has been a State Champion,” Jason Lingo said.

He went on to say multiple classes have come through and continued the fight, tradition and legacy they want Southmoore Softball to be. Southmoore finished with a record of 24-12.– 19SM

19TH STREET MAGAZINE | 19

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OU S P O RT S

I

n a season littered with big moments, Team 129 provided one of the biggest and most memorable wins over Texas in the Red River Rivalry.

A calendar year filled with constant reminders of the disappointing 2022 season was erased, thanks in part to an incredible goal-line stand and a game-winning drive that will not soon be forgotten. A Saturday filled with vindication, validation and celebration helped solidify that the Sooners are not only on the right track but well ahead of schedule.

“In all my years of coaching, I’ve never been a part of one like that,” head coach Brent Venables told his team during the post-game speech in the locker room. “The ups and downs, the highs and lows, the adversity, the gotta-have-it moments, the turnovers, the big plays, the hearts, the guts, the toughness.”

The Sooners showcased it all. In the end, a playmaking ability allowed the Sooners to erase a year of questioning and disappointment.

THE CRAZINESS “Last year was an embarrassment,” Venables said of the Red River loss in 2022. “My hands are all over that.”

Historically Oklahoma is not a program that stays down for very long.

Its 696 wins since the end of World War II are the most in the country.

The Sooners have had 27 seasons of at least 11 wins which is the most all-time, and outside of a stumble in the mid-1990s, Oklahoma has always been solid.

The struggles in 2022 came at a time when Oklahoma was on the cusp of a move to the powerful Southeastern Conference and no moment seemed to sting more than a 49-0 loss to Texas.

Venables attacked the offseason with a desire to improve the roster to best prepare the Sooners for a moment like the first Saturday in October. He brought 63 new players into the program this offseason through recruiting and the transfer portal and throughout the offseason preached of the improved competitive depth. It worked. The new-look Sooners not only started the season undefeated, but even found a way to overcome as wild of a first quarter the Cotton Bowl has seen in a while.

On the second play of the game, Sooner cornerback Gentry Williams picked off a Quinn Ewers pass to force the first of three turnovers the Sooners would get on the day. Trailing the Sooners 7-0, Texas ran a first-quarter fake punt for a 1st down. Later in the same drive, on a 4th down play, Texas running back Savion Red took a direct snap and completed a pass to Gunner Helm, who was stripped by Key Lawrence.

While called a fumble on the field, it was reviewed and overturned.

Photos by: Mark Doescher

All that happened in the first quarter alone.

Add a Kendal Dolby red zone interception for the Sooners, a blocked Sooner punt that Texas turned into a touchdown, a lengthy review that wiped out a big Sooner return in the first half on a lateral and a potential Sooner touchdown pass that was dropped. At the end of the first half the game, the Sooners led 20-17 at the half. But bigger moments were still to come.

“The first quarter, I don’t even know if I’ve watched football like that, but you’ve got to stay even keeled,” Sooner center Andrew Raym said. “It goes back to our preparation with Coach Venables and the way we run practice. We have a constant chaos in our practices so when we get in those moments, it’s nothing different for us.”

22 | November 2023

BY: CHRIS PLANK

DRIVE kref.com

19TH STREET MAGAZINE | 23

The Sooners were prepared thanks to the way they had trained and approached this type of moment in the offseason.

“This game was unlike any other,” defensive end Ethan Downs said. “There were highs, lows, a big momentum game. Big plays at the right time. Every week, we’re going like it’s our Super Bowl.”

THE GOAL LINE STAND

As the game progressed and tension grew, the anything-can-happen feel took over. The game’s true defining moments took center stage in the 4th quarter.

With the Sooners up 27-20 to start the quarter, Texas pushed the ball all the way to the 1-yard line and was mere inches away from tying the game.

“This is where you don’t yield,” Sooner radio analyst and legendary linebacker Ted Lehman said on the Sooner Radio Broadcast as the Longhorns prepared for 1st and goal. “It’s on the one-yard line. You just continue to make them snap it again.”

The Sooners stuffed Texas running plays on first and second down.

“Make them snap it again, every time,” Lehman preached from the booth. “Make them snap it again.”

On third down, the Sooners once again stuffed a Texas running play short of the end zone.

“It’s called lining up and trying to whip the man in front of you, then getting off blocks and tackling the ball,” defensive coordinator Ted Roof said afterward.

“That was a big deal because we had some guys getting off blocks, gang tackling, that allowed us to have a great goal-line stand.”

On 4th down, Texas decided to go for it. Toby Rowland’s radio call told the story.

“From the 2… 4th down…quick throw caught on the slant by Worthy, folded up… did he get in? I don’t think he got there. I don’t think he got there!” Rowland recounted. “The Sooners turned away Bevo on the goal line. They had first and goal from the 1 and the Sooners turned them away!”

A team that ranked near the bottom of red zone defense in 2022, turned away one of the top offenses in college football on four straight plays from the 1-yard line.

“At the end of the day, in a situation like that, it comes down to heart and how bad someone wants it,” Sooner linebacker Danny Stutsman said. “How bad a team can really come together and generate a push. I think the guys up front did a tremendous job all four snaps, just giving it all they’ve got one snap at a time.”

“That’s something that as a defense we’re very proud of,” Oklahoma linebacker Jaren Kanak said. “That’s something that we pride ourselves in, being able to do something like that.”

Three running plays to Jonathan Brooks netted -1 yards and a pass to Xavier Worthy came up just short.

24 | November 2023

“They’ve had an aggressive mindset,” Venables said of his defense. “We’re playing physical, aggressive, because of all their hard work off the field. They’ve put a lot of time on their own. I’ve told these guys this several times, leadership is going to drive this football team. Coaches can’t play. Players decide if they want to be successful and do what it takes. I know what they’re capable of.” “(We proved) we’re real competitors,” defensive end Ethan Downs said. “We’re here for all of it. It’s what we expected. It’s why we’re here.”

THE DRIVE

The battle did not end after the goal line stand. Sooner quarterback Dillon Gabriel had been fantastic for the Sooners, but the Sooner offense stalled in two key moments at the end of the game.

Oklahoma missed a field goal on the ensuing drive after the goal line stand and Texas scored 10 unanswered to take the lead, 30-27 with 1:17 to go in the game.

“On the sideline, we were saying this is it, this is the moment you live for,” Andrew Raym said. “This is what we worked for right here. We want this. We want to go win the game. It was all confidence from the offensive side.”

Lehman summed up the way every Sooner fan felt as the moment presented itself to the Sooner quarterback and the Oklahoma offense.

“Well DG, see if you can answer,” Lehman said on the radio broadcast. “1:17, no timeouts, field goal to tie, touchdown to win, this is what we’ve all been waiting for here.”

“A chance for one of those drives we talk about forever,” Rowland added.

The drive started from the 25-yard line with a dart to Drake Stoops for a first down. Without a timeout, a quick pass to Jalil Farooq and a powerful juke moved the ball into Texas territory. One snap later, Gabriel hit Stoops again as he stepped up in the pocket for a gain of 28 yards. After three snaps, the Sooners found themselves inside the Texas red zone.

On 1st down from Texas’ 20-yard line, Farooq was once again in the middle of a big play when Texas was called for pass interference on a pass intended for Farooq. In four plays, the Sooners had pushed the ball from their own 25-yard line to the Texas 6. Farooq and Stoops were responsible for every receiving yard on the drive to that point.

“Just to go back to like 365 days since we had this game, just us every day working out with Coach (Jerry) Schmidt,” Farooq said, “We’ve been in there putting in work consistently. So, I just thought back to those days. Make plays when I can, every opportunity I get I take advantage of it.”

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19TH STREET MAGAZINE | 25

After a short Gabriel run, the Sooners faced 2nd and goal from the 3, with the clock ticking.

The first catch that Nic Anderson had in an OU/Texas game was by far the biggest of his career.

“27 seconds, Anderson in motion… 23 seconds,” Rowland said as he described the scene. “Gabriel has the football, looks to throw, he’s under pressure… lobs to the endzone TOUCHDOWN! Nic Anderson touchdown! Dillon Gabriel, a legacy-making drive.”

“Me and Stog actually ran into each other, and I was the one that came open,” Anderson said. “I saw the ball. That’s the last thing I remember. And then just seeing the fans and looking into their eyes, it was a crazy, electric moment.”

One minute, two seconds, 75 yards. History.

“He was fearless,” Venables said of Gabriel’s pose. “I don’t put any limits on what Dillon can do. He’s playing as confident as anybody on our team right now.”

“That’s what we practice week in and week out,” Gabriel said. “Just proud of everyone coming together, controlling the chaos, and just dialing it in. That’s big-time football and something you dream of as a little kid, so just being part of it is something special, especially with these guys in that locker room. I love every single one of them.”

On the game-winning play, off the line, it did not necessarily go as planned. But it worked.

“I saw the guy off the edge,” Sooner Tight End Austin Stogner said of the game-winning play. “I was like, ‘I know he’s coming,’ so we had that guy out there and me and Nic kind of like ran into each other and I think it threw the linebacker off. I think it was the perfect storm. That guy came down, I was like, ‘If I can get that corner on me, then (Nic’s) going to be wide open,’ so he came on me and he was open.”

26 | November 2023

THE FALL OUT As the Texas Hail Mary attempt came up short, the Sooners picked up an incredibly important win for not just the 2023 season but for the Sooner football program. And at the heart of it all was the calm, cool quarterback who led the Sooners right down the field in the biggest moment of the season.

“He’s the calmest guy I’ve ever been around at the quarterback position,” Venables said. “He’s got great belief in the players around him. Incredibly humble.

You don’t see him ever tooting his own horn. He’s always trying to compliment and call someone else up. He’s been one of the most consistent players in our program.”

All totaled, the Sooners registered season highs in rushing yards (201) and sacks (five), while allowing only one sack. Texas entered the game allowing just 94.6 rushing yards and 1.8 sacks per game, averaging 2.6 sacks per contest.

Defensively, the Sooners collected three turnovers, including interceptions on each of Texas’ first two possessions. But Texas scored 30 points — 7 on a blocked punt for a touchdown — and racked up 527 yards of offense. Venables still sees many areas where the Sooners must get better.

“Again, there’s a lot more that was good than not, but we’ve got to focus on the things that we can get better at,” Venables said. “And they’ll be the first ones to tell you there’s a lot, especially on defense.”

The win over Texas changed a lot of opinions around the country about where Oklahoma is as a program. Heading into the Texas game, there was a lot of noise about what happened the season before and where Texas was more SEC-ready than Oklahoma currently was.

“There’s a redemptive piece to it, but not to me personally,” Venables said. “It’s this team and this program and what this program has stood for a really long time. They got a chance to get their pride back.

That was a tough moment a year ago. I’m happy they could get a moment like that because they work for it.

Celebrate hard, don’t celebrate long.”

While just a moment, it was a signature moment of the Venables era, a game against your archrival with so much on the line including a match-up where both teams are undefeated for the first time since 2011.

“This is a team that has grown incredibly close over the last several months,” Venables said. “These guys have worked hard at that. That doesn’t just happen. There’s got to be a lot of intentionality. Relationships take a lot of work. We’ve challenged them. We’ve nurtured that.”

Team 129 faced pressure unlike many teams at Oklahoma over the last 20 years. After the first losing season since 1998, this team and staff were tasked with being better while relying on a handful of returning players and a long list of newcomers. The Sooners checked another goal off their list by winning back the gold hat.

Now, the pursuit of perfection continues.

“I love watching young people respond and believe.

Our guys have an unshakable belief. I know that,” Venables said. “I can’t brag enough about our players, just their toughness, their leadership, their effort, their strain, their love for one another. I love what we’re building. “There’s no limit to what this team can do. And no excuses either.”– 19SM

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H I GH S C H OOL S PORT S

SOUTHMOORE

SABERCATS

Boys Basketball The Sabercats are excited for the 2023 basketball season after a stepping-stone 2022 campaign. As a result, head coach Tim Stogsdill holds a great deal of confidence in his team this season.

“We have a young talented group that will be battle-tested early,” Stogsdill said. “The belief stays the same and that is for a deep run into the playoffs.”

Stogsdill wants to continue developing depth into his roster while receiving help from key returners. Senior Jesse Ledbetter and sophomore Kolton Brammer are expected to lead this season. Ledbetter will be looking to improve on already impressive numbers from last year. The 6’2” guard averaged 17.3 points per game (ppg) and was 31% from behind the threepoint line. Brammer was able to put up solid numbers in his freshman year. The young standout averaged 10 ppg while shooting 32% from behind the arc.

Stogsdill has a group he calls the “Fab Four Freshmen.” Freshman Gabe Willingham is a 6’5” forward who can really space the floor. Freshman Josiah Ankrah is a 6’2” slashing 3-point shooting point guard who understands how to take command of the offense. Freshman Joey Folsom, 6’0”, is another slashing 3-point shooting point guard who has ex30 | November 2023

cellent control of his body while being mid-air and has a tremendous amount of energy on defense.

Freshman Jasper Chaves is an athletic 6’4” forward who can always be found playing well above the rim.

Other Sabercats fans should keep an eye on are seniors Elias Brunt and Jaiden Smith and sophomores T.J. Williams and Mason Broussard. There is only one junior in the program, Mason Craven.

Southmoore is in a tough Class 6A District 4 which includes Bixby, Broken Arrow, Choctaw, Jenks, Muskogee, Ponca City and Stillwater. Sabercat fans can catch their favorite crosstown battles against Westmoore at home at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 27 and at Moore at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 10.

Girls Basketball The Lady Sabercats look forward to the 2023 basketball season after a rebuilding 2022 campaign.

“We were a very young team last year and we still are,” said head coach Kayla Fourkiller.

Regardless, Fourkiller has confidence heading into the season due to a couple of standout returners.

Sabercat fans can expect senior guard Kenzi Shipman and junior guard Kaydence Pettit to lead the way this season.

BY: T.J. TURNER “Kenzi and Kaydence are excellent veterans on our team,” said Fourkiller. “They are doing a great job of setting an example and leading the younger players.”

Fourkiller has high expectations from some of her younger players as well. One of those is sophomore Lexi Tompkins.

“Lexi has had a really big summer and is having a great off-season,” said Fourkiller. “I am expecting her to shine for us this year.”

The Lady Sabercats have some hidden gems on their roster to keep an eye on. Freshman guard Addison Uzzi is one of those who Fourkiller believes will emerge as the season goes on.

“Addison is a very talented guard who I feel is going to have a big season for us,” said Fourkiller.

Fans can catch the Lady Sabercats on the court at home against Westmoore at 4 p.m. on Jan. 27. There is another inner-city matchup against Moore at 4 p.m. on Feb. 20.

Wrestling The Southmoore Sabercats are ready to hit the mat for the 2023 wrestling season after a solid 2022 campaign.

“We performed well but we’re looking to make improvements this year that’s for sure,” said head coach Zac George.

Southmoore chose a different path regarding their normal off-season program operations.

“We didn’t ignore strength and conditioning, but we focused on mat time more than usual,” said George.

“It’s paying dividends already because we’re further along than we normally would be at this time.”

The Sabercats have two wrestlers who have impressed George over the summer. Junior Hayze Ivey will be wrestling in 140-150lbs weight class.

“He’s been wrestling all summer and really working hard,” said George.

Senior Blayklee Vasquez, who will be wrestling at the 100-lb weight class, is another wrestler who George is eager to watch.

“Vasquez has put in some serious mat time over the summer,” said George.

“Jacob came up just short last season and we’re expecting more from him this season,” said George.

Southmoore has quite a few entertaining meets for fans to attend throughout the season. Sabercats are excited about hosting City Duals, a tri-meet against Moore and Westmoore on Jan. 11.

Swimming The Southmoore Sabercats are ready to get the 2023 swim season started after a successful 2022 campaign which saw several swimmers qualify for State.

“Our team had an exceptional season last year,” said head coach Jeff Beuchaw. “Every week our swimmers pushed their limits and consistently outperformed themselves.”

Beuchaw is confident that his Sabercats will produce similar results this year due to a couple of returning swimmers who Beuchaw believes are true leaders.

The first worthy mention is junior Niaomi Valerio Weekley.

“Some leaders are vocal, and others lead by example,” said Beuchaw. “Niaomi has truly stepped up; her dedication and hard work are evident each week.”

Weekley is being praised by her head coach for putting in extra work during the offseason.

“She’s a valuable role model for the newer swimmers,” said Beuchaw. “She’s gone the extra mile by actively engaging and supporting her teammates.”

On the boy’s side, Beuchaw is counting on sophomore Kyle Pachankis. The staff is impressed by Pachankis’ growth as a leader despite this being his second year in the program.

“Initially, he was shy when he started,” said Beuchaw.

“He’s come out of his shell and has been instrumental in motivating his friends to improve.”

Although the season is very young, both Weekley and Pachankis have shown leadership qualities that are vital for a successful season.

The Sabercats have plenty of big matchups for fans to attend. Sabercat fans can spectate the first meet in Norman at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 2. Southmoore will be at the Mitch Park YMCA in Edmond on several dates in January for a series of meets.

Senior heavyweight Jacob Clay is coming back and the Sabercats could not be more thrilled. kref.com

19TH STREET MAGAZINE | 31

H I GH S C H OOL S PORT S

WESTMOORE

JAGUARS

Boys Basketball Last season, the Westmoore boys basketball team fell to Choctaw in the final round of the area tournament, effectively ending their season. This season, the Jaguars are looking to make a deeper run into the state tournament.

“You can tell the boys are hungry,” said head coach Todd Millwee. “Making State is going to be one of our goals this year.”

This is the fifth year for the coaching staff and each year the Jaguars improve.

“We continue getting better and this year we’re looking to bring back the Gold Ball,” said Millwee.

Senior Jaguars have taken up the task of handling leadership duties.

“They know the coaching staff very well and know what we expect from them,” said Millwee. “When they get on the practice court, they let the underclassmen know how things are supposed to go.”

The Jaguars lost two of their top scorers from last season, but that does not bother Millwee. Westmoore brings back a strong core which will give the team some much-needed continuity. Players like senior guard Gavin Loper feed into Millwee’s confidence.

“He was a leader for us last year and will be again 32 | November 2023

this year,” said Millwee. “He’s a great floor general and his basketball IQ is through the roof.”

Gavin Loper is one of three brothers on the team.

Twin juniors Garrett and Grant Loper are both expected to play a vital role for the team.

“Grant started the majority of the season and Grant came off the bench for us,” said Millwee. “It’s pretty cool that three left-handed brothers will be some of our main guys.”

Another Jaguar to keep tabs on is senior guard Jayden Thomas. Millwee has been impressed by the determination Thomas has displayed during his career.

“It’s looking like he’s going to be one of our main guys,” said Millwee. “He’s really worked his way up the program the last four years and always gives his all.”

Millwee is excited to see what sophomore Ivan Antwi-Donkor can do. While the young sophomore has not proved himself yet, the staff recognizes that his length and athleticism add another dimension to the team.

Others Jaguars fans should look out for are senior guards Chase Robinson and Nate Davidson and senior forward Caden Kerley.

Westmoore is in a talented Class 6A District 2 which includes Edmond Santa Fe, Lawton Eisenhower,

BY: T.J. TURNER Lawton, Norman, Northwest Classen, Putnam City West and Yukon.

Westmoore’s season begins with a district matchup against Lawton Eisenhower on Nov. 28. The Jaguars still have an inner-city game against Moore on Dec. 2.

Bixby, Edmond North and Stillwater.

Westmoore was able to stay on the mat practically all summer due to wrestlers qualifying for Fargo Nationals.

Girls Basketball

“We had 11 qualify and place at Fargo,” said head coach Will Evans. “Training for Fargo really prepared us for this season.”

Lady Jaguars brought in Kierra Lang as their new head coach. Lang has experience playing at the Division-1 level for the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters.

It can be difficult to get a team rallied around a new coach, but Lang has not had any issues.

“I don’t see a drop-off,” said Evans. “Yes, we graduated some outstanding kids to the next level, but we have varsity experience at almost every weight class.”

Westmoore Lady Jaguars are entering the 2023 girls basketball season with a fresh mindset after a 2022 campaign which left more to be desired.

The Lady Jaguars had a busy off-season and they have not backed down.

“I absolutely love the effort these girls give,” Lang said. “I’ve got girls that stay in the gym before and after practice.”

The Lady Jaguars have plenty of talent on the roster, so it is just a matter of developing chemistry.

“We’ve got to play as a unit and use all those abilities together as a team,” said Lang.

Lang feels that her team has begun to come together during the offseason.

“They’ve switched their mindset from I to we,” said Lang. “It has been so fun to watch and when they act as one, they become so dangerous.”

The coaching staff has been impressed by the leadership spread across the roster in senior guard Trinity Humphrey, junior guard Blythe Crawley and sophomores Kyiah Prestridge and Nikki Langhans.

“These girls are always in the gym, and I love it,” said Lang. “They’re my hardest workers on and off the court.”

Junior guard Dee Frost is another Jaguar who is constantly grinding and perfecting her craft.

Senior guard Cassidy Gomez has also put in some serious work during the off-season. Gomez is a 3-point specialist and has impressed the staff with her willingness to improve.

Westmoore is in a competitive Class 6A District 2 which includes Edmond Santa Fe, Lawton Eisenhower, Lawton, Norman, Northwest Classen, Putnam City West and Yukon.

Wrestling

The Jaguars had an outstanding postseason, sending ten boys to State last year. Westmoore received a fourth-placed finish as a team, finishing just behind-

Evans feels like his Jaguars have what it takes to have another successful year. Despite losing most of the wrestlers who qualified and placed at state last season, Evans likes what he has seen so far.

A few seniors to watch out for on the boy’s side are Brayden Kelly, Kaiden Castro, Cannon Morales and Jordan Cox.

Swimming

Westmoore Jaguars are ready to dive into the 2023 swim season after a solid 2022 campaign which saw both the boys and girls qualify for State. The boys were able to perform well at State and received a Top-10 finish last season.

Head coach Scott Teel is excited for the upcoming season despite losing two All-State swimmers to graduation. Two returners expected to lead the boys are junior Jack Keller and sophomore Ethan Hoang.

“Both finished just outside the times to qualify at State last year,” said Teel. “I’m really hoping they can get over the hump this year.”

For the girls, Teel expects returning senior Isabella Little to qualify for the State meet again this season.

A couple of other swimmers to keep your eye on are juniors Brooklyn Brace and Isabella Bowdler. Both are expected to make some noise in the 100-meter breaststroke.

Overall, the Jaguars are very young, having just four seniors on the roster. The lack of experience has not caused Teel to worry about the season.

“There’s a lot of young kids that are new to us,” said Teel. “We’re looking forward to seeing them compete.”

Fans can catch their Jaguars in action at several meets. The Jaguars will be at Mitch Park in Edmond five times throughout the month of January. The conference meet will be at Mitch Park starting at 10 a.m. on Jan. 20.

H I GH S C H OOL S PORT S

MOORE

Photos by: Crystal Bonds

LIONS

Senior Teairra Perry

Boys Basketball The Moore Lions are ready to make a splash in the 2023 boys basketball season after a strong 2022 campaign which saw the Lions fall to Choctaw in the first round of the state tournament.

“Kind of a bittersweet way of going out, but at least we made it to State,” said head coach Gregg Hardin.

“We want to get back to State, that’s the main thing.”

after breaking his hand in last year’s first-round exit.

“We’re going to be looking at Tristan to help us get over the hump this season,” said Hardin.

Hardin is also looking at a couple of seniors to rely on more as well. Messiah Bunting is a 6’2” guard who can shoot the ball and defend as well. Hardin is excited about senior big man Ebi Bortey who is an absolute unit standing at 6’7”.

The Lions have been working hard this summer to make another deep run into the playoffs.

“He’s getting a lot better each day,” said Hardin.

“He’s got some good hands and I’m really looking forward to him clogging up the middle for us.”

“We’re getting that bitter loss out of us,” said Hardin.

“We’ve had a pretty decent summer and played a lot of games with the majority of the kids that played last year.”

Other notable players are senior 5’10” guard Joel Walter and junior 5’9” guard Jakari Davis. Lions’ fans can expect sophomore Nate Torres to provide a spark coming off the bench.

Moore will be looking to a few of its returners to push them deeper into the playoffs this season. Senior 6’4” wing Darian Grant will be relied on due to his ability to excel on both ends of the floor.

Moore is in a tough Class-6A District 1, along with Capitol Hill, Deer Creek, Edmond North, Mustang, Norman North, Piedmont and Putnam City North.

The Lions start the season on the road against Piedmont at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 28.

“I think he’s one of the top-five players in the state,” said Hardin. “He can score the ball well and defend the point guard all the way to the five man.”

Junior guard Tristan Hankins is back and fully healthy 34 | November 2023

Girls Basketball After falling short of the state tournament last sea-

BY: T.J. TURNER son, the Lady Lions are eager to dive into the 2023 basketball season. Moore introduces Britney Kannady as the new head coach. Kannady and her team have set high expectations for the season and the staff has been impressed with the effort the girls have put in during the off-season.

“Missing out on the state tournament last season has our girls hungry,” said Kannady. “Regardless of what others may think of our team, making State is one of our many goals.”

The Lady Lions chose the word “strength” for the team to live by and Kannady feels like the girls are bought in.

“This team has shown me nothing but strength this off-season,” said Kannady. “I have no doubt that it will continue throughout the year.”

Kannady is happy to have returners with varsity experience to help lead the team. Potential starting returners include seniors Taryn Cottrell. Brooke Ewy and Teairra Perry and juniors Libby Jaques and Michelle Anum.

junior Topher Garrett, the lone returning state qualifier, back to lead the boys. Other boys for fans to keep tabs on are seniors Seth Shouse and Logan Ashford.

On the girls’ side, the Lions bring back four state qualifiers, two of which won State in their respective weight classes - senior Shelby Kemp at the 135-lb weight class and sophomore Hannah Lopez at the 105-lb weight class. The Lions also bring back state qualifiers Brooklyn Noel, senior, and Kylee Smith, sophomore.

“The girls and boys will be an exciting group to watch this season,” said Washington. “They’re very easy to coach and have lots of varsity experience.”

The Lions have exciting bouts throughout the season for fans to attend. Fans can catch the boys team in a dual in Moore against Lawton Mac at 5 p.m. on Dec. 7. The Lady Lions host a tri-meet against Duncan and Bixby at 5 p.m. on Dec. 12.

Swimming

Kannady has not had any issues finding leadership on the team as many have stepped up.

After a disappointing 2022 campaign, Moore’s swim teams are eager to begin the 2023 swim season.

“They have made me very proud to coach them already,” said Kannady.

“We swam really competitively last year,” said head coach Tim Gray. “We had a tough time at regionals, conference and state against other teams that had their own pool.”

Moore belongs to a stout Class-6A District 1, which includes Capitol Hill, Deer Creek, Edmond North, Mustang, Norman North, Piedmont and Putnam City North.

The Lady Lions tip off the season against district-foe Piedmont at 6 p.m. on Nov. 28.

Wrestling The Moore Lions are ready to hit the mat in the 2023 wrestling season after a successful 2022 campaign that saw state qualifiers for both the boys and girls teams.

The Lions bring back several seniors for both squads.

All of which have put together a fair amount of experience at the varsity level. Getting mat time was not difficult for the Lions over the summer as multiple wrestlers qualified for the FARGO National Tournament.

The boys saw three wrestlers go to State last year.

Head wrestling coach Robert Washington is optimistic about this season, despite losing two of the State qualifiers to graduation. Washington is happy to have kref.com

Gray, now in his second year, understands the impact of the closing of the Oklahoma City Community College pool and is beginning to see a way to navigate through not having an aquatic gym to call their own. Some of the swimmers are getting their time in the pool by swimming for their respective clubs.

“It’s like with softball and volleyball,” said Gray. “The girls that play softball or volleyball for the school also play club and get extra practice in that way.”

Even with the offseason just beginning, the staff has seen tremendous strides of improvement by a handful of their swimmers. A few early senior standouts expected to lead the group are Makenzie Thetford, Elijah Pearcy, Caden Fisk and Chase Munsey Corpus.

The Lions are excited for several meets this season, including the first meet of the season against Norman at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 2 and the Senior Meet at Edmond’s Mitch Park YMCA at 10 a.m. on Jan. 6.– 19SM

19TH STREET MAGAZINE | 35

GET AHEAD OF Oklahoma City Community College’s concurrent enrollment program allows high school juniors and seniors to earn college and high school credits at the same time.

Visit occc.edu/concurrent-students or call 405-682-7543 for more information.

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C OM MU NI T Y

C H E F D E E ’ S C R E AT I O N S 38 | November 2023

BY: RAE LYNN PAYTON

Chef Dee’s unique Cajun and Creole Creations Bring in Customers from All Walks of Life

A

young entrepreneur known affectionately as “Chef Dee” has created his own unique style of cuisine. It’s a mixture of Cajun and Creole, but the menu also incorporates other types of food and changes monthly.

“It has the name creations in it because I’m creative and I wanted to be different and not like everyone else,” explained Chef Dee. His authentic and flavorful dishes have become so popular that he often sells out by the end of the day.

He will often offer discounted items or surprise specials whenever he can and announce it on his social media platforms. His current favorite menu item is the 8-piece shrimp pasta wing combo.

“The food business is my passion,” he said. “This is who I am. I love to see people happy.”

Chef Dee hosts a weekly outreach each Sunday, providing 75-plus people who are homeless with plates of food.

“I used to go to church a lot, but now I don’t get to, so now I make it God’s day. I’m working on that day for him,” he shared.

He also serves as a mentor for youth, helping those in need. He recently hired a young individual who had been bullied and teased at his previous place of employment. Bringing him on staff allowed Chef Dee to help set him up for success in a safe and positive environment.

Working seven days a week, often 17 hours a day, Chef Dee stays on top of his restaurant locations, caters for events, and runs his two food trucks. Besides his restaurants, he invests time in his family-owned dispensary, show cars and real estate. He manages his own marketing and social media as well.

Chef Dee began working at Waffle House while attending Del City High School at the age of 15. After moving

kref.com

out at 17 to prove himself, he continued to work and learn as much as he could, sacrificing a show car in the process and navigating multiple hurdles.

His talents come from a mixture of self-taught experience, as well as having received training at Francis Tuttle Culinary School and time spent in Louisiana.

About three years ago, he started his first business out of a flea market at 44th & Bryant. With grit and determination, he pushed through multiple obstacles and developed his businesses in his own unique way.

“I’m making my own brand. Instead of a big grand opening, I took it day by day and wanted to be the change to separate myself,” he said Now with 40,000 followers on social media and customers from across the country in places such as New York, California and Chicago stopping in to eat, his work has become a success. His most recent location in Moore opened about four months ago and he’s busier than ever.

“There are more positive people in the world than negative,” he said. “So as long as I keep staying positive and showing people who I am, the city will always have my back.”

Chef Dee shares words of encouragement for young entrepreneurs.

“Any young entrepreneurs that want to start their own business, never be afraid. When God sees you doing it, he’s going to make everything work for you no matter how hard it is. If anybody wants to reach out to me, email me, call me, text me and I’ll help them get motivated to keep going.”

Chef Dee’s Creations is located at 301 W Main St in Moore and can be reached at 405-501-9322. You can learn more about Chef Dee’s Creations at chefdeescreations.com or follow him on Facebook for updates.– 19SM

19TH STREET MAGAZINE | 39

How to Support Small Businesses

Without Spending Any Money SHARE THEIR POSTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

LEAVE POSITIVE REVIEWS REFER YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY

SHOP LOCAL WHENEVER POSSIBLE

SUPPORT THEIR FUNDRAISING EFFORTS #SHOPMOORELOCAL #DOMOOREBIZLOCAL #EATMOORELOCAL

H EA LT H

BY: LINDSAY CUOMO

MYTHS & MISCONCEPTIONS Local Doctor Shares What’s New in Medically Assisted Weight Loss

W

ith recent weight loss medications continuing to make headlines, Boyd Street Magazine sat down with Dr. Azure Adkins, a board-certified surgeon at Journey Clinic, to discuss what’s new in medically assisted weight loss. Today, patients have more options than ever before to treat obesity and weight-related conditions.

“We are here to help,” Adkins encouraged. “Obesity is a chronic disease, not a moral failure, and it requires a long-term, multi-disciplinary approach.”

Obesity is currently defined as having a body mass index (BMI) over 30. Obesity affects an estimated three billion people worldwide, a number that is expected to continue to increase. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 42% of adults in the United States are classified as obese. Adkins said that, if similar trends continue, experts estimate more than half of the world will have obesity in the next 15 years.

While BMI is only one indicator of health, obesity is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, gallbladder disease and certain types of cancer.

“Treating obesity is hard because there is so much cultural impact and BMI is not a conclusive indicator of health,” Adkins said. “Obesity is a complex chronic disease and care is evolving.”

The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) is working to modernize the threshold for when insurance coverage becomes available.

Currently, insurance coverage is often available if a

42 | November 2023

patient has a BMI of over 35 with a comorbid condition or over 40 without.

“This criteria is from the early 90s,” Adkins said.

“ASMBS believes the old guidelines are out of date and need to be lowered. The recommendation now is for surgery to be available for patients with BMI over 30 with a comorbid condition and above 35.

“Patients’ ethnic backgrounds should also be taken into account. Some insurances are already getting on board.”

Adkins said that mental health care surrounding weight loss was often overlooked and a pervasive myth that medically assisted weight loss was the easy way out kept many patients from seeking help.

“There is a misconception that surgery is the easy way out and it is not. It is a lot of work to get surgery and you still have to make healthy day-to-day choices afterward,” she explained. “Less than 2% of people who qualify for bariatric and metabolic surgery actually have surgery.”

Bariatric and metabolic surgeries have been practiced for over 40 years. Journey Clinic offers several minimally invasive surgical procedures including gastric bypass surgery, sleeve surgery, band surgery and modified duodenal switch. They also offer endoscopic treatments which do not require a hospital stay or incisions.

Adkins qualified that surgery isn’t the best option for every patient, therefore Journey Clinic also offers non-surgical options which include medications, meal plans, nutritional counseling, behavior therapy and metabolic testing.

Advances in weight loss medication options are growing. GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) inhibitors, such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Trulicity, are a class of medications, originally used to treat type 2 diabetes, that work by mimicking the action of a naturally occurring hormone, GLP-1, which helps regulate blood sugar levels.

“This new category of drug affects the brain and how quickly the stomach empties,” Adkins explained.

Adkins said more medications “are coming down the pipeline.”

“Journey Clinic works to provide the most up-to-date evidence-based treatment options,” she added.

In fact, the clinic was recognized as a Women’s Choice Award Winner for Best Hospitals for Bariatric Care in 2020.

For Adkins, who specializes in bariatric surgery, endoscopy and nutrition and lifestyle counseling, working at Journey Clinic “is her dream job” because she can help patients improve their lives.

“I found that (in bariatric care) I get to build strong, lasting relationships and assist patients with their success,” she said.

To inquire about the services available at Journey Clinic, visit journeyclinic.com and fill out the online consultation form.– BSM

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