The United Lady Thunder celebrate with the PrimeTime Sports National Championship trophy. (L-R): coach Maci Fox, Natalie Smith, Tamara Thomas, Brionis Hoffman, Lexie Foreman, Reagan Fox, coach James Fox, MiKayla Parks, Talia Pogi, McKenzie Washington.
The future of Southwest Oklahoma sports looks bright.
Several local youth athletes participated in national events this summer, representing not only their schools, but also the state.
The United Lady Thunder 14-under girls basketball team showed its skills in two national tournaments in July, hoisting the championship trophy on both occasions. The team, consisting of players from Lawton and surrounding areas, maneuvered its way through the Adidas Uprising Jr. Gauntlet in Frisco, Texas, from July 1-2, defeating the Wichita Dream in the championship game.
The girls found themselves in Frisco again a few weeks later, but this time for the PrimeTime Sports National Championship tournament from July 26-30. The 36 teams in the tourney were split into nine groups for pool play, and each team was seeded in the elimination bracket according to how they finished in their pool.
The Lady Thunder had no trouble in group play, outscoring opponents 196-60 through three games. Their closest contest was a 61-29 decision over the Whitney Lady Wolfpack, which finished third in the pool.
After earning a first-round bye in bracket play, the Lady Thunder were met with better competition, but none could slow the Oklahoma team down. The Lady Thunder defeated the Lousiana Storm and Lady Warriors Jackson by an average of 19.5 points per game, putting the team in the Championship Bracket.
The 8th graders edged PAC Elite 2021, 42-34, to advance to the championship game, where they survived a 45-42 classic with Team Absolute Lady Blues to claim their second national title of the month.
United Lady Thunder roster (Name, City):
Natalie Smith, Lawton; Tamara Thomas, Lawton; Brionis Hoffman, Lawton; Reagan Fox, Cache; Talia Pogi, Cache; McKenzie Washington, Cache; Lexie Foreman, Anadarko; MiKayla Parks, Norman.
Elsewhere, a Duncan boy made his name known on the wrestling scene.
Tyson Walker, who will be a freshman at Duncan High this fall, joined Team Oklahoma for the Schoolboy National Duals in Indianapolis, Ind., from June 7-11.
Before the trip, Walker, along with his teammates, was invited to a camp at Oklahoma State University to learn Freestyle and Greco-Roman, the styles required for the meet. Folkstyle is the most commonly-used style for middle school, junior high and high school wrestling.
Tyson Walker, 14, poses for a photo at the NCAA Wrestling Championships in St. Louis this March. Walker competed in two national meets this year in the 144-lb. weight class.
Representing Team Oklahoma were two teams -- Red and Blue. Red was the varsity squad, whereas Blue served as the "developmental" team. Walker competed for Red in Freestyle, while using his talents for Blue in Greco-Roman.
Walker competed in the 144-lb. weight class, accumulating a 3-4 record in Freestlye, helping Oklahoma finish fourth. His victories came against competitors from Colorado, Virginia and Illinois.
Walker impressed in his first time doing Greco-Roman as well, winning five of seven matches.
The future Demon also participated in the NCAA USA Wrestling Schoolboy Dual Showcase in St. Louis from March 17-18, finishing with a 2-2 record in Folkstyle. He scored victories against wrestlers from North Carolina and Kansas.