Hosted and organized by Painted Pretty Salon & Spa Suites, this year’s “Back-to-School World Tour ’26” brought together stylists, barbers, nurses, local businesses, organizations and volunteers to provide a wide range of free services and resources.

Brittany Osornio of Painted Pretty has helped spearhead the annual event, working to bring community members together each year to make it possible.

“Although Painted Pretty organizes and hosts the event, Cuts for Kids is truly a collective community effort,” Osornio said. “People from every part of the community come together, offer what they can and simply choose to serve the children of Murray County.”

Stylists and barbers from throughout the area donated free back-toschool haircuts, while nurses and other volunteers helped with head checks, registration, food, supplies and assisting families throughout the evening.

Children and families also received backpacks, food, drinks, hygiene essentials, household supplies and access to family and community resources — all at no cost. Face painting, hair tinsel, cookies, music, games, giveaways, activity stations and a bounce house added to the celebration.

For organizers, making the event fun for children is just as important as providing necessities.

“Some of these kids may not have many opportunities to go to activities or special outings during the summer,” Osornio said. “We want this to be something exciting for them — a night that is welcoming, fun and centered around the kids.”

The need for that support was evident as hundreds arrived and the line of families stretched around the building.

“You really see the level of need when the families start arriving and the line wraps around the building,” Osornio said. “It becomes a reminder of how many families in our community need — and appreciate — that little bit of extra support.”

Cuts for Kids was created to help ease some of the financial pres- A student gets a haircut at the annual Cuts for Kids Back-to-School Bash, held August 3 at the Faith Center Church in Sulphur.

sure that comes with preparing children for a new school year while giving students a chance to start school feeling their best.

“We want to help take some of that financial stress off families while also helping these kids walk into school feeling fresh, confident, prepared and cared for,” Osornio said.

From those donating professional services to businesses providing supplies and individuals volunteering wherever needed, the event has become an example of what can happen when a community rallies around its children.

Those interested in volunteering, donating, sponsoring or becoming involved in future Cuts for Kids events may contact Painted Pretty Salon & Spa Suites at (580) 260-0022.

There were plenty of mistakes to correct, but Sulphur head football coach Corey Cole came away pleased with his team’s performance Friday night as the Bulldogs faced old foe Lindsay in their first scrimmage of the season.

For Sulphur, the scrimmage provided an important opportunity for the coaching staff to evaluate players competing for starting positions while giving the Bulldogs a chance to experience game-like competition before the regular season begins.

Cole said both objectives were accomplished.

“We competed very well, we made lots of mistakes, but a lot of it was corrected during the scrimmage and it is nice to see our kids can respond to difficult situations and adapt,” Cole said. “There are a lot of things to work on this week, but we played hard, played fast, and played physical, and those are all things we strive to achieve every day and are mandatory for this program.”

The Bulldogs’ defense was particularly impressive, according to Cole.

“I thought defensively we played really well,” he said. “We flew to the football, we were very physical all night, and maintained gap integrity throughout the scrimmage.”

Cole said Sulphur’s defensive line showed significant improvement from the team’s earlier Red/White scrimmage, while the linebackers and secondary also turned in solid performances.

“Our defensive line played way better than we did in the Red/White scrimmage. They had a good night,” Cole said. “The linebackers did a good job pressing and making plays, and our secondary limited their passing game.”

The Bulldogs entered the scrimmage with an emphasis on stopping the run, and Cole said the defense accomplished that goal.

“We went in wanting to focus on stopping the run and establishing the run game, and we did really well stopping the run game,” he said.

Offensively, the Bulldogs found more success through the air than on the ground.

“I thought we were really good in the passing game, but in the run game we had too many missed assignments on the fronts they were giving us,” Cole said.

“It gave us some fits and some troubles, but as we went along we got better up front.”

Quarterback Traber Sartors drew praise from his coach for his work in the passing game and his decision-making.

“I was really pleased with Traber throwing the football and his decision making,” Cole said.

Garin Watson also had a big night, hauling in two touchdown passes. Drake Wood came up with several important receptions during the scrimmage portion, helping the Bulldogs move the chains and put themselves in scoring position.

Cole also credited the offensive line for providing solid pass protection.

George Martinez was another standout, contributing on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

“I thought George played well on both sides of the line of scrimmage on the offense and defensive lines,” Cole said.

Lucas Mitchell also made an impact on offense and defense, running the football and contributing at linebacker.

Cole was especially pleased with the play of the linebacker corps, including Michael Morris, Madden Duck, Chase Warden and Mitchell.

The Bulldogs also received strong contributions from their younger players, something Cole said was encouraging as the team continues to sort out its lineup.

“I was really pleased with our young guys,” Cole said. “I thought they played great on offense and defense all night long.”

With one scrimmage remaining, there are still plenty of starting positions up for grabs.

The Bulldogs will travel to Harrah for their final tune-up at 6:00 p.m. Friday. The scrimmage will give the coaching staff another opportunity to evaluate players and give those competing for starting jobs one more chance to make an impression before the regular season begins.

“We have a lot of guys competing for several positions on the offense and defense sides of the ball right now, and every rep matters,” Cole said. “We just need to keep working and striving to be more consistent in everything we do.”

The Bulldogs have been building toward the 2026 season throughout the summer, with Cole emphasizing conditioning, strength work, team competition and preparation. Sulphur opened preseason practice with approximately 60 players and has continued to develop depth throughout the early weeks of practice.

After Friday’s scrimmage at Harrah, the Bulldogs will turn their full attention to the regular season and a challenging opening-night matchup.

Washington, ranked No. 2 in Class 2A-I, will travel to Agee Field for Sulphur’s season opener September 4. The highly anticipated matchup will provide the Bulldogs with an immediate test as they begin the 2026 campaign.

For now, however, Cole said the focus remains on improvement.

“We just need to work on being more consistent day-in and day-out, and knowing that there’s going to be adverse situations, and being able to handle that,” Cole said. “All-in-all, I was pleased with the outcome and I thought we got better, which at this time of the year is the goal — to get better every day and every opportunity.”

Sulphur opened the stretch Monday, Aug. 17, with a 9-3 loss to Ada.

The Lady Bulldogs managed just three hits in the contest, with Destrie Muck, Kensley Rochelle and Jordyn Johnston each collecting one hit. Addy Johnson and Natalia Osornio each drove in a run.

Sulphur showed patience at the plate, drawing seven walks. Rochelle and Cheyenne Ruth each walked twice.

Rochelle started in the circle and worked 2 2/3 innings, allowing six hits and six runs, only one of which was earned. Ruth followed with 3 1/3 innings of relief, giving up three hits and two runs, with one earned, while striking out two.

Sulphur returned to action Tuesday against Byng and suffered a 15-2 loss.

The Lady Bulldogs were unable to overcome a strong start by Byng, which scored six runs in the opening inning and added six more in the second.

Jordyn Johnston led Sulphur at the plate, going 2-for-2, while Zoli May and Johnston each drove in a run.

Rochelle started the game in the circle and worked one inning, allowing five hits and seven runs, with only one earned. Ruth followed with a scoreless inning of relief, allowing two hits and striking out one.

The Lady Bulldogs bounced back Thursday with one of their most exciting wins of the stretch, edging Wynnewood 2-1 on a walk-off hit.

After Wynnewood took an early 1-0 lead, Sulphur tied the game in the bottom of the fourth. The game remained tied until the bottom of the fifth, when Destrie Muck delivered a single to drive home the winning run.

Muck finished 2-for-3 and drove in the game-winning run.

Ruth turned in a strong performance in the circle, earning the victory after allowing three hits and one unearned run over five innings. She struck out seven and walked three.

Sulphur suffered another close loss Friday, falling 3-2 to Pauls Valley despite outhitting the Panthers 4-3.

Kabree Little led the Lady Bulldogs with two hits, while Ruth drove in both of Sulphur’s runs and finished 1-for-2.

Ruth started in the circle and worked 3 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on three hits. None of the runs were earned, and she struck out three.

Sulphur finished Friday on a high note, shutting out Holdenville 5-0.

Rochelle was dominant in the circle, throwing five hitless innings while striking out four and walking none.

The Lady Bulldogs received a strong offensive effort as well. Little went 3-for-3, while Rochelle added two hits. Ruth and Natalia Osornio each drove in a run.

Sulphur scored twice in the first inning and added two more runs in the third to build its lead.

The Lady Bulldogs closed the stretch Monday with a 10-7 loss to Roff despite collecting 11 hits, compared to seven for the Lady Tigers.

Johnston led Sulphur with three hits, while Rochelle and Johnston each drove in two runs. May, Ruth and Little also collected multiple hits, with May stealing two bases.

Sulphur jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the second inning but saw Roff rally to take the lead. The Lady Bulldogs tied the game at 6-6 in the fifth, but Roff scored four times in the sixth to take control.

Ruth started in the circle and worked 3 1/3 innings, allowing six runs on four hits. Two of the runs were earned.

Despite the 2-4 record during the stretch, Sulphur showed plenty of offensive production and battled through several close games. The Lady Bulldogs’two victories came in impressive fashion, including a 2-1 walk-off win over Wynnewood and a 5-0 shutout of Holdenville.

The Sulphur High School boys cross country team opened its season with an impressive thirdplace finish at the Bridge Creek Invitational, competing against a field loaded with some of the top teams in Oklahoma.

The meet featured seven teams that finished among the top teams in their respective classes at last year’s state championships, including Class 1A state champion Laverne, Class 4Astate runner-up Byng, Class 4A third-place Bridge Creek, Class 3A fourthplace Dickson, Class 4A fifthplace Crossings Christian, Class 2A fifth-place Minco and Class 5A seventh-place Blanchard.

Despite the extremely competitive field and a challenging course, Sulphur finished just nine points out of first place.

Leading the way for the Bulldogs was sophomore Morgan Brown, who finished fifth overall and earned a medal. Brown was only six seconds off his personal record while competing against a field that included last year’s Class 3A individual state champion, the Class 1Astate runner-up and several other state placers.

“Morgan ran a great race against a really tough field,” said head Sulphur coach Emile Heitland..“ He was only six seconds off his PR, so I was very excited to see us running so well this early in the year.”

Freshman Jake Mann also turned in an outstanding performance, finishing ninth overall and earning a medal. Mann ran 17:07 in his first high school cross country 5K.

“Jake ran a 17:07 for his first XC 5K ever, which is an incredible time for a freshman in his first race,” said Heitland.

Keaton Seitz and Calvin Downey continued Sulphur’s strong showing, finishing 19th and 20th, respectively. Both runners finished just a few seconds off their personal-best times.

The Bulldogs also received strong performances from several other freshmen competing in their first high school 5K. Banks Tucker finished 46th in 19:08, Dautry Smith placed 48th in 19:09, and Jagger Jennings finished 60th in 19:34.

All three times were encouraging starts for the freshmen in their first high school race.

“I was very excited with how several of our freshmen ran,” said Heitland. “Jake, Banks, Dautry and Jagger all ran very solid times for ninth graders at their first high school 5K meet.

“With 127 runners competing in the boys race, I really feel like our third-place finish provided an early indication of the potential of this year’s Bulldog squad.

“I was really encouraged with how we ran as a team,” “It was a pretty tough course and a very tough field.

“We need to build on this strong opening performance as we continue the 2026 cross country season.”

Senior Jayden Lee, Freshman Hensley Jarman Lead Lady Dogs In Strong Season Opening Effort

The Sulphur Lady Bulldogs opened their cross country season Saturday with an impressive performance at the Bridge Creek Invitational, competing against a highly competitive field that included two state championship teams and three of the top five Class 4A teams from last year’s state meet.

Leading the way for Sulphur was senior Jayden Lee, who finished second overall with a time of 12:19. Freshman Hensley Jarman also turned in a standout performance, placing fourth in 12:32 in her first high school race.

“I’m extremely happy with how the girls competed at our first meet of the season Saturday,” Sulphur head coach Kari Seitz said. “It was an unbelievably tough meet, with a new course and a very competitive field that included two state championship teams and three of the top five 4A teams from last year’s state meet.”

The Lady Bulldogs were also dealing with several runners competing in their first high school race, making the performances even more impressive.

Behind Lee and Jarman, Hannah Hail finished 16th in 13:01, followed by Jozi Gilliam in 26th at 13:48. Hoda Garner was 27th in 13:49, Huntley Hatfield finished 29th in 13:56, while Mady Hatfield and Kamree Quinten also competed for Sulphur with times of 14:56 and 15:50, respectively.

Seitz was especially pleased with the performances of Lee, Jarman and Hail.

“Jayden has worked extremely hard throughout the summer and is motivated to make the most of her senior season,” Seitz said. “It was great to see her open the season with such a strong race, and I’m confident she will continue to improve and get stronger as the season progresses.”

Jarman and Hail also made strong impressions. Jarman, a freshman, had put in significant mileage during the summer, while Hail, a senior, provided another strong performance for the Lady Bulldogs.

“Hensley and Hannah also ran outstanding races,” Seitz said. “Both Hensley and Hannah are talented, hardworking runners who have already shown they will be important contributors to the team. I’m confident they will continue to grow and make a big impact as the season moves forward.”

Seitz was equally encouraged by the efforts of Gilliam, Garner and Huntley Hatfield.

Saturday marked the first high school race for both Gilliam and Huntley Hatfield, and Seitz said both handled the challenge well despite still adjusting to the longer race distance.

“The longer race distance is something they are still getting accustomed to, but as they become more comfortable with the distance, I’m confident they will continue to improve and get stronger,” Seitz said.

Garner also had a notable day, posting a big personal-best time. Overall, Seitz said the opening meet provided plenty of reasons for optimism as the Lady Bulldogs continue their season.

“I’m very happy with how all the girls went out and competed in the first race of the season,” Seitz said. “Many of them worked incredibly hard throughout the summer to prepare for this, and I couldn’t be more excited and motivated to see how much they continue to improve as the season progresses.”

With a strong opening performance against some of the best competition in the state, the Lady Bulldogs will now turn their attention toward continued improvement as the cross country season moves forward.

Sulphur, Murray County and Davis all recorded substantial declines in sales tax collections compared with August of last year, with each entity reporting tens of thousands of dollars less in revenue.

Sulphur’s sales tax collections fell by $51,778.62, dropping from $359,958.59 in August 2025 to $308,179.97 this year.

Murray County experienced the largest dollar decline of the three, with collections falling $65,826.98. The county collected $455,007.65 inAugust, compared with $520,834.63 a year earlier.

Davis also experienced a signifi cant decrease, with sales tax collections dropping $35,467.34, from $160,437.49 last August to $124,970.15 this year.

Combined, the three local entities collected approximately $153,073 less in sales tax revenue than they did in August 2025.

The declines came despite relatively strong collections reported by all three entities a year ago.

There was some positive news in the latest report, as both Sulphur and Davis recorded slight increases in use tax collections. However, those gains were small compared with the losses in salestax revenue.

The local declines also ran counter to the statewide trend.

According to the Tax Commission, $217,934,853 in sales tax collections was returned to Oklahoma cities and towns in August. That represented an increase of $2,448,687, or about 1.1%, from the $215,486,166 distributed to cities and towns in August 2025.

The statewide use-tax distribution to cities and towns totaled $47,593,429.

Oklahoma counties also shared in the statewide collections, receiving a total of $39,959,760 in August.

While statewide sales-tax collections showed modest growth, the numbers for Sulphur, Davis and Murray County reflected a considerably different picture, with all three local entities experiencing notable

Saturday, August 22 – Kickoff Saturday Living History Program: “Mercy Me! The Waters of Sulphur,” 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., at the Lincoln Bridge.

Stop by anytime between 10:00 a.m. and noon to meet Orphelia Mae Thompson, a visitor from 1909, and hear stories about Sulphur’s mineral springs, early tourism, and the historic treatments that drew visitors to the area.

Sunday, August 23 – Safety Sunday Safety-Themed Nature Hike, 9:30 a.m., at the Travertine Nature Center.

Enjoy a one-mile hike focused on outdoor safety. No registration required.

Wednesday, August 26 – Watch Wildlife Wednesday Guided Bird Hike, 9:30 a.m., location at the Travertine Nature Center.

Discover the birds of Chickasaw National Recreation Area. No registration required.

Thursday, August 27 – Thankful Thursday The Story of Chickasaw National Recreation Area, 1:00 p.m., at the Travertine Nature Center Retired Superintendent Bill Wright shares stories about the people and events who shaped the park.

Saturday, August 29 – Staff Saturday A Career with the National Park Service Presentation, 2:00 p.m., at the Travertine Nature Center.

Retired Chief of Interpretation Ron Parker shares stories from his NPS career and the many ways park employees serve visitors and protect national treasures.

Sunday, August 30 – Junior Ranger Day Celebrate Junior Ranger Day at the Travertine Nature Center with hands-on activities, crafts, wildlife discovery stations, and Junior Ranger fun for all ages. Visitors are welcome to stop by anytime between 1:00 and 5:00 p.m. to participate in Junior Ranger activities. The Friends of Chickasaw National Recreation Area will also be on site with refreshments and information about supporting the park.

Timed Programs:

•9:30 a.m. – Nature Hike

•1:00 p.m. – Owl Pellet Program

•1:00 p.m - 5:00 p.m. – Junior Ranger Actives For more information contact the Travertine Nature Center at (580) 622-7234.

The Sulphur Lady Bulldogs opened the 2026 fastptich season with strong hitting and pitching to win their first four games before losing a trio of games, two of which came in last weekend’s Pauls Valley tournament.

Sulphur launched the season last Monday, Aug. 10 with a high-scoring, 14-10 win at Tishomingo over the Lady Indians, then came home two days later on Thursday to beat Davis, 14-2, in the Murray County rivalry series.

With no rest and facing blazing hot temperatures Friday and Saturday, the team trekked to Pauls Valley for a round of games in that meet, winning three and losing two.

The Lady Dogs (5-3) faced off at Ada on Monday, losing 9-3, then came home on Tuesday to battle Byng. The Lindsay Leopards offered a final test this week on Thursday.

A eight-game, first week slate offered its challenges to the local girls, but they came through with excellent performances, said head coach, Heath Gilbert.

“We had a little bit of a rough summer with getting everyone settled into their new positions, but we came out the first week of the season ready to go,” said Gilbert. “We played unbelievably well coming out of the gate. Lots of people in new positions and freshman getting opportunities to play early.”

Gilbert said he and his team are excited for the new season.

“There are still lots of ways we can get better but we are excited to get this season rolling,” he said. “Playing five games on Friday and Saturday in 101 degrees kind of wore us out. Hopefully, we come out on Monday and continue our success.”

Sulphur began the season in a scoring fest, trimming Tishomingo, 14-11, as Zoli May led the team with three hits in four at bats.

All total, the Lady Dogs collected 16 hits with Tish getting 14 in the season opener.

Other hits in the game came from Destry Muck with a solo homer and Hattlie Stiffler with a single and a run scored.

The Lady Dogs took control of the game in the seventh, scoring eight runs to take a 14-9 lead with Muck delivering a big blow with a single driving in two runs.

Other big hitters for Sulphur included Cheyenne Ruth and Addy Johnson with three hits each, while May stole five bases.

Kensley Rochelle got the win for the Lady Dogs.

Sulphur followed that with an impressive, 14-2 win over the rival Davis Lady Wolves last Thursday.

Muck blasted three hits in three at-bats in that game, including a double and single in the first two innings, to lead the Lady Dogs. Other leading hitters for Sulphur included Cheyenne Ruth, Burch, Stiffler, Johnson and Kensley Rochelle.

Ruth got the win for Sulphur, giving up one hit and two nonearned runs.

The Lady Dogs blasted 13 hits in the win.

Sulphur opened the Pauls Valley tournament with a 5-0 loss to the Marlow Lady Outlaws, a team they would go on to beat later in the meet for a third place win.

In the second game at Pauls Valley, May drove in four runs on two hits including an inside the park grand slammer as the Lady Dogs pounded Western Heights, 15-1, Sulphur scored 10 runs in the second inning to put the game virtually out of reach. Other hitters for Sulphur included Jordyn Johnston, Addy Johnson, and Stiffler, all with singles, and Muck with a double. Ruth got the win for the Lady Dogs on the mound.

Sulphur followed that up with a down-to-the-wire win over Dickson in game three, beating the Lady Comets, 5-4, as Kabree Little hit into a fielder’s choice to score a walk-off win.

Sulphur had pulled ahead in the game in the bottom of third when Stiffler singled, scoring three runs. Stiffler led Sulphur hitters with two hits in two at bats.

Rochelle earned the win for Sulphur, scattering out five hits over three innings, and striking out two.

Sulphur avenged their earlier loss to the Marlow by scoring a 4-2 win over the Lady Outlaws in game four of the tournament in a blazing hot Saturday afternoon game.

Ruth earned the win for Sulphur on the mound and went 2-for-2 at the plate to lead the Lady Bulldog hitters.

The Lady Dogs opened the game after Haley Stevens singled to score a run, then added another run in the third on Ruth’s single.

Sulphur closed out the tournament with a 5-0 loss at the hands of Kingfisher Lady Yellowjackets, then dropped a hard fought duel to Ada on Monday, 9-3.

The meet provided Sulphur runners with an opportunity to get back into the rhythm of racing before the official season begins. Because it was a practice meet, the event was limited to four teams, races were hand-timed, and no official placings or medals were awarded.

For Sulphur boys coach Emile Heitland, the meet served as a valuable measuring stick for his runners.

“The runners were able to go through their pre-race routines, compete against athletes from other schools and get a feel for racing again,” Heitland said.

The high school boys competed in a two-mile race, while the junior high boys ran one mile. Sulphur has participated in the Dickson practice meet for several years, giving the Bulldogs an opportunity to compare their performances with previous seasons.

That comparison produced several encouraging results, with most of the Sulphur runners improving significantly over their times from last year’s meet.

Leading the Bulldogs was returning state placer Morgan Brown, who improved his time by an impressive 1 minute, 12 seconds from his performance at last year’s Dickson meet.

Freshman Jake Mann finished as Sulphur’s second runner. Since Mann was not competing in high school cross country last year, he did not have a previous two-mile time for comparison.

Calvin Downey was the third Bulldog across the finish line, cutting 40 seconds from his time last year, while Keaton Seitz, Sulphur’s fourth runner, improved his time by 39 seconds.

Freshman Dautry Smith was the fifth Sulphur runner, followed by Andrew Hail. Hail posted a time comparable to his performance at last year’s meet. Freshman Banks Tucker rounded out the Bulldogs’ top seven.

Lady Dogs Encouraging The Lady Bulldogs also turned in an encouraging performance in their first competition of the season.

Sulphur girls coach Kari Seitz said the Dickson meet is a valuable way to begin the season because it allows runners to experience competition without the pressure of an official meet.

“The annual Dickson practice meet is a great way to start the season,” Seitz said. “Being a practice meet, it’s limited to four teams, is hand-timed, and no official placings or medals are awarded. Instead, the focus is on giving the runners a chance to compete and experience a race before the official season begins.”

Seitz said she was pleased with the effort from the entire girls team, particularly considering the limited competition pushing the runners.

“I am very happy with how well all the girls ran on Saturday,” she said. “They didn’t have a lot of competition pushing them and they still ran hard.”

Jayden Lee, Hensley Jarman and Hannah Hail led the Lady Bulldogs, with Hoda Garner, Jozi Gilliam, Huntley Hatfield, Mady Hatfield, Kamree Quinten, Alexa Medina, Jada Chioccola and Kerington Sloan finishing close behind.

The Dickson meet gave both Sulphur teams an early opportunity to evaluate their performances and identify areas for improvement before the official season gets underway.

For the Lady Bulldogs, the first official test comes Saturday at Bridge Creek, where the team will get its first opportunity to compete in a meet that counts toward the season.

With one practice competition already completed, both Sulphur squads will continue working toward the upcoming schedule with an early indication of where they stand and what they can improve upon as the season progresses.

In photo above, Sulphur pitcher Gabby Pettigrew winds up for a throw to the plate, and below, the Lady Dog’s Georgia Hook tags a runner out in one of the games.

The judged show featured nearly all media: painting, water colors, sculpture, table art, etc. (No photography since a photo show will be planned later.)

Prize money is offered for Best of Show; Peoples Choice; and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place inAdvanced and Amateur artist divisions. Six Honorable Mention awards also can be earned. An Awards Reception will he held on Sunday, August 26 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the gallery.

The gallery is located at 330 West Muskogee Avenue near the historical society museum.

Thompson thanked everyone who entered and supported the event. “And, a special Thank You to those patrons who bought Purchase Awards and purchased art during the show,” she said.

Following are the results of the show:

Best of Show...Candace Shanholtzer People’s Choice...Kimberly Ramsey Advanced Division 1st Place--Paul Walsh 2nd Place--Mike Craig 3rd Place--Skip Thompson Amateur Division 1st Place--April Weisler 2nd Place--Julie Murray 3rd Place--Roy Rogers Honorable Mentions

Sandy Wallace, Sandy Ingram, James Freeman, Kathy McKay, Mike Craig, Linda Bayard, Kimberly Ramsey.

In photo at left, workers are shown laying down asphalt for the new lot.

Standifer weighed in at 158 pounds before the bout and won by technical knockout (TKO).

He competed in the kick-boxing, striking portion of the meet.

He said he gave thanks to God to be able to compete in a sport that he loves.

SULPHUR, Okla. — Brody Jennings, a Sulphur High School senior who graduated in May, has cemented his legacy as one of the school’s top scholars by hard work and perseverance. Through rigorous academic courses, meticulous planning and a drive to never give up, Jennings is shattering school records and was recently selected for the 2026 Academic All-State class.

Sponsored by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence (OFE), Academic All-State honorees consist of 100 students selected annually from across the state. Criteria for the award include an ACT composite score of at least 30. Jennings scored 35 (out of 36) on the ACT exam, which is the highest ever recorded at Sulphur, and for Jennings, it is a realization of a goal.

Student

While planning his future, he was determined to attend the University of Oklahoma (OU) and finish college debt free. While researching scholarships, he discovered the Oklahoma Rising Scholars Award, which requires students score above the 99.5 percentile on the ACT. To qualify, Jennings set a goal to score 35 on the ACT.

“I like to think ahead,” Jennings said.

His motivation was “a combination of desire for financial freedom when I am going to school and the faith that the school showed me that encouraged me to get a 35 and break the school record for anACT score,” he said.

The 35 score also made him an ideal candidate for the Academic All-State honor.

It wasn’t easy. The high mark required copious amounts of studying, dedication and time management, meaning sometimes he would have to choose academics instead of social activities.

“It got to the point where I was almost dreaming of math and tests, no joke,” Jennings said.

Jennings, an 18-year-old Chickasaw citizen, is also one of the first Sulphur students who will receive an associate degree from Murray State College the same night that he receives his high school diploma, May 15. This academic feat was made possible through the Oklahoma High School ACE (Achieving Classroom Excellence) program.

His sophomore year, Jennings discovered the program and asked the school counselor if he might be considered.

“It was a way I could maximize my coursework through the school. (School administrators) showed a great display of faith in me, and that really encouraged me to push myself as hard and far as possible,” he said.

Accomplishing these impressive goals took much perseverance, a trait Jennings can trace through his Chickasaw culture. He said his Chickasaw heritage comes from his mother’s side.

“Where I find my Chickasaw roots is through my great-grandfather, Joe Eddy. I was incredibly close to him. He passed away when I was 14, so for the majority of my life I had him around.”

Jennings said after his great-grandfather died, he discovered he had been fluent in the Chickasaw language as a child.

“I didn’t realize he was fluent in Chickasaw. It just opened my eyes up to how sad that is, because I think in an alternative universe, he would still be speaking the language.”

Jennings said due to Chickasaw Nation programs and services, and family ties, his Chickasaw pride is sustained, just as his great-grandfather’s was.

“We are still close to the Chickasaw Nation. I have grown up in it. My mom has made a great effort to put me in all the programs possible, like how her mom did. We are very much aware of the fact that we are Chickasaw, and we are very proud of it.”

Jennings also learned more about his culture through several Chickasaw Nation programs and academies, including the First Tech Challenge robotics team, Chikasha Pehlichi Ikbi (Creating Chickasaw Leaders), Chickasaw Youth Club and Chickasaw Arts Academy.

It was at ChickasawArtsAcademy where he was introduced to filmmaking. “That was quite literally life changing because I discovered my passion for filmmaking,” he said, adding he plans to pursue a double major of film/media studies and computer science.

“I absolutely love that place. This year I graduate from the program, and I hope I’m able to come back and be a mentor and help out with the younger kids.”

One of his mentors at arts academy is instructor Sunrise Tippeconnie, an accomplished Oklahoma-based Navajo and Comanche filmmaker.

The other is high school teacher David George, who accompanied Jennings and his parents to the Academic All-State awards ceremony. At the event, each All-State honoree is recognized alongside an educator who has significantly impacted that student’s academic success.

Despite the amount of time and discipline it took to meet academic goals, Jennings also rejuvenated the Native American Club at Sulphur High School, from being the sole member to recruiting about a dozen members.

Jennings is looking forward to his first semester at OU this fall. In addition to his awards and honors, he was one of 25 incoming students selected to OU’s Henderson Scholars program, a prestigious four-year scholarship program that emphasizes community engagement.

In his spare time, he is the guitarist for his church’s youth band.

Jennings’ parents are Michael and Tamara (Preast) Jennings. He has a younger brother, Jagger.

Kiliana Johnson, in photo at left, was recently selected as a new State 4-H Ambassador serving a 5-year term. Only 10 4-H members from across Oklahoma were selected for this honor. Selection is based on application and an interview. Johnson’s award was presented during an award’s ceremony held at OSU by Extension Director Damona Doye, right.

Alice Wakefield, daughter of Matt and Beth Wakefield, of Davis, center photo, was recently recognized as one of the top three 4-H members in Oklahoma competing in the 4-H breads’ project. Wakefield has presented workshops, demonstrations and various activities related to breads across Murray County and the state.

Matthew Mayo, son of Julie and Neil Mayo, of Sulphur, right photo, was named the state project winner in the 4-H Healthy Living project. This award is a $1,500 scholarship. Mayo has organized his own project club and has presented educational presentations across the county as well as the state.

The Sulphur Bulldogs are entering the second week of preseason football practice, and head coach Corey Cole likes what he has seen from his team during the opening days of preparation for the 2026 slate.

Sulphur opened practice with 60 players reporting, and Cole expects that number to grow to between 63 and 64 players by the end of the second week.

More importantly, the Bulldogs have brought a strong attitude and work ethic to the practice field.

“We started off the 2026 season with 60 players showing up for the first week of football practice,” Cole said. “I expect that number to be around 63-64 by the end of week two.

“Really proud of our effort and attitude during week one of practice. I thought our conditioning was excellent.”

That conditioning didn’t happen by accident. The Bulldogs spent much of June and July putting in the type of work Cole believes is necessary to build a successful football team. The intense summer workouts, conditioning sessions, June OTAs and competitive team camp at Durant have provided a foundation that was evident when the team reported for preseason practice.

“Our guys put in a lot of hard work in June and July and it definitely showed week one of practice,” Cole said.

Cole was also pleased with the leadership displayed by his players during the opening week.

“Leadership was great week one and I thought we had a business-like approach to practice,” he said. “Tempo was great and we got a lot accomplished.”

Now the Bulldogs move into a new phase of preparation. Sulphur put on the pads Monday, adding the physical element of the game to the fundamentals, conditioning and schemes worked on during the first week.

“This week, we will put on the pads and add the physical part on top of everything we learned and worked on this past week,” Cole said.

The Bulldogs will get their first opportunity to put that work on display Friday night when Sulphur holds its annual Red/White football scrimmage at 7:00 p.m.

The Red/White event will give players an opportunity to compete in a game-like atmosphere while coaches evaluate the progress made during the first two weeks of practice.

Thursday will also be a busy day for the Bulldogs, with the football fundraiser and Media Night scheduled for 4:00 p.m.

While the Red/White scrimmage will provide an early glimpse of the 2026 Bulldogs, Cole knows there is still a long road ahead.

“Football season is a long grind and we have to continue to attack every day with purpose and understand that we must find ways to get better each and every day,” he said.

That approach has been a consistent theme throughout Sulphur’s summer preparation. Following a disappointing loss in last year’s state championship game, the Bulldogs entered the offseason with plenty of motivation, and Cole has repeatedly emphasized the importance of using the summer months to build the foundation for a new season.

The Bulldogs now have their first taste of full-contact football and will continue building toward the season opener Sept. 4, when Sulphur moves into a challenging early-season matchup against the second-ranked, Class 2A-I Washington Warriors.

For now, however, the focus remains on the work in front of them. One week of practice is in the books. The pads are on, the intensity is increasing and Friday night’s Red/White scrimmage will provide the Bulldogs with their first opportunity to show how far they have come.

Looking Down The Road

Sulphur’s season opener against Washington will be the first of a three-game, non-district gauntlet of highly ranked teams.

The Warriors will come into Agee Field on Sept. 4 ranked second in Class 2A-1, behind Lincoln Christian, a team Sulphur fought hard against in the last two state title games, but came up inches and a few points short in both contests. LC moved down a class after realignment in the spring and are the favorite in that class.

In game two, Davis will come to town ranked by Maxpreps fourth in Class 2A-II behind Adair, Stroud, and Holdenville. The clash of the two Murray County rivals will go off on Friday, Sept. 11 in annually one of the biggest attended games on the slate.

If the Dogs are successful in those first two games, then the stage will be set for one of the biggest games in school history when they travel to Gunter, Texas to face off with the second ranked, Class 3A, Division 1 Tigers, winners of five titles in the last decade.

Madill will be the Dog’s next opponent in a away contest, their first district game on the slate. The Wildcats are not rated this season.

Seminole will come to town next in a homecoming matchup on October 2. The Chieftains are ranked 15th in Class 3A by Maxpreps.

Another ranked team, Idabel, and one of the most physically gifted squads on the schedule, will be the Dog’s Oct. 9 matchup in an away game. Idabel is currently ranked 14th.

In a Thursday night game just before fall break, the Dogs will host the Lone Grove Longhorns, a team with plenty of talent and ranked 11th.

Should the Dogs find their way on top of the district standings by October 23, they could likely be challenged for the Class 3A-2 title when they travel to Kingston, a team ranked ninth.

Unranked Star Spencer will be next up in a senior night game on October 30, and the Pauls Valley Panthers will round out the Dog’s 2026 regular season schedule on November 6. The Panthers are ranked 19th going into the season.

Sulphur Superintendent Matt Holder this week encouraged parents and students to allow a little more time and patience during student drop-off and pickup when school officially opens on August 12.

Due to a City of Sulphur project to improve drainage and make repairs to the roadway on West 9th Street between Broadway and Muskogee Street, school traffic will be one-way around several areas of the school.

Holder said he has outlined the areas in the map shown at left and as well as a description of the one-way areas.

The project repairs are expected to last until approximately the end of October.

Below is a description of the project and the routes to be used when driving to and from the Sulphur Public School campus: West 9th Street between Broadway and Muskogee Avenue will be shut down for road and utility line reconstruction beginning on or before Monday August 10. The reconstruction will increase school traffic congestion. Officials are asking that drivers do not park on Muskogee Avenue or West 9th Street north of Muskogee Ave. Please see the attached map. The diagram at left is attached for traffic flow. Officials encourage drivers to allow extra time for drop off and pick up students when school begins.

Below are numbers that correlate to the map at left: 1. West 9th Street between Broadway and Muskogee will be shut down for road repairs starting Monday, Aug.- 3.

2. Muskogee St. will be one way heading east between West 10th Street andWest 9th Street.The road leading into the middle school and high school parking area will be one way as well.

3. West 9th Street between Muskogee and West Vinita will be one way heading north.

4. Officials are asking middle school students to be dropped off by the middle school safe room and intermediate school playground area.

5. There will be no parking in the Intermediate school parking lane. The afternoon bus lane will be here as well.

6. All double blue lines show the two way traffic areas that remain.

Recent Sulphur High grad, Amaurie Peters, was crowned the 2026 Oklahoma Coaches Association (OCA) All-State Queen in ceremonies during the annual All-State football game last Thursday at Chad Richison Stadium in Edmond.

She is the first Sulphur graduate to be accorded that honor. Chandler Ogden,ofTonkawa,was the runner-up nominee.

Peters said she plans to attend OU and major in health and exercise science this fall.

Every high school represented by a selected All-State athlete during the Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State week is eligible to enter a student candidate into the annual homecoming queen contest. The candidates participate throughout the celebratory week, which spotlights over 450 top graduated senior athletes, cheerleaders, and student athletic trainers from across Oklahoma.

At left, Lady Bulldog Jordyn Johnston catches a throw at her fist base position in a preseason game at Dickson on Monday. The girls will be at home on Aug. 13 to face Davis.

2026 Sulphur Fastpitch Schedule

Aug. 10 Tishomingo Away 5:00 Aug. 13 Davis Home 5:00 Aug. 14-14 PV Tournament Away TBA Aug. 17 Ada Home 5:00 Aug. 18 Byng Away 5:00 Aug. 20 Lindsay Away 5:00 Aug. 24 Roff Away 5:00 Aug. 25 Ardmore Home 5:00 Sept. 1 Madill Home 5:00 Sept. 3 Roff Tournament Away TBA Sept. 8 Madill Away 5:00 Sept. 10 Lone Grove Home 5:00 Sept. 14 Ardmore Away 5:00 Sept. 15 Byng Home 5:00 Sept. 17 Plainview Home 5:00 Sept. 17-18 Wynnewood Fest. Away TBA Sept. 21 Lone Grove Away 5:00 Sept. 22 Ada Away 5:00 Sept. 24 Dickson Home 5:00 Sept. 28 Pauls Valley Away 5:00 Oct. 1-2 Regionals TBA TBA Oct. 8-9 Super Regionals TBA TBA Oct. 15-17 State Tournament TBA TBA

One of the most accomplished athletes ever to wear a Sulphur Bulldog uniform has added another prestigious honor to an already remarkable career.

Sulphur High School graduate Maddax Mobly was named the Oklahoma Coaches Association Male Athlete of the Year during the organization’s Hall of Fame Banquet Saturday evening on the campus of the University of Central Oklahoma. The statewide honor recognizes Mobly’s outstanding achievements in football, wrestling and baseball, capping a high school career that ranks among the finest in Sulphur history. Now preparing to begin his freshman year at the United States Naval Academy, Mobly was unable to attend the ceremony because of his commitments at the academy. His parents, Chad and Jodie Mobly, along with his sister, Makella, accepted the award on his behalf.

The recognition comes just months after Mobly was honored as the Bill Lannom Male Athlete of the Year during Sulphur High School’s annual All-Sports Banquet, where he was celebrated for an athletic career defined not only by record-breaking performances but also by exceptional leadership.

Sulphur Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Corey Cole said Mobly’s impact on the Bulldog athletic program extended far beyond statistics.

“He is one of the most accomplished and decorated athletes in the history of Sulphur athletics,” Cole said. “Maddax is the best servant leader I have had the pleasure to coach. He is loved and respected by his teammates and opponents for his will to win and his desire to make everyone around him better. He is the most dynamic athlete we have ever had, but more importantly, he is an even better young man who serves as an incredible influence for the current and future athletes of Sulphur.”

Cole said Mobly’s greatest legacy is the example he set for others.

“Maddax had an incredible career at Sulphur in football, wrestling and baseball. His stat lines were amazing, but his biggest contribution wasn’t any stat line. It was his ability as a leader at Sulphur,” Cole said. “He didn’t care about personal accolades. He just wanted the Bulldogs to win and was willing to do whatever it took to make that happen.”

Mobly’s accomplishments speak for themselves.

On the football field, he became the first player in Sulphur history to earn First Team All-State honors from The Daily Oklahoman. He was also selected First Team All-State by the Tulsa World, earned Oklahoma Coaches AssociationAll-State honors, was chosen for the OCA Class 3A All-Star Team, and received First Team All-State recognition from Prep Redzone.

A four-year starter who played in 50 career games, Mobly rewrote the Sulphur record book. He finished his career with a school-record 91 total touchdowns, 6,741 all-purpose yards, 121 receptions, 2,231 receiving yards and 26 receiving touchdowns. He also rushed for 3,602 yards and 58 touchdowns while recording 318 tackles, 10 interceptions and seven fumble recoveries on defense.

His success continued on the wrestling mat, where he compiled a 98-26 career record. Mobly captured two regional championships, qualified for the state tournament three times, and earned third-place finishes at the state tournament in both 2025 and 2026.

On the baseball diamond, Mobly was a four-year starter who finished with a .365 career batting average while collecting 102 hits and scoring 103 runs.

The Oklahoma Coaches Association honor serves as the latest recognition for a young man whose accomplishments have left a lasting mark on Sulphur athletics. While the records and awards are impressive, those who coached and competed alongside Mobly say his greatest achievement was the leadership, character and selflessness he displayed throughout his career.

The Oklahoma Coaches Association also recognized Kelby Beller, of Washington, as its Female Athlete of the Year. Beller earned the statewide honor after excelling in basketball, football, track and field, cross country, fast-pitch softball and slow-pitch softball.