Oklahoma
Oklahoma congressional delegation offer praise to Trump speech
President Donald Trump delivered a 108-minute State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress Tuesday night. The speech celebrated what Trump called a “turnaround for the ages,” highlighting what he says have been broad economic gains over the past year, as well as historic achievements in border security, immigration enforcement and foreign policy. Democrats, in their rebuttal, painted a very different picture, insisting economic conditions have worsened under Trump and that his administration shows little respect for the rule of law while striving to enrich themselves.
The members of the Oklahoma delegation, all Republicans, offered praise for the president and his message:
Sen. James Lankford (interview with Griffin Media):
“Yeah, the President spoke for just less than two hours, but he walked through some key issues that I’ve had a lot of Oklahomans ask about. Where are we on illegal immigration? How are we handling enforcement? Where’s the economy? He spent a tremendous amount of time at the beginning talking about, ‘Here are the change in prices we’ve seen in eggs, in vehicles, in mortgages and inflation rate, and the significant change that that has come down.’ He spent a lot of time talking about international issues at the end, and a lot of time talking about crime and things that Americans really talk about, and I’ve had a lot of Oklahomans ask about at the beginning. So, he spent the first half talking through, I think, the Americans—the kitchen table issues there: crime, economy, where are we going as a country? Starting more jobs, having more opportunities, the tax cut changes that are really affecting a lot of Oklahomans. And then towards the end, spend a lot of time talking about international issues, including Iran. I think he needed to spend a little more time talking about the issues with Iran, since we have such a military build-up there to explain to the American people. This is why this is such a big issue, and he spent the time doing that.”
Rep. Stephanie Bice (interview with Griffin Media):
“Well, I thought it was really an opportunity for the president to talk about what he’s done over the last year and also highlight the wins. You know, we’ve seen so many people impacted by things like border security, the Big Beautiful Bill, you know, economic reform, and so he was really highlighting that tonight…There were some really amazing stories, and it was a feel-good evening. I feel like he really—I think he connected with the American people tonight.”
Rep. Tom Cole (statement)
“Throughout the first year of President Trump’s term as the 47th President of the United States, the President has delivered on the mandate of the American people and truly ushered in the golden age. Tonight, President Trump delivered a powerful speech that illustrated just that.
“At the border, we have seen a complete one-eighty, as illegal “getaways” are down by 95 percent and migrant crossings are down by 99.99 percent. Rampant crime and disorder are turning into safer communities. We have made national security a priority again, making generational investments in America’s defense through the One Big Beautiful Bill and utilizing decisive leadership to make bold but necessary decisions like air striking Iran last year and capturing Venezuelan President Maduro earlier this year.
“I would be remiss not to mention the significant economic strides. The One Big Beautiful Bill provided the largest tax cuts in history and will bring long-lasting financial relief to families, workers, and small businesses. Years of inflation and stagnation are being replaced with renewed growth and a resurgent economy. Measurable progress has been made on cost-of-living pressures, drug costs have been lowered on the consumer, and red tape has been cut for small businesses.
“In just one year, President Trump has turned this country around. Under the previous Administration, our country had turned a blind eye to illegal immigration, we had lost respect on the world stage, and inflation was skyrocketing. Now, the American Dream is back. The United States is strong, prosperous, and respected – and, as President Trump said, the state of our union is strong.”
Rep. Kevin Hern (statement)
“Tonight, President Trump reaffirmed that when we put America first, America wins. At an unprecedented pace, he’s reversed the damage caused by four years of reckless Biden-era policies that sent our nation down the wrong path. Families are now seeing historic tax relief, lower inflation, a secure border, and peace around the world – this is only the beginning. I’m proud to stand alongside President Trump as we continue our work to lower costs, put more money in Americans’ pockets, and strengthen the American Dream for families across the country.”
Rep. Josh Brecheen (statement)
“It was an honor to attend President Trump’s State of the Union address tonight. Congress, alongside President Trump, has fought hard to restore conservative values within our great nation. While there’s still lots of work to be done, I am encouraged by the direction our nation is headed and look forward to the year ahead! The American Dream is possible once again!!!”
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Ford Sports Blitz: Mar. 1, 2026
Steve McGehee reports live from Paycom Center with the latest on SGA’s return after missing nine games, the Thunder’s push to hold the top spot in the Western Conference, and what getting healthy means for OKC’s title hopes.
Oklahoma
How Oklahoma GM Jim Nagy ‘Put More Around’ John Mateer During Offseason
Oklahoma general manager Jim Nagy experienced great success during his first year in Norman.
Nagy, who joined OU’s staff in February 2025, oversaw the Sooners’ scouting staff as Oklahoma reached the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2019. He also helped OU sign a top-15 2026 recruiting class and land several key transfer portal players after the 2025 season.
Though the wins outweighed the losses in Nagy’s first year, the Sooners’ general manager knew that there was much to fortify during the offseason.
Oklahoma’s offense sputtered late in the season, as the Sooners scored fewer than 25 points in each of their last four games.
For Nagy, a major focus was surrounding OU quarterback John Mateer with quality talent.
“(We wanted to) just really put more around John Mateer,” Nagy said on The Dari Nowkhah Show on KREF on Friday.
Nagy and his scouting team added plenty of pieces from the portal that should elevate Oklahoma’s offense.
The Sooners signed three portal wideouts — Trell Harris (Virginia), Parker Livingstone (Texas) and Mackenzie Alleyne (Washington State) — after the 2025 season to join returning receivers Isaiah Sategna, Jer’Michael Carter and Jacob Jordan.
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Sategna, who transferred to OU from Arkansas after the 2024 season, served as Mateer’s safety net in 2025. The receiver finished the year with 965 yards and eight touchdowns on 67 catches.
Harris and Livingstone are both proven producers at the Power Four level, and Nagy believes that those two will make OU’s receiving corps stronger in 2026.
“Those two, we’re very excited about both of those guys,” Nagy said.
Nagy also did plenty of work to ensure that OU’s run game improves in 2026.
The Sooners added three tight ends — Hayden Hansen (Florida), Rocky Beers (Colorado State) and Jack Van Dorselaer (Tennessee) — from the portal. They also added three transfer offensive linemen: Caleb Nitta (Western Kentucky), E’Marion Harris (Arkansas) and Peyton Joseph (Georgia Tech).
OU will have its two top running backs from the 2025 squad, Xavier Robinson and Tory Blaylock, back in 2026.
For those two to reach their full potential, the Sooners’ blockers will have to regularly open up running lanes — and Nagy is confident that they will.
“We have to run the ball better, there’s no way around that,” Nagy said. “Our job is to create more competition in every room in the offseason. I feel like we’ve done that.”
On the show, Nagy revealed that the Sooners added nearly 9,000 collegiate snaps to their roster during the offseason.
The general manager believes that both sides of the ball will be stronger as a result of his scouting team’s offseason efforts and their collaboration with OU’s coaching staff.
“I’ve tried to be really intentional with our communication,” Nagy said. “There’s a common goal: We’re trying to win a national championship. This is a true partnership, and we all have the same goal in mind. It’s going to continue to evolve and get better.”
Oklahoma will open its 2026 season against UTEP on Sept. 5.
Oklahoma
Elgin’s Ritson Meyer becomes four-time Oklahoma high school wrestling state champion
Elgin’s Ritson Meyer becomes four-time OSSAA wrestling state champion
Elgin’s Ritson Meyer beat Coweta’s Aiven Robbins 8-7 in the Oklahoma high school wrestling Class 5A 215-pound finals on Saturday, Feb. 28, becoming a four-time state champion.
The loss was on Ritson Meyer’s mind all week as he prepared for his final state wrestling tournament.
A senior 215-pounder at Elgin, Meyer isn’t used to getting beaten, but he got a wake-up call when he lost against Coweta senior Aiven Robbins by five points in their regional championship match.
For Meyer, it set in that winning his fourth state championship wouldn’t be an easy task.
“I lost to him last week and I’m not a loser, so it was eating on me all week in practice,” Meyer said. “So (in) practice, I really leveled up everything. Everything about it.”
Meyer and Robbins met again on Saturday, this time with the Class 5A state championship on the line.
Intensely focused from the start, Meyer came out aggressive. And although it was another great match, Meyer did just enough to etch his name in the state history books.
Meyer held on to beat Robbins in an 8-7 decision in the new OG&E Coliseum as he claimed his fourth state championship, while Coweta won the team title.
An Abilene Christian football signee, Meyer’s wrestling days are over, but he leaves the sport with satisfaction.
“I came out here — even though it hurt, even though I was tired — I got it done,” Meyer said. “I’m so happy. I got to celebrate with my parents, my family, my friends. It’s a crazy feeling.”
A standout running back and linebacker on the gridiron, Meyer helped his team win the Class 4A state title in football as a junior before Elgin lost to Tuttle 23-20 in the 2025 championship game in December.
It’s a different sport, but that loss fueled Meyer’s wrestling season in a way.
“I like to tell people that wrestling is like offseason football,” Meyer said. “I can’t go out, lose. Everybody wanted me to win this. I won it for the whole entire community. First four-timer at Elgin. And that football (loss) really did eat me alive. It didn’t feel good at all, and I didn’t want that same feeling again.”
Meyer had a great start against Robbins on Saturday and never trailed, but Robbins battled to set up a great finish and both were gassed when it was over.
“I just gave it my all,” Meyer said, “and I got it done.”
This article will be updated.
Nick Sardis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Nick? He can be reached at nsardis@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at@nicksardis. Sign up forThe Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Nick’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing adigital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
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