Oklahoma

Birthday Rant: Boathouse District needs transit access

Published

6 months ago

July 15, 2024

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Birthday Rant: Boathouse District needs transit access

Believe it or not, journalists have opinions. While politicians and national news media might have you believe journalists’ opinions are all about politics, ideologies and (I’m looking at you, Mr. State Superintendent) ways to indoctrinate the public, my experience as a young journalist has been that most of our opinions tend to stay closer to home.

We express opinions on the quality of food served at the Oklahoma State Capitol (it’s pretty good — I recommend the burger), wager on the length of time a given board might stay in executive session (I always take the over), and complain about construction on our commutes. (I am SO ready for the Scooters at Northeast 36th Street and Lincoln Boulevard to be completed.)

Recently, a conversation with my editor about such mild frustrations sparked an idea for a new NonDoc commentary series: The Birthday Rant!

I turned 25 this weekend, and I have the honor of kicking off a tradition that will (hopefully) allow NonDoc journalists to blow off some steam in a lighthearted way that helps readers learn a bit more about us.

Without further ado, welcome to my Birthday Rant about a place near and dear to my heart: OKC’s Boathouse District.

A golden transit opportunity for OKC’s Boathouse District

OKC Boathouse District - unused for BR — A raft guide takes a group down the Oklahoma City Riversport rapids Thursday, July 11, 2024. (Bennett Brinkman)

I have worked in some capacity at the Boathouse District since 2016. It was my first real job, and I returned almost every summer throughout high school and college to work varying positions in guest services and as a raft guide. I still work there on weekends when I’m free — it is a great way to get paid to get tan.

Over the years, I have seen the district grow and change. I have seen it make itself a national player in the world of whitewater and flat-water sports, as evidenced by the recent news that Oklahoma City’s whitewater facility will host the slalom canoe portion of the 2028 Olympics.

I have also seen the district attempt to knit itself into the fabric of Oklahoma City’s downtown area. One of the district’s major draws is the views of our city’s skyline. At few other places in the country can you raft on Class III (or higher) rapids with an urban cityscape so nearby.

But seeing OKC’s skyline from the Boathouse District also serves as a reminder of just how far this major resource sits from everything else the downtown area has to offer. The district is a half mile from Bricktown and a mile from downtown, but the area is almost completely cut off, in practical terms, from the middle of Oklahoma City.

Eight lanes of Interstate 40 run between the Boathouse District and downtown. The district also sits at the point where Reno Avenue completes its transition from Bricktown fairway to industrial road.

Anyone wishing to walk from the district to another OKC venue must go up and over one of two steep bridges to reach the other side of the highway. One of those bridges, the beginning of Oklahoma City Boulevard, lacks sidewalks and is clearly not meant for pedestrians. The other bridge — Lincoln Boulevard — climbs steeply to cross over I-40 and then drops down onto Reno. From there, any pedestrian must cross train tracks and walk nearly half a mile to get to the heart of Bricktown, including the nearest streetcar stop.

The streetcar does not connect the Boathouse District to Bricktown or downtown, and the district has no nearby bus routes.

The obvious solution to this apparent isolation involves simply driving your vehicle to and from the district. In a vehicle, the distance between the locations is minuscule and easy to navigate.

But this solution — which requires you to have a vehicle, of course — poses its own problems. On peak summer days and during special events, parking almost always fills up. The Whitewater Center also has a bar, so anyone pursuing a day of drinking and seeing Oklahoma City must figure out designated drivers or be prepared to call an Uber or Lyft.

These problems are not insurmountable. We live in a car-heavy culture, and navigating such challenges remains fairly typical for people living in a city such as ours.

But on a deeper level, I wonder what message it sends to have the Boathouse District cut off from all methods of transportation except cars. It truly is a world-class facility, and it deserves to be shown off to as many people as possible.

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I love introducing people from out of town. Indeed, many patrons of the district hail from someplace other than Oklahoma City. The kicker is that most of them have driven into the city with their own vehicles. I have to imagine that many visitors to our city who arrive via Will Rogers World Airport might have some difficulty making the trek to visit the Boathouse District unless they have rented a car.

I don’t know the best solution to this issue, but I would like to see city officials consider expanding the streetcar route to include the Boathouse District, although I know that would be an expensive project, and the OKC streetcar has its own issues. Perhaps some effort should be made to build a pedestrian bridge and walkway to connect the district to the downtown and Bricktown areas? Or perhaps a simple bus route or shuttle service would make some sense.

All I know is that with the Olympics coming to Oklahoma City and drawing people from all over the world, we should make it as easy as possible for everyone to explore OKC in the method that works for them — whether by walking, taking public transit, driving or otherwise.

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Oklahoma

Sooners Start Strong with Quad Meet Victory in Nashville – University of Oklahoma

Published

7 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Press Room

Sooners Start Strong with Quad Meet Victory in Nashville – University of Oklahoma

NASHVILLE – The Oklahoma women’s gymnastics team claimed its first victory of the season, earning a 197.550 at the American Gold Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Classic in Nashville Saturday night. OU moved to 3-0 on the season with wins over Auburn (195.950), BYU (194.625) and Nebraska (194.475).

Five Sooners competed in the all-around for Oklahoma. Faith Torrez claimed the all-around title with a 39.625, while freshman Lily Pederson came in second with a 39.550. Audrey Davis earned a 39.425, Addison Fatta scored a 39.325 and Jordan Bowers earned a 39.275.

The Sooners also secured the event title on all four events. Keira Wells earned the vault title with a 9.95, while Davis brought home the uneven bars title with a 9.95 and shared floor with Torrez with matching 9.875s. Pederson’s 9.95 secured her the beam title.

OU started the meet off with a bang, earning a 49.450 on vault to lead the four-team field. Auburn earned a 49.150 on bars, followed by a 48.850 from Nebraska on beam and a 48.750 from BYU on floor. In her collegiate debut, Pederson earned a 9.925 in the leadoff position as she drilled the landing of her Yurchenko 1.5. In the No. 2 spot, Fatta added a 9.80, followed by another 9.925 from Torrez. Leading the pack with a gorgeous 1.5 was Wells with a 9.95. Bowers added a 9.75 and Davis anchored with a stuck landing on her 1.5 for a 9.85.

In the second rotation, the Sooners soared to a 49.550 for a 99.000 at the halfway point. Pederson led off with a strong routine and a stuck double layout dismount for a 9.875. Fatta followed with a gorgeous Church release for a 9.825, while Torrez nailed her dismount for a 9.90. Making her collegiate debut was Elle Mueller with a 9.9 on another stuck double layout. Showing off her stunning handstands and a stuck dismount was Davis for a 9.90. Anchoring with a stick after a gorgeous routine was Bowers for a 9.925.

OU extended its lead with a 49.400 on beam for a 148.400 through three rotations. Davis led off with a 9.750, followed by a 9.80 from Wells. In the No. 3 spot, Fatta was strong and steady with a stuck dismount for a 9.90. Bowers added a 9.825 in the No. 4 spot, Pederson performed like a veteran, nailing her dismount for a 9.95. Showing why she’s one of the top beam workers in the nation, Torrez was poised and confident, sticking her gainer full for a 9.925.

The Sooners sealed their victory with a 49.150 on floor. The final rotation got started with Davis’s upbeat and spunky routine for a 9.875. After only appearing on floor once in 2024, Dani Sievers was back in the lineup with an energetic routine and stuck double pike for a 9.8. Fatta and Pederson wrapped up their first collegiate competitions with matching 9.8s. Bowers tallied a 9.775 and Torrez anchored with a 9.875 on her sky-high double layout to close out the meet.

Up next for the Sooners is a top five battle against No. 2 LSU, No. 4 California and No. 5 Utah at the Sprouts Farmer’s Market Collegiate Quad. The meet will air on ABC on Saturday, Jan. 11, at 2:45 p.m. from the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.

FOLLOW THE OKLAHOMA SOONERS
For updates, follow @OU_WGymnastics on Twitter and Instagram, or like Oklahoma Women’s Gymnastics on Facebook.

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10 highest-graded Oklahoma Sooners from the 2024 season per PFF

Published

17 hours ago

January 4, 2025

Press Room

10 highest-graded Oklahoma Sooners from the 2024 season per PFF

The Oklahoma Sooners defense was the real bright spot from an otherwise dismal 2024 season for OU. The defense was one of the best in the SEC in 2024 and kept them in games when the Sooners offense struggled to get anything going.

So it’s not surprising that when you look at Pro Football Focus’ grades for the Oklahoma Sooners, it’s dominated at the top by the defensive side of the ball.

If looking at players who played at least 186 snaps this season, each of the top 10 highest-graded players came from the defensive side of the ball. The only players close were Xavier Robinson and Michael Tarquin. Robinson only played 134 snaps but was still one of the more dynamic players on the roster in the second half of the season.

Here’s a look at the top 10 players from the 2024 season according to Pro Football Focus player grades.

Eli Bowen, CB

Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 80.3

Snaps: 510

Despite how the LSU game turned out, Eli Bowen was a revelation at cornerback in 2024. He was Oklahoma’s highest-graded defender, according to Pro Football Focus, and is one of the bright spots from this season.

Gracen Halton, DT

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 79.1

Snaps: 403

Gracen Halton also experienced a breakout season this year, leading the Sooners defensive tackle group in total pressures with 29 and just six behind R Mason Thomas for the team lead. He also had five sacks, which were second on the team.

Robert Spears-Jennings, S

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 78.7

Snaps: 599

Robert Spears-Jennings experienced a breakout season for the Oklahoma Sooners in 2024. He was third on the team in snaps and second in total tackles. Spears-Jennings led the team in forced fumbles and had 2.5 sacks this season.

Danny Stutsman, LB

William Purnell-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 77.1

Snaps: 709

There hasn’t been a more important player to the Oklahoma Sooners than Danny Stutsman during the Brent Venables era. He just completed his third season with more than 100 tackles and was a consensus first-team All-American. He’ll be missed for his tenacity on the field and his leadership off of it.

Samuel Omosigho, LB

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 76.9

Snaps: 301

Samuel Omosigho began to see more action at Cheetah after the loss of Kendel Dolby and played well. Omosigho showed off his speed and athleticism throughout the season. He finished fifth in total tackles and sixth in tackles for loss in 2024 and looks primed for a breakout season in 2025.

Ethan Downs, DE

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 76.1

Snaps: 496

Ethan Downs finished second on the team in tackles for loss and had three sacks. He was one of the most consistent players on the edge for the Sooners over the last three years. His leadership and production will be hard to replace.

Damonic Williams, DT

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 74.3

Snaps: 416

Damonic Williams had another strong season for the Oklahoma Sooners, finishing with five tackles for loss and a sack. He had the second-lowest missed tackle rate among players, with more than 186 snaps during the season, according to PFF.

Trace Ford, DE

Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 74.1

Snaps: 321

After transferring from Oklahoma State, Trace Ford played two impactful years for the Oklahoma Sooners. His versatility stood out as a standup edge rusher. He was fourth on the team in total pressures according to PFF.

Dez Malone, CB

William Purnell-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 73.7

Snaps: 371

Dez Malone was a solid transfer portal addition last offseason and played a key role in coverage for the Sooners. He had the third-highest coverage grade for the Sooners in 2024.

R Mason Thomas, DE

BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 73.6

Snaps: 530

R Mason Thomas led the Oklahoma Sooners in sacks in 2024 with 9.5 on the season. It’s the first time a Sooners has had nine sacks or more in a season since Ogbonnia Okoronkwo in 2016.

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Score Predictions for West Virginia vs. Oklahoma State

Published

1 day ago

January 4, 2025

Press Room

Score Predictions for West Virginia vs. Oklahoma State

West Virginia welcomes the Oklahoma State Cowboys (8-4, 0-1) Saturday afternoon for the Mountaineers (10-2. 1-0) Big 12 Conference home opener. Tip-off is set for noon EST and the action will broadcast on CBSSN.

Fresh off one of the biggest wins in program history, the Mountaineers come back home to what should be an energized crowd waiting for them. You always have to wonder about the focus of a team that is just days removed from an exhilarating win, but Darian DeVries appears to have his group locked in.

The fact that they were able to beat Kansas without Tucker DeVries and Amani Hansberry says a lot. Whether or not they play today is anyone’s guess, but I’m not sure it makes much of a difference. DeVries is pushing all the right buttons at the moment and knows how to play to the strengths of the guys he does have available.

Oklahoma State is built very similar to West Virginia in that they don’t overwhelm you with size in the frontcourt, but they make up for it with good overall length, specifically with bigger guards. The biggest differences between the two teams are three-point shooting and defense. The Cowboys are 190th in the country in points allowed per game, while WVU is 21st. OSU is 205th in three-point shooting, down over 100 spots from the Mountaineers, who shoot it at a 35% clip from deep.

Give me West Virginia by ten.

Prediction record: 9-3

Oklahoma State head coach Steve Lutz quickly turned two programs around, winning three consecutive conference tournaments before turning his attention to Stillwater.

Lutz and the Cowboys have struggled in the early portion of the season and lack a marquee win. They are 2-0 in true road games, notching wins against Tulsa and Seton Hall – two programs that are under. 500. The Pokes have played two ranked opponents this season, with losses to rival Oklahoma and in their Big 12 home opener against No. 14 Houston Monday night, trailing by double digits at halftime in both contests.

Oklahoma States sixth-man, forward Marchelus Avery, leads the team in scoring, averaging 12.3 points per game.

West Virginia notched another NCAA tournament resume building win in its Big 12 opener at Kansas Tuesday afternoon and did it despite missing forwards Tucker DeVries and Amani Hansberry.

Head coach Darian DeVries has exceeded expectations in his first year in Morgantown, and keeping the team focused after grabbing the program’s first win at Kansas will be another BIG test for this group.

Senior guard Javon Small, who transferred from Oklahoma State in the offseason, leads the league in scoring at 19.2 ppg.

Lutz and DeVries were together as assistants as part of Doug McDermott’s staff at Creighton. DeVries mentioned Lutz’s group will look to get out in transition, something the Mountaineers have been able to keep at bay this season, including the win over Kansas on Tuesday.

West Virginia has shown they can turn the page after an upset. At the Battle 4 Atlantis midseason tournament, the Mountaineers knocked off a third-ranked Gonzaga team in overtime, then the following day played well in an overtime loss to Louisville and bounced back the next day with an OT win against Arizona.

DeVries has kept this group steady, and I suspect the Mountaineers will remain focused. West Virginia remains ahead of the Big 12 race with another gutty 75-65 win.

Prediction record: 8-4.