State stars were athletes first

By Bob Hersom

Published: June 30, 2008

We are surrounded by athletes and the lessons they've learned.

Sports have played a major role in the lives of many Oklahomans who have gone on to success outside the athletic arena. The long list includes politicians, businessmen, Broadway stars, country superstars and local television anchors and weathermen. Among our state's country music stars alone:

Reba McEntire was a basketball standout at Kiowa High and a pro rodeo barrel racer.

Toby Keith, from Moore, was a defensive end for the Oklahoma City Drillers semi-pro football team for two years.

Vince Gill, a Northwest Classen grad, is a scratch golfer.

Carrie Underwood played basketball for Checotah High.

And Garth Brooks was a quarterback for Yukon High and a javelin thrower (sixth in the Big Eight) for Oklahoma State.

We contacted those stars by e-mail, along with other Oklahomans who have succeeded in careers outside of sports. We asked for their high school sports highlights and how sports helped them succeed.

The answers to our questions start at the top, with Governor Brad Henry, a Shawnee Wolve.

"My athletic career was cut short by a knee injury I suffered in football during my freshman year (at Shawnee High School),” the governor said. "Prior to that, I had played about every sport: baseball, football, basketball and even wrestling for a time.”

"Through sports and teamwork, I learned how to get along with and interact with others, particularly those who came from much different backgrounds than me,” Henry said. "I was never a great athlete, but the lessons I learned on the field have been invaluable.”

Oklahoma City mayor Mick Cornett mentioned his high school golf days, as did KWTV news anchor Kelly Ogle.

As a junior, Cornett helped Putnam City win a state golf title. As a senior, when the Pirates were state runners-up, Cornett was third individually and named All-State.

"I still have a flashback nightmare,” Cornett said, "of a wedge that I hit over a green, out of bounds, on the second hole of the final round. If only...”

Ogle was the first freshman to make the Edmond Memorial golf team, and in his first tournament, he tied future PGA pro Robin Freeman for medalist honors.

"I always throw that PGA Pro part in,” Ogle said.

And Kelly's brother, KFOR news anchor Kevin Ogle, was a state high jump champion as an Edmond senior. He also earned a basketball scholarship to Kansas State.

Two-time Tony nominee Kelli O'Hara helped Deer Creek reach the state basketball tournament. Today, she is the leading actress in the Broadway revival of "South Pacific.”

"Doing eight shows a week is like being an athlete,” O'Hara said. "I have to take care of myself, eat right, exercise. So much of the discipline I have in this way comes from my years playing sports.”

Sports have also played an important role in the lives of Oklahoma City's top female news anchors.

En route to graduating from Putnam City North, KWTV anchor Amy McRee was a gymnast for six years, then a cheerleader for four.

McRee said: "I learned how to perform under pressure, how to cope with nerves and how to focus on each event, with distractions all around me, while a live audience watched. Ironically, my job today mirrors many of those moments.”

KFOR anchor Linda Cavanaugh, a Bishop McGuinness graduate, said there wasn't much emphasis on girls' sports when she was in high school.

"It was midway through my four years at McGuinness before the first girls' basketball team was started,” she said. "But grade school and junior high (through 8th grade) was another matter. I played softball, basketball and always looked forward to track. I had long, gangly legs that served me well.”

At Whitehouse, Texas, High School, KOCO news anchor Jessica Schambach played volleyball, basketball and tennis.

"I played basketball from elementary school to high school and was a terror on the court,” Schambach said. "I was a very aggressive player and loved defense. I loved the adrenaline rush on the court, especially during a big game.”

KWTV meteorologist Gary England played high school football at Seiling and remembers helping the Wildcats "hold” the Thomas Terriers to an 88-0 victory.

"That was an accomplishment,” England said. "It could have been 108-0.”

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