ORES Division-3 State Champions: Kenwood Lady Indians

Kenwood Lady Indians Softball Team

Kenwood softball makes incredible return to the ORES to claim their first state title.

By: LANI HANSEN, Senior Reporter

KENWOOD, Okla- Returning after their second season, the Kenwood Lady Indians Softball Team has claimed their first title for the Oklahoma Rural Elementary Schools (ORES) Division 3 state championship.

“We went into the state tournament as one,” Head Coach Doo Foreman said. “I always praise the Lord before the game and after, whether we make good plays or bad plays, win or lose. We always put God first.”

The Kenwood Lady Indians State Champions Softball Team is coached by Doo Foreman and Stephanie Campbell. This was their first year as softball coaches for Kenwood. This year Kenwood Public School celebrates its 100^th year, under the leadership of Superintendent Jerod Phillips. The state title is a monumental achievement in school history, in just the second season of softball.

“I loved watching these girls grow in the game from the beginning to the end,” Assistant Coach Campbell stated. “They knew when to laugh and when to be serious, they had a goal set and had their eyes on that goal.”

The state champions team had a record of 24-1, losing against the Zion Lady Hornets in the Kenwood Festival.

“The one loss was definitely an eye opener for us,” Foreman said. “A couple weeks later we played them again beating them one game, then they beat us. But other than that, they had fun playing ball.”

The record this year did not compare to last year, the team went undefeated all season until the state championships. The coaches knew from this, that all eyes were on Kenwood.

Going into the state championship games, Kenwood had a total of six games in one day. Their first game started at 10 a.m. and the finals were played at 10 p.m.

“It was well worth it at the end, and we had a great fan base” both coaches said.

In that fan base was Mr. Phillips as he stated, “we’re all proud of the team and the community got behind them. They had a great season.”

After winning the state championships, the team was happy but happier to go home as State Champ Bianka O’Field stated.

State Champ Ceegyn Sapp added, “I want to thank our fans for supporting us, if we ever messed up, they would encourage us to get back up and cheer us on. It was great seeing them stay with us since the first game.”

Kenwood Public School is represented by multiple tribes, the United Keetoowah Band is proud to have two state champs Willow Billey and Les Mouse.