Baseball
When Brian Hunnicutt was named Westmoore’s baseball interim head coach in the fall of 2023, his focus was to ensure a competitive lineup was set for each game. After performing that task 42 times, Hunnicutt, along with the 2024 Jaguars, stood alone at the top of the mountain as champions of Class 6A baseball after beating the Sandites of Charles Page High School, from Sand Springs, 7-4.
One of the most challenging seasons for a championship team is the next season in defense of the title. Hunnicutt, with the ‘interim’ label removed, knows that to defend the title, his players must continue improving, individually and as a team.
“Our goal is to get better every day,” Hunnicutt stated.
To that end, a picture of a mountain is placed in each player’s locker.
“We want our players to improve by climbing every day. By concentrating on the daily climb, the ascent to the mountain top will take care of itself,” Hunnicutt said.
This year’s baseball team will have five key returners. Josiah Kemp, the junior outfielder who has played both right and center fields, has already committed to play at OU. His speed is a huge asset.
Senior Jacob Wehba, who was 3 for 3 with 2 RBIs and two runs scored in the championship game, will be one of the infield leaders for Westmoore. He has already committed to play at Vernon (TX) College.
Senior Caleb Rey held down the hot corner last year and is expected to continue being a defensive stalwart. Senor Sam Bourland will man first base and is weighing options where he will take his skills to the next level.
Junior hurler Brodie Inhofe, the starting pitcher who got the win versus Sand Springs, will anchor the pitching staff. His sophomore season was enviable with a 6-3 record and an impressive 2.57 ERA. He struck out 51 and walked 37 while surrendering 37 hits.
The Jags’ schedule is not for the faint of heart. They open the season in Norman to play the Tigers on March 4. District play starts on March 10.
Boys Golf
For the Westmoore Jaguars’ boys golf team, an appearance at the state tournament was accomplished by individuals, but not as a team. This season, Addison Staggs, the Jags’ head coach, said their emphasis is to make it to State as a team.
“We’re a young team with tremendous potential and are focused on being a competitive team this season and in the future,” Staggs stated.
Westmoore has a trio of returning golfers who have invaluable experience. Those include juniors Kyle Karty, Griffin Gappa and Jordan Masters. All three of these golfers have tournament experience and know what to expect.
The Jags have a couple of other players who are dual-sport athletes and are more than capable of finishing with low scores. Jace Noey is a wrestler in Westmoore’s well-known program and will pick up
his golf clubs when he hangs up his singlet. Jake Reed – the golf team’s only senior – has played both football and baseball and can provide the leadership necessary for any team to succeed. Westmoore’s best finish last season was fourth place as a team in the Mustang Invitational with a combined total of 335.
The golfers have a full schedule and aim to finish high on the leaderboard in each tournament. The Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference tournament will be held at the Greens Country Club at the end of March. The level of competition is high in the COAC and will bring out the best in Westmoore’s team.
Girls Golf
The girls golf program at Westmoore is well poised to make some waves. The Lady Jaguars have a variety of youth and experience coming into the season that tees off March 1. Head coach Lori Reed, along with assistant coach Athena Mathis, will lead a dozen competitors who all bring a measure of enthusiasm and aspirations.
The Jags have five upperclassmen to help mentor and encourage seven younger golfers. The seniors include Makayla Been, Carsyn Lyne and Sophia Leonetti. Juniors Karsyn Bullock and Caileigh Lucas add depth to this year’s team. The other golfers who will forge the future of the girls’ golf program are sophomore Ashley Moody, along with six freshmen golfers – Ella Gamble, Annabella Hoang, Eva Sauler, Paisley Lyne, Taryn Ross and Camie Rollins.
A recent change approved by the OSSAA permitted golf tournaments in the fall. One of the Jags’ best outings was turned in by Been in the Ardmore Tournament where she finished with an impressive round of 77. Reed and the team use multiple methods to prepare.
When the weather permits, they are outside practicing and playing. And when the weather doesn’t permit outdoor play, the Jags have access to an indoor facility equipped with hitting nets and putting greens.
Slow-pitch Softball
Westmoore’s slow-pitch softball team has its sights set on returning to the state tournament. Under the guidance of Hillary Weaver, her third season as the head coach, the Jags are well-stocked for another run in quest of a crown.
In 2024, the Jags finished with a solid 22-14 record and made it to the state tourney’s semi-finals where they were eliminated by their Southwest Showdown rival, Southmoore.
Only four players return from that squad: Jordyn Moody, Cami Roark, Hallie Hightower and Sophie Kuhlman.
Senior Jordyn Moody has already committed to play softball at Seminole State next season. Moody is the consummate utility player who wields a big bat. She plays either position on the left side of the infield flawlessly with an impressive glove.
Roark showed her versatility during the recent fast-pitch season when she not only played in the outfield but was pressed into duty at first base and handled the new assignment successfully.
Weaver and the team will work younger players into the lineup to gain real-time experience. Additionally, Westmoore will advocate to host a regional tournament and get back to the Class 6A state finals.
Previous building blocks were placed when the Jags reached the quarterfinals in 2023 and made it to the semifinals in 2024. Their ultimate goal is to play for a state championship and add another piece of hardware to the trophy case this season.
The Jags’ schedule has talented teams in all classes including the recurring rivalry games with Southmoore and Moore.
Boys Soccer
By any measure, last year’s Westmoore boys soccer team had a successful season with a handful of senior players with opportunities to continue playing at the next level.
The Jags, as usual, had a challenging district schedule which they finished undefeated at 7-0 to earn the District Championship. The non-district matches became a springboard to a successful 2024 campaign giving Westmoore an overall record of 10-4.
Two of the three losses were only by one goal with the first coming at the hands of the Bishop McGuinness Fighting Irish, 3-2. The second loss came in an inter-county matchup with Norman North which the Timberwolves took 4-3.
As a result of the team’s success, they hosted a regional match and faced a tough Bishop McGuinness team for a second time. Along with a raucous crowd supporting the Fighting Irish, McGuinness advanced into the playoffs by beating the Jags, 3-2, in overtime.
One primary goal set by the team, in collaboration with head coach Joe Shepherd, is to beat last year’s team’s grade point average. While success on the field is an assumed ambition, Shepherd emphasizes the need to achieve and maintain solid academic achievement in order to remain eligible for participation.
One player to keep an eye on this season is senior Bryce Marshall. Marshall, who was selected as honorable mention to The Oklahoman’s 2024 All-City boys soccer team, will be leaned on to provide leadership and skill for another successful season. A welcome surprise for this year’s Jags’ team is Ezequiel Santos. Shepherd expects Santos, a freshman, to play a big part in Westmoore’s season.
As is the case with any sport, matches with MPS rivals Moore and Southmoore will always be at a premium of excitement and competition.
Girls Soccer
The Westmoore Jaguars girls soccer team finished the season with a 6-8 record, including four wins in five matches before the end of the regular season. They entered the playoffs one game under .500 but lost in the first
round to the Edmond North Huskies, 6-1, as they went on to win the Class 6A crown in 2024.
With that experience behind them, the Jaguars, under the guidance of head coach Catilyn Radford, have ambitions for the 2025 season to improve during the regular season. Since the Jags are in a new district, one of their goals is to be more competitive and to win district. There are some teams they have not played often in the regular season and include: Bixby, Bartlesville, Owasso, Broken Arrow, Sand Springs and Muskogee (the last
three played on the road this year). The Jags are also focused on not just getting in the state playoffs , but to push farther than last year.
Radford has a core of returning players on whom she is relying to solidify the team and lead the Jags to a successful season. They include Kaylee Corcoran on Defense; Olivia Echols at Midfield and Jenna Munson at Forward. Radford describes all three of them as game changers in addition as recognized team leaders who set the pace for the younger players.
The barometer of how good the Westmoore girls soccer team will be the big matchup with the defending champion Huskies. That game is highlighted on the calendar and will be played at Westmoore’s brand new
soccer field on March 25.
Tennis
The Westmoore Jaguars’ tennis program can easily be described as dynamic in nature. Under the guidance and tutelage of head coach Randy Painton, the popularity of the sport has generated not only a high-level of interest, but one of success as well.
Usually, the top eight players for each team are selected for the varsity competition. Those not initially selected comprise the junior varsity team and compete at the JV level throughout the season. Painton has an enviable task of selecting the best eight players for the boys team from nearly 30 interested in playing this season. The girls team has a pool of 15 players.
Last season was one of the best in recent years for the boys team. Junior Trenton Kanchanakomtorn was a finalist at No. 1 singles, barely losing a three-set battle to Jenks. Senior Jonathan Eichman placed third at No. 2 singles while senior Evan Boyer and junior Edward Nguyen placed fifth at No. 1 doubles.
That trend and success are expected to continue this year. Painton plans to see Trenton, once again, compete as one of the top singles players in the state.
The girls team last season was led by Falon Prater at No. 1 singles and Sadie Hadlock at No. 2 singles. Hadlock eventually qualified for the state tournament, the first girl to do so in five seasons. Hadlock, a junior, has elected to concentrate on her high-level academics this season and anticipates a return her senior year.
One of the best positive injections for the Jaguars’ girls team is the addition of four extremely talented freshmen. Ava Calderwood, Sydney Haynes, Winnie Li and Mackenzie Woods all show a lot of potential.
While the season has yet to officially have its first serve and volley, the positive energy, competitiveness and overall teamwork support from all players bode well for 2025.
Boys Track & Field
For the Jaguars’ track and field program, last season was highlighted by impressive performances from their seniors setting a school record in the 4×400 at 3:18.70. Even though three of the four legs graduated, this year’s group comprised of Josiah King, Pryce Mitchell, Alex Zapata and Rex Wood, show promise to be even better.
Second-year head coach Dakota Kappelle, a successful hurdler at Oklahoma Baptist University, says this year’s team includes multiple returning competitors in all 17 events of a meet.
The primary goal for the team is to exhibit their motto of “Always Win!” Kappelle desires to develop athletes who succeed in all aspects of life by making winning decisions. The other goal is to improve their finish last season, two years removed from their Class 6A crown in 2022.
Placing at the State meet in the open 400 m dash with a time of 49.56, King will be an impact athlete in sprint relays and open events. Chason Brassfield, an experienced hurdler, narrowly missed qualifying for State by a razor thin margin. His off-season workouts will put him in contention. Isaac Chavez, a senior leader with character, set a PR in cross-country at 16:11 in the 5K. He will be an important member of the 4×800 relay and in the 1600 m.
In field events, Tylei Curtis, who competed last year in the high jump in the State meet, returns for his senior year. He improved his best clearance last year by 3 inches for a PR of 6’2” and will be a top jumper in Class 6A this year with a goal of clearing at least 6’4”.
Both Alex Le and Preston Igleheart are back to throw farther in the ring. Le finished 7th last year at State with a throw of 50’8” in shot put and Igleheart ended the year with a throw of over 150’ in discus.
New this year, the inaugural “Battle of the Jungle” triangular track meet will be held on Tuesday, March 4. Strong support of the community will only enhance the new event.
Girls Track & Field
The new season for Westmoore’s girls track and field team shows robust possibilities under the guidance of head coach Missy Smith. With some new participants, along with returners, the Jaguars have a good mix of athletes to compete around the oval and field events.
Returning runners include two impressive seniors – Eva Tice and Gracie Billins. Tice, coming off a successful cross-country season, has already committed to run at the University of Arkansas – Little Rock. She qualified for state in the 3200 m race last year and will pursue new personal records (PR) in both the 1600 (5:18) and 3200 (11:31) m races.
Other returning runners also include sophomore Aspen Porter and Kiayah Roane. Porter will be a key ingredient for all relays as she is aiming to shave off nearly two seconds from her PR (61.8) in the 400 m dash to finish under 60 seconds. Another ambitious goal is to be around 26 seconds in the 200 m dash.
Roane qualified in the 100 m hurdles with a time of 16.07 and will push to be in the low 15s. She will also run in the 300 m hurdles with a goal of under 45 seconds. Roane will also be a member of both the 4 x 200 and 4 x 400 relays.
What appears to be one of the strongest freshmen classes in recent memory, Princessa Pina-Rojas, Samantha Sanchez, Cameron Newton and Elle-Gabriell Seeley will make noticeable impacts early. They will be in both relay and middle-distance events. – SMS
By Danny Henderson
