Norman North impressive at COAC

In what is shaping up to be a record-breaking season in Oklahoma swimming, Norman North showed Saturday that it will be one of the top contenders at next month’s state championship.

Norman North’s boys won nine of the 11 events at Saturday’s Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference Championship in Edmond. The Timberwolves finished with 501 points, 212 points ahead of second place Edmond North. North junior

(1:00.88) set a meet record in the 100-yard breaststroke. Stamatin, the state runner-up in the event last season, broke 55 seconds at U.S. Swimming Junior Nationals in December and has goals of swimming even faster when he rests again this spring.

“Breaststroke is an on and off stroke,” Stamatin said. “I had been out of rhythm for a bit, but this weekend was the fastest I’ve been since (December). It all came together.”

On the girls side, senior sprinter comfortably won the 50- and 100-yard freestyles. She won the 50 with a 24.79, and her first 50-yard split in the 100 (26.30) would have been the thirdfastest time in the 50.

who coaches both Norman North and Norman, was impressed with the performances from his top swimmers.

But Nicholson was keeping a close eye on his swimmers that are close to reaching state qualifying times. Swimmers such as (breaststroke), (distance freestyle) and

(butterfly) dropped significant time Saturday and put themselves in a position to qualify for state meet.

“We had a solid meet,” Nicholson said. “It kind of started a little bit rough, but we got swimming fast at the end. It’s a rough guideline, but if you finish top 12 at that meet, you have a pretty good shot at making state at regionals.

Edmond North prepares for state with Jenks dual

Edmond North traveled to Jenks on Jan. 17 for one of the most difficult dual meets on its schedule.

The meet at Jenks provides more than just solid competition. It also helps Edmond North prepare for the state championships held at the same pool next month.

“Strategically, getting to swim in that pool is a huge deal,” Edmond North coach

said. “You need to get used to the bulkhead, the starting block, the electronic timing system, which is different than ours (in Edmond). You can become acclimated to our pool, so you have to learn different things.”

As expected, Edmond North won the girls dual, while Jenks won the boys side.

Junior won the girls 50-yard freestyle and 100yard butterfly, which are held in consecutive events at high school swimming meets.

had 18 as four Rockets reached double figures in an 89-57 win over Purcell in the semifinals on Friday.

The Rockets have won 11 of their last 12 games and moved up four spots to No. 9 in this week’s coaches’ rankings.

Alexander, Johnson lead Centennial to Jones title

Centennial’s dangerous duo of and

kept the Bison’s strong basketball season rolling, overpowering three opponents to win the championship at the Jones Kiwanis Invitational.

Alexander led the way with 22 points in the title game, an 89-58 win over John Marshall.

added 16, and Johnson had 15.

Alexander and Johnson each scored 21 in the semifinals against Jones, an 81-60 win. Alexander had 20 and Johnson 18 in a 101-36 rout of Cushing in the opener.

Centennial improved to 12-2 and remains No. 1 in Class 3A.

Deer Creek’s Rehl providing key guidance

Throughout the past 10 games, Deer Creek senior