Ineligible player costs Sequoyah-tahlequah a state title

Sequoyah-Tahlequah’s Class 5A softball championship in the spring has been vacated by the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association.

The action comes after Indians softball player Kelsey Leach was denied a retroactive hardship by the OSSAA’s board of directors earlier this month.

The vacated title was first reported by the Tahlequah Daily Press.

Leach played for two years at Sequoyah-Tahlequah without filing hardship eligibility paperwork after a transfer from the Cave Springs district.

Sequoyah-Tahlequah beat Morris 6-3 to win the championship.

The school can appeal the ruling to the OSSAA’s board.

“We are deeply saddened by this turn of events and the sanctions administered by the OSSAA,” Sequoyah superintendent Leroy Qualls told the Tahlequah Daily Press.

OSU POPS WESTERN STATE

Three pitchers combined to throw a one-hitter and strike out 22 as Oklahoma State ripped Western Oklahoma Junior College 28-0 on Thursday in fall softball in Stillwater. Kat Espinosa struck out seven; Chelsea Ross struck out three; and Simone Freeman struck out all 12 batters she faced over the last four innings. Ross, a freshman, gave the Cowgirls all they needed with a two-run homer.

WEBSTER LEADS OCU BLACK

Defending national champion Emily Webster helped the Black defeat the Blue 19-16 during the Oklahoma City University women’s wrestling rankings dual at Abe Lemons Arena.

Webster, a 101-pounder, decisioned Brianna Rahall 1-0, 1-0 to give the Black an early lead. In fact, the Black never trailed in the dual. In an exhibition match, Webster defeated Dyonne Sedillos by technical fall 7-0, 7-0.

The Stars, who have won five national team championships, begin the regular season Oct. 19-20 with the Oklahoma City Duals at Abe Lemons Arena.

STILLWATER — Sentencing has been delayed for Oklahoma State basketball player Darrell Williams, who was convicted of rape by instrumentation.

Payne County District Judge Phillip Corley on Thursday postponed Friday’s scheduled sentencing until Oct. 12.

Defense attorneys have filed a motion for a new trial in the case. They say that new evidence they have uncovered could have changed the outcome of the trial, but they have not made the evidence public. The motion was sealed by Corley.

Williams was convicted in July of sexual battery and rape. The jury recommended a one-year prison sentence on each of the rape counts and no prison time on the battery conviction.