Tag: Oklahoma City

2024-25 Oklahoma City Thunder: A quick preview

The Oklahoma City Thunder are poised to lead the Western Conference, capitalizing on their strong core and strategic new additions. With Isaiah Hartenstein joining to strengthen the center position alongside Chet Holmgren, and Alex Caruso enhancing …

The Oklahoma City Thunder are poised to lead the Western Conference, capitalizing on their strong core and strategic new additions. With Isaiah Hartenstein joining to strengthen the center position alongside Chet Holmgren, and Alex Caruso enhancing the perimeter defense, the Thunder have addressed key areas needed to support their young and talented roster.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, following an MVP-worthy season, continues to be the pivotal figure for the Thunder, with his exceptional play driving the team’s ambitions. Supported by Jalen Williams and the rapidly developing Holmgren, Oklahoma City not only aims to dominate the regular season but also make a deep playoff run. Mark Daigneault, last year’s Coach of the Year, has versatile lineup options to adapt to various matchups, boosting the team’s competitive edge.

The Thunder are no longer a team flying under the radar – they’re the favorites to win the West and potentially challenge the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.

Olympic Softball coming to Oklahoma City in 2028

LA28 announced that Softball is heading to Oklahoma City for the 2028 Olympic Games.

Oklahoma City has invested heavily to make itself the “Softball Capital of the World.” They recruited USA Softball to move its headquarters to the capital of the Sooner State and have created a softball specific venue unlike any other in the world.

And to that end, the 2028 Olympic host is going to take advantage of Oklahoma City’s standing in the softball community. LA28 announced today that OKC’s Devon Park will host the Softball and Canoe Slalom events for the 2028 Olympic Games.

With more than 14,000 seats, Devon Park dwarfs any softball venue in the Los Angeles area, making it the perfect home to host an event of this magnitude.

The summer of 2028 will be incredible, with the Women’s College World Series and Olympic Games just weeks apart. And you can bet Devon Park will be packed to the brim for the Olympics.

From LA28

While Southern California has more professional and collegiate sports venues than any area in the United States, there is no Canoe Slalom venue that exists locally (or anywhere in the Western US), and the largest Softball venue in Southern California seats fewer than 2,000 people, which does not meet the expected spectator demand for Softball at the Olympic Games. Instead of undertaking additional construction projects to build temporary venues for these sports, LA28 will assign Canoe Slalom and Softball competitions to the world-class venues in Oklahoma City. These assignments are also in alignment with the IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020+5 recommendation which emphasizes sustainability by encouraging the use of existing venues beyond the region of the Host City. Both the Canoe Slalom and Softball venues in Oklahoma City are built to international competition standards, ensuring a high-quality experience for athletes and fans, while allowing LA28 to realize cost savings and revenue gains to support its balanced budget. LA28 also recognizes that the Oklahoma City community has consistently supported top events for both sports and is confident that they will for these Olympic competitions as well.

For more information on the 2028 Olympic Games, visit LA28.org

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.

Alabama softball to take on SEC rival Florida in WCWS elimination game on Sunday

Will Alabama softball keep its WCWS hopes alive on Sunday against the Florida Gators?

Patrick Murphy will lead the Alabama Crimson Tide softball team into an elimination matchup on Sunday against SEC rival Florida Gators at the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

After dropping game one in OKC, the Crimson Tide defeated the Duke Blue Devils on Friday night. The Gators however won their first matchup at the WCWS against Oklahoma State before getting run-ruled by the top-ranked Texas Longhorns on Saturday night.

While the loser of Alabama vs. Florida will be eliminated, the winner will move on the face the Oklahoma Sooners with both the Tide and Gators needing two wins over the Sooners to advance to the WCWS Championship Series.

How to watch Alabama softball vs. Florida softball in Women’s College World Series

  • Date: Sunday, June 2, 2024
  • Location: Devon Park, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
  • Time: 2 p.m. CT
  • TV Channel: ABC
  • Live Stream: FuboTV (Watch Here)

Roll Tide Wire will continue to cover the Alabama softball team as the postseason progresses.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on X (Twitter) @Blackwood89.

Alabama softball set to take on UCLA in Women’s College World Series on Thursday

Don’t miss how to watch Alabama softball in the Women’s College World Series!

For the 15th time in program history, [autotag]Patrick Murphy[/autotag] will lead the Alabama Crimson Tide softball team in a Women’s College World Series matchup. This time the SEC powerhouse will take on the historic UCLA Bruins to open play in Oklahoma City.

Alabama is coming off an incredible upset victory over the Tennessee Lady Vols in the Knoxville Super Regional. At the same time, the Bruins handled business against the Georgia Bulldogs last weekend in Los Angeles.

Strong pitching and clutch hitting have helped carry the Crimson Tide to this point and they will need much of the same to keep its magical postseason run alive.

How to watch Alabama softball vs. UCLA softball in Women’s College World Series

  • Date: Thursday, May 30, 2024
  • Location: Devon Park, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
  • Time: 11 a.m. CT
  • TV Channel: ESPN
  • Live Stream: FuboTV (Watch Here)

Roll Tide Wire will continue to cover the Alabama softball team as the postseason progresses.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on X (Twitter) @Blackwood89.

10 inspiring photos from the 2024 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon

Meet the winners!

April brought the running world a slew of incredible races. On Monday, April 15, runners met up at the starting line for the 128th Boston Marathon. A handful of days later, thousands of runners joined in on the 44th London Marathon. These two massive events gained international attention, but they aren’t the only April marathons worth taking a look at. Last week, one city right in the middle of the United States invited runners to take part in a weekend full of fun racing events for a good cause. These events were part of the 2024 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. Learn more about the race here, and check out stunning photos from this year’s event below.

Join Riversport OKC for these 13 outdoor adventures

It’s time for adventure.

The North Canadian River used to flood Oklahoma City. So, in the 1950s, the Corps of Engineers redirected the flow, leaving a dry ditch. 

“We used to joke that we mowed the river two or three times a year,” said Mike Knopp, executive director of Riversport, a nonprofit foundation encouraging people to get active outdoors. “You stayed away from the river. It was right through the heart of town, so it did a lot to divide the community.”

But since a $53.5 million project brought back seven miles of river in 2004, the renamed Oklahoma River has become a major draw for local and international athletes. The enormous Riversport complex is at the heart of this shift. “We wanted to infuse a more active outdoor culture in OKC,” Knopp said. “We don’t have an ocean. We don’t have mountains. So we wanted to try to create these experiences.” On a hot July day, I experienced Riversport. Here are 13 adventures you can try with Riversport OKC.

A wide river in a city.
The Oklahoma River. / Photo by Teresa Bergen

Oklahoma City still No. 1 despite fewer first-place votes than British Columbia in latest 2022-23 Mizuno WGCA NAIA coaches poll

The latest Mizuno WGCA Coaches Poll for NAIA has Oklahoma City on top.

The Women’s Golf Coaches Association has announced the results of its most recent Mizuno WGCA Coaches Poll for the NAIA programs, the third one of the 2022-23 season.

For the second poll in a row, British Columbia collected more first-place votes but fewer overall votes and thus remains second behind top-ranked Oklahoma City.

Keiser is third, Dalton State is fourth and Cumberland is fifth.

Rank University (First-place votes) Points
1 Oklahoma City (1) 55
2 British Columbia (5) 50
3 Keiser 43
4 Dalton State College 39
5 Cumberland 26
T6 Loyola New Orleans 23
T6 William Carey 23
8 SCAD Savannah 19
T9 Taylor 13
T9 Texas Wesleyan 13
Others receiving votes: Ottawa University – Arizona (12); Truett McConnell (5); Milligan (4); Mount Mercy (2); SCAD Atlanta (2); Briar Cliff (1)

About the Women’s Golf Coaches Association

The Women’s Golf Coaches Association, founded in 1983, is a non-profit organization representing women’s collegiate golf coaches. The WGCA was formed to encourage the playing of college golf for women in correlation with a general objective of education and in accordance with the highest tradition of intercollegiate competition. Today, the WGCA represents over 650 coaches throughout the U.S. and is dedicated to educating, promoting and recognizing both its members and the student-athletes they represent.

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British Columbia gets more first-place votes, but Oklahoma City remains No. 1 in 2022-23 Mizuno WGCA NAIA coaches poll

British Columbia garnered six of the eight first-place votes but Oklahoma City collected more overall points.

The Women’s Golf Coaches Association has announced the results of its most recent Mizuno WGCA Coaches Poll, the second one of the 2022-23 season.

In NAIA, British Columbia garnered six of the eight first-place votes but Oklahoma City collected more overall points to remain atop the rankings.

Keiser moves up two spots to the No. 3 spot.

Dalton State is No. 4 and SCAD Savannah rounds out the top five.

Rank University (First-place votes) Points
1 Oklahoma City (2) 73
2 British Columbia (6) 68
3 Keiser 59
4 Dalton State College 50
5 SCAD Savannah 47
6 William Carey 35
7 Cumberland 29
8 Loyola New Orleans 27
9 Texas Wesleyan 21
10 Ottawa Arizona 8
Others receiving votes: Taylor (7); SCAD Atlanta (4); Menlo College (3); Truett McConnell (3); Milligan (2); William Penn (2); Briar Cliff (1); Embry Riddle Aeronautical (1)

About the Women’s Golf Coaches Association

The Women’s Golf Coaches Association, founded in 1983, is a non-profit organization representing women’s collegiate golf coaches. The WGCA was formed to encourage the playing of college golf for women in correlation with a general objective of education and in accordance with the highest tradition of intercollegiate competition. Today, the WGCA represents over 650 coaches throughout the U.S. and is dedicated to educating, promoting and recognizing both its members and the student-athletes they represent.

[listicle id=778293813]

Oklahoma City starts No. 1 in 2022-23 Mizuno WGCA NAIA preseason coaches poll

Despite getting just one first-place vote, Oklahoma City will start in the pole position atop the ranking.

The Women’s Golf Coaches Association has announced the results of the 2022-23 preseason Mizuno WGCA coaches poll for NAIA women’s golf.

Despite getting just one of the seven first-place votes, Oklahoma City will start in the pole position atop the ranking.

Defending NAIA champion British Columbia will start in the second spot.

Dalton State College comes in at No. 3.

Check out the complete preseason poll.

Rank University (First-place votes) Points
1 Oklahoma City (1) 64
2 British Columbia (6) 60
3 Dalton State College 55
4 SCAD Savannah 45
5 Keiser 43
6 William Carey 34
7 Texas Wesleyan 26
8 Loyola New Orleans 19
9 Cumberland 18
10 SCAD Atlanta 8
Others receiving votes: Truett McConnell (5); Menlo College (4); Milligan (4)

About the Women’s Golf Coaches Association

The Women’s Golf Coaches Association, founded in 1983, is a non-profit organization representing women’s collegiate golf coaches. The WGCA was formed to encourage the playing of college golf for women in correlation with a general objective of education and in accordance with the highest tradition of intercollegiate competition. Today, the WGCA represents over 650 coaches throughout the U.S. and is dedicated to educating, promoting and recognizing both its members and the student-athletes they represent.

[listicle id=778293813]

Texas moves to the WCWS semifinals with a 5-2 win over Arizona

The Longhorns become only the second unranked team in Women’s College World Seris history to make it to the semifinals.

With their backs against the wall in an elimination game, Texas softball came through with clutch pitching and timely hits to take down Arizona 5-2.

The heroics came in the fourth inning as JJ Smith stepped up to the plate with two runners on base, down 2-1. She then launched a towering flyball into the right-field seats to give Texas a 4-2 lead.

The Horns were able to hold on to that lead via an outstanding relief effort from Estelle Czech. The lefty kept the Wildcats’ bats from getting anything going the rest of the way.

The Longhorns become only the second unranked team in Women’s College World Seris history to make it to the semifinals. Texas will face a familiar foe in the semifinal round as the Horns will need to knock off Oklahoma State twice to reach the championship game.

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.