From The Files of The Seminole Producer

“Lightening sometimes does strike twice in the same place,” observed Andy Overmon, Seminole High School debate coach, upon his return from the National Forensic League speech tournament held this past weekend at Oklahoma City University.

“One year ago,” said Overmon, “the Seminole debate team of Randy Calhoun-Reggie Whitten breezed through to the finals of the state debate tournament, only to lose to Oklahoma City Northwest Classen High School on a split decision. That lost them a trip to the National Speech Tournament.”

The first-place winner of the NFL tournament represents Arkansas and Oklahoma in the National Speech tournament. The Calhoun-Whitten team reached the quarter-finals after two days of competition. They defeated Midwest in the quarter-finals and won over Northwest Classen in semi-final competition. In the final round, the Seminole team was defeated by Fayetteville, Arkansas on a 2-1 split decision. The other Seminole entry in debate competition, Neal Martin- Billy Sparks won three debates, while losing two.

In women’s extemporaneous speaking, Jan Poplin won third place honors and Elisa Moran was fourth. Miss Poplin’s fifth and final speaking topic was “Unemployment, is the Government responsible?” Miss Moran’s subject in the final round was “If Nixon’s new budget is adopted, what will be the effect on welfare?” The two Seminole participants in women’s extemporaneous speaking will be among the favorites to place in the state speech tournament next month.

In men’s extemporaneous speaking, Billy Sparks reached the fifth or semi-final round. Neal Martin was eliminated after four rounds. Martin did, however, best the eventual first and second place winners when competing directly against them.

Seminole speech student also participated in the National Forensic League Student Congress. In the Congress, student propose and debate legislation and are then ranked on their performances. The top ranked representative senator then attend the national student congress. Billy Sparks was ranked second best out of 37 representatives and Elisa Moran ranked fourth of 44 student senators. Ricky Jackson and Gary Parrish also participated in student congress activities.

“The NFL tournament was for the regional championship of Oklahoma and Arkansas. Seminole students won 2 second places, 1 third and 2 fourths against the top competition in two states. I am extremely pleased with their showing and look forward to the Oklahoma regional and state tournaments,” said Overmon. -oOo Slants – John Randolph and Chez Evans ended the long wait today and signed a Big Eight football letter of intent… Details are on today’s sports page… Al Rollins having a pocket full of papers… Seminole Rainbow Girls hoping that merchants and other citizens will hire them to work for a day on March 10… Mayor Waldo Lilly has proclaimed March 10 as Hare a Rainbow Girl Day… Members of the organization plan to donate half of their earnings to the Community Chest fund... Mrs. Charlie James telling about her new home… Manuel Rivas busy coaching his 6th grade basketball team… Gary Dunlap having expectations about a trip… Judy Harris doing some shopping… Paul Lyon reporting a story… Dewey Hart paying a visit to The Producer office… Dick Bell offering Elmer Tanner a deal he couldn’t turn down… Bernice Higdon feeding her grand kids a big chicken dinner… Many city motorists having a hard time breaking the habit of making right turns on red at Main and Broadway. -oOo John Randolph and Chez Evans, two standouts on the 1972 Seminole High School football team, are signing Big Eight football letters of intent with the Oklahoma Sooners today.

OU defensive linebacker coach Warren Harper was to sign the two players today at noon here with SHS football coach Wayne Estes and basketball coach Boyd Linduff in attendance.

“We wanted both Estes and Linduff to be present when we sign,” said Randolph. “Both of us played football and basketball and both coaches have done a lot to develop our skills.”

Evans added, “Former SHS football coach Jim Webb also did a lot to improve our play and develop us. We also offer him a big thanks.”

The signing today can be rated only as a major victory for Oklahoma. Evans and Randolph were both heavily recruited by other colleges, especially Kansas State.

“We feel that Oklahoma offered us the best deal,” said Randolph and Evans. “We each got to talk with Sooner head coach Barry Switzer and he encouraged us to attend OU and he outlined to us the Sooner football program and we believe it is a good sound program.”

The two players are the second and third Chieftains to sign Big Eight letters this season. All-State tackle David Nalley inked with Oklahoma State University last month.