Baseball
Coming off a 19-17 season, Norman North baseball is retooling its rotation.
The Timberwolves return senior leaders in left fielder Evan Vinyard, center fielder Will Lundquist and shortstop and pitcher Austin Ihrig. Beyond that trio, North has plenty of unknowns.
Senior Matthew Hutchison, juniors Terry Pursell and Braylon Lassiter, and sophomores Porter Smith and Jacob Stewart will be key arms for the Timberwolves. Other pitchers who could see innings include juniors Gavin Bailey, Taylor Trease and Luke Spencer, along with sophomores Ace Lewis, Charlie Copus, Trevor Benman and Ty Lashbrook.
“They may not have experience, but this may be the best depth we’ve had of good, young arms,” said Norman North head baseball coach Brian Aylor.
In the infield, Benman, Lashbrook and Trease are getting time at third base. Ihrig and Spencer are working at shortstop, while senior Luke Martin and sophomore Kolbe Mallory are battling at first base. Senior Carson Hawk is a name to watch as a designated hitter.
Alongside Lundquist and Vinyard in the outfield, Aylor has several options for right field, including sophomores Khy Johnson, Jacob Reyes and Ace Lewis and senior Aidan Azlin.
Copus is a leader behind the plate as the Timberwolves’ starting catcher. Junior Maitreya LaMoreaux and Benman will also catch.
“There’s going to be some growing pains for sure, but our hope is that at the end we put a quality product on the field,” Aylor said. “I think this is going to be quite a journey for these guys.”
North opens with games against Christian Heritage, Perry, Lawton Mac, Putnam City, Southmoore and Yukon in March before traveling to Alabama for the Gulf Shores Classic.
Other key dates include district matchups against Edmond Santa Fe and Moore.
Boys Golf
Norman North boys golf enters the 2025 spring season with new faces across the board. The Timberwolves will be led by first-year head coach J.R. Hurley, who takes over after spending three seasons as an assistant coach.
“It helps a lot already knowing the guys,” Hurley said. “Honestly, our team structure’s not going to change
much. I’ve been in the program for four years now, so I know what to do.”
Hurley played at Norman North and graduated in 2004 before heading to Sam Houston to play collegiately. Hurley inherits the reins of a Norman North program that captured its first boys golf state championship
in 2022. As North looks to attain those heights once more, the Timberwolves are turning to a number of
new contributors.
“It’s a developmental year,” Hurley said. “We’ve got a big group of juniors that need to gain some experience.
Right now, our goal is we’re just trying to get better.”
Junior Hayden Russ was Norman North’s four-bag last year. Now, he steps into the No. 1 bag for the Timberwolves. Hurley said that Russ has had some good success throughout his Norman North career. Other names to be on the lookout for include juniors Jack Austin and Hayes Gladhill along with sophomore Hayes Venk.
Norman North is excited about hosting its home tournament at Belmar Golf Club during the 2025 season.
The Timberwolves also have dates at Cedar Ridge, Forest Ridge, Meadowbrook and Bailey Ranch.
Girls Golf
Norman North girls golf jumps into the 2025 spring season with lofty aspirations. After a fourth-place finish as a team last spring at State, the Timberwolves have their sights set on capturing the program’s first-ever girls golf state championship.
“We don’t want to limit ourselves with anything other than trying to go win the whole thing,” head coach
Butch Roberts said. “I think if everybody plays to their potential, we’re a factor this year. The teams that win it, you’ve got to have quality scores from your three, four and five bag, and I feel more confident in that this year than I ever have.”
Though Norman North graduated Syrah Javed who earned a fifth-place finish at the 6A girls state golf tournament last year, the Timberwolves are bringing in a talented move-in freshman in Harlow Gregory.
“She’s probably the best player her age in the state if not this general area,” Roberts said of Gregory.
Norman North returns last year’s individual state champion in junior Juliana Hong. Hong shot 70-71 at Stillwater Country Club to capture the individual state title by three strokes. The T-Wolves also return senior Cesily Covey, junior Charlotte Haws and sophomore Brooklyn Broach to make up the rest of their starting five. Roberts lauded that group for their dedication and said it’s that drive that makes his group special.
“Their level of commitment, their competitiveness, their drive to win, their work ethics are off the chart,” he said. “It’s not by accident that they’re as good of players as they are. It’s due to the hours they put in and the commitment to their craft.”
Norman North’s first varsity event will be on March 24 for the Southmoore Invitational at Westwood Park
Golf Course.
Slow-pitch Softball
Norman North heads into the spring slow-pitch season with several experienced athletes and a number of fresh faces.
“We’ve again focused this year on developing players, teaching them how to hit for power, getting them more experienced and comfortable on the field,” Norman North head slow pitch coach Laura Collins said.
The Timberwolves will be led by junior Carlyn Utley and sophomore August Grove. Utley and Grove are a pair of big hitters that are expected to split time at first base and in the outfield.
“I’m excited about Carlyn Utley coming back. She’s a big hitter. She did really well last year with developing a better swing for both fast pitch and slow pitch,” Collins said. “She understood that you can make strides for fast pitch during slow pitch season and that’s hard to have kids buy into. She’s going to be a good asset.”
Slow pitch season also affords the opportunity to move players around and experiment at different positions. That was the case for Grove last spring.
“We’re able to move some kids around and see where they might better fit for them or for our team,” explained Collins.
Collins said Grove’s success in slow-pitch springboarded her into an infield slot this past fall fast-pitch season.
“She came in and played some infield which ended up helping her earn an infield position in fast pitch,” Collins said.
Freshman Shiloh Jones suffered an injury during the fast pitch season, but she is healthy for the slow-pitch campaign.
In the circle, North returns junior pitchers Mackenzie Berglan and Mariah Simpson. The T-Wolves are looking to develop other options in the circle as well.
Collins has put a big emphasis on slow-pitch season and that remains the case entering the 2025 season.
“If you look around the state, the teams that are winning fast pitch state titles are also winning slow pitch state titles. It’s no secret that if you get six more months of training, workouts, field time and experience you would be better. We’re trying to get them to believe in that,” Collins said.
Boys Soccer
After a 6-6 finish and first-round playoff exit a season ago, Norman North is seeking a return to championship form in 2025. The T-Wolves won the state title in 2022, but haven’t advanced to the second round of the playoffs in either of the last two seasons since.
To lead the resurgence, North turns to first-year head coach Sage Moore. A 2015 Norman North graduate, Moore spent the last four years as an assistant under former head coach Khalil Benalioulhaj.
“It’s been pretty cool coming back. Now, taking over, it’s just kind of been surreal,” Moore said. “I’m really excited for the season. Expectations are high. I think we’re returning a lot of good players from last year.”
As he takes the reins, Moore said the focus is on restoring North’s winning mentality and competitive edge.
The first-year coach has a talented roster to work with. Senior Isaac Hundley and junior Jackson Escobedo, a transfer from Community Christian, will be key attackers. Escobedo tallied 20 goals with the Royals during the 2024 season.
“I think he’s adapting well to the speed of play and there being a more solid 11 that he’s playing against,” Moore said of Escobedo’s transition.
Junior captain Drew Park will help anchor Norman North’s midfield. Senior Miguel Madrigal is one of the best defensive players in the state.
“Miguel Madrigal, in my opinion, is probably the best player in the state. I think he’s just a go-getter. Something that really separates him from a lot of high school players is his ball-winning ability. On corners, I think he’s a huge threat,” Moore said.
Junior George Jankowski, a three-year varsity player, will step into a starting role on the back line.
Girls Soccer
Under the direction of seven-year head coach Trevor Laffoon, Norman North has been a perennial powerhouse in Class 6A girls soccer.
The Timberwolves captured state titles in each of Laffoon’s first two completed seasons at the helm and has made three more appearances in the state championship game since.
“We have some experienced players, but then there’s also some players that were injured or young that are going to make an impact. It’s exciting,” Laffoon said.
As North looks to return to the title game and claim another championship, several returning stars will be key, starting in goal with junior Kenzie Clouse. Clouse, who takes over full-time, is committed to the University of Oklahoma and becomes the program’s fourth straight Division I goalkeeper.
Senior forward Presley Boyd, a Tulsa signee, is one of the state’s top offensive threats. Other names to watch up front include sophomores Brookelynne Wesley and Emily Wolney and junior Halley Jewell, an OU commit who returns after missing last season due to injury.
Seniors Parker McGraw and Makenna Adam will be workhorses for North and are committed to Tulsa and Central Arkansas, respectively.
“Those three, Makenna, Parker and Presley are our leaders,” Laffoon said.
Defensively, seniors Izzy Fletcher, Reese Keiffer and Riley Keiffer are mainstays. Cadence Elmore and Gabby Bedigrew are other defenders to watch.
Norman North opens with tough matchups against Jenks and Broken Arrow. Other highlights on the schedule include the team’s Gulf Shores trip in early April and the Crosstown Clash on April 15.
Boys Tennis
Norman North boys tennis enters the 2025 season looking to replace a big group of seniors. That has
Norman North head boys tennis coach Kirk Hays curious how some of his younger players will perform as
they handle larger roles.
“I’m excited to see how the younger guys will be able to kind of step up into the varsity positions,” Hays
said. “It’s a great group of kids.”
Norman North does have several key returners. The Timberwolves get senior Kale Jeffrey back into the
fold as their No. 1 singles option. Jeffrey was one half of North’s No. 1 doubles team from last season.
Norman North brings back its No. 2 doubles squad from last season in seniors Chandler and Chase LaBrie.
That combination is jumping into their No. 1 doubles. Hays is also excited about the growth that he’s seen
from junior Josh Booze, a JV player for Norman North a season ago. Booze is stepping into the No. 2 singles
slot.
“He must have worked really hard over the summer,” Hays said. “He’s just improved a tremendous amount
compared to where he was last year.”
In terms of its goals, North hopes it can make that annual trip to the Oklahoma City Tennis Center.
“One of our general goals is always just to make it to State,” Hays said. “A loftier goal than that is to make
it to the second day of State. Anything beyond that would just be kind of gravy.”
Norman North’s roster is built with players whose sole athletic focus is on tennis.
“It’s crazy to say, but it’s actually 100 percent of the kids on the tennis team are just tennis-only. We don’t have anyone on the team that is involved with another sport,” Hays said. “I think it’s more and more common. You kind of have to pick what sport you want to put all your attention towards. Otherwise, it’s just tough.”
Norman North’s season officially begins in March. One of the early-season dates that the Timberwolves
are looking forward to is the March 11 trek to Ardmore.
Girls Tennis
Norman North girls tennis enters the spring 2025 season with confidence in its No. 1 and No. 2 singles players.
Junior Miranda Huang will work as the Timberwolves’ No. 1 singles player, while senior Lindee Rex returns
to handle No. 2 singles for Norman North.
Head girls tennis coach Phil Corbett is confident that Huang will be in the mix for a top-eight finish at State.
“Miranda is a big hitter. She’s a baseline hitter,” Corbett said of Huang. “If the other player is good enough to get it back, she’ll put it in the other corner.”
During her T-Wolf career, Rex has bounced between No. 1 and No. 2 singles. Injuries have derailed her career at times, but she is healthy and motivated entering her final spring with the program.
“My goal for those two singles girls is to get them to finish top eight this year at State,” Corbett said. “I believe they can do it. They both work really hard outside of our practices.”
One doubles combination to watch is senior Madi Smith and sophomore Natalie Pratt. That pairing could very well wind up as North’s No. 1 doubles team, but that is still to be decided. Smith and Pratt were North’s No. 2 doubles team a season ago.
After her North career concludes, Smith is headed to John Brown University in Arkansas. Other names to watch include senior Ava Marx and juniors Lillian Dai and Gloria Chen. Corbett and Norman North are also excited about freshmen Oriana Smith and Josefina Barbara.
Norman North begins its season with a 16-team tournament at Carl Albert on March 1.
“I like those big tournaments. It really lets the girls know how fit they are, where they stand,” Corbett said
Track & Field
As the 2025 season begins, Brett Jones takes over as head coach for Norman North track and field. Jones believes a key strength of his team is its depth and talent.
“We’ve got a huge roster… in the upper 80s number wise,” Jones said of his squad. “I think we’ve got a good mix of sprinters and distance guys.”
When asked what he has enjoyed most about being at Norman North so far, Jones said it’s the people.
“We have a big coaching staff and a lot of help that takes a lot off my plate and helps me stay organized,” he shared. “I’m anxious to see it altogether – what we really have and how they compete.”
Senior Josiah Jackson is a key athlete to watch in the 400 m, 300 m hurdles and as a member of Norman North’s 4×200 and 4×400 relay teams. Senior Grayson Hodge and juniors Antonio Taylor, Noah Frasco and Mason James are among the team’s top sprinters.
Taylor and Hodge are also expected to be competitive in the long jump.
Jones said he is particularly excited about sophomore Vlad Afanasiev, who has competed as a high jumper, long jumper, hurdler and relay runner. Jones and his staff are working to determine Afanasiev’s best event.
Sophomores Jaxon Bonilla, Lennon Connaughton and Christian Evenson have impressed in distance time trials.
Juniors Alyssa Pool and Morgan Pool, a pair of pole vaulters, are expected to have strong seasons. Jones also highlighted Payton Miller’s potential in the high jump.
Freshman Madelyn Card and junior Julia Jackson are strong sprinters, while senior Lilli Pecina is one to watch in middle-distance events. Freshman Laurel Cathey has posted strong times in distance races.– BSM
By Josh Helmer
