BLAST FROM THE PAST

By Mike Tupa

Jan. 26, 2025

BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT

Following is a summary of two sporting events from the past;

Jim Wahnee is one of the most legendary area football products.

The early-1960s Dewey High School graduate went on to star for the University of Miami (Florida) on a national stage.

Listed at 5-foot-10, 180 pounds, Wahnee started his college football career at NEO A&M in Miami, Okla.

Andy Sixkiller of Jenks and Jim Wahnee of Dewey, teamed together to make one of the greatest safety combinations in national juco football, according to one source.

Wahnee then transferred to the Miami Hurricanes, where he became a full-time starter and played an important role in a Liberty Bowl win against Virginia Tech, 14-7.

His five punt returns in that game are the second-most in Liberty Bowl history.

Against Florida State he piled up nine tackles and intercepted a pass in October 1966.

He also led the defensive secondary in holding LSU to just three completed passes.

Following the 1966 season he was named to the prestigious All-Florida First Team.

Wahnee attended camp with the Ottawa Rough Riders (Canadian Football League) in 1967.

No other information is readily available about his football career.

Glorious echoes ride winds of whispers from yesteryear to confirm that Jim Wahnee remains connected with the best of Dewey’s sports legacy.

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JANUARY 2000

Bartlesville’s swimming team nixed Bixby in dual meet swamper.

For the Lady Bruins, Lindsey Jones won the girls’ 200-yard freestyle (2:05.59) by a margin of nearly 10 seconds. She also won the girls’ 500-yard freestyle (5:29.89) by more than 25 seconds. Briana Leonard, Emily Staats, Amy Briggs and Dafah Chuleewah won one event apiece.

Five Bruins won boys championships — Danny Morris (200 I.M.), Jacob Webster (one-meter diving), Clint Archer (500 freestyle), Chris Madayag (100 backstroke) and Paul Hodges (100 breaststroke).

Bartlesville also captured first in all the relay events