BARTLESVILLE FALL SPORTS SHOWCASE HIGHLIGHTS GROWTH, REBUILDING AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Bartlesville Sports Commission Board Chairman Chris Batchelder, left, speaks with Bruin student-athlete Nick Davis, wrestling coach Bryan Vashus, and student-athlete Theresa Hamilton last Thursday during the Bartlesville Sports Commission’s annual Fall Sports Showcase at Hillcrest Country Club.
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Bartlesville cross country coach David Ayers, right, and student-athlete Preston Shoesmith speak with Bartlesville Sports Commission Board Chairman Chris Batchelder last Thursday during the Bartlesville Sports Commission’s annual Fall Sports Showcase at Hillcrest Country Club.
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Bartlesville Sports Commission Board Chairman Chris Batchelder, left, listens as Bartlesville volleyball player Reagan Anderson talks with head coach Andrew Blain last Thursday during the Bartlesville Sports Commission’s annual Fall Sports Showcase at Hillcrest Country Club.
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By Stephanie J Lief
Sept. 28, 2026
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
Dedication, teamwork, and perseverance were the focal points Thursday as coaches and athletes gathered at Hillcrest Country Club for the Bartlesville Sports Commission’s annual Fall Sports Showcase.
BSC Board Chairman Chris Batchelder sat down with coaches and athletes representing the nine Bruin sports for the fall and winter competitive seasons:
Cross Country: Coach David Ayres and athlete Preston Shoesmith
Volleyball: Coach Andrew Blain and athlete Reagan Anderson
Softball: Coach Holden Yoder and athlete Madie Nachbor
Swimming: Coach Chad Englehart and athlete Kevin Contreras
Wrestling: Coach Bryan Vashus and athletes Nick Davis and Theresa Hamilton
Cheer: Coach Kyle Kachelmeyer and athlete Brayleigh Jackson
Girls Basketball: Coach Jason Flick and athlete Addison Jones
Boys Basketball: Coach Jake Christenson and athlete Jaden Turner
Football: Coach Matt Hennesy and athlete Boden Roberts
All sports discussed the growth and rebuilding that took place throughout the season and continues to happen. The cross country team’s roster boasts a large group of 166 runners between middle school and high school athletes. The wrestling team has seen tremendous growth, expanding its women's roster from three athletes to 32, while the men's team features a solid 65 athletes. The cheer team is continuing to build a pipeline of athletes through its middle school programs and has a strong number of junior varsity and varsity squad members for the 2026-2027 season.
Lady Bruins basketball and volleyball coaches spoke candidly about their focus on developing players and teaching resilience while competing in some very difficult district matches this season, keeping the focus on teamwork and year-to-year growth.
Bruin swim coaches expressed excitement for the upcoming season. While the squad is smaller this year, coaches noted it brings the ability to go back to the roots and focus on the individual development of each swimmer to remain a dominant force in Oklahoma.
Bruin football and boys basketball focused on the value of cross-developing players, allowing athletes to be well-rounded by participating in multiple sports. Both programs are focused on growing roster numbers and trusting the process, including offseason and preseason development of body and character.
All Bruin coaches and athletes encourage the community to come out to upcoming competitions to support the student-athletes and watch their growth firsthand.
Complete athletic schedules can be found on the Bartlesville Bruin Athletic website or directly here: https://app.rankone.com/Schedules/View_Schedule_All_Web.aspx?P=0&D=b8d94a76-ca93-4993-86cb-bb69b77147d2
Bartlesville swim coach Chad Englehart, right, and student-athlete Kevin Contreras speak last Thursday during the Bartlesville Sports Commission’s annual Fall Sports Showcase at Hillcrest Country Club.
Courtesy photo
Bartlesville Lady Bruin head basketball coach Jason Flick speaks last Thursday during the Bartlesville Sports Commission’s annual Fall Sports Showcase at Hillcrest Country Club.
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Bartlesville Lady Bruin basketball student-athlete Addison Jones speaks last Thursday during the Bartlesville Sports Commission’s annual Fall Sports Showcase at Hillcrest Country Club.
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Bartlesville Lady Bruin head softball coach Holden Yoder, right and student-athlete Madie Nachbor speak last Thursday during the Bartlesville Sports Commission’s annual Fall Sports Showcase at Hillcrest Country Club.
Courtesy photo
Bartlesville Bruin head cheerleading coach Kyle Kachelmeyer, right, and student-athlete Brayleigh Jackson speak last Thursday during the Bartlesville Sports Commission’s annual Fall Sports Showcase at Hillcrest Country Club.
Courtesy photo
Bartlesville Bruins head football coach Matt Hennesy, right, and student-athlete Boden Roberts speak last Thursday during the Bartlesville Sports Commission’s annual Fall Sports Showcase at Hillcrest Country Club.
Courtesy photo
Bartlesville Bruin head boys basketball coach Jake Christenson, right, and student-athlete Jaden Turner speak last Thursday during the Bartlesville Sports Commission’s annual Fall Sports Showcase at Hillcrest Country Club.
Courtesy photo