TOP AREA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES OF THE LAST 30 YEARS: REBECCA SCHLUTER

By Mike Tupa

Sept. 8, 2025

BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT

During his nearly 30 years of covering area high school sports for either the Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise or the Bartlesville Area Sports Report, Mike Tupa has enjoyed the opportunity to observe some incredible athletes.

This is an ongoing series highlighting each few days one of those athletes from the 1996-97 school year through the present. The list is not in chronological order. The athletes are presented in random sequence.

TODAY'S SPOTLIGHT

REBECCA SCHLUTER (Wesleyan Christian)

Girls basketball (mid-to-latter 2000s)

In Schluter’s case the tape measure didn’t lie — it just didn’t gauge the whole truth.

By feet and inches, Schluter spanned six-feet-or-taller in high school and later in college.

But by impact, Schluter played much, much, much taller.

She proved to be one of the driving forces — along with Chantel Plummer and Kayla Deal — on the WCS Lady Mustangs drive all the way to the 2008 state championship game in the Christian association for Oklahoma schools.

At Oklahoma Wesleyan University, she elevated her game into one of the top rebounders in the nation — and averaged a double-double as a freshman.

She remains a titan in the history of area girls’ basketball.

More than a titan — some of her Brobdingnagian feats remain difficult to digest.

Take her performance during a weekend high school tourney in Miami, Okla.

In the first game she pulled down 27 rebounds (and scored 15 points) in a 56-50 win against Tyro Christian. On the next day, she grabbed 15 boards and poured in 30 points in the 55-51 loss to Westside (Ark.) for the championship.

That added up to 42 rebounds and 45 points in two games.

For her senior year (2007-08) at Wesleyan Christian she averaged more than 20 points and approximately 13-14 rebounds per outing.

Indeed, Schluter proved to be an imposing presence during her tour de force with both WCS — coached by Sandra Cloud — and OKWU. She often dominated the boards like a  compact 73-inch tall tornado.

In one key prep performance, her offensive rebound and putback to open the second half scoring triggered a 35-point explosion in the final two quarters by WCS in a 54-28 win against South Coffeyville. WCS had led by just three points at halftime, 19-16.

In a come-from-behind 48-42 win against fierce rival White Oak, Schluter scored six points (the margin of victory) in the fourth quarter. Her glass-kissing layup from the left block put WCS ahead, 32-31 and set up the dramatic finish.

Schluter averaged a double-double throughout her high school days, which included a 21-3 record her senior season and state runner-up honors. Schluter would be voted by the Cherokee Conference as the Most Valuable Player.

In the state final in 2008, WCS — the smallest school in the Christian association, nearly upset Community Christian — the biggest school. By numbers, WCS had 52 students — Community Christian boasted more than 200.

In the final, Community Christian eked out a 53-49 victory — despite a feisty whirlwind effort by Schluter, who nearly achieved a triple-double (19 points, 12 rebounds, eight blocks and four steals).

Following his WCS years, Schluter played for three seasons at OKWU, averaging a double-double her freshman season, including approximately 13 rebounds per game.

As a sophomore (2010-11) she finished fourth in the nation in rebounding (11.5 per game) despite missing a few games. In her signature performance she polished the glass with 25 rebounds in a game against Peru State. She also scored 13 points.

During that same season, she recorded 19 points and 15 boards against Saint Mary.

In addition, Schluter amassed eight double-doubles during a 46-day period in January-February 2011.

For her OKWU career she piled up 941 rebounds and 795 points in 87 games.

It’s been more than a dozen years since Schluter suited up for OKWU and WCS. But the sparkling magnitude or her magnificent effort has not tarnished with the years.

___

This series has included the following athletes, who are listed in no particular order.

-Jena’ Williams, Bartlesville

-Eric Rolfs, Bartlesville

-Chris Smith, Caney Valley

-Jill Bryan, Copan

-Barron Tanner Jr, Bartlesville

-Hailey Tucker, Bartlesville

-Jeremy Dunkle, Dewey

-Whitney Metcalf, Bartlesville

-Tim Hamilton, Bartlesville

-Danielle Koster, Bartlesville

-Carson LaRue, Dewey

-John Hamman, Wesleyan Christian

-Jamie Elam, Caney Valley

-Sam Mitchell, Bartlesville

-Karissa Jones, Dewey

-Noah Hartsock, Bartlesville

-Tiffany Paper, Copan

-AJ Parker, Bartlesville

-Tiffany Eden

-Henry Williams

-Andrew Rodgers

BLASTS FROM THE PAST: October 1966

Jean Cole shot a sizzling 87 to take a four-stroke lead against Bev Gardner in the championship flight of the Women’s All-City Golf Tournament sponsored by the Examiner-Enterprise. Other competitors in the flight included Jenny Cochran, Marie Hiatt and Evalee Rogers.

___

Central Junior High’s football team tip-toed past Stillwater Junior High, 6-0. A 40-yard pass from Bill Berryhill to Jim Humble set up a three-yard touchdown run by Kent Martindale.

___

Dewey High’s football team, coached by Noah Due, humbled Hominy, 36-0. Roger Woody hit Steve Sprague for a 24-yard pass to set up the first score. Mike Warwick, Woody, Robert Walton and Terry Birmingham each scored touchdowns.

___

College High’s football team buried Springfield (Mo.) Parkview, 43-8, with Scott Martin and Pat Sears both flinging passes for the Wildcats. Steve McFarlane hauled in a 30-yard scoring strike from Martin and Sears directed a 61-yard scoring drive, including two completions to Pat MuCullough, who finished with 96 yards receiving.

Rebecca Schulter