TOP ATHLETE OF THE PAST 30 YEARS: CALEB HAWES (BARNSDALL)
By Mike Tupa
Jan. 2, 2026
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
CALEB HAWES (Barnsdall)
Multiple sports: Early 2010s
When the word “stalwart” is brought up in connection with the top area high school athletes in the past 30 years, one can’t help but think of Caleb Hawes.
The Barnsdall High School warrior was as focused as a canine playing tug o’war with a bone.
He put everything he had into it, refusing to give an inch.
Of Hawes, it could truly be said that during his years of school competition, he gave his all.
Hawes’ resume is impressive — two state wrestling championships, a four-year varsity starter at quarterback and a successful college wrestling career.
He also excelled on the baseball diamond for Barnsdall.
During a signature win against perennial powerhouse Ripley, 8-7, Hawes smashed a key double that fueled the Barnsdall attack.
But it was on the wrestling mat where Hawes cast the biggest shadow.
Competing in the upper weights, he hammered out a 112-17 high school career record on the mat. As a sophomore he finished as the Class 3A state runner-up at 182 pounds.
He captured the state crown in back-to-back years as an upperclassman at 195 pounds.
During his freshman season (2014-15) at the University of Central Oklahoma Hawes recorded a respectable 13-15 record, finished as the championship runner-up in the Swede Open and climbed to fourth place in the conference tourney. He snapped off a 4-0 record in matches decided by two points or less.
As a sophomore (2015-16), Hawes powered to a 10-3 record, including winning the Roger Denker Open title at 197 pounds.
Hawes earned a starting spot on the team in 2016-17. In a match against Fort Hays State, Hawes beat his opponent, 11-5, at 184 pounds to clinch Central Oklahoma’s first-ever undefeated season (18-0) — and the MIAA conference title — in wrestling.
Earlier that season, Hawes held off a gritty University of Central Missouri foe to win, 7-6, to help UCO to an overwhelming victory.
One can’t discount Hawes’ football highlights for Barnsdall.
He earned the starting quarterback’s role as a freshman (2010) and maintained it for four years while playing for different coaches.
In 2012, he connected on 8-of-15 passes for 123 yards in a stunning win against Pawnee, 18-15.
During a 36-20 win his senior season (2013) against Yale, Hawes found Cody Klutts for a 40-yard scoring strike and ran for another score.
Hawes zipped touchdown passes to Klutts and Cameron Curly and booted 4-of-5 extra points in a 34-20 thumping of Drumright.
During a shootout loss to Kiefer, 57-43, Hawes ran for four touchdowns — including jaunts of 46 and 20 yards. Barnsdall trailed at halftime, 43-7, but outscored Kiefer in the second half, 36-14.
In addition to his offensive contributions, Hawes also produced some mighty play on the defensive line.
Barnsdall qualified for the football playoffs during both his freshman and senior seasons.
Hawes’ light saber of performance never dimmed during his athletic exploits at Barnsdall. That, plus his well-honed skills and talent and achievements make him one of the best to have competed in the Bartlesville area.
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Caleb Hawes
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This series has featured the following athletes, 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, Caney Valley
-Henry Williams, Bartlesville
-Markell Carter, Bartlesville
-Rebecca Schluter, Wesleyan Christian
-Adam Hibdon, Barnsdall
-Tishuana Hunter, Nowata
-Nate Alleman, Bartlesville
-Jessie Burch, Dewey
-Joey McNair, Caney Valley/Bartlesville
-Michael Thompson, Bartlesville
-Kate Steward, Bartlesville
-Jarrett Rouse, Community
-Amanda Warehime, Bartlesville
-Trey Osborne, Dewey
-Heather Lanphear, Barnsdall
-Erin Epperson, Bartlesville
-Levi Wyrick, Caney Valley (Kan.)
-Spencer Magana, Dewey
-Jackie Jo Chaney, Copan
-Haley Downey, Bartlesville
-Cooper Fogle, Caney Valley
-Amanda Brown, Copan
-Rachel Smith, Pawhuska
-Casey Cassity, Barnsdall
-Stacy Cornforth, Bartlesville
-Gabby Higbee, Dewey
-Kirby Schoenthaler, Bartlesville
-Tyler Kay, Barnsdall
-Colton Penrod, Bartlesville
-Erin Herchock, Dewey
-Lindsey Collins, Caney Valley
-Nathan Hughes, Bartlesville
-Aaron Hunt, Copan
-Calan Crowder, Bartlesville
-Colby Kohlmeyer, Caney Valley
-Allison Hunt, Copan
-Stephen Garrett, Dewey
-Brett Turowski, Bartlesville
-Hayley Bryan, Copan
-Kaitlyn Ritchie, Bartlesville
-Caroline Courtney, Bartlesville
-Preston Bartley, Copan
-Chris Turner, Bartlesville
-Michael Wolfe, Bartlesville