TOP ATHLETE OF THE PAST 30 YEARS: PRESTON BARTLEY (COPAN)

By Mike Tupa

Dec. 12, 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

PRESTON BARTLEY (Copan)

Multiple sports (latter 2000s)

Preston Bartley ranks as one of the great multi-sport area prep warriors of the past 30 years — and beyond.

Bartley made his biggest impact with the Hornet golf team.

In 2009 he spearheaded the first appearance of a Copan boys golf team — which was coached by Jason Collins — into the state tournament.

During the Class 2A regional tournament at Arrowhead Golf Course (Eufaula), Bartley fashioned a 74 (36-38) to help power Copan to a team score of 334 and fourth place.

Other Hornet scores at the regional included: Josh Stanley 82, Chase Hinkle 89, Cody Codding 89 and Tyler Koester 93.

A week later, Bartley would earn All-State honors.

In addition to golf, Bartley played a vital role in one of the most glorious two-year stretches in Hornet football.

Copan had suffered a 1-19 cumulative record for the 2006 and 2007 seasons — after the OSSAA had forced Copan to move up to 11-man football. Bartley was one of the few Hornets who stuck with the program during those unhappy seasons.

Prior to the 2008 season — which also heralded the return of Copan to eight-man football — head coach Steve Stanley tabbed Bartley as his No. 1 quarterback going into training camp. It was a potentially tough situation — Bartley’s main competition for the spot was Stanley’s son Josh.

But Steve Stanley awarded the starting job to Bartley — Josh went on to be the leading receiver at tight end.

That decision turned out to be golden.

Copan went from 0-10 in 2007 to bursting to a 9-0 record through most of the 2008 season. The Hornets dropped their 10th game, but then proceeded to win their playoff opener prior to being eliminated.

Bartley was impressive, considering Copan leaned heavily toward a ground attack. Bartley passed for 691 yards and nine touchdowns and rushed for 248 yards and nine scores. He helped guide an offense that averaged 47.0 points during the regular season.

Bartley also pulled down three interceptions on defense.

Just to give a bit more detail to that team, Tyler Shull ran for 1,792 yards and 29 touchdowns, and racked up 78 tackles and 24 sacks, during the regular season.

Josh Stanley finished with 474 yards receiving and five touchdowns. Another team star was Colby Bonham, who collected 144 tackles and 13 sacks on defense, and ran for 550 yards and 13 touchdowns.

During a 52-36 come-from-behind win in 2008 against Porter, Copan scored 30 points in the final eight minutes, including a 35-yard touchdown connection from Bartley to Stanley.

But Bartley’s sports future revolved around the golf course — both during his college years and after.

Bartley transferred in the early 2010s to Rogers State and made a lasting impact there.

On the Hillcats’ list of lowest-ever rounds, Bartley — who was listed then at 6-foot, 195 pounds — is still tied for fourth with 65 — which he accomplished twice.

He also owns the team record for the lowest score (135, minus-7) at a 36-hole tourney.

His career stroke average in three seasons at RSU was 76.65. He won two tourney championships in 2011, at Mid-America Christian University competition and at the NSU Classic.

In 2017, Bartley dueled for supremacy for the Dink’s Men’s Golf City Championship. Bartley bolted to a round of 65 (31 on the back nine) on his way to a score of 136. Former Bartlesville High state champion Nathan Hughes finished second at 142.

In addition, in 2011 Bartley qualified for the U.S. Amateur tournament.

Anyway one looks at it, Bartley earned the old-fashioned way his legacy as one of the best-ever athletes in area history — hard work, sweat, pain and unwavering determination.

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Preston Bartley

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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