TOP ATHLETE OF THE PAST 30 YEARS: TYLER KAY (BARNSDALL)

By Mike Tupa

Nov. 9, 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

TYLER KAY (Barnsdall)

Multiple sports (mid-to-latter 2000s)

Tyler Kay was one of the standouts during a golden era of Barnsdall boys’ athletics during the first decade of the new century.

Casey Cassity, Drew Anthony, Corey Anthony, Kyle Jaquess, Jacob Hansen, Michael Morris, and Mitch Pearson were part of the Classes of 2007-2010 that created a strong impact on Panther sports.

Kay was a valuable member of this powerful fraternity.

After the 2006-07 Barnsdall Awards Banquet, Kay took home the Baseball Overall Athlete Award. He also earned other honors and attention during a gritty prep athletic career.

He brought a complete set of athleticism, skills, determination and competitiveness to the mix, helping to make his teams better.

While still a 14-year-old, Kay received some media coverage from an outstanding defensive play he completed for the Barnsdall Express 14-and-under team.

Kay — holding down the third baseman’s spot‚— handled a sizzling throw by a teammate and tagged a runner at third to secure a win against the vaunted VFW team in Bartlesville Area Amateur Baseball league play.

Next up in Kay’s athletic career was his four years at Barnsdall High.

He played his part — a powerful one — in helping create the overall success.

Perhaps Kay never had a bigger moment for the Panthers than one swing in 2008 — a grand slam homer that helped defeat Dewey, 17-11. Kay also ripped two other hits in the game.

Also scoring on his circuit clout classic were Hansen, Morris, and Corey Anthony.

Other Kay highlights for the Panthers:

— Kay drove home Morris and Cassity during a 7-3 win against Welch in 2007. Kay finished with two hits and four RBI in a revenge victory against a Welch team that had eliminated Barnsdall from the playoffs a year earlier.

— In April 2007, Kay lashed three hits and scored both runs in a 4-2 loss to the Ponca City junior varsity.

— Kay belted a double in a 12-2 triumph against Prue.

Kay excelled in football, as well. During a 2007 win against Okay he pulled in two catches for 91 yards.

In a 2006 victory against Okay, Kay scored on a two-yard plunge.

In a 2006 showdown against Pawhuska, Kay registered one of the few highlights by catching a pass from Casey Cassity and turning it into a 79-yard touchdown play.

In addition, Kay also played for the American Legion United Linen Braves, fought for Team Rouse under the name of “TK,” and played for a semi-pro football team. Today, Kay is a youth coach in Westville, OK.

It’s been more than a dozen years since Kay last suited up for Barnsdall varsity teams. But he carved out a lasting legacy as one of the top area athletes from the past 30 years.

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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