Former area high school greats will bolster the football, soccer and cross country rosters for several college teams when a new fall sports season begins next month.
EE has selected 12 of these talented warriors to watch over this fall, divided into three parts. Four of them show up today, in no particular order. A look at the others is scheduled for later in the week.
KENZIE HENDRIX
women’s cross country (sof.)
High School: Wesleyan Christian
College: University of Arkansas at Little Rock
The first significant fact to know about this little dynamo of powerful proposition is that he has changed the direction of his university. After battling growing pains in 2022 at Arkansas Tech, Hendrix followed his head coach to the University of Arkansas in Little Rock.
“I felt like I wanted that level of competition (DI),” said his mother, and high school coach, Teresa Hendrix. “(Little Rock) competes in the Ohio Valley Conference. I see her wanting to push herself.”
hendrix he showed great potential last season, highlighted by finishing 17th overall, the team’s third fastest, at the DBU Old Glory Gallop with a time of 18:38.3 over a 5K race.
Hendrix also placed 25th (19:29.47) at a Memphis tryout, 24th at the Great American Conference meet (19:29.2), and 115th at the NCAA D-2 Central Regional Championships.
In high school, Hendrix earned two-time All-State honors.
“She just doesn’t give up,” Teresa said. “If she doesn’t succeed in a certain race, I feel like she’ll take the next one to learn how to improve.”
BRILEY-ANNE BROWN
Women’s soccer (sr.)
High School: Bartlesville
University: Harding
Standing at 5 feet 10 inches tall, covered in an athletic frame, Brown was a force during his Bartlesville years.
She has continued to make an impressive impact as a forward at Harding.
Brown has led the low-scoring team in goals in two of the last three seasons: two goals as a freshman (2020), which tied for the team lead, and four goals as a junior (2022). He also led the team in assists (two), points (10), shots (20, tied) and shots on goal (12).
As a sophomore (2021), Brown he scored five goals, which ranked third on that year’s offense-oriented team, recorded two assists, scored 12 points, unleashed 38 shots, and ranked second in shots on goal (21).
Brown has recorded just one game-winning goal in his first year. His career numbers included 11 goals, four assists, 26 points, 45 shots on goal and 63 shots.
His former prep coach, Aaron Kuntz, pointed to two important assets for Brown.
“One is his soccer IQ,” he said. “He saw the game very well. He put himself in good positions.”
Brown’s second main asset was “just his drive. He was relentless,” including practice, Kuntz said. “She was always looking to go one step further.”
CAMERON SHAPER
Men’s soccer (soft.)
High School: Bartlesville
University: Oral Roberts
Molder helped propel Bartlesville to the playoffs with his presence as a wall in goal. From securing victory in the gripping pressure of penalty kick challenges to rising to the occasion against high-powered competition, Molder has become a human backup.
This will be his second year at ORU, where he had to control the college game from the bench. According to team stats for 2022, a redshirt senior played every minute, helping to forge a 10-4-2 mark.
The 5-foot-10 Molder heads into this season as one of two goaltenders made on the roster.
ORU opens this season with two road games: Sept. 23 at Western Illinois; and on September 30 in Denver. The Golden Eagles’ home opener is scheduled for October 7 against Omaha.
Last year’s team lost in the semifinals of the Summit League tournament, 3-2, to Kansas City. But, the Golden Eagles went undefeated (7-0-1) in their last eight regular season games.
BRANDON O’ROURKE
Men’s soccer (soft.)
High School: Bartlesville
University: Oral Roberts
O’Rourke also had no college minutes, according to team statistics.
He is listed as a 5-foot-8 forward. O’Rourke provided a powerful presence for the Bartlesville High team and improved each season during his career.
As a freshman (2019), O’Rourke he was part of a Bruin team that finished 4-8 and averaged less than a goal in nine of their 10 games.
Bartlesville improved to 4-1 in 2020, and likely would have had a successful season had it not been for the spring sports virus-caused shutdown. As it was, the Bruins scored three or more goals in three games.
In 2021, O’Rourke’s presence on the offensive end continued to bolster the offense. Bartlesville crossed the finish line with an 8-7 record, including four games with three or more goals.
During O’Rourke’s senior campaign (2022), Bartlesville rose to a 9-6 mark and their first playoff appearance during O’Rourke’s time with the varsity. The team averaged almost two goals per game.
In a 4-2 victory against Tulsa Edison, which ignited Bartlesville’s mighty season, O’Rourke scored two goals.
“We came out with all weapons on,” Bruin head coach Brandon Willis said after the game. “We took advantage of our chances and went up 4-0. We played very well.”
O’Rourke continued to produce and would be named to the Oklahoma Football Coaches Association all-state team.
He had an exceptional career in high school football, earning him an opportunity at the DI level at Oral Roberts. He should have a chance to contribute this fall.
