Former Norman North swimmer Aiden Hayes wins NCAA title for N.C. State

Aiden Hayes is now an NCAA national champion.

The NC State sophomore swimmer and former Norman North star won the 200-yard butterfly in 1 minute, 38.79 seconds at the NCAA Championships in Minneapolis on Saturday.

Hayes led early in the race but had to rally from behind late to finish just ahead of Indiana standout and defending champion Brendan Burns, who clocked in at 1:38.97.

Hayes had no clue how close the race actually was until after it was over.

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“That was probably the first time that on all my turns, I don’t think I ever saw above water level,” Hayes told reporters after the win.

“I just touched every single time and went right into my underwater and just tried to stay in the race. I don’t think my eyes went anywhere but straight forward the entire 200. And I think it ended up helping because I was able to stay in my own lane the whole race.”

Hayes had one of the best high school careers in state history, and he’s off to a terrific start at NC State.

He was named the ACC Freshman of the Year last season. He was also a three-time All-American (100 butterfly, 200 butterfly and 200 freestyle relay).

Now a national champion, he’ll look to keep building on his success with the Wolfpack.

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Place's walk-off lifts Washington over North Rock Creek

Two of the best Oklahoma high school slowpitch softball teams faced off Monday, and the game lived up to the hype.

Last season, North Rock Creek won the Class 5A title and Washington won the Class 4A crown. This season, Washington moved up to Class 5A.

The two teams met with undefeated records, and Washington came out on top 15-13 as Maggie Place hit a two-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh inning.

North Rock Creek took a one-run lead in the top of the seventh and Washington responded with two home runs in the bottom to take the win.

“She’s coming through when we need her to, for sure,” Washington coach Tylor Lampkin said of Place.

Earlier in the game, Washington had the bases loaded with one out and their second and third hole coming to bat. But it didn’t go their way.

“You can tell that they were just trying to do it really hard, instead of just staying with the game plan,” Lampkin said. “And they both had weak pop-ups. We told them, ‘We’ve been in these situations before and that it wasn’t a big deal, just relax and do what you know how to do.’ And that eventually prevailed for us.”

The Warriors clearly learned from their mistake. Even though it was down one run, Washington responded in the seventh without a batter getting out. Emjay Lucas hit a solo home run to tie the game. Skylar Wells got on base with a single and Place finished it off with a home run.

“I think it’s a big deal,” Lampkin said of the momentum it gives Washington. “We’ve been battling a few injuries. But we were able to do that and still figure out a way to win the ball game.”

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Former Tuttle star wrestler Rhett Golowenski dies at 23

Rhett Golowenski, who won three state wrestling championships at Tuttle, died of a fentanyl overdose Saturday. He was 23.

Golowenski had an illustrious high school career and also competed at the collegiate level, beginning at Appalachian State before heading to Oklahoma State.

After a brief stint as a 125-pounder with the Cowboys, Golowenski quit school and got his apprentice license in sheet metal.

Golowenski came from a prestigious wrestling family and is a grandson of Mike London, who kickstarted junior high and high school wrestling at Tuttle in the early 1980s. Golowenski’s uncle Trent London became Tuttle’s first state champion in 1988.

Golowenski added to his family’s success in the sport at Tuttle before graduating in 2018.

“As far as a wrestler, he was one of the hardest workers,” said Matt Surber, who coached Golewenski and is now the school’s principal. “Kind of kept to himself when he was in a wrestling room. Kind of nose-to-the-grindstone type kid.

“Outside of wrestling, liked to joke and tell stories. He always had a story about something. He was one of those that liked to laugh at one of his own stories as he was telling it. Just a pretty happy-go-lucky kid.”

Golowenski’s funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Tuttle High School auditorium.

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Trey Alexander reaches Elite Eight with Creighton, barely falls to San Diego State

Former Heritage Hall star Trey Alexander’s run through the NCAA men’s basketball tournament ended in the Elite Eight.

Alexander, a sophomore guard for sixth-seeded Creighton, had 19 points as the Bluejays defeated Princeton 86-75 in the Sweet 16. Then Creighton fell to San Diego State 57-56 on Sunday.

At the end of the season, the 2021 Gatorade Oklahoma Player of the Year referenced his home city on Twitter, using the hashtag #405made.

“Just a kid from the 405 who had a dream and a love for the game!” Alexander said in the tweet. “This ride has been everything I have dreamed of and more with my guys! Sophomore year was historic! Shoutout to all the people who made this year special!”

Alexander averaged 13.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per game as Creighton went 24-13.

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Extra points

● One of the state’s top class of 2025 football recruits added another Division I offer to his list. Weatherford receiver/edge rusher CJ Nickson announced Tuesday he has picked up an offer from Wisconsin. Nickson’s other suitors include OU and Oklahoma State.

● The Division I interest is increasing for Xavier Robinson, too. The Carl Albert junior running back announced Saturday he landed an offer from Central Michigan. Robinson, a 6-foot-2 junior, also holds offers from several other programs, including OU and Oklahoma State.

● Last week, Tulsa extended offers to two class of 2024 offensive linemen from Oklahoma — Harrison Utley of Norman North and Josh Aisosa of Edmond Santa Fe.

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Former Norman North swimmer Aiden Hayes wins NCAA title for N.C. State