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17 added to PHS Hall of Fame

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Angela Eaton

Angela Eaton is a 1982 Purcell High School Graduate.

PHS Basketball Guard 4 years, 79–82 Coach Rick Banta and Coach Randy Belicek

Heart of Oklahoma Tournament Champions 80, 82.

Heart of Oklahoma All-Tourney Team 82.

District Basketball Champions 80, 82.

Area semifinalists 80

Regional finalists 80

Regional qualifiers 82

PHS Track 4 years, 79–82

Angela’s track events:

440 relay, mile relay, mile run,

Mile Relay: Conference Champions (gold), Regional (bronze) and State Qualifiers 79

440 Relay : Conference third and regionals fourth , 81

mile run:

Conference champion 79-81

Regional champion 79-81

All- State Champion 81

Winning All- State with a time of 5:48.21 six seconds faster than her nearest competitor.

Undefeated Gold medalist in all the mile races she ran in 1981.

Winner of The All-State of Oklahoma Football Queen 82

I’m not sure if they do this anymore but this is if your school has a football player selected to go to All-State, their football Queen comes with them to compete with all the football Queens in the state. Kurt Gray was PHS selected to State and because I was the football queen that year I was able to represent Purcell and compete with over 110 Queens. The contest criteria consisted of three days of interviews with a panel of 7 famous Oklahomans as judges and a series of various philanthropic events. The ceremony was at halftime of the All-State Football Game and my name was announced. Honored!

PHS marching band 79, 80

PHS flag team 80

PHS cheerleader 81, 82

PHS Football Homecoming Queen 82

1986 Graduate of Oklahoma State University

Member of Kappa Kappa Gamma

Member of the Oklahoma State University Pom Squad

Angela’s career has encompassed all forms of print and electronic communications.

Working for the Los Angeles Daily News and The Orange County Register in Southern California as well as 18 years as Vice President of Wyland Fine Art Galleries and Studios where she was instrumental in the publishing, marketing and distribution of dozens of Fine Art, Self-Help and Environmental Books.

Angela calls Purcell and Atlantic Beach, North Carolina home.

Jill Taylor Mitchell

Mitchell is a 1982 graduate of PHS and a member of the 1982 Oklahoma Coaches Association Girls Basketball Large Schools West All-State Team. She is the daughter of Judy Taylor Eastin and the late Dr. Jack Taylor.

Jill was a four year starter for the Lady Dragons.

During her tenure the Lady Dragons amassed a varsity record of 61-18. Jill is the only player to be selected to the Heart of Oklahoma All-Tournament team in consecutive years, once as an offensive player and once as a defensive player.

1979-80 Heart of Oklahoma Tournament Champions; Arbuckle Conference Co-Champions;

District champions; Regional finalists; Area semifinalists, Record 23-4

1980-81 Heart of Oklahoma All-Tournament Team – forward, Record 16-9

1981-82 Heart of Oklahoma Tournament Champions; Heart of Oklahoma All-Tournament Team – guard  District Champions; Regional finalists, Area semifinalists; KNOR Prep Player of the Week; Arbuckle Conference All-Conference Guard; Arbuckle Conference Defensive Player of the Year; PHS Defensive Player of the Year, PHS Dragon Pride Award;

Oklahoma All-State guard, record 22-5

Jill credits her teammates, her coaches Ray Whitaker, Bobbie Sliger, Burse Dills, Larry Derrick, Rick Banta, Randy Belicek and longtime friend and role model Stephanie Stark Findley for shaping her into the player she became.

Jill has been married to 1978 PHS graduate Randy Mitchell for 23 years. She coached high school basketball and junior high volleyball in Spearville, Kansas as well as basketball, volleyball and softball for club teams in Texas.

She is currently the Director of Donor Relations for West Texas Boys Ranch, a non- profit home for boys ages 6-17 in San Angelo, Texas. Jill and Randy have 5 children and 6 grandchildren.

Jill is humbled by this selection and is grateful to the committee for including her in a class of athletes comprised of heroes and friends, especially her brother. She graciously accepts in honor of her father,

Dr. Jack Taylor… a true Dragon Fan.

Cari L. Wilson

Wilson was a 1980 Purcell High graduate. She was number two in her class.

National Honor Society four years, State Honor Society two years

OSU Scholastic Award and Who’s Who nominee

Fellowship of Christian Athletes four years

Girls Athletic Association four years

Attended the University of Oklahoma

Daughter of Sherel Bruehl and Judy Greenhaw.

Married to another former Purcell Dragon athlete, Kevin Wilson.

Has one son, Nick Martin and daughter-in-law Alex Martin.

1978-79  No. 1 singles tennis state semifinalist

1979-1980 No. 1 singles tennis state quarterfinalist

Washita Valley Tennis Conference Champ

All-Conference Tennis 1980

All-State 1980 Tennis

All-Conference Team Basketball 1980

Six year starting forward for women’s basketball 1975-1980

Heart of Oklahoma Tournament Champions 1980

Heart of Oklahoma All-Tournament team 1978, 1979 and 1980

District Basketball Champions 1980

Area semifinalists basketball 1980

Regional finalists basketball 1980

Cari comes from a large family of Purcell athletes one of them being her oldest brother Brent Bruehl, who’s memory was honored for his records and achievements in golf by renaming our golf course the Brent Bruehl Memorial Golf Course. She has worked in the medical billing and management field for over 35 years and is currently a successful business owner starting her own medical billing company in 2014.

Rick Banta

“In the fall of 1978, my wife, Connie, and our two-year-old daughter, Jaree, moved to Purcell and I was given the opportunity to coach and work with the young ladies of Purcell High School. I was so blessed to have so many wonderful young ladies to work with over our stay of four years, 1978-1982. During those four years, the Lady Dragons won 74 basketball games and qualified several young ladies for State track meets. Over all, there were two young ladies who were All State Girls Basketball, two who were All State Girls Track and one Girls Basketball All American.

The success that was accomplished at Purcell was due to many dedicated young ladies, their families, assistant coaches Larry Derrick and Randy Belicek, and my wife, who became an excellent mentor and counselor for the girls as they struggled with the tough workouts and the dedication that was expected for our program to be successful.”

Rick Banta Accomplishments:

1980 - Arbuckle Conference Coach of the Year

1982 - Arbuckle Conference Coach of the Year

1982 - Oklahoma Girls Basketball All State West Coach

1982 - Member of the Oklahoma High School Girls Basketball Coaches Association Board of Directors

Purcell Girls Basketball Accomplishments:

1978-79 – 13 wins – 8 losses – second - Heart of Oklahoma Tournament

third - Mustang Invitational Tournament

1979-80 – 23 wins - 4 losses -third - Byng Invitational Tournament

first - Heart of Oklahoma Tournament

District Champions

Regional finalists

Area semifinalists

1980-81 – 16 wins – 9 losses - third Place Heart of Oklahoma Tournament

Regional semifinalists

1981-82 – 22 wins – 5 losses - Heart of Oklahoma Champions

District Champions

Regional Finalists

Area semifinalists

Oklahoma Girls Basketball All State – Lynn McCurdy & Jill Taylor

All American Girls Basketball – Lynn McCurdy

Purcell Girls Track Accomplishments 1979-82:

2 - Individual Regional Champions – Lynn McCurdy – 440 run

Angela Eaton – mile run

2 – State Champions – Lynn McCurdy – high jump

Angela Eaton – mile run

State Runner-up – 440 Relay Team – Sherry Dragoo, Lynn McCurdy, Lisa Smith and Tressa Rentfro

Oklahoma Girls Track All State – Lynn McCurdy and Angela Eaton

“At the end of the school year in 1982, I had to make a very difficult decision whether to continue coaching at Purcell or become a principal at Tuttle Schools. It made the decision very difficult to have to choose between the wonderful community of Purcell and my home town of Tuttle.

“Because of the opportunities for my family, I chose to accept the Junior High Principal job at Tuttle. After moving there, our second daughter, Sharie, was born.

Over the 22 years at Tuttle Schools, I was Junior High Principal, Assistant Superintendent/Athletic Director, High School Principal, and Assistant High School Principal/Athletic Director/Transportation Director. I retired in 2004.”

Our daughter, Jaree Spurlock, owns a Farmers Insurance Agency and lives in Tuttle with our grandchildren, Ella, Garrett and Asher. Our daughter, Sharie Wilhoit, lives in Purcell with her husband, Kerry, and our grandchildren Klaire and Karter. She teaches at Purcell Elementary.

“There is no way we could we have known when we left Purcell that our younger daughter would marry a Purcell graduate and bless us again with a Purcell connection.

“Connie and I love spending time with our family, being Nana and Papa to our grandchildren and traveling.”

Scott Tucker

A 1980 PHS graduate.

Football-All Conference running back All State Honorable Mention running back

Captain 1979 season.

Three-Year letterman

Basketball - All Conference Honorable Mention

Voted Team Defensive Player ofthe Year junior and senior years

3-Year letterman track

All State-440 yard relay

State Qualifier in 440 yard relay, mile relay junior year

State Qualifier in 440 yard relay, 100 yard dash, 220 yard dash

State Champions 1980

Married to Ginger Tucker.  Family consists of our kids, Josh and Nikki Finklea, Annie and Dallas Swyden, and Dennis and Lauren Davis. Four grandchildren, Hayden, Sadie, Lexi, and Brody.

Employed by Metro Appliances and More, since 1989

Dr. Tom Martin

Family-wife, Pat, children Jeff and Faith and  five grandchildren.

Moved to Purcell 1968. Practiced Veterinary Medicine at Purcell Veterinary Hospital  for 40 years.

Booster club president three years. During this time the tradition of feeding the team a meal on game day began.

Kept statistics for 32 years for eight coaches. Started with Rick Clark and ended with Mike Wilson.

“I always had good help including Mike Hurt, Jody Milligan, Dan Pennington  and Paul Wollenberg to name a few.

“There were lots of highlights but mostly it was really fun being on the sidelines watching the kids play. It got me run over a few times but I survived. I quit when I couldn’t out run them anymore.”

Kurt Gray

Gray is the Assistant High School Football Coach/Offensive Line/Defensive Line Coach

Junior High Football Coach and 9th Grade Coach, junior high boys track coach and strength/powerlifting coach.

“I have been married for 32 years to my wife Susan and we have three boys including Andrew, a 2011 graduate from Purcell, Ethan, a 2014 graduate from Purcell and Mitchell, a 2014 graduate from Purcell, his wife Taylor Gray and grandson Ledger Gray”

1981 State Bench Press Record Holder at 198 pounds @310 pounds

1981 4th Place AAU Teenage Nationals at 198 pounds

1982 State Bench Press Record Holder at 198 pounds @315 pounds

1982 graduate of Purcell High School

1982 Football All-State

1982 State Football Powerlifting Champion

1983 State Teenage powerlifting champion

1983 State Teenage bench press record at 198 pounds @325 pounds

1983 State Teenage Squat Record at 198 pounds @ 480 pounds

1984 State Collegiate Powerlifting Champion at 220 pounds and member of Oklahoma Baptist University State Collegiate Champion Powerlifting Team

1987 Graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a BBA

1988-2001 worked in financial aid at a number of higher education institutions

2001 hired at Purcell as teacher/coach

2004 helped coach Purcell to the State 2A Finals in football

2001-present – Have coached three linemen who have been named to the All State Team

2006/2007 District Teacher of the Year for Purcell Schools

2011 Named to the Purcell High School All Century Football Team for 1900-1999

2001-Present – have coached seven  national powerliting champions, seven  state powerlifting champions and a number of state powerlifting qualifiers

2014 State Powerlifting Champion for 50-54 age group at 308 pound weight class

2015 State Powerlifting Champion for 50-54 age group and holder of four American Records for that age group at the 275 pound weight class.

2016 USPA 275 pound class National Champion for 50-54 age group

2017 and 2018 275 pound USPF State Powerlifting Champion

2017 - USPA State Record Holder for the 50-54 age group 275 pound weight class.

Mike Edge

1982 PHS Graduate

Son of the late Don and Linda Edge, sister (Carole) ‘78, brother (Jeff) ‘79

Four-year lettermen in basketball and golf

All-State Basketball

First golfer in PHS history to qualify for four state golf tournaments

Senior Class President

Went to OBU on a basketball scholarship --- 4-year starter at OBU and ranks No. 6 on the all-time list for games played

First Team All-Defensive Team for the Sooner Athletic Conference (two seasons), while at OBU

After graduating, worked at OBU for six years in Athletics (Men’s Basketball Coach) and Administration (Admissions and Financial Aid).

After OBU, spent 16 years in the healthcare sales field for Pfizer

In 2007, founded The Xtra Mile Group, focusing on growing organizations through developing leaders, executives, and sales professionals

Wife – Amy (31 years), son – Nate (26) and his wife, Paulina, daughters – Natasha (23) , Carlee (18)

J. Taylor

Taylor is a 1985 graduate of Purcell High School and is the son of the late Dr. Jack Taylor and Judy Taylor (Eastin). He is the brother of fellow 2018 PHS Hall of Fame inductee, Jill Taylor Mitchell.

He lives in Flower Mound, Texas with his wife, Staci, of 25 years. J. and Staci have two sons, Jack, 22, and Nick, 18. J. currently serves as assistant fire chief at the Irving Fire Department and supervises over 360 personnel from 12 fire stations. He has served 23 years at the city’s fire department.

During his high school career at PHS, J. Taylor was a two sport All-State athlete, four-year basketball letterman, four-year track letterman, and three-year football letterman. He led the Dragons to two consecutive state quarterfinal births. He led the state in passing his senior year amassing more than 2,160 yards and 18 touchdowns. Taylor’s other high school accomplishments include: 1984 Elected to the Oklahoma Coaches Association 2A All-State football team

Recognized quarterback in Tulsa World 1984 Football All-State Team and Daily Oklahoman Little All City QB

Awarded the District 2A-6 Offensive Player of the Year

Received the U.S. Army Reserve Oklahoma Male Scholar Athlete of the Year

1985 member of the State Track Championship team

Earned All-State as a state track champion in the 4x800 meter relay

After high school Taylor received two associate degrees from Tyler Junior College while playing quarterback for the Apaches. He led the team to a national No. 2 ranking in the Junior College Rose Bowl.

Taylor furthered his career by attending the University of Tulsa where he played quarterback primarily in red zone and short yardage situations and was special teams captain for the Golden Hurricane in 1987 and 1988.

In 1989, he was offered a starting quarterback position at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. At SWOSU he earned a Bachelor of Science in biology and chemistry in addition to leading the Bulldogs to a national No. 5 ranking. While at the university he earned:

First Team Academic All-Conference QB in the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference (OIC)

In 1989, he earned Honorable Mention Academic All-American honors

In 1990, he was a member of the OIC championship 4x400 meter relay with a personal best split of 47.8 seconds.

Taylor has been a football official since 1995 and currently officiates in the Southeastern Conference.

He most recently worked the 2018 Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium between Ohio State and Southern California. Additionally, he has worked as field judge in the Southland Conference (2002-2005),

Western Athletic Conference (2005-06), and Big 12 Conference (2006-13).

J. is extremely honored and proud to be inducted into the PHS Athletic Hall of Fame. His accomplishments are truly a mere reflection of the Dragon Pride displayed by his coaches, teammates and the entire Dragon community. J. is humbled to be inducted with so many of his childhood heroes.

He is especially proud to be inducted alongside one of his biggest heroes, his “Big Sis” Jill Taylor Mitchell

(‘82).

Kelly Nemecek

1984 Purcell High School graduate

Letterman Purcell High School Basketball Team (1980 - 82 / 1983 - 84)     

Letterman Purcell High School Football Team 1981 - 1983.     

Letterman Purcell High School Baseball Team 1982 - 1984.    

Letterman Purcell High School Powerlifting Team 1983     

Letterman Purcell High School Golf Team 1984     

Member of PHS Class 3A Area Finalist Basketball Team 1980 - 81 three-year starter at linebacker, Kicker and punter and a two-year starter on the offensive line for the Dragons     

Led the Dragons with 136 total tackles during his sophomore season     

Three-year starter on PHS Baseball team 1982 -84     

Selected to The Daily Oklahoman Little All-City Football Team as a kicker 1982     

Member of PHS Powerlifting State Runner-Up Team 1983     

Selected to The Daily Oklahoman Little All-City Baseball second team as an outfielder 1983     

Set a National High School Record for Most Field Goals (18) made in one year during his senior football season    

Kicked 31 career field goals during his Dragon playing career (1981-83), which at that time was the third most All-Time in National High School Football History     

Selected as District 2A-5 “Football Player of the Year” (1983)     

Selected to The Daily Oklahoman Little All-City Football Team as a Kicker (1983)     

Scored 180 total points in his Dragon Football career (1981 - 83)     

Averaged 38.4 yards per punt on 112 career punts for the Dragons.     

Averaged over 100 tackles per season for his entire PHS career, plus five career interceptions

Selected to the 1984 Sunday Oklahoman All-State Football Team as a kicker     

Selected to the Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State Football Team as a kicker (1984)     

Named as the Daily Oklahoman/Thom McAnn “OKC Scholar Athlete of the Year” (1984)     

Named as the “Oklahoma High School Male Sports Headliner of the Year” (1984)     

Named as the “Oklahoma High School FCA Male of the Year” (1984)     

Starter on 1984 PHS Class 3A State Golf Tournament Qualifying Team     

Four Sport Letterman (Football, Basketball, Baseball, and Golf) during his senior year (1983 - 84)     

“Boney Matthews Award” recipient as the Most Outstanding Purcell High School Senior male athlete (1984)          

Walk-on football player University of Oklahoma (1984)     

Scholarship Football Player and Letterman Southeastern Oklahoma State University (1985)     

Graduate Oklahoma State University (Business Administration (1989)     

Employed by McClain Bank since 1996 where he is now serving as a Senior Vice President/Norman Branch Manager and is a member of the McClain Bank Board of Directors         

Was instrumental in leading the research and information collection for the History of the PHS Football Program and the History of the PHS Basketball program documents.

He used the work of 2010 PHS Hall of Fame member Jack Angel as a benchmark to help finish out the PHS Football History, and then started later himself on the History of the Purcell Basketball Program

Randy McDaniel

McDaniel helped lead the Purcell Dragons to the 1985 state track championship.

He anchored the state record setting 3200 meters relay team, won the individual 800 meters, placed second in the 3200 meters and third in the 1600 meters.

He was also a captain on the 12-2 Dragon football team that won district and played in the state semifinals.

McDaniel earned a bachelor’s degree in economics with honors from the University of Oklahoma where he was selected as the Outstanding Senior Man, Student Body President and a Distinguished Military Graduate.

He then earned a master’s degree from Cambridge University in England.

McDaniel began his career in the financial services industry at a local bank and then worked for more than 20 years as a financial advisor.

He served as a Captain in the Oklahoma Army National Guard before being elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives.  He is currently a candidate for State Treasurer.

He and his wife Julie have two children: Grace and John. They attend Crossings Community Church.

Bobby Green

Green was a two-time state champion in track 1980 and 1981. Member of the 1980 State Champion track team. All district performer in football and a three year letterman.

Green was best known for his come -from-behind anchor leg victory on the two mile relay at the state championship in 1980.

Brother to Hall Of Fame Members Gerald Green and Jimmy Don Green.

Jayson Howard

Howard was a three sport letterman and three-time state champion in track. Member of the  1980 State Champion track team and the 1978 State runner up team. Howard was an All District performer in football and is the current school record holder in the 300 intermediate hurdles, a record that has stood for 37 years.

Lee Reimer

Reimer coached his high school Alma Mater Medford to the State Championship in 1984.

After taking over the head coaching duties at Purcell in 1989, Reimer led the Dragons to the State Championship in 1994 and to the State semifinals in 1995.

He was selected as an All-State coach in 1990 and was Little All-City Coach of the Year in 1994.

He was 485-313 as the Dragons Head Coach and 545-331 overall.

His teams won 20 District titles, qualified for Regionals 31 times and advanced to Area 14 in seasons.He coached four All-Staters and averaged 16 wins per season.

The Dragons now play their home basketball games in The Reimer Center, named for the highly successful and respected coach.

Reimer and his wife, Tina, live in Purcell.

Kenneth Lamb

Lamb went to work in the early 1970’s for the Purcell School System as a bus driver. Along with driving a route, he soon began to take Purcell students and athletes on all types of activities and sporting events.

In football he hauled Coaches “Doc” Holiday, Milt Bassett, Rick Clark and Tom Redding.

In basketball Leroy “Boney” Matthews, Garry Looper, Lee Reimer among the most notable. Also of course the great junior high coach and track coach Bob Haley.

During those years, Kenneth took teams that won the State Championship in football in 1972 and the State Runner-up team in 1974.

In basketball, he took the 1974 State Championship team to their state game. He drove the track State Championship teams in 1975, 1976, 1980 and in 1985.

He hauled many, to many events, which was entirely his honor to do so.

Kenneth quit driving in 1991, and passed away in 1998.

Kenneth and his wife Fern, raised a son Kenny, who was a member of the 1972 Dragon State Championship football team. Kenny also coached in Purcell from 1998-1991. Kenneth also has two grandchildren, Ashley and Corey Lamb and five great grandchildren and three foster grandchildren.

Candice McCurdy

McCurdy is a 1986 graduate of PHS.

Growing up in Purcell, Candy participated in a multitude of sports.

She loved all things “sports” and competing was in her blood. Her mother was overheard many times, begging her to wear anything other than cleats and a baseball cap.

 During her time at Purcell High School, she lettered in basketball, track, cross-country and softball.

As a freshman, she was a member of the first girls track team to ever win a meet title. This team continued to win multiple meet and conference titles over the next few years. She was a track All-Stater as a freshman, winning the title of Class 2A high jump state champion.

She was the first leg on the mile and two mile relay teams, which came in fourth place at state for two consecutive years.

She was also a state qualifier in the 800m run. She held school records in the 800m, as well as the mile and two mile relay teams. The record that inspired her the most was the school high jump record she shared with her sister, Lynn. Being compared to or measuring up to her big sister was a thrilling accomplishment. She was a member of the girls cross-country team of 1984. This team was the first Purcell team to earn the honor of Regional champions and qualify for the state meet, ultimately winning third place.

As a basketball player, she averaged 23 points per game during her sophomore and junior years.

She was named Little All-City Honorable mention her sophomore year, and Little All-City as a junior.

She was also named to the Heart of Oklahoma All-Tournament team and was an All-Conference selection for the Arbuckle conference. Three of her most prized awards were being named PHS MVP of girls’ track, basketball’s “Most Dedicated Offensive Player” and the coveted Jack Angel award for the outstanding female athlete. She suffered a career ending knee injury just before her senior basketball season began, but received the Southern and Central Oklahoma Region 5 “Injured Athlete of the Year” award at the end of her senior year.

She continued her studies at OU, participating in the President’s Leadership Class and graduated with a degree in education in 1991. This is her 18th year of teaching, with the last ten teaching English at Purcell High School. She has four children including son, Jake Sheehy of Norman, and daughters Jordan Simmons and husband, Jake, of Purcell, Kaitlyn Sheehy of Edmond, and Abby Sheehy of Purcell. She also has two grandchildren.

 Candy is extremely honored by this selection and grateful to be included with these amazing athletes and friends.  She credits her mentors Randy Belicek, LeAnn Musgrove, Harold Petree, Dick Gray, Bob Hale and Jo Tahsuda.  

Once a Dragon, always a Dragon.

Henry Ketchum

Ketchum chronicled the athletic dominence of the Dragons for 51 years behind the lens of The Purcell Register’s camera. He was chief photographer of the newspaper for many years.

Ketchum traveled far and wide snapping pictures of athletic events and also took hundreds of photos of Purcell students in their daily activities.

He was the shop foreman and head printer at The Register. He also ran the job shop at the newspaper for many, many years.

In addition to photography, Ketchum assisted with the layout and production of the paper and worked under the ownerships of Jim Nance, Tom McCurdy and the Montgomery family.

Ketchum was inducted into the Oklahoma Press Association Half Century Club in 2015.

June 15, 2017 was Henry Ketchum Day in Purcell.

Darren Woolly

Darren has a career stolen base total of 176 as a State Record that has since been broken.

He hit 26 career triples, a State Record that still stands today.

He was All-State in 1989. He played in the Sooner State Games in both 1988 and 1989.

As a member of the Oklahoma All-Stars, he played in the Sunbelt Classic.

He attended Eastern Oklahoma State College on a baseball scholarship.

He finished college earning a BS in aviation from Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

Darren currently works as a drilling consultant for Continental Resources drilling wells around the Watonga area.

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