Half of watching a sport is the emotions you feel and see during the game–from the sidelines, the field, the stands, emotions are what make the game interesting. This month, I compiled a collection of photos I have taken of coaches and players of Jenks Athletics expressing emotions from the sidelines during the 2025-2026 season. 

Greatness comes in all shapes and forms, and we most commonly recognize greatness in sports. Some examples include Tom Brady in football, Wayne Gretzky in hockey, and LeBron James in basketball.

Greatness comes in all shapes and forms, and we most commonly recognize greatness in sports. Some examples include Tom Brady in football, Wayne Gretzky in hockey, and LeBron James in basketball.

I'm Ethan Adkins, but if you came to the Jenks Aquatic Center, you might hear me called Coach Ethan. Coaching is one of the biggest passions in my life thus far. I have also been a competitive athlete since I was in 5th grade, which is another one of my biggest passions. To me, these two passions go hand in hand in my life. The more I learn and grow as an athlete in the sport of swimming, the better a coach I can become.

Some call it the most dangerous sport. Some say it's not even a sport at all. Cheer has always been at the center of attention for one reason or another. From doing stunts on football sidelines to bringing the energy at pep rallies, cheerleaders are always pouring their energy into getting the crowd hyped for whatever sport they need. Most viewers might think that's all they do.

When you ask an athlete why they do their sport, the answers you may receive vary so dramatically that you could hear so many different answers, it feels inconceivable.

Someone saying “they make it look effortless” is just about the highest praise you can get in sports. Seeing an athlete make their sport look so effortless begs the question, “Could I do what they’re doing?”

With the 2025 football season coming to an end, basketball is going to be the focus of our students and staff during these next few months. With insight from varsity basketball player Ryan Goodwin, I’m here to give you the inside scoop on how our players are feeling and what to expect for this upcoming season.

Imagine you spent almost your entire life doing something–something that decides what you do after school, when you take a vacation, who are going to be your friends are, and in many ways, this thing could become your entire life. Imagine that one day it just ends. For many seniors, this is the reality. 

Many athletes you talk to have had some form of injury or had something happen that caused them to halt participating in their sport. We can sometimes see how it affects them physically, whether it’s a cast, a brace, KT tape, etc. But how does it impact them deeper than what we can just see?

For many high school athletes, the dream of playing in college comes with both excitement and uncertainty. The jump in competition, workload, and personal responsibility can feel overwhelming. To get a closer look and a personal opinion on the transition, I talked to Jenks Alum Chase Martin, who experienced the transition firsthand when he stepped onto a college basketball court for the first time.

Jenks Athletics holds over 200 state titles in various athletic competitions. The skills necessary to compete at the highest level are a product of the grit and determination of Jenks athletes, and supporting these successful athletes are a wide variety of athletic shoes. Let's explore some of the soles of these successful Jenks athletes.

Most fans only see the victories on the field, but behind every healthy Jenks athlete are two women working tirelessly in the shadows. From early-morning treatments to late-night injury checks, athletic trainers Katie Munger and Jill Richardson keep the Jenks Trojans running—quietly, expertly, and without fanfare. This week, I got the chance to step behind the scenes and shadow them, seeing firsthand the nonstop hustle, care, and precision that make them the heartbeat of Jenks athletics.

Intensity, consistency, and leadership are the non-negotiable characteristics of new coach Brain Walker. The ex-pro and Razorback came back home to take control over the Trojan’s four time state champion baseball program. Coach Walker’s regime is one of one and has worked at the collegiate level. 

Feelings of uncertainty, nervous glances at strangers passing by, struggling to find your next class mere minutes before the bell rings — these are all emotions that a typical new student would feel, but not Temperance Parker. With her bright smile, bubbly personality, and experience in both softball and media, Parker is the last person to let moving schools dim her light.

Sports are one of the few things that can unite an ever-so-divisive world. People from different backgrounds, states, and countries can all unite behind sports, whether that's watching them or playing them. However, not everyone is born with the ability to play sports like everyone else. Some kids are born with Down syndrome or with cerebral palsy, but how do they get to participate in sports? What's available for them?

Jenks High School has a rich history, especially in football. The Oklahoma powerhouse is home to 18 State Championships. The dominance of this scale was built by legendary coaching, from the founder of the standard R. Perry Beaver to the legendary Allan Trimble, and then the bridge Keith Riggs. 

When Addy Gaylor walks into a pep rally, the energy shifts. As the first female president of Jenks High School’s school spirit organization Superfans, her goal isn’t just to be the one to start chants and dress up for themes. She wants to lead by example, and show what it means to lead with spirit, humility, and purpose.

New year, new team, new chemistry, new opportunities, fresh start. This 25-26 season, the Trojans are looking for the ultimate accomplishment: Winning State. After a stretch of increasingly better years, the Trojans are looking to finally get to the holy grail, and prove their dominance in the state.