More Than a Team: How the Ponca City LadyCat Wrestlers Are Building Champions in the Classroom, on the Mat and in Their Community
Story by Theresa Sacket | Contributing Writer
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Inside the wrestling room at Ponca City Public School, the sounds are familiar: shoes squeaking across mats, teammates encouraging each other, coaches offering instruction and the steady rhythm of athletes pushing themselves to improve. Wrestling is a sport known for discipline, resilience and grit. But for the Ponca City LadyCat wrestlers, the lessons extend far beyond the mat.
This year, the LadyCats achieved something remarkable. The team was recognized as Academic State Champions, an honor that highlights excellence in the classroom, while competing in one of Oklahoma’s toughest athletic environments: Class 6A girls wrestling.
For Coach Agee, the recognition represents something deeper than a title. It reflects a culture carefully built over time, rooted in discipline, teamwork and personal growth. “We are creating a culture of discipline, both on and off the mat,” Coach Agee said. “This builds well-rounded athletes.” That culture has become the heartbeat of the LadyCat program.
Building Success One Small Habit at a Time
In many sports programs, success is often framed around major victories or dramatic moments. But inside the LadyCat wrestling room, the philosophy is different. Coach Agee believes greatness grows from consistency; small actions repeated day after day. “It’s all about doing the little things right,” he explained. “There’s not one big thing you can do alone.”
That mindset shows up in the way the team approaches academics. Success in the classroom is not left to chance. Instead, it is built through intentional systems and accountability. Grades are checked weekly, and expectations are clearly communicated. Wrestlers are encouraged to support one another through peer tutoring and collaboration. Athletes are also taught how to communicate with their teachers and take ownership of their learning. These strategies may seem simple, but they reflect the same discipline required to succeed in wrestling. Every practice move, every study session, every moment of preparation adds up, and the results speak for themselves.
When Coach Agee learned the team would be honored at the state tournament for its academic achievement, his response was humble. “I was proud and a little surprised,” he said. “We submit grades every year.” Yet the recognition carries an important message for programs across Oklahoma. “We are not one of those big schools, but we can still be successful.” For a community like Ponca City, that message resonates deeply.
A Program Built on Family
Spend a few minutes around the LadyCat wrestlers, and one thing becomes immediately clear: this team is more than just teammates. “These girls are like a family to each other,” Coach Agee said. “They fight for each other; they cheer for each other; and they care about each other.” In wrestling, a sport where athletes compete individually while representing their team, that kind of bond is essential.
Every match can feel intensely personal. Wrestlers step onto the mat alone. But they are never truly alone. Behind them stands a room full of teammates who share the same struggles, sacrifices and victories. That family atmosphere helps the team navigate the inevitable challenges of a demanding season. There are days when athletes are tired, overwhelmed or juggling multiple responsibilities. On those days, Coach Agee adapts his approach. “Recognizing where they are at and running a practice that meets them where they are,” he said. It’s a philosophy rooted in understanding that athletes are people first.
A Coaching Journey That Almost Didn’t Happen
Interestingly, Coach Agee’s path to leading the LadyCat wrestlers was not originally part of his plan. After 26 years of coaching boys’ wrestling, he was considering stepping away from coaching altogether once his sons graduated. But sometimes the most meaningful journeys begin with a simple request. “A couple of the girls I had been working with asked me if I would be the girls’ coach,” he said. That moment changed everything.
What began as a new opportunity soon grew into a thriving program that continues to expand each year. Girls wrestling across Oklahoma has experienced tremendous growth, and Ponca City has been part of that momentum. Interest in the sport continues to rise locally. “Interest in girls’ wrestling has grown in Ponca City,” Coach Agee said. “We have new girls coming in all the time.” The growth reflects a broader shift in athletics as more young women discover opportunities in wrestling.
Community Support That Makes a Difference
No successful program exists in isolation. Behind every thriving team stands a community that believes in its athletes. The LadyCat wrestlers have felt that support firsthand. Community leaders like Ponca City Mayor Kelsey Wagner, Chamber of Commerce CEO Shelley Arrott and City Commissioner Stephanie Austin have taken time to speak with the team, offering encouragement and reminding the athletes that their accomplishments matter not just to the school, but to the entire city. Superintendent Adam Leaming has been there to celebrate several of their victories, including their recent Academic All-State award. Many LadyCat moms also join a mom’s boot camp to experience what it’s like for the athletes.
Ponca City has long been proud of its athletic tradition. The community has produced legendary wrestlers, including Olympic gold medalists Doug Blubaugh and Shelby Wilson, who grew up in the area and helped shape the town’s rich wrestling history. That legacy adds another layer of meaning to the LadyCats’ achievements. They are not only building their own future; they are continuing a tradition.
Lessons Beyond Winning
While competition is an important part of the sport, Coach Agee is quick to remind his athletes that wrestling is about far more than winning. “There are worse things in the world than losses,” he said. “We grow more from losses than wins.” That perspective helps shape how the program approaches both victory and defeat.
Every match is an opportunity to learn. Every mistake becomes a lesson. Every challenge becomes a chance to improve. It’s a mindset that prepares athletes not just for competition, but for life. Coach Agee credits much of his coaching philosophy to the many mentors and programs he has experienced throughout his career. “I’ve been very fortunate to have been in several programs,” he said. “I’ve been able to pick things from each program and each coach that I have built a system from.”
“Hard work, doing things the right way, accept shortcomings and build from there, outwork everyone.”
Leadership From Within
One of the most fascinating aspects of team dynamics is how leadership naturally emerges. In the LadyCat program, Coach Agee believes the strongest leaders reveal themselves through their actions. “Usually, a leader will emerge,” he said. “A coach must try to guide those leaders.” These athletes lead through their work ethics, their encouragement of teammates and their willingness to push through adversity.
Coach Agee is quick to point out that the success of the LadyCat wrestling program is the result of a strong coaching staff working together behind the scenes. “Nobody can do this by themselves,” he said. “I have a lot of help … a LOT.” Assistant coaches Tony Arbona and Anthony Whetstone play an important role in the program’s day-to-day operations. Their work may not always happen in the spotlight, but it is deeply valued.
Looking Ahead: Competing in a Tough Division
While academic success has brought well-deserved recognition, the LadyCats remain focused on continuing to improve on the mat. Competing in Class 6A wrestling means facing some of the toughest programs in the state. “We will continue to expect success in the classroom,” Coach Agee said. “On the mat, 6A wrestling is very tough, and we are trying to keep up and be competitive.” But if the LadyCats have proven anything, it is that determination and preparation can close any gap.
Advice for the Next Generation
For young girls considering wrestling, balancing schoolwork and athletics can sometimes feel overwhelming. Coach Agee offers simple, but powerful, advice. “Prioritize your time, be organized and come give it a try,” he said. Then he adds something that reflects the heart of the program: “There are no failures in the room. Just moments to learn.” Those words capture the essence of wrestling itself. Every athlete stumbles. Every athlete faces setbacks. But growth comes from the willingness to keep stepping onto the mat.
A Coach Who Cares
Ask Coach Agee about the most rewarding part of his career, and his answer isn’t about championships or accolades. It’s about the athletes. “I feel like they are my daughters,” he said. “I am proud of all of them.” It’s a sentiment that explains why the LadyCat wrestling program feels so much like a family. The athletes know their coach believes in them, not just as competitors, but as people. Outside of wrestling, Coach Agee has another passion: cooking. “I like to cook and enjoy feeding others,” he said. In many ways, that small detail reflects the same nurturing spirit that defines his coaching.
The True Goal of the Program
If asked to summarize his coaching philosophy in a single thought, Coach Agee’s answer goes beyond sports entirely. “If we only teach them to win, we have failed,” he said. “Teach them to be good citizens in their community that supports them.” That philosophy shapes every part of the LadyCat program. The wrestlers participate in community service, represent their school with pride and strive to become leaders both inside and outside the gym. Ultimately, the goal is not simply to produce great wrestlers. It is to develop strong, capable young women who carry the lessons of the sport into the rest of their lives.
What Lasts After the Final Match
For most high school athletes, the competitive years pass quickly. Seasons end. Graduation arrives. The routines of practice and competition eventually fade into memory. But the lessons remain. When the LadyCat wrestlers leave Ponca City High School, Coach Agee hopes they carry something far more valuable than trophies.
“A strong work ethic, high trust, building relationships, to feel valued as a person,” he said.
Those qualities will serve them long after their final match. And for the Ponca City LadyCat wrestlers, that may be the greatest victory!
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