Compiled by Oasis Academy
Wednesday, August 11, 2021
Three Oasis Academy students took part in the National Finals High School Rodeo in Lincoln, Neb., July 18-24.
Tayler Felton and Ali and Tylie Norcutt all made Nevada, Fallon, and Oasis Academy proud with their performances. Tayler competed in girls cutting, breakaway, and team roping. Tylie placed 10th in the reined cow horse average. Ali placed 10th in the girls cutting average, ninth in reined cow horse average, and received third as the all-around cowgirl.
“Nationals was a great experience. I was able to meet a lot of people from different states. I am glad I was able to spend the last five years doing something I enjoy while having success doing it,” said Ali Norcutt.
Tylie Norcutt added, “I am pleased with my placing at nationals and am grateful for this opportunity.”
The Nevada Team placed 11th overall. The National High School Rodeo Finals has competitors from all around the United States, Mexico and Canada. Over 1,500 contestants participate in the week-long event.
Photo courtesy of Oasis Academy
Tylie, left, and Ali Norcutt had a busy summer culminating with the National Finals High School Rodeo in July.
Alumni Feature: Sadie O’Flaherty
Sadie O’Flaherty completed her stellar career at Oasis this May graduating with both her High School Diploma and Associate of Arts degree Summa Cum Laude from Western Nevada College.
While at Oasis, Sadie excelled both in the classroom and on the athletic fields. She graduated as Valedictorian, was a member of both high school National Honor Society and the college honor society, Phi Theta Kappa, served as Junior and Senior class president, and was on the WNC Dean’s List all four semesters.
Athletically Sadie participated in varsity volleyball, basketball, and lacrosse receiving distinction as NIAA First All Division Basketball team, NIAA Second Team All Division Volleyball, US Lacrosse All American, and was named Reno Gazette Journal’s Athlete of the Week for Northern Nevada.
“As a jump-start student I spent the first two years of high school taking classes at Oasis full time, and the last two years of high school taking classes at WNC full time (aside from electives). Those first two years spent with the Oasis Academy College Prep teachers were not only a blast, but also prepared me very well for the course load I’d be facing at WNC,” Sadie describes of her experience.
“Taking college classes as a high schooler can be daunting, but the teachers and advising staff made the transition so incredibly effortless. I think what I enjoyed the most about the jumpstart experience was being able to choose courses that interested me. I got to take classes like political philosophy and criminal justice, which further developed my passion for political science! What was also great was that I never felt as though I were less of an Oasis student while I was taking classes at WNC. Electives, sports, and school sponsored activities kept me feeling connected to the entire OACP student body.”
Sadie’s advice for incoming freshmen, “Get involved in any way possible. During my time at Oasis I played three sports, and was an active member of Student Council, National Honor Society, and We the People. Take it from me, being an involved student is fun! The teams and clubs always acted as an extra place I got to hang out with friends, as well as make new ones.”
Sadie now plans on attending the University of Oregon in the fall and will work toward her Bachelors degree studying political science.
Golf Tournament returns in October
The second annual Oasis Academy Golf Tournament will be held Oct. 16 at the Fallon Golf Course. This fundraiser will feature an 18-hole four-person scramble with many prizes, raffles, and a silent auction. The tournament is limited to 72 players.
To sign up a team or for more information on sponsorship opportunities contact Lisa Swan at lswan@oanv.org or Angela Viera at aviera@oanv.org.
Oasis Softball Dominates All League Team
After not having a season in 2020, Oasis Academy Bighorn Softball was back in full swing this spring! Northern Nevada 1A teams were limited to playing a 12-game schedule.
Oasis dominated the competition, ending the season with a perfect 12-0 record in league play. A win against Wells High School in the North playoff pitted the Bighorns against Pahranagat Valley (Alamo) for a 3-game state playoff. The Bighorns won the first two games to secure the 1A State Championship and a perfect 15-0 season.
The NIAA 1A coaches recently announced their selections for first and second all-league teams. Oasis’ stellar season was led by NIAA 1A League Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year, Emily Payne. Kaitlyn Hert, Callie Perez, Ellie Bird, and Kate Rios rounded out the All-League First Team recipients.
NIAA 1A All-League Second team players included Erin Wachsmuth and Rachel Bake. Both Emma Robinson and Eneyde Rios received Honorable Mentions and Head Coach Rachel Payne was named NIAA 1A Softball Coach of the Year.
The Bighorns will look to build on this past shortened season and are hopeful for a full season next spring. For more information on Oasis Softball contact Coach Rachel Payne at rpayne@oanv.org.
- Submitted by John Short, assistant coach
