By Wendy Burton

Phoenix Correspondent



No one probably expected bedlam at Saturday’s River Rumba races, but OU and OSU battled it out all the same.

Three Forks Harbor hosted the second annual event — one in which homemade cardboard boats manned by brave souls in lifejackets race across the harbor.

Dr. Van Odom and Frank Morgan raced the Oklahoma State University boat and won handily.

“OU and OSU are getting ready to rumble guys! This is for the pride of Oklahoma,” said the announcer, Randy Howard, at the start of their race.

Fresh out of the starting gate, the University of Oklahoma boat choked, the crew falling out of the boat before even moving an inch.

“This is not like a bowl game; you don’t have to fumble yet! Come on!” shouted the announcer, a member of the Muskogee Exchange Club.

Much to the delighted cheers and jeers of the crowd, OSU zipped ahead and left OU in the dust, or water as the case was.

Though the OU crew members managed to move about 10 yards before falling out again, Howard didn’t give them a single break.

“Oh, no! OU fumbled in the backfield again,” he said.

Odom and Morgan, both graduates of OSU in 1968, took the fastest time so far — one minute flat.

They danced with their oars to the OSU fight song in the end.

“Cut me and see what happens,” said Odom. “I bleed orange.”

Nevertheless, OU managed to accomplish one good thing from their loss, making some later racers feel better.

Allie and Breana Hathaway of Okay and their cousin, Daniel Van Kirk, tried their hands at boat racing for the first time Saturday.

Though they started strong in a water-tight boat made by their grandfather, the team lost their way about halfway through the course.

Though disappointed, but glad they at least did better than the OU crew, Allie said she is willing to try again next year.

“But this time we might only have two people in the boat,” she said.

Youth seemed to shine the most Saturday afternoon, with the third heat turning out to be a real crowd pleaser judging by the cheering.

“Team Extreme,” crewed by Kyle Beard, Parker Wilkerson, Trey Brennan and Linzy Gaston breezed through the course.

“We’re going to swim not sink,” Beard said just before the race as his friends laughed. “I mean we’re going to float all the way.”

Indeed they did, winning in one minute and eight seconds — the second fastest time all day.

However, the most nail-biting race of the day came when Wagoner Boy Scout Troop 637 brought out their “Titanic,” a white cardboard boat that looked held together by duct tape and prayer.

Though not the prettiest boat on the river by far, Titanic managed to stay afloat.

In the end, they tied with “Flame On,” sponsored by Armstrong Bank in a photo finish.

“The bad news is Titanic looks like at least the cardboard made it to shore,” Howard said.



Adult 1-2 person boat

1st — OSU “Bullet,” Van Odom and Frank Morgan.

2nd — “Race Taker 2,” Collin Hensley, Steve Carr, Todd Thomas.

3rd — “Breal/Love Boat,” Roy Walters, Jeff Hilton.



Adult Team

1st — “Doctored Up,” Matt Kaiser.

2nd — “Missy Dawn,” Advanced Workzone Services, Jim Hall, Josh Woody.

3rd — “Ben’s Revenge,” Mark Wilkerson, Chris James, Mike Voegeli, Roger Davis.



Youth 1-2 person boat

1st — “The Black Pearl 2,” Spencer Smythe, Josh Thompson.

2nd — “Flame On,” Armstrong Bank, built by Lane Davis.

3rd — “Titanic 2,” Troop 637, Wagoner.



Youth Team

1st — “Team Extreme,” Parker Wilkerson, Linzy Gaston, Kyle Beard, Trey Brennan.

2nd — “Atlantean,” Dusti Pardue, Jake Pardue, Dubui England, Sarina Keele.

3rd — “New Hope Floats,” Tony LaBounty.



Traveling Trophies

Bank competition — First National Bank’s “The Mud Shark,” Derek Gibson, Robby Cupps, Michael Torkelson.

Casino competition — Muscogee Creek Nation Casino.

Bedlam Race — OSU “Bullet” Frank Morgan and Van Odom.



The following categories are chosen by Judges:

People’s Choice Award — “Flame On,” Armstrong Bank.

Pride of the Regatta — “Black Pearl 2.”

Best Decorated — “The Ultimate Booty” by Muscogee Creek Nation Casino.

Best Team Effort — “SS M&M;” by Cherokee Nation Casino Fort Gibson.

Titanic Award (best to sink) — “Ben’s Revenge.”

Admiral’s Award (most money donated) — Presented to Advanced Workzone Services.