MOORE — Oklahoma is a football state. Whether it’s college or the high school level, the gridiron comes first and every other sport has to find space where it can.

At Moore High, that means holding the First Annual Beauty and the Beast. The wrestling team will join the boys and girls basketball squads Jan. 31 at the MHS gymnasium.

“I saw some of the universities do some things to try and get their attendance up,” Moore wrestling coach Robert Washington said. “Us three coaches (Washington, Tim Gray, Aaron Howell) we get along so well, it’s like a perfect situation. Anything I can do to help their program. Anything they can do to help my program, they’d do it. So we came up with a deal where we will have all three sporting events in one night.”

The MHS girls will face crosstown rival Westmoore at 3 p.m. with the wrestling team hosting Putnam City West at 5 p.m. The boys basketball team closes the night versus Westmoore at 7 p.m.

"The Beauty and the Beast concept came from a game last year, where the girls basketball team invited the special education students to come and be announced and sit with us on the bench," MHS girls basketball coach Tim Gray said. "This year coach Robert Washington took the idea and ran with it. He did such a great job with organizing and scheduling. He made this thing happen. It's unique for sure. I don't know of any other schools that do anything close to this. And with it being a Moore War, it could be a great crowd for basketball and wrestling. Coach Washington should be complemented for sure."

The coaches are hoping to use the Moore War crowd they normally get to stay watch the wrestling team.

“I am hoping to get the attendance up,” Washington said. “That’s a big thing. Getting our school recognize. Our winter sports. Everyone knows about football and everyone goes to those games.  But sometimes they miss out on the wrestling and the basketball games. I want them to know we have an exciting group of kids here in the winter. I want people in town to be excited about Moore wrestling and basketball.”

However, the event will be about more than just the varsity athletic teams at Moore. The school’s special Olympians will also be introduced to the wrestling and basketball fans. Many of whom who have no clue the school had a Special Olympics team.

"After being around what we did last year, it's a powerful night," Gray said. "It sends a message to our athletes that you are here for a reason, to be role models and examples to the general public. They watch our special Olympians compete and can see that there is no complaining, no excuses, just go do it, type of attitude. I love it. We learn a lesson from them."

Washington said it's beneficial for everyone involved.

“As a coach we always try to feed our kids mentally and physically,” Washington said. “And sometimes we don’t do it spiritually. So its just a chance for us to feed our kids a little spiritually.”

This year the athletic teams have been heavily involved with local charities. The girls basketball team has been raising money and items for Ally’s House while the wrestling team took over Moore for Christmas. Introducing the Olympians to the Moore fan base is just another way for the school to reach other.

“They are going to be so excited,” Washington said. “They are always excited. They sometimes get swept under the rug a little bit. Those kids work so hard and they do so many positive things. I think its just great to let people recognize them and let them to be recognize as athletes. It’s always about us. Sometimes it needs to be about other people.”

Michael Kinney 366-3537 mkinney@mooreamerican.com