Last week, a gathering of some of the all-time greats from Lincoln Christian athletics gathered to usher in a new class into the Ring of Honor.
Arguably one of the greatest classes in history, the group is highlighted by three historic coaches, a pioneer athlete from the early Lincoln days and two recent Bulldog football standouts.
The Lincoln Christian School Ring of Honor serves as the school's athletic hall of fame, recognizing former players, coaches, and individuals who have played a significant role in the history of LCS athletics.
Along with being recognized last week at the annual banquet, the inductees were also recognized at halftime of last week's football season opener vs. Shiloh Christian.
Jarrett Melton
Jarrett Melton was a standout baseball player for the Bulldogs from 2006–2009, playing both center field and pitcher. He was the first OCA All-State baseball player at Lincoln and is currently one of only three all-state baseball players in school history.
He was 8-4 as a pitcher his senior year on the mound, while finishing with a .426 batting average and 34 RBIs.
Former Lincoln head coach and current Metro Christian head coach Pat Foster presented Melton at the Ring of Honor banquet, saying Melton was "a hard worker and great leader."
"He played injured for almost an entire season and after all he went through, to come out on the other side as a winner and as the first all-stater in Lincoln history was very fitting," Foster said. "There was not a better kid in the world than Jarrett and he is very deserving of this honor."
Melton also excelled in football as a receiver and defensive back during his high school career.
Melody Stewart
Lincoln girls basketball head coach Melody Stewart has built the Bulldogs into one of the state's best programs and last week, she was honored for it with her induction into the Ring of Honor.
Stewart has led the Bulldogs to back-to-back Class 4A state championships and has a 59-4 record across the last two seasons.
Stewart, who will enter her 13th season at LCS in the fall, is 230-99 as the leader of the Bulldogs. She has taken the Bulldogs to six straight state tournaments and has played in five straight state championship games.
Lincoln head of school Darren Melton presented Stewart, praised Stewart for not only her impact on the court, but throughout the school and community.
"Basketball doesn't define her," Melton said. "It's what she does, but who she is is someone much greater. She speaks life into young women and pushes them to follow Jesus. She builds exceptional relationships and is a Godly role model for many at this school."
Stewart's expertise and knowledge of the game are exceptional, but her ability to motivate, encourage, care for, and develop relationships with players has been a major key to her success.
Stewart has a 393-187 all time coaching record.
Her teams at Lincoln are 112-10 since the start of the 2022-23 season and 156-22 since the beginning of the 2020-21 season.
Stephen Lewelling
Lincoln head cross country and track coach Stephen Lewelling is not only the most decorated head coaches in school history in any sport, but he is a legend statewide.
Lewelling has led his Lincoln Christian teams to 19 team state championships in his decade of leading both programs — an astounding number.
The head coach has 21 individual state champions, as well, while also coaching 43 all-state athletes.
Former Lincoln head coach Martha O'Rourke presented Lewleling at the banuqet, speaking about the leader he has become for this generation of Bulldog athletes.
"He is such a great man of character," she said. "He is am an of integrity and humility. He is a man of God and understands that coaching is more than just winning races and championships."
"He is developing these young men and women and teaching them how to handle success and disappointment. Not only is he their coach, but he is a friend and mentor to these athletes that will have a lasting impact on their lives."
Lewelling has been named coach of the year 11 times and has also coached two Gatorade state runners of the year, while also winning two indoor state titles.
Kolbe Katsis
Former Lincoln football standout Kolbe Katsis was one of the best receivers in Lincoln Christian history and has since taken his game to places that no Bulldog has gone before.
But last week, Katsis was honored for his career as a Bulldog, as he was inducted into the Ring of Honor with the 2026 class.
Katsis, who now is a part of the Denver Broncos organization, was a game breaker during his Lincoln career before excelling at Pittsburg State and Northern Arizona in college.
Katsis ranks fourth all-time in receiving yards at Lincoln (2,504), third in career receiving touchdowns (29) and sixth in career receptions (122).
Lincoln assistant athletic director and football coach Zac Fullingim, a Ring of Honor member, presented Katsis, speaking about the impact he had on and off the field as a Bulldog.
"He left a legacy behind unlike many others," Fullingim said. "He was an athlete of Godly character, competitive excellence, elite work ethic and extreme humility."
Katsis averaged 24.7 yards per catch in his senior season, which was a Lincoln record. He also averaged 20.5 yards per reception during his career, good for second all-time in Lincoln history.
"He has a heart for God and people," said Fullingim. "He has a special gift and left an indelible mark on our school and community. He reinforced the standard that will be sought after for many generations. He left a legacy of Christlike character that empowered others daily."
Katsis began his collegiate football career at Pitt State, where he played from 2021-23 and found a niche as a dual-threat wide receiver and kick returner. In 2022, Katsis was named MIAA Freshman of the Year and earned honorable mention All-MIAA accolades as a returner. In 2023, Katsis was named All-MIAA third-team as a wide receiver and returner.
In 25 games with the Gorillas, Katsis racked up 1,160 career receiving yards on 70 catches and nine touchdowns. As a returner, Katsis had a pair of kick return touchdowns, and totaled 880 return yards on 30 returns.
In 2024, Katsis followed then-Pitt State head coach Brian Wright to Northern Arizona. Katsis spent 2024 and 2025 in the FCS' Big Sky Conference, starting 22 of 23 games.
In 2024, Katsis was used as a wide receiver, catching 35 passes for 498 yards and two touchdowns and in 2025, Katsis had his best season, exploding both as a wide receiver and as a kick returner.
Katsis caught a career-high 60 passes for 1,068 yards and 10 touchdowns, rushed four times for 64 yards and one touchdown, and returned 17 kicks for 521 yards and one touchdown.
He earned FCS Football Central second-team All-American and Stats Perform FCS third-team All-American All-Purpose Player honors, Phil Steele fourth-team All-American, AP Honorable Mention All-American Wide Receiver, and All-Big Sky first-team accolades as a wide receiver and kick returner.
Katsis was one of the top return men in the NFL preseason in 2026 and recently was signed to the Broncos' practice squad, making him the first Lincoln alumnus to play in the league.
Chase Ricke
Former Lincoln star quarterback Chase Ricke left a legacy during his time as a Bulldog and now, tries to help the younger generations build theirs as a coach on staff.
But last week, Ricke was inducted into the Ring of Honor for his time as a stellar athlete, helping the Bulldogs to the 2019 state title.
Ricke was a three-sport athlete at Lincoln Christian, competing in football, baseball, and basketball.
As a quarterback, he threw for school-record 9,683 career yards, which is also 11th all-time Oklahoma history.
"As a dad, you want your kids to grow up and be better than you," said his father. "Chase has certainly done that and made me proud. He would give a lot of credit to his teammate and coaches, but he also deserves a lot of credit."
He also threw 110 career touchdowns, second-most in school history, as well as has three of the top five passing seasons in school history in yards.
Ricke was a four-year starter on the baseball team and helped lead the Bulldogs to the 2019 state tournament. He was also a two-year starter on the basketball team.
After high school, Chase played football at Emporia State and now coaches football and baseball at LCS.
"I couldn't be more proud of him," his dad said. "It's a blessing to watch your kids grow up and be around them. He put in a lot of hard work and has earned this. And now, we get to coach the next generation of Lincoln athletes together."
Jerry Ricke
Lincoln head football coach and athletic director Jerry Ricke has long been the leader of Bulldog athletics and last week, he was honored as an instrumental pillar of such.
Ricke, who has led Lincoln to four state championships in football and led an athletic department that rivals very few in the state of Oklahoma in success, was honored for his many accomplishments and leadership.
Ricke has had a major impact on generations of Lincoln Christian student-athletes and has been a critical and consistent part of the football program, helping guide it from its humble beginnings to its current status as one of the best programs in the state.
Under Ricke's leadership in football, the Bulldogs have won back-to-back-to-back Class 3A state championships, as well as eight straight state semifinal appearances.
The Bulldogs have also played in the state title game in five of the last six seasons.
Ricke is 110-14 in his career as head coach of the Bulldogs, including a 94-5 record across the last six+ seasons and 105-7 since the start of 2019.
Ricke's mentor and predecessor as head football coach, Melton, presented Ricke during the Ring of Honor banquet, praising the longtime coach for his impact on and off the field.
"His leadership has been instrumental in the success of Lincoln athletics over the last decade," said Melton. "His dedication to his craft is second to none and his lifts up all coaches and athletes that are surrounded by him."
"You cannot mention Lincoln athletics without the name Jerry Ricke," Melton said. "The way he has led the athletic department for years is second to none, as he has demanded excellence and supported his staff and athletes, equipping them to accomplish the greatest of feats. And on top of that, he continues to be a tremendous role model and Christlike figure for athletes and students that walk the halls of LCS."
As an athletic director, Ricke has helped oversee the continued success of the athletics department, including 20 state championships over the past four years.
Photos by Lee Talley
