San Juan County Fair
SATURDAY AUGUST
Bring your best barbecue secrets and participate in the judging.
MCGEE PARK
A panel of judges will vote on the best beef, best pork, best side dish, best beans, best sauce (with a secret ingredient), best decorations and People’s Choice.
For more information, call Cindy at 505-215-1699 or Shanda at 505-215-3923.
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content Don Vaughan PuBlISHER
Cindy Cowan Thiele EDITOR
Tom Yost Rick Hoerner Debra Mayeux Ben Brashear CONTRIBuTING WRITERS
Ben Brashear Josh Bishop CONTRIBuTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Suzanne Thurman
|4| Jones wins A former PGA Tour player, born only a couple years later than the inaugural event, won the 50th San Juan Open. Kent Jones, 47, from Albuquerque nearly led wire-to-wire for a two-shot victory over Ryan Hogue, Nick Killpack and Jake Yonan-Wise.
|8| Up, up & away Whether it be the classic Superman line or a Grammy Award winning classic from the 5th Dimension, up, up and Away was the theme of the 7th Annual San Juan River Balloon Rally last month in Bloomfield. The Bloomfield Fiesta has become a summer tradition bringing together family fun with community service to put on a first-class event.
DESIGNER
Shelly Acosta Clint Alexander Aimee Velasquez SAlES STAFF For advertising information Call 505.516.1230
www.fourcornerssports.com
STORY IDEAS and PHOTOS Please send to editor@tricitytribuneusa.com We’ve got more photos than we can use. Check out the photo gallery for each issue at www.fourcornerssports.com Majestic Media 100 W. Apache Street Farmington, NM 87401 505.516.1230 www.majesticmediausa.com Four Corners Sports magazine is published once a month by Majestic Media. Material herein may not be reprinted without expressed written consent of the publisher. Opinions expressed by the contributing writers are not necessarily those of the publisher, editor or Four Corners Sports magazine. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication. However the publisher cannot assume responsibility for errors or ommissions. © 2014 Four Corners Sports magazine.
| 13 | All-Star games Many of our local prep athletes have been spending the first month of summer getting ready for one last hurrah on the field or court.
| 14 | Four Corners 4x4 For Jason Kaminsky and Rick Jenkins – and thousands more just like them – “fun” is defined by a recreational off-highway vehicle, or OHV, and the challenge, competition, work and dirt that comes with it. OHVs are four-wheeled motorized vehicles not designed for use on highways and are capable of cross-country travel on land, snow, or other natural terrain.
| 26 | Football camp This month former Piedra Vista and NFl veteran Charly Martin returned to Farmington to host his annual Charly Martin Football Academy.
| 27 | Cycling for charity Chris Harley Rupp hadn’t been on a road bike since October 2013, when he hopped on his bicycle on May 20 in Seattle, Wash., and headed out for a cross country trek.
| 18 | Running trails We all approach running differently. Whether our purpose is to maintain fitness, train for a 5k, or to compete in something as demanding as the Hardrock 100-mile ultra one day, one thing that unites us as runners is the sensation of running.
| 23 | Xterra Cancelled
| 30 | Soccer The spring soccer season has come to a close, but not before many area teams travelled to distant places throughout Colorado and New Mexico to participate in large tournament settings.
| 24 | We got it wrong! Yes, mistakes happen. And no matter how hard we humans try, we all goof up from time to time. Even though we have a writer, two proofreaders and a final check of all our pages, when the magazine comes out we can always find something wrong. usually it’s just a small error that we catch, but there was a doozy in our June Four Corners Sports magazine. We gave little Kristiana Wilson, age 6, a completely new last name. We felt like it was not enough to just write a small correction, so we are rerunning the story on Kristiana and The Force. We apologize for our mistake and hope that now Kristiana and her family will keep and share this issue with pride.
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| 32 | Clash of the Titans The strongest men and women in New Mexico competed June 14 in Farmington for the title San Juan County Strongman in the city’s 3rd annual Clash of the Titans Strongman Competition.
covercredit Josh Bishop
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Juan Open th San in the books
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Kent Jones wins tourney with 2-day total of 134 Story by Tom Yost | Josh Bishop photos A former pGA tour player, born only a couple years later than the inaugural event, won the 50th San Juan open. Kent Jones, 47, from Albuquerque, nearly led wire-to-wire for a two-shot victory over ryan Hogue, Nick Killpack and Jake Yonan-Wise. Jones’ two-day total of 134 (-8) led after Friday’s round, but Killpack’s 5 under 66 vaulted him into the lead by 1 shot over Nick Mason and 2 over Jones heading into Sunday’s final round. on Sunday, Jones was in total command, hitting 17 out of 18 greens and covering the pins with precision iron shots that looked like a professional throwing darts. With a birdie on the first, Jones gave the stroke back by three, putting the second hole. the turning point, though, came at the par-5 third hole. “the third hole was the turning point in the final round,” said Jones. “I hit two great shots on the first hole and made birdie and then hit two really good shots on No. 2. I was pretty nervous starting out and I three putted No. 2 from pretty close. I had been struggling with my putting all week so it was a little shaky starting out. I hit two good shots on No. 3 and not a great chip and then made a 10-footer for birdie. that putt seemed to settle me down a bit and then I made some nice putts on 4, 5, 6 which really settled my round down.“
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The final round 68 was a clinic in ball-striking by Jones, which suffocated his opponents in a mistakefree final round. Killpack’s two-shot lead became a one-shot deficit through the first 9 holes on Sunday as Jones turned at 2 under par and Killpack finished at 1 over par.
place finish, he left the San Juan Country Club encouraged by his play.
“I was really pleased with my ball striking today,” explained Jones. “I hit it really good all week. I was really shaky on the greens, but these greens will do that to you. Once I saw where the pins were today, I knew there weren’t going to be really low scores. I thought the pins were really difficult today and it was tough to make a lot of birdies today.”
“I am a little disappointed in how I held up under pressure. But I am so happy with how I am hitting it that it will come with experience. I just have to get in contention more to handle the nerves a little bit better.”
”I thought shooting 4 or 5 under today would be tough to beat,” said Killpack. “I just didn’t drive it like I had driven it the first three rounds. I put myself in the rough. I actually putted pretty decent to get it around in even par. I played from out of position all day and the first three rounds I only missed three fairways.” Even with Killpack’s second
“I am pleased with my finish just because I haven’t been playing in many tournaments,” explained Killpack.
The other story of the 50th San Juan Open was the attempt to bring back past champions and players from the last half century. “We had the past champions dinner,” said San Juan Open Committee Member George Walters. “We only had six past champions, which was a little disappointing, but that night was an absolute blast. One of the past players that came back for this year’s open was former PGA Tour Player and current Golf Channel announcer, Notah Begay.
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Begay made the cut and finished the tournament in 23rd place at 3-over par. When asked why he continues to come back to the San Juan Open, his response hit home as to why the event is so special to all those involved. “It’s a great event based on right things,” said Begay. “They have given a tremendous amount of money to charity and the event is grounded in community. The members are involved … the local businesses are involved. They get a lot of strong volunteers. Being able to come back here is a lot of fun for me.” “The golf course is challenging,” continued Begay. “The golf course doesn’t favor the long hitters or the short hitters. It challenges every aspect of your game, and for a course that isn’t very long on the scorecard you would be surprised at how hard it is.”
Past San Juan Open Champions were on hand for the 50th anniversary tournament. Past winners include, from left, Ryan Hogue, Terry Dear, Ryan Dillon, Mark Pelletier, Scotty Gates and Woody Dame.
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And while a comeback into the world of competitive golf isn’t on his list of things to accomplish, Begay is very happy with where he is at the present moment. “I am very content right now. I have two small kids that I adore and want to spend as much time as I can with them. Golf is not really a priority in my life right now and is indicative of my play. I am just two months removed from my heart attack and I have lost a lot of yardage. I would be on the short end of the distance spectrum on the PGA Tour. So it is not on my short list of things to do.” With the 50th San Juan Open in the books, the page turns towards the 51st playing in 2015. Randy Kahn, San Juan Country Club General Manager, keeps looking for ways to improve upon the past events.
Notah Begay
“We just want to keep improving it,” explained Kahn. “We want to make the next better than the last.” “I thought the 50th went awesome,” continued Kahn. “The overall comments from the pros were very positive. I thought the 50th – it went really well. A lot of pros are going to come back unless they make it to the next level, which we hope is the case.
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San Juan River Balloon Rally brings in 14 teams Story by Rick Hoerner | Josh Bishop photos Whether it be the classic Superman line or a Grammy Award winning classic from the 5th Dimension, Up, Up and Away was the theme of the 7th Annual San Juan river Balloon rally last month in Bloomfield. the Bloomfield Fiesta has become a summer tradition bringing together family fun with community service to put on a first-class event. Although nowhere near the size of the famous Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Bloomfield has become a home away from home for the Albuquerquebased Kaleidoscope balloon team of ray and Carol Bair. Kaleidoscope has been a regular in Bloomfield, joining 14 other teams for this year’s events that included a mass ascension and a balloon glow. the city of Bloomfield has taken on the task of making the balloon fiesta a successful event. From the Latter Day Saints Church to the Bloomfield Bobcats football team, the city helps balloon crews get ready to fly and land safely. the city provides free propane to fiesta participants and makes sure the balloonists are taken care of, with their only expenses being the cost to get to Bloomfield. the transportation of the balloon itself is a massive undertaking. A balloon team takes as much as a half hour to get set up. outside of the balloon
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they have made along the way. Ray, who also has worked for the FFA, advises cities that are looking to add a balloon event about safety which considers landing areas and the always pesky power lines.
and the transportation basket there is the fan used initially to blow up the balloon and propane tanks for lifting the balloon once it’s filled while on the ground. An important part of the Bair’s Kaleidoscope team is the chase crew that helps keep the location of the balloon and helps the balloon land. For the Bairs, the crew is usually local volunteers assigned to their team, who have at least some measure of the local roads and geography.
When piloting, Ray looks for wind currents that will take him to his destination. This can be quite tricky and sometimes difficult, forcing the pilot to take the balloon to certain altitudes to find the needed wind direction. Carol compares their balloon purchase to that of buying a car. “You can go new or used,” she says, and can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 for a used balloon and about $45,000 for a new complete setup. The number of passengers the basket holds is a determinant factor in the coast; the larger the basket, the larger the balloon and the higher the cost.
While Ray pilots the balloon, he keeps in contact with Carol who at times is expected not only to drive, but to keep the balloon in her sights at all times and guide Ray to a clear place to land, accessible to the crew to help get the balloon packed. Landing the balloon itself is somewhat of an acquired skill. The crew must anticipate where the balloon crew plans to touch down, and then beat them to the location. Then the crew must make sure to catch the balloon from behind – so as not to get run over – and then keep enough weight and pressure on the basket to keep it from taking off again. Ray and Carol have been ballooning for going
Ray Bair
on 35 years now, and consider it more of a lifestyle than a hobby. The Bairs are familiar and friendly with other crews and have traveled across North America flying their balloon with the friends
The rally continues to be a growing success for the community, with balloons traveling down the San Juan and glowing the night sky. The city of Bloomfield is always looking to expand the family event and is looking to add sponsors to bring in more balloon crews. Any interested party should contact the Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce for more information.
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Pilots: Time, money keep young people away from sport Story by Dorothy Nobis | Josh Bishop photos The magic and the excitement of hot air ballooning was brought to life – and the big screen – in 1956, when United Artists made a movie of the 1873 book, Around the World in Eighty Days, written by Jules Verne. Today, 58 years later, the magic and the excitement continues with balloon rallies throughout the Four Corners and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, which attracts balloon enthusiasts from around the country. If the balloons are beautiful as they drift silently across the early morning sky, the men and women who pilot those balloons are professional licensed balloon pilots. And while the balloon rallies and fiestas continue to attract
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people to the events, those who pilot the balloons are dwindling. “It’s a dying sport,” said Doug Lenberg, who has been piloting hot air balloons for 28 years. “There are only about 3,000 active balloon pilots in the world. It’s not a big sport and young people aren’t as interested in the sport.” Most pilots are in their 40s and 50s, Lenberg said, citing the fact that the sport is expensive and young people aren’t likely to have the financial means to become involved in the sport. Mike Voorhees, who lives in Albuquerque, agreed with Lenberg. “I think it’s largely a shift in societal behavior,” Voorhees said. “It’s the same thing that’s
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taking people away from golf. It takes time to play 18 holes of golf and it takes time to do ballooning.”
regulations. And before a student begins his student pilot training he must have a student pilot certificate, which is issued by FAA Examiners or Designated Pilot Examiners.
Getting up before dawn, prepping for the flight and the flight itself takes time, Voorhees said. “And, it’s not a solo sport. You need a crew to make it happen and you have to coordinate the team on a regular basis.”
Private pilots must be at least 16 years old and pass a written FAA test. Commercial pilots must pass a more advanced written test. Both student and private pilots also must pass a flight test.
Voorhees also cited the expense of hot air ballooning as a reason younger people don’t embrace the sport. “You look at the trend of young people today – they put off buying a new car and home ownership because of the debt they’ve incurred to get an education. All of that contributes to the ‘graying’ population of ballooning.” Voorhees has been flying for 19 years, and even he doesn’t fly as much as he’d like. Other activities take a priority. “I love it, though,” he said of the sport. “It’s one of the most sublime ways to fly. It’s gentle and you see spectacular vistas and share them with friends and strangers, and I love the experience of being lighter than air.” Whether you’re part of that “graying” population or a young person looking for a sport that offers excitement and the beauty that can
Those who seek to be commercial pilots must take additional training and flight testing. As with most licenses, the training and testing comes at a cost.
From left, veteran pilots Graham Bell and Ray Bair.
be enjoyed only in the basket of a hot air balloon, there are things you must do before you float into the sky. Before one can fly a hot air balloon, he must take training as a student pilot. To be a student pilot, one must be at least 14 years old and have the ability to read, write, and speak and understand the English language, according to FAA
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“There are several flight schools in Albuquerque,” Lenberg said. “You can get through the training, including ground school, in about two weeks, if the weather is good (for flying). That cost is about $5,000.” Once you have your license, you’ll need a balloon to fly. Lenberg said most beginning pilots purchase used balloon packages, which include the balloon envelope, the basket, burner, tanks and a trailer. Used balloon packages usually have about 300 hours of air time and will run about $20,000. In addition to the purchase of the balloon, FAA
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must inspect it, which costs between $1,000 to $1,500. If repairs are needed on any of the equipment, that can add another $500 to $1,500 to the cost. Insurance is also required and will run about $1,200 a year, Lenberg said.
pilot’s license, there are financial rewards. “Most commercial pilots charge about $200 per person for a flight that is usually one hour,” Lenberg explained. “A commercial balloon will have a bigger basket that can hold between 12 and 20 people.”
For someone just getting into hot air ballooning, that initial investment will be more than $28,000 – more than many young people are willing to spend, Lenberg added.
Commercial balloon pilots are also discovering another avenue to generate income. “Ballooning has become a significant advertising medium,” Lenberg said. “It’s so unusual – and the sport can have a huge economic impact.”
For those who are willing to make that investment, the joys of the sport are rewarding. And for those who earn their commercial
Whether a hot air balloon is used as a
marketing tool or simply to give people the ride of a lifetime, the magic and excitement of seeing balloons gliding gently across the sky brings people out to enjoy the colors and the special shapes of the balloons. For Lenberg, sharing his love of the sport with his children is one of the best reasons to continue flying. He – and Mike Voorhees – hope that the younger generation discovers what they learned years ago – the fun and the beauty of piloting a hot air balloon is worth the time, the effort and, yes, even the expense.
FHS Hall oF Famer
Jeff clark continues winning steak at Citizens Bank Tennis Tournament Debra Mayeux Farmington High School Hall of Famer Jeff Clark has continued his trend of winning tennis matches by clinching the Men’s A singles title in the 28th annual Citizens Bank Tennis Tournament, the weekend of June 20 in Farmington. “This was a very nice tournament put on by Citizens Bank,” said Larry Larson, tournament director. “There were 40 people registered and playing in this tournament. There was lots of good competition and a good time had by all.” Clark beat Marcus Richardson in the final to earn the title. Shawn Barela was the consolation champion. Dale Brown went undefeated in the Men’s B championship in the round robin format tournament. Mike Grundwald came in second with Cary Cahoon in third. Clark and his doubles’ partner Larry Larson were not able to come out on top in the Men’s A
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Doubles when they were beat by the team of Pat McGrath and David Grega. In the Men’s B Doubles Championship, the team of Hahn Lam and George Ang were the winners in the round robin format with Dustin and Luther Gilstrap cinching second and Corbin and Brik Moorhead in third. Sandy Schumacher and Caroline Moss were the undefeated champions in Women’s Doubles. The team of Peyton Sandoval and Molly Merrion came in second, and Joyce Sabol and Melissa Volz came in third. Schumacher also cinched a win in mixed doubles with her tennis partner Nathaniel Pavlik. The pair was named the undefeated champions, with David Grega and Caroline Moss coming in second and Ned and Molly Merrion coming in third. Will Hall and Payton Sandoval were fourth and team of Corbin Moorhead and Holly Paterson finished in fifth.
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All-Star games Local prep girls gear up for last hurrah on the field Story by Rick Hoerner | Photos Curtis Benally Many of our local prep athletes have been spending the first month of summer getting ready for one last hurrah on the field or court. the new Mexico Coaches Association, under the leadership of former piedra Vista Athletic Director Buster Mabrey, has expanded the AllStar week experience by spreading the events out throughout the summer and adding team camps to coincide with the week. While the football and boys basketball game in class 4A and 5A will be played at the end of the month, the girls basketball and softball games were played in early June with piedra Vista’s Kaleigh graham playing for the north in the basketball All-Star. in softball, the north squad was dominated by District 1AAAA with Alix Johnson and Angela Minjares from the state runner-up Aztec tigers, Kanani tapaha from Kirtland Central and tabor Woosley and
Danielle ortiz from the ninetime state champion piedra Vista panthers. After a dominating 12-5 win in the opening game of the three-game series the South came back to take game 2 8-6. the north squad then took the series with an 8-0 win over the South. Valley’s Bayley legarreta started the north’s offensive onslaught with a solo home run in the second, providing all the run support needed for Chanel purcella of Albuquerque High, who pitched the shutout for the north. the All-Star basketball games can be a bit of a snoozefest sometimes, with little defense and a lot of individual one-on-one play as everyone looks to score. that was not the case in one of the most dramatic All-Star games in recent history as the north defeated
AngelAMINJARES Aztec High School
the South 85-84 in double overtime. Volcano Vista’s Hannah Fenske was the hero for the north squad, tallying 40 points, and was spectacular in the last seconds of regulation and the overtime periods.
DAnielleORTEZ piedra Vista High School
Although the north controlled the better part of the game, they ended up trailing by three with 15 seconds left behind a massive effort by Mayfield’s Desheanna McCants who led the South with 32. At the buzzer Fenske hit a 25-foot running three off the glass to send the game to overtime. After individual shows by McCants and Fenske, the north looked to have the game under control with Fenske at the line with a chance to ice the game, but
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missed the second throw, and McCants drove the distance for a tying lay up. Fenske opened the second overtime with a long three and the north never looked back on their way to the win. piedra Vista’s Kaleigh graham started for the north and finished with 2 points and 9 rebounds. the All-star extravaganza continues on July 29 with the 4A/5A north-South basketball game at West Mesa High School in Albuquerque, featuring Kirtland Central’s Christian Mackey. Football follows on the 30th with Brian Farley, Kyle reynolds and logan Welling from Farmington High and Beau Clafton and Alex gardenhire from piedra Vista representing the district.
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Story by Dorothy Nobis | Courtesy photos there are many definitions of the word “fun.” the New American Webster Dictionary defines it as a noun meaning “anything that induces enjoyment, especially mirthful, amusement, sport and joking.” For Jason Kaminsky and rick Jenkins – and thousands more just like them – “fun” is defined by a recreational off-highway vehicle, or oHV, and the challenge, competition, work and dirt that comes with it. oHVs are four-wheeled motorized vehicles not designed for use on highways and are capable of cross-country travel on land, snow, or other natural terrain. Kaminsky loved oHVs and the fun and challenges they provided, so in 2009, he decided to take his hobby of 13 years to the next level. Four Corners 4x4 was founded in July of 2009 and the plans to turn his hobby into a business were set in motion. When he learned there was a stock class starting at the 2012 King of Hammers, he did not want to be left out. the search for a new vehicle was on, and in November of 2011, Kaminsky purchased a 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. the King of Hammers is held annually every February in Johnson Valley, Calif. According to the website www.ultra4racing.com, the race is the toughest one-day off-road race in the country. the race has evolved from 12 teams racing for bragging rights and a case of beer to more than 300 teams that attract more than 35,000 spectators and almost 500,000 people who watch it online. In addition to Ultra4 racing, the team also participates regularly in the Dirt riot Endurance racing circuit. Kaminsky and his Four Corners 4x4 racing team entered their first
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race in February 2012. that first season of racing established them as true competitors; businesses looking for sponsorship opportunities took note. Four Corners 4x4 provides its marketing partners an opportunity to reach an ever-growing number of fans of recreational fourwheeling and off road racing. As a stock class competitor, the team also uses the same parts, services and consumer brands to which the average enthusiast has access. Jenkins had a professional relationship with Superchips, which provides automotive tuning for late model cars and trucks, and was one of the first companies to specialize in tuning vehicles with computer controlled fuel-injection systems. Superchips became Four Corners 4x4 racing’s first major sponsor.
That sponsorship provides financial support for the team, which is not only appreciated, but critical for a successful racing team. “We spent $40,000 to race in 2013 – we ran eight races – and much of that went for vehicle maintenance, fuel and travel,” Kaminsky said. For those who want to get into OHV racing, however, the expenses go beyond the race entry fee, the travel and the fuel. The initial cost of the vehicle, including custom and aftermarket modifications, can be upwards of $75,000, Kaminsky said, and the hundreds of hours spent preparing the vehicle for races and doing maintenance on it after a race all add to the cost of participating in the sport. The countless hours, the financial, mental and emotional investments are worth it, if you love the sport as Kaminsky and Jenkins do. “I grew up with parents who loved fourwheeling,” Jenkins said. “A lot of families enjoy the sport. We have husband and wife groups who work together and travel together. It’s really a family sport.” “Simply, it is grass roots racing,” Kaminsky said. “It’s not like NASCAR or Formula One where the fans are separated from the race and the drivers. The fans get close and the kids can get autographs from the drivers, which adds to the fun for everyone.” While Kaminsky is usually behind the wheel for races, it is Jenkins who sits in the passenger seat and is the ears, eyes and support. Jenkins monitors the GPS – which helps Kaminsky navigate the race course, communicates with the team’s pit crew, watches for obstacles and helps direct the car out of trouble. Cody DeClusin has been working with Kaminsky and Jenkins for several years. It was Jenkins who introduced DeClusin to Kaminsky, and the trio has been fast friends since. “I re-wired the car from front to back and everything in between,” DeClusin said. “I also have a close relationship with the team outside of the racing. I got the privilege of co-piloting for Richard (Rick) in Moab this year and we took second place. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to be where this team is today.” The team has done well, with a 2013 National Championship, 2012 and 2013 Mountain Series Championships, a Central Series Championship in 2013; and a Southwest Series Runner-up spot in 2013. The team is also proud of the 17 finishes in 19 starts and the 15 podium finishes it has enjoyed.
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If there is a downside to the sport, it is the difficulty in finding land on which to race. “The promoters of races are always looking for new landowners who will let us use their land for racing,” Jenkins said. “We need land big enough for five-mile laps.” “Private land owners are easiest to work with,” Jenkins added. “There is a lot of public land available, but it’s just not cost effective to do so.” Kaminsky and Jenkins would love to have races in San Juan County. “Our races bring in substantial tourism dollars to the local economy wherever we have them,” Jenkins said. Statistics listed on the Outdoor Industry Association website also state that outdoor recreation is good for the economy. The website states that outdoor recreation generates $6.1 billion in consumer
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be reached at 970.382.7654.
For those who would like more information about OHV racing, Four Corners 4x4 can be found online at www.FC4x4.com or Kaminsky may
One reason these men love the sport isn’t the dirt and the dust and the trophies. It’s the intangible things that make it worthwhile.
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However, Kaminsky and Jenkins admit that once you get into the sport, it will become more than a hobby, it will become a passion.
“Every year, we work with the Wounded Warriors,” Jenkins said. “For two days, we take wounded vets out, put them in our vehicles and show them another way to enjoy public lands.” Those two days, they said, are two of the best days of the year.
Memorial Tournament
Golfers, sponsors help raise $7,000 for Coach Holman Fund On June 16 Nike and Ultimate Team Sales hosted the ďŹ rst annual Kevin Holman Memorial Tournament at PiĂąon Hills Golf Course for the educational fund of the Holman children. Local high school coach Kevin Holman, most recently of Kirtland Central, lost his battle with cancer on Jan. 22 this past year. Nearly $7,000 was raised for the Coach Holman Fund by 80 golfers and 22 sponsors. Donations to the Coach Holman Fund can be deposited at Four Corners Community Bank, or call 505.215.2533 for details.
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Clarity, health, foCus
Durango’s top spots for trail running Story and photos by Ben Brashear We all approach running differently. Whether our purpose is to maintain fitness, train for a 5k, or to compete in something as demanding as the Hardrock 100-mile ultra one-day, one thing that unites us as runners is the sensation of running. It is the hum of endorphins pulsing in your ears while the cool morning breeze dries beads of sweat rolling down your back as you try to outrun your ghost of yesterday’s workout. It is the feeling of weightlessness as you careen down a groomed singletrack in solitude. It is slowly losing yourself and your worries among the vanilla scented ponderosa pines and the dappled shadows cast by scrub oak. It is overcoming the diminutive feeling that towers over you as you size up the steep 1,000-vertical-foot hill climb, and it is reveling in each lungful of thin air at its summit.
Paul Hamilton on the La Plata Traverse. This photo is courtesy of Brendan Trimboli.
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The Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge seen from Animas Mountain.
The Durango Running Club heads up Animas Mountain.
Runner Zoe Madeen powers toward Gudy's Rest.
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But running can and does go beyond mere sensation. It has the ability to alter our character and our perspective. Running, according to ultrarunner Scott Jaime, even allows us to perform our best in our daily lives. Jaime, current record holder of the fastest known time on the Colorado Trail, explained this to me best over a cup of coffee.
tent climb that gains the ridgeline from the parking lot via several tight switchbacks that ease into winding singletrack toward the Animas Overlook. Loose sandstone blocks, tiered stair-step ledges, and a long climb make this a great trail to improve your cardiovascular endurance and to brush up on your fancy footwork.
“Running drives everything. When you go for a long run you have this mental clarity like no other time in your life, you can think through your problems and situations. My running makes me a better husband, a better co-worker, it makes me a better father and it makes me a better son. Running is what I do, it’s not who I am, but it helps shape and focus what’s the most important in my life” Jaime said.
Colorado Trail to Gudy’s Rest, or for the restless, High Point:
And with Jaime’s words in mind it is time to hit the trails running. Here are five of the best trail runs around Durango, Colo., that will keep you focused and get you in shape for the fast approaching Kennebec Mountain Challenge, the Taos Valley 10K in August, or the Duke City Marathon in October.
Animas Mountain Trail Run: Just the facts: 6 miles total distance 3 miles to Animas Overlook 1,400 feet of elevation gain 2 months remaining until the Animas Mug Run in September Located off 32nd Street and Main Avenue. The trail offers incredible views of the Animas River Valley and the peaks of the Needle mountain group in the Weminuche Wilderness. It is a technical trail with a consis-
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Just the facts: 7.6 miles to Gudy’s Rest 1,912 feet of elevation gain 19.8 miles to High Point 3,615 feet of elevation gain 8 hours 12 minutes: Scott Jaime’s record time for completing the entire 486 miles of the Colorado Trail set in 2013. Watch the documentary, Running the Edge, to get motivated. The Junction Creek/Colorado Trail, located off CR 204, invites one to wonder just what it might take to run the 486 miles to Denver. Gudy’s rest, named for Gudy Gaskill “Mother of the Colorado Trail,” parallels Junction Creek for the first 2.5 miles of this out and back run. With several natural pools along the way, the creek offers runners and hikers alike a chance to cool off during the summer months. The climb up to Gudy’s is consistent but remains runable. Once at Gudy’s Rest take a breather and enjoy the down valley views of Durango. If you brought your energy gels, keep pushing beyond Gudy’s for fast singletrack, banked turns lined with scrub oak, and the chance to see the permanent elk herds and Merriam Turkeys as you climb toward High Point at 9,600 feet.
Horse Gulch Trail Network: Just the facts: 3 miles around Meadow Loop 400 feet of elevation gain 8 miles around Raider’s Ridge to Telegraph 1600 feet of elevation gain 31 miles for the old Durango Double Loop. Be aware that mountain bikers travel the trails in a counterclockwise direction Known for its proximity to town and with over 42 miles of trail, Horse Gulch offers endless possibilities for your training needs. Located off 3rd Street and 8th Avenue, the trail system is the benefit of private landowners, City Open Space, and the BLM. Trail runs can range in distance from 3 miles around Meadow Loop – or if you are up to it, run the old Durango Double 50K course. A favorite run is an 8-mile loop that begins at the parking lot gaining 800 feet in elevation toward the summit of Raider’s Ridge. Descend the tiered sandstone slabs on Rocky Road to meet up with Cuchillo for a series of short steep climbs and banked turns through the piñon trees toward Mike’s, finally meeting up with Meadow Loop and the Telegraph Trail for a smooth descent to the parking lot. Trail maps are located at each junction for those unfamiliar with the area.
Hog’s Back in Overend Mountain Park, A.K.A “Test Tracks”: Just the facts: .3 mile from base to summit 800 feet of elevation gain
Over 300 acres of Open City Space and an entire trail network maintained by Trails 2000 Work in weekly hill repeats on this beast to become an unstoppable hill climber The Mountain Park trailhead is located off of Elle Vita Circle. Local legend holds that this area of winding singletrack was once the place where the likes of professional mountain biker Ned Overend, tested and destroyed prototype mountain bikes for Team Specialized. This trail network is no joke. If you want to test your endurance, cardiovascular fitness, and perhaps the level of your sanity, run the Test Tracks. Hog’s back, a short section of trail perfect for hill repeats, is the most prominent feature within the mountain park. Loose shale and a consistent 35-degree pitch will yield rock-hard quads, legendary mitochondria, and the steadfast mental tenacity of a Kung-Fu master. In 2014 runners from Southwest Coloradans Running Ultra Distances or, S.C.R.U.D, created the rogue event known as Hognar. The event required participants to summit Hog’s back 20 times in less than four days.
La Plata West Traverse: Just the facts: 14.2 miles round trip 4,651 feet of elevation gain 3-8 hours to complete the entire loop Bring your trekking poles and water purifier This mountain group of the San Juan range has a rich mining history. Aptly named by the Dominguez/Escalante party in 1776 for its silver deposits, it was the discovery of gold in 1873 along the base of Parrott Peak,
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With participation declining Convention and Visitor’s Bureau cancels Farmington XTERRA Story by Debra Mayeux Photos by Josh Bishop The XTERRA triathlon in Farmington was cancelled in late May, when registration numbers were down 38 percent from the lowest numbers in history. It was difficult to get 130 athletes in the 2013 season, and the numbers were steadily dropping since the race was implemented in 2008, according to Ingrid Gilbert, race coordinator. The Farmington XTERRA, which was part of the XTERRA America Tour, was one of the first and only triathlons in the region. “We used to bring 180 athletes in and would have to send some away,” said Gilbert, who works at the Farmington Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, the official race sponsor. New Mexico is listed in the South-Central region of the XTERRA tour, which is a race for athletes competing for points in the regional competition. The athletes then get an opportunity to move up to the national and international circuits. “In the beginning people would travel to come to the Farmington race to get their points,” Gilbert said. XTERRA, however, has been growing in popularity and more races have been added. “People didn’t have to come to us anymore.” The Convention and Visitor’s Bureau initially brought the race to Farmington to promote the area and bring in tourists. “This is a great vehicle to market the trails here,” Gilbert said. It was of interest to outsiders, because San Juan County does not have enough triathletes to support the race. Recently, there was a race added in Pagosa Springs, Colo., which took from the number of Southwest Colorado participants in the Farmington race. The Pagosa race, scheduled for Aug. 2, is being marketed as a new course set at the base of the majestic San Juan Mountains. It includes a 1.6km swim, a 16-mile bike ride and a 6.2-mile trail run through Martinez Canyon. The race begins at 9 a.m. and must be completed within five hours.
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Gilbert said these races are meant to be brutal, so the fact that the Pagosa race is being marketed on the XTERRA website – xterraplanet.com – as a “fast-flowing track” with “technical” sections through Ponderosa and Aspen forest making it “rooty and rocky underfoot” is no surprise. Without the Farmington race, there was no XTERRA planned in New Mexico, but as a race coordinator Gilbert said she wanted to provide something for the triathletes in this state. She worked with a private property owner to set up a race in Glorieta. XTERRA Tri The Torture will be Aug. 9 at the Glorieta Camps, 15 minutes south of Santa Fe in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. This is the only XTERRA “offroad triathlon in New Mexico this year,” the website state. “Swim in the new waterpark pond, mountain bike the great surrounding trails and run in the cool Ponderosa forest followed by a wet finish.” XTERRA triathletes have until 10 p.m. Aug. 7 to register for the Glorieta Tri The Torture race. Registration is available online at newmexicosportsonline.com or at xterraplanet.com.
Trails continued from 21 however, that brought attention to these mountains. Rumor has it that the Red Arrow mine produced gold ore with such purity that it was shipped directly to the Denver mint. The history alone of these peaks is worth the trip, but running along the exposed ridgeline, traversing through pockets of talus, experiencing long vistas, and open tundra from Parrot Peak to Madden, and then along to Star Peak, is worth far more than the mineral ore discovered here. Begin by running 1.5 miles to Kroeger campground then head west gaining Parrott Peak with a long climb through dense aspen groves interspersed by old growth fir and spruce. From the top of Madden Peak at 11,972 feet, spectacular views of Sleeping Ute of the Ute Mountains near Cortez, Colo., Wilson Peak near Telluride, Colo., and on a clear day the Abajo range in Monticello, Utah, can be had. Descend loose talus just south of Gibbs Peak to meet up once again with CR 124 and back to the parking lot. This is truly some of the best mountain running in the Durango area but keep in mind that it will require the appropriate gear. Bring your trekking poles, a running pack, some form of water purification, and lightweight rain gear, as the weather can change in minutes. Located 8 miles down CR 124 to the Mayday parking lot.
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Kristiana Wilson, the Force win big at American Showcase Championship Story by Debra Mayeux | Courtesy photos Little Kristiana Wilson is always dancing. Whenever she hears music – in the car, the grocery store, on television – her feet start tapping and her body starts moving. recently named the national champion at the American Showcase Championship in Anaheim, Calif., this 6-year-old could just be the next dancing sensation to come out of Bloomfield. Kristiana attended the championship with the team from the Force, where she began taking dance classes a year ago. “She always asked to be in dance,” Kristiana’s mother, Alicia Wilson said. “She has such good rhythm and beat. I’m just glad I put her at the Force. It’s a great environment, and Sheila (Mobley) helps the kids reach their goals.” It was Mobley, owner of the Force, who encouraged Kristiana to enter a national dance competition. Mobley watched Kristiana – who
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dances on the Little Dippers team – and what she saw was a little girl with aspirations to go much further in dance. Mobley allowed Kristiana to choreograph her own solo and gave Alicia advice on how to create a costume for the routine. “My mom made my costume,” Kristiana said with a grin. “I went to Hobby Lobby and other stores and picked up things here and there,” Alicia said. She took a body suit and added rhinestones, a necktie and other bling to make it competition ready. then, it was up to Kristiana to develop and practice her Hip Hop routine, choreographed to a Lady Gaga remix. “I got the ideas from my brain,” Kristiana said, adding that she learned to make appropriate facial expressions – smiles, puckered lips,
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winks – from watching the older girls at the Force. “It was pretty fun. I like making up my own dances when music comes on.” Kristiana has two brothers and two sisters and will attend Central Elementary School in Bloomfield this August. She is the only dancer in the family, other than her mother, who participated in jazz and ballet as a young girl. Alicia said she is in awe of Kristiana’s talent. Her father, patrick Wilson, also is supportive. “I wanted her to compete. She’s just so confident,” Alicia said. Both Mobley and Alicia were correct in encouraging Kristiana, not only because she received the overall highest score at the FHS invitational last February, she won the national championship and received the highest score for a solo out of the entire dance ensemble from the Force.
“It felt good, really good, to win,” Kristiana said. “I won medals, trophies and three championship jackets.” Kristiana is one of many dancers helping to put The Force on the map. The team recently was asked by the Phoenix Suns possibly to perform sometime in the future during a pre-game show, Mobley said, and she has other dancers who shone at nationals as well. “Nationals was amazing,” Mobley exclaimed. “Not only did our teams come home with a ton of awards, they were able to watch and learn from some of the top dance teams in the country.” The American Showcase Championship is the largest cheer and dance competition on the West Coast, according to Mobley. Her Little Dippers, the 4- to 6year-olds, were named national champions in pom and jazz, and received a second in hip hop. The Twinkles, first through third graders, placed second in pom, third in jazz and fifth in hip hop. The Comets, third through sixth graders placed third in pom and jazz and fifth in hip hop; and the Cosmos, seventh through ninth graders, placed third in pom and jazz and fifth in hip hop. In addition to Kristiana, there were three other national champi-
ons – Brooke Sona, Ahjanae Salazar and Trinity Winer. Sona also received a second place in mini, while Trinity Winer and Takoda Winer earned a second place for their duet. Other winners included Anissa Herrera with a second place, Amelia Le Bouef and Tiana Winer with third place rankings, Maya McGee with a fourth place, Mariah Marcy with a fifth place, Abbie Carley with a sixth place, Shelby Steele with a 10th place and Stephanie Parker with an 11th place. In addition to this competition, Mobley took her cheer team FORCE to the Cheer Power Nationals on May 18 in Las Vegas, Nev., where the team earned a secondplace ranking.
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NFL veteran returns to host WITH free annual CHARLIE MARTIN football camp CATCHING UP
Story by Rick Hoerner | Josh Bishop photos This month former Piedra Vista and NFL veteran Charly Martin returned to Farmington to host his annual Charly Martin Football Academy. Over 150 young prospects turned out for the annual free camp with Charly and the Piedra Vista coaching staff. Martin’s main emphasis for the camp is to make sure that the game is fun. Martin leads drills in offensive and defensive football as well as speaking to the group about the benefits of athletics. While Martin emphasizes the fun to be had in the game, he also hits home on the amount of work and dedication it takes to get to the top at any level. Throughout Martin’s career his work ethic has been the wedge that has opened the door of opportunity. In high school, Martin was a three-sport athlete who not only excelled in football, but in basketball and track as well. But at the end of Martin’s high school career there was no line of colleges knocking at the door to give Martin a scholarship to play football. Martin was taken on as a walk-on at West Texas A&M in Canyon, Texas. After playing for Piedra Vista’s inaugural head coach Wilson Wilhite, up through his senior year Martin was of more value blocking than catching the football. When given the opportunity to enroll at West Texas, the Buffaloes were predominantly running teams, where Martin hoped to get a chance to earn his playing time by showing off his run blocking skills, and he hoped to get an occasional look in the passing game. As fate would have it, Martin’s path quickly changed when a new coaching staff was brought in before he even arrived in Canyon. Initially it appeared that Martin was not going to be a good fit for the newly implemented spread offense. Martin quickly showed he could produce in the passing game, and by his senior year was the leading receiver in the nation at the Division II level. After five seasons of having to prove his worth in the NFL, and bouncing from opportunity to opportunity, Martin at 29 is on the outside looking in. Due to the NFL Players Association collective bargaining deal with the league, Martin was priced out of opportunities to further his career. In the business of the NFL, he was just too expensive. NFL squads can sign as undrafted free agents or as younger unsigned players for far less cash. So for the meantime Martin sits by the phone and hopes for a call, which
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might be after the season begins and injuries force teams to look for an experienced guy to come right in and contribute. Martin is also smart enough to know that there are also football jobs off the field as he looks at possibilities in coaching, scouting or broadcasting. Until then Martin is valuing his newest job as father. Whether Martin makes it back on the field or not, he will remain part of the game. He will always be part of the Farmington community and is already planning on next summer’s camp No. 6.
6,000 miles cross country for a cause Firefighter raises funds for Make-A-Wish Foundation Story by Debra Mayeux | Josh Bishop photos Chris Harley Rupp hadn’t been on a road bike since October 2013, when he hopped on his bicycle on May 20 in Seattle, Wash., and headed out for a cross country trek. Rupp is riding 6,000 miles to Miami, Fla., to raise money and build awareness for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This 25-year-old firefighter and preschool teacher stopped off June 25 in Farmington for an overnight stay at Fire Station 6, where he was welcomed after a 90-mile ride from Gallup.
Rupp has raised $4,960 thus far for Make-AWish and he wanted people to know that 100 percent of the funds raised through his ride will help to support wishes in the town where the money was pledged.
“I like biking through the mountains. It’s stimulating,” he said, adding that the ride has been amusing. It also has been mentally challenging. Rupp said he did no physical training to prepare for this ride. “It really is all mental – getting yourself to think you can bike 100 miles a day is the hard part. The rest comes easy,” he said. This is Rupp’s second bike ride across the country. His first was in 2011 when he rode from San Francisco, Calif., to New York City to raise money and awareness for the National Fallen Firefighters Association. He had been a firefighter in Mount Horeb, Wis., for five years, joining the department after graduating from high school. He wanted to give something to other firefighters and planned the 4,281 mile journey across country. His efforts raised nearly $100,000 for the association. When Rupp decided to hop on the back of bicycle once again, he had a new organization and goal in mind. He wanted to travel 6,000 miles and raise $100,000 for Make-A-Wish. He modeled this journey on the 2011 trip, by staying at firehouses overnight and meeting with his firefighting comrades. “It’s been great meeting with people, and I’m amazed how many firefighters and people in general have a personal connection to Make-A-Wish,” Rupp said. Rupp chose Make-A-Wish, because of a personal connection to the organization. He knew a family from Mount Horeb that had a child with a terminal illness. The family reached out to Make-A-Wish and the results were “incredible,” Rupp said. “While the family was going through the illness, they were smiling and having fun because of Make-A-Wish. It was like they were given one last dance. Make-A-Wish allowed them to
Residents in Farmington can go to his website, RideForWishes.us to donate, and also to track Rupp’s progress.
Chris Harley Rupp cherish what they had left.” As a firefighter and a preschool teacher he knows what a difference service can make in the lives of those in need. “As a firefighter, when the tones go off, we race to be there for other people. It’s a duty we took on ourselves,” Rupp said. “Make-A-Wish does the same kind of work as they work to help the families and friends of those facing life-threatening medical conditions. They are there to offer hope, dreams, memories and, most importantly, to make a wish a reality.” He planned to arrive in Miami, Fla., on July 16, and then would head home on July 17 to Mount Horeb and his regular life. His website will be up and collecting donations through the end of August.
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THE FIRST TEE: PGA Junior League comes to Four Corners There is a new game in town – and it is going to bring a level of competition to the Four Corners that has been missing with the game of golf. The PGA Junior League is golf’s answer to the concept of competitive team sports that could become a game-changer.
“Junior golf has become more of a pressing point than ever,” stated Sun Country Golf House Executive Director, Dana Lehner. “It’s the lifeblood of our game and it’s slowly dying in New mexico and West Texas. I think the PGA Junior Golf League is vital to jump-starting our lagging junior golf numbers.”
With The First Tee affecting over 8,000 youth in the Four Corners Region, the options between recreational junior golf and full-on competitive golf were lacking. The newly introduced league pits 50 junior golfers from Aztec, Farmington and Kirtland against each other in a team-oriented, match play scramble (best shot) format that brings friendly competition into the equation.
With two matches in the books, participants and parents alike are raving about the concept and format.
TomYOST
Twenty particiThe First Tee pants from Aztec, 20 more from Kirtland, and the final 10 from Farmington play against each other as two-person teams. The matches are designed to give participants a taste of competitive golf without having to rely on hitting every shot. The teammates play three, three-hole matches, playing against the other two-person team, trying to win three total points for the nine holes.
“This is the best program I’ve ever seen from the PGA,” said League Director Thomas Yost. “I wish we would have formed this years ago. To see the kids work in tandem to accomplish a goal is a fantastic concept and you start to see a competitive side to the kids that I have never seen before. The PGA Junior League is a winner and I think it is something that will only grow in size and stature going forward.” With matches being played on Saturday evenings at Riverview Golf Course in Kirtland, Hidden Valley in Aztec, and Civitan Golf Course in Farmington, golfers also get to experience different playing conditions at different venues. The league’s success is due in large part to various community donors and a Sports matter Grant from Dick’s Sporting Goods. The matching grant funds have kept costs to participants low and helped encourage 50 players to get involved with the future of team sports.
“The PGA Junior League is a brilliant concept,” proclaimed Hidden Valley Head Golf Professional Tom mcClurg. “This really bridges the gap and introduces a different level of competitive golf to juniors who have never experienced it before.”
“I think we need a real sense of urgency in our junior golf world,” said Lehner. “This program is going to do a lot to get our junior world back on the right track.”
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Local teams travel to Albuquerque, Durango for tournament play Story by Tom Yost | Courtesy photos “I use it for my teams as a gauge to see how we stack up against other teams throughout the state,” said Steve Kinsey, Coach of the FC United 10U Girls. “How my players compare to their players individually. Are my players getting the skills they need to keep up? I am after player development.” “You get a higher level of competition outside of the Four Corners region,” Kinsey continued. “the teams from Albuquerque play a different style and tend to have a larger pool of players, so their teams have a bit more quality from the top player to the bench, and typically have deeper benches.” “playing at a higher level of competition pushes any player to respond in a manner that elevates their awareness and pushes the player to ‘dig deep’ to succeed in the match,” said Cillessen. the spring soccer season has come to a close, but not before many area teams travelled to distant places throughout Colorado and New Mexico to participate in large tournament settings. the reasons for the travel? With Farmington being isolated in the northwest corner of New Mexico, the bigger cities offer facilities and amenities that the Farmington area cannot match. “Unfortunately, the main reason Four Corners-based teams travel to these big cities is because we do not have the facilities here locally to host such large tournament events,” explained FC United rapids 10U Coach Jeff Cillessen. “the ability to host a tournament in one or two locations is much better than hosting games in proximity all over the city. I believe if our local community had the appropriate facilities we could gain interest from surrounding communities to travel to Farmington and enjoy what our community has to offer.” Another reason for traveling involves the levels of competition and exposing the local players to different styles of play.
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“playing against teams of the same age, at a higher level of quality, unveils to the other team moves and techniques that will promote growth for the
team. Being pushed and elevating the level of play is a positive outcome.” playing and traveling to tournaments in large cities offers positives, but also can have some unintended negative consequences as well. “A negative outcome is that playing against a higher level of play or older teams all the time, where a team cannot fundamentally respond, can hurt the enthusiasm and spirit of team,” said Cillessen. “Soccer teams enjoy winning, which shows them they are growing and accomplishing their objectives (i.e. scoring goals). If they get beat all the time and never win, it can be very difficult for some athletes and they may lose interest in the sport or interest in the coaching.” “When you are accustomed to winning, losing doesn’t come easy,” added Kinsey. “people tend to overemphasize the win in tournaments. From my point of view a tournament is a test to see where I am at so I can start developing and seeing where I need to work for my training for next year. It is great to win tournaments, but I use it as a tool for player development.” Another negative of traveling out of town is the cost that is incurred by the families of the actual players. With the added expenses of travel – such as gas, hotels and food – the associated costs may seem
high at first glance, but they offer value for the team building that occurs. “the big negative is obviously the cost. Eating out every meal and the hotels … it can get a little bit pricey,” said Kinsey. “But the experience gives the kids a chance to have some fun through bonding when you go to a tournament not in the Four Corners, because when you play in tournaments and stay in hotels, the people you hang around with are the parents and kids from the soccer team. they will get together outside of the soccer game and socialize, which is beneficial for team. ” that being said, the local Four Corners teams that have traveled to Colorado and Albuquerque have enjoyed success. With Cillessen’s 10U boys winning the Durango Shootout and Kinsey’s 10U girls finishing in third place in Albuquerque recently.
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Powerful men & women compete for strongman title Story by Debra Mayeux | Photos by Josh Bishop The strongest men and women in New Mexico competed June 14 in Farmington for the title San Juan County Strongman in the city’s 3rd annual Clash of the Titans Strongman Competition. The event in Downtown Farmington’s Orchard Park had nearly 40 competitors from across the state. It was coordinated by Sarah
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Hernandez, a national strongman and power lifting competitor from Bloomfield. Hernandez and her husband, Brett Lanier, began competing in 2011. The couple met at Complete Physique, where Hernandez was a personal trainer and power lifter. “Brett lifted to be strong,” Hernandez said. “Once we started dating, we decided to do some-
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thing with this.” The couple joined the Natural Athletes Strength Association and began going to tournaments. “Strongman and power lifting go well together,” Hernandez said, adding that Brett loves to power lift and participates in Strongman competitions on the side. He has been so successful at power lifting
that he was listed as one of the top 10 dead lifters in the world, and there are several Internet videos of him dead lifting nearly 700 pounds. people who attended Farmington’s Clash of the titans had an opportunity to see Lanier in action. He placed first in the heavyweight division. Hernandez broke the event up into three men’s divisions – lightweight, middleweight and heavy-
weight. the seven women who came out competed in a women’s category. there were two judges – travis Clary and John posen – who represented the United States in Strongman in russia. “It was hugely inspirational to have John posen here,” Hernandez said. All of the competitors participated in standard Strongman events, including a log press, fire truck pull, Atlas stones, and a
medley of a yoke, a farmer’s carry, sandbag carry and a tire flip, Hernandez said. She actually modeled the competition after others in which she has competed. Hernandez’s first competition was the Battle of the Borders in Farmington, and she was the first
and only female to compete. “I was hooked,” she said. After that she competed in Durango and qualified for a national strongman competition. Since that time, she and Lanier have been in 10 competitions across the country. And while Lanier prefers power lifting, Strongman competitions resonated
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with Hernandez. “I was able to go outside do different events,” Hernandez said. She and Lanier have continually competed, but they also have helped build a community of strong men and women within the Four Corners, and that community has reached out to the rest of the state. Hernandez even set up a team of people who came together for a couple of hours each Sunday to train for competition. Kirk Sokolosky was one of those people. Prior to joining up with Hernandez and Lanier, Sokolosky attempted to learn about Strongman competitions by watching YouTube videos. He wanted to compete, but wasn’t sure. Once he had the opportunity to practice each Sunday prior to the Clash of Titans, he not only went in with confidence, he had a will to win.
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Sokolosky received a first-place ranking in the lightweight division. “It’s an adrenaline rush going out there, giving it all you’ve got until you’re tired,” he said. “As a com-
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Remi Keniatobe, heavyweight, of Albuquerque. There were three female champions. Cassie Garcia, of Zia Strength Systems in Albuquerque, received first place. Martha Schoppe, of Durango’s Animas Cross Fit, took second; and EllaHoya Villasenor, of Farmington, took third place.
The middleweight first-place ranking went to Eli Freese. There were three males who received a second place ranking by weight class. They were Levi Patterson, lightweight, of Albuquerque; Jacob Nestor, middleweight, of Durango, Colo.; and Miles Begay, heavyweight, of Farmington.
Garcia said she competed for the experience because – as a personal trainer who does power lifting and cross fit – she wanted to be versed in the sport of Strongman. “The experience was amazing, and I love it,” she said. “Everybody had fun. It was great.”
The third-place rankings were as follows: Kory Eddy, lightweight, of Farmington; Thomas Marquez, middleweight, of Bloomfield; and
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