content Don Vaughan PuBlISHER
Cindy Cowan Thiele EDITOR
Rick Hoerner Dorothy Nobis Tom Yost CONTRIBuTING WRITERS
Josh Bishop Curtis Ray Benally CONTRIBuTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
| 4 | The Sky’s the limit Belle Toney has been a member of The First Tee of San Juan County, NM since 2006. She has advanced to the Eagle Certified level within The First Tee life Skill Curriculum.
| 8 | Winter Sports Review There’s an old adage about how the more things change the more they stay the same.
Suzanne Thurman DESIGNER
Clint Alexander Tonya Daniell SAlES STAFF
lacey Waite ADMINISTRATION For advertising information Call 505.516.1230
www.fourcornerssports.com
STORY IDEAS and PHOTOS Please send to editor@tricitytribuneusa.com
| 12 | Nordic Langlauf Several Durango Nordic Team skiers step into their skis at the starting line of the annual Durango Nordic Center langlauf or, literally translated, the “long race.”
Four Corners Sports magazine is published six times a year 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 omissions. © 2016 Four Corners Sports magazine.
with the county
| 27 | NMAA
| 16 | Editorial Columnist
scholarships
by Rick Hoerner
| 28 | Ty Waborn
| 18 | Small town,
Memorial Rodeo
big sports Sports fans will tell you that the size of your city is relative to the amount of bigtime sports in that city.
| 22 | Boating rule changes Majestic Media 100 W. Apache Street Farmington, NM 87401 505.516.1230 www.majesticmediausa.com
| 26 | Catching up
| 22 | Area Fishing Report
| 29 | The Golden Football
| 30 | 3-Gun Competition | 30 | Compete with class | 31 | March is Boys and Girls Club Month
| 24 | NM Sports Hall of Fame The New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame has announced its class of eight members for 2015.
| 32 | NASCAR Nellie covercredit Photo by Curtis Ray Benally
APRIL 2016
Four Corners SPORTS
3
the
sky’ s
limit the Belle Toney has an impressive list of achievements
Belle Toney has been a member of The First Tee of San Juan County, Nm since 2006. She has advanced to the Eagle Certified Level within The First Tee Life Skill Curriculum. Toney has been actively involved with the Junior Reserve officer Training Corps (JRoTC) program at Piedra Vista High School where she is nationally ranked as a marksman. And she will also be competing for the Class 5A team state championship in may as a starter on the varsity girls golf team.
TomYOST The First Tee
“Since I was 6 years old, I knew I wanted to attend the Air Force Academy,” explained Belle. “ I was playing with my dolls and needed a drink of water and as I was walking across the living room, my dad asked me to stay and watch this documentary that was playing on the television about the cadets at the Air Force Academy.”
Pretty impressive feats for a young lady who is soft-spoken, extremely polite, and is sometimes referred to as “Sweet Belle.” But behind the respectful and courteous young lady is a goal-driven perfectionist with a fire and workethic not often seen in young people her age. She confronts the challenge of each day, and has for many years, with one driving goal pushing her since early childhood – the Air Force Academy.
Toney was a bit frightened by watching the documentary where people were getting their hair shaved off, but as her dad Lorenzo was explaining what the Air Force Academy was about, a transcendental moment happened in a young girl’s life.
THE EARLY YEARS When you ask most children what they want to be when they grow up, the answer usually is in the field of police officer, fire fighter or veterinarian. You might be able to count on one hand the number of times a young child has said that they want to become a cadet in one of the United States military academies. But at the ripe old age of 6, that is exactly what Toney decided she wanted to do.
4
Four Corners SPoRTS
“my dad looked at me and said, ‘Belle, I want you to go there.’” said Belle. “Just those few words, made me want to do something great and to do something that made my dad happy.” Growing up in the Toney family as the oldest of four children, Belle showed a penchant toward responsibility.
APRIL 2016
“Belle was a very loving, respectful and responsible daughter at an early age,” said her mother Cerelia. “She was very motivated, helpful and did everything to the best of her ability. She took on the role of being the oldest sister and taking care of her brothers without ever being asked to.” “She would pick up on things that needed to be done,” continued Cerelia. “She even started doing laundry at 6 years old, which shows just how independent she was.”
THE FIRST TEE INFLUENCE Sports was an area that never really piqued Belle’s interest growing up. Her dad bought her a set of golf clubs when she was young and took her to Civitan occasionally, but it didn’t stick. She was also involved with swimming, but even Belle said it was more of an activity than a sport. “I just wasn’t a sports gal,” joked Belle. That is until her mom and dad enrolled her in The First Tee of San Juan County, Nm as an 8-year-old. She spent summers on the golf course learning life skills and character values through a new program that had just been introduced to the area. Toney would spend most of the next 10 summers in Kirtland at Riverview Golf Course, honing her skills and progressing from the Par Level, to Birdie and
then Eagle – and she is an Eagle Certified Participant today, the highest of any participant in the program’s history. “I have learned a lot from The First Tee,” explained Belle. “I learned how to play golf better than I ever would have thought I could. I learned about the Nine Core Values, including respecting others and the people around you. I also learned valuable organizational skills that I use every day.” Probably the most poignant thing that Toney has learned about herself through The First Tee involved patience – which golf either teaches you or forces you to quit because a person is lacking in the area. “Golf taught me that things are not in our control all of the time, so I learned not to beat myself up for things that I had no control over,” continued Belle. “I learned how to be more patient with myself, which is a lesson that I continue to use to this day.” As a 13-year-old, Toney was selected as a Top 100 Participant nationwide in The First Tee and attended The National Life Skills and Leadership Academy at Hofstra University. Not only is Hofstra on the east coast, but it is located in Long Island, New York – a polar opposite of Farmington, New Mexico in almost every way imaginable. “I was terrified about getting on the plane by myself as a 13-year-old,” explained Belle. “This was the first time that I had ever been on a trip by myself without my parents.” Once at the academy, Belle lived in the college dorms for a week, met people from around the country with whom she still keeps in touch, and had the chance to experience life away from home. “I got to see a world outside of New Mexico and learn things about myself that I never knew were inside of me,” explained Belle. “The trip taught me how to be independent by not having to rely on others and proving to myself that I could get on a plane without any adult supervision – it made me feel more grown up. It gave me so much self-confidence that I didn’t have before the trip. It changed my perspective of what I was able to accomplish on my own.” As for her golf game, she consistently shoots in the 80s and is one of the top three players on one of the top teams in the state at
Piedra Vista High School.
THE WILL TO SUCCEED Probably the most notable accomplishments in Belle Toney’s brief life involve her commitment to academic excellence. With the goal set at an early age to gain acceptance into the Air Force Academy, Toney put most of her energy into her schooling. “As I was growing up, there were many late nights of homework where, in the back of my
APRIL 2016
mind, I was always thinking that I wasn’t doing this just for myself, but for the Air Force Academy,” explained Belle. “My thought process was that I was going to make it to the Air Force Academy and that perfect grades were a step in making it to my end goal.” “I knew that school was the most important aspect of getting accepted into the United States Military Academies,” continue Belle. “I was determined to give my best effort on every assignment and study my butt off to try to get
Four Corners SPOrTS
5
a perfect grade on each and every test that I took.”
“oh, and not to stress out so much about everything,” Belle joked.
And, for the most part, the strive for perfection has kept toney on the path towards greatness – but the road has not been without its pot holes and road blocks.
tHE FUtUrE LooKS BrIGHt to this day, toney’s resume has awarded her two nominations from United States representatives from the state of New Mexico to both the Air Force Academy and the United States Military Academy at West point. And while she hasn’t been formally accepted to either as yet, it certainly would be hard to omit her, based on her resume.
“I think the toughest part of it all is trying to overcome the exhaustion,” explained Belle. “As late as I stay up to get homework and studying done, I wake up the next morning exhausted and not motivated to do much of anything that next day. But to achieve what I want to achieve, I know that I have to give it my all the next day as well.”
that resume includes a sparkling educational career, a high school extracurricular list that includes golf, JrotC and orchestra (did we mention she plays the viola too?). And if that isn’t enough, Belle has become an expert air rifle shooter.
And if “senior in high school Belle” could go back in time and offer any advice to “just entering high school Belle” it would be to warn her of how difficult it would be. “I would tell her that high school is difficult – you go through so many struggles – and that nothing is going to come easy,” said Belle. “And I would add that you are going to have to overcome so many obstacles, but even though things are difficult and you wonder why things are happening, it is because in order to achieve your goals you have to give your all.”
the icing on the proverbial cake is Belle’s national ranking as a marksman, a discipline that she learned in JrotC, and she has worked hard to become one of the best in the nation. this fall, Belle finished first in the Army JrotC postal 3x10 competition in the overall individual precision category. In that same category she finished 8th overall, which included all the other JrotC services (Marines, Navy and Air Force). Is there anything that this extraordinary young woman cannot accomplish? Her dad Lorenzo was overcome with emotion when asked that very question. “Every day there is something that she does, something special that she is involved with,” explained Lorenzo. “She takes so much pride in everything she does. She touches my heart with all of her accomplishments and I look forward to coming home and hearing what her day was like because it’s always special.” Her mother, Cerelia, concurs. “Her father and I are very proud of all of the accomplishments that she has achieved. We know we have surprises with her future, but are confident that Belle will achieve her goals and dreams in the future because of the choices she makes and how motivated she is.” And what does the future hold for Belle after college? “I am planning on graduating from college and going to medical school,” explained Belle. “I see myself as a cardio-thoracic surgeon.” the future is indeed bright for Belle toney. Whether she is studying for a test, shooting her rifle, has a golf club in her hand, or is playing the viola, the fire that burns inside of her is great and her ability to overcome obstacles to reach her dreams is extraordinary. And through it all, she is still “Sweet Belle” giving credit to her family for the life she has been awarded. “I am so very grateful for my parents and the household that I grew up in,” explained Belle. “I would not have been able to experience all of the opportunities in my life if it wasn’t for them. It has made me the person I am today.”
6
Four Corners SportS
APRIL 2016
isaiahCHAVEZ NaVaJO PREP
wEsRAYBURN PiEDRa Vista hiGh sChOOL
tyRENKING FaRMiNGtON hiGh sChOOL
NiCKRENO PiEDRa Vista hiGh sChOOL
haiLEGLEASON
8
Four Corners sPORts
KiRtLaND hiGh sChOOL
APRIL 2016
winter sports
review
Lots of wild crowds and great finishes There’s an old adage about how the more things change the more they stay the same. When it comes to winter sports in San Juan County, that adage seems to hold. Very little changed in 5A or 4A basketball and wrestling was once more dominated locally by the Piedra Vista Panthers.
Wrestling In 5A Piedra Vista fell a notch off the podium finishing second to Belen ending the Panthers
#
five year winning streak. Individually the Panthers won four individual state championships led by Wes Rayburn who captured his second straight individual title at 138 pounds. Dylan Greenhaus captured the individual title at 120 pounds while Aaron Rino won at 145 earning back-to-back state championships as well. Alberto Marquez capped off the Panthers individual titles with a win at 195 pounds. PV's Taylor Atencio and Aztec’s Austin Littlefield finished second at the state championships.
!!!
Like their San Juan County neighbors, Bloomfield finished second at state in the team competition just behind Cobre. The Bobcats had two individual champions with JD Robinson winning at 182 and Avery Scott at 152 pounds. Levi Whitley finished second at 126, as did Michael Deherrera in the heavyweight division. Aidan Cockrell of Kirtland Central won his second consecutive individual title beating Ivan Rodriguez of Cobre at 138. Berry Tom and Cody Manuelito added second place finishes for the Broncos.
!
#
APRIL 2016
!"
Four Corners SPoRTS
9
given the 8th and 9th seed respectively meaning the winner would face Gallup in the next round. Farmington was given a No. 11 seed and traveled to Moriarty. With three of the four teams locked together it would insure only one of those teams moving on to the semifinals. While Farmington fell at Moriarty, piedra Vista eliminated Aztec and moved on to play No. 1 Gallup. the panthers gave the Bengals a scare losing only by three with a chance to tie at the buzzer. Gallup’s coronation on a perfect season was ended by roswell who knocked off the Bengals in the championship game.
Girls Basketball Undoubtedly District 1AAAAA was the toughest division in their class placing four of five teams in the state tournament bracket. Gallup was the dominant team taking an undefeated record into the state tournament. For piedra Vista, Farmington and Aztec it was a nightly battle with Aztec coming in the second spot followed by pV and Farmington. the Scorpions made a terrific run in the district tournament knocking off both piedra Vista and Aztec on their way to playing for a district title. Apparently the state committee didn’t think much of the district. While they gave undefeated Gallup the No. 1 seed, Aztec and pV were
As tough as District 1AAAAA was, 1AAAA was no slouch. While Shiprock was once again the district champion, it was far from easy for the Chieftains. A revitalized Kirtland Central knocked off Shiprock tying for the district title where Shiprock took the tiebreaker championship game. Bloomfield put together another great year joining the two perennial tournament powerhouses with all three teams receiving top eight seeds and home games. No. 8 Bloomfield knocked off robertson before falling to No. 1 portales. No. 4 Kirtland eliminated pojoaque before falling to No. 5 Hope Christian. Meanwhile No. 2 Shiprock breezed their way right to the state title game where heartbreak with the Chieftainsonce again losing by a single possession for the second time in three years with a 51-48 loss to the Hope Huskies. At Navajo prep the Eagles were a young team to begin with that got even less experienced with the loss of senior all everything player Jasmine Coleman. the Eagles struggled with their always difficult pre-district schedule but rallied well to finish second in district and a birth in the state playoffs. the Eagles lost to Cuba in the opening round as the rams won their first state game in the school’s history.
Boys Basketball
'%
$+! ) '*("
#"$$
,)*"&
!/*" $ ! ) (/ $$ +
...
...
10
Four Corners SportS
*"&!'% !
*'
"
$+! '%
)*'& $ ) ++ & )"- + ,+/ '% ,)*"& '% $+! " * &+ &&" $ )
&+* )
*"& '') "& +
'%
APRIL 2016
the Farmington Scorpions were the best team in the area finishing the year with a 22-win season, an undefeated district season and a No. 4 seed in the state tournament. the defensive minded Scorpions look poised to make a solid run at the state tournament, but it was not meant to be for Farmington. the Scorpions hosted Bernalillo in the opening round and struggled with the Spartans early and then suffered a heartbreaking loss as the Spartan’s Austin Darnell dropped in the game winner at the buzzer. piedra Vista and Gallup joined Farmington in receiving state tournament bids. Gallup lost in the quarterfinals to No. 2 Grants while pV had to travel to Española where they lost to the eventual state champs 65-56. In District 1AAAA Bloomfield appeared to be coasting along with a perfect record in district play. then what became an unpredictably wild district tournament began. on the night of the semifinals Wingate, who was only 4-6 in district, upset the Bobcats. Across the county Kirtland, whose only losses in district were to Bloomfield, was being upset by Shiprock. this set up a showdown between the third and fourth seed in the tournament. Shiprock went on
to win the championship in a classic three-overtime game. berrettBENTLEY FArMINGtON HIGH SCHOOL
Shiprock’s elijah Harry scored back-to-back 30-point games to lead the Chieftains. State was short for the four teams in 1AAAA. No. 15 Wingate lost at No. 2 robertson. No. 10 Kirtland Central fell at Portales and No. 12 Shiprock couldn’t continue the magic at Silver. Only bloomfield survived the opening round with a win over Santa Fe Indian, but the bobcats lost a back and forth game to West Las Vegas in quarterfinals. At Navajo Prep it was a season to remember. the eagles won their first regular season district championship in over 20 years with a 20-6 regular season, more wins than they had in the previous three seasons combined. Led by junior Nachae Nez and senior Isaiah Chavez the eagles qualified for the state tournament for the first time in 15 years and won their first state tournament game in the school’s history with an overtime win over the No. 7 seed estancia. the eagles season ended with a loss at state to the eventual state champions texico. Winter sports are always an exciting season with wild crowds and great finishes. Changes will be coming for the local teams as reclassification rears its head again next year. bloomfield, Piedra Vista and Navajo Prep will most likely pay the price moving up in class. Prep becomes the smallest school in 4A and joins Shiprock’s district. bloomfield replaces Farmington in District 1AAAAA and PV moves up to 6A joining the district that already has powerhouse programs in Cibola, Cleveland, Volcano Vista and rio rancho.
APRIL 2016
Four Corners SPOrtS
11
Durango annual
norDic langlauf:
Tough course pushes participants beyond their limits Ben Brashear Story and photos Several Durango Nordic Team skiers step into their skis at the starting line of the annual Durango Nordic Center Langlauf or, literally translated, the “long race.” It is well before race start as they set out on a “test flight” of sorts to ensure that they have made the right choice in wax, LF-4. The wax is intended for
12
Four Corners SporTS
temperatures ranging between -25 degrees Fahrenheit and 10 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s cold in the shade, but with the sun out in full force course conditions are rapidly changing. In competitive Nordic racing at the junior level there are standard length courses where racers compete depending on the style of race and the associated age category of the racers. Shorter distances such as the 3K are usually
APRIL 2016
reserved for the under 10 age bracket, 5-10K for under 14, 10-15K for under 18 and 15-30K for under 20. Today, Gary Colliander head coach of the Durango Nordic Team has asked each of his team members to face distances at which they have not normally competed, and any advantage that they can achieve with the right wax will prove invaluable.
The skiers push out hard. The classic skiers bob up and down with the traditional kick-andglide technique firing like pistons and the skate skiers propel themselves with a rapid succession of double pole plants and churn the snow with each skate as they utilize the powerful V2 double pole technique. They ski for several hundred yards down the track before they slow and make their return trip back to one of three waxing stations set up in the shade of the Nordic Center. With the increase in snow temperature it is becoming much more difficult for the racers to find that “perfect wax.” Volunteers Miles Venzara and Greg Lewis frantically scrape wax from the “slow” running skis and lay down new coats of wax just minutes before the 10 a.m. race start. “Glide wax used on the skate skis has a wider latitude and is easier to work with,” Colliander says. He looks up from “corking-in” kick wax— burnishing wax into the ski base by using a square block of cork— to greet one of the junior racers who has come back to his waxing station. The racer is critical of the kick wax that he has chosen, “It’s too slick; there’s not enough grip,” the racer says to Colliander. “Kick wax has a much narrower temperature range and the real challenge today is getting it exactly right,” Colliander smiles. The Langlauf or marathon distance race tends to expose the limits of endurance and mental tenacity of each racer. And, Colliander has asked just that of his racers, to intentionally push themselves farther and harder than they normally would. In doing so, Colliander hopes to allow for each racer making an age category “jump” next season to become more familiar with the distance in which they will be competing. It also serves as an opportunity for them to develop a sense of just how hard they can push their body for the entirety of the race. “Most kids have come in at the end of these races realizing that they conserved too much energy, that they could have gone harder,” he says. It’s 10 a.m. and the under 18, under 20 15K racers and the adult 30K racers ready themselves “to really suffer,” 30K racer Venzara says. They all auger their ski poles into the snow at a steep angle for maximum power to propel them to the front of the pack. Legs
APRIL 2016
Four Corners SporTS
13
twitch beneath their racing tights as they shift their weight back and forth from one ski to the next in time with the announcers’ countdown until he shouts “GO” and they are bolting around the Lake Loop and toward the first steep descents of Bench Loop. “This is a unique course,” Colliander says. “It’s a really tough course because it is hilly and it is at altitude. At least the scenery is distracting and the crowds cheering out here make it easier.” The U14 racers quickly line up for the start of the 5K and then finally the U12 racers, who have foregone their formal skate attire in favor of superhero costumes, are sent off on their 3K course. Only 14:39 minutes in Logan Moore makes his final descent of the 5K for the U14 boys win and is followed by Georgia Mynatt for the women’s U14 at 16:45. Katja Freeburn U18, takes first for the women’s 10K in 26:24. Maggie Wigton U18 for the 15K women’s sets a fast time of 44:18 and Abe Ott has nearly a tenminute lead over men’s second place in the 15K with a 37:57 finish. For the adults and the 30K race, Greg Lewis takes the win for the men
with a time of 1:24:18 and is closely followed by second place Miles Venzara at 1:27:03 and Paige Elliot hot on Venzara’s heels to take the first place women’s finish at 1:28:01. “I really had to train for this one a lot,” Lewis says still trying to recover his breath after his first place finish. “It’s all strength out there, your strength is your form and I really hammered out there for the “W” and you only get so many of those.” He smiles. Colliander, after watching the awards, heads
down to pack away the waxing stations; and as he does so he congratulates several of his kids as they pass by. “We only have one more “at-home” race this season,” Colliander seems to say in disbelief. “And then we head up to Vail and then the U14 Rocky Mountain Nordic championships in Aspen,” he says. “From there in the first week of March are the Junior Nordic National Championships in Cable, Wisconsin. There will be four races and the best of the very best junior Nordic racers will be competing,” he says.
,%''" / ,!- 0 " ! $" &- 0 /(+", "+' %," $ %)- (*," -.
14
Four Corners SPORTS
APRIL 2016
%) 0
,(%)#.*) 01
"(").-
The NMAA: It never fails to disappointment This month i will be giving my editorial space away to someone who i’m incredibly close to in order to vent. So there is witty repertoire this week. instead i turn my column over to Navajo Prep boys basketball coach Rick Hoerner. So here it is another selection Sunday with the New Mexico Activities Association and i’m hunkering down to be once again be completely disappointed. Let me just go on record as saying that i honestly believe the folks that run the NMAA are caring people who take on a difficult task and do the best they can. i also honestly believe that it’s the system that is flawed, not the people within the system. That being said let’s step back and look at the mechanism that is the NMAA selection process. if you were to go online at the NMAA website the criteria for selection and seeding appears quite easily. So, here it is: 1. Finish in regular season district play 2. Head to Head 3. Wins against district champions regardless of class 4. Overall Record 5. MaxPreps Freeman Rankings 6. Member School input The committee will consider these six items in no particular order. This is supposed to make the process completely objective, but here is where the system breaks down. How does one objectively view teams that likely have never seen each other let alone played each other? Numbers 1 and 4 appear quite easy. Look at
16
Four Corners SPORTS
have to derive an argument for where i believe my team should be placed.
RickHOERNER Editorial columnist the simple records of the team. But how does one measure how good one team’s district is compared to another? Also how does 7-1, mean 7-1 or is it somehow measured by human elements like reputation of the district or the team’s history? Head to Head competition seems easy as well, but then you see that Dulce beat Laguna Acoma but then lost to Navajo Prep. in the south, the same thing happened among many schools. How does one decide head to head if they beat each other? So now it comes down to the Max Prep rankings, which are supposed to be the high school version of the NcAA’s RPi ratings. Just one problem with this idea – budgets. This isn’t the NcAA and most teams don’t have the ability to travel all over the state in competition within their own division. consider this: it’s closer to Denver than it is to Texico for Navajo Prep to play and there is little to no chance that most teams at that distance will ever see each other play. Finally, it goes to Member Schools input. This again is flawed. Without the ability to see each other play, most coaches, this one included, turn to the Max Prep Rankings. They say a team is good so it must be true. i don’t really have any idea. So as the head coach i
APRIL 2016
Here is the input from my school. in the regular season district play Prep finished 7-1, the fifth best record in class 3A. Against other district champions, regardless of class, Prep was undefeated at 3 - 0. The only other team to go undefeated was No. 1 Lordsburg… Prep also has a win against 4A’s sixth ranked team, Bloomfield. Actually, only three teams in class 3A have wins against top six teams in classes above 3A, Lordsburg, Laguna and Navajo Prep. There are only 29 teams in the entire state that have attained 20 wins or more this season. That should be enough to place Prep in the top eight seeds and give Prep its first home state playoff game in its history. With my input in i settled down with my Google chrome to watch the selection show. As it begins to go from class to class it’s apparent the announcers know little to nothing about any team outside the i-25 corridor or without a previous reputation. Multitudes of commentary about corridor teams, mispronunciations and misinformation about most others – not a good sign for those in the northwest. As the show progresses i begin looking at teams with 20 plus wins. The 1A all teams with 20 wins got a home game. The 2A exactly the same so i’m feeling pretty good about playing at home. But it’s not to be. All the teams in 3A with 20 wins got a home game, except Prep. Prep shows up at No. 10 and hits the road to Estancia. Not happy, but not really shocked either. i continue to watch the show. The 4A all teams with 20 wins get home games. The 5A has eight teams with 20 wins or more, all eight got home games and 6A holds serve too. So 29 teams with 20 or more wins, 28 getting home games.
seed playing slower seed from another district. then play it out for places first through fourth. those four teams move on to state. the same is going on down south with Districts 3, 4 and 5 at a single sight. When the final eight arrive in Albuquerque they cross bracket. Number 1 North would play No.4 South, No. 2 North would play No. 3 South, No. 1 South would play No. 4 North and No. 2 South would play No. 3 North. the winners move on, the losers are done. So there it is, a state playoff with no seeding, no selections - just playing through with a win you move on with a loss you go home. of course this is just a pipe dream. I understand the NMAA’s profitability rests on the state tournament, but just imagine what north and south regionals would add. the real problem with our current system is no “eye test.” the selection committee rarely, if ever, sees teams play and if they do only within probably a 50 -mile radius. one can’t expect the NMAA to travel the fifth largest state to see every team. So while I sit here disappointed, I do understand. But once again the NMAA did not fail to disappoint me. I’ve always been told and believed that complaining without solutions is just whining. Hence, here is my unique solution - play it out with no selection committees, no “objective” criteria.
post Script: prep defeated No. 7 Estancia, the only lower seed to win a road game in boy’s 3A. to pat our district on the back, tohatchi and prep had the two closest tournament games with the eventual state champion texico Wolverines while being seeded No. 15 and No.10.
First, each district must decide how they rate their teams, by tournament or by regular season. Second, drop three games. third, add two regional tournaments, one in the north and one in the south, for the top four teams from every district. Have teams bid for the right to host the tournament. Imagine the crowds for regional tournaments held at a single site . this is what it would look like in Class 3A, but it would be similar in other classes as well. Districts 1, 2 and 6 would play in the north regional, let’s say at Gallup. District champions and a rotating second place team, tohatehi from District 1 for this example, would get byes. Everyone else gets brackets by how they finished in district, a higher
San Juan County’s Choice for Home Care! No Doctor’s Order required! #OneCall Connects
505-325-9600 Located at 111 N. Behrend Farmington, NM 87401
APRIL 2016
Four Corners SportS
17
small town big sports SunRay shines bright light on racing in New Mexico fluential amateur baseball events in the country.
Steve Bortstein
Aztec Speedway, with nationally sanctioned dirt track racing, gets wide support from the community as well as surrounding states.
Sports fans will tell you that the size of your city is relative to the amount of big-time sports in that city. Green Bay, Wisconsin, is a perfect example of a small city (population-wise) that may boast one of the most historically relevant teams in all of sports. The Duke Blue Devils are the most well-known sports program in Durham, North Carolina, but the Durham Bulls baseball team, a Triple-A minor league affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, immortalized by the film “Bull Durham,” also call that city home. The population of Durham makes up
18
Four Corners SPoRTS
barely 5 percent of the entire state. Farmington, New Mexico, is a rarity. A town without a major freeway, presenting not one, but three, sporting facilities with nationally recognized competition, puts the city in a very envious spot for sports fans. Ricketts Park annually hosts the Connie Mack World Series, one of the most important and in-
APRIL 2016
But it is SunRay Park and Casino, preparing to open its newest season of live quarter horse and thoroughbred action next month, where history has been made for nearly half a century. It’s a good debate on a mid-afternoon as to when precisely the first sanctioned racing was held on the grounds of McGee Park, just a few miles east of downtown Farmington. Some go back to the days of the Mile High
Mule Races in 1974, some recall the days of the Four Corners Horseman’s Association meeting in 1972. One thing is clear, however, with most horsemen inside the Sports Arena Bar and Grill inside the casino. Racing has seen its share of defining moments at this small facility tucked away in San Juan County, away from the hustle and bustle of tracks in nearby Albuquerque or El Paso, Texas. Since 1999, when the track re-opened after a seven-year hiatus – after racing formerly as San Juan Downs – SunRay has been the home for champions and nationally recognized achievements that very few tracks of its size can boast. SunRay Park and Casino has been home for nearly two decades to trainer Chip Woolley, who saddled Mine That Bird to a shocking win in the 2009 Kentucky Derby. The Mine That Bird story was later immortalized in film with the movie “50 to 1,” chronicling the tale of Woolley and the connections of the storybook winner. Justin Evans, the leading thoroughbred trainer in the state of New Mexico for the past five years, is annually recognized as one of the winningest conditioners in the country, alongside names like Todd Pletcher, Bob Baffert and Steve Asmussen.
Peppers Pride owns one of the most prestigious records in all of racing, retiring undefeated after winning all of her 19 career starts. She tied the previous record of 16 wins at SunRay Park in 2008, equaling the record at that time held by Citation, Cigar and Mister Frisky. These monumental achievements are the product of hard work, discipline and determina-
tion, characteristics found at all racetracks, but also defined at SunRay by the people and their history. “There’s a lot of tracks on larger circuits where people just go to compete, they don’t feel comfortable at those tracks,” explained SunRay’s director of racing Lonnie Barber. “(Horsemen) come here from all different parts of the country and do well here.” Trainer Wes Giles, who started his racing career in Utah and Wyoming, came to SunRay in 2005. After several years of winning stakes races locally, his barn has now become one of the top in the state, as well in the country, achieving its greatest moment in 2014 when he sent Too Flash For You out for victory in the $1.9 million All American Derby at Ruidoso Downs. “When we (locally based connections) win races like that, outside of SunRay, the people here just go nuts,” recalled SunRay general manager Brad Boehm. “Even when there are moments that aren’t ours, like a Triple Crown winner, we provide those moments for fans and horsemen.” Some of the sport’s most notable jockeys in history have also appeared at SunRay Park and Casino, including G. R. Carter, considered by many in the sport of quarter horse racing to be the greatest in the game.
Chip Woolley
Some of the sport’s historically leading riders
APRIL 2016
Four Corners SPORTS
19
have called New Mexico home, including Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Mike Smith and Kentucky Derby winner pat Valenzuela. “the quality of riders who have passed through here at some point is legendary,” Barber said. “And that speaks not only to them, but the horses they rode.” And it is the strength and the quality of racing that Barber is most proud of in his time as director of racing. “We were struggling when I first arrived here in 2005,” Barber said. “But once we got things going, eventually we got good horses and good purses, and that’s what I’m most proud of.” Barber’s work at Sunray has been not only as an executive, but also comes from years on the backstretch. “I ran my first horse here in 1978,” Barber said. “I’d come here with a number of longtime horsemen between meetings at other tracks just to get a few races in. I had some great horses where we’d earn just a couple hundred dollars a race. Now they’re getting $6,000 a race.”
20
Four Corners SportS
Barber, who started in horse racing as a jockey in match races as far back as the 1950s, is an embodiment of the sport’s history as much as its future. “(Barber) brings an immense amount of history to the table,” Boehm said. “I know when I go to him on racing matters, he’s going to give me the perspective not only of a
APRIL 2016
horseman, but also a businessman.” Sunray park and Casino’s upcoming racing season, which will open in late April, serves not only as a chance for locals to enjoy professional sports, but also provides hundreds of employment opportunities during the near two-month campaign.
Sunland Park, located just outside the state border in El Paso, Texas, runs the longest of any track in the state, with their current season having been allotted 72 dates.
“At least 100 jobs created during the season just inside the casino,” Boehm said. “That doesn’t even take into account all the grooms, the horsemen and their impact on the local economy.”
Zia Park in Hobbs – the newest of all the racetracks in the state – races primarily during the fall season, with The Downs at Albuquerque hosting two separate seasons during the summer months.
With horsemen coming in from many regions around the southwestern United States, it is common for businesses to see increases during the racing season, which will run through June 20. “We have horsemen coming in from Arizona, Colorado and not only do they eat here, but they impact the local businesses as well,” Boehm said. “It definitely has a ripple effect.” Like almost any business in a smaller community, job growth and disposable income plays a part in the success of that business. The recent wave of uncertainty in the local economy has played a role in recent months at SunRay. In addition to increased competition from other casinos, SunRay also has had to deal with the impact of rising unemployment over the past year. “Farmington is an oil and gas community, so
Over the years, racing in New Mexico has also been held at Raton and Santa Fe. we naturally feel the impact here,” Boehm said. “Everyone has felt the effects in the Four Corners.” From both a historical standpoint and economic impact, racing at SunRay Park has long been a staple in the community, but they are only one of five tracks in the Land of Enchantment. Ruidoso Downs races during the summer with their annual season concluding on Labor Day with the All American Futurity, the richest race in the world for 2-year-old horses of any breed.
And like SunRay, they’ve all shared their place in history. Real Quiet, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in 1998, ran as a 2-yearold the year prior in the Indian Nations Futurity Cup at Santa Fe Downs. The first known racing in the state took place at Raton, several years before Ruidoso opened its doors. Through both the best and worst of economic times, racing has played a large economic role in New Mexico.
APRIL 2016
Four Corners SPORTS
21
BOATING RULE CHANGES New rules approved to combat aquatic invasive species SANTA FE – All boats soon will be subject to inspection and possible decontamination before launching in New Mexico waters under new rules adopted to combat the spread of harmful aquatic invasive species. The new rules, approved by the State Game Commission took effect Feb. 12. Changes to the AIS rules include: Mandatory watercraft inspection required any time an inspection station is set up and in operation. Mandatory inspection and, if necessary, decontamination of all outof-state registered watercraft or watercraft re-entering the state of New Mexico. Fourteen-day advance notification of intent to transport watercraft 26 feet long or longer into New Mexico. All boaters are required to “pull the plug” and drain watercraft when transporting in New Mexico. Implementation of a voluntary watercraft seal program to expedite boater access to a waterbody with limited need for inspection. The amended rules were sought to help combat the spread of highly destructive aquatic invasive species such as zebra mussels, quagga mussels and other aquatic invasive species. New Mexico is one of only six western states that remain free of the invasive mussels, but is surrounded by neighboring states where the mussels are established. Invasive mussels attach to structures and grow quickly, clogging inlet pipes and other equipment.
SunRay
continued from
The most effective deterrent to their spread is to clean, drain and dry watercraft after each use. For more information about the rule changes, watercraft inspection station locations and other news about aquatic invasive species, visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us/ais or www.facebook.com/aquaticaliens; or contact the department’s aquatic invasive species coordina-
21
According to The Jockey Club, the official breed registry of thoroughbred racing in the United States, there were more 1,400 thoroughbred races held in New Mexico in 2015 with total purse moneys for horsemen approaching $29 million.
How much has racing grown in the state in recent years? In 1995, the first year of The Jockey Club’s study on the state of the business in New Mexico, the total purse money available for thoroughbreds was just over $6.6 million.
As lofty as those numbers are, they are actually short of the best year for the sport in the state, in 2008, when total purse moneys in thoroughbred racing topped $31.8 million.
A far cry still from the 1970s when racing started in the Four Corners. SunRay Park and Casino is a far different
22
Four Corners SPoRTS
APRIL 2016
racetrack today than it was during the old Mile High Mule Races, but in many ways the sport is exactly the same. Wins and losses are felt by not just horsemen, but bettors alike. The thrills of winning and the agonies of defeat come in many different ways. And as one of only a handful of professional sports in the state, racing has come a long way.
Area Fishing reports from New Mexico Fish and Game Navajo Lake: Fishing was fair using grubs and perch and rainbow colored soft swim baits for northern pike. Fishing was slow to fair using roe sacs for rainbow trout. We had no reports on other species. San Juan River: Water flow below Navajo Lake on Monday morning was 418 cfs with a visibility of about two feet. Trout fishing through the Quality Waters was good using chamois leeches, cream egg patterns, BWOs and small midges. Fishing through the bait waters was good using worms, salmon eggs, jerk baits, flashback pheasant tails, egg patterns and chamois leeches for trout.
San Juan River
Farmington Lake : Fishing was good using PowerBait, salmon eggs, homemade dough bait and Pistol Petes for trout. Nonmotorized watercraft are now allowed on Farmington Lake . Fees are $50 for the season or $5 daily. Jackson Lake: Fishing was slow to fair using PowerBait for trout.
Farmingto. nLake
Jemez Waters: Stream flow on the Jemez River near Jemez Springs on Monday morning was 114 cfs. Fishing was slow. Fishing on the Cebolla was good using worms and small bead-head nymphs. We had no reports on other streams in the area. Navajo Lake
APRIL 2016
Four Corners SPORTS
23
NM SPORTS HALL OF FAME Marvin Sanders leads list of 2015 inductees The New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame has announced its class of eight members for 2015. One of the eight members has a special place in the hearts of many residents of Farmington.
physically, and mental toughness,” said Dalley. “He taught me that all the individual hard work was important, but the team was the ultimate goal. I never felt any one person on the team was more important than the other and I learned that the team’s success was more important than my own.”
On April 3, 2016, Coach Marvin Sanders will be inducted into the hallowed Hall of Fame based on his 44 successful years as a basketball coach and as a two-time all-conference player for Western New Mexico back in the late 1950s. Coach Sanders had an unbelievable career as the head coach for the boys basketball teams of Hatch, Silver, Lovington and Farmington, as well as one season as the girls coach at Capital. Sanders amassed the third highest win total for any coach in the state of New Mexico by winning 743 games, winning close to 70 percent of his games all time. He won his first New Mexico state championship while at Hatch in 1964 and another with Silver in 1975. In 1980, his decision to take the job at Farmington High School changed the lives of many in our community. Sanders won 427 games while the head coach of the Scorpions. From 1980 until he retired in 2004, Sanders’ boys basketball teams won two Class AAAA State Championships (1982 and 1986), finished second to Kirtland Central in 2003, and won nine district championships, and Sanders was named coach of the year in 1982 and 1986.
24
Four Corners SpORTS
More important than any wins or championships, Sanders impacted the young men on his teams as a positive role model and molder of wonderful citizens in our community. “Coach Sanders was everything you would expect out of an HOF Coach,” explained former Farmington High School Baseball Coach and Athletic Director, Don Lorett. “Coach Sanders was a scholar of the game strategically which he demonstrated as a mastermind of the X’s and O’s. He knew how to put together an outstanding staff and utilized all of the staff’s strengths to maximize the athletes’ abilities. Coach Sanders brought a level of intensity to Scorpion Basketball that fans loved, and which they showed by packing the gym every time they played a game.” Ron Dalley played for Farmington High School in the early 1990s and credits Coach Sanders for making him a better basketball player and a better man. “While I was a player in high school he (Sanders) taught me the importance of working hard as an individual, getting in shape
APRIL 2016
“Coach Sanders instilled a level of expectations in his players that challenged them to become more than what you would imagine possible,” said Lorett. “He was an outstanding role model for young men and always stressed to his players to be champions in the classroom as well as on the floor.” Dalley seemed to reiterate all that Lorett had to say about Coach Sanders and his passion to make his players better men. “He had principles, and that has stuck with me my entire life,” reflected Dalley. “I always felt like he cared about his players, was interested in them and what they were doing, and he tried to be in tune with things in their lives, whether it was family issues or at school. Marv always taught us that we represented our families, our school and ourselves, and that we better carry ourselves in a way that would represent them well.”
Also, Sanders is credited by many local basketball coaches as a mentor and as the source of a wealth of knowledge. His legacy and impact at Farmington High School will live on for a long time. “Coach Sanders was a true professional coach – which developed out of a great respect for amateur athletics,” Lorett continued. “Coach Sanders dedicated himself to mentoring young players and coaches in the game of basketball and helped raise the quality of the game in New Mexico state-wide.” Sanders calls Ruidoso home now. He has the Marv Sanders Invitational named for him as a winter tournament hosted every year by Farmington High School. CARLA GARRett One of the most distinguished athletes hailing from the state, this 1984 Santa Fe High graduate – who was an All-American in basketball and an All-State selection in soccer — went on to become a 10-time All-American in track & field at the University of Arizona, and was the 1989 NCAA national champion during the indoor season (shot put) and outdoor season (shot put and discus). She was a member of the 1991 and ’93 USA team that competed at the World track & Field championships those years, and a member of the USA’s 1992 Olympic team in Barcelona. She also is a two-time silver-medalist in the World Weightlifting Championships and the USA weightlifting champion from 1991-94, inducted into the USA Weightlifting Hall of Fame in 2012 and a 1996 inductee of the University of Arizona Sports Hall of Fame. today, Garrett is the strength coach at the University of New Mexico. RAy BIRMINGHAM Head coach of the University of New Mexico
baseball team for the last seven seasons, Coach Birmingham has, including his 18 seasons as the head coach at New Mexico Junior College in his native Hobbs, where he’d also coached the College of the Southwest diamond team in 1988-89, been a part of 20 championships; that impressive stat includes a national title won with the NMJC thunderbirds in 2005 in Grand Junction, Colo. Prior to his days at NMJC, he was the head coach at Mayfield High, where he led the trojans to the AAAA title in 1981. this won’t be his first Hall of Fame honor: In 2011, he was named to the National Junior College Athletic Association Hall of Fame. Ray has led the Lobos to four straight NCAA regional appearances and back-to-back Mountain West championships (2014, 2015). More than 150 of his former players have reached the pro ranks, including 2002 World Series champion Anaheim Angels reliever Brendan Donnelly and Seattle Mariners first-round pick D.J. Peterson SAM LACey Lacey becomes the first New Mexico State University basketball player to be inducted into the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame. A 610 center, Lacey played in 1,002 NBA games — more than any UNM or NMSU player who played in the NBA. Drafted in the first round (fifth overall) of the 1970 NBA Draft by the Cincinnati Royals, he played 13 seasons (1970–83) in the NBA for the Royals, Kansas City Kings, New Jersey Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers. He is one of only five NBA players (along with Hakeem Olajuwon, Julius erving, David Robinson and Ben Wallace) to have registered 100 blocks and 100 steals in six consecutive seasons. His No. 44 jersey was retired by the Sacramento Kings. When Lacey retired in 1983, he had accumulated 9,687 rebounds and 10,303 points. At NMSU, the Aggies were 74–14 during his three seasons there. In the 1969-1970 post-season, he and
star guard Jimmy Collins led the Aggies to their first and only Final Four appearance. Lacey died March 14, 2014. LUC LONGLey One of the most-popular Lobos while playing from 1987-1991 for Dave Bliss, the big guy averaged 19.1 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists in his senior season, which was highlighted by being a first-round draft pick of the Minnesota timberwolves in 1991. Luc also played for the Chicago Bulls, where he was a part of 3 straight NBA titles (1996-1998). At the age of 19, he played for the Australian national team in the 1996 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, and represented Australia again in Barcelona in 1992. IN 2006, Luc was inducted into Basketball Australia’s Hall of Fame in Melbourne. Obviously proud of his Aussie heritage, he was the first Australian to play in the NBA, the first to win an NBA title and has played more NBA games than any Australian who followed him. All told, Luc played in 567 NBA games, scored 4,090 points, grabbed 2,794 rebounds and blocked 549 shots. eRIC ROANHAUS Nobody has won more high school football games than eric Roanhaus, who has (328 +this year) wins in his 38(1978-2015) seasons as the Clovis Wildcats’ head coach. His teams have won 10 state championships and been state runners-up eight times. Coach Roanhaus was inducted into the New Mexico High School Coaches Hall of Fame in 1996 and he went into the National High School Coaches Hall of Fame in 2002. Before arriving in Clovis, eric has served as a grad assistant at West texas A&M and an assistant coach for several sports at Canyon High in Amarillo; he came to Clovis as a football assistant in 1973, under head coach Dunny Goode and became Goode’s
* Hall of Fame 34
APRIL 2016
Four Corners SPORtS
25
Catching Up with the County Former PV coach David Null dies in Houston The coaching fraternity lost another member last month. David Null, who was as assistant football and baseball coach at Piedra Vista passed away suddenly in Houston. Null left Piedra Vista for a head baseball coaching position at Jack C Hays High School in Buda, Texas, where he was the Central Texas Coach of the Year in 2013. David Null was not only a val-ued member of the coaching fraternity, he was an extremely good teacher teaching AP Chemis-try and Physics. He had a bachelors of science degree from Texas A&M University in petroleum engineering. He taught a variety of honors courses across Texas; including Honors Chemistry at Rice University.
First annual Spring Frisbee Golf Tournament San Juan College HHPC is hosting the 27hole tournament from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 2 at the HHPX center 4601 College Blvd. Come out for this 27-Hole Frisbee Golf Tournament. Late registration 8 a.m., tee off at 9 a.m. with a shotgun start. Pre-registration costa $15. Late registration costs $20. For more information call 505566-3819.
Games to Watch … It’s all about tournaments in the early season but district is not far away. Here’s what to look for at the beginning of the spring season.
26
Four Corners SPoRTS
Baseball Traditionally only two local baseball games matter in the county - Farmington vs Piedra Vista April 19 Piedra Vista at Farmington April 30 Farmington at Piedra Vista Softball Every District game matters in 5A. District play begins on April 8 but here’s two to watch April 8 – Aztec at Piedra Vista Doubleheader April 22 – Piedra Vista at Farmington Doubleheader Track The best local talent compete against each other on a weekly basis in San Juan County. These two track meets are the best of the best locally
APRIL 2016
April 22 & 23 – Aztec Invitational April 30 – 58th Annual Bloomfield Invitational Tennis The Scorpions are always the team to beat, but PV is making strides April 19 – Piedra Vista at Farmington Golf Spring season is never easy with the likelihood of the gentle Four Corner spring breezes, but for those that have already qualified they can look forward to state right here at Pinon Hills on May 9 & 10 Cheer & Dance The second biggest spectator event in the state takes place on April 1 and 2 as the state cheer and dance championships take place at The Pit
NMAA foundation awards $22,000 in student scholarships ALBUQUErQUE – the New Mexico Activities Association is excited to announce the recipients of the 2015-2016 NMAA Foundation Scholarships. the NMAA Foundation will recognize the 16 students receiving these scholarships during the U.S. Bank State Basketball Championships which were held March 8-12. over 250 students applied for the scholarships, with eight receiving $1,000, six receiving $1,500, and two receiving $2,500. there were seven different scholarship categories for which students could submit applications. the following list details those students who were selected: Extraordinary participation Scholarship, presented by the NMAA Foundation ($2,500 each) *given to students excelling in athletics, activities, and academics 1. Leanne Calhoon, Estancia 2. Adrianna Sanders, Aztec
Swimming & Diving Scholarship, presented by Streamline Swimstore ($1,000 each) *given to students excelling in swimming and/or diving and academics 1. Isabelle runde, Los Alamos 2. Case Schaap, Clovis
the New Mexico Activities Association Foundation was established in 2007 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that awards scholarships to participants of 13 interscholastic sports and 23 school activities. the primary mission of the organization is to raise funds for these endeavors. the Foundation is made up of a Board of Directors that meets annually. Since its inception, the NMAA Foundation has distributed over $225,000 in student scholarships. For additional information pertaining to this announcement, please contact Dusty Young, NMAA Associate Director at (505) 977-5385 or dusty@nmact.org.
“Compete with Class” Scholarships, presented by the NM National Guard ($1,500 each) *given to students that exemplify the ideals of sportsmanship & the Compete with Class initiative 1. Estevan Atencio, Escalante 2. Amanda Schmidt, portales 3. Andre Gomez, Hobbs 4. Kaitlyn romero, Española Valley Mario Martinez Memorial Scholarship ($1,500 each) *given to students excelling in athletics and academics within Class A3A schools 1. Kyle Idtensohn, Fort Sumner 2. Autumn McMath, Fort Sumner Dan and Lucille Wood/Gray Gladiator Athletic Scholarship ($1,000 each) *given to students excelling in athletics and academics 1. raimi Clark, Farmington 2. taylor Bostwick, Melrose Activities Scholarship ($1,000 each) *given to students excelling in activities and academics 1. Matthew Bedeaux, East Mountain 2. Morgan Weber, Silver El richards/Francis Walsh Spirit Scholarship, presented by Varsity Spirit ($1,000 each) *given to students excelling in spirit (cheer/dance) and academics 1. Caitlyn McDowell, La Cueva 2. Alyssa Aragon, raton
APRIL 2016
Four Corners SportS
27
TY WAYBORN MEMORIAL RODEO 10th annual event is April 1 and 2 at McGee Park The 10th Annual Ty Wayborn Memorial Rodeo will be from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday April 1 and Saturday April 2 at McGee Park Memorial Coliseum.
Events for the Ty Waybourn Rodeo are Bareback, Saddle Bronc, Bull Riding, Tie Down Roping, Steer Wrestling, Ladies Breakaway, Ladies Barrel racing, Team Roping, and Ribbon Roping.
Admission is $10 adult and 6 and under free Ty Waybourn was a high school rodeo competitor who loved the sport. Ty was killed at the age of 16 by a drunk driver on November 6, 2003. His father and siblings bring this rodeo to San Juan County each spring in his memory and to raise awareness in the community about the dangers of drinking and driving.
For local entries please call: 505.330.2460 you must be entered by 5 p.m. on March 26. If you want your points to count towards awards you have to enter through CES from 6 to 9 p.m. on March. 28 Net proceeds from this non-profit rodeo go toward scholarships for local High School rodeo athletes.
Furnace Breakdown? CALL THE TOP DOG! When it comes to heating breakdowns you need to tell a true-blue friend. Our company will immediately make tracks to relieve your problem and will be loyal to you long after the service call. That’s why R.A. Biel Plumbing and Heating is the leader of the pack.
Now that’s worth wagging your tail about! • Carriers Boilers & Furnaces • Duct Cleaning • Drain/Sewer Cleaning • Video Drain Inspection • Electronic Leak Location • Water & Sewer Repiping • Bathroom & Kitchen Remodeling • Water Heaters • Refrigeration & Evaporative Cooling • Backflow Preventer Testing
• Complete Gas Service • LP Gas Service • Carbon Monoxide Testing • Complete Septic Systems • Backhoe Service & Trenching • Planned Service Agreements • 24-Hour Emergency • All Major Credit Cards Accepted • 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed since 1988 • 24 Hour Emergency Service
#
"""
28
Four Corners SPoRTS
APRIL 2016
!
THE GOLDEN FOOTBALL Farmington High football legend Ralph Neely returns for celebration Tom Yost In September of 2015, the NFL announced an initiative to help celebrate the 50th year of the Super Bowl. the Super Bowl High School Honor Roll was created to help celebrate the high schools of past Super Bowl players from the prior 50 years of the games. For each player who played in a Super Bowl, a golden football was made by Wilson Football Factory and was presented to the high school where they played. Farmington High School received that football and a visit from their football legend, Ralph Neely, in February. Neely, a 1961 graduate of Farmington High School, was a two-time all state tackle in New Mexico and earned a scholarship to play football at the University of oklahoma. As a member of the Sooner football team, Neely earned honors as a two-time All Big 8 Conference and two-time All- American player. Neely was drafted by two teams in 1964 – the Baltimore Colts of the NFL and the Houston oilers of the AFL – but was traded to the Dallas Cowboys where he started his illustrious career in 1965. As an NFL offensive lineman (right tackle), Neely was selected to the All Rookie team and then earned All-pro honors for four consecutive years. Neely made the pro Bowl twice, and was a member of two Dallas Cowboy Super Bowl Champion teams. He retired in 1977 after the Cowboys defeated the Broncos in Super Bowl XII, concluding an extremely successful 13 year NFL career. Neely was inducted into the New Mexico Hall of Fame in 2014. In addition to the Wilson Golden Football, Farmington High School also received a $5,000 grant which will go to the Scorpion Football program and for a character curriculum to be introduced into the school.
APRIL 2016
Four Corners SpoRtS
29
3-GUN COMPETITION Charity challenge will benefit San Juan County Sheriff’s Office Foundation Shooting enthusiasts will have the opportunity to compete for prizes and trophies at the Third Annual San Juan County Sheriff’s 3Gun Charity Challenge match, set for April 29 through May 1 at the San Juan Wildlife Federation range, 5652 U.S. Highway 64. The schedule is: April 29, 3 to 7:30 p.m.: Registration April 29, 3 p.m: Course open for walk-thru April 30, 7:30 a.m.: Opening Ceremony and Mandatory Safety Meeting at the Range May 1, 7:30 a.m. Team Stage Begins Categories include law enforcement, posse (civilians), match staff, females, juniors (under 18 years of age), seniors (over 55 and less than 65 years old), Super Seniors (those over 65) and military (active duty or retired). The other individual stages may use one or more of the tactical firearms available to the competitor. The final stage is a team stage
where a four-man team engages a variety of targets ranging from 10 to 100 meters. Teams are predetermined at or before entering the match. Businesses that are interested may sponsor a team or a stage. The event is limited to 100 competitors and is open to public spectators. Nine stages (8 individual stages and 1 team stage) – including scenarios, engagement of various styles and types of targets, nine individual stages and one team stage will be offered. The stages are scored using a combination of target hit scores, penalties and time taken.
The top three teams and top five individuals in each of the categories will receive prizes and trophies. The match fee is $125 if participants register before April 15 and $150 after that date. The U.S. Practical Shooting Association’s 3-gun rules will apply. For more information contact 3-Gun Coordinator Steve White at 505.320.3048 or visit www.sjcsofoundation.com/3GUN/Registration and a walkthrough of the course will begin at 7 a.m. with a mandatory safety meeting at 7:30 a.m. The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office Foundation is sponsoring the event and proceeds will benefit the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office Volunteers In Partnership Program and the San Juan Wildlife Federation.
Compete With Class Loving High School volleyball team is NMAA January honors The New Mexico Activities Association has announced that the Loving High School volleyball team has been recognized as the Compete with Class award recipient for the month of January 2016. Jal’s head coach for girls’ basketball and softball, Jimmy Samaniego, nominated the Falcons. “I wanted to share with the NMAA what the Loving volleyball team did at our home game in late January. They presented my wife with a check for $1,000 for breast cancer awareness. My wife was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer in October and has been undergoing treatment,” Samaniego said in the nomination to the NMAA . He continued by saying, “It was a very special act of kindness. It was wonderful to see opposing teams come together for a great cause. We are so thankful for their generous contribution.” Sportsmanship is defined by the NMAA as the act of treating others
30
Four Corners SPORTS
APRIL 2016
in a respectful manner, taking personal accountability for ones actions, and responding with integrity while engaged in competition. The NMAA would like to thank and recognize the Loving High School volleyball team for setting a great example for the state of New Mexico. Their act of sportsmanship exemplifies the true ideals of the Compete with Class Sportsmanship Initiative - respect, integrity, and responsibility. More information regarding the “Compete with Class” sportsmanship initiative can be found on the NMAA website at www.nmact.org. Note that the NMAA will announce a monthly honoree throughout the remainder of the 2015-2016 school year. Questions regarding this announcement can be directed to Dusty Young, NMAA Associate Director, at 505.977.5385.
FARMINGTON MAYOR NAMES MARCH
Boys and Girls Club Month On March 1 Farmington Mayor Tommy Roberts decreed March as Boys & Girls Club Month. Mayor Roberts and Executive Director Maria Rodman kicked off the festivities What started as a boxing club for boys in the 1950s is now a multi-program, diverse organization that serves more than 2,000 young people in the Farmington area. Founded in 1960, the Boys and Girls Club celebrated its 50th anniversary in September of 2010. At the kickoff festivities Farmington and Piedra Vista High School cheer teams provided entertainment for the event. The Club had more than 650 participants in its basketball programs and is gearing up for flag football and volleyball. This spring the Club is offering flag football for kindergartners through eighth-grade and volleyball for fourth graders through eleventh graders. The Club will also be offering offseason tournaments in basketball and volleyball and is looking into an indoor soccer league in the winter and low rim leagues for six foot and under players looking for the NBA feel of dunking in a game. The Club will remain open to all and will continue to develop programs that will grow to fit the needs of our community. Registration for the Club’s Summer Program begins on April 1st.
APRIL 2016
Four Corners SPORTS
31
ryanNEWMAN
tonySTEWART
DOLLARS AND SENSE! naSCar nellie isn’t sure how those naSCar drivers get by with that kind of money. ole rocket Man should put that “vehicle structure engineering” degree to good use when he retires from naSCar so’s he can make some real money. nn is putting the newman family on her Christmas card list and will include a gift card to taco Bell. nn is nothing if not considerate.
nn knows how tough it can be to live paycheck to paycheck, and she understands why champagne or beer or soda or energy drinks are tossed about after a driver wins a race. the driver and pit crew prob’ly have straws and suck up whatever beverage is laying on the ground after everyone has sprayed everyone else and the television cameras are gone.
Kyle Busch, who won the naSCar championship last season, has a beautiful wife and a sweet young son and he only brings home $50 mil a year. no wonder Kyle has to beg for free tickets to Denver Bronco games – he can’t afford the hot dogs and beer, let alone good seats.
nn, herownself, has been known to have straws in her not-quite-designer-bag-from-aquestionable “retailer,” in case someone spills wine or she “helps” someone spill wine, so the server person has to move them to another table while “someone” cleans up the wine. nn is pretty quick with her straw and can suck up said wine in a nano-second when needed. Just sayin. . . .
“manage” said account and forward all moneys to the drivers after collecting her administrative fee. nn is nothing if not a shrew(d) businesswoman, just so’s ya know.
So, when nn found out on dickipedia what some of those naSCar drivers make in a year, she was ready to set up a gofundme account on their behalf. nn, of course, would
For instance, ryan newman, one of nn’s fav’s for years, only made $40 mil last year. nn doesn’t know how he manages to put food on the table and daycare for his daughter
32
Four Corners SportS
APRIL 2016
and while he prob’ly gets all the M&Ms his family can eat, you can’t raise a cute young son or keep a wife beautiful on just chocolate. and he’s lucky he has to work out, or eating all those M&Ms could prevent him from getting through those little windows on the racecar. tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick each made
any airplane that’s heading to Charlotte-Douglas and apply for a job at what is now the most popular bar in the world. And NN is allergic to work and even applying for a job makes her break out in huge red spots and sweat like a pig on a roasting thingey. one ‘nother thing NN learned on Dicki – junior always wanted a tree house, so he had one built. isn’t that just the coolest thing? ‘Cept junior’s tree house, which is on his Dirty mo Acres, was built by an engineering company (junior shoulda thought about hiring ryan Newman to build it and kept the money in the family). He and his engineer friends picked out a coupla trees and made plans to fit the trees.
jimmieJOHNSON
$70 million bucks last year. that’s not so bad for tony on accounta he doesn’t have a family to feed and care for, but Happy Harvick has one ‘nother of those beautiful NASCAr wives, who pro’bly spend as much on makeup and hair as NN does on wine and hooker heels. just sayin. . . . Anyway, Kev prob’ly has a second job to help make ends meet. NN just hopes he asks to be paid in unmarked bills like she does, so the Feds don’t come calling and collecting what they deem is “theirs” and threaten to throw your butt in jail if you don’t pay up, and you have to change your name and move to another street in Vegas so they can’t find you. that helped NN once or twice, before the Feds and the FBi, CiA and Circus Clowns “gifted” her with an ankle bracelet that tells them where she is all the time. NN makes sure she has that bracelet on when she’s trying on bikinis, on accounta when they see that video, they don’t bother her again for weeks at a time. NN heard through the discount grapevine that when a coupla of the “agents” assigned to monitor her bracelet saw her trying on bikinis, they ran screaming from the “office” where they are “housed” and were never heard from again. Whatever. jimmie johnson made $120 mil and jeff Gordon made $150 mil last year. that paltry $150 mil is prob’ly why jeff decided to go into broadcasting, where the real money is. they provide the “guys in the booth” with snacks
and clothes and drinks and lotto tickets, which puts them in a totally different tax bracket than jeff was. NN guesses jj gets Lowes gift cards for special occasions, which is helpful, NN thinks, when the fam needs a new toilet or kitchen sink or a carport for his race car. Dale earnhardt junior is listed as one of sports richest with an annual income last year of about $300 mil. NN believes junior is totally deserving of that kind of money and prob’ly a lot more than that. in addition to being the sports most popular driver for like a gazillion years in a row, junior has a few ‘nother hobbies – his little bar, Whisky river, has a little spot in the Charlotte-Douglas international Airport and was given a little trophy and a plaque stating it is the Best Airport Bar in America. NN, herownself, thinks it is sweet of whoever voted for Whisky river, on accounta they prob’ly think, like NN does, that junior should have all the trophies and plaques and dollars he can get. it will not surprise anyone who is a member of junior Nation that Whisky river won by an online vote. Lest any of you naysayers think that Wr won just on accounta it is owned by junior, NN will tell you dif’rent. Wr’s menu includes the Carolina Q Burger, chipotle queso and junior’s “signature barbecue sauce.” that’s enough to get NN in the baggage compartment or overhead compartment of
APRIL 2016
junior did his part, by cutting the “structural steel” and “tackwelded” ‘em together for his little home-away-from-home, which sits about 20 feet off the ground and has a front porch. junior’s tree house that has a staircase, that needed “sliders” to keep it from swaying in the wind. NN thinks junior prob’ly played with Lincoln Logs and maybe Legos when he was a little boy. if junior were a builder, he’d be the builder’s most popular builder. just sayin. . . Kevin Harvick and his lovely wife DeLana, bought a little management company to help with their household finances. the company manages miesha tate, who is an Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter, who fought New mexico’s Holly Holm in the women’s Bantam o-weight division in Vegas a coupla weeks ago. the Harvicks gifted junior and his bride-to-be Amy free tickets, which gave junior and Amy a little something to do when NASCAr was in Vegas recently. that’s what friends are for, donchathink? NN thinks NASCAr needs to create a “gofund’em” account for drivers who make less than $200 mil a year, so fans can donate to them, in addition to buying tickets to NASCAr races for hundreds of dollars. or add a “driver fee” to ticket prices – fans would understand and would gladly pay it. Well, not all fans. But junior Nation would. junior Nation would have a bake sale, yard sales and sell Frito pies at races if they thought junior, the sports most popular driver, needed the money. For reals.
Four Corners SportS
33
Hall of Fame continued from 25 successor when Goode took the head job at Eastern New Mexico University. In 1985, he was named the National High School Coach of the Year by the National Sports Service in Phoenix. A member of the New Mexico Officials Association for 17 years, Eric often wears stripes and serves as a high school basketball official in the winter. HENrY TAfOYA Born and raised in Albuquerque, “Henry T” was a three-sport athlete and Sandia High School, where he was a quarterback and defensive back for the Matadors, as well as an All-City baseball player and the Matadors’ point guard on the hardwood. Around the Land of Enchantment, though, Henry T is best known as a radio and television broadcaster and once the voice of the Lobos at KOB-TV from 1977-98. In 1990, he co-founded Albuquerque’s first all-sports radio station (KDEf-AM) and hosted a daily call-in show, as well as doing broadcasting of youth and high school games on the radio for over 37 years. He is a former winner of the New Mexico “Sportscaster of the Year” award and a two-time winner of the Play-by-Play award from the New Mexico’s Broadcasters Association. On Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. he hosts “Henry T Time” on ESPN radio, continuing his legacy and “legend” status behind the mic. fLO VALDEz This roswell High School graduate has led her volleyball teams to 985 match victories through 42 seasons – 367 matches won at roswell High School and 618 matches won at El Paso franklin High School – setting the standard for volleyball success in the Southwest. Strangely, Valdez never actually played volleyball. But in order to coach her favorite sport, club basketball – well before Title IX and when teachers coached multiple sports — she had to agree to coach volleyball in 1974. She was the first women inducted to the New Mexico Coaches Hall of Honor, the founder of the North/South volleyball all-star matches, and a three-time roswell High School championship team coach. She was the New Mexico High School Coaches Association Volleyball Coach of the Year in 1987 and 1993. Valdez also has coached track & field, and gymnastics, in addition to basketball and volleyball. Valdez was inducted into the El Paso Athletic Coaches Hall of fame in 2010.
$ "!' &#!$ (%$ (
$ "!' &#!$ (%$ " $!
$
'$ ' $"# $&) !%'$ ! " # !)
) ! "
' %#
( *
&& &!
' %#
%' &) !%'$ ! %& % " ! %
" # !) %& $! $ ' &'$ " # !) #$"( $% " $
!%'$ ! $ '$ ' ! !
'$ ' $( %