content Don Vaughan PuBlISHER
Cindy Cowan Thiele EDITOR
Rick Hoerner Tom Yost Dorothy Nobis
| 4 | Spring sports wrap-up Over the past decade one sure thing has been the diamond dominance of Farmington area baseball and softball. Piedra Vista softball had won nine consecutive state championships. Their baseball counterparts were looking to play in their seventh straight title game and had the No.1 seed as the tournament started.
CONTRIBuTING WRITERS
Josh Bishop Curtis Ray Benally CONTRIBuTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Suzanne Thurman
| 8 | 51st San Juan Open The San Juan Country Club once again will play to some of the biggest and brightest young golf professionals during the 51st Annual San Juan Open. This year’s event will begin on June 25 and run through June 27.
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Clint Alexander SAlES STAFF
lacey Waite ADMINISTRATION For advertising information Call 505.516.1230
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STORY IDEAS and PHOTOS Please send to editor@tricitytribuneusa.com
| 12 | Memorial tournament
| 24 | Catching up Once again last month the coaching fraternity at Piedra Vista lost one of its initial members.
On Monday June 22 Nike and ultimate Team Sales will be hosting a golf tournament for the late San Juan County Basketball Coach Kevin Holman.
| 27 | The First Tee
| 13 | The wiener takes it all
by Tom Yost
On labor Day weekend at this year’s Riverfest some small, brown and low to the ground four-legged competitors took center stage at the Wiener Dog Races.
| 28 | Diving meet
| 16 | Editorial Columnist by Rick Hoerner
Majestic Media 100 W. Apache Street Farmington, NM 87401 505.516.1230 www.majesticmediausa.com
| 18 | If you build it, they will race
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. © 2015 Four Corners Sports magazine.
| 22 | Phenom in the Making
It was an alfalfa field – 450 acres of farmland the Don Nickels’ family had used to support them for many years.
Brynn Wade has a basketball achievement Michael Jordon never received.
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On May 16 and 17 Farmington FuEl hosted the 2nd annual Greg Van Sickle Memorial Diving Meet. The event is hosted in honor of Greg Van Sickle, a 17-year-old Farmington diver who was killed in a tragic car accident.
| 30 | NASCAR Nellie | 33 | Fishing Report | 34 | 10 Questions with T.J. Massey
covercredit Adrian Vigil, Bloomfield High School photo by Josh Bishop
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We didn’t fare well on the diamonds; tennis, track teams bring home blue trophy Rick Hoerner Photos: Curtis Ray Benally & Josh Bishop
with Farmington’s girls tennis team winning its second consecutive state title – its fifth in six years – and Aztec track’s ladies squad capturing their third straight title.
over the past decade one sure thing has been the diamond dominance of Farmington area baseball and softball. piedra Vista softball had won nine consecutive state championships. their baseball counterparts were looking to play in their seventh straight title game and had the No.1 seed as the tournament started.
Baseball
We will remember 2015 as the year the dynasties detoured. piedra Vista baseball fell in the quarterfinals, the softball team losing two of three games in the double elimination bracket. However, two other dynasties in the making were well on their way to a blue trophy
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By the high standards of this district, 2015 can only be considered a down year. piedra Vista was the lone team to make it past the first round of the state tournament with a 2-0 sweep of roswell, and despite a No.1 seed, the panthers hopes of repeating fell to Artesia. Farmington, who as a No.11 seed didn’t have a home game in the opening round for the first time in a long time, lost a pair of games to Española while Aztec was swept by Los Alamos. In Class 4A, the No. 5 Bloomfield Bobcats stayed in district and took down No. 12
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Shiprock two games to zero to move on to the quarterfinals where they took on No. 4 portales. After ten-run-ruling the rams 11-1 the last survivor of San Juan County fell to eventual 4A champ Sandia prep 15-5. In 3A Navajo prep came in at No.13 and fell in the first round to pecos.
Softball As expected, all the District 1AAAAA teams made it to the state tournament. piedra Vista proved to be beatable this district season with the panthers splitting two games series with both Aztec and Farmington. In the bizarre single elimination single round to get to the double elimination quarterfinals Miyamura and Gallup lost their opening round matchups while pV knocked off St. pius,
HannaHSAYYEAU Piedra Vista High School
SaraHROOT aztec High School
SierraMARTINEZ aztec High School
aztec blanked Belen and Farmington advanced against los lunas. PV was knocked out of the state tournament for the first time in a decade losing in the first day of double elimination to Valencia 8-7. While surviving a closeout game with artesia, the Panthers exited with a 5-4 loss to roswell. With the Panthers out, the road seemed to be clear for aztec, who has lost to the Panthers in the finals the previous four seasons. aztec knocked off Belen, Bernalillo and roswell before falling to Valencia and then losing a heartbreaker to Centennial in the semi-final on an appeal play where the lady Tigers had apparently tied the game. no. 11 Farmington beat los lunas in the opening round before losing a pair of games to roswell and Centennial. in Class 4a, Kirtland and Shiprock lost in the opening single elimination game while Bloomfield survived. The lady Bobcats advanced all the way to the finals with wins over ruidoso and Cobre, but couldn’t overcome Silver who took two games from Bloomfield 10-1 and 8-3. in 3a navajo Prep knocked off no. 7 laguna acoma before bowing out to Jal and loving.
Track & Field Rick Hoerner and Tom Yost angelBRIDGES Piedra Vista High School
again the aztec lady Tigers used superior numbers and a solid balance between points on the track and out in the field for their
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third consecutive state championship. The lady Tigers finished a strong 30 points ahead of their closest competition in los lunas with Piedra Vista finishing one point back from the Tigers with 47 points. individually, Sarah root once again won the 100 meter and 300 meter hurdles and finished second behind her teammate Sierra Martinez in the long jump. Piedra Vista’s Hannah Sayyeau won the pole vault with teammate Cassie Crowell in second. angel Bridges won the shot, making it three years in a row, with three different athletes, that the Panthers have won the shot. On the boys side both Bloomfield and Farmington finished third at the state meet in their respective classes with the Scorpions 23 points behind academy and the Bobcats a scant three points behind Taos. Both squads won state titles in the relays with Farmington taking the podium in the 4x200 relay and Bloomfield capturing the 4x100 and the 1600-meter sprint medley. individually, Farmington’s avery rasher won the 300 meter hurdles and high jump while finishing second in the long jump while also being a member of the state championship relay team. gabriel aguirre won both the shot put and the discus for Bloomfield, while gabriel Cheef won the 100 meters and adrian Vigil won the 300-meter hurdles.
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aVeryRASHER Farmington High School
gabrielCHEEF bloomfield High School
once again it was a strong showing in the spring sports season for the county even without titles in softball or baseball for the first time in over a decade. the countdown begins for the fall of 2015 when the prep sports season rolls around again.
rileyRAHM Piedra Vista High School
State golf the NMaa hosted the Class 6a, 5a and 4a through 1a state golf championships on May 11 and 12. the 6a tournament was hosted locally at Piñon Hills golf Course, the 5a was played at Spring river golf Course in roswell, and the 4a through 1a classes competed at the Canyon Club in albuquerque. Piedra Vista High School was the only local team to compete in the team competition, finishing in fourth place behind albuquerque academy, St. Pius X and artesia. With a total team score of 639, the Panthers finished only eight strokes out of third place. riley rahm led the Panthers with a two-day cumulative score of 147 (71-76) that was good enough for second place individually, six strokes behind albuquerque academy’s ben albin.
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The remaining Panther team consisted of Trey Diehl shooting 161 and finishing tied for 16th, Dennis Rahm and Darius Martinez posting 166 finishing tied for 20th with River Smalley shooting 172 finishing 28th. Also competing locally as individuals in the Class 5A tournament were Farmington High School’s Taton Yazzie, who finished 29th with a 174, Farmington High School’s Meghan Graff who tied for 17th with a 187, and Aztec High School’s Linda Peralta shot 191 to finish tied for 20th. At the Class 4A state tournament, Kyla Jones tied for sixth place with a score of 193 at the Canyon Club. In the Class 6A tournament, Cleveland High School won on the boys side while Deming High School continued their dominance by winning their seventh consecutive state title on the girls side.
State Tennis The 2015 NMAA State Tennis Championships turned into local San Juan County squads versus the formidable Albuquerque Academy
teams. Every local team had to go through Academy en route to the state championship. The Farmington High School Lady Scorpions dominated the tournament, repeating as state champions by defeating: St. Pius X, Centennial
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and finally Albuquerque Academy by a score of 5 to 3 in the finals. The Piedra Vista High School Lady Panthers lost to Academy in the quarterfinals by a score of 7-2.
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51st San Juan Open All the big names are back; Jones returns to defend his title The San Juan Country Club once again will play host to some of the biggest and brightest young golf professionals during the 51st Annual San Juan Open. This year’s event will begin on June 25 and run through June 27. Kent Jones won the 50th San Juan Open in 2014 with a four-day score of 11 under par (273), beating Ryan Hogue, Nick Killpack and Jake Yonan-Wise by two shots, shooting a final round 68. Jones will be back to defend his title against a bevy of professionals from all over the country. 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.
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“All of the big names will be back to play,” said Head PGA Golf Professional Jeff Roth. “The sponsor money has been secured to put on another great golf tournament.” What makes the San Juan Open special is the pro-am nature of the event. Every year amateurs from every skill level will compete side-by-side with the professionals in what is called the prosponsor event. For $1,500, amateur players pick the professional to play alongside them in a best ball event for the first two days and a combined score event the third and final day. At the end of the third round, the field is cut to the low 25 players and ties with those professionals competing the final round for $75,000 in total prize money. Past champions of the San Juan Open include current PGA Tour player Martin Laird, former PGA Tour player Paul Stankowski and past participants have included former PGA Tour Major Champion Lee Trevino and former PGA Tour player Notah Begay III.
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The San Juan Country Club is noted for its small greens that have been known to dry out and run at incredibly fast speeds. With the copious amounts of moisture this spring, the rough has grown thick and will make things tougher on professionals and amateurs alike. “The fairways are in fabulous shape and the rough will produce flyer lies, which will make it tough to control the golf ball,” explained Roth. “The green speeds might not be as fast this year since we have had a problem getting players around the golf courses in years’ past. I think if the greens are running at 11 on the stimp meter instead of 12, then it would be perfect to make putts for all players.” The cost for an amateur to enter the San Juan Open is $500, while the professional side will cost $850. The pro-sponsor event will run an amateur $1,500, but is well worth the price to get a front row seat for some of the finest golf seen by some of the best professionals in the country.
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Memorial tournament Golf event honors Kevin Holman, benefits scholarship funds the Gallup Bengals. The Lady Broncos returned to the championship game the following year as Holman won his third state championship as the Lady Broncos defeated Roswell in a onepoint thriller.
Rick Hoerner On Monda,y June 22, Nike and Ultimate Team Sales will host a golf tournament for the late San Juan County Basketball Coach Kevin Holman. The proceeds of the tournament will benefit the education fund for Kevin’s children Quinn and Griffin and offer two scholarships to students who participate in multiple activities or sports. The tournament is looking for 136 golfers to compete in the tournament. The cost to play is $100; that includes 18 holes, range balls, cart, a new Nike polo and dinner. On June 22 it will be 18 months since San Juan County lost one of its biggest sport supporters. Coach Holman’s final coaching position was the head coach of the Lady Broncos in Kirtland. He had previously coached in Wingate, Farmington and Shiprock. Kevin was a three-time state champion, his first being a golf state championship at Shiprock. Kevin was best known as a basketball coach in the count,y leading the Shiprock boys to a Final Four before accepting a position as the girls’ basketball coach in Farming-
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Kevin’s sports legacy in the Four Corners is far from limited to his coaching achievements. He was a big fan of high school sports, tending multiple events even if his school wasn’t playing. He volunteered at the Connie Mack World Series, worked as a football broadcaster for Fox Sports and was an avid golfer.
ton. In 2002 Holman led the Lady Scorpions to their first state championship since 1979. In 2004 Kevin moved back to the boys, taking over for legendary coach Marv Sanders at Farmington High.
During the dinner there will be an auction of sports memorabilia. Last year’s items included an autographed Brian Urlacher Chicago Bears helmet, a Russell Wilson autographed football, a Jenny Finch autographed softball as well as numerous items provided by Nike Golf.
Kevin’s teams were four-time district champions in his seven seasons. In 2011, his first year at Kirtland Central, he led the Lady Broncos toward the state championship falling to
If you are interested in participating in the tournament or would like to sponsor a hole to help with the Coach Holman Fund, please contact Rick Hoerner at 505-215-2533.
JULY 2015
The wiener takes it all Athletes come in all shapes and sizes On Saturday of Labor Day weekend at this year’s Riverfest some small, brown and low to the ground four-legged competitors took center stage at the Wiener Dog Races. Granted, many of the dachshunds were just as happy visiting with the other racers as they were making it to the finish line. No matter what their skill level there were a lot of wagging tails and smiling faces.
This is the 10th year these unsung heroes have left it all on the field for the fans at Riverfest.
or toys for their efforts. While ours is a casual affair dachshund racing is a serious sport that began in Australia in the 1970s.
While our competition does not draw career racers, bred strictly for racing, the owners are no less proud of their little athletes.
The early meets featured Whippet, Afghan Hound, and dachshund racing, purely for fun.
You won’t see many frowns on owner’s faces during the race as they coax their champions toward them with the promise of treats
The sport rose in popularity in North America after a 1993 Miller Lite television
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commercial that listed odd sports, and continued to grow after the release of a documentary film that chronicles two years of the Wiener Nationals circuit. The de facto national championship is the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals that are held in San Diego, Calif., in the month of December, according to www.weinerdograces.com Many people attend, since there are tourists in town for the Holiday Bowl. There are other racetracks that also claim to hold championship races, but the one in San Diego is generally recognized as the “official” championship. There were really no losers at our race, but three contenders moved those short little legs faster than their friends. This years winners were: 1. Hope 2. Mandy 3. Relish
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THE BIGFOOT CLASSIC Navajo Prep hosts fundraising tournament
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Navajo Preparatory School will be hosting the 4th Annual Fundraising Golf Tournament “The Bigfoot Classic” on Aug. 29.
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The four-Person Scramble starts at 9 a.m. at Piñon Hills Golf Course and benefits the Fighting Eagles academic and athletic programs.
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The tournament is limited to the first 25 paid teams. The entry fee is $350 per team and includes green fees, golf cart and lunch. $
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To sign up call athletic director Mike Tillman at 505-215-3102 or Piñon Hills at 505-326-6066.
for the 2015 San Juan County Fair Parade
The 2015 Fair Parade is
August 7 in downtown Farmington • Line-up will begin at 4:30 p.m. • Parade starting promptly at 6 p.m. To sign up or for information www.sanjuancountyfair.net
The death of etiquette the whole concert. i realize that we are overly busy, however, that is no excuse to leave when your kid is finished or expect them to leave ick OERNER and not support their classmates. This is a for all, should be enjoyed by all and Editorial columnist concert supported by all. One of my biggest pet peeves over the past 7 years of attending Shindig was the whooping an hollering for single performances of some social group while sitting quietly for others outside that particular group. Ms. Nickels has done a great job of putting that There were three recent events that i have attended on an annual to a stop by asking her audience to wait to the end of presentations basis over my tenure as a public educator, continuing in retirement, that have me wondering what happened to us as a crowd, as a collec- to applaud for all. So i applaud her. tive member of a social group. i refer to concerts, graduations and Earlier this month i worked my 20th graduation ceremony and i ballgames. still can’t get over the individual excess this community showers on high school graduation, which should be an expectation of social and Of course this lack of a whole community as an audience is not a economic advancement toward adulthood. recent phenomenon, and perhaps now that my own kids are not active in choir activities i tend to notice it more as a run of the mill auNow let me say i am in no way anti-graduation and i believe that dience member. But when did a concert performance turn into the education is an absolute essential to success. However, in yet another old Arsenio Hall Show? turn in trying to make everything special, we take away from the i was attending one of my favorite high school events early this group as a whole. This is the graduating class of 2015, and while month, PV’s Shindig, and was surprised by the number of people that, there should be a sense of individual accomplishment to graduation, it is a celebration of the achievement of the whole class. This graduafirst of all, were late – another fine Farmington tradition. tion season saw yelling and screaming for one announced graduate and near silence for the next. it was tough for me to imagine how stuSecond, there were all kinds of catcalls and screaming for individdents felt walking across the stage to almost deafening silence when ual members of the choir that came on stage. i must have forgotten the prior student had a large family screaming, air horns and confetti that the concert was a performance by child A and the choir, not the cannons, once again sending the message that, at a group celebrachoir that child A is a member of. Third, i saw people didn’t stay for tion, some matter and some don’t. i know i’m old, and i’m sure my parents had the same complaints when they were my age, but whatever happened to simple etiquette? i’m not talking something as obvious as not using your phone when you should be conversing with the actual humans in front of you, but what is happening to the dynamics of participating as an audience member?
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And let’s not even get started on dress code. This is a formal celebration and in our casual world of shorts and T-shirts there still is a time and place where dressing up for the occasion wouldn’t hurt. Ballgames aren’t immune either. While games should be a social event, let’s make it a human interaction social event, not just an individual social one. There are countless people on their phones, not checking messages, but continually during games, especially if who they came to see is not in the game. As many a coach has said, “The name on the front of the jersey is more important than the name on the back.” However, just as with graduation and concerts, fans cheer for individuals, trying to draw recognition to those individuals in what should be a team setting. We have lost what it is to be a member of the team, whether as players or as fans. There are players who would rather sit varsity than play JV, just for the social status of being able to say, “i’m on the Varsity.” There are parents who feel the same way. Have we become a fan nation that now gives only lip service to the value of the team? Or did we mean all along that the value of the team is only as deep as it applies to my own child? Perhaps during parent-teacher conferences, assuming anyone
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would show, there should an etiquette sheet for the parents to sign, just as they do for the discipline policy. So here is a quick five suggestions: 1. Show up on time if at all possible. Respect for time is always a good lesson for all kids to have, but how should a society expect kids to be on time for school or a job if the adults in their world aren’t? 2. Dress appropriately for the occasion. If you’re outside at a ballgame, shorts and a Tshirt are completely acceptable. However, if you are at a concert where the performers are in dresses and tuxedos or white shirts with black ties on, you should at least put on a shirt with a collar and some pants. Leave the wife beater and hat at home. 3. Turn off the phone. As a civilization, we existed millennia without being in constant contact with everyone else on the planet. You can make it through the slightly over an hour of graduation, the 90 minutes of a concert, or the two hours of a ballgame. If you must check, wait until intermission, timeouts or between innings. And for heaven’s sake, if you didn’t turn the phone off, don’t answer it.
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4. Don’t wave to your kids and call to them when they come on stage or are announced. This is their moment not yours. Yelling for your kid in a group setting doesn’t give them the allure of being special. It’s just annoying to everyone else around you and places individual recognition over recognition of the team or group. This means that for concert performances leave the flowers at home. Flowers are not in recognition for that special someone. They are for a featured soloist or the conductor.
needs of the individual behind those of the collective team, are allowed to be all about the individual when it comes to performance. Is that really the lesson you wanted when you put your child in athletics and activities?
5. Remember that those for whom you don’t applaud is saying as much as for those you do. Next time you think about applauding just for your child or other kids you know personally, you might remember that more than likely there is some child – and let me emphasize child – who is there alone without support from family or friends. When you cheer just for an individual in a team setting you are essentially saying one matters and another does not.
No individual is solely responsible for the success of the team or the group. We ask the participants to put the betterment of the team over the individual. Can’t we ask the fans to do the same?
Now that I no longer work for the schools, I guess I can question how it is that activities that are supposed to be an educational experience, about teamwork and putting the
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Is my love and support for my child so important to our parent-child relationship that what my child accomplishes is paramount to those around us and it’s my public duty to show the world so?
P.S. OK, so this lack of etiquette is not just a Farmington dilemma. At my niece’s graduation in Casper, Wyo., there were nearly the same problems. Although the people in Casper didn’t crawl over each other to get the perfect picture angle to post on Instagram, the over-the-top cheering and lack of respect for a formal occasion, including my own brother in shorts, was on par with us – so congrats.
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If you build it, they will race Sand-drag track La Plata Valley Raceway up and running
Story by Dorothy Nobis | Photos by Josh Bishop It was an alfalfa field – 450 acres of farmland the Don Nickels’ family had used to support them for many years. Beautiful, green and near a river, the field was peaceful and productive. Then the drought hit the Four Corners and the field wasn’t quite as green or as productive. Justin Nickles and his long-time friend, Steve Jackson, have been sand-drag racing together for years. Justin, who owns Conspiracy Racing, an engine building business, and Jackson, a retired sergeant with the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, share a love of sand-drag racing. Nickles builds engines (the best engines, Jackson is quick to say) and the
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friends have traveled together throughout the county, racing their cars and loving the sport. It was Jackson’s idea to build a sanddrag race track in the Four Corners. Sanddrag tracks are limited in the area. “Sand-drag tracks are so far away,” Jackson said. “There’s one in El Paso, Texas, Yuma, Arizona, Victor, California and in Oklahoma. Albuquerque had one, but it shut down.” Nickles initial reaction to building a track wasn’t positive, Jackson said with a laugh. “He thought I was crazy,” Jackson said. If the two racers share a love of racing, they also share a “crazy” gene. The two talked about it, but knew the fi-
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nancial aspect of building a track would be extensive. “You need land for the track, heavy equipment, fuel, bleachers for the fans, and equipment for the track once it’s completed,” Jackson said, adding the total cost of building a track could be in excess of $100,000. The alfalfa field, no longer green and no longer productive, is located at 1412 New Mexico Highway 170 in La Plata. Away from neighbors and easy to find, Nickles and Jackson decided the field could be transformed into a sand-drag track, and approached Nickles’ dad. “We didn’t think he’d say ‘yes,’ to it,” Nickles said. “But he said we needed to do what we needed to do, and leased us 20 acres.”
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Getting the land was the easy part, the two discovered. “We had four or five guys out here with us, every single weekend, getting the track ready,” Jackson said. the equipment at the closed track in Albuquerque was for sale, and Nickles and Jackson purchased the timing system from that track owner, built bleachers, and created the 300-foot track that they hoped would attract racers and fans. the La plata Valley raceway was created. they planned a grand opening for May 9, but Mother Nature had other plans for that weekend – rain. Lots and lots of rain. “So we had our first race May 30,” Jackson said. “We had 25 drivers and about 200 spectators.” With grass pits for the racers, comfortable seating for the spectators, and great racing for everybody, Nickles and Jackson said the track is all they hoped it would be and that first race was exciting. “We were nervous, though,” Jackson said. “We put a lot of work, time and money into it and we weren’t sure about the reaction of the spectators. We knew the racers would love it, because they just want to race.” “We thought if it failed, the track would go back to an alfalfa field,” Jackson said with a laugh. While Nickles was nervous that first race, “Everyone was real patient with us,” he said of the racers and the fans. the wives of the two racers/track owners were also supportive and excited about the opening. “I think they did an excellent job,” Suzanne Jackson said of the track. “they worked hard and I’m proud of both of them.” “they’ve been at the track every Saturday and sometimes Sundays, but it’s a great project,” said Liz Nickles. “And all that hard work has paid off.” Both wives said the track became a priority over yard work and home improvement projects for their husbands but the success of the track—and the pride Nickles and Jackson have in it -- is worth it. With that first race over and the nerves subsided, the two aren’t done with the track. “We need more bleachers that go the length of the track and are covered and we want to upgrade and refine the pitting areas,” Jackson said.
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the two are also confident the track will be successful. “We have classes to suit everybody,” Jackson said, “and we expect to triple the number of racers at our next race. racers talk about tracks and the National Sand Drag Association found out about us and they’ve been promoting us (in its magazine).” the track offers several classes for racers, who enjoy the thrill of racing a car 300 feet in three seconds. Safety is emphasized and the National Hot rod Association (NHrA) rules apply. Another grand opening is scheduled for the near future with prizes, music and food. the next races will be held June 13-14 and Nickles and Jackson will again be watching, listening and asking people how they can make the track better. And they’ll be watching drivers strap themselves in, rev those engines and rip down 300 feet of track – their track. And while the two have been part of the racers for years, they are now racetrack owners, which offers its own excitement. “that first races, those four and five guys who helped us build the track got to race on that track,” Jackson said with pride, but added with a grin, “and we just got to watch.” With the support of their families and friends – and with the excitement the La plata Valley raceway is generating – Justin Nickles and Steve Jackson might continue to just watch. But they’re happy with that and excited about the future – which also includes a “thank you” vacation for the wives who took care of things at home while they were building their own field of dreams.
“That first races – those four and five guys who helped us build the track got to race on that track and we just got to watch.” — Steve Jackson
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PHENOM MAKING IN THE
Brynn Wade playing varsity basketball at age 14 Story by Dorothy Nobis Courtesy photos
Brynn Wade has a basketball achievement Michael Jordon never received. The only basketball honor Jordan doesn’t have is winning a high school state basketball championship. Brynn Wade has one-upped the great MJ by being part of the Hope Christian High School’s 2015 New Mexico Class 4A State Championship basketball team. At an even six feet, Brynn is six inches shorter than MJ, but she could come close – when she stops growing. Her height and her talent on the court helped make Brynn a standout at Hope Christian – and she is just 14 and an eighth grader. “We have tryouts for the varsity team,” said Brynn’s coach, Terry Heisey,” and it’s not very common for an eighth grader to make the varsity team. Occasionally, it does happen, and if they’re on varsity they don’t get much time.” It did happen, however, and Brynn got a lot of court time. “Brynn was a big contributor this year,” Heisey said. “Her teammates love her. She is so personable, outgoing and friendly that it was easy for them to accept her.” Brynn’s easygoing personality wasn’t the only thing
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that won her coach and teammates over, however. “As a basketball player, I see in Brynn energy, charisma, excellent hands, great finishing skills, a love for people and team. She’s very outgoing, a great team player, is unafraid, willing to tackle any challenge, is very strong physically and does not back down from a challenge,” Heisey said. A love of sports is something the entire Wade family shares. Brynn’s parents, Tom and Carla, met at Heights Junior High School in Farmington. Tom played football and baseball and participated in track and wrestling. He was sought after by colleges throughout the country and received a full ride scholarship to Penn State University when he graduated from El Dorado High School after his family moved to Albuquerque. Carla also played basketball and volleyball and participated in track.
While most people wouldn’t consider Brittany short at 5’11”, when she stands between Brynn at 6’ and Bryce at 6’7”, the height difference is noticeable. In spite of Brynn’s talents on the court, she wishes she were more like her sister and brother. “I wish I had Bryce’s height and Brittany’s focus and (her ability with) free throws,” she said. A proud mother of all of her children, Carla Wade said her three children share a love of basketball. “It’s definitely competitive,” she said of the kids and the game, “and I always enjoy hearing who thinks they did better than the other. But they always support each other.” “Brynn earned her way on the (varsity) team by all of the years of hard work and practice,” Carla added. “It helped her growing up with two siblings that excelled in sports and (that) got her a little bit ahead of the game. She had times that she played with Britt on varsity summer teams.”
Brynn’s older siblings are both talented basketball players as well. Brittany, 17, and Bryce, 16, were at the championship game, cheering on their “little” sister. “It was very exciting and nerve racking,” watching the game, Brittany said, adding that Brynn “had the biggest and widest grin I have ever seen,” when the game was over.
With three kids involved in basketball, Tom and Carla made sure a member of the family was at every game the kids played. “The main sacrifice we’ve been faced with in the past years was who was going to what game. We would have three varsity games on the same night and would have to call in Papa (Carla’s dad, Carl Huish), Nana (her mother, Anne) or Uncle Billy (Huish) to help.”
“It was the most exciting thing,” Bryce said of the game. “I was super excited for my little sister to be accomplishing so much as an eighth grader.” Being an eighth grader on a varsity team wasn’t a big deal to Brynn, however. The championship game was just another game. “It was just like being any other basketball player,” she said of being on the team. “It didn’t matter about my grade. They (her teammates) treated me like another teammate. They would tell me things that I needed to work on.”
“Uncle Billy” is the head of the Farmington Municipal Schools Transportation Department and, as a former activity bus driver, he understands the passion – and the work – that goes into high school sports.
When asked if she was intimidated by her older more experienced teammates, Brynn didn’t hesitate when she said, “Not one bit!” Brynn isn’t concerned about sibling rivalry on the basketball court either. “They’re not your brother and sister on the court,” she said. “You don’t change your game against them; you bring your game up!” While she’s fiercely competitive, it isn’t just about winning – Brynn also loves the sport. “You get to make contact on the court and it’s an activity that I enjoy and something I can dominate in,” she said. “To make yourself great, you have to be a team player. I know I have to work hard to get to the next level.” While Bryce doesn’t think competition amongst the three of them exists – “We like to play and work out and make each other better” – Brittany doesn’t agree. “(The competition) is dangerous, from my personal encounters,” she said. “When we go against each other, it gets fierce and I am the shortest and they take me down!”
“Carla played basketball, Tom played football and my dad played football,” Billy said. “Brittany, Bryce and Brynn are good kids because of their parents and the support of the entire family. “Mom and Dad try to attend as many of the games (of all of the Wade kids) as possible,” Billy added. “I also try to attend as many as I can. During the state playoffs, Mom and Dad would go to Albuquerque, meet Carla, and they’d all travel together.” Laura Huish is the doting aunt, and watching her nieces and nephew play is always exciting. “I saw Brynn on New Mexico Game Day a couple of weeks before the state championship game,” Laura said. “It was pretty exciting to see Brynn come running down the court and hearing the announcer say ‘And Brynn Wade gets the bucket!’”
* Brynn Wade 32 JULY 2015
Four Corners SPorTS
23
CATCHING UP
WITH THE COUNTY New coaches and camps for this summer Rick Hoerner Once again last month the coaching fraternity at Piedra Vista lost one of its initial members. Following the loss of basketball coach Tony Dinallo who opened the school in 1998 this fall, the Panthers lost their first head football coach Wilson Wilhite. Like Dinallo, Wilhite opened PV leading them for five seasons including a trip to the state championship in 2000. Wilhite’s legacy continues with current head coach Jared Howell, who is only the 2nd head coach in the team’s history. Howell joined Wilhite’s staff in 2000. Current athletic director Frank Whalen was also a member of Wilhite’s
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staff, opening the school on the original staff of PV. Speaking of football coaches, Farmington High will open the 2015 football season under the leadership of former assistant coach and head track coach Jeff Dalton. Dalton takes over the reins from Gary Bradley who took the head job at Carlsbad citing a one-team town as a reason to pursue a job where he has control of
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the football program from the top down. For Jeff Dalton he will try to maintain and improve a program, that has improved greatly on Bradley’s watch including the state title in 2013. At Kirtland Central, John Zecca returns to the bench. This time on the girls sideline replacing one-year head coach Lindsay DeVries in what would be called a tumultuous year for the Lady Broncos.
Zecca retired from the boys program in 2013. Another coach returning to the lead position is Aztec’s roy Johnson who is no stranger to leading softball teams to success. Johnson replaces Jose Santistevan who has taken the Lady tigers to the Final Four six consecutive years. Johnson was on Farmington High’s coaching staff when they captured six titles. Johnson then brought life to a struggling Kirtland Central softball program before heading to Aztec. Johnson has also been a state championship wrestling coach leading the Scorpions to the state title in 1992, 1993, and 2001.
tivities and camp shirt. Log in to www.risingstarsbasketballcamps. com or call 505-860-6405 for details. San Juan County First tee Summer Session No. 2 is the end of at riverview Golf Course. Cost for camp is $50 per player. registration forms are available at riverview or online at firstteesanjuancounty.org the Gridiron Elite Football Camp will be hosted by Navajo prep June 17 to June 20. the camp is open for all players grades 6 to12. For additional information contact roderick Denetso at 505.320.5832.
While Aztec has found a replacement for its softball position, at Farmington High the search continues with Johnny Curry resigning his job as the head softball coach after three years at the helm.
Former piedra Vista panther and Seattle Seahawk Charly Martin hosts his annual football camp on June 22 and June 23. the camp is FrEE to participants in grades 2 to 6. to sign up for the camp register by email at thecharlymartinfootballacademy@gmail.com with the participant’s name, age and shirt size.
Connie Mack is well underway with the City tournament coming up on July 6. on the line will be the automatic bid to the World Series as the host team for the Farmington staple that begins on July 31 and runs through Aug. 7. this year the tournament expands by two teams bringing the field to 12.
Farmington Scorpions Green Machine Football Camp will be held on June 22 to June 25 at Hutchison Stadium from 8 a.m. to Noon. Cost is $50 in advance or $80 the day of the camp. to register of for questions please call Jeff Dalton at 505.324.0352 ext 541 or email Coach Dalton at jdalton@fms.k12.nm.us
Camps Navajo prep will be hosting the rising Stars Boys Basketball Camp. Cost for the camp is $200 which includes lodging, meals, evening ac-
Farmington High School Soccer will be hosting a soccer camp for boys and girls ages 5 to 14 from June 23 - June 25 from 6:30 - 8:30p.m. at the Farmington Soccer Complex. registration forms are available at www.preschool.fms.k12.nm.us/teachers/tjaquez/tournaments.
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Four Corners SportS
25
Wrap-up
continued from
7 The FHS boy’s team finished in second place, losing 5 to 0 in the finals to Albuquerque Academy. The Scorpions made it to the finals by defeating Artesia and Los Alamos. The Piedra Vista High School boy’s team also succumbed to Academy in the semi-finals by the same score of 5 to 0. On the individual girls side of the State Tennis Championships, senior Danielle Nguyen finished fourth in Class 5A girls singles. In doubles, Riley Coleman and Liza Briody-Pavlik took second place in the Class 5A girls competition, while fellow teammates Arin Coleman and Halie Nygren finished fourth. On the boys side in Class 5A doubles, the team of Ned Merrion and Will Hall finished in 3rd place.
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SUMMER PROGRAMS STARTING Evening events offer time for families to play golf together With summer programs already starting, 2015 plans to be a great year for The First Tee and the game of golf in general. The First Tee is a wonderful opportunity for youth in this community to become acclimated to the game of golf and to learn character values and life skills along the way. The goal of our program is to make our participants better people who make better decisions and treat others as they would want to be treated. That being said, another goal exists in our program that has gone relatively unstated for the past 10 years. The unstated goal is to get families involved with one another – and we can’t think of a better activity or setting to do this in than on the golf course. Time is of the essence in today’s society and unfortunately that means that parents and children are spending less time with each other. Sure, there are jobs, deadlines and activities galore to which mom and Dad are
TomYOST The First Tee
running their children. The sad part about this is that there is no time spent with just mom, Dad and the kids – not even at the dinner table. (many kids growing up today don’t even know what a dinner table is.) This is where golf and The First Tee comes in. When families become engaged in the game of golf they take the time to go play and practice together. The few precious hours that families spend with each other on the golf course form tighter
family bonds and are memories that are remembered and cherished forever – especially when the child graduates and moves out of the house for good. It all happens in a flash, and the last thing you want to be doing is looking back with regret that you didn’t spend that time with your children. The good news is that is it never too late to make up for the lost time. If you don’t know how to play golf, set a goal and make a plan to learn the game. There are numerous classes and wonderful learning opportunities with great instructors in the Four Corners Region. If you know how to play, but haven’t been out in a while, set goals to take your children to the driving range with you to hit balls and knock off the rust. It will be great for you and your children not only to spend time together, but to get better at the game together. The First Tee of San Juan County also offers late evening events for families to come play together. Parent/Child 9-hole golf events occur twice per month at Riverview Golf Course throughout the summer. These events have the parent and child hitting every other shot in a format called alternate shot. These events cost $30, and happen during evening hours in the middle of the week. The First Tee also offers Family Range Night once per month during the summer months. For $5, the entire family can come to Riverview Golf Course in Kirtland and hit unlimited range balls, receive free instruction and bond as a family. other events are likely to happen as well. No matter what you decide to do – I encourage you to do something with your children and spend more time as a family. Work is always there and will always be there, but your kids will be growing up and out of your house before you blink an eye. Take the time now, make a plan and get involved with their lives. Golf is a great way to do that, but definitely not the only way. For more information on family activities at The First Tee, please visit our website at thefirstteesanjuancounty.org or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheFirstTeeSanJuanCountyNm.
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Four Corners SPoRTS
27
Claire Madera of FUEL in the air during a back dive off the 1 meter board.
Meet draws divers from 3 states FUEL hosts 2nd Annual Greg Van Sickle Memorial Diving competition Story by Tom Yost | Courtesy photos On May 16 and 17 Farmington FUEL hosted the 2nd Annual Greg Van Sickle memorial diving meet. The event is hosted in honor of Greg Van Sickle, a 17-year-old Farmington diver who was killed in a tragic car accident. According to FUEL’s diving coach Ian Donald, the meet was a huge success. “We had divers from Midland, Texas, Colorado Springs, Las Cruces, Albuquerque, and Durango come for this meet,” said Donald. The two categories in USA diving are the Future Champions Divers and the Junior Olympic Divers. “The Future Champions group is usually the younger and newer divers just learning the dives and rules of diving,” explained Donald, “while the Junior Olympic divers are the kids who can perform all the required dives for their age group and are able to compete in championship meets.” The results of the 2nd Annual Greg Van Sickle Memorial Meet are as follows: FUTUrE ChAMpIOnS GIrLS 12 AnD UnDEr LEVEL 1, 1 METEr
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14 to 15 Girls Junior Olympic awards, from left 1st was Claire Madera of FUEL; 2nd was Sadie McAliney, Durango Diving.
1st. Kady Stradling, FUEL diving, final score of 89.50 2nd. Caren Ortega, FUEL diving, 86.50
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3rd. Eleanor Oxford, Durango Diving, 81.50 4th. niomi Fitzgerald, FUEL diving,74.60 5th. Zia Williams, FUEL diving, 68.50 6th. Juliette paul, FUEL diving, 65.00
Future champions girls 12 and under level 2, 1 meter 1st. elise Jenkins, Fuel diving, final score of 115.20 2nd. isabelle Washborn, durango diving, 102.10 3rd. Jewell Jenkins, Fuel diving, 89.50 4th. Jayde scott, Fuel diving, 54.50 Future champions girls 12 and under level 3, 1 meter 1st. genevieve paul, Fuel diving, final score of 104.35 2nd. aubriana Johnson, Fuel diving, 91.40 Junior olympic girls 14-15, 1 meter 1st. claire madera, Fuel diving, 181.40 2nd. sadie mcaliney, durango diving, 177.00
3rd. elise tidwell, durango diving, 279.60 Future champions girls 12 and under level 1, 3 meter 1st. aubriana Johnson, Fuel diving, final score of 95.50 2nd. genevieve paul, Fuel diving, 92.50 3rd. caren ortega, Fuel diving, 79.50 4th. niomi Fitzgerald, Fuel diving, 76.50 5th. elise Jenkins, Fuel diving, 70.00 6th. Jayde scott, Fuel diving, 42.50 7th. Juliette paul, Fuel diving, 36.00 Junior olympic girls 16-18, 3 meter 1st. raimi clark, Fuel diving, final score, 268.05
Junior olympic girls 16-18, 1 meter 2nd. raimi clark, Fuel diving, 310.90
Girls 3 Meter Springboard awards ceremony.
11 and under girls awards ceremony, 1st Amelia Chiavetta (center) and 3rd Nadine Coulie, (left) both of the Lobo Dive Club; 2nd place went to Cameron Freeland from the City of Midland Diving Club.
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29
Team NASCAR Nellie NN making plans for her OTH crew’s future cute “over the hill” fire suits, and enough gas that the OTH crew wouldn’t have to eat a lot of beans and sauerkraut before the race so’s we’d have enough to finish the race.
NASCAR Nellie has decided she should have her own NASCAR team. She could have her “over the hill crew” as opposed to the “over the wall crew” or whatever they call those guys who jump over the little wall to change tires, add gas, make sure the nuts are in place and “add a wedge.”
NN would also request a special travel trailer for the OTH crew – one with a coupla bedrooms and four or five bathrooms, on accounta the OTH crew tends to have to “go” a lot and they won’t wear those Depend thingeys because they don’t come in low rise or thong or – in the case of a coupla of ‘em – they prefer to go commando. Whatever.
The friends NN has for her “over the hill crew” can jump over walls if there’s a step ladder, always have enough gas to fuel any race car, are nutty enough that they’d agree to do it, and have given and gotten enough wedgies in their lifetimes to make 'em experts. Just so’s ya know. NN would want a cute car – prob’ly one like her very own Manning Mobile – the Buick that no one can find because it’s so totally cute. And, on accounta no one can ever see or find the Buick, NN’s driver would have no problem getting to the front, because no one could see him/her. And when they did, NN’s Buick would be in Victory Lane and NN would be slugging champagne down instead of spraying it all over people who pro’bly don’t
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truly appreciate $4 bottles of really fine champagne. Just sayin’. . . . NN would find a good sponsor for her car. The people in “the booth” are always saying that sponsors are hard to come by and sponsors want a lot from their drivers and sponsors want wins. NN would want a sponsor that would provide the necessary dollars for
JULY 2015
NN’s team would also want rooms in five star hotels in case the travel trailer needs “airing out” after the OTH crew has had too many tacos with extra beans. The air can get a little thick when the OTH crew wants Mexican food, ya know. NN needs a good driver – one who knows how to drive a stick shift, one who can actually get in and out of the car through that itty bitty window, and one who won’t have to stop
half way through the race to go the bathroom (when the OTH crew travels, the travel map has more notes about where the bathrooms are than where the Taco Bells and Three Buck Chuck stores are). NN is thinking someone attractive – NN also knows that sponsors have an image they like their drivers to have. NN’s driver would be a tad older than most of the drivers, but there are a lot of senior citizens or almost senior citizens or those who pretend they’re senior citizens to get that 50 cent discount us seniors get, that would prove that age doesn’t matter in a race car. It’s not like they have to run bases or tackle 250-pound men or run all over a tennis court “volleying” or walking a 9-hole mini golf course. They sit in the car (which would have to be padded on accounta us older folks like a little stuffing between our butts and anything we sit on – NN herownself has lots of whoopee cushions she uses at home and when she travels. NN is a “fuller butted woman” than most, so her whoopee cushions are often mistaken for kiddie swimming pools but NN doesn’t care – comfort is everything), then put the pedal to the metal and they race like the IRS is after us because we listed them as a dependent on our tax returns. NN is thinking about former NASCAR drivers who were good, or kinda good, drivers and who might enjoy being slathered with baby oil so they can get through the window of the car. (Most of NN’s senior friends buy baby oil by the gallon and they don’t use it to get into their cars. NN isn’t sure what they use it for and she doesn’t want to ask. TMI, ya know.)
and might share a little bit, but only when we win. SCP is too good to squirt at people and NN could get the OTH crew to show up for races if they knew SCP was on the menu. Just sayin’.. . . In case the nice Arnold family is too busy for a NASCAR team, there might be other options. Geritol (do they still make Geritol, NN wonders), arthritis strength anything, that Dating For Seniors site on FB (not that NN has ever checked it out just for fun or tried to hook up with some of those seniors, just so’s ya know) or doctors who do hemorrhoidectomies. For reals – and then we could make it a reality series on TV and get national headlines when the OTH gang is busted for taking naps during green flag runs! NN will also post on her FB page that she’s looking for OTH crewmembers. She’s pretty sure she’ll get lotsa applications (and there will be applications and tryouts. If the OTH crew is gonna be on television, with everybody watching to see how we do, we can’t scratch where it itches, ‘specially if it’s in our britches, and we can’t cry if our driver gets mad at us, and we can’t say nasty things about NN’s least favorite drivers in any interviews, and we cannot EVER try to get into Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s car at any time, but especially not during caution thingeys or before or after the race. We will be escorted out of the track and never, ever allowed to come back. Unfortunately, NN’s been there, done that, and has the rap sheet to prove it. Whatever.) It’s really time NASCAR recognized the generation that truly started the sport and gave us representation on the track. Old People Rock and we’ve done things in cars of any and every kind the younger generation has never thought about. Just sayin’. . . .
So NN checked Wikipedia (and everyone knows that if it’s on Wiki, it’s the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth) and discovered Bill Clinton drove for NASCAR for five years and started six races. Big Bill’s best place in the standings was when he finished 76th in points back in ’63. This BB is from San Fernando, California, and NN is pretty sure he never really scored like our former President Clinton, but the guy might need a job and want to prove to the racing world he can win races and finish in the Top 50. Just sayin’. . . NN is going to “reach out” to Bill Clinton, the former racecar driver (although the former president might be looking for a fun gig while Hillary’s running for president herownself. And I read once – prob’ly on Wiki – that the Clinton’s are a little short of money, so he might need the extra cash) and see if he’s interested in baby oil, travel trailers, whoopee cushions and driving again. NN will see if he’s on FB and will friend him and private message him. What did we do before Wiki and FB, NN wants to know. NN thinks she’ll check with several possible sponsors, who might want to get in on the next biggest thing to hit NASCAR. NN’s first choice would be the Wines of the San Juan on accounta NN loves Sweet Cherry Pie wine and NN would show people her bottles of SCP,
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Four Corners SPORTS
31
Brynn Wade
continued from
While Laura, her husband, Bobby, and their kids, Bradley and Joshua, weren’t able to make the state championship game, they were thankful for modern technology. “Bobby watched the whole game online and said it was a nail biter the entire game,” Laura said. “I came home just as she was getting her medal. I got tears in my eyes watching that. That girl is pretty amazing for what she can do at this age.” While the Wade kids love basketball and football, Bobby and Laura’s boys love kart racing. The difference in sports doesn’t bother any of them, Laura said. “The kids all get along very well,” she said. “They have their own things they like to do when they’re all together at (grandparents) Carl and Ann’s. They drive golf carts around, catch crawdads in the ditch, and go to the river.” “Each of the kids is supported in whatever their passion is, so there isn’t any jealousy. My kids have watched the Wade kids in their sports
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22 and the Wade kids have watched my kids’ race. They all root for each other.” Family is important for the Wades and the Huishes and they gather together often, usually at Carl and Ann’s home. Having five energetic kids in the same house amounts to “craziness,” Laura said with a laugh. “Each of them has their own personality, so the mix of them can be quite entertaining. Brittany and Bradley are the serious older kids, Bryce is the entertainer and keeps us all in stitches with his impersonations, Brynn is a mini of her mother, although taller, and Josh is our-easy going, get-along-with-everyone kid.” “There’s never a dull moment – but we never take our eyes off Brynn and Josh for very long, because we never know what they will think of to do next,” Laura added. The basketball competition will be a little less next year, as Brittany will graduate from El Dorado High School this year (Bryce also attends EHS) and will attend New Mexico State University. But the dinner conversation, which Brynn
JULY 2015
admits is dominated by her dad and her, is likely to continue to be about basketball – and all it offers. Winning the state championship was “like winning a Grammy Award,” Brynn said, and “I remember at a time out I was waving to the camera and my teammate yelled at me. I also remember someone in the student section yelling “Hey 24, how does it feel to be guarded by an eighth grader?” It is that enthusiasm and that determination to be the best she can be that has impressed her coach. Terry Heisey thinks one state championship won’t be enough for his protégé. “As a player, winning the state championship is about as good as it gets,” he said. “I am sure this will make her hungry for more championships.” “Brynn played her best game of the year in the championship game and was a big contributor on the boards and defensively,” Heisey added. “What a blessing it was to have her come off the bench and not be intimidated by the enormity of the game.”
Fishing REPORT Fishing on the San Juan River below Navajo Lake has been very good. The current flow is 347cfs. Water clarity is roughly four feet and improving weekly.
Size 22 black zebra midge Size 22 chocolate foam wing Size 22 thread body baetis Size 22 gray Big Mac midge Size 16 natural rabbit hair leach
Some of the best dry flies to try are: Size 16 black foam ant Size 20 Griffiths Knat Size 22 Parachute Adams Size 22 CDC BWO
Best times to fish the Quality Waters has been from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Midge fishing has been great in the morning hours followed by a decent baetis hatch in the afternoon hours. Look for fish to start rising with all the nice cloudy days. With all the recent rain fish already have been seeing an occasional black carpenter ant – don't forget to pick up some black foam ant patterns.
Fishing below the Quality Waters has been good. Try using Gold Panther Martin lures and night crawlers.
T.J. Massey San Juan River Outfitters www.sanjuanriveroutfitters.com 505.486.5347
Some of the best nymphs to try are:
Brynn Wade
continued from
32
“Brynn is one of a kind,” Heisey said. “She is full of energy, gives me a hug every day, is willing to try anything, and has a general love of life. She makes other people happy around her, and that brings positive energy to the team. I love having Brynn on the team and look forward to what her future holds in the game of basketball. She has so much potential and, especially if she continues to grow and develop as a player, she will be phenomenal.” A state basketball championship at the age of 14, a coach who believes she will be a phenom, and a family that totally supports her – Brynn Wade seemingly has it all.
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“Since the first grade, I wanted to do gymnastics,” Brynn said with a touch of wistfulness. “I had to give up my dream to be a gymnast because of my focus on basketball.”
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With her talent on the basketball court, however, one can guess that little girls, sitting in the stands, watching Brynn Wade play basketball, will also have a dream – of being a basketball player with energy, enthusiasm, love of the sport and determination to win – and want to be just like Brynn. If Gatorade encouraged everyone to “be like Mike” during Michael Jordan’s heydays, coaches everywhere will encourage little girls to “be like Brynn” and to make their dreams come true.
...
JULY 2015
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San Juan river outfitter guide t.J. Massey is from Farmington and has been guiding on the San Juan river for more than 20 years and has logged more than 3,500 days on the river.
1
If I am planning a fishing trip to the Quality Waters, besides fishing gear, what is the most important thing I should bring? Always important to bring a New Mexico Fishing License and plenty of patience. Make sure to stop in at one of our local fly shops and ask what flies are recommended and what areas are fishing the best.
2
3
What makes the Quality Waters such a premier spot for fly fisherman from all over the country? the San Juan is one of the top five trout fisheries in the country because of the year-round 42 degree water, making it paradise for trout and trout fisherman. With the constant water temps, the bug life remains very consistent making the area productive 365 days a year. Also, the San Juan is very accessible, being that there is an airport (Durango) within 45 miles. What is the best time of year to fish? the San Juan can be great any day of the entire year. If an angler wants to throw nymphs he can catch fish any day of the year. If an angler prefers to throw dry flies the better time of the year would be from mid May thru November.
4
5
What is the worst thing that spooks trout and prevents fishermen from catching them? our trout are very used to seeing people so spooking them is not usually an issue. the one thing that can prevent you from catching fish on the San Juan is poor presentation with the fly. A good drag free drift is crucial for your success. What are the advantages of working with a local guide? Whether fishing the San Juan for the first time or the tenth time getting a local guide can be the difference between being successful or unsuccessful. A good guide can show you not only the flies and spots that are good, but can instruct you in being able to tell what a good drift looks like.
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JULY 2015
t.J.MASSEY 6
What are the best types of flies to catch San Juan river trout?
there are many types of flies from which to choose making it very confusing. Here is a list that may simplify things for you. Some of the best nymphs are: Size 22 gray Big Mac midge, Size 22 red larvae Size 22 black midge emerger, Size 22 thread body baetis Some of the best dry flies are: Size 18 Griffith Knat, Size 22 parachute Adams Size 22 CDC midge, Size 22 BWo
7
What is the first thing you would tell a fly-fishing beginner on the San Juan river?
I would suggest hiring a guide at least for a half day. It'll save you a lot of time trying to figure things out on your own.
8
Have there been any river improvements or changes that will affect fishing or fishing habitat this year?
there haven't been any habitat improvements this year, although the improvements that were made in the braids above the texas Hole a few years ago are fishing very well.
9
What has the recent rain done to change the fishing conditions on the river?
the recent rains have made little difference on the San Juan as far as flows go. the rains, however, have been great for Navajo Lake that is 13 feet higher than it was at this time last year. It should be a great summer with good flows on the San Juan.
10
What are the most important rules fishermen need to keep in mind when fly-fishing on the river?
the first thing to keep in mind when fishing on the San Juan is to make sure you get a good drag free drift. It won't matter much if your flies are the hot patterns unless you get the correct drift. Also, remember to have good etiquette when the river is crowded. the San Juan can be a busy fishery, but there is plenty of room for everyone.