content | 8 | Barrel Racing
|6| TUESDAY MORNING BIRDERS Bird watching is a sport and hobby easily taken up in Farmington with a little help from the group of birders who meet every Tuesday morning.
Horse riders sprint toward the first barrel and sharply maneuver their horse around it. Then, after turning around the last barrel, they fly to the finish line to stop the clock.
| 19 | San Juan Open The San Juan Open has a history of providing great golf, incomparable hospitality and exciting finishes. The 49th version of the event exceeded expectations in all of the above categories.
| 10 | FIRST X RUN
| 24 | Soccer Camp
The mud was flying on Saturday, June 22, as runners trudged through mud pits and dove into water holes during X Run at the Aztec Motocross Track.
With the popularity of soccer becoming more and more prevalent in the United States, a company based out of Flint, Kan., is bringing the game to another level.
| 26 | School of the Year To win School of the Year, I’ll combine the boys and girls overall records from every sport in all three seasons as posted by the NMAA.
| 14 | WHATTA VIEW
| 28 | Tommy Roberts
Hot air balloon pilots get involved in ballooning because of the camaraderie between pilots and crew members and the exquisite views from 500 feet above the ground, according to several pilots who flew in the San Juan River Balloon Rally on June 14 through June 16 in Bloomfield.
Many of us know him simply as The Mayor, but Tommy Roberts has been an icon in this community for over 40 years.
| 27 | Fishing Report | 30 | 10 Questions
|20 | ELECTRICITY IN THE AIR
| 31 | Good Sports
Styrofoam, wires and glue may not look like anything special, but when these materials are used to construct radio control airplanes, they then become special possessions to members of the San Juan County Radio Control Club.
July 2013
| 32 | Next in Line After asking the head coaches in District 1AAAA for a list of athletes to watch for in the 2013-2014, here is a list of the names that appeared most often.
Four Corners SpORTS
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FROM THE
Don Vaughan PuBlISHER
Cindy Cowan Thiele EDITOR
lauren Duff Debra Mayeux Rick Hoerner Tom Yost CONTRIBuTING WRITERS
Josh Bishop April Sanchez Curtis Ray Benally CONTRIBuTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Suzanne Thurman Jennifer Hargrove Michael Billie DESIGNERS
DeYan Valdez Shelly Acosta Aimee Velasquez Felix Chacon SAlES STAFF
EDITOR Summertime is here! There are a lot of parents in the area who never make it home until after dark most evenings right now, because of sporting activities in which their kids are involved. Finding enough people and time to cover all the events is impossible. Consequently, you’ll notice a new page in this issue called Good Sports on page 31. This page is devoted to kids’ achievements and will highlight teams, coaches and individuals who have had a great game or an outstanding play. This is where you, the reader, come in. We want your help in recognizing these young sportsmen and sportswomen by sending us photos and short write-ups detailing their accomplishments. Please remember to include a phone number for any questions we will have. There is an area on our website at www.fourcornerssports.com for submissions, or you can sent the information to editor@majesticmediausa.com. Wouldn’t you like to fly? While we didn’t purposely plan to have a number of stories about flying sports in this month’s magazine, we ended up highlighting a number of interesting ways to enjoy the outdoors and the skies in the Four Corners.
STORY IDEAS and PHOTOS
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We’ve got more photos than we can use. Check out the photo gallery for each issue at www.fourcornerssports.com
Four Corners Sports magazine is published once a month by Majestic Media. Material herein may not be reprinted without expressed written consent of the publisher. Opinions expressed by the contributing writers are not necessarily those of the publisher, editor or Four Corners Sports magazine. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication. However the publisher cannot assume responsibility for errors or ommissions. © 2013 Four Corners Sports magazine.
Four Corners SPORTS
Coaches help! Some of the best things about youth and high school coaching are the teaching opportunities surrounding strategy and the benefits of competition. In this issue we also have coaches from Great Britain who host the popular Challenger Soccer Camp each summer. The kids in the camps learned – among other techniques – passing, shooting, where to be on the field and how to play in competitive games. While we wanted to put in more announcements about other camps this summer, we received very few responses from youth or high school coaches. We also sent out an email wanting to know about high school athletes who received college scholarships and signed with specific schools, and we got four responses out of 42 emails. Please help us recognize our athletes when you can. These experiences are something kids will look back on fondly and remember many years from now.
CINDY COWAN-THIELE
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We’ve highlighted balloonists after the recent balloon festival, we spent time with the San Juan County Radio Control Club, and we took a morning stroll with a group of bird watchers at the Riverside Nature Center in Animas Park.
covercredit Photography by Josh Bishop Picture on the cover is from the X Run held June 22.
July 2013
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Tuesday morning birders
Group gathers to glimpse 150 species that call Berg Park home by Debra Mayuex | photography by Josh Bishop Bird watching is a sport and hobby easily taken up in Farmington with a little help from the group of birders who meet every tuesday morning. there are 12 or more birders who gather around 7:45 a.m. each tuesday at the riverside Nature Center in Animas Park. the morning begins with coffee in the observation room, followed by a two-mile hike through Animas and Berg parks to view the many birds nesting there.
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the bird group was started in 2000 by Donna thatcher, education coordinator at the center. “I’m a lifelong bird watcher,” she said. thatcher came to the nature center in 1999, and she noticed there were many groups of people meeting up each morning to walk the parks. “I thought they would enjoy getting to know each other,” she said, adding she also could introduce them to the many birds that nest along the Animas river.
July 2013
“We have some people who didn’t take up birding until they started in this group,” thatcher said, and the local bird watching community grew into quite a club of birding enthusiasts. “We love the birds,” said Darlene oen, who has been birding for the past seven years. oen rents movies about birds, reads up on them and tries to learn everything she can about birds. She even can identify various birds by their calls.
She and other participants in the Tuesday Bird Walk, however, look to Thatcher and Dr. Tim Reeves for everything there is to know about local birds. Reeves recently retired and said he certainly is going to spend his time bird watching. He shows up at the Riverside Nature Center with cameras and zoom lenses so he can capture – on film – the birds he finds while out walking in the park. Reeves also traverses other parts of the county in search of rare birds and exciting finds. He shares these, along with free birding lessons, after the weekly walks. The majority of the birders meet up at 11 a.m. at a popular lunch spot to talk birds and learn from Reeves. On the June 25 walk he spoke about the decline in the local bird population, saying that 93 percent of the Black-billed Magpies and the Piñon Jays have pretty much disappeared from the area. “We haven’t got them on the Christmas count for the past five or six years,” Reeves said. West Nile Virus is partially the culprit. Other missing and declining birds include Corvidaes such as common ravens, American Crows, Scrub jays and Piñon Jays. “They have dropped dramatically here and in the rest of the state,” Reeves said. “The Piñon Jay took a double hit in 2002, when the drought killed most of the piñons.” Reeves leads a hike along river trails, while Thatcher usually brings up the rear with those walkers who like a leisurely stroll through the park. The serious birders are in good shape, because they have to hit the trails early and travel quickly to catch sight of the birds, which head to the nests when the temperatures rise.
“The best time to bird is early in the morning,” Thatcher said. In the summer months, the birders meet at 8 a.m. In October through March they meet at 9 a.m., because in the winter months birds are not out that early. New people are always welcome to join the walk. “We’re always excited if we get someone traveling through Farmington,” Thatcher said. “It’s fun to have out-of-towners, because our birds are new to them.” With more than 150 species of birds in Animas and Berg parks, walkers, on any given day might catch a glimpse of Black-headed Grosbeaks, Spotted Towhees, Black-cap Chickadees, Barn Swallows, Robins, Black-chin hummingbirds, ducks and swans.
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There even are Chinese Swan Geese – they are “domestic geese that have somehow ended up in our river,” Thatcher said. If someone is interested in birding, but can’t make the two-mile walk, Thatcher also offers a Brown Bag Birding program at noon each Thursday at the Riverside Nature Center. She puts birdfeeders outside the center’s observation room and people come in with their lunch to watch the birds. “It’s amazing what you see watching for an hour,” Thatcher said. For more information on local birding opportunities contact Thatcher at the Riverside Nature Center, 505.599.1422.
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LindseyASHCROFT
Ashcroft headed to nhsfr Barrel racing teaches riders responsibility, trust by Lauren duff | photography by Josh Bishop Horse riders sprint toward the first barrel and sharply maneuver their horse around it. then, after turning around the last barrel, they fly to the finish line to stop the clock. the rodeo comprises many entertaining competitions, but perhaps one of the more exciting events is barrel racing. during a local 4H rodeo Club open rodeo at McGee park in Farmington on June 23, local riders, ranging from ages 4 and up, competed in barrel racing as well as several other rodeo events, including pole bending and goat tying. Lindsey ashcroft, 17, knows almost every aspect about riding in rodeos. Barrel racing since she was in 4th grade, ashcroft, who will be a senior at Bloomfield High school, said she got involved in the sport because “it was a dream of mine as a little girl. i had friends that barrel raced and i would always come down here and watch.”
nataLieLARABEE 8
Four Corners sports
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Barrel racing consists of three barrels set up in the arena, and the rider makes a cloverleaf pattern around them. if a rider hits a barrel, five seconds is added to their final time.
Almost every weekend during the summertime Ashcroft will be traveling to statewide rodeos. “I do every (rodeo) event you can think of besides roping,” she said. Her fastest barrel racing time is 15 seconds.
with my mom and I get to hang out with her.” Larabee’s horse is named Lady. Even though some riders have been barrel racing for years, others are just beginning the sport. Cheyenne Cordova, 12, competed in her first barrel racing competition during the June 21-22 weekend. “It wasn’t hard to learn how to barrel race. I watched it on TV.”
Ashcroft was even crowned Miss New Mexico High School Rodeo Queen. “Being queen, I’m a face that people can associate with the rodeo. I help the kids get into it and I make appearances and talk to anyone and everyone who is interested in it,” she said. To become the rodeo queen, young women are judged on their horsemanship, a written test, interview, modeling, and speech. But along with representing the New Mexico rodeos, Ashcroft also will be traveling almost 500 miles to Rock Springs, Wyo., in July to compete in the National High School Finals Rodeo. There, she will compete side by side other state rodeo queens. “They will determine who the national queen is” by judging them on the same requirements it takes to earn the state rodeo queen title. “I really encourage kids to do this. I’m going to
Cordova said she also competes in pole bending, where riders weave their horses in and out of poles. “I love rodeo because it is something fun to do and I don’t like to do cheerleading and I just love horses.” the nationals and will meet everyone there, and then when I go to college rodeos I will see the same people I met at nationals, and pretty soon you create a little network of friends and family that take care of you,”
Participating in rodeos can be time-consuming, said Sheradan Jacquez, 17, who has been racing since she was 7 years old. “I’m gone pretty much all weekend. I’m never home.”
Ashcroft said. “Barrel racing has taught me about responsibility, having a competitive drive – which before I never had – so it is great for younger kids to get into.”
She added that even though the sport occupies much of her time, it is well worth it. “There is just that feeling that you can’t get anywhere else.”
Natalie Larabee, 9, has been barrel racing since she was 2 years old. “I love it because I get to be with my horse and I’ve been doing it
If anyone is interested in joining the local 4H Rodeo Club, call the San Juan County Extension Office at 505.334.9496.
July 2013
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t s Fir
n u R X
300 runners face off against mud, obstacles and heat by Lauren Duff | photography by Josh Bishop The mud was flying on Saturday, June 22, as runners trudged through mud pits and dove into water holes during X Run at the Aztec Motocross Track. This first ever mud run in San Juan County attracted more than 300 runners tackling the 5K course, which included military style obstacles. “I used my course building creativity and plopped in obstacles that fit the terrain as best as we could,” said Robert Settles with No Limit Companies, the business that manages the Aztec
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Motocross Track. Several of the obstacles included climbing over cars, jumping through tires, and sliding down a 300-foot slip-n-slide. Ashley Dye, with Dye Hard Productions, organized the event with Settles. “I think it has been successful so far. I’ve had a lot of compliments, which I really loved,” Dye said, adding many runners compared X Run to Warrior Dash, a nationally renowned mud run. Cody Wright from Durango is someone
July 2013
who is familiar with competing in mud runs. Wright participated in the X Run’s elite category and finished in first place with a time of 20 minutes and 59 seconds. He has competed in four different mud runs, including Tough Mudder and Spartan Race. “I’ve started doing this competitively, so this seemed like a good chance to come out here and see the competition and really just drive the sport,” said Wright. “They are all challenging in their own way and they all have their own signature obstacles, but for the most part it is kind of the same thing all the way across.”
July 2013
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X Run participants were prepared to get dirty during the race, but came across the finish line with a huge grin because they conquered the challenging course.
querque, who drove to Aztec to participate in the race with her friends. She added that she wanted to compete in the race because “it sounded fun and it is for a good cause.”
David Brewer said a mud run is something he always wanted to complete. “I’ve trained a little bit at a time, but I thought this would be fun.” The most demanding stretch of the race was climbing up a steep sandy hill by gripping onto a cargo net, Brewer explained. “But it was awesome and I would do it again next year.” Brewer’s finish time was 25 minutes.
The proceeds raised at the X Run will benefit Witten’s Warriors, a nonprofit group that supports children with disabilities and illnesses. Steffan and Maygen Carey developed the group after their son, Witten, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that affects body movement and muscle coordination.
“The hardest part was the hill with the rope climb,” agreed Ryann Fenimore from Albu-
“We are thrilled,” Maygen said. “Last summer, Ashley (Dye) came to me and said ‘We are doing an X Run and we want to donate to Witten’s Warriors.’ I’ve known Ashley my whole
life, so I’m excited.” Witten’s Warriors donates money to the Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation in Albuquerque through various fundraising events, including Witten’s Warriors Weekend, a Labor Day racecar event at the Aztec Motocross Track. Settles said the X Run was extremely successful and a “good building block for the following years.” “Thank you to all of our sponsors and volunteers, the city of Aztec, and the Four Corners Community for coming out to support the event. We look forward to doing it again next year,” Settles said.
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Whatta view Balloonists see the world from a different perspective
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by Lauren Duff | photography by Josh Bishop Hot air balloon pilots get involved in ballooning because of the camaraderie between pilots and crew members and the exquisite views from 500 feet above the ground, according to several pilots who flew in the San Juan river Balloon rally on June 14 through June 16 in Bloomfield. pilots from all over New Mexico drove up to the Four Corners area to participate in the 6th annual balloon rally, organized by the Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce. one pilot even came from England to fly across the mesas and the San Juan river. Graham Bell, from Worcester,
England, said aviation has always been in his blood. “In my mid-teens I did some gliding courses and then I started working as an air traffic controller in 1965.” He eventually moved into a house where his neighbors owned a hot air balloon. “they said, ‘We are going to fly in the valley would you like to come?’ I went and the rest is now history,” he explained, adding he has been a balloon pilot since 1990. Bell was later invited to Albuquerque by friends and now he does most of his flying in New Mexico. His favorite ballooning experience was when he flew over Monument Valley and the Valley of the Gods.
July 2013
But the Four Corners area is not the only place where Bell flies his hot air balloon – named “Dingbat Sr.” He has flown in New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and the Czech republic. “there is always something new and there are so many great places to fly,” Bell said Nancy Aubol-Hanks, from Bosque Farms south of Albuquerque, is another pilot who flew in the San Juan river Balloon rally. She said this was here second time flying in San Juan County and she enjoys it because of the camaraderie and the “excellent hospitality.”
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“We have met some wonderful people out here,” Aubol-Hanks said. She became interested in ballooning as an outlet from her work life. “I use to work at child protection and it is a good way to clear my head, just by getting out and flying.” For 26 years, she has been a balloon pilot and, since that time, Aubol-Hanks has flown in New Mexico, Colorado, California, Arizona, Utah, and Metz, France. “I’ve had extremely wonderful experiences at all the different places I’ve flown and there are specific flights that stand out, but to pick one favorite place – it is impossible.” In order to get your balloon license, AubolHanks said a pilot is required to fly for 10 hours in addition to knowing how to read weather maps and sectional maps. “You have to take classes and you have to find a good teacher,” she said. “I crewed for a couple that have a commercial business and every four crews I (completed) one lesson.” New pilots must also complete oral tests by
explaining to a designated pilot examiner that they know about the balloon’s functions and flying techniques. Ray Bair is one of two designated pilot examiners in New Mexico. “Anyone who wants to get their certificate would come to me or this other person.” Bair has been flying hot air balloons since 1978 and participated in this year’s San Juan River Balloon Rally. He became interested in ballooning after chasing after a hot air balloon in his vehicle many years ago and then talking with the pilot. “I thought, ‘that would be neat.’ The next two years I crewed for a pilot during the Balloon Fiesta (in Albuquerque) and then bought a balloon, and then it just kept getting more expensive.” Bair has flown in The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta since 1981. “There are two things about this sport that are significant. Number one is it is dramatically friendly and the camaraderie developed among pilots and the crews go on for years. The second one is it is a significant family activity. You see kids of all ages participating in this rally,” Bair explained.
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49th San Juan Open Gunn takes win with 4-day 16 under par total by Tom Yost | photography by Josh Bishop The San Juan Open has a history of providing great golf, incomparable hospitality and exciting finishes. The 49th version of the event exceeded expectations in all of the above categories. Jimmie Gunn won the San Juan Open with a four-day total of 16-under par (268). Gunn started the final round 3 shots back of the leader and 2012 runner up, Jesse mueller. Gunn’s final round 65 was only better by James Drew’s 9-under par 62. “i knew i needed 5 or 6 under today, but i didn’t tell myself that i needed anything,” said Gunn. “i went out there and was patient and made some putts.” mueller once again finished second with a total of 15-under par (269). mueller started slowly and came back to the field on the fifth hole by hitting his drive behind a tree, leading to a double bogey six. This left the door open for players like Gunn and second round leader Riley Arp to turn onto the back 9 with a chance to win. “They both hurt. Last year i gave it away and this year i finished well, but i just got off to a tough start on the front 9 and didn’t get settled in until the back 9,” explained mueller. The back 9 at San Juan Country Club has a stretch of holes that can be taken advantage of with birdies. Holes 14, 15 and 16 are all birdie holes and proved to be the difference in the final result.
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JimmieGUNN
“You just have to stay patient. You know on the back 9 you can make some birdies,” said Gunn.
some nerves in my putting. I couldn’t quite hit the lines on my putts
Club’s Head Golf Professional, Jeff Roth, finishing at 9-under par.
Gunn birdied all three holes to go from 13under to 16-under, while Mueller made par on the par-5 14th hole after hitting his second shot over the green and then missing an 8footer. Mueller then proceeded to birdie 15, 16 and 17 to pull himself in position to tie on the 18th hole at -15.
Mueller ended up hitting his tee shot on 18 to 25 feet even with the hole. His birdie putt came up just short and on the low side for a tap-in par to finish one shot behind Gunn. “Jimmie (Gunn) played a great round today,” said Mueller.
The Amateur division saw Dr. Mark Garard win the championship flight with scores of 71-7971, while Danny Beyhan won the first flight. And while the 49th annual was a smashing success, eyes now turn to the 50th San Juan Open, which will go into its planning phase starting next week.
Arp meanwhile was -11 entering the stretch and birdied all three to pull to -14. Arp had a 9-foot uphill eagle putt on the 15th that he left short. “That is one that I would like to have back,” explained Arp. “That was a mistake – an uphill right to left 9-footer – you can’t leave that short.“ “I felt like if I shot 67, just birdied the par fives, that would have put me in a tie and I would have been fine with that,” said Arp. “I had
Many of these professionals are now on to other professional events and many take to the grind of qualifying for Web.com tour events and then on to PGA Tour Qualifying School. “That is why we play these opens,” explained Gunn. “We are lucky enough that these tournaments have great local sponsors and we can play for a bit of money to be able to continue on and try to make it on tour.” Other notables included San Juan Country
July 2013
San Juan Country Club General Manager, Randy Kahn was very pleased with how this year’s event turned out. “I thought it went great,” said Kahn with a relieved smile on his face. “Everything that we wanted happened. The golf course met, and even exceeded, expectations. The food was great, competition was met and I think we have a tremendous 2014 event coming up next year with all of our sponsors back.”
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Electricity Electricity in in the the air air R.C. planes take to the skies over Farmington by Lauren Duff | photography by Josh Bishop Styrofoam, wires and glue may not look like anything special, but when these materials are used to construct radio control airplanes, they then become special possessions to members of the San Juan County Radio Control Club. The 29 club members fly their uniquely designed airplanes almost every weekend at the Farmington R.C. Park near the Bisti Highway, where there is a runway used for this specific hobby. “With some of these electric planes, it is kind of like golf. If it’s a good day, chances are somebody will be out here,” said Steve Gauttery, a member of the radio control club since 1994. The local club is chartered by the Academy of Model Aeronautics, the world’s largest model aviation association “whose purpose is to promote development of model aviation as a recognized sport and worthwhile recreation activity,” according to the AMA website.
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There are approximately 2,400 chartered AMA clubs throughout the United States.
he has been involved in the group for six years.
The planes flown at R.C. Park range in size, with the smallest plane having a 15-inch wingspan and the largest plane having a 5-foot wingspan.
“I wanted to do this when I was about 8 or 9 years old and couldn’t afford it, and then I kind of forgot about it. Then about six years ago, I got reminded that I wanted to do it and jumped in with both feet.”
Tim Nobis, radio control club president, said
Nobis said he raced stock cars in the past, but
transitioned to flying radio control planes because “racing was expensive and time consuming and this is at your leisure. You can spend as much time as you want to spend doing it and still have fun.” For the six years Nobis has flown, he has built numerous planes and has more than 20 of them at his home.
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Les Leach, vice president of the club, also has collected 20 planes over the years. “It’s just a really good hobby,” he said. “I’ve had the opportunity to fly in Idaho, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Mississippi, and everywhere I’ve gone the members of the clubs where I’ve flown have been great people. Without question, if you crash your airplane there will always be several guys that will help pick up a trash sack and go with you to pick up the pieces.” During a local June 15 electric fun fly, members laughed and joked with one another and showed off various airplane tricks in the sky. “Most of these planes have controls like a real plane has,” Nobis said, pointing to the controller that has a throttle to control the plane’s speed and an elevator control stick. “You have to know how to fly or learn how to fly to get them off the ground.” “It can be kind of a learning curve,” Gauttery said. Howard Chapman from Albuquerque drove to San Juan County to participate in the electric fly fun. He has been flying planes since the 1960s and owns more than 30 planes. “I should not be the norm – I’m almost obsessed – but I have a very understanding wife who lets me do it pretty much at will.” He added that the only reason his family owns a minivan is for him to haul his planes in. For anyone who wishes to join the San Juan Radio Control Club, visit the website sjrcclub.org. The club meets at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of every month at Fastlane Hobbies in Farmington, 3000 E. 20th St. Nobis said anyone can join the club, but they will be required to become AMA members.
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FROM ACROSS FROM ACROSS THE POND THE POND Challenger British Soccer Camp a big success by Tom Yost | courtesy photos With the popularity of soccer becoming more and more prevalent in the United States, a company based out of Flint, Kan., is bringing the game to another level. Challenger Soccer recruits young men and women from Great Britain (England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland) to come to the United States to host weeklong soccer camps for over 150,000 young people in 3,000 communities. “You get to travel a lot, you get to meet new people every week, and you get to stay with some great families,” explained Coach Jordan Swaine. “It opens your eyes and makes you realize that England isn’t the only place in the world and you can go elsewhere and experience new things.” The British Soccer Camp is the most popular camp in the country. The camps recruit during the spring and find camp coordinators in the community. These coordinators schedule fields for the camps and find families to host the soccer coaches when they are in town for the week.
From left, coaches Sean, Callum, Jordan and Josh.
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Each section of the country is broken into a region. Farmington is part of the Rocky Mountain Region along with the rest of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. Farmington has hosted camps for over five years and has had great success with participants ranging from over 60 to well over 100 youth per week. “Farmington has an influx of kids that enjoy soccer, even though it is a massive baseball town,” said Swaine. “It has fantastic facilities and quite a lot of great soccer players.” The camps teach youth the proper foot skills, technical techniques, games and scrimmages, and host a daily World Cup Tournament. This year, four coaches from England managed the Farmington camp. Led by Swaine (from Yorkshire, England), over 60 youth in Farmington learned more than just the necessary skills to play great soccer from four British coaches. “The kids in the camps learn passing, shooting, where to be on the field and how to play in competitive games,” explained Swaine. “They also learn about our culture and are assigned a country from around the world that they have to do homework on to find more about geography and other cultures as well.” The coaches who conducted the camp, along with Swaine, were Josh Everest from London, Coach Callum Corcoran from Leicester and Coach Sean from Liverpool. The Farmington Camp Coordinator was Ramona Briones-Moseley. The soccer camp ended on June 21 and was well received by all who participated.
BAILEY’S WELDING SERVICE, INC. From left, Jordan Swaine; Josh Everest and Callum Corcoran.
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School of the Year With 133 points PV wins inaugural all-sports title by Rick Hoerner To win School of the Year, I’ll combine the boys and girls overall records from every sport in all three seasons as posted by the NMAA. Scoring will use the track and field scoring system. The district champion receives 7 points, the runner-up gets 5, third place gets 3, and fourth 2 points. State champions get a bonus 7 points, a state runner-up gets a bonus of 5 and a final four gets the school a bonus of three. Only team totals will be counted with the regular season district records counting unless there is a postseason district playoff. Then the tournament champion will be considered the district champion. In sports that have no regular season head to head competition, like cross-country, the district championship meet will be used for accumulating totals. Let’s start with the fall of 2012 where no state championships were brought back to District 1AAAA, but there were a couple of runner-ups and some final four participants. District champions in the fall included Aztec football, PV volleyball, Farmington boy’s soccer, Aztec girl’s soccer, PV boy’s cross-country and Aztec’s girl’s cross country.
Photo by April Sanchez
Football Aztec 10, PV 5: Farmington 3: Kirtland 2 Volleyball PV 12: Farmington 5: Kirtland 3: Aztec 2 Boys Soccer Farmington 12: PV 5: Aztec 3 Girls Soccer Aztec 12 : Farmington 5: Kirtland 3: PV 2 Boys Cross Country PV 10: Farmington 5: Aztec 3: Kirtland 2 Girls Cross Country Aztec 7: Kirtland 5: PV 3: Farmington 2
Fall Totals Aztec Piedra Vista Farmington Kirtland
37 37 32 15
In the winter season the district a state championships in wrestling but not much else as basketball was down this season.
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Four Corners SPORTS
Photo by Curtis Ray Benally
Kirtland again reigned supreme in girl’s basketball while Farmington topped PV in boy’s basketball in the game of the season and wrestling was all about the state champion Panthers
July 20113
Boys Basketball Farmington 7: Piedra Vista 5: Kirtland 3: Aztec 2 Girls Basketball Kirtland 7: PV 5: Aztec 3: Farmington 2 Wrestling PV 14: Aztec 5: Farmington 3: Kirtland 2
Winter Totals Piedra Vista Kirtland Farmington Aztec
25 12 12 10
In the spring, District 1AAAA was dominant to say the least with state champions in boy’s and girl’s track and softball, runner-ups in softball, baseball, boy’s and girl’s tennis and boy’s track, a third place in girl’s track and a pair of fourth place finishes in golf by PV and Kirtland Central.
Fishing REPORT
Softball PV 14: Aztec 10: Farmington 6: Kirtland 2 Baseball PV 12: Farmington 5: Aztec 3: Kirtland 2 Boys Tennis Farmington 12: PV 5 Girls Tennis Farmington 12: PV 5 Boys Golf PV 10: Kirtland 5: Farmington 2.5: Aztec 2.5 Girls Golf Kirtland 8: Aztec 7: PV 3: Farmington 2 Boys Track PV 14: Farmington 10: Aztec 3: Kirtland 2 Girls Track Aztec 14: PV 8: Farmington 3: Kirtland 2
So here are this year’s final totals:
Spring Totals Piedra Vista Farmington Aztec Kirtland
So Piedra Vista will have the honor of being crowned the inaugural Four Corner’s Sports Magazine All-Around Sports Champion Just a month and a half until we start it all over again.
Final Totals Piedra Vista Farmington Aztec Kirtland
71 52.5 39.5 21
133 96.5 86.5 48
The San Juan River below Navajo Lake is currently flowing at 800cfs. With the higher flows and icy cold water, the hatches on the San Juan are very sparse at this time, although nymph fishing remains good. Fishing in the Quality Waters is best between the hours of 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. Some of the better rigs to throw are a size 20 chartreuse egg pattern trailed by a size 22 red larvae. Another rig to try is a size 10 olive wooly bugger trailed by a size 20 red larvae.
T.J. Massey San Juan River Outfitters Fishing below the Quality Waters has been fair. Try using night crawlers, red salmon eggs, www.sanjuanriveroutfitters.com and power bait. 505.486.5347
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Four Corners SPORTS
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More than Mr. Mayor! A UNM basketball star, Roberts has never missed a CMWS
Farmington High School Senior Tommy Roberts in 1969.
by Tom Yost | photography by Debra Mayeux Many of us know him simply as The Mayor, but Tommy Roberts has been an icon in this community for over 40 years. Roberts was born in 1951 in Farmington. He attended Hermosa Middle School where he met his wife, Cindy, in the 7th grade. Roberts attend Farmington High School,
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where he starred as both a basketball player and baseball player. His senior year, the Scorpion basketball team lost in the semifinals on a last-second shot to Highland High School from Albuquerque. The baseball year turned out slightly better as the Scorpions won state in baseball in 1969. Roberts played positions of pitcher and utility player. “If I wasn’t
pitching, I was playing either first base or third base,” explained Roberts. Roberts got a full ride scholarship to play basketball at the University of New Mexico. He wasn’t able to play basketball as a freshman because of eligibility rules preventing freshmen from playing. He did, however, play baseball as a freshman, as baseball rules were different from college
basketball rules. In fact, he was the only freshman to travel with the team as a pitcher.
one,” said Roberts. “I started as a bat boy for the first Connie Mack World Series in 1965. From there I played in the CMWS from 1967 to 1969, I helped coach teams with my brother Gary in the mid-to-late 1980s and I was the chairman of the CMWS association for a total of three years.”
His baseball career ended after his freshman year in order for him to concentrate on basketball his sophomore year in college. He came off the bench his sophomore season as a 6-foot, 3-inch point/shooting guard.
Many of the lessons that Roberts learned through playing team sports have aided him in his careers in law and in public office to this day.
Roberts had an accomplished career as a Lobo, winning Academic All American honors in 1971, 1972 and 1973.
“Playing team sports, you learn how to be part of a group that works toward a common goal,” said Roberts. “It is valuable experience that I use today, because you are called upon to find resolutions for problems. My role as a politician and attorney is to find common ground to solve problems for my clients and this community.”
Roberts also has one of the highest free-throw percentages in a single season in Lobo history at nearly 88 percent, which came in at the 6th best percentage in the nation that particular year. “My senior year, we lost our last two Western Athletic Conference (WAC) games to finish second in the conference,” explained Roberts. “We received an invite to play in the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) in New York City. We ended up losing to Virginia Tech in our first game 65-63 … and Virginia Tech went on to win the tournament.” Roberts graduated from UNM in 1973 and immediately entered into the law program. He graduated in 1976, passing the bar later that same year. He and his wife, Cindy, moved back to Farmington after graduation and have lived here ever since. “All of my experiences have been
positive with Farmington,” said Roberts. “I started with the small town atmosphere growing up and really liked the small town virtues that Farmington had to offer. I never had any doubts about raising my family here and think that everything turned out great.”
giving back to the community that has meant so much to him and his family. He served on the Farmington Municipal School Board from 1981 to 1986, on the City Council from 1998 until 2006, and has been mayor for the past three and a half years.
Roberts has made the most of his time in Farmington. He has a successful oil and gas law practice, has raised two daughters who have both followed in his footsteps in the field of law, and he has made the community a better place.
“I like to think that I am a volunteer,” explained Roberts. “I believe that public office is a civic duty that citizens should participate in and try to contribute something positive to the community.”
As the current mayor of Farmington, Roberts has come full circle in
Roberts also has a claim to fame with regard to the Connie Mack World Series. “I haven’t missed
July 2013
At 62, Roberts continues to be an icon in the community he loves and calls home. He credits many of his coaches and teams for preparing him for the challenges of life and encourages parents to get their children involved in sports for the same reasons. “Sports, whether they are team or individual, offer competition and teaches important lessons about how to handle failures and successes,” explained Roberts. “These lessons are invaluable when dealing with the challenges that are presented in school, in your career path, and in life.”
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Age: 50 Height: 6’1”
1
DAvIDTOLEDO
Weight: 221
ConnIe MACk WorLD SerIeS UMpIre
How many years have you been umpiring?
8
With the large crowds and immense intensity/ pressure, how do you stay focused?
34 years
2
How long have you lived in Farmington?
9
50 years
3
Don't listen you have a job to do go out have fun and do your job.
Why did you get into umpiring?
I started as a summer job, played summer baseball, was asked to start umpiring by local umpire.
I’m willing to learn and listen. We all make mistakes. I think for anyone to be a good umpire – and I’m not using ‘great,’ because no one is great – just being good and enjoying what you do and the great sport of baseball. Also, watching the kids have fun.
10 4
How many years have you been doing CMWS Games?
This will be my 29th year umpiring the CMWS.
6
Favorite CMWS memory?
Meeting and working with umpires from all over the United States.
7
How do you spend your free time when you are not umpiring?
Working, fishing, hunting and spending time with family and friends, just enjoying Farmington and local sporting events, I’m just living and having fun.
30
What makes the CMWS so special?
How does an umpire work their way up from youth baseball to CMWS? MLB?
A. Many years of hard work working every game and taking the time to learn about the rules, and listening to your older umpires’ advice. B. Going to umpire school.
5
What makes a great umpire?
Four Corners SporTS
July 2013
The people of Farmington, the parks and city crews, the hard work of the Connie Mack Committee, and the amazing young men that we watch.
d o o G orts Sp
Thunder rolls over opponents The Farmington Rolling Thunder fastpitch softball team recently took first place at the Four Corners Fastpitch Association North/South All-Star Tournament during the June 14 - 16 weekend. The team’s overall record at the tournament was 7-1. “The majority of our girls have been playing together for four years. They are extremely dedicated hard workers. They are all wonderful girls and have great camaraderie. We have been blessed with amazing families,” said Kory Ned, one of the Farmington Rolling Thunder coaches. The players are 10 years old and younger. Since the team won the tournament, they qualified for the United States Specialty Sports Association World Series, which will be July 25-28 in Las Cruces.
Pitch perfect Danny Carpenter, 13, of Farmington, pitched a perfect game for the Farmington Fuel in a June 11 match up with the Aztec Rangers. The crafty right-hander only struck out four during the game, with the rest being done by the defense. “I felt good. I felt like I was locating my pitches well and things turned out really good for me that day,” Carpenter said. There are not many 13-year-olds known to pitch perfect games, where a runner never reaches first base and there are no walks, no hits and no errors by the defense, which Carpenter said was solid and behind him that day. He characterized his teammates as getting “eerily silent” as the game went on, because they knew there was a no-hitter going. “They never really said anything, and I knew I had a perfect game going, but I just kept in my mind that I needed to throw strikes,” Carpenter said. Carpenter is coached by his dad, Kim, who said, “I am real proud of him for doing what he accomplished, knowing that he is playing in an older league and pitching against some guys 15 inches taller and twice the weight of Danny.” Kim said his son goes out there and battles in every game. “That is all I can ask of him.”
July 2013
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ChristianMACKEY Kirtland Central high school
ZhiannaFLORES
BeauCLAFTON
Piedra Vista high school
Piedra Vista high school
NEXT IN LINE
anthonyJUCKES Piedra Vista high school
KyleREYNOLDS Farmington high school
MorganSMITH aztec high school
KaleighGRAHAM Piedra Vista high school
10 prep athletes to watch during coming season by rick hoerner photography by Curtis ray Benally after asking the head coaches in District 1aaaa for a list of athletes to watch for in the 2013-2014, here is a list of the names that appeared most often.
ashleySCHULTZ Farmington high school
Christian Mackey, senior Kirtland Central Broncos a three sport athlete participating in football, basketball and track Mackey is a dominating presence on the Broncos offensive and defensive lines in football. During the winter season Mackey will be the preseason favorite for district Player of the year and should lead Kirtland to a spot in the state tournament. Mackey is also the defending state champion in both the shot put and the discus and should be the favorite to repeat making Mackey one to follow all though the 2013-2014 school year. Beau Clafton, senior Piedra Vista Panthers Clafton will be a strong candidate for Player of the year in football this season. last year Clafton was an all-district offensive and defensive player as well as the special teams player of the year for District 1aaaa. Beau finished his junior season with state championships the javelin and the 4 x100 relay team. he should also be the district favorite in the 100 meter next track season after finishing 4th at state this year.
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Four Corners sPorts
July 2013
harrisonFLEMING Piedra Vista high school
KeeshawnaOCKERMAN Kirtland Central high school
Zhianna Flores, Senior Piedra Vista Panthers Although you won’t hear anything about Zhianna until this spring, the Panther senior should continue as a dominant track performer at a national level. Flores already holds the state record in the 300 meter hurdles and despite being disqualified in the 100 meter, her 11.92 in the preliminaries would put her in the Top 5 in Texas and in 12th at this year’s Pac 12 championships. Flores could be the most decorated track athlete in the Four Corners since Mario Sategna Kyle Reynolds, Senior Farmington Scorpions A three sport athlete in basketball, football, and track Reynolds will be Farmington’s best threat in the fall football season and will have big shoes to fill in the basketball season as the only returning varsity player with experience for the returning district champs Anthony Juckes, Junior Piedra Vista Panthers A member of all three PV state wrestling
championships, Juckes will have the unique opportunity to be a five time individual state champion. Only four wrestlers in the history of New Mexico wrestling have accomplished that feat. Juckes also has a chance to lead PV to a fourth consecutive team title in his junior year.
Ashley Schultz, Senior Farmington Scorpions Schultz is the setter for the resurgent Scorpion volleyball team and will lead Farmington as they attempt to unseed PV this fall. In the spring Schultz will help the Farmington sprinters in relays and the 100 & 200.
Morgan Smith, Senior Aztec Tigers Smith, a three sport and sometime four sport athlete has been a big part of the Tiger’s soccer and basketball teams. In the fall, Smith has participated in soccer and cross-country at the same time. She is a three year starter in basketball and this year was the state champion in pole vault as part of the Tiger’s state championship team
Harrison Fleming, Senior Piedra Vista Panthers Harrison will take over the reigns from Brandon Levi as the leader of the Panther cross country team and the track team’s dominance in the long distances. Expect Fleming to be the district favorite for the individual cross country championship and try to take PV to a spot on the podium at state after sitting in 4th the past two years.
Kaleigh Graham, Senior Piedra Vista Panthers Graham will be starting her fifth year on the Panther varsity basketball team and is a favorite as district Player of the Year. Graham also took up track her junior year placing 3rd at state in the shot put making her a favorite in the throws next year
Keeshawna Ockerman, Senior Kirtland Central Broncos Ockerman will have a tough role to fill this year taking the place of Taylor Billey as the leader of the Lady Broncos basketball team. Ockerman will also lead the volleyball team in the fall as they try to get back to challenging PV for the top spot in district.
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