content Don Vaughan PuBlISHER
Cindy Cowan Thiele EDITOR
Rick Hoerner Tom Yost Dorothy Nobis CONTRIBuTING WRITERS
Josh Bishop Curtis Ray Benally CONTRIBuTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Suzanne Thurman
| 4 | There can be only one There was a Scottish and Celtic invasion into the Four Corners on Saturday and Sunday, October 3 and 4, when the 5th Annual Aztec Highland Games and Celtic Music Festival came to Riverside Park.
| 8 | 31 Years of Racing The longest running mountain bike race celebrated 31 consecutive years of racing on Oct. 3, when 150 racers from all over the nation hit the trails at lions Wilderness Park.
DESIGNER
Clint Alexander SAlES STAFF
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Majestic Media 100 W. Apache Street Farmington, NM 87401 505.516.1230 www.majesticmediausa.com Four Corners Sports magazine is published once a month by Majestic Media. Material herein may not be reprinted without expressed written consent of the publisher. Opinions expressed by the contributing writers are not necessarily those of the publisher, editor or Four Corners Sports magazine. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication. However the publisher cannot assume responsibility for errors or ommissions. © 2015 Four Corners Sports magazine.
| 12 | A community of giving It has become an increasing dire need and a well-needed trend in local activity – the medical fundraising event.
| 15 | NMAA summary The New Mexico Activities Association’s Board of Directors met in regular session in September at the NMAA Hall of Pride and Honor.
| 16 | NASCAR Nellie | 18 | Annual event nets $55,000 More than 40 anglers competed Aug. 21-22 to raise more than $55,000 for the Four Corners Home for Children, a program of Navajo Ministries Inc., during the 22nd annual San Juan River Bi-Fly Fishing Tournament.
| 25 | Catching up with the county | 26 | College basketball schedules | 29 | Is scaring a sport? | 30 | Bodybuilding and powerlifting local Farmington resident and Piedra Vista High School wrestling alum, Ryan Ruybalid, has used his experience lifting weights to springboard a new passion – a passion for powerlifting and bodybuilding.
| 32 | $24,000 raised The 4th Annual Race 2 Educate benefiting the Foundation for Educational Excellence was September 26.
| 19 | Fishing Report
| 20 | Editorial Columnist | 34 | The First Tee by Rick Hoerner
by Tom Yost
| 22 | A great eight Prep players to watch in 2016
covercredit Josh Bishop
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There can be only one
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5th Annual Aztec Highland Games attract athletes from across the Four Corners Story by Tom Yost | Photos by Josh Bishop there was a scottish and Celtic invasion into the Four Corners on saturday and sunday, october 3 and 4, when the 5th Annual Aztec Highland Games and Celtic music Festival came to riverside park. “the Highland Games is a celebration of traditional scottish and Celtic games which are a combination of events that are historically based in traditional warfare and farming,” explained therese Yanan, the Athletics Coordinator for the Aztec Highland Games and Four Corners Championship. the Highland Games also serve as the Four
more than 55 athletes competed in events that included the sheaf toss, weight for height, braemer stone, light and heavy hammer throw, light and heavy weight for distance, and caber toss. “there are eight events in the games and everyone needs to compete in all of the
Women’s mAsters
Women’s open
Women’s LIGHt oVerALL 19 monica Boelter 10 Anna Black 18 Hazel George
Corners Championship with competitors traveling from Utah, Arizona and Colorado to compete along with new mexico for the championship. new mexico won the Four Corners Championship in its inaugural year and successfully defended its crown in 2015.
rAnK 3 1 2
oVerALL 21 Cindy Johnson 16 mikaela Lovato 8 Heather mcDonald
rAnK 3 2 1
oVerALL 22 michelle Crownhart 10 mona malec 16 edie Lindeburg 43 Karen Hart 30 LuAnn robinson 42 susan Warren
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rAnK 3 1 2 6 4 5
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“ThesupportfromthecityofAztec istremendousandthepark isabsolutelyamazing.” -ThereseYanan
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MEN’S A OVERALL 16 Chad Thompson 33 David Schafer 32 John Anthony 32 Roger Crazy Wolf 64 Bryce George 26 Andrew Heaton 45 Ben Stanley 82 Scott Oxford 65 Reny Reidhead 87 Kevin Boelter
MEN’S LIGHT NOVICE RANK 1 5 3 3 7 2 6 9 8 10
OVERALL 35 Atlee Beam 58 Patrick Bowman 15 Scott Burchfield 26 Brandon Lambright 33 Mitch Sickon 37 John Winkley 52 Bart Womack 29 Thomas Lindsay
MEN’S LIGHT OVERALL 13 Joel Hegar 23 Joe Johnson 18 Tim Haisman 35 Robby Genson
MEN’S C
RANK 5 8 1 2 4 6 7 3
OVERALL 34 Dean Hammer 44 Glenn Lewis 44 Cody Lewis 14 Reny Reidhead 37 Kevin Boelter 13 Mike O'Gurian 31 Jacob Cowham
RANK 4 6 6 2 5 1 3
MEN’S MASTERS RANK 1 3 2 4
OVERALL 52 Joel Hager 60 Chuck Thacker 23 David McClanahan 57 Derrick Haisman 52 Nathan Lindeburg 62 Joe Kozimor 71 Dean Hammer 80 James Dawe 33 Charles Thomas 9 Mark Buchanan 83 Kris Jones
RANK 4 7 2 6 4 8 9 10 3 1 11
events,” said Yanan. “Different classes throw slightly different weights based on weight and skill. The games started at 9 a.m. and finished around 5 p.m. on Saturday. The competitors moved through the events so there were always events going on throughout the day.”
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The divisions of athletes consisted of: Men’s Masters (over 40 years of age), Women’s Masters (over 40 years of age), Women’s Open, Men’s A (highest level), Women’s Light (under 150 lbs), Men’s Light (under 200 lbs) and the Men’s Novice Light. Yanan said the games have grown every year largely because of the support of the city of Aztec and the tremendous venue that Riverside Park offers the competitors and spectators. “The support from the City of Aztec is tremendous and the park is absolutely amazing,” proclaimed Yanan. “ The New Mexico Celtic Association took the initiative to get the event to host the Four Corners Championship last year because of the community and the venue.” And while the professionals compete on Saturday, many spectators in attendance want to try their hand at the games on Sunday – which is what the novice divisions are for. “We have a lot of athletes sign up for the novice class competition on Sunday simply because spectators want to try it after watching on Saturday,” said Yanan.
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31 YEARS OF RACING 8
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City, BLM partner to make Road Apple Rally even better Story by Debra Mayeux | Photos by Curtis Ray Benally The longest running mountain bike race celebrated 31 consecutive years of racing on Oct. 3, when 150 racers from all over the nation hit the trails at Lions Wilderness Park.
“The BLM bent over backwards to get those markers in, in time,” said Jody Carmen, a spokesman for Farmington Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs.
This year’s Road Apple Rally was special not only has this race lasted more than 30 years, the Bureau of Land Management partnered with the city of Farmington to place permanent carsonite trail markers along the race path.
“This is moving us to the forefront for recreational trails,” Carmen said. “You can start in Lions Wilderness Park and ride it 28 miles without the fear of getting lost, and that’s all thanks to the BLM.”
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When the race began in 1981, pink ribbons were tied to trees to mark the trail, and the bike riders shared the area with the horsemen. the North American trail ride Conference, or NAtrC, started in California in 1961, and by 1975, there were sanctioned competitive rides in San Juan County. the first was on Mother’s Day weekend in 1975 at Navajo Lake. By 1978, there was a second ride on the first Saturday of october in Chokecherry Canyon. Avid horseman and member of the NAtrC, Bill Cumberworth headed these rides. “the horseback ride is a competitive ride, which is not a race,” Cumberworth said. “Everyone rides on their own on a 20-30 mile trail.” Cumberworth like sharing stories about the trail rides and this piqued the interest of his friend and colleague Clifford Clark. Both men are retired doctors, but Clark was an avid cyclist. He liked the idea of the cyclists riding those same trails. He and some of his friends made mountain bikes to ride by adding gears and fat tires to regular frames.
fun to do,” Cumberworth said. “We were a little dubious, but it worked.” the two groups of outdoorsmen devised a plan. the bikes would start first, and then the horses would begin. If a bicyclist came upon a horse, he was to talk, so as not to spook the horse. “If they hear a human voice it makes them relax,” Cumberworth said. the horsemen were to stay off of 6-inch wide, hard-packed trail the cyclists used. “What it accomplished is it made the bicyclists and the horsemen get
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Cumberworth told how the horses rode for about 10 miles a day and Clark said the bikes could do that in an hour. Clark found 25 cyclists interested in racing with the horses. “they asked us if they could ride on our trail. they thought it would be
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along,” Cumberworth said. The first year Clark gathered 25 people to ride and each received a Tshirt with a logo of a horse on a bike riding over a pile of horse dung, which is called a “road apple,” and that’s how the race got its name. “It grew much bigger, faster than our trail ride,” Cumberworth said. “As it got bigger they decided it was better to not be dodging horses on the trail.” Clark agreed. “We couldn’t run it with the horses anymore, because there were too many bikes.” The race grew in popularity, and became a favorite of such worldclass racers as Ned Overend, of Durango, Colo. “It’s his favorite race, and he’s raced all over the planet,” Clark said.
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This year’s Overall Pro winner of the Road Apple Race was Quinn simmons, a 14-year-old from Durango, who will most likely be in the Tour de France some day. He rode his bike at 16.99 miles per hour and had a race time of 1:45:56.
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The 2nd place Overall Pro winner was 44-year-old Randy Flores, who rode his bike at 16.67 miles per hour with a race time of 1:47:58.
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The Cat 1 expert overall male winner was Durango’s Brent Winebarger, 38, with a time of 1:45:53, riding his bike at 17 miles per hour
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The 2nd place Cat 1 expert was Joshua snow, 18, with a time of 1:46:42 and a bike speed of 16.87 miles per hour. In 3rd place was Kirby Bryant, 38, with a time of 1:50:23 and a bike speed of 16.31 miles per hour. The Cat 1 expert overall female winner was Bettina Mills, 48, with a time of 2:00:13 and a bike speed of 14.97 miles per hour. second-place winner McKenzie Winebarger, 34, followed her with a time of 2:06:42 and a bike speed of 14.21 miles per hour. The 3rd place winner was Corren Wright, 50, with a time of 2:13:09 and a bike speed of 13.52 miles per hour.
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A COMMUNITY OF GIVING Farmington Fire Department hosts unique fundraiser for Shadd Rohwer It has become an increasing dire need and a well-needed trend in local activity – the medical fundraising event. With the rising cost of healthcare, treatment, especially when it comes to cancer, has become the community project for helping families’ bridge the economic gap. While insurance coverage greatly helps with medical issues, it does not cover travel, hotel stays or, in most cases, missing work. So, in the mindset of a community filling these needs, the Farmington Fire Department put together one of the more unique fundraisers to help one of their own.
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Shadd Rohwer, a longtime fireman in Farmington was diagnosed with cancer; and again the overwhelming costs of medical and ancillary care began to take their toll. Katrina Rayburn and Chris Sharp were looking to help Shadd’s family and cut into his medical expenses. With no prior experience of what to do, they began looking into fundraisers that could involve the community as well as local firemen. In the greatest millennial tradition, they knew just where to turn – Google. Thinking that something sports related might be the way to go, the
NOVEMBER 2015
next question was to see how many of the firemen participated in any given sport. They immediately began looking into a golf tournament – which at this time a lot of groups are looking to do. But what to do for those who don’t play golf? Once again the Internet brought the solution. After viewing a video called, “All Sports Golf Battle” on YouTube, they thought this might be the way to go. The premise is simple enough. Players play on the golf course but don’t really need to know how to play golf – except for putting.
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Each player would begin with a bag containing four sports items that may include a football, bat and ball, soccer ball, vortex football, tennis or racquetball and racket, or a Frisbee. Participants were also allowed to bring their own four-piece bag of gear. Just FYI: if you have a lacrosse ball and stick, bring it. Each player had the opportunity to use each piece of equipment in their bag one time, up until they hit the green. Then they had to putt out. So if one teed off by throwing the football, they had to use a different piece of equipment for the second shot. For most participants it was much more difficult than they thought. Using the equipment in some organized order made the difference for those players who succeeded on the modified course. The All-Sports Golf Tournament was broken into two divisions – a competitive individual tournament and a team/family tournament. This gave competitive individuals a chance to challenge each other while the family event was broken down in alternate shot format allowing each member of the family to join in. Outside of the All-Sports Golf Tournament, the event also featured food donations from Firehouse Java & Cuisine and a prize raffle for a brand new Savage Bolt Action rifle. The band And Beyond from Aztec played a complimentary concert and Sound Machine DJ Services was on hand to add to a great atmosphere.
* Community 28
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NMAA SUMMARY Board discusses classification and alignment the New Mexico Activities Association’s Board of Directors met in regular session in September at the NMAA Hall of pride and Honor.
tion and alignment. the Board of Directors took action on the following items:
Sally Marquez gave her Director's report that included information on regional Athletic Director Meetings and the NMAA/NMADA Fall Leadership Conference. Business Manager Shari Kessler-Schwaner presented the NMAA Financial report which included information on all state championship events from 2014-2015. Debbie Saunders of Saunders & Associates then presented the Annual Audit report for the previous fiscal year. the Board of Directors then voted in favor of a recommendation to place all school fines into the NMAA’s opportunity Fund. Last, the Board of Directors approved the contract of Executive Director Sally Marquez through the 2017-2018 school year. Deputy Director Dana pappas presented the NMAA Activities report which included information on the Activities Council Meeting, the request for each activity to submit participation numbers to the NMAA, the updated 2015-2016 activity event calendar, the upcoming one Act play Competition, a report on the venues solidified for each State Music Event, and the current review of Activities bylaws as compared to the NMAA Handbook.
• Voted in favor of a proposal to require appropriate school personnel be present at all times during NMAA sanctioned athletic and activity events. • Voted in favor of a proposal to make adjustments to Section VIII of the NMAA Handbook (Activities). • Voted in favor of a proposal to make adjustments to Section X of the NMAA Handbook (Charter Schools). • Voted in favor of a proposal to modify the dual participation rule as it applies to Mid-School / Junior High Football (Bylaw 9.5.A). • Voted in favor of a proposal regarding coaching restrictions during golf events. • Voted against a proposal regarding withdrawn/retired players at tennis events. the next NMAA Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for December 8, 2015.
Deputy Director Dana pappas presented the NM officials Association report which included information on the 2015 State Clinic, multiple basketball camps held throughout the summer, the inaugural baseball umpires forum, and the current crisis with recruitment and retention of officials. Sally Marquez then went over several discussion/informational items with the Board. these items included classification and alignment, open enrollment, and the potential for teams to move up in classification by choice. Multiple member school representatives from the audience also provided feedback on the future of classifica-
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No more Tony the Tiger Nascar Nellie distraught over Tony Stewart’s retirement It has been a tumultuous week for NASCAR Nellie. First of all, in NN’s efforts to become more “wordy” and use more smart words and sayings, she went to the Oxford American Dictionary (NN was unable to find the Fort Lupton American Dictionary, which she is certain exists somewhere in Fort Lupton, Colorado, but as NN recalls, that “dictionary” didn’t really contain smart words, just the language of the time, which was somewhere in the mid ‘60s) to find a word that meant a “state of confusion and agitation.” NN got all excited because she saw the definition of tumultuous as “a large cask for wine and beer,” and NN really thought she was on to something. Unfortunately, “a large cask for wine and beer” belonged to the definition of “tun” (for reals – NN doesn’t make this stuff up) and she was gonna use that word. All. The. Time. Whatever. NN’s tumultuous week became a cause for a “tun” on accounta Tony Stewart is going to hang up his driving gloves, his fire suit, his SPANX, and his introduction at every NASCAR race after next year. NN has always been a Tony the Tiger fan. NN and her NASCAR buddy, Charlene Scott, useta go to the NASCAR races in Vegas every year. Every year, CS would cheer for Tony and NN would cheer for Tony, Dale Earnhardt Jr., the sports most popular driver of all time, so there, and anyone and everyone but Boo Hoo
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Bush. That was back in the day when Tony and NN could get through the gate at the track entrance instead of having to use the truck entrance, where all the haulers and motor homes and “we’re not fat, we’re fluffy” people hadda go through. Tony drove for Home Depot then and NN only shopped at HD for her home improvement needs. NN refused to shop at Lowe’s, on accounta, back then, she wasn’t a Jimmie Johnson fan so Lowe’s wasn’t the recipient of any of NN’s home improvement dollars and cents (which have always been extensive on accounta NN believes in repainting every room in her casita at least three times a year and, in the years since NN and Tony have had to use the truck entrance in-
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stead of the teeny little gates they force you through at the Vegas track, for tools to widen her doors and for heavy duty supports for her floors. And, if you must know, the heavy duty stuff is way more expensive, which NN believes is discrimination – “to have good taste or judgment, to give unfair treatment.” Just sayin. . .). Anyway, Tony Stewart is retiring from driving a NASCAR car after the 2016 season. If we can have just a moment of silence out of respect for Tony the Tiger (and because NN’s phone just rang and if she doesn’t answer it, her probation officer goes crazy and even his “happy pills” won’t calm him down. Once or twice, you leave the country without telling your PO and you leave your cell phone behind because it won’t fit in your bag and you don’t want anyone to know who you are or where you’re going because it may be considered “questionable behavior” and judges and lawyers and law enforcement officers act like you’re a common – “ill-bred, not refined in behavior or style” -- criminal. NN has never been a “common” anything, just so’s ya know). Tony has always been a hero of NN’s because Tony pretty much tells it like it is. If a reporter asks Tony a dumb question during an interview, Tony will call said reporter on it and suggest – “to propose for acceptance or rejection” -- the reporter find another career path – preferably one that takes said reporter away from the race track and outta Tony’s life. If a fellow driver messes with Tony, he’ll take his helmet off and throw it at said driver’s car, hoping it will go through said driver’s window and knock some sense into him. If an announcer suggests Tony is getting old and “hefty” or questions Tony’s ability to win races or another championship, said announcer will be inundated (“to flood, to cover with water, to overwhelm as if with a flood” – or as the Fort Lupton American Dictionary stated, “to be smacked up alongside the head with reality”) with hateful emails and twatters and instagrammies and skypers by fans. NN is sorry to see Tony leave the racetrack. Tony’s the bomb and when he wasn’t the driver of the Home Depot car anymore, NN diverted – “to turn from a course, to go by a different route” – and refused to do her home
ones) and couldn’t put it down for a tissue. NN put the TS bobble head on the table in the NASCAR shrine room, next to the Ward Burton bobble head doll (who would have won more races and a championship if he’da been a little taller and could have seen out the windshield and the rear view mirror) and the two NASCAR Beanie Babies NN bought, thinking they would be her million dollar retirement before everyone else had the same idea and now no one wants a Beanie Baby. Whatever. In other news, Dale Earnhardt Jr., the sports most popular driver of all time and every time, is falling back in the Race for the Chase, which has given NN gastritis – “inflammation of the stomach.” Between Junior and NASCAR and Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos, when NN passes on to another world (NN hopes it will be heaven, but is afraid the Pearly Gates will be manned by the same notnice probation people who make NN wear that ugly ankle bracelet) on her final certificate – “an official written or printed statement giving certain facts” – where it asks for cause of demise – “death” – it states, Junior/NASCAR and Manning/Broncos. Just sayin’ – “to utter or recite in a speaking voice. “ . . .
improvement business with HD anymore. By then, NN’s hostility – “of an enemy, unfriendly” – of Jimmie Johnson had dissipated – “fritter away”— on accounta Dale Earnhardt Jr., the sport’s most popular driver for eternity – “infinite time, past or future”—was JJ’s teammate and one must love whoever Junior teams with, just so’s ya know, so NN started shopping at Lowe’s. It was a difficult transition – “changing from one state or style” – but NN is nothing if not loyal to her drivers and their current – “now” – sponsors. NN will miss the fire and the sarcasm – “a taunt” – that Tony always brings to the track. You never wonder where Tony stands on anything, because he’ll let you know, whether you want to hear it or not. The good news is, Tony will remain an owner of Stewart-Haas Racing and he’ll prob’ly be vocal and taunting and sarcastic and hostile, which are just some of the gazillion reasons we love him. Two of NN’s most favorite – “liked above others” – people, Vicki and Randy Thille – gave NN a Tony Stewart bobble head doll last weekend. NN almost cried and had it not been for the glass of wine she was holding with both hands (NN believes in having just one glass of wine, so she buys the gallon sized
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$##$ #OneCall Connects
505-325-9600 Located at 111 N. Behrend Farmington, NM 87401
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SAN JUAN RIVER BI-FLY TOURNAMENT RESULTS LARGEST FISH: Gregg Price, 22 1/4 inches. SMALLEST FISH: Gregg Price, 2 ½ inches. Price had largest and smallest. FIRST PLACE TEAM: Bo Herrera, Herman Martinez Eye Guys SECOND PLACE TEAM: Karl Garling, Gregg Price Sage Shaggers THIRD PLACE TEAM: Paul Thompson, Dr. Danny Chang Leaky Waders #1 GUIDE: Nark Nesbit MOST FISH: Bo Herrera (12” plus) 37. Herrera had the most fish caught last year as well.
ANNUAL EVENT NETS $55,000 Bi-Fly Tournament raises funds for Navajo Ministries higher. Per inch donations for the largest fish caught (22”) are still being accepted at www.navajoministries.org.
More than 40 anglers competed Aug. 21-22 to raise more than $55,000 for the Four Corners Home for Children, a program of Navajo Ministries Inc., during the 22nd annual San Juan River Bi-Fly Fishing Tournament. The Bi-Fly Tournament, considered the premier trout-fishing event in the Southwest, has raised just short of $1 million for the childcare program at Navajo Ministries since its first year in the mid-1990s. A large portion of the funds raised are generated by the anglers, who gather per-inch pledges for the largest fish they catch during the two-day, catch-and-release tournament. “It is always such a joy to be involved with the Bi-Fly Tournament, especially when it comes to raising much-needed funds for the children. The anglers and guides have a great time, and all of the staff and volunteers truly help put it all together. Navajo Ministries thanks everyone involved with this terrific event,” Navajo Ministries
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Major sponsors for the Bi-Fly included Citizens Bank, Outback Steakhouse, San Juan Regional Medical Center and San Juan Rotary Club.
President Eric Fisher said. While the fishing competition is intense for the two days, organizers and participants realize the tournament is first and foremost a major fund-raiser for the Four Corners Home for Children. The Four Corners Home for Children, located on the campus of Navajo Ministries at 2103 W. Main St., has provided a safe and loving homelike environment for hundreds of dependent children in the region since 1953. The childcare program is licensed to care for up to 28 children. The demand for services has never been
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In addition to the actual tournament, the annual Bi-Fly Tournament Banquet was held Aug. 22 at the Farmington Civic Center, with more than 120 in attendance. More funds were raised through numerous raffle and auction items. Next year’s Bi-Fly event is scheduled for Aug. 19 and 20. Event organizer Bob Fitz summed it up this way. “It is not what you catch that makes the BiFly special, but why you catch.” For more information on Navajo Ministries and the Four Corners Home for Children, or to donate, please go to www.navajoministries.org.
Fishing REPORT Fishing on the San Juan River below Navajo Lake has been best in the morning hours. Current flows below Navajo Lake are 500cfs. With gin-clear water conditions, getting the correct display is very important. Below is a list of the best flies to try.
rising most of the day. Here are a list of surface flies to try. Size 24 parachute adams Size 22 morgan midge Size 16 black foam ant Fishing below the quality waters has been tough lately. A report of anglers using night crawlers has been best.
Size 24 gray midge pupae Size 24 black midge pupae Size 22 gray big mac midge Size 22 cream-colored midge larvae Having gin-clear water conditions is a bonus for the dry fly fisherman. Look for fish
T.J. Massey San Juan River Outfitters www.sanjuanriveroutfitters.com 505.486.5347
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ASSAULT ON THE GAME Taking responsibility for what is right and what is wrong Unless you’ve been living under a rock during the last month you have undoubtedly seen the video of the two high school players from John Jay High School in San Antonio, Texas, attacking a referee. immediately the new and improved world of social media and instant information decried what an outrage it was – and of course it was. They were stunned and said they had never seen anything like that before. Here’s where we have incredibly short memories. Just as with other incidents which seem to be getting more and more prevalent, this again may be just another time where instant availability and a never-ending sports cycle just enhances the episode. Those of us who have been here in the Four corners for awhile should remember an episode just as heinous. it’s amazing that nearly 20 years have gone by since New Mexico was under the same spotlight. During a high school football game between crownpoint and Fort Wingate
RickHOERNER Editorial columnist in 1996, Wingate linebacker Gilbert Jefferson had just been ejected from the game after an unsportsmanlike penalty. The Bears were leading 22-18 in the fourth quarter of a game they had to win to secure the district runnerup position and a birth in the state playoff. On the sideline there was great confusion about what had happened and the staff was trying to figure out who to put in and discussing whether or not to call a timeout and settle things down when suddenly the unthinkable happened. On the sideline was former Shiprock, Farmington and kirtland central basketball coach, the late kevin Holman. At that time Holman was the head basketball coach at Wingate and the football team’s offensive co-
ordinator. Many a time in our conversations over the years Holman described what happened next. According to kevin, Jefferson had headed back to the bench visibly upset and being directed by the coaching staff to settle down. As everyone turned back toward the game, Jefferson rose from the bench and without warning sprinted from the Wingate sideline onto the field and headed straight for referee Alan Bainter of Farmington. Bainter was no rookie on the football field. He was a veteran official of 25 years in football as well as an umpire in baseball. Anyone who played junior high or high school sports in the 1990s knew Alan. At the moment Jefferson left the sideline Bainter was doing his job and never saw Jefferson coming as he slammed Bainter to the ground blindsiding him from behind and knocking Bainter unconscious. According to Mckinley county Sheriff John kendall, Bainter was banged up pretty bad. “The guy couldn't remember his name when the paramedics asked him,’' kendall said. Bainter’s wife Pat told the press that her husband had been knocked unconscious and suffered a concussion in the incident and didn't remember what happened. Predictably, the incident this year politically matched the one from 1996. The public outcry was immediate and, predictably the blame went somewhere else. During the incident with the John Jay defensive backs the players told officials after the fact that the umpire they attacked had used racial slurs in discussing John Jay players. The two players also stated that they were instructed by an assistant coach to perform the assault, a statement later confirmed by the coach’s admission. As the press inserted themselves into the situation, the parties involved do what they always do – they lawyered up.
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Victor Rojas and Michael Moreno sat with George Stephanopolis on the set of Good Morning America, not with their parents admitting a mistake and asking for forgiveness, but with their lawyer stating, “I was doing what I was told,” saying that an assistant coach told them to retaliate on the official who had made some “questionable calls” and was part of two other Mustang player ejections. The ref quickly responded that he had not made any racial slurs, through his lawyer, of course. Jump in the Delorean and head back 19 years and you will be amazed at the lack of progress we have made in the arena. In 1996, Jefferson’s mother immediately insisted that the official, Bainter, was picking on her son. The reaction of the community was also predictable. According to Holman, more than once he heard officials from Wingate and the Navajo Nation blame the official stating that the Farmington Association had no business sending a white official to call the game, not noting that Crownpoint was also a majority American Indian populated school. This was the predominane reason Holman left Wingate and took the job at Shiprock. So what is the difference between these two incredibly similar events? The answer in one simple word the media. In 1996 Allen Bainter was a blip on Sportscenter. In 2015 Rojas and Moreno were part of 24-hour news and sports coverage as well as posted all over social media. When the event happened every radio talk show took calls and every analyst on every sports show had an
opinion. The same happened right after Rojas and Morales received their punishment of 75 days out of John Jay and headed to an alternative high school. Nearly everyone believed the punishment was too excessive. After all, they were just following orders from a coach. Of course this coach should never work again and the players punishment is debatable. But they are only losing a semester and can return to their high school. I do wonder, however, when is personal responsibility going to triumph? Even if the coach told them to do it, deep down they should know that it’s wrong. A coach’s command can only go so far. At some point a person has to stand up and determine what is right from wrong for themselves without the hindsight of public scrutiny. It’s an old adage that character is what you do when no one is watching. What does it say about those that do it whenever one is watching? I guess we’ll ask the lawyer. We lost Allen Bainter in 2010 and to the best of my knowledge he never called another game. Whether or not the ref in San Antonio works again is yet to be seen. Since that night in 1996, we have seen more attacks on officials than one can count. The real question that needs to be answered is: How long will we continue to build a progeny who always look for someone else to blame for their shortcomings in the classroom, on our athletic fields, and in our society.
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gabrielAGUIRRE blOOMFielD HigH SCHOOl
PaigeADAIR aZTeC HigH SCHOOl
A GREAT EIGHT Prep players to watch in 2016 Paige aDair - JuniOr aZTeC HigH SCHOOl
season after winning both the discus and the shot at the 2015 state championships.
Once again the aztec Tigers Softball Team fell short of a state title, but if the Tigers are to reach the pinnacle it will be behind the arm of Junior pitcher Paige adair. adair finished her sophomore campaign at 10-5, leading the Tigers within one game of a shot at the title. adair has also been a member of the state contending aztec soccer team.
gabriel aguirre - SeniOr blOOMFielD HigH SCHOOl aguirre will look to perform the rare feat of winning back-to-back state titles this track
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apparently District 1aaaa has a knack for this accomplishment as the last person to do this was Kirtland Central’s Christian Mackey who completed the sweep in 2013 and 2014
niKKi benally - SeniOr PieDra ViSTa HigH SCHOOl For the past two seasons benally has been the key guard on the Panther basketball team, and as a senior will be expected to carry the load for Piedra Vista. benally has the skill set to play both the point guard and shooting guard position.
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after basketball, look for benally to anchor the hot corner for the Panther softball team and be a big bat in their lineup as they fight to get back to the top.
SHayna CarlOwe - SeniOr FarMingTOn HigH SCHOOl when Carlowe arrived on the Farmington campus her freshman year the girls basketball program was in a state of flux. That has drastically changed under head coach Danny Secrest. Carlowe has been a huge factor in that change. Her freshman year she was on a team that finished 3-20. last year she led that team to a
niKKiBENALLY
SHaynaCARLOW
PiEdRa ViSTa HiGH SCHOOL
faRminGTOn HiGH SCHOOL
aidanCOCKRELL KiRTLand HiGH SCHOOL
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jAsmIneCOLEMAN nAVAjO PReP
20-9 record in a very tough district. If the scorpions are to continue to rise, Carlowe will be a huge part.
AIDAn COCkReLL - senIOR kIRTLAnD CenTRAL HIGH sCHOOL Cockrell is rare among modern athletes, competing in three sport
wesRAYBURN PIeDRA VIsTA HIGH sCHOOL
seasons, beginning the 2015-2016 year with the Bronco football team and entering the winter season as the defending state wrestling champion at 132 pounds. He entered last year’s state meet unseeded, advancing all the way after upsetting the no. 1 seed from Cobre. In the spring Cockrell will try to help the Bronco track team to a district title.
jAsmIne COLemAn - senIOR nAVAjO PReP The Prep senior has been a dominant three-sport athlete competing in basketball, volleyball and track. On the courts Coleman has led the eagles volleyball team to the finals, where they lost to Texico last fall. In basketball Coleman has been the go-to scorer for Prep leading them to the state tournament the past three years. In the spring Coleman will participate with Prep’s track team
* Eight to watch 27 24
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Catching up with the County As of this writing Navajo Prep is still looking for a boys basketball coach for the upcoming season. To apply, contact Athletic Director Mike Tillman at 3266571. First practice for winter sports is coming up quick on November 2 for the 2015-2016 season Get those physicals done !
Games to Watch … Volleyball 2015 1AAAA and 1AAAAA District volleyball tournament November 2 to 7 2015 State Volleyball Championship in Rio Rancho Nov. 12 to 14 Girls Soccer Aztec at Piedra Vista on Oct. 22 Girls Soccer State Championships run October 31 to Nov. 7 Boys Soccer Boys Soccer State Championships run Oct. 31
through Nov. 7 Cross Country 2015 1AAAA District Cross Country Championship hosted by Fort Wingate on Oct. 31 2015 1AAAAA District Cross Country Championships at Aztec on October 30 2015 State Cross Country Championship at Rio Rancho High School on Nov. 7 Football First Round of the State Playoffs begins on November 13 Golf Events On Saturday October 17 Civitan Golf Course will be offering night time Glow Golf from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Cost for the event is $12 for non-members and $8 for Civitan members. A $5 cash deposit per ball will be charged for golf balls to be returned upon return of the balls. Call Civitan at 505.599.1149 or email rhoerner@yahoo.com for details.
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Lobo and NMSU Men’s Basketball releases 2015-16 schedules Lobo head coach Craig Neal says he is excited. His team’s schedule for the 2015-2016 season will have 13 non-conference games and two exhibitions. There is also the usual 18 game Mountain West Conference schedule. The season starts with an exhibition game Nov. 3 against CSU Pueblo and followed by the final exhibition game against Rogers State Nov, 6. The Lobos will meet rival New Mexico State Nov. 15 in Las Cruces and host the AggieDec. 16. at WisePies Arena. The non-conference schedule also include home games against Oral Roberts, Loyola, Northern Iowa and Rice. The Lobos will test their road mettle with games at USC Nov.21 and Purdue Dec. 5.
NMSU Aggies
The Lobos will spend Christmas week away from home at the Diamond Head Classic. Teams playing in the tournament in Honolulu Dec. 22 through the 25 include Oklahoma, Washington State, BYU, Harvard, Northern Iowa and host Hawaii. – KRQU Albuquerque
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The defending outright Western Athletic Conference Champion New Mexico State Aggies announced a challenging 31-game 2015-16 men’s basketball schedule that features games against nine postseason tournament teams from last season.
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The Aggies face five teams from last season’s NCAA Tournament in 2015-16, with Robert Morris and Wyoming coming to the Pan American Center and road contests at Wichita State, Baylor and UC Irvine. The Aggies went 23-11 last season while winning the outright WAC Championship by five games with a 13-1 conference record.
The Aggies won their fourth consecutive WAC Tournament Championship and NCAA Tournament berth as well. Additionally, NM State has a pair of games with I-10 rival UTEP, an NIT participant, a home game with CBI participant Oral Roberts and two games with I-25 rival New Mexico. “I’m impressed with this schedule and how it shook out,” said NM State Head Basketball Coach Marvin Menzies. “We were able to put together a competitive schedule that would allow us a few opportunities to really work on our RPI as well as the opportunity to get a couple of really good home games in addition to our normal rival series games.” A special addition to the schedule this season finds the Aggies traveling north to the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, N.M., to host Northern New Mexico. The Aggies face a complete WAC schedule that includes home and road games with CBI semifinalist Seattle U. and CIT participant Grand Canyon. NM State opens the season with five straight games on Lou Henson Court inside the Pan American Center, starting with opening night against Houston Baptist on Friday, Nov. 13. The Aggies follow that contest with the first I-25 matchup with the Lobos.
Eight to watch
New Mexico Lobos 2016 Schedule Date Nov. 13 Nov. 15 Nov. 18 Nov. 21 Nov. 25 Dec. 1 Dec. 5 Dec. 12 Dec. 16 Dec. 19 Dec. 22 Dec. 30 Jan. 2 Jan. 9 Jan. 12 Jan. 16 Jan. 23 Jan. 27 Jan. 30 Feb. 2 Feb. 6 Feb. 9 Feb. 13 Feb. 17 Feb. 20 Feb. 23 Feb. 27 Mar. 1 Mar. 5 continued from
Opponent Texas Southern at New Mexico St Loyola (CHI) at USC Nicholls State Oral Roberts at Purdue Northern Iowa New Mexico St Rice Auburn Nevada at Fresno State Utah State at UNLV Wyoming at San Jose State Air Force at Boise State UNLV at San Diego State at Utah State San Jose State Boise State at Air Force at Colorado State Fresno State San Diego State at Nevada
New Mexico State Aggies 2015-16 Date Nov. 13 Nov. 15 Nov. 18 Nov. 21 Nov. 24 Nov. 28 Dec. 2 Dec. 5 Dec. 13 Dec. 16 Dec. 19 Dec. 21 Dec. 23 Dec. 28 Jan. 2 Jan. 7 Jan. 9 Jan. 14 Jan. 16 Jan. 21 Jan. 23 Jan. 30 Feb. 4 Feb. 6 Feb. 13 Feb. 18 Feb. 20 Feb. 27 Mar. 5
Opponent Houston Baptist New Mexico Tenn Tech Miss Valley St Robert Morris at Air Force UTEP at LBSU Wyoming at New Mexico at UTEP Oral Roberts at Baylor at Wichita State at UC Irvine at Utah Valley at Grand Canyon UMKC Chicago State at Seattle at CSU Bakersfield UT-Rio Grande Grand Canyon Utah Valley at Chicago State CSU Bakersfield Seattle at UMKC at UT-Rio Grande
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WES RAyBURN - SOPHOMORE PIEDRA VISTA HIGH SCHOOL
vorite at whatever class he decides to wrestle.
AVERy SCOTT - JUNIOR BLOOMFIELD HIGH SCHOOL
Although he wrestled last season at a diminutive 132 pounds, Rayburn has some big shoes to fill. Gone from the Panther wrestling team are two-time state champions Philip Archuleta and Sam Sandoval, as well as five-time champion Anthony Juckes, who is off to Wyoming.
Scott enters to 2015-2016 wrestling season as one to watch after losing in the state finals last season to Robertson’s Joseph Griego.
While Rayburn can’t duplicate Juckes’ five titles, he appears to be on his way to the next best thing. Rayburn finished second as an eighth grader and won the title last season at 132. He should be a strong fa-
The junior will be expected to keep up a strong tradition of Bobcat wrestling where they have been the dominant squad in their district since leaving what is now 1AAAAA.
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Community
continued from
14 One thing about the San Juan County community is that it is always there in times of need, and for the Rowher family it was no different. More than one hundred people, including the 70 participants, attended the event. The All Sports Golf Tournament raised a large portion of the funds needed to help with the Rohwers’ expenses and, according to Rayburn and Sharp; hopefully it will become an annual family event. “This time it was for Shadd, but there is always someone in need,” Sharp said.” We hope to make this an annual event that just gets bigger and better.” If you would like to help with the Rowhers’ there is an account set up at Wells Fargo under the “Shadd Rohwer Donation Account. If you would like to plan an event at Civitan Golf Course – from a fundraising tournament to glow golf, nighttime Frisbee golf, to foot golf – contact Rick at Civitan at 505.599.1194 or email rhoerner@yahoo.com
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IS SCARING A SPORT? FHS, Theater Ensemble Arts haunted house will have you sprinting from home The sport of scaring people will be offered later this month when Farmington High School joins forces with Theater Ensemble Arts to present Xtreme Terror II: The Evil Within. This interactive haunted house is being produced jointly by FHS Drama, Sociedad Latina and Theater Ensemble Arts, and will carry on the tradition that began last year of offering a fright-filled event for Halloween. The scripted, theatrical extravaganza provides a frightening interactive, walkthrough play based on the popular video game, “The Evil Within.” Scores of actors will portray characters that guide people through the old Haywire
building, at the corner of Airport Drive and Main Street. FHS students and Theater Ensemble Arts volunteers have spent the past few months turning the 10,000-square-foot building into an insane asylum that has been taken over by a maniacal killer. Face the killer and other inmates – if you dare – at Xtreme Terror II. The performance will run from 7 p.m. to midnight Oct. 23-24, and from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Oct. 29. It will be open from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Oct. 30-31. Tickets are $10 per person. For more information, call 505.326.2839.
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BOdyBuILdING and
POWERLIFTING PV alum Ryan Ruybalid sets state junior division deadlift record Story by Dorothy Nobis | Courtesy photos Local Farmington resident and Piedra Vista High School wrestling alum, Ryan Ruybalid, has used his experience lifting weights to springboard a new passion – a passion for powerlifting and bodybuilding. At just 20 years of age, he now owns the New Mexico Junior Division record in the 148-pound weight class with a deadlift of 445 pounds. Yes, you read that correctly – Ruybalid lifted three times his own body weight. “I am just so proud of him,” said his mother, Melissa. “I admire the time and dedication he has put forth. He amazes me with what he accomplishes every day.”
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“In my first meet I deadlifted 435 pounds, which was a state record,” explained Ruybalid. “But since I didn’t know what the record was and I didn’t tell anyone when I registered that I was going for the state record, I didn’t get credit for it. This year in Roswell, I told them I was going to attempt it so I got credit for it when I lifted 445 (pounds).”
The personal trainer at Gym Lou’s and the accounting major at San Juan College has his sights set on many more state records as he is preparing for his next competition. “My next meet is at the Phoenix Europa in October,” said Ruybalid. “I am looking at setting state records in the squat and deadlift in Arizona.”
For the time being, Ruybalid is enjoying the competitive side of powerlifting and bodybuilding while getting a degree in accounting and sharing his passion for physical fitness and lifting weights with his clients at Gym Lou’s on Broadway. That passion is directing his future as well.
The four-time state placer in high school wrestling never won an individual state championship, but he uses that as motivation with everything he does today. “I always have a fire burning inside me to be the best – even though I can never quite get there.” Once he graduated from high school, Ruybalid took to weight lifting for fun and started learning the finer points of the sport of powerlifting. “I just love competition,” said Ruybalid. “Then I started learning about the bodybuilding and powerlifting competitions and fell in love with it.”
His first powerlifting competition was a huge success in May of 2014 where he broke the New Mexico state deadlift record in his weight class without even knowing it.
“I want to own and run my own gym,” stated Ruybalid. “I am going to school for my degree in accounting so hopefully I will be able to get a good job out of college and be able to save up so I can own and run my own gym efficiently.” For the time being, Ruybalid will have to settle for constant improvement and breaking more powerlifting records.
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$24,000 RAISED FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE Annual Race to Educate draws more than 300 participants Story by Tom Yost | Courtesy photos
The 4th Annual Race 2 Educate benefiting the Foundation for Educational Excellence was September 26. The 5k walk and run, 10k run and the half marathon hosted 307 participants raising more than $24,000. Joe Gomez won the Men’s Half Marathon with a time of 1 hour, 25 minutes and 9 seconds, while Danielle Ferrell won on the women’s side with a time of 1 hour, 35 minutes and 33 seconds. In the 10k, a fifth grader from Country Club Elementary won the Men’s Division. Jacob Nelson averaged a 7-minute mile en route to a winning time of 43 minutes and 43 seconds. Race coordinator and president of the Foundation for Educational Excellence, Allison Cahoon won the women’s side with a time of 48 minutes and 30 seconds. In the 5k, Sebastian Hogue won the men’s race with a time of 19:41 while Denise Bonati won the women’s race with a time of 22:54.
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“The race was a big success,” explained Cahoon. “I am extremely happy that we raised enough money to reach our goal and that we had 100 more participants than last year’s race.” Among those participanting, were students from Farmington Municipal School District who got to run the race free. “Tibbetts Middle School had the most students in attendance and won the traveling trophy which was won by Ladera Elementary last year,” said Cahoon. The Foundation for Educational Excellence is constantly looking for donations from local community members and businesses to support such programs such as mini grant programs, the Red Apple Teacher Reimbursement Program and the Graduating Senior Scholarship Program. “We couldn’t have had the success we did if it wasn’t for our sponsors and volunteers,” said Cahoon. “BP and Walsh Engineering were our title sponsors and the list of our other sponsors and supporters is too great to list, but we are extremely appreciative of them all.” The 5th Annual Race 2 Educate is already on the calendar for September 24, 2016 as the Foundation for Educational Excellence is looking to grow even larger to support Farmington Municipal School educational programs. And Cahoon and the Foundation Board of Directors is confident that their success will continue. “We are looking to raise twice as much money for ever-increasing funding needs.”
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Fall golf season coming to a close in the Driving competition registering points.
As we are winding down the season for golf and heading into the winter sports season, I want to take the time to thank everyone who made 2015 such a memorable year for The First Tee of San Juan County, Nm. While our programs continue to grow and the demand increases countywide, it is through the generosity of so many local businesses and individual volunteers who give so much of their time to give our organization such as impact of the youth in our community. And while the list is too long to fit into an article, a heartfelt thank you goes out to those that gave of themselves this year…you know who you are!
massey finishes 5th in San Diego The First Tee of San Juan County, Nm is extremely lucky to work with the youth in San
TomYOST The First Tee
Juan County, but occasionally one of our participants goes above and beyond our highest expectations. That individual participant, Sebastian massey, returned home to Farmington with a 5th Place finish in the Regional Qualifier of the 2016 Drive Chip and Putt. Competing in the 1011 year old boys division, massey advanced through local qualifying in Albuquerque by winning his division, and then advanced through the sub-regional in Denver by finishing in second place. on September 19, massey competed in the regional qualifier at the famed Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, Calif. in hopes of qualifying for the national championship at Augusta National Golf Club the Sunday before The 2016 masters. massey started off on fire by making his first two putts and scoring 55 points in the Putting competition. He ended the competition well by scoring 34, with all three of his drives
The Chipping competition had competitors hitting shots out of the rough to a steeply sloped green with the hole at the bottom of the slope. This part of the competition was what eventually eliminated massey from contention – as well as three-quarters of the competing field. Even in defeat, massey and family had a wonderful time competing, playing golf at Torrey Pines and visiting Sea World. Congratulations for making us proud, Sebastian!
High school golf completes the fall season The High School golf teams in San Juan County have wrapped up their fall seasons on the links and will take a long winter break before preparation begins for the spring season and the 2016 NmAA State Championships. on the team front, Piedra Vista High School varsity boys continued their recent tradition of great play, by earning enough qualifying legs to earn a spot in the 2016 5A State Championships at their home course, Piñon Hills Golf Course. No other team, on the boys and girls side, from the area has earned a leg for state as of yet. on the individual side, Zack Holesinger and meghan Graff from Farmington High School and Linda Peralta from Aztec High School have already earned their spot in the 2016 5A State Championship. With countless other individuals – boys and girls from PVHS, Aztec, Kirtland and Shiprock – also earning at least one of the three required legs for state. Congratulations to all the hard working high school student athletes who are reaching for their goals every time they stick the tee in the ground.
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