| 10 | Athletic Directors
content
The job of a high school athletic director requires a specific type of individual. This individual must be able to multi-task, be knowledgeable on multiple sports, and most importantly, be a mentor to the student athletes.
|6|
| 15 | 10 Questions
Competitive gymnastics returns
with Frankie Reddy
| 16 | Fall Sports Review
Competitive gymnastics has returned to San Juan County after 13 years.
A third of the prep sports season is in the books and District 1AAAA was dominated by the Piedra Vista and Farmington with the city schools claiming all six of the district championship trophies.
| 40 | ‘Phenomenal season’ | 20 |
The 2013 Four Corners Young American Football League, or YAFL, season came to a close this past October in what could only be called a “phenomenal season.”
Drag strip becoming a reality When 22-year-old Heather McGaughey was killed by a young man drag racing on 20th Street in Farmington in July 2005, her death created a ripple effect throughout San Juan County.
| 42 | Football and
| 24 |
| 44 | School spirit
warm weather Walking the metroplex area that is the Four Corners, every team in the NFL spectrum has fans. Occasionally, even the rare Bills or Browns fan can be seen sporting gear.
Marching band – it is an activity that takes teamwork, physical fitness and beauty, rolling them up into one perfect package that entertains while promoting school spirit.
Football for a good cause The New Mexico Miners had a great time Nov. 23 with the second annual Toys for Tots exhibition game at Navajo Preparatory School.
| 46 | Marett retires When Lee Marett stepped onto the football field at Heights Middle School in mid-October to play Hermosa Middle School for the Basin Middle School Championship, he knew it would be his last as the Head Football Coach.
| 28 | Defense wins championships In 1952, Coach Lou Cullen had a football philosophy – “Three yards and a cloud of dust.”
| 48 | Winter sports Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort is in full swing this winter season after opening on Nov. 29.
| 50 | Dog sledding The Durango Dog Ranch has offered commercial dog sledding for 18 years, allowing participants to glide through the snow and enjoy the scenic views.
December 2013
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FROM THE
EDITOR
Don Vaughan PuBLISHER
America’s game takes center stage
Cindy Cowan Thiele EDITOR
Winning a state football championship is not something you do in one season, nor is just one person responsible. Granted, you have to win the games during the season but preparation and planning begins months and even years earlier. Football Coach Lou Holtz put it this way, “Your talent determines what you can do. Your motivation determines how much you are willing to do. Your attitude determines how well you do it.” The Farmington High School Scorpions know this all too well. Their 4A state title win a few weeks ago was a cooperative effort between the talented team, coaches, teachers, administration and the community. That perfect marriage of talent and timing doesn’t happen every day. In fact, the last time it happed in Farmington was in 1952. This issue not only honors that team but also America’s favorite sport. Besides the state champs, we’ve got sto-
Lauren Seip Debra Mayeux Rick Hoerner Tom Yost Dorothy Nobis CONTRIBuTING WRITERS
Josh Bishop Curtis Ray Benally CONTRIBuTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Suzanne Thurman Jennifer Hargrove Michael Billie DESIGNERS
DeYan Valdez Shelly Acosta Aimee Velasquez SALES STAFF
ries from retiring coaches, YAFL, the pros, and the New Mexico Miners. Why do Americans love football so much? There are numerous other sports to which our country could all devote our time, but most of us don’t. Vince Lombardi adds that “Football is like life, it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority. If it doesn’t matter who wins or loses, then why do they keep score?” It is uniquely American. What we call football the rest of the world calls American Football. Many Americans feel it mirrors America’s struggle for greatness in the sense that when you get knocked down you just get right back up and continue the fight. In that sense it is like life. It’s rough, tough, suspenseful, exciting, emotional and – no matter how bad the weather is – you keep playing.
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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. © 2013 Four Corners Sports magazine.
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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
covercredit Photography by Josh Bishop
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Wiggle and Jiggle offers classes for ages 2 through adult Story by Debra Mayeux Photos by Josh Bishop Competitive gymnastics has returned to San Juan County after 13 years. the opportunity sprung out of the opening of Wiggle and Jiggle at 1601 N. Dustin Ave., Building F, where Frankie reddy developed Wiggle and Jiggle as a parent-child interaction program to develop fine motor skills in children. “Parents interact with children using sounds, music and noises,” she said. “We also use bubbles, parachutes and balls.” reddy, a former competitive gymnast, moved the Wiggle and Jiggle
program into the building that once housed Brookside Gymnastics, and she thought about offering gymnastic classes. “I’ve always had a passion for gymnastics,” she said. Parents were interested in their children learning gymnastics, so reddy began offering classes. the program grew and she began offering classes for students age 2 through adults. Farmington Gymnastics Academy was opened and reddy along with staff became licensed members of USA gymnastics. It helped that her location was built in 1978 for gymnastics by Hemo Walters, a former gymnastics coach in the region. Walters established Hemo Walters Gymnastics in 1976, and he and his wife, Peggy, trained more than
two dozen state champions. Walters was a gymnast throughout high school and college, and in 1976 he competed in an olympic qualifying meet with Nadia Comaneci. Walters did not make the team, and returned to Farmington to train young athletes. He trained Neil Merrion, who later taught reddy with the help of Walters. “Frankie was just a little girl, and Neil asked for my help,” Walters said. “I went over to his gym to teach. I saw Frankie, and I thought she had a lot of talent.” A German gymnast during a “goodwill” game gave Walters a silver olympic coin from the 1972 games in Munich. “I gave that coin to Frankie for encouragement. I told her if she rubbed it, it would give her good luck,” he said. “She tells me she is still rubbing I, and it brings her luck.”
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Walters said he is happy to see a new gymnastics facility opened in Farmington. “I think this is wonderful. I always thought gymnastics was one of the greatest sports for guys, and it’s even better for girls. They can be very competitive and still look so feminine,” he said. Reddy added that she enjoys seeing Walters, who drops in to say, “Hi,” every now and then. When Reddy began building a training facility she received a lot of community support. Merrion donated equipment to her endeavor, and parents began signing their children up for lessons. “People are so excited to have this here,” Reddy said. “The community has been so excited about the gymnastics academy.” Reddy not only began training competitors, she also provides gymnastics to several members of local sports teams, including the Kelly Greens and local cheerleaders, the Color Guard, wrestlers, divers and track students. “We do have ballet too, for our teenage girls,” she said. Reddy also is training four Level 3 gymnasts to compete in girl’s gymnastics competitions across the state. The girls are Svea Robinson, 7; Joslyn Smith, 8; Brooklyn Calder, 8; and Jenevea Fiske, 10. She said they are committed and apply themselves 100 percent. Their first competition was Saturday, Oct. 26, in Santa Fe. Fiske, who competed against other 10-year-old students, placed first in all-round gymnastics. Robinson, competing in the 7 and under age group, placed second in all-around gymnastics. Robinson said she likes to compete. “I like getting first place.” She did just that in the group’s second competition on Nov. 16 in Rio Rancho, where Robinson placed first on the beam, which she admitted is not her favorite. “I like the bars and the vault. I like swinging,” she said.
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Robinson did receive two third-place rankings at the Rio Rancho meet for her vault and bar exercises. She earned a second on floor exercise and claimed a second place in all-around in her age category. Calder and Smith both competed against other 8-year-old gymnasts. Calder enjoys gymnastics, and began competing so she could travel. She has been a gymnast for a few years. “I like to do all of these flips and tumble,” she said. She received a fourth-place ranking at both the Santa Fe and Rio Rancho meet, leading her to say, “Four is my lucky number.” She also earned a first place on her vault at Santa Fe. Smith placed fifth in all-around gymnastics in Santa Fe, and received a fourth-place in all-around at Rio Rancho. “I thought gymnastics was going to be fun, and it is. I like doing flips,” she said, adding floor exercise is her favorite. Smith enjoys competing, because of the team spirit. “I like how the other teams don’t make fun of you if you do something wrong,” she said. “Our girls did great for their very first competition,” Reddy said. “I'm really proud of them.” The girls’ parents also are pleased with the program. “It teaches them a lot of discipline. We’ve seen them grow,” said Kristy Robinson, Svea’s mom. “It’s amazing the progress we have seen,” Joslyn’s mom, Martha Smith, added. The teams next competition will be Jan. 18 in Albuquerque.
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DonLORETT Farmington High School
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Mentoring, teaching, budgeting, Multi-tasking Athletic Directors have lots of responsibilities, love of kids and sports by Lauren Seip | photos by Josh Bishop The job of a high school athletic director requires a specific type of individual. This individual must be able to multi-task, be knowledgeable on multiple sports, and most importantly, be a mentor to the student athletes. Don Lorett at Farmington High School, Kelly Thur at Piedra Vista High School, Steve Scott at Bloomfield High School, and Dean Hill at Aztec High School have found their jobs as athletic directors rewarding, but also time-consuming.
cession stands, overseeing the athletic department’s budget, and inspiring young athletes to achieve their dreams.
Since becoming the athletic director, Lorett has seen several former student athletes return to FHS to coach.
“It is a challenging job, but I think that is what I find appealing,” Lorett explained. “Every day brings new challenges and allows you to work with great people to find answers for those situations and resolve them.”
Lorett was a student athlete at FHS, playing baseball and basketball, so it is a unique experience to work with the coaches who were once student athletes he said.
Lorett has been the athletic director at FHS for four years, but he has been an educator and baseball coach at the school for more than 25 years.
“Since I have taken over, I always try to make it about the coaches and kids and never about me. I just help those guys come through as coaches and try to share that with the young people. It’s a unique opportunity. I’m grateful to be at FHS where I have a lot of ties.”
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Thur has been the athletic director at Piedra Vista for five years. Before that, he coached golf at Aztec High School and was a football and basketball coach at Shiprock High School.
KellyTHUR Piedra Vista High School
While an athletic director has numerous responsibilities and the must be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Thur said it is worth it. “My favorite part about the job is watching the student athletes learn their life lessons during competitions – how to maintain integrity and be graceful in their success as well.” As far as what the future holds for Piedra Vista’s athletic department, Thur said, “The long-term goals are to continue the progress we are making and for our kids to learn that if they have character and integrity, then the winning and success fall into place.”
CONGRATULATIONS FARMINGTON SCORPIONS FOOTBALL! Debra Mayeux, 1989 FHS Graduate
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December 2013
Helping students build character is also a goal for the Bloomfield High School athletic department, said Scott, who has been the athletic director for two years. “the thing I want our coaches to get across is to build character and give them life-long skills they can use day to day.”
SteveSCOTT Bloomfield High School
Scott will attend almost every home game, cheering on the student athletes. “I think the best part is watching the kids in competition. that is a great thrill and it is fun to go out and see them compete. I have been in athletics all my life and that is what it is about.” But while attending the home games is an exciting aspect of an athletic director’s job, Scott said it also requires many hours. “I have great admiration for anyone who goes into the profession because of the amount of hours it takes to do it. It is not uncommon for the athletic director to put in 12 to 15 hours a day to fulfill the duties of the job.”
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Hill has been the athletic director at aztec High School since September, and even though he has just begun this job, he agrees it can be hectic. “It is time consuming, but I have had time consuming jobs in the past,” he explained.
DeanHILL aztec High School
Hill has been the principal, vice principal and a teacher at aztec High School and the superintendent of the Bayfield School District in Colorado. When the former athletic director at aztec High School retired, Hill thought this was a perfect opportunity to take over the athletic department. “This is the only place in administration I haven’t been in. I have always enjoyed the athletic portion of school and it is a great motivating factor for students.” In the future, Hill said he would like to continue the “tradition of Tiger sports” and continue to see more quality coaching. “I do believe we have a great quality coaching staff and I want to continue that. aztec is a wonderful place to work because this community supports their sports greater than any other community I have been in.”
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FrAnkIeREDDY Frankie reddy, owner of Wiggle & Jiggle Gym and Farmington Gymnastics Academy
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What has the response been to the opening of Wiggle & Jiggle Gym, which focuses on the sport of gymnastics? We have had a very positive and enthusiastic response to the opening of Wiggle & Jiggle. the support from our community soon lead to the addition of Farmington Gymnastics Academy, or FGA.
2
What type of training and dedication goes into creating an award-winning gymnast? the gymnast must apply themselves by being 100 percent committed and dedicated to their training. We, as coaches at FGA, provide safe and quality gymnastics to our athletes that are fun. It is up to the gymnast to take the skills that we teach them and apply them. Determination, positive attitude, focus, good sportsmanship, perseverance, confidence make an award-winning gymnast.
3
Is there a focus on diet as well as practice? there has been a lot of focus on the way olympic gymnasts, particularly the female gymnasts, eat. Yes. FGA does encourage healthy eating habits for our athletes. I don’t like to call this a “diet” but instead healthy habits. It is very important for athletes to fuel their bodies through proper nutrition and eating patterns. this is crucial for optimal physical and mental performance. Gymnasts’ energy levels are higher, focus is better and their bodies are stronger during training.
4
In San Juan County has gymnastics been more popular with boys or girls, and what are the age groups that seem to be participating? Gymnastics has been more popular with girls, but our boy’s program is growing every year. We see many boys interested in the strength, flexibility, coordination and balance gymnastics provides to help enhance their other sports – such as wrestling, track, football – as well as just being fun! FGA offers classes for students as young as 2 years through adulthood.
5
How many gymnasts from Wiggles and Jiggles compete? Farmington Gymnastics Academy currently has four level 3 gymnasts on the girls’ competitive team – Svea robinson, 7; Joslyn Smith, 8; Brooklyn Calder, 8 and Jenevea Fiske, 10. this is the girls first year competing, and it is also Farmington’s first competitive gymnastics team in over 10 years.
6
What goes into a gymnastics competition – such as time spent training, preparing and training for types of routines? competition requires hard work. A minimum of 7 to 9 hours a week of training is required. our training program is composed of many elements, including stretching, tumbling, drills, circuits, strength and conditioning exercises, as well as ballet. Competition routines and skills are learned by gymnasts who strive for perfection through practice, practice and more practice.
7
Are there different levels of competition for which the gymnasts prepare?
Farmington Gymnastics Academy offers many different levels for recreational gymnastics. We place students in classes according to the skills they have mastered. As students continue to master new skills with proper technique, they are moved to other classes accordingly. In competitive gymnastics, there are 10 levels. the gymnasts move up in levels as their skills earn them scores which qualify them for the next level. What do the students get out of the competition?
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Working toward a meet gives gymnasts goals to reach for as they continually strive to perfect their skills and performances. Students gain confidence in themselves as they recognize their abilities and progress. While participating in meets, gymnasts are also inspired by the opportunity of observing and interacting with other gymnasts. Does gymnastics prepare these students for 9 other challenges in life? And how? Gymnastics helps prepare students for other challenges in life by building and instilling in them the knowledge and confidence that through hard work and determination they are able to achieve whatever they set out do.
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Why did you think a gym focused on gymnastics was needed in this community?
the lack of physical activity among our population not only in adults, but also in children, has become a major health concern. Gymnastics is an entertaining way to help develop and improve strength, flexibility, coordination, endurance, and all around conditioning while having a great time!
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CrossCOUNTRY Piedra Vista High school
Fall Sports in Review PV, FHs dominate; claim all 6 district championship trophies by rick Hoerner | courtesy photos A third of the prep sports season is in the books and District 1AAAA was dominated by the Piedra Vista and Farmington with the city schools claiming all six of the district championship trophies. At the state level, the highlight of the year was the Farmington scorpion football team
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winning the 4A state championship. The scorpions used an old school approach of tough defense and a solid running game to take the second title in three years for District 1AAAA and the first in six decades for Farmington. Piedra Vista volleyball and Aztec soccer reached the finals while PV boys cross country finished in third.
December 2013
Football The Farmington scorpion football team ashed its muscle this season running their way to their ďŹ rst district title in a decade and a No. 2 seeding in the state playoffs. This year District 1AAAA was very competitive with Aztec coming back to the pack and an
inconsistent but talented Piedra Vista team capable on any given night. Kirtland Central was much improved. Despite having a 0-3 district campaign, the Broncos were competitive and posted a winning non-district season.
matchup sweeping PV and another district title. Farmington was the only team in the district to make the state playoffs. The Scorpion run ended earlier than expected with a loss to No. 6 Los Alamos in the quarterfinals 1-0.
The district title came down to a crosstown clash between Farmington and Piedra Vista. The Scorpions were superior on both the offensive and defensive lines, leading Farmington to a 21-6 win over the Panthers. Both Farmington and Piedra Vista qualified for the state playoffs with a chance of meeting again in the state quarterfinals. However, it was not to be for PV, as they lost a 17-point lead to Valencia.
The district girls’ race may have been the most competitive district race of any sport in a long time. Every night one game seemed to end in overtime or on penalty kicks. Farmington escaped with the district title and, along with Aztec, received top three seeds from the committee. Piedra Vista also snuck in at No. 11 placing all three teams on the same side of the bracket. The Panthers upset Los Alamos in the first
Farmington High School met up with Valencia in the quarters and came away with a 28-7 win. The Scorpion running game has been dominating with Austin Foutz, Tyler Blades and the tough running Brian Farley. Farmington then hosted No. 3 Belen in the state semifinals winning a tough defensive contest 14-7. Coach Gary Bradley made a gutsy call for the Scorpions, going for it on fourth and goal with the score tied at 7-7. Brian Farley made the gamble pay off with a 3-yard touchdown plunge putting the Scorpions in the state championship match against No. 1 Goddard. The Scorpions won their first state championship in 62 years in a hard fought 7-0 win over the Rockets Final District Standings: 1. Farmington 2. Piedra Vista 3. Aztec 4. Kirtland
Volleyball On the court the Piedra Vista volleyball team was as good as expected. The Panthers rolled through the non-district season, right through district play and swept Aztec for the district championship after the Tigers shocked Farmington in the semi-finals.
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As expected, Farmington was greatly improved this season and finished as the district runner-up behind PV. The Scorpions were rated as high as No. 4 in the regular season, but the district tournament loss to Aztec dropped them back to a No. 7 seed. At the state tournament both Aztec and Farmington qualified through pool play, along with PV, that swept their pool. While the Tigers and Scorpions fell, No. 1 Piedra Vista reached the finals for second year in a row with a 3-0 sweep over Espanola, followed up by a 3-1 victory over Centennial. Saturday heartbreak followed for the second time as the Panthers fell to Goddard 3-1 in the finals. Final District Standings: 1. Piedra Vista 2. Aztec 3. Farmington 4. Kirtland
Soccer On the boys side the District soccer race came down to Piedra Vista and Farmington with the Scorpions again getting the better of the
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round, setting up a district rematch with no. 3 aztec. The Tigers knocked off PV in a close contest followed by another district rematch with Farmington assuring a district team in the finals. aztec moved on with a 3-1 victory over the scorpions before falling to top seeded st. Pius 2-1 in the finals.
aztec and Piedra Vista. PV’s Paris Chee was the runaway winner over the rest of the field with Panthers Payton Kee and Cassie Crowell coming in 2nd and 3rd.
Boys’ Final standings: 1. Farmington 2. Piedra Vista 3. aztec
With four local teams finishing in the no. 4 spot at state, only the Piedra Vista boys brought home the hardware, finishing third behind national powers Los alamos and albuquerque academy. individually, Timberlin Henderson and Harrison Fleming led the PV boys, finishing 9th and 10th, while in 3a shiprock’s shawvan Levi finished 2nd.
Girls’ Final standings 1. Farmington 2. aztec 3. Piedra Vista 4. Kirtland
Boys’ Final standings: 1. Piedra Vista 2. Kirtland Central 3. Farmington 4. aztec
Cross Country There were no surprises in the district cross country championships. it was a complete sweep for Piedra Vista. The boys’ team scored a perfect 15 placing all 5 qualifying runners in the top five positions. The Panthers were led by Harrison Fleming and Tim Henderson, who came down the stretch well ahead of the pack. on the girls’ side the top 10 spots belonged to
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Girls’ Predictions 1. Piedra Vista 2. aztec 3. Kirtland Central 4. Farmington The winter sports season is underway. Get out and enjoy the great weather and take in some games.
December 2013
HarrisonFLEMING Piedra Vista High school
December 2013
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Drag strip
becoming a reality Story by Dorothy Nobis Photo by Josh Bishop
Porter Smith Raceway is currently under construction When 22-year-old Heather McGaughey was killed by a young man drag racing on 20th Street in Farmington in July 2005, her death created a ripple effect throughout San Juan County. An aspiring actress who was one of the stars of the city of Farmington’s Sandstone
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Productions South Pacific, McGaughey had made an impact on the community in the short time she had been in Farmington. Her death touched many lives, including that of Kerry Meier, director of the San Juan College Automotive Technology Program. Meier, the late Joyce Donald of the local Bet-
December 2013
ter Business Bureau and Dr. James Henderson, who was serving as a San Juan County Commissioner, met with other city and county officials in August 2008, to discuss building a drag strip. The unofficial committee, which also included representatives of the local drag racing
community, hoped to build a racing strip to provide young people a safe environment for their drag racing and, they hoped, to prevent another tragedy like McGaughey’s. The search for an appropriate parcel of land for the track included land near Safety City, north of Kirtland, and Bureau of Land Management land, located about 16 miles south of Bloomfield on U.S. 550. According to media accounts, backers of the project, including Meier, intended to build the drag strip within a fiveyear period. Fast forward to November 2013. The dream of having a drag strip is, finally, becoming a reality. The Porter Smith Raceway is currently under construction, with volunteers moving more acres of dirt than any of them care to remember. Members of the Four Corners Drag
Racing Association, or FCDRA, are doing the work. “The (Bill and Patricia) Smith family donated 38 acres to us for the track,” said Paul James, a retired real estate appraiser and a member of the FCDRA board. “We have a 30-year lease, with a 30-year renewal – and there’s more land available if we need it.” The land, located on the Sims Mesa Road near Gobernador, is being leveled and compacted, and the work is all being done by volunteers. James and FCDRA members Glen Cockrell, Phil Emig and Tim Payne are at the site three to five days a week, James said, with other volunteers joining them when time and weather permits. Once the track is completed, which depends on future fundraising events, it will include pits
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for the race cars, grandstands, restrooms, and concession stands. Timing equipment is promised and fencing materials and lights for the track area and pits have been donated, James said. A generator was donated, rebuilt and is ready to go, and lights for the track have also been promised. Those donations are appreciated, James said, but he added that money is needed to complete the track. Several ideas about raising the more than $1 million needed for paving the track are being discussed and the association is hoping to kick off its first fundraiser in the spring of 2014. The track isn’t on any of the sites considered in 2005-2006, James explained. Logistics, costs and other considerations prompted the association to look at other land – and that is
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when the Smith family decided to get involved. “The Smith family wanted to see this facility become a reality,” said Kerry Meier. “Our contact was with Bill and, after we met with him about the possibilities, he proposed it to his family.” “The Smiths are generous, community minded people and they wanted to help economic development in Rio Arriba County,” Meier continued. “They also felt strongly about the need to give kids of all ages a place to drag race legally. They recognized the extreme dangers involved in illegal street racing and believed that having this track would help reduce that activity.” The land is in Rio Arriba County and, on April 26, 2012, the Rio Arriba County Commission accepted the association’s plan for drainage and approved the final plans for the track, Meier added. “Rio Arriba sees this project as a positive thing for its county and the area,” Meier explained. “They were supportive because it is an opportunity for family centered activities. They saw our plans and saw the value of what we are trying to do. They expect to see some economic benefits from the track.”
Meier is confident the track will be good for the area. “It will give many of the area street racers a place to legally and safely race their vehicles,” he said. “And it will, in the long run, contribute to the economy of the area. Drag race teams will travel substantial distances to compete, and the typical race event will last two to three days.” “Many of the teams will stay in hotels or campgrounds and they’ll buy gasoline, food, auto parts and find entertainment,” Meier added. “This track, when completed, will have the potential of attracting teams from Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and beyond. And it will give youth from 8 to 80 the opportunity to exercise their horsepower in a family friendly environment while meeting the most stringent safety rules possible.” While the track will be a destination point for drag racers and their fans, the track won’t be the only attraction when it is completed. Sims Mesa is also a recreation area for Navajo Lake State Park. Doug McKim, Region Manager for New Mexico State Parks, believes the track and the Sims Mesa Campground will complement each other. “It will be a neat opportunity for
people to go to the track and enjoy camping at the Sims Campground,” McKim said. “We have more than 40 campsites and a boat ramp, so I hope the track will increase the number of visitors we have at Sims.” With the campground and the lake less than 10 miles from the track, McKim thinks the location will be a win-win for the track and the park. Linda Cossum is a longtime fan of drag racing. “I’m excited drag racing is coming to the Four Corners,” Cossum said. “There is such a rush of excitement to hear the roar of the engines and the smell of the fuel. Then, as the racers fly by past you, you feel even more a part of the race.” “I used to go to the March (races) in Bakersfield (Calif.) and I can’t wait to experience this again.” Cossum added. “There is also the bonus of bringing more income to the area. When the track is completed, the members of the Four Corners Drag Racing Association hope that more drag racers will take advantage of the fun and the safety of racing on a safe track in a safe environment. “Our whole purpose is to give the kids a safe place to exercise their horsepower,” Meier said.
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Football For a good cause New Mexico Miners raise money for kids; season begins in February
Story by Debra Mayeux | Photos by Josh Bishop The New Mexico Miners had a great time Nov. 23 with the second annual Toys for Tots exhibition game at Navajo Preparatory School.
“Anything we can do to give back to kids in the community, we do,” said Erik Stance, team owner, who plays defensive nose guard. “The Miners love the kids. That’s what it’s all about.”
The New Mexico Miners had a great time Nov. 23 with the second annual Toys for Tots exhibition game at Navajo Preparatory School. “Anything we can do to give back to kids in the community, we do,” said Erik Stance, team owner, who plays defensive nose guard. “The Miners love the kids. That’s what it’s all about.” The Miners have played as a team for four years. Prior to that, the football organization was known as the Roughnecks. The team is made up of players who are 18 years old or older and have other jobs.
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“Most of the guys work in the oilfield or construction,” Linebacker Lee Blodgett said. “It’s a solid group of guys that are here.”
who want to play after high school,” Stance said. “It’s an opportunity for the guys to reach that next level of the football dream.”
The men meet up on weekends or sometimes Wednesday evenings for practice, and then they play other semi-professional teams from across the state.
For some it is a hobby, for others the team could be a stepping stone to greater opportunities. Running Back Lamar Edwards moved to Farmington from Florida in search of a new life and new opportunities. He started playing for the Miners, and they became his surrogate family. When not playing football, Edwards works night security and has a job at Arby’s. His dream, however, is to move onto the state’s arena league and maybe even professional football.
“It takes dedication, loyalty and hard work, but it pays off,” Stance said. They work with coaches Mike and Chris Kovacks, who coach at Navajo Prep. The Toys for Tots game was played against the Shiprock Sand Vipers. The Miners shut out the Vipers with a 54-to-0 win. “We really tried not to be too competitive. The guys were having a good time, making the game about the cause of Toys for Tots,” said Jasmine Carpenter, team manager. The game raised more than $200 in cash donations and more than 150 toys for the Toys for Tots program in San Juan County. The next benefit game the Miners played was Dec. 7 at Chinle High School in Chinle, Ariz., where a few of the players grew up. The funds raised from the game will go to help the family of Charles Youvella, a football player from Hopi High School, who died after playing a game at his high school. “The family has had a lot of ex-
“I leave my fate in God’s hands. Whatever he has in store for me, I will do,” Edwards said.
penses, and we wanted to help,” Carpenter said.
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The Miners share the spirit of giving with the game they love, according to Stance, who said he bought the team two years ago to keep semi-professional football in the community. He wanted to offer a sports outlet for men in the area. “We keep football around for the guys
Edwards is just one of the many great players on the team. “People don’t realize the great athletes that we have around here,” Blodgett said. He’s been with the team for seven years, and said every one of the Miners knows that “family is first, and life is first.” The Miners’ season begins the end of February and the schedule for 2014 should include 15 games.
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1952SCORPIONS Farmington High School
Defense wins championships Similarities abound between 1952, 2013 championship teams by Debra Mayeux | photos by Josh Bishop In 1952, Coach Lou Cullen had a football philosophy – “Three yards and a cloud of dust.”
win – its first championship title in 61 years.
Cullen encouraged his players to run the ball for first downs, because that would prevent interceptions. “The other team couldn’t score if they didn’t have the ball,” said Danny Beyhan, a 1953 graduate of Farmington High School, who played football on the 1952 Scorpion Championship team.
“I was so excited,” said Beyhan, who listened to the game on the radio. He didn’t want to be at the 2013 championship for fear of jinxing the outcome. What he heard on the broadcast sounded similar to his memories of 1952. “On defense, this year’s team only gave up six points a game. We gave up six and seven-tenths a game.”
Beyhan believes Coach Gary Bradley’s philosophy is the same as Cullen’s, and that is what led Farmington’s football team to the Dec. 7
Brian Farley, a 17-year-old senior playing running back and linebacker, said the 2013 Scorpion Football team focused on their defense.
Winning touchdown pass.
“We didn’t have high scoring games,” he said. “It was like Coach Bradley says, ‘Defense wins championships.’” The Scorps managed to hold Roswell’s Goddard High School to nothing with a 7-0 win. “That’s a special thing when defense can do that,” Farley said. It takes a tight-knit team to work together and overcome the odds presented by the 2013 Scorpion Football team. It was a small group of teens – 27 players – who had to take on Roswell’s team of 44 to win the
more pictures page 54
Congratulation Scorpions!! 2013 Class 4A State Champions
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championship. it came out of good coaching and a strong attitude of teamwork.
added. “it is surprising that with 27 guys dressing out we could do this.”
“when we work together as a team and don’t worry about our own glory, we can get a lot done,” Farley said.
There were only 28 players on the 1952 team, which was made up of local youths and only one boy from Texas, who moved to Farmington during the oil boom. “i was real proud of our team and i’m proud of this team,” Beyhan said.
The team began working on bonding in april. They developed friendships and learned to trust each other outside of football, said Tierney Staley, a 17-year-old outside linebacker. “it was a lot of fun working with these guys.” wide Receiver Xander walker echoed Staley’s sentiment. “i’ve never been with a group of guys this close. we’re all best friends. everything we do is for the team,” he said. “i’ve never seen a team come together like we did and i’m happy to have been a part of it.”
DwaineAVERY
BillKEYS
Farmington High School
Farmington High School
walker admitted the team was nervous as they prepared to take on Goddard for state. They also played with a twinge of sadness, knowing this would be the last game of football they played together. “it was the best game ever,” he said.
in the Scorps’ first game of the season Staley had two interceptions at Gallup. He made the same achievement in the win over Goddard. “it was awesome. i had two interceptions, so i’ve been saying, ‘i started it, where i finished it,’” Staley said.
Staley added that the players overcame their nerves by facing the game with no regrets. “The
“This was a great thing to be a part of,” walker
last couple of games we put it all out there as seniors,” he said.
Dwaine avery and Bill Keys were the co-captains and Dwayne Butler and Clark Manwarren were the all-State players that year, when the Scorpions whipped Belen 27-14 to win the conference crown. The real championship game, however, was played on Oct. 31, 1952, against the Highland Hornets. The Scorpions traveled to Roy to meet the Hornets, and they were sitting waiting for the team when the Hornets’ Tommy McDonald and Teddy Rhodes came back from trick-or-treating. McDonald was “hard to stop,” said avery, who now lives in las Vegas, nev. The two men later became friends and avery recalls McDonald having a great sense of humor. at the time, however, McDonald and Rhodes threatened to “flush the Scorpions down the toilet.”
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The Scorpions didn’t let that happen on Halloween of 1952, when they held the Hornets for four downs at the two yard line. What made the win even more amazing was that McDonald went on to play for the Philadelphia Eagles and was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. “Everybody played, and we were fortunate enough to go undefeated,” Beyhan said. Avery credits the work of Coach Cullen for the Scorps’ winning seasons in both 1951 and 1952. “He put us all together properly,” Avery said. “Coach Cullen said that he really wanted someone to win the championship and we all felt that way.” Cullen came to Farmington in 1948, when football was played by whatever schools were available for the games. He left Farmington High School in 1953, the same year the high school playoff system was developed in New Mexico. After winning the 2013 4-A Championship, Coach Bradley said he is not going anywhere, and will be around to coach the Scorpions and lead them to future wins. This made the 1952 football alumni proud. “We’re really glad that they did it,” Avery said of the 2013 win.
COMMUNITY-WIDE SUPPORT City Council, School Board, residents honor champions by Lauren Seip | photo by Josh Bishop Roberts said the team played with “determination, heart, and inspiration.”
The Farmington High School football team has been congratulated profusely one week after the state championship game, with the school board recognizing them at a regular meeting and Farmington Mayor Tommy Roberts organizing a proclamation ceremony in their honor. The school board honored the team at a Dec. 12 meeting and congratulated them on their recent victory during the 4A state championship game on Dec. 7, where FHS beat Goddard High School 70. School Board President Sandy Schumacher said this state championship title makes the community proud. “It seems like it was the camaraderie” between the players that contributed to the victory, Schumacher said.
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“We worked with a purpose and we learned to trust each other,” said Jacob Lucas, quarterback. “You have to trust the person next to you, if you don’t have that trust it is hard to execute.” At the Dec. 10 Proclamation Ceremony, Mayor
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The City Council chambers was packed with proud parents, team members, and school officials, who listened to Roberts read a proclamation that he wrote to acknowledge the team’s many achievements throughout the season. “We just want to congratulate you for what you have done. As a representative of local government, I am very proud of you because you bring credit on the community and that is something that is spread throughout the state. You did it with sportsmanship and represented your community very well.” The FHS football team has not won a state title since 1952, when they defeated Belen High School.
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“There is so much tradition (at FHS) and the football side of it hasn’t been there. It is not easy to get there and I want them to appreciate they are a part of history,” FHS Head Football Coach Gary Bradley said to his team. He continued to commend the players on their hard work and dedication during the season. “These guys trusted us and they bought into team work, discipline. They took a chance at being great and they ended up with the top prize. They knew it wasn’t guaranteed – it has been a great run and they have been great to work with.” Roberts asked team members what is was like on the field during the state championship game. “Exhilarating,” Lucas said. “The crowd went wild.” Cheers from the FHS stadium could be heard miles away, and driving by the stadium, a swarm of fans wearing green and black Scorpion attire could be seen jumping up and down and waving. “I think the crowd was a huge aspect in helping the game,” Lucas explained. Many FHS alumni and school officials were at the Saturday championship game, including Superintendent Janel Ryan, who said it was an honor to present the football team with the trophy. “I think the most exciting thing for me that makes up for all the negative things we deal with as administrators was the look on your faces when I turned around with the trophy and handed it to you.”
CONGRATS Scorpions Football! 2013 CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONS
Ryan, who is also the New Mexico Activities Association board president, said “To give (the trophy) to your own school and your own students and coaches – it just meant so much to me.” Being recognized at a school board meeting and a proclamation ceremony proves the FHS team has seen community-wide support throughout the season and after the championship game. “These are special occasions. It is good to get together and celebrate occasionally. Sports have a way of bringing the community together. Youth athletics is one thing we can all get behind and support,” Roberts said.
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Honorary assistant coacH Scott Cahoon a true friend and supporter by Lauren Seip | photo by Josh Bishop Scott Cahoon can be seen at nearly every Farmington High School football game, encouraging the players to do their best and making sure they don’t step over the field’s sidelines when they are not playing. these are his responsibilities as the honorary assistant coach – a position that Cahoon, 35, has taken on for four years after the football players asked for him officially to be a part of the team. Cahoon has Down syndrome, but that does not slow him down when he is coaching his team. “I love it,” Cahoon said about his coaching position. “It makes me feel happy.” During the Dec. 7 4A state championship football game, when FHS defeated Goddard High School 7-0,
Cahoon said he could feel “the Scorpion spirit” as soon as he ran onto the field with the other coaches and players. “I was very proud of them,” Cahoon said about his team receiving the championship trophy. After the game, several players picked Cahoon up and included him in the celebrations. “It feels great to work with them. I love them. they treat me like I’m part of the family,” he explained, placing a bright green FHS Scorpion cap on his head; a gift from the other coaches. Cahoon and his family moved to Farmington when he was a year old and he has been a Scorpion fan ever since, said his mother, Jeanne Cahoon-Cook.
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Cahoon’s brothers, Kerry and Darin Cahoon, played basketball and football at FHS. His sister, Cami Fabiano, played volleyball and basketball, and his other sister, Amy Cahoon, was a member of the Kelly Greens dance team. “My kids all graduated from here. Scott was the fifth child so I took him to all of the games,” Jeanne explained. While he attended FHS, Cahoon was elected by his peers to serve on the student senate for two years. He graduated from FHS in 2000, but continued to be involved at the high school, attending basketball and football games. From attending almost every home football game since he was young, Cahoon was able to build relationships with the student athletes and coaches, which is how he became an honorary assistant coach.
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“I think he just becomes friends with the kids and they are so good to him and they just include him,” Jeanne explained. Brian Farley, 17, who is a linebacker and running back for the FHS varsity football team, said he has known Cahoon since he was a freshman. “He is always telling us the whole point of a team is not you and me, but it is about all of us,” Farley explained. “He is a great coach to have and I’m glad to have him as a friend as well.” Cahoon’s friendship with the players and coaches does not end off the field. He frequently calls past players to catch up with them and recently attended a Christmas event at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on College Boulevard to go Christmas caroling with a few of the football players. “Even off the field, they are so accepting of him. I think that says a lot about the boys,” Jeanne said. “(Cahoon) is always there for us and we always need to be there for him. He likes to be a part of the younger guys on the team, it makes him happy so it makes us happy as well,” Farley said. With the senior student athletes graduating next spring, Cahoon said it always makes him sad to see them go. But, he develops friendships with the younger teammates and supports them during their time at FHS. “For years he will get to know these kids, and when they leave there is a void,” Jeanne explained. As for the future, Cahoon said he wishes to remain as a coach and continue to help his team succeed. “they are great kids and great football players.”
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by Tom Yost | courtesy photos
Safety, growth has Four Corners YAFL headed in the right direction The 2013 Four Corners Young American Football League, or YAFL, season came to a close this past October in what could only be called a “phenomenal season.” Those aren’t my words but the words of Vice President of YAFL, Chris Shay. Shay not only serves on the board of YAFL, but also coaches his son’s 4th grade squad that was one of two Farmington teams that won their respective championships. The winners of the 3rd grade division were the Farmington Panthers, who defeated the Farmington Bulldawgs. The 4th grade Farmington Panthers defeated
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the Bloomfield Bobcats. The 5th grade team from Durango defeated Bloomfield, while the 6th grade team from Bloomfield beat Bayfield. Rounding out the league was the 7th grade Aztec Lobos defeating the Farmington Panthers. In 2013, more than 1,500 youth took part in the YAFL league, with youth ranging in ages from 7 years to 13 years old. YAFL continues to grow each year, even with the growing concerns of player safety at all levels of football. Shay says that coaches are given the proper training at the youth level to make the game extremely safe. “We actually require coaches to attend a mandatory training on concussions,” said Shay. “If a coach feels a player has a concussion they are sent to the doctor immediately and evaluated. It usually means they are 7 to 10 days out of activities. We also have mandatory coach’s clinics in regard to tackling, running and overall form technique.” With youth starting in early August, the season concluded on Oct. 26 at Navajo Prep with the championships. Shay’s 4th grade Panthers squad finished the season at 14 wins and 3 losses. Their championship win over Bloomfield actually avenged an earlier loss to the Bobcats. “We defeated Bloomfield in 3 overtimes by a score of 0 - 0. The final was ac-
tually determined by the yardage gained in the overtimes … it was crazy,” explained Shay. “Our toughest games were against Bloomfield in the championship and earlier in the year when we lost to them 6 - 0. They are a physical team and are coached very well by Coach Armenta, who does a great job with those young men every year.” Shay has been involved with youth football for quite some time and he is enjoying what has become of the players he has coached. “I love coaching football. The kids are amazing to be around and coach,” said Shay. “I enjoy each year getting to come out and coach these young men and I enjoy watching them grow. I have kids that I have coached that are now at the varsity level playing on Friday nights for Piedra Vista and Farmington.” The real success of the league, according to Shay, lies with the support from all of the parents. “I would like to thank all the parents who give their time to get their kids to practices and games,” explained Shay. “They are the ones who are helping to move this league in the right direction.” And with continued growth and safety at the forefront, the Four Corners Young American Football League is definitely headed in the right direction.
December 2013
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and
warm weather
arizona Cardinals game is best of both worlds Story and photos by Rick Hoerner Walking the metroplex area that is the Four Corners, every team in the nFL spectrum has fans. Occasionally, even the rare Bills or Browns fan can be seen sporting gear. However, everyone knows that predominately this is Broncos and Cowboys territory. Even though every fan gets every game as part of the local television package through FOX and CBS, there is nothing like going to a live game, and both denver and dallas have supreme, new facilities. But in the fall and winter there is no place better to enjoy a game than Glendale, ariz., the home of the Cardinals. While the football may not always be the best, the weather is unbeatable and the travel from this area is easy with rare weather issues. While denver was in the midst of a snowstorm the ďŹ rst weekend in October, it was a balmy 94 degrees at the stadium in Glendale. Tailgating there does not have the reputation other stadiums such as Kansas City has, but the atmosphere is very good, and with
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all the transplant fans from other areas of the country, there is always a bit of good natured jawing going on. The pregame day begins with tailgating on The Great Lawn outside the stadium or at the Westgate Plaza that shares a parking lot with the stadium. Westgate has a few places that have the NFL Ticket to watch all the early games before heading to the game. There are also a dozen other restaurants that have the weekly games on and a party zone in the Westgate Plaza. On The Great Lawn and in the parking lot there are tailgate parties aplenty with every thing from tents with generators that have refrigerators, Direct TV and games on, to canopies with food and drink to spare. On The Great Lawn there is always a band playing, Frisbees flying and a sky jumping team flying in. Gametime in University of Phoenix Stadium is always a perfect 72 degrees, whether the roof is closed to keep it cool or it is wide open in November and December. The playing surface is unique with an indoor stadium that has natural grass that rolls outside dur-
ing the rest of the week. The Cardinal crowd is a pretty loud crowd, especially when they are decent. Security is incredible at the stadium. Whenever there is an incident, they are on the spot. Food-wise it’s like every other stadium, too expensive but the service is
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good and, even more important, the restroom lines are quick. Postgame is time to head over to the Pat Tillman statue or head back to Westgate for a postgame meal at Margaritaville, The Shout House or any of the other fine eating establishments. Traffic is rarely an issue; with the 101 highway right off the stadium cars flow pretty quickly. While Denver and Dallas may be the team of choice here in the Southwest, don’t look past the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals-Eagles NFC championship game in 2008 is still the most fun I’ve ever had a sporting event. Then of course you get the opportunity to tell your grandchildren that you got to see Larry Fitzgerald, Patrick Peterson and a host of stars that visit the Southwestern desert.
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spirit School
by Debra Mayuex | photography by Josh Bishop
Marching band takes teamwork, discipline and love of music Marching band – it is an activity that takes teamwork, physical fitness and beauty, rolling them up into one perfect package that entertains while promoting school spirit. There is a strong tradition of marching bands at both Farmington and Piedra Vista High schools. The schools typically receive students who join band in middle school and then carry on their love for music and performance into high school and even college. Seventy percent of middle school band students transfer up to the high school band, according to Daniel Fear, band and orchestra instructor at Heights Middle School and assistant band director at Piedra Vista High School. The students throughout their middle school careers have an opportunity not only to learn how to play their instruments, but to join the high schoolers once a year on the field at Hutchison Stadium for a marching band extravaganza. This year the students took to the field on Nov. 8 during the FHS vs. PV game. The band boosters fed them, and the underclassmen had an opportunity to experience what goes into performing as a marching band.
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“Marching band is where the pride starts and where the discipline grows,” said Chris Argotsinger, band director at Farmington High School. He has 60 students that participate in band, which includes marching band, jazz band, color guard and the drum line. Marching band, however, is one of those activities that takes work and dedication. The students begin their preparation in the summer at band camp. “We do personal training and work on the core muscles. We run for endurance,” Argotsinger said. The endurance training also includes pushups and sit ups. The students have to be in good shape, because they perform in front of large crowds while marching and carrying 40- to 50-pound instruments. “In the state fair parade we walk for two miles and we have to play the whole time. By the end, we are sweating pretty hard,” Argotsinger said. Marching band students also have to work on coordination, because they work together and walk together as a team. “They have to have the ability to function as a large group with high energy,” Fear said. The history of marching band lies with military operations. The bands were a structure group of musicians within early armies. Their function was to direct the movement of troops on the battlefield using instruments. As their importance in battle became less, the pomp and circumstance of the band became a more festive activity. While many bands still wear military-like uniforms and present the flags during ceremonies, the activity now is for entertainment and school spirit. “Kids in band want to be in school,” Argotsinger said, adding that because they function together, the students learn the importance of teamwork. “Marching band is a huge tool for me to teach them how to use critical thinking and abstract thinking.” Studies show musicians typically score higher on standardized tests such as the ACT and SAT. “Musicians learn how to be smarter,” Fear said. He loves teaching music because it “benefits” the students. “I get to teach art to young people,” Fear said. “Without art and a concept of what is beautiful, state standardized testing is irrelevant.” While he loves teaching the beauty of music, the students love learning from Fear and Argotsinger. “We love doing this,” Fear said. “It is a challenge. The kids love and embrace that challenge.”
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Marett retires after 40 years courtesy photos
His Heights Knights win Basin Middle School Championship Story by Tom Yost When Lee Marett stepped onto the football field at Heights Middle School in mid-October to play Hermosa Middle School for the Basin Middle School Championship, he knew it would be his last as the Head Football Coach. With a career that has spanned more than 40 years as an educator and a coach, Marett is finally retiring for the second time. “This football season was my last as a coach,” Coach Marett explained. With a 45-13 victory over Hermosa, the Heights Knights won the Basin Middle School Championship for the first time since 1993. “In the early ’90s there were 9th graders playing on the football team at Heights,” said Marett. “This is the first time we have won the championship as a middle school and the first time in a long, long time that we were also undefeated.” The 7-0 record might be the most impressive part of the football team’s accomplishments. It has taken Heights just as long to defeat the middle school power that Koogler Middle School (in Aztec) has become. “Our closest game this year came in our first game against Koogler,” said Marett. “We defeated them 21-16 in a hard-fought game. If we would have lost to Hermosa in the final game, there would have been a three-way tie at 6-1 between Koogler, Hermosa and Heights.”
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At 64 years of age, Marett’s career has spanned five decades and three states. He has coached multiple high school sports, including football, basketball and tennis. And while his vast coaching experience and knowledge was a major part in building the Heights football program into what it is today, a missing piece might just have been surrounding himself with great staff. “I had some coaching vacancies this year and filled them by bringing in Eric Stovall and Tony Delgado,” Marett explained. “Coach Stovall came over from Koogler Middle School to run our offense and implemented discipline, organization and extra energy that we needed. He also brought aspects of the Aztec spread offense that we combined with Piedra Vista’s spread and what I had brought from Arizona. We simplified the terminology for the boys so that they could understand it easier and faster.” “It helps, though, when you have a great bunch of kids who were not only very smart but were very good football players as well,” said Coach Marett. And so Marett rides off into the sunset, his second retirement commitment complete. He leaves the Heights Middle School football program in great hands for the next coach and he gets to leave as a champion. And what are his future plans? “I am going to enjoy watching my grandkids play high school and middle school sports,” explained Marett.
by Lauren Seip | courtesy photos
Durango Mountain Resort has lots of options for winter fun
But, Durango Mountain Resort offers many more winter activities other than skiing. The resort has launched several activities, providing other exciting experiences for visitors.
Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort is in full swing this winter season after opening on Nov. 29. The resort added more snowmaking equipment to the front side of the mountain to improve the top-to-bottom skiing from the Purgatory Village Express, a six-person chairlift. Sixteen new energy-efficient snowmaking tower guns along with high-output fan gun and two new snowcast grooming machines also have been added, establishing a solid base to last throughout the ski season.
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Snowshoeing Visitors can embark on snowshoeing tours, allowing them to learn about geology, flora, and fauna and enjoy the scenic views. All ages and abilities are welcome to participate in the tours, and clinics are offered to anyone who wishes to learn how to snowshoe. “It is great
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winter sports for beginners and that is why they offer the rentals and the clinics, so they can learn how to do it,” said Kim Oyler, Durango Mountain Resort director of communications. Snowshoe rentals, poles, and a guide are included during the snowshoe tours. Tours leave at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily. To register for a tour, call the resort’s winter center at 970.385.2147. Easier or more difficult tours may be offered by the guides upon request. It is recommended for participants to wear water-resistant boots, layered winter clothing, hats and gloves, and to bring water and a camera. The new snowshoe tour offered this year is called After Hours Scenic Snowshoe Tour. The tour will begin at 3:30 p.m. every Saturday in January, February, and March. Participants will ride the chairlift to the top of the ski slope and immediately snowshoe back down to the base. “The slope is for skiers and snowboarders, so it is a different perspective. You get beautiful views,” Oyler explained. The After Hours Scenic Snow Shoe Tour is $30, and to reserve a spot
call 970.385.2141.
pot-bellied stove.
The third snowshoe tour offered at Durango Mountain Resort is the Alpenglow Tour, where participants snowshoe around the backcountry during the late afternoon and early evening.
The Nordic Center is located across Highway 550, north of the Durango Mountain Resort entrance. It offers on-site equipment rentals of skis and snowshoes.
The tour begins at 3:30 p.m. and lasts until 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 28 and 29, Jan. 18, Feb. 15, and March 15. Participants will enjoy beer, wine, and hot chocolate as well as snacks, and also take a break at the Powderhouse and Pitchfork Pub before snowshoeing down the ski slope. “You view the sunset and alpenglow on Needles Mountains, which is an orange and pink glow. It is absolutely spectacular and the views are amazing,” Oyler said. The Alpenglow Tour costs $60 per person, and to reserve a sport call 970.385.2141.
“Throughout the season they offer various skate skiing clinics for guests,” Oyler explained. For more information on cross-skiing at the Durango Mountain Resort, call the Nordic Center at 970.385.2114. Ice Climbing Guests also can experience the unique sport of ice climbing in the Cascade Canyon, a natural ice park that is near the Durango Mountain Resort. Kling Mountain Guides leads families on the adventures, where they
are provided ice picks, boots, crampons, and given instructions by a professionally trained and certified guide. Kling Mountain Guides is a locally owned and operated outdoor education and mountain guide service. Due to warmer days and arctic nights, the waterfalls freeze and transform into cascading ice that makes it ideal for all levels of climbers to take part in the activity. The ice climbing season typically begins at the end of December and lasts through mid- March. January and February tend to be the best months for ice climbing in the Durango area, according to the Durango Mountain Resort website. To make a reservation, call 970.259.1708 or visit www.klingmountainguides.com.
Cross-Country Skiing The Nordic Center at Purgatory offers 18 kilometers of scenic forest trails that have been groomed for cross-country and skate skiing. The trails have “warming hut picnic tables so you can bring snacks and enjoy the trails,” Oyler said. The warming hut also houses a
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in Durango by Lauren Seip | courtesy photos
A great way to enjoy scenic winter landscape
couple 100 miles of dry land training. they do quite a bit of work through the winter, running 1,000 to 2,000 miles a year. they love their work,” Gregg said.
the Durango Dog ranch has offered commercial dog sledding for 18 years, allowing participants to glide through the snow and enjoy the scenic views.
the dog sledding season begins in late November and usually lasts until mid-April. For 20 years, the Dubits have been training and running dogs, and recently they decided to collaborate with Durango Mountain resort and offer dog sledding tours to the resort’s guests.
owned and operated by Gregg Dubit and his wife, Gretchen, the Durango Dog ranch is a certified kennel that houses 25 Siberian and Alaskan huskies. “the dogs are super friendly,” Gregg explained. “they are also super athletes, capable of running 100 miles a day.” the Dubits, who are seasoned guides, begin to train the dogs in August and have them ready by late November. “the dogs already have a
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ing the dogs. the terrain is perfect for all ages and offers views of Engineer Mountain and the Needles Mountains. Gregg recommends participants dress in layers and wear boots and sunglasses Each sled can hold up to 400 pounds. A guide also will be on each sled to control the dogs. “We put a guide on every sled because the dogs are very valuable to us,” Gregg said.
“Both my wife and I worked at (Durango Mountain resort). We wanted to do it for many years,” Gregg explained.
the guests, however, do get a chance to drive the sled after receiving sled driving instructions. “It is physical. people who are in decent shape enjoy driving and helping the dogs up the big hills,” Gregg explained.
the old Flume trail trip at the base of the Durango Mountain resort is a one-hour dog sled adventure that provides personalized hands-on experience, such as interacting and harness-
Afterwards, guests may enjoy hot chocolate and “give the dogs some loving.”
December 2013
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sledding The Old Flume Trail trip costs $156 per sled and runs every hour between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. To make a reservation, visit the website durangomountainresort.com. The Durango Dog Ranch also offers half-day and full-day dog sledding trips with lunch included. “Generally, we ask people to do the shorter trips before they commit to a full day,” which is usually between 20 and 40 miles on the sled, Gregg mentioned. The half-day trip costs $350 per sled. Snacks and hot drinks will be provided at the end of the trip. The full-day trip costs $595 with only one person per sled. The trip usually lasts seven hours. The dog sledding season already is in full swing, with the trails packed and ready for the guests. “The Durango Mountain Resort got 29 inches of snow” from the winter
storm, Gregg said. “This is probably the best start to the winter season in many years.”
To reserve a spot for the half-day or full-day trips call the Durango Dog Ranch at 970.259.0694.
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