Four Corners Sports August 2014

THANKS TO THESE SPONSORSfor helping to provide the Jumbotron for the 50th Connie Mack World Series

3Four Corners SPORTSAUGUST 2014

content| 4 |

Connie MackFarmington is a baseball town, at least in

the early days of August. From the time

young players first put on the uniform,

Connie Mack has been the dream.

| 10 |

Course WorkWhen he was 6 years old, Jason Tomko

asked his parents, Jan and Dave Tomko, if

they would take him to Disneyland.

Jan Tomko, Jason’s mother, shared her

memories of that Disneyland vacation and

how it came about.

| 12 | Fantasy FootballWhile the school year rolls around to a new

year and parents celebrate and teachers

and kids walk around Target depressed, it

also means that football season is just

around the corner and that it is time to

begin researching your new Fantasy

Football team or, for you addicts, teams.

| 18 | Triple CrownWorld SeriesThe 9u Farmington Cardinals recently

competed in the Triple Crown World

Series in Steamboat Springs, Colo.

The Cardinals were the only 9-year-old

team from New Mexico and competed

against 19 teams from Colorado, utah,

Missouri, Oklahoma, and California.

| 22 | Interested in being a ref?The Northwest New Mexico Football Official

Association is seeking individuals to

become football officials for this season’s

middle and high school football games.

with Shilo McCall

| 16 | PV Athletic DirectorAfter spending the past 10 years

coaching various sports at Piedra Vista

High School, Frank Whalen has been

named the school’s new director of

athletics.

| 26 | FET ConceptCorporate athletes are in the making

throughout San Juan County, since the

hospital decided four years ago to begin of-

fering Full Engagement Training to the com-

munity.

| 29 | Best of everythingJon Mestas was having wonderful success

in his first season with the Windy City

Thunderbolts of the Independent Frontier

league.

| 20 | Racing alive & wellFor years, Aztec Speedway was the track

to which local dirt track racers headed on

weekends, to compete with other racers

and to enjoy what has become an

increasingly popular sport.

| 21 | Editorial column

| 30 | First Tee

| 24 | 10 Questions

| 25 | Fishing Report

Don Vaughan

PuBlISHER

Cindy Cowan Thiele

EDITOR

Rick Hoerner

Tom Yost

Debra Mayeux

Dorothy Nobis

CONTRIBuTING WRITERS

Josh Bishop

CONTRIBuTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Suzanne Thurman

DESIGNER

Shelly Acosta

Clint Alexander

Aimee Velasquez

SAlES STAFF

For advertising information

Call 505.516.1230

www.fourcornerssports.com

Four Corners Sports magazine is published once amonth by Majestic Media. Material herein may not bereprinted without expressed written consent of the pub-lisher. Opinions expressed by the contributing writersare not necessarily those of the publisher, editor or FourCorners Sports magazine. Every effort has been madeto ensure the accuracy of this publication. However thepublisher cannot assume responsibility for errors orommissions. © 2014 Four Corners Sports magazine.

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Farmington, NM 87401

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Josh Bishop

Let the games begin

In the early rounds defense and pitching was the name of the game,

as the majority of the games were close low scoring affairs that included

two shutouts and eight games where one or both teams scored two or

less runs. Early on it appeared the traditional powerhouses would rule

the tournament, including the two teams from the Dallas Baseball Acad-

emy and perennial favorite, Midland.

Hitting takes over

As the teams battled down to the Final Four, the bats began to come

alive. Eventual champs DBAT Gallegos had to put up eight runs in the 7th

inning to get by the Danville Hoots, erasing a three-run deficit on their

way to the championship matchup with Midland. DBAT Leach took out

Puerto Rico in grand style as Reagan Todd crushed a walk-off grand slam

to advance Leach a day earlier. Puerto Rico’s Vaqueros led off the walk-

off parade with a walk-off double in a 3-2 win over the Bill Hood Broncos.

For the host team it was two and through. Strikezone had Midland on

the ropes opening night holding a 2-0 lead until Midland got it going put-

ting up two in the 7th to send the game to extra innings before prevailing

3-2 in the 9th.

The second game for the host team was nowhere near as close, as a

dozen free passes led to 16 Danville runs in a 16-2 loss, eliminating the

home team.

Semifinals night had DBAT Leach falling to Midland and DBAT Gallegos

sending Danville home setting up a rematch from Game No. 15 where

Midland sent DBAT Gallegos to the losers bracket with a 10-3 win. For

the youngest team in the tournament, this set up a nearly impossible

task of twice defeating a team that had just defeated them two days ear-

lier.

4 Four Corners SPoRTS AUGUST 2014

Farmington is a baseball town, at least in the

early days of August. From the time young play-

ers first put on the uniform, Connie Mack has

been the dream. This year’s host team

representative, Farmington Strikezone, was this

year’s team that got to live the dream.

For the Strikezone, the road to Ricketts did

not come easy. An early loss in the city tourna-

ment looked to give the Four Corners the upper

hand in winning the host team position, but the

Strikezone worked their way back and swept

both games of championship night to host the

Series for the 5th consecutive time.

The 50th Anniversary series kicked off with

the traditional Connie Mack parade through

downtown Farmington.

The opening night games surrounding the

opening ceremonies included the induction to

the Hall of Fame of two of the most prominent

participants in Connie Mack history,

Barry Larkin and Ken Griffey Jr.

This year Majestic Media headed up the mar-

keting for the world series and brought in a

video Jumbotron screen to enhance the game

experience.

Farmington High School and World Series

closer for the Toronto Blue Jays, Duane Ward

gave his acceptance speech on the new

addition to the Series, the video Jumbotron.

2014 Connie Mack celebrates 50 years of great baseball Story by Rick Hoerner

Photos by Curtis Benally

DBATS Gallegostake the win

Danny and Kim Carpenter.Danny was the 2014 CMWS Parade Marshal.Kim is the General Chairman of the CMWS.

Griffey returned to Farmington to receive the honor as

part of the 50th anniversary ceremonies that also included

parachutists, fireworks and the introduction of the official

Connie Mack mascot, “Mack.”

Griffey and Larkin joined inductees’ longtime coaches

Sam Carpenter of the Dallas Mustangs and Midland Coach

Joe Hayden. Tony Muser, who was the first Series player to

play Major league baseball, also was inducted, along with

Aztec native Larry Harlow, who played for the Angels and ori-

oles in the late 1970s and early ’80s.

Let the games begin

In the early rounds defense and pitching was the name of the game,

as the majority of the games were close low scoring affairs that included

two shutouts and eight games where one or both teams scored two or

less runs. Early on it appeared the traditional powerhouses would rule

the tournament, including the two teams from the Dallas Baseball Acad-

emy and perennial favorite, Midland.

Hitting takes over

As the teams battled down to the Final Four, the bats began to come

alive. Eventual champs DBAT Gallegos had to put up eight runs in the 7th

inning to get by the Danville Hoots, erasing a three-run deficit on their

way to the championship matchup with Midland. DBAT Leach took out

puerto rico in grand style as reagan Todd crushed a walk-off grand slam

to advance Leach a day earlier. puerto rico’s Vaqueros led off the walk-

off parade with a walk-off double in a 3-2 win over the Bill Hood Broncos.

For the host team it was two and through. Strikezone had Midland on

the ropes opening night holding a 2-0 lead until Midland got it going put-

ting up two in the 7th to send the game to extra innings before prevailing

3-2 in the 9th.

The second game for the host team was nowhere near as close, as a

dozen free passes led to 16 Danville runs in a 16-2 loss, eliminating the

home team.

Semifinals night had DBAT Leach falling to Midland and DBAT Gallegos

sending Danville home setting up a rematch from Game No. 15 where

Midland sent DBAT Gallegos to the losers bracket with a 10-3 win. For

the youngest team in the tournament, this set up a nearly impossible

task of twice defeating a team that had just defeated them two days ear-

lier.

5Four Corners SporTSAUGUST 2014

Ken Griffey Jr. Tony Muser Larry Harlow

Ward

Larkin

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Wounded Warriors

Championship night started out with an in-

credible tribute to those who serve, as 10

Wounded Warriors from Colorado, Texas and

New Mexico threw out the first pitches after

spending a week in the area fly fishing and

rock crawling.

The pregame highlight was with El Paso’s

Hope Clark who, after attending the Wounded

Warrior experience last year, was treated to a

surprise of her own Jeep being accessorized

by Joe and BJ Brown of Fabworx in Farming-

ton, who provided the accessories to detail

Clark’s old Jeep. This is the third year of doing

the 4-wheel drive trip for the Wounded War-

riors. Last year Clark had to sit on the side-

lines and watch, telling the Browns of her wish

to get her Jeep accessorized. “It was an emo-

tional response for Hope” Brown said, “She

was overwhelmed and questioning if she de-

served it.”

Championship night became a long affair as

DBAT Gallegos took the first game 6-2, setting

up a winner-takes-all Game 19 with both teams

now holding one loss on their records. DBAT

Gallegos was once again up to the challenge,

knocking off Midland 7-5 to claim the Series

title.

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Game 1 - Frozen Ropes 11 - Carolina Vaqueros 3

Game 2 - Midland 3 - Strikezone 2

Game 3 - DBAT Gallegos 7 - Danville Hoots 5

Game 4 - DBAT Leach 11 - South Troy Dodgers 3

Game 5 - Bill Hood Broncos 3 - Detroit Metro Stars 0

Game 6 - Danville Hoots 16 - Strikezone 2

Game 7 - South Troy Dodgers 5 - Detroit Metro Stars 1

Game 8 - Midland 6 - Frozen Ropes 3

Game 9 - DBAT Leach 3 - Bill Hood Broncos 1

Game 10 - South Troy Dodgers 2 - Frozen Ropes 1

Game 11 - Carolina Vaqueros 3 - Bill Hood Broncos 2

Game 12 - DBAT Gallegos 4 - DBAT Leach 3

Game 13 - Danville Hoots 2 - South Troy Dodgers 0

Game 14 - DBAT Leach 7 - Carolina Vaqueros 3

Game 15 - Midland 10 - DBAT Gallegos 3

Game 16 - DBAT Gallegos 11 - Danville Hoots 6

Game 17 - Midland 7 - DBAT Leach 4

Game 18 - DBAT Gallegos 6 - Midland 2

Game 19 - DBAT Gallegos 7 - Midland 5

Most Valuable Player - Tony Santillan, DBAT Gallegos

Gold Glove - Trent Clark, DBAT Gallegos

Big Stick - Josh Watson, DBAT Gallegos

Home Run Derby - Zach Clark, Bill Hood BroncosZach Clark — Home Run Derby

10 Four Corners SPorTS AUGUST 2014

When he was 6 years old, Jason Tomko

asked his parents, Jan and Dave Tomko, if they

would take him to Disneyland.

Jan Tomko, Jason’s mother, shared her

memories of that Disneyland vacation and how

it came about.

“When he was 4, we were watching television

and a Disneyland commercial came on,” Jan

said. “Jason asked if we could go to Disneyland

and we told him when he was 6, we would go.”

Two years later, on his 6th birthday, Jason

reminded his parents of their promise. “He

said, ‘Are we going to Disneyland tomorrow?’

and we were surprised because he hadn’t men-

tioned it in two years.”

Along the way, the family stopped to visit a

relative in California, who decided young

Jason needed to learn how to play golf. Jan’s

uncle met the family at the door, scooped up

Jason, bought the youngster golf clubs and

suitable golfing clothes, and they headed to

the golf course, where Jason learned how to

play.

While other children might remember a Dis-

neyland vacation for the rides, the Disney char-

acters and the magic of the Disney kingdom,

Jason Tomko remembers it for the golf lesson

that would instill a love of the game – and the

courses – that would determine his career.

Tomko continued to play the game and was

part of the Piedra Vista golf team. His career

dream, however, wasn’t to be a professional

golfer. It was to tend to and manage the

courses that provide enjoyment – and, some-

times, a livelihood – for other golfers.

As an assistant research technician with

the New Mexico State University’s Agriculture

Science Center in Farmington, Tomko helped

with turf grass plots, tracking growth rate,

water evaporation ratios and other statistics

of the grass.

“It was interesting stuff,” Tomko said. “I

went to New Mexico State University to talk to

an adviser, and he suggested I check out the

turf grass management degree. I’d played golf

since I was a kid and it sounded like a fun

study. I tried it and I stuck with it.”

COURSE WORKStory by Dorothy Nobis | Photo by Josh Bishop

Tomko right at home as superintendent of Hidden Valley

11Four Corners SPorTSAUGUOST 2014

A degree in turf grass management pre-

pares people for the growing and mainte-

nance of large scale grass fields, including

sports stadiums, golf courses and recre-

ational areas of grass, according to the New

Mexico State University’s website.

Tomko pursued his degree and was ac-

cepted as an intern at a golf course in Ger-

many in 2008, and in 2009 he interned at a golf

course in New Jersey, which hosted the Pro-

fessional Golfers Association, or PGA,

Barkley’s PGA Tournament.

The New Jersey course offered Tomko a job,

but he was dating a young woman back in New

Mexico, so he moved back home. After his

graduation, Tomko was hired as an assistant

superintendent at the NMSU golf course.

“I learned all I could,” Tomko said of his

stint with NMSU, “but I wanted to learn more. I

got a job at the Scarsdale Country Club in

Hartsdale, New York, as an assistant superin-

tendent.”

That position gave Tomko the opportunity to

hone his upper management skills, but he was

working 80 hours a week. He had married Lau-

ren, the young coed he met at NMSU, and the

couple decided they’d like to return home to

New Mexico.

When Tomko learned that Hidden Valley Golf

Course in Aztec needed a superintendent, he

applied for the job, hoping to come home. He

got the job and the couple happily made the

move back to New Mexico. “My goal was al-

ways to be a superintendent,” he said. “The av-

erage starting age for a superintendent is 32.

I’m 28 and I just fast tracked it.”

Tom McClurg is the golf pro at Hidden Valley

and is happy to have Tomko on the staff. “He’s

a great superintendent and a great hire,” Mc-

Clurg said. “There’s no panic in him. He finds

out what he’s got to do and he gets it done.

Under his leadership, I believe we’ll become

one of the better run courses in the county.”

In addition to Tomko’s work ethic, his matu-

rity impresses McClurg. “He’s not a ‘young’

young man,” he said. “He’s mature and he

worked at a PGA golf course in New York.

There’s no room for kids when you get to that

level.”

With the dry weather that has affected most

golf courses in the area, McClurg is confident

Tomko will get the 18-hole course at Hidden

Valley back in shape and the course will at-

tract more golfers and golf tournaments.

It is the challenge of getting the course

back in great shape that drives Tomko. “I’m

having fun, but it’s stressful that the course

hasn’t filled in like I want it to,” he said of his

job. “In the last few years, golf as a recre-

ational sport has gone down. We want to draw

in players from other, higher rated courses.

We’re making progress, but we have a way to

go.”

The Hidden Valley position is much different

from the courses back east, Tomko said. “It’s

much more relaxed here,” he said, “and more

laid back. Tom (McClurg) and the members (of

the club) are the best part of this job. Hidden

Valley is a great golf course. We have tourna-

ments almost every weekend.”

In addition to the tournaments, Hidden Val-

ley offers First Tee for young people ages 6

through 18, a PGA Junior League and a ladies

beginner league.

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12 Four Corners SPORTS AUGUST 2014

While the school year rolls around to a new

year and parents celebrate and teachers and

kids walk around Target depressed, it also

means that football season is just around the

corner and that it is time to begin researching

your new Fantasy Football team or, for you ad-

dicts, teams. With drafts just around the corner,

the Fantasy Geek is ready with advice for your

upcoming season and preseason rankings as

you work towards a championship.

Here are 10 tips to consider when preparing

to draft:

1. Know Your Point System – Most leagues use

a standard scoring format, but knowing your

league’s rules is essential. Is your league quar-

terback heavy? If the same scoring is given to

quarterbacks as running backs, QBs become

more valuable; or if your league allows QBs as a

flex, then planning for two may change your

draft strategy. Know your kicker values and DST

points. They may change consideration of draft-

ing a DST or kicker early instead of later

2. Know Your Positions – A lot of leagues have

PPR scoring, or Points Per Reception. This

changes the values of wide receivers, tight ends

and especially running backs. When considering

PPR choices, look at the number of targets a

player gets. More targets, more chances for

catches. PPR changes the values of backs such

as Reggie Bush and Darren Sproles, and wide-

outs that rack up the catches, such as Wes

Welker and Julian Edelman. Return yards move

the Vikings Cordarrelle Patterson and Pitts-

burgh’s Antonio Brown up the charts quickly.

3. Forget Last Year – Don’t fall in love with

players that were good for you last year. This is

true especially for running backs. Remember

Ray Rice’s year, and wide receivers that have lost

their starting quarterback.

4. Don’t Play Favorites – Sometimes when you

love a team it may sway your draft. That works

well for Bronco and Saints fans most of the time,

but that doesn’t always work especially if your

team is, let’s say, marginal. So stay away from

your team’s blog or website that tells you how

good the fourth wideout is looking.

5. Don’t Hate Your Rivals – As a general rule I

try to avoid Raiders and Cowboys, but I want to

win my league. So if Dez Bryant is next on my

wide receiver list, then Dez Bryant it is. Sure it

makes Sundays tough, but I have no problem

with the likes of Tony Romo who will get me the

points I need then throw a pick to lose the game

– win, win.

6. The Schedule Matters – A lot of your com-

petitors will closely watch the schedule to make

sure they don’t have too many players on the Bye

Week. Forget the byes when drafting your regu-

lar starters. It’s not that big of a deal. Actually it

may be better to have them all at one time and

take the hit. However, the schedule does matter

when looking at the difficulty of schedule. The

AFC West, for example, faces the NFC West with

four of the Top 10 DSTs in the league. You may

think twice about taking Jamal Charles or Philip

Rivers over others that may look statistically

equal.

7. Don’t Fall in Love with Rookies – Every

year there will be a breakout rookie and

everyone at the draft table is looking to steal

them, but it’s rare that a rookie, especially at

wide receiver, is an immediate contributor.

The exception to the rule is at running back.

This means that the Titan’s Bishop Stankey

may be the best rookie option. Johnny

Manziel and Blake Bortles may see the field,

but will unlikely be Top 20 QBs. Buffalo’s

rookie receiver Sammy Watkins may also be a

player getting extra preseason cover, but

Watkins is on a team with a limited QB and

likely will not be worthy of a start most

weeks.

8. Watch Out for the Dreaded “Running Back

by Committee” – A recent NFL trend killing

fantasy owners is the trend of moving the

third down back to a full time series rest for

the starter. Unless your team’s back is a

three down back or receives at least 2/3 of

the carries, avoid them early in drafts. New

England, San Diego, Cincinnati and Detroit,

among others, have gone to a committee sys-

tem, making the running back position guess

work some weeks.

9. Beware of the Injury Prone and Cover –

Injuries can take you from contender to con-

tributor to your league fund in a week. In my

money league last year I had Julio Jones, who

was leading the league in receiving before

getting injured, and Michael Vick as my sec-

ond QB in a two two-quarterback league.

Good-bye lead. Injuries are always a gamble,

so having a cover is essential. If you draft

Jamal Charles, make sure you have Knile

Davis. Wide Receivers are deep, so you may

not always need a cover, but for running

backs it is nearly mandatory.

10. Stick to the Plan – This is always the

toughest part, especially if you are on either

end of a snake draft. Waiting for 22 picks to

happen usually means your list is getting

crossed off quickly. This is why I try to use a

level system instead of rating each individual

player. The level system makes sure you draft

for points, not for position.

GeTTiNG reAdY FOr The drAFT

THE FANTASY GEEK

RICKHOERNER

The Level System is really simple. Rate 24 players

at Level 1. This makes sure that in a 12-team league

you are guaranteed to get two of these players and,

depending on your draft positions, likely three.

Choose the one that best fits your needs regardless

of position. All Level 1 players must be gone before

you move down a level.

Level 2 contains Quarterbacks up to 12, 18 run-

ning backs and wide receivers, and up to 12 tight

ends. This makes sure to cover two running backs,

two wide receivers, one tight end and a W/R flex.

Choose your first Level 2 from a position you did not

acquire in your Level 1s. If you have all Level 1s

across the board, call me. I want in your league. Ob-

viously if one position is flying off the board, you go

with that position first before all 18 are gone. If that

should happen, there still should be Level 2 at other

positions. Again, finish Level 2 before moving down

to Level 3

Level 3 is where you find your backups, covers for

possible injuries, and make some reaches. This may

also be a place to get a DST if there is one you are re-

ally high on, such as the Seahawks or 49ers at the be-

ginning of the Level. Save the kickers for the end or

perhaps Round 15. Keep a balance between positions

– one backup at quarterback, one at tight end. Load

up at running back and wide receiver

The LeveL SYSTem

FANTASY FOOTBALL

* Fantasy Football 14

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Tom Brady

Matt Ryan

Nick Foles

Tony Romo

Jay Cutler

Montee Ball

Le’veon Bell

DeMarco Murray

Giovanni Bernard

Doug Martin

Zach Stacy

Alfred Morris

Andre Ellington

Reggie Bush

Ryan Mathews

CJ Spiller

Ray Rice

Rashad Jennings

Ben Tate

Steven Jackson

Frank Gore

Bishop Shankey

Pierre Thomas

Toby Gerhart

Trent Richardson

Stevan Ridley

Lamar Miller

Chris Johnson

Randall Cobb

Alshon Jeffery

Pierre Garcon

Jordy Nelson

Vincent Jackson

Larry Fitzgerald

Keenan Allen

Andre Johnson

Michael Crabtree

Victor Cruz

Wes Welker

Julian Edelman

Percy Harvin

Torrey Smith

Marquis Colson

Cordarelle Patterson

Reggie Wayne

Kendall Wright

Michael Floyd

Roddy White

DeSean Jackson

Eric Decker

Riley Cooper

Seahawks

49ers

Panthers

Cardinals

Bengals

Rams

Broncos

Chiefs

Patriots

Bears

Bills

Ravens

Texans

Browns

Colts

Steelers

Packers

Titans

Steelers

Chargers

Lions

Jets

Dolphins

ColtsVernon Davis

Jason Witten

Jordan Cameron

Greg Olsen

Kyle Rudolph

Dennis Pitta

Jordan Reed

Antonio Gates

QUARTERBACKS

8-12

RUNNING BACKS

8-30

RUNNING BACKS

8-30

WIDE RECEIVERS

8-30

WIDE RECEIVERS

8-30

TIGHT ENDS

4-12

DST

1-24

Level 2 – Fill out at QB and TE, two RBs and two TEs

Peyton Manning

Drew Brees

Aaron Rodgers

Andrew Luck

Kolin Kaepernick

Matt Stafford

Cam Newton

LeSean McCoy

Jamal Charles

Adrian Petersen

Matt Forte

Marshawn Lynch

Arian Foster

Eddie Lacy

Calvin Johnson

Demaryius Thomas

Dez Bryant

Brandon Marshall

AJ Green

Julio Jones

Antonio Brown

Jimmy Graham

Julius Thomas

Rob Gronkowski

QUARTERBACKS RUNNING BACKS WIDE RECEIVERS TIGHT ENDS

Level 1 – 24 players, must have two

Gronkowski will be a

stretch because of his

injuries, and my league is

quarterback heavy and

PPR, but you get the gist

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KICKERS 1-12

Level 3 – Backups, Gambles and Covers

Ben roethlisberger

Carson palmer

philip rivers

Joe Flacco

russell Wilson

Andy Dalton

Eli Manning

Alex Smith

Sam Bradford

ryan tannehill

ryan Fitzpatrick

Chad Henne

teddy Bridgewater

Michael Vick

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Danny Woodhead

Fred Jackson

Jaquizz rogers

Maurice Jones-Drew

Darren McFadden

David Wilson

Chris Ivory

DeAngelo Williams

Bernard pierce

Mark Ingram

Kendall Hunter

Darren Sproles

Khiry robinson

roy Helu

Ahmad Bradshaw

Stephen taylor

James Starks

Knowshon Moreno

Knile Davis

BenJarvus Green-Ellis

Mike Wallace

Dwayne Bowe

t.Y. Hilton

Emmanuel Sanders

Deandre Hopkins

Sammy Watkins

Anquan Boldin

James Jones

tavon Austin

Danny Amendola

robert Woods

Jeremy Maclin

Brandon LaFell

Doug Baldwin

Justin Hunter

rod Streater

Kenny Stills

odell Beckham

Jarrett Boykin

Cecil Shorts

Aaron Dobson

reuben randle

Zach Ertz

Martellus Bennett

Charles Clay

Delanie Walker

Heath Miller

Eric Ebron

Coby Fleenor

Garrett Graham

Jared Cook

Ladarius Green

timothy Wright

John Carlson

tyler Eifert

Andrew Quarless

Matt prater

Stephen Gostkowski

Steven Haushka

Justin tucker

Dan Bailey

phil Dawson

Matt Bryant

robbie Gould

Nick Novak

Mason Crosby

Sebastian Janikowski

Adam Vinateri

So there you go – 192 players to

fill your roster. Add a few of your own

sleepers and 200 will easily cover you

for your draft.

remember, this is not a priority

list. Choose players you like and enjoy

the ride. Good Luck this season.

Four Corners SportS


After spending the past 10 years coaching

various sports at Piedra Vista High School,

Frank Whalen has been named the school’s

new director of athletics.

Whalen stepped into the position after for-

mer athletic director Kelly Thur was promoted

to assistant principal.

Whalen began working for Farmington Mu-

nicipal Schools in 1994 at Mesa View Middle

School. He came here from Rye, Colo. Whalen

remained at Mesa View until Piedra Vista

opened. Then, he moved to the high school and

has stayed there since that time.

During his tenure at Piedra Vista, Whalen

has coached football, boys basketball and soft-

ball. He won nine straight state championships

in softball and took the football team to the fi-

nals one time, when the Panthers were beat

during the state championship.

A Panther through and through, Whalen

has panther artwork on his walls, a carved

panther on his desk, and he has every reason

to want the athletics program to remain

competitive and be successful. He also has

some ideas of how to build upon the school’s

various sporting successes.

“The reason I wanted this job was I’ve al-

ways been at Piedra Vista, and athletics are a

part of my life,” he said. “I’m very passionate

about it.”

Whalen said he wants to help the coaches

and provide them with the tools they need,

including equipment, clinics and training.

Whalen also has a goal to build support

among Piedra Vista High School alumni,

many of whom have graduated from college

and moved into building careers and families

in the community. “I really wanted to help

promote school spirit and get people excited

about Piedra Vista,” Whalen said. “I want to

get the alumni involved and start a Piedra

Vista Hall of Fame.”

Farmington High School has a sports-re-

lated hall of fame that recognizes the profes-

sional and personal successes of past

athletes. Whalen wants to do the same at

Piedra Vista High School, with hopes of

reaching into the community and developing

relationships to bring further support to the

school. He has a desire to build upon Piedra

Vista’s competitive programs and instill a

“high-quality character” into the athletes.

This could be achieved through community

involvement and showing the athletes the

benefit of giving back to their hometown.

“Everything I do is going to be to try to

make Piedra Vista High School better,”

Whalen said.

New PV

athletic

director

Coach Whalen set to lead Piedra Vista sports Story by Debra Mayeux

18 Four Corners SpOrTS AUGUST 2014

The 9U Farmington Cardinals recently

competed in the Triple Crown World Series in

Steamboat Springs, Colo. The Cardinals were

the only 9-year-old team from New Mexico and

competed against 19 teams from Colorado,

Utah, Missouri, Oklahoma, and California.

“We came to Steamboat hoping to maybe

finish in the top three of the lower division, but

our kids obviously had other plans,” said Assis-

tant Coach John Kuhn.

“This team has a lot of heart and more im-

portantly they have some great parents that

stood behind the coaches every step of the

way; which is why we were able to do what we

did. I’m just happy that I was there to see it in

person because I’m not sure I would have

believed it otherwise.”

Tom YostCourtesy photos

TRIpLE CROWn WORLD SERIES

Farmington Cardinals

take second in

tournament’s top division

The team poses for a photo after the championship game. Farmington Cardinals from left include DJ Maes; Rudy Gonzales; Jake Nelson; Josh Wulfert; Jacob Kuhn; Ryan Ray; Trel Griego; DaxVigil; Colton Roquemore and Aiden Etsitty.


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They finished the tournament in second place overall in the top divi-

sion with a record of 7 wins and 2 losses over the 6-day event. Their

biggest wins came against North Denver (twice), a team from Kansas

City, Missouri, and a tight 3-2 victory over San Diego, California to make

it into the Championship Game.

Both losses came against the eventual Champion and one of the top

9U teams out of Anaheim, California, with a final score of 9-4 in the

Championship Game.

“The best compliment we received all tournament was when the coach

of the eventual champion SoCal (Southern California) Shockers came up to

me and said you guys need to come out and play baseball in SoCal,” said

Head Coach Mike Wulfert. “You can compete with the best.”

Jacob Kuhn rounding first and heading to second

base.Josh Wulfert throwing a change-up pitch. Jake Nelson throwing a stealing runner out.

20 Four Corners SpORTS AUGUST 2014

For years, Aztec Speedway was the track to

which local dirt track racers headed on week-

ends, to compete with other racers and to enjoy

what has become an increasingly popular sport.

Several years ago, there were questions as to

who had the lease to the track and who was enti-

tled to operate it. While the debate continued as

to who had the rights to run the track, Jason

Sandel, whose family owns Aztec Well Service and

land adjacent to the speedway, saw an opportu-

nity for his company to possibly lease the land.

“We had our eye on the land and we are neigh-

bors to the land,” Sandel said. “The previous

leasers had allowed the lease to expire. The

state’s Land Office put the lease out to bid. We

submitted a bid and, in 2011, we were awarded

the lease.”

Sandel saw the opportunity to improve a track

that would continue to bring in local racers and

race fans. “We had a real interest in getting effec-

tive track management. We knew the track could

be a mainstay (for racers and fans) for years to

come if we had the right style of management,”

he said.

Sandel hired Mike Tenski, a diesel instructor at

San Juan College, to manage the track. Bringing

the track up to the standard Sandel holds for all

of his businesses, he began investing his time,

money and effort into the speedway.

“We built a new concession stand and brought

it up to our standard of delivery and product and

we brought in clay to mix with the soil to compact

the track,” he said. “It (the speedway) isn’t about

making money, it’s about community service and

giving back to the racing community.”

“We were going to operate the track for their

benefit,” Sandel said of the racing community.

“And that’s why we brought in Mike (Tenski), and

that’s been the foundation of our relationship.”

Speedway sanctioned by MCA

Aztec Speedway is sanctioned by the Interna-

tional Motor Contest Association, and offers rac-

ers of modifieds, stock cars, hobby stocks, late

models and mini stocks, and sportmods the op-

portunity to race to the checkered flag during a

season that typically begins in early spring and

continues through October.

Sheri Rogers is an avid racing fan and is also a

commissioner for the city of Aztec. “I’ve always

enjoyed auto racing,” Rogers said. “Even as a

child, there was a race track on land my aunt and

uncle owned in Delta, Colo., and we would go as a

family, spread out our blankets, set up our lawn

chairs and enjoy the show.”

While no longer sitting in a lawn chair on a rel-

ative’s land, Rogers said she enjoys the amenities

and the fun that Aztec Speedway has to offer.

“As an adult, it’s even more fun going to the

Aztec Speedway to enjoy the excitement and the

sound of the engines roaring as they speed

around the track,” she said, adding the experi-

ence provides an adrenaline rush and makes for

happy fans.

“I like to pick who I think is going to win by

watching them in their pre-race laps and cheer-

ing them on with the crowd,” Rogers said. “As a

city commissioner, it also makes me feel good to

see all the families there, spending time together

and having fun. And, again as a commissioner, I

appreciate the benefits Aztec enjoys by having the

race track here.”

Economic benefits

For an elected official, Rogers said seeing the

economic benefits Aztec Speedway brings to the

community is rewarding. “There are fiscal bene-

fits of having the racing crews from out of town

staying at the Microtel, which is right across

from the speedway, and frequenting our local

restaurants,” she said. “The best benefit,

though, is having such an all American, family

friendly, fun-filled event to attend, right here in

Aztec.”

Racingaliveandwell

Story by Dorothy Nobis | Courtesy photos

* Speedway 32

Aztec Speedway, FCDRA new track have big plans for the future


Over the past few years there has been a

growing cry to change the name of the NFL’s

Washington Redskins. in early June, 50 U.S.

Senators, all Democrats, submitted a letter to

the NFL office and commissioner Roger Goddell

requesting a name change for Washington. in

2013 a smaller group of only 10 Senators is-

sued a similar request, asking the NFL to

change the name, only to have Goddell reply that the Washington team

name is “a unifying force for strength, courage, pride and respect.”

With the response the NBA made to racial remarks by Los Angeles

clippers owner Donald Sterling, the tide has now turned and Washing-

ton owner Dan Snyder is now under the gun after pledging to never

change the name as long as he was the owner.

Name changes under political pressure are not really all that new.

Washington, D.c., has already gone through a name change once before

as have American indian themed mascots. Major universities, and even

schools right here in the Four corners, have made name changes as a

sign of the changing nature of societal norms. One will have to excuse

the skepticism of Washington fans on the insistence of the name

change.

in 1997, then Washington Bullets owner Abe Pollin changed the name

of the NBA franchise to the Wizards, stating that he “didn’t want to

contribute to Washington’s reputation for violent crime.” in 1972 a

group of American indian students made a plea to Stanford University

President Richard Lyman to change the name of the university mascot

from the indians, which Stanford had been using since the early 1930s,

stating the mascot was “stereotypical, offensive, and a mockery of

indian cultures. Over the next 40 years many other colleges have joined

Stanford and dropped American indian nicknames or stopped using

stereotypical American indian imagery as mascots.

Just north of the border, Fort Lewis college changed its name from

Raiders to Skyhawks in 1994, stating that the symbol of a cavalry rider

as a Raider was offensive to a part of the school’s native student

population. Farmington Schools has also changed its mascots at the

elementary school level changing Mckinley Elementary from Raiders to

Jaguars and Apache from Warriors to Tigers. (Mesa Verde as well, but

that’s a whole other topic.)

Of course violent crime did not decrease in Washington with a simple

name change. Actually after the change the Wizards had the most

infamous gun incident in recent NBA history when All-Star guard Gilbert

Arenas pulled a handgun on his own teammate while playing cards in

the Wizards locker room. For the universities that have changed names

there really hasn’t been anything of significance, including Fort Lewis’

change. Of course there are just as many that have not made the

change, including prominent sports universities such as Florida State

and illinois, which has dropped all sanctioned American indian imagery.

Hundreds of high schools still use American indian imagery as their

mascots, including Redskins, one being just across the border in Red

Mesa, Ariz.

in today’s political climate every issue is

jumped to the other side of one’s opponent, and

the announcement that the United States Patent

Office was canceling Washington’s trademark

registration set off a firestorm in the news

pundit world and in the digital world of

Facebook, Twitter and the lovely world of the

anonymous comment box. Many decried

another overreach of the federal government and yet another example

of a loss of individual freedom. Others asked why the change is taking

so long. The Washington nickname issue is more than trademark loss,

or even about race, as much as it is about how we view government and

its involvement in social issues and whether the government should be

an agent for social change.

This social change may not always be the will of government as much

as it is a political reaction of survival. As the winds of civil rights blow,

politicians move with them. in 2004 only 10 percent of American indians

surveyed found the name “Redskins” offensive, almost matching the

percentage of Senators pushing the issue. Move forward a decade and

23 American indian tribes and more than 50 organizations that

represent various American indian groups have now called for the

removal of the mascot.

The website savethewashingotnredskins.com states that “Redskins is

an anachronism. it is not a slur. it certainly is not — and never has been

— the equivalent of the ‘N-word.’ … Redskin is an old-fashioned word,

once used a great deal in literature and newspapers and Western

movies. it was used as a synonym for indian. Nothing more.” The same

can be said for the defense of other terms now considered offensive in

public or private company. Homosexual slurs and stereotypes were in

literature and entertainment from the first stereotypical gay character

on TV in Soap’s Jody Dallas to a once popular phrase heard in every

high school, “that’s gay” meaning it wasn’t well liked or it was

ridiculous. The N word was also prevalent in literature including Twain’s

Huckleberry Finn, but society evolves. Just because the term has

historical reference doesn’t mean it’s not offensive, just as First

Amendment rights may give you the right to say what you choose, but

not without consequences.

in the summer of 2013 the Piedra Vista Lady Panthers traveled to

Alamosa for a summer basketball team camp. in one game they were

scheduled to play Lamar, colo. Lamar’s mascot is the Savages and they

have a large American indian headdress on their uniforms. While some

of the girls were not fazed by the logo or nickname, others definitely

were. When asked, the parents and coaches of Lamar echoed the

Redskin supporters. The name is a tribute, not a slur, and while

“Redskin” may not be a current insult for the American indian

population, “Savages” is definitely no tribute to their social standing.

The letter from the senators suggests the National Football League

send the same clear message the NBA did. “Racism and bigotry have no

RickHOERNEREditorial columnist

What’s in a name?

* Hoerner 35

22 Four Corners SpORTS AUGUST 2014

The Northwest New Mexico Football Official Association is seek-

ing individuals to become football officials for this season’s mid-

dle and high school football games.

The season begins Aug. 29 and runs through late November, de-

pending on how far the teams progress into the state final com-

petitions.

The association has 16 certified officials that are schedued to

work games in Gallup, Grants, the San Juan Basin and on the

Navajo Reservation. This number is not high enough to handle all

of the games, considering that it takes a team of five individuals

to referee a single high school football game.

An informational meeting and a new officials’ clinic has been

scheduled for Aug. 23 in Farmington. It will be sponsored by the

Northwest New Mexico Football Association (NWNMFOA) to provide

individuals with the knowledge they need to feel comfortable on

the football field.

In association with the New Mexico Athletics Association and

the New Mexico Officials Association, the Northwest New Mexico

Story by Debra Mayeux | Courtesy photos

INTERESTED INBEING A REF?

Northwest New Mexico Football Official Association needs recruits

23Four Corners SPOrTSAUGUST 2014

Football Association will help individuals to

obtain the training they need as well as

provide them with necessary equipment, until

the person is certain they want to continue as

a referee.

The cost associated with becoming a middle

and high school football referee in New Mexico

runs about $150, according to Brent Hamilton,

a member of the NWNMFOA.

A person must pay a $50 registration fee

with New Mexico Athletics Association, or

NMAA, to work as an official. The NMAA

provides the person with a rule book to study

for a test that must be completed.

New Mexico follows the rules developed by

the National Federation of State High School

Associations, said Dave Pixton, group leader of

the NWNMFOA. It is important for officials to

understand these rules, because they differ

from collegiate and professional football.

“You self-study the rules and knowing how

to apply them and then we help with the

mechanics of being on the field,” Hamilton

said.

So what makes a good official?

“Having an interest is the first step. It’s nice

if you have some knowledge of the game,”

Hamilton said. The rule book helps and so does

the NWNMFOA.

“Officiating is a sport within a sport,” Pixton

said. “It’s very challenging to move and know

where you need to be on the field. It’s a huge

challenge to officiate.”

The NWNMFOA is there to help people learn

how to move, to help them feel comfortable on

the field. “Our goal would be to have enough

people, and to train them as much as we could

before they get thrown into the games,” Pixton

said.

The training begins Aug. 23, but there also is

a progression from one level of officiating to

another. Most people begin officiating at the

middle-school level. This gives them an oppor-

tunity to get to know the game, Hamilton said,

adding that there is a great need for officials

at the middle-school level.

“Those games are at four in the afternoon,”

Hamilton said, “and the kids really can’t play

without somebody officiating.”

As a person officiates more games and gains

more experience, they move up in certifications.

“You could advance to be able to officiate play-

offs and state championships,” Pixton said.

There are other benefits as well. “Not only

do you get the opportunity to give back to the

community and help with middle and high

school sports, you get paid,” Pixton said. The

pay amount is based on certification and skill

level, but it could be around $1,500 a season.

The NWNMFOA begins meeting in July each

year to prepare for the upcoming season.

Meetings are from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays.

They provide training and support including

discussing such things as rules and mechanics

of the game to how to deal with coaches.

More information is available on Facebook

at the Northwest New Mexico Football Officials

Facebook Page, or potential officials can call

Pixton at 505.320.3985, or email at

[email protected].


SHILoMCCALL

Before I signed, I had spoken to people who had played

professional baseball before I did, and they told me about

how much of a “grind” pro baseball was. At the time, I

thought they were crazy and questioned how playing

baseball every day could be a grind. Well, after two and a half

years playing pro baseball, I finally understand “the grind.”

It’s hard to explain to people who haven’t done it.

In high school I was able to take days off mentally,

not be 100 percent focused, and I still performed well.

In professional baseball you can’t take any days off mentally

if you want to perform at a high level. You have to have your

mental armor on every day. It’s relentless.

Honestly, leaving high school I thought I was well equipped

and prepared for professional baseball, but to be honest

nothing can fully prepare you for minor league baseball.

You’re out on your own in the real world playing against

grown men from all over the world and you’re competing at

a high level – day in and day out. There really is nothing like

it and no way to prepare for the grind you have to face. It’s

kind of a “learn as you go” kind of thing.

My first couple of years have gone both very predictably

and not at the same time. I am still playing professional

baseball, which I predicted. But many of the things that have

happened to me along the way I never guessed would have

happened.

My current strengths are that I am willing to put in hard

work every day during the season and also during the off-

season to become a more rounded baseball player.

Consistency. I’m still trying to find the right mental ap-

proach to the game to enable me to perform consistently

every day throughout the year.

Consistency. It is easy to go out and be spectacular on any

one given day, but playing at that same high level on a con-

sistent basis is the hardest thing I’ve had to do.

The outdoors is incredible in the Northwest. The ocean is

only an hour away, the mountains are close and world-class

fly-fishing is everywhere.

I miss my family above everything. But I also miss the awe-

some summer weather and being able to go camping and

fishing, and all the other summer activities that I miss out on

during the season.

I enjoy fly-fishing, a little bit of hunting, pretty much any-

thing outdoors.

Since we last spoke, how has life in the minor leagues beendifferent from your expectations?

1

What has been the biggest adjustment that you have made

from high school to professional baseball?

2

How did your time with Piedra Vista prepare you for minor

league baseball?

3

Evaluate how your first couple of years have gone according

to your 5- and 10-year plan.

4

What are your current strengths? 5

What are your current weaknesses? 6

What is the greatest challenge ahead of you

to move up from your current level to the

next levels?

7

What do you love about the Pacific North-

west?

8

What do you miss about not being at home?9

What do you enjoy doing in your free time

away from baseball?

10

Shilo McCall graduated from Piedra Vista High School and was drafted by the

San Francisco Giants in the 9th round of the 2012 MLB June Amateur Draft.

He plays for the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes of the Class A Northwest League,

an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.

He is currently batting around .210 for the season with 18 Runs Batted In,

3 Home Runs and 12 Doubles.


FishingFishingREPORTREPORT

FishingREPORT

T.J. Massey

San Juan River Outfitters

www.sanjuanriveroutfitters.com

505.486.5347

Fishing on the San Juan River below

Navajo Lake has been very good

through the month of July. Current

flows are 648 cfs.

With hatches at a minimum, look

for the fish to be holding in some of

the slower water, and feeding in the

early morning hours. Look for the

water level to increase slightly in

August.

Some of the hot nymphs to try are:

Size 22 Gray Big Mac

Size 22 Cream Larvae

Size 22 Red Larvae

Size 22 Black and Gray Midge

Size 24 Olive Midge

Size 18 Tan Chamois Leach

Best dry fly patterns are:

Size 18 Black Foam Ant

Size 18 Griffiths Gnat

Size 22 Parachute Adams

Fishing below the Quality Waters

has been good using night crawlers

and salmon eggs. Fly fisherman

have been doing great in this sec-

tion of river using a size 16 Orange

San Juan Worm trailed by a size 20

Chocolate Foam Wing.

After being located at the Animas Valley Mall since 1992, R Sports is

moving to its new location at 3010 E. 20th St. Suite B, next to Hastings.

Owner Richard Ruybalid said the new location will allow R Sports to in-

crease their children’s apparel inventory and the location also provides a

better layout for the store's many sports items. Ruybalid said the move

also will allow the company to support area youth athletics, enhance their

rewards program and “support kids more than we’ve been able to in the

past.”

R Sports at new location

Debra MayeuxCourtesy photos

Corporate athletes are in the making

throughout San Juan County, since the hospital

decided four years ago to begin offering Full

Engagement training to the community.

Full Engagement training, or FEt, gives par-

ticipants a look at how productive, healthy and

happy they can be if they pay attention to and

work at finding a balance between their body,

mind and spirit in every aspect of their lives.

Developed by psychologist Jim Loehr, the

program focuses on nutrition, exercise, energy

management and work-life balance. Loehr has

worked with athletes, businesses, police de-

partments and the military to provide people

with the tools to maximize their en-

ergy and get the most out

of their lives.

“I don’t think there’s any-

body that can’t benefit in

from it in some way,” said

Sandi Grunwaldt, manager of

the local FEt program. “You

don’t need to be any type of

person, age or ability. Anyone

can benefit.”

FEt was introduced in 2003 to

San Juan regional Medical Center’s

board of directors and employees

by then-CEo Steve Altmiller, who at-

tended a FEt training in Florida. Alt-

miller developed a program for the

hospital’s employees, which was of-

fered between 2004 and 2009, and then

it was decided to open it up to the com-

munity.

“As the hospital became more focused

on wellness, we began offering FEt to the

community,” Grunwaldt said.

26 Four Corners SportS AUGUST 2014

Hospital’s program creates happy, healthy and more productive employees

FET concEpT sprEads

ThroughouT communiTy

27Four Corners SPOrTSAUGUST 2014

Pilot groups were set up within organiza-

tions and the schools. “We started getting grant

funding to have the schools join us in 2010,”

Grunwaldt said. “We do more school groups in

the summer.”

Educators participate in the FET training and

take the helpful tips back to their school, where

they can share the techniques with children.

This creates more health-conscious children,

who, it is hoped will retain the knowledge into

their adulthood.

“People don’t realize even little steps make a

big difference in how you feel,” Grunwaldt said.

FET does not promote dieting, nor does it

teach that everyone should be an Olympic ath-

lete. What it does focus on is healthy eating,

which incorporates correct portion sizes into

your meals. It encourages people to exercise

daily with both cardiovascular and strength-

training exercises in the mix. It also shows peo-

ple how to balance their blood sugar by

snacking between meals, and it promotes the

concept of getting out of your chair and moving

around or stretching every 30 minutes.

Other aspects of the program, deal with dis-

covering and facing the facts about yourself and

the reasons you might not be successful when it

comes to healthy living. Each participant is pro-

vided with free diagnostic testing and the results

given to them during the training. They have an

opportunity to see if their cholesterol or sugars

are too high, and they are given tools to help

manage the numbers and bring them down.

There is a journaling component, tools for stress

management and storytelling.

While FET is not a measured wellness pro-

gram, it provides participants with the tools

they need for healthier and happier living. “It is

intended to change the culture, where it is ac-

ceptable to walk on a break, to bring healthy

snacks to a meeting … It is intended for the

whole culture where corporate work, work,

work is not the goal,” Grunwaldt said.

Another important aspect of FET is that the

participants don’t just spend three days in

training and then are left on their own to figure

the rest of it out. There are “recharge” ses-

sions, which allow for re-evaluations of the di-

agnostic testing and a chance to revisit the

lifestyle changes promoted by FET. Participants

also have access to a hospital-provided coach,

gym memberships and nutritional support.

What started out at the hospital has spread

to the city of Farmingt on, the school districts,

San Juan County and ConocoPhillips – to name

a few. Some 1,300 resident have attended the

trainings, with the hospital offering about 100

sessions per year.

“The word is spreading about the concept

– if you have healthy employees, they seem to

be happier and more productive,” Grunwaldt

said.

The 10 most important energy management strategies,

according to Loehr, include:• Go to bed early and wake up early

• Go to sleep and wake up consistently at the same times

• Eat five to six small meals daily

• Eat breakfast everyday

• Eat a balanced, healthy diet

• Minimize simple sugars

• Drink 48 to 64 ounces of water daily

• Take breaks every 90 minutes during work

• Get some physical activity daily

• Do at least two cardiovascular interval workouts and two strength training workouts a week.

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The course has a 40-year history of

providing golfing opportunities for area

golfers. Originally built as a nine-hole course,

the course was expanded to 18 holes in April

of 2001. It is a par 72 and is open from 7 a.m.

until dark. The Rusty Putter Bar and Grill

serves breakfast and lunch every day and has

a full liquor license for those seeking to relax

at the “Nineteenth Hole.”

Being at a golf course six days a week –

and seven during the summer – leaves little

time for those who work at Hidden Valley to

enjoy the sport. Tomko said he manages to

play a couple of times a week, but spends

most of his spare time with his wife and his

family.

The little boy who favored golf over Disney-

land is happy to be back home and at Hidden

Valley. “I want to stay here,” Tomko said of his

future at Hidden Valley. “I want to get this

course back on its feet and to see the course

full (of golfers). And I want to put my own

personal touch on this place.”

“And it’s good to be home and close to

family,” he added.

His mother is equally happy to have her son

and daughter-in-law close by. “I’m glad he’s

home, doing so well and enjoying his job – and

he’s lovin’ life right now,” she said. “What

more could you ask for your children?”

Tomko continued from 11


Tom YostCourtesy photos

Jon Mestas was having wonderful success in his first season

with the Windy City Thunderbolts of the Independent Frontier

League. Batting around .270 in 140 at bats with the Thunderbolts,

Mestas was a utility guy in the infield and a mainstay at the DH

(designated hitter).

That was until just recently, when Mestas received a phone

call. “I just received a call from the Amarillo Sox of the American

Association to come play ball for them,” said Mestas. “It is a

great move for me as it is a step up with many more ex-profes-

sionals and veterans playing ball than in Windy City.”

Mestas, a product of Farmington High School where he won

four consecutive state championships, graduated in 2008 and

then spent years at Mesa State College in Colorado, then Seward

Community College in Kansas before going to the University of

Buffalo.

The Windy City Thunderbolts drafted Mestas after his success

in the California Winter League, where he was one of 50 players

who were signed out of the 300 players in the league. As he moves

on to Amarillo, Mestas feels he will get to play in the field more.

“I was extremely happy when the coach called and told me that

they were looking for a middle infielder,” explained Mestas.

“I am looking forward to learning and growing as a profes-

sional and to produce at whatever position they ask me to play.”

Both the Thunderbolts and the Sox are teams in independent

leagues, which means that they aren’t affiliated with any major

league team, but players from the independent leagues can be

signed to Major League organizations at any time. Mestas credits

a lot of what he has accomplished to his years at Farmington

High School.

Making the best

of everythingFarmington’s Jon Mestas joins Amarillo Sox

* Mestas 34


Three very short years ago, Raymond Torres started

to play the game of golf at Hidden Valley Golf Course

under the tutelage of Tom mcClurg. When mcClurg was

approached about operating a program location of The

First Tee of San Juan County, N.m., he jumped at the

chance.

Those two decisions have resulted in a once-in-a-life-

time opportunity for Torres, who recently was selected

as one of 81 participants taking part in The Nature

Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links to-

wards the end of September.

“Raymond being selected to play at Pebble Beach is

a truly great accomplishment,” explained mcClurg.

“It proves that if you work hard and do the right

things, good things will eventually come to you. His

being chosen will inspire all of the young kids in our

chapter, who come from tough situations, that hard

work does pay off.”

Torres becomes the second consecutive participant

from The First Tee of San Juan County, N.m., to be

selected to attend The Nature Valley First Tee Open. In

2013, Patrick Gregoire was selected as a participant

for the event, was paired up with Senior PGA Tour

Player, Dan Forsman, and finished the tournament in

6th place.

TOmYOSTThe First Tee

Torres headed

to Pebble Beach

for First Tee Open


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This year Torres’s dream will come true.

“It means the world to me to get to play

Pebble Beach in the Nature Valley First Tee

Open,” explained Torres. “It will be one of the

greatest experiences of my lifetime. For starters,

I have never flown on an airplane before, and

then to get to play Pebble Beach and meet some

players on the Senior PGA Tour is unbelievable.”

“This is the ultimate experience for partici-

pants of The First Tee,” said chapter Executive

Director, Thomas Yost. “Raymond is the second

participant selected to play in The Nature Valley

First Tee Open from our chapter and there isn’t a

more deserving person that we have worked

with. We, as a chapter, are thrilled to have Ray-

mond selected for this life-changing experience.

He will remember this for the rest of his life.”

Torres has progressed through the PLAYer,

Par and Birdie Levels of The First Tee Life

Skills Curriculum within his last two years.

He has played at the varsity level for Aztec

High School and narrowly missed going to

the state tournament last year. Torres

spends his days at Hidden Valley Golf Club

either working at the course, working on his

golf game or mentoring younger participants

at The First Tee of San Juan County, N.M.

“Raymond is the model for how our life skills

curriculum can change lives and provide oppor-

tunities. He incorporates our Nine Core Values in

his daily life and has worked hard on his golf

skills to accomplish what he has,” said Yost.

“To me, the First Tee is all about helping

people, like Raymond, who are willing to work

hard to succeed,” added McClurg. “I believe the

committee members read his story and they

made the decision that this is someone they can

help by giving him this wonderful opportunity.”

The relationship between Torres and McClurg

has turned into a wonderful bond between

mentor and student. McClurg has taken Torres

under his wing in all aspects of daily life and

helped him through some tough times. That rela-

tionship will continue, as McClurg will be caddy-

ing for Torres at the Nature Valley First Tee Open.

“Tom caddying for me means so much,” said

Torres. “He has helped me out through quite a

bit and has been there for me. I am so glad that

he is going to be down there with me because he

is going to make me feel like I belong there and

will make the whole experience more enjoyable.”

McClurg is going to use the experience to help

encourage younger participants within his

program to become all that they can be.

“The First Tee is helping revive the great sport

of golf by bringing the game to kids like

Raymond, who without the program would have

never been exposed to it,” said McClurg. “My

career in golf has had many great highlights,

and sharing the experiences at Pebble Beach

with Raymond is going to be right at the top of

the list. I look forward to returning home and

sharing the experiences of the trip with the

upcoming participants of The First Tee – hoping

to inspire some of them to set a goal of playing

in this great event.”

The outcome of the three-day event on the

Monterey Peninsula in September is arbitrary.

What truly matters is that a young man in Aztec

continues to improve himself on a daily basis –

both on and off the golf course.

“Raymond is growing as a person daily, and

by the time he returns he is not going to be the

same person,” explained McClurg. “He is going to

be a better person and this event should spring-

board his life into bigger and better things.

That's what The First Tee is all about.”

32 Four Corners SpoRTS AUGUST 2014

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The economic impact the speedway offers has

not been missed by Jason Sandel. “We’re going to

continue to invest in the track and the community

and we have high hopes of bringing concerts to

the track. We’d like to use the facility for events

other than racing, and we’d like to build a 2,500-

seat amphitheater, and bring in concerts. We’d

like this to be a special attraction for the Four

Corners.”

A concert held last year brought in a large

crowd, in spite of the fact that the area received

one of the few rain storms of the year that night.

“Everyone had a good time and we helped Those

Devils, a talented band, on the big stage, which is

where they are much of the time, now.”

“My father (former State Representative Jerry

Sandel) and I enjoy putting smiles on the faces of

people in the area,” Sandel said. “We hope Aztec

Speedway becomes the center for motorcycle

races, monster truck races – we have 40 acres of

outdoor playground for the community of Aztec.”

Sandel said Aztec city officials have been sup-

portive of the efforts at the speedway. “We would-

n’t make an investment in the speedway if we did-

n’t believe in it,” he said. “And we’re inspired and

look forward to a very bright future.”

With Aztec Speedway garnering lots of atten-

tion and crowds in the northern part of the

county, there is another racetrack that is coming

into its own as well.

Four Corners Drag Racing Association The Four Corners Drag Racing Association, or

FCDRA, continues work on its track, located near

Sims Mesa, just off Highway 64, turning left on

Highway 522. Volunteers have spent countless

hours working on the 38 acres of land they have

Artists image of track.

Speedwaycontinued from 20

33Four Corners SPoRTSAUGUST 2014

leased from the Smith family to create Porter

Smith Raceway, another dirt track venue for

local racers and fans.

Volunteers have moved between 450,000 to

500,000 cubic yards of dirt, using equipment, fuel

and time that were donated in this community

effort.

After more than a year of hard work, the

FCDRA hosted an open house this spring and in-

vited people to take a look at their labor of love

and share the vision of what organizers hope it

will become.

“We had a good turnout,” said Paul James,

one of the organizers and volunteers. “People

were impressed with what we had done and we

got some additional volunteers.”

More than 10,000 feet of pipe fence still

needs to be installed, and donations are cur-

rently being sought to help pay for the next

phase of the project, the paving. People have

been generous with their donations, James

said, and in addition to providing much needed

money, have donated equipment, the pipe for

the fence, lighting for the track, and timing

equipment.

“This really has been a community effort,”

James said of the project. “Racers are excited

about the track, and businesses and citizens

have been generous with their donations.”

The paving of the track will be a major un-

dertaking, James admitted. “We’ve got more

than $1 million to raise,” he said, “but we’re

hoping to raise it and get the pavement down

by fall.”

The determination of the members of the

FCDRA is intense and they believe the track will

be used by many in the area. “The local drag

racers are very excited and the word about the

track is starting to get out to the younger

kids,” James said.

A recent trip to Denver garnered support

from members of the National Hot Rod Associa-

tion, James said. “We spoke to several of the

professional drivers and told them about our

track. They were very interested and excited

about a new drag strip being built.”

If you’d like to donate to the project, would

like to volunteer or need additional information,

James invites people to call him at 505.330.6365,

or Glen Cockrell at 505.330.6875.

34 Four Corners SportS AUGUST 2014

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Mestas continued from 29

“Farmington High School’s pro-

gram did a great job in preparing

me for what I am doing today be-

cause of how cut-throat the pro-

gram was,” said Mestas. “You were

always trying to earn your job which

is exactly how it is out here. I didn’t

play a lot as a junior in high school,

but it prepared me for my senior

year.”

Mestas realizes the long road

ahead, but understands what he

needs to improve to move up the

ranks into the minor leagues.

“As I get older, I am starting to

mature and realize how to identify

my weaknesses and work to im-

prove upon them,” said Mestas.

“Every day you come out to the field

you have a plan to improve. I also

am learning to realize what I do well

on the field and not always focus on

the negative aspects of my game.”


place in professional sports,” the letter said.

“It’s time for the NFL to endorse a name change.

… Now is the time for the NFL to act. The

Washington, D.C., football team is on the wrong

side of history. What message does it send to

punish slurs against African Americans while

endorsing slurs against Native Americans?”

The webmaster of savethewashingtonredskins

says that majority should rule: that a simple

majority should decide whether the name should

be changed or not and that the name itself is a

freedom of speech First Amendment right. That’s

not how our system works. The Constitution is not

for the majority to have its way. It is there to

protect the minority from the will of the majority.

If majority was to rule, school segregation and

slavery during the antebellum period was favored

by the majority as were Jim Crow Laws and the

lack of support for women’s voting rights the first

century and a half of this country’s existence.

If this is country is to live out the dream of

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., where people are not

judged by the color of their skin but by the content

of their character, then surely the NFL can change

a mascot solely based on skin color.

Hoerner continued from 21MestasMestas is determined to im-

prove and climb the ladder of

professional baseball, but also

understands the odds that are

stacked against him. “I am al-

ways watching the veterans, try-

ing to pick their brains so that I

can improve,” explained Mestas.

“I am trying to make the best

out of everything and take ad-

vantage of these opportunities

to better myself. I am going to

exhaust every opportunity that

baseball gives to me, but I un-

derstand that at the end of the

day there is life after baseball.”

Mestas continues to improve

and continues to draw the no-

tice of higher-level teams. With

the proper work ethic instilled

and a wonderful attitude toward

the game, he will continue to

move toward reaching his goals

in professional baseball.

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