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3Four Corners SPORTSAugust 2015
content| 4 | Best Showing EverSixty-two athletes, who participated in the
Connie Mack World Series since 2009, have
been drafted into Major league Baseball.
This set a new record for the annual Ameri-
can Amateur Baseball Congress, or AABC,
series, which is in its 51st year and will be
played July 31 though August 1 at Ricketts
Park in Farmington.
| 8 | San Juan River Balloon RallyHot air balloons have been romanticized
and fantasized about since 1860, when
the first hot air balloon lifted off and
took to the skies.
| 22 | Athletes of the YearIt’s time to pick the 2014-2015 Majestic
Media Athletes of the Year.
| 18 | Catching upwith the countyNew coaches, major league draft,
camps and fundraiser
| 26 | Who took the title?To win School of the Year we’ll combine
the boys and girls overall records from
every sport in all three seasons as posted
by the NMAA. Scoring will use the track
and field scoring system.
| 14 | 51st San JuanOpenThe 2015 San Juan Open wrapped up on
June 26 with Jim Knous outlasting Jimmy
Gunn to claim the $15,000 champions
check and staking claim to one of the
more prestigious golf championships in
the state of New Mexico.
| 28 | Saddled Up San Juan County was represented by five
cowgirls and three cowboys at the 2015
National High School Finals Rodeo, held in
Rock Springs, Wyoming, July 14 through
20.
| 12 | Editorial Columnistby Rick Hoerner
| 34 | The First Teeby Tom Yost
| 32 | NASCAR Nellie
| 30 | Summer Sports
| 31 | NMAA Board meets
Don Vaughan
PuBlISHER
Cindy Cowan Thiele
EDITOR
Rick Hoerner
Tom Yost
Dorothy Nobis
CONTRIBuTING WRITERS
Josh Bishop
Curtis Ray Benally
CONTRIBuTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Suzanne Thurman
DESIGNER
Clint Alexander
SAlES STAFF
lacey Waite
ADMINISTRATION
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. © 2015 Four Corners Sports magazine.
Majestic Media
100 W. Apache Street
Farmington, NM 87401
505.516.1230
www.majesticmediausa.com
STORY IDEAS and PHOTOS
covercredit
Please send to
Curtis Ray Benally
4 Four Corners SPoRTS August 2015
Sixty-two athletes, who participated in the Connie Mack World Se-
ries since 2009, have been drafted into Major League Baseball. This
set a new record for the annual American Amateur Baseball Con-
gress, or AABC, series, which is in its 51st year and will be played
July 31 though August 1 at Ricketts Park in Farmington.
The local committee began keeping track of the players future
last year and discovered that the series has a good showing of
“strong athletes,” said Kim Stradling. “It’s a real strong draft of kids
that come into our tournament.”
Not only are the Connie Mack players being picked up by the
Major League, many are playing in college, with 25 former Connie
Mack players participating in the college world series this year. “It’s
not just the pros, colleges are picking up our kids too,” Stradling
said.
Best showing
ever62 Connie Mack players drafted into MLB
Story by Debra Mayeux
5Four Corners SportSAugust 2015
the No. 1 draft pick this year played for East
Cobb, and while he didn’t make it to the 2014
Connie Mack World Series, he was still a player
in the AABC, according to AABC National presi-
dent richard Neely. “the No. 2 draft pick did
play in the Connie Mack World Series,” he said.
this “better class of athlete” playing in each
game “pretty well guarantees” good baseball
for the crowd that pack the park for daytime
and evening games, Stradling said.
And, according to Neely, there will be more
games to enjoy. the committee added two ad-
ditional tournament spots this year, bringing
the total number of games to 12. this is some-
thing the public has wanted for a long time.
“We are fortunate this year to add both the
champion from the AABC Don Mattingly World
Series for High School eligible players, and the
continental qualifier from Charleston, S.C.,”
Neely said. “this latest tournament fills a void
the AABC had in that particular area of the
country.”
With these additional teams there will be
more games during the day, because the tour-
nament will keep its historic schedule of run-
ning Friday to Friday. Neely said there will be
three games July 31, Aug. 1 to 3, and then four
games on Aug. 4. there will be three games on
Aug. 5, two on Aug. 6 and one or two on Aug. 7.
“Since we expanded to 10 teams a few years
ago, it provided new winners and greater com-
pletion,” Neely said, “and we expect an even
better tournament in 2015.”
More games will give people a better chance
at getting in to see teams play and have a Con-
nie Mack experience, which has been difficult
for some over the years because of reserved
ticket sales. this makes for overcrowding in
the general admission area and sometimes
empty seats in the reserved section.
Connie Mack World Series Chairman Brad
Campbell said the committee is working on
this ongoing issue. “For the last two years we
have a program in place for these reserved
ticket holders to return tickets they know will
be unused, back to us, and we will sell them on
a game-by-game basis.”
While the committee looked into an elec-
tronic tracking system for seating, it proved to
be a rather costly and complicated venture.
“We hope to have this running for the 2016 se-
ries,” Campbell said, adding, “If we find that
specific seats continue to go unused, we will
generate a better way to make these seats
available to everyone.”
If you can’t make it out to ricketts park,
6 Four Corners SportS August 2015
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“I love how this town comes
together and supports the
event...”
— Brad Campbell
7Four Corners SPORTSAugust 2015
however, video streaming is available and
games are broadcast live on Vertical Radio,
88.9 FM.
“Video streaming has been a great addition
to the Connie Mack World Series,” Neely said.
Every game is streamed on the AABC Web site
at aabc.us.
Also new this year, there will national expo-
sure for the series with the Friday night
games being broadcast on MLB.tv.
Neely had attempted to get the baseball net-
work to broadcast the Connie Mack World Se-
ries for a number of years, but was contacted
in January by the network about broadcasting
the Friday night games. Neely thought it was a
great idea and signed a contract to allow for
it. While the AABC will pay for the broadcasts,
Neely is confident about the opportunity. “It’s
national exposure. I’ll make it happen,” he
said.
For the locals who just want to enjoy Connie
Mack Week, Campbell said there will be plenty
to enjoy.
“As always we have the parade, the opening
ceremonies, the different host organizations
hosting events for their individual teams,”
Campbell said. “We will have the return of both
the coache’s Fungo Challenge and the Home-
run Derby.”
At the ballpark, he said the feeling is elec-
tric. “I have experienced competitive tourna-
ments at nearly all levels and I have never seen
anything like this. Where else can you get
5,000 fans watching a game between Ohio and
Texas without a local player involved? You get
the local team playing and the atmosphere is
electric and unreal.”
The Jumbotron also will be back adding to
that experience. The Jumbotron is brought to
Ricketts Park during the World Series through
a partnership between the committee and Ma-
jestic Media.
“It gives our stadium the feel of a big league
ballpark,” said Don Vaughan, owner of Majestic
Media, which has an agreement with the com-
mittee to handle all of its marketing as well as
the management of the Jumbotron. “We applaud
the committee for bringing in the Jumbotron.”
Vaughan said it allows for such things as
player interviews, instant replay, kisscam and
videos. “It adds another level of excitement
and entertainment to the experience.”
Connie Mack also allows for the baseball
experience outside of the park with its host
family program. “This is a very fulfilling adven-
ture and you get to experience the World Se-
ries through the eyes of the players. Not to
mention the lifelong relationships that are
formed,” Campbell said.
Campbell said his favorite part about the
Connie Mack World Series is the way the com-
munity rallies around the event. “I love how
this town comes together and supports the
event … the outrageous number of volunteers
and sponsors it takes to put this tournament
on and for it to be successful for more than 50
years,” he said.
8 Four Corners SportS August 2015
San Juan River
Balloon Rally
9Four Corners SpORTSAugust 2015
Hot air balloons have been romanticized
and fantasized about since 1860, when the
first hot air balloon lifted off and took to
the skies.
Over the years, hot air balloons have
been improved and become a sport and
an activity that attracts millions of people
to balloon festivals, fiestas and rallies.
While the shapes of the balloons have
changed drastically since that first nylon
balloon with no basket, just a seat, lifted
off, the romance and the fantasy of them
has intensified.
When Bonnie Hopkins and Chad Byers
decided they wanted a private wedding
that wouldn’t be traditional, but would
share their love of adventure and excite-
ment, they decided to get married in a hot
air balloon.
“My parents were on a balloon chase
crew when I was a kid,” Hopkins-Byers ex-
plained, “so I have great memories of
early mornings and fun chasing adven-
tures. Chad and I wanted something that
was just for the two of us. I loved the idea
of ballooning and something new and ex-
citing.”
“The idea of a private wedding is pretty
rare, but was welcomed by all of our fam-
ily and friends that know us well,” Hopkins
said. “I saw an ad for the Bloomfield Bal-
loon Rally and I took a chance and called
the Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce.”
Hopkins-Byers said she wanted to get
married at the rally, but a chamber staff
member suggested she call Doug Lenberg,
a balloon meister. After several messages
and attempts to contact, Hopkins and
Lenberg finally connected and the plan for
a hot air balloon wedding was finalized.
With the wedding vows exchanged, the
newly wedded couple enjoyed the rally,
along with hundreds of others. “I think
the ballooning community is great,” Hop-
kins-Byers said. “It is so friendly and open
and anyone can join in. The pilots and
their crews do it (ballooning) because
they genuinely love it and they want to
Wedding, balloonists take to the skies over Bloomfield
Story by Dorothy Nobis | Photos Josh Bishop
10 Four Corners SpOrTS August 2015
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share what they love doing.”
Janet Mackey is the president of the Bloom-
field Chamber of Commerce Board of Direc-
tors. This year marked the eighth year of the
rally.
“Our first year, we had eight balloons and
we’ve grown every year,” Mackey said. “This
was our biggest year ever. We had 11 returning
pilots and seven new ones, and it was a great
mix and diversity of pilots, both in age and gen-
der.”
The rally brings together families and
friends for a no-cost event to share, Mackey
said. “During the Glow (which is held at night),
the pilots will talk to the kids, lift them in and
out of the balloon baskets, and give them trad-
ing cards,” she added. “They have endless pa-
tience with the little ones and they love to ex-
plain the balloon dynamics to them.”
“We also hope it will promote tourism,”
Mackey said. “When the pilots and their fami-
lies see our great area of New Mexico, we hope
they’ll want to come back.”
Scott Eckstein is the mayor of Bloomfield,
said the annual rally brings people into
Chad Byers and Bonnie Hopkins wanted something that was just for the two of them. Bonnie loved the idea of ballooning and something new and exciting so they were mar-
ried at the eigth annual San Juan River Balloon Rally.
11Four Corners SpOrTSAugust 2015
the community, where they stay, enjoy the city’s restaurants and
friendly atmosphere and with hopes of return again.
“The real benefit to the city is the opportunity we have to share all
our community has to offer,” Eckstein said. “We’re proud of Bloomfield
and we enjoy visiting with the pilots and watching the balloons lift off
and dot the skies with color. It’s a great event and we appreciate the
chamber’s hard work in hosting it.”
Gwen Alston of The Accounting Firm, Inc., has sponsored the rally
since it began.
“Our sponsorship began when Doug Lenberg asked if I wanted to
sponsor and my daughter and I could have a flight,” Alston said. “I im-
mediately said yes. Since then, my extended family, as well as my em-
ployees and their families, have had the opportunity to participate, not
only as passengers, but as part of the chase crew.”
Getting up early to crew or to ride brings benefits, said Bonnie Hop-
kins-Byers. “We get so wrapped up in New Mexico’s sunsets, but I prefer
our sunrises. Sunrise is so peaceful and calming, and so is ballooning,”
she said. “It’s exciting and adventurous, but once you’re up in the air,
you don’t have a care or a worry in the world.”
“It isn’t easy to find that kind of peace in this world,” Hopkins-Byers
added.
“Ballooning is an unforgettable experience and you just can’t get that
from a few extra hours of sleep.”
12 Four Corners SPORTS August 2015
in the past decade Marvel, and very soon
Dc, comics will exhaust the movie genre of
superhero. it’s interesting to me that in the
movies, in comics or on TV the hero is usually
a tortured soul who finds their inner hero
through turmoil and challenge.
Yet in everyday life the term hero is
thrown around so casually that the word
hero, in this decade, is the equivalent of the
word “awesome” back in the 1980s.
Everything was once awesome. Now every-
one is a hero.
According to the good folks at Merriam-
Webster, a hero is:
1 A: A mythological or legendary figure,
often of divine descent, endowed with great
strength or ability
B: An illustrious warrior
c: A man admired for his achievements
and noble qualities
D: One who shows great courage
2 A: The principal male character in a lit-
erary or dramatic work
B: The central figure in an event, period,
or movement
Now at first glance this definition is in-
credibly sexist. Then, second of all, it is vague
in the qualities that define the term. The defi-
nition is full of abstract adjectives describing
heroism – “legendary,” “illustrious” and
“noble.” How can a word be defined by words
that are essentially indefinable?
This brings us to the saga that is
Bruce/caitlyn Jenner.
i am old enough to remember watching
the Montreal Olympics in 1976 where Bruce
Jenner captivated a nation with a world
record decathlon performance. Jenner was
the American poster boy of the Olympics ap-
pearing on the Wheaties box and turning
from athlete to celebrity. Jenner starred in
some horribly memorable movies including
The Village People’s You can’t Stop the Music,
and eventually taking a nearly impossible
down turn to reality television and keeping
Up With the kardashians.
Apparently, though, this is not who Bruce
Jenner is, and now, nearly 40 years after win-
ning the title of World’s Greatest Athlete, Jen-
ner announced to the world that he would
become caitlyn Jenner.
The change for caitlyn Jenner was as pub-
lic as everything in the reality TV world
seems to be. in April, Jenner was interviewed
by Diane Sawyer and revealed that he was a
transgender woman. immediately the inter-
net erupted.
The lines were drawn right down party
lines. Republicans responded as predicted.
Rush Limbaugh claimed, “These people have
a very serious problem. … [T]hey need help,
not encouragement.” Former Secretary of Ed-
ucation William Bennett added, “it’s like
American culture is being dragged kicking
and screaming not only toward acceptance,
but approval.”
The democratic response was equally pre-
dictable. Jenner was described as “brave”
and “a hero” by many, from the president to
Democratic frontrunner Hillary clinton.
Here is where the real debate began. it
would of course be politically incorrect to
hammer Jenner for coming out transgender.
So the social media battle began on how
heroic Jenner really was. Suddenly, memes
were posting up all over Facebook about the
comparison of Jenner to the military, mostly
comparing Jenner to American Sniper chris
kyle.
How did we get to the point where we
argue over semantics and choice of useful
definition?
Noam chomsky once wrote, “We shouldn’t
be looking for heroes, we should be looking
for good ideas.” True, perhaps, but we have
constantly been in search of the hero. Histor-
ical figures are seen as heroic. Even sports
figures are seen as heroic. The last-second
shot. The player who guts out an injury.
Yet now the term has lost meaning. is Jen-
ner heroic? Or would another synonym work
better? Does it really matter if someone used
RickHOERNEREditorial columnist
A matter of perspectiveDefining of hero is not a one size fits all proposition
13Four Corners SPORTSAugust 2015
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“heroic” and meant it as “brave”? Either way
the definition works. Using the dictionary defi-
nition above, 1-D fits right in. What Jenner did
took of great courage, whether you agree with
his choice or not.
It really is fascinating how one term or an-
other can get so politicized, but really heroism
is just like truth, it is completely within the eye
of the beholder.
Bulls fans see Michael Jordan as a hero for
hitting that last second shot over Craig Ehlo in
Game 5 of the 1989 playoffs, but in Cleveland
probably not so much.
The same can be said of Jenner and these
ridiculous comparisons to our troops in uni-
form. The troops that put on the Stars and
Stripes deserve every amount of respect given
to them and by definition they hit every point.
But again this is all a matter of perspective.
Imagine that the movie American Sniper had a
complete role reversal and the new movie Tal-
iban Sniper told the story of the most deco-
rated marksman in Taliban history with 160
certified kills while protecting his brothers in
arms.
I doubt we here in the United States would
see that sniper as a hero, but certainly as a
villain.
Even this week as I write this story, the
heroic virtues of the Civil War are coming into
question. Is the Confederate battle flag a sign
of brutal slavery? Or is it just a symbol of a
past way of life? Again, that may be in the eye
of the beholder, but why chance that some-
thing you stand for would grievously hurt
other people?
Yet here we are as we decide not only who
is or who is not a “hero,” but what that virtue
is. And apparently if it doesn’t fit your defini-
tion then it must not be true.
In 1993, Charles Barkley, who is no
stranger to controversial statements, made
his famous “I Am Not a Role Model” advertise-
ment for Nike. Barkley states that he’s “not
paid to be a role model. … Parents should be
role models. Just because I dunk a basketball
doesn’t mean I should raise your kids.” Some
took to Barkley’s comments as a good thing.
Others saw Barkley’s comments as ridiculous.
Athletes are automatically role models.
Just as there are different types of role
models – and they come in all shapes and
sizes – so do heroes.
It’s not a “one size fits all” proposition. So
whatever becomes of Caitlyn Jenner, one
thing is certain. As a society we have to
choose words more carefully while simulta-
neously not taking everything someone else
says within the confines of our own defini-
tions.
It’s no wonder politicians never answer any
questions. We’re just too stuck in our ways to
understand the nuance of the answers.
14 Four Corners SpOrTS August 2015
The 2015 San Juan Open wrapped up on
June 26 with Jim Knous outlasting Jimmy
Gunn to claim the $15,000 champions check
and staking claim to one of the more presti-
gious golf championships in the state of New
Mexico.
Knous won with rounds of 68, 63, 65 and
66, shooting 22 under par 262 to win by 2
strokes over Gunn.
Story by Tom Yost | Photos by Curtis Ray Benally
51S
T
Knous take the win by 2 strokes
SANJUAN OPEN
15Four Corners SpOrtSAugust 2015
Just coming off a wonderful showing at
Chambers Bay in the 2015 United States Open,
Gunn was the favorite heading into the event,
even though he had a tough time deciding
whether or not even to play in the 2015 San
Juan Open the week after the US Open.
“I wasn’t going to come after the US Open,”
said Gunn. “But I just love it here. I had my
friends and family with me at Chambers Bay,
but it was very difficult for them to watch me
play. I had my dad with me this week so he
got to ride in the cart with me and get a lot
closer to the action than he did last week at
the US Open.”
Gunn started the final round one shot back
of Knous and Nick Killpack. Killpack quickly
fell off the pace with two bogeys in his first
four holes, while Knous and Gunn finished the
front nine tied for the lead at 19 under par.
Momentum seemed to be trending toward
the 2013 San Juan Open Champion, Gunn
when he saved par with a 40-foot putt after
an errant drive on hole 10 cost him a penalty
stroke because of an unplayable lie.
“I had been struggling with my driver on holes 9, 10 and 11,” said
Gunn. “I should be looking at birdie chances on 10 and 11, but the long
par putt on 10 gave me some confidence.”
that confidence
was soon halted as
both Gunn and Knous
made a bogey on hole
11.
“I made a terrible
bogey on 11 with a
pretty easy pin loca-
tion. the rough was
thick and the ball flew
a little bit further
than I wanted it to,”
said Gunn.
Knous took the lead
for good when he hit
his second shot to six
feet on 12 and then
followed that up with
birdies on holes 14, 15 and 17 to pull away from Gunn.
“I wasn’t surprised at the putt Jimmy made on 10,” explained Knous.
“Jimmy is a heck of a putter. I knew there were plenty of holes left to
make birdie, so I wasn’t too worried about it.”
“We were going neck and neck with birdies,” said Knous. “I had a
tough par putt from two and a half feet on 13 which I was glad to make.
then we both made birdies on 14 and 15. I stuck it close on 17 and made
birdie, which gave me a
two-shot lead going into
18.”
And even though the
two-shot cushion
proved to be the differ-
ence in the final score,
it didn’t prevent Knous
from having to over-
come nerves and a
squirrely tee shot on
the 72nd hold.
“I was pretty nervous
on 18 tee box,” ex-
plained Knous. “I was
aiming at the middle of
the green and caught it
a little heavy which
turned the golf ball over to the left. I am just glad it made it over the
water.”
San Juan Country Club’s Head Golf professional, Jeff roth, had a
great showing once again in his home event, finishing in 11th place over.
roth finished at 10-under par with rounds of 66, 71, 68 and 69.
“It was a pretty decent tournament, seeing I haven’t been playing
much,” said roth. “I got off to a good start on thursday and played
pretty decent for the rest of the week.”
the San Juan open tournament committee agreed this year to make
the course a bit more playable in an attempt to speed up the play and
make it more enjoyable for the amateur participants.
“the greens were about a foot slower this year and the rough wasn’t
nearly as thick,” explained roth, “which made the golf course less penal
than in past years and the total scores lower. these pros are so long
and so good that they can take this course and make it a pitch and
putt.”
16 Four Corners SportS August 2015
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18 Four Corners SPOrTS August 2015
Baseball
The annual major league baseball draft
took place last month with a couple of Piedra
Vista Panthers getting that dream call as Do-
minic Moreno was drafted by the Detroit
Tigers in the 9th round and Jacy Cave was
selected by Arizona in the 19th. For Cave, the
response was quick. He signed and headed to
Arizona to begin rookie ball. In Moreno’s case
the Tigers were a bit of a shock as appar-
ently they had had little conversation with
Detroit
Along with Tyler Archuleta, Phillip
Archuleta and Gunner Archuleta — who are
not related — have been staples of PV's pro-
gram for the past couple of seasons. Now,
after Phillip and Gunner Archuleta signed
their letters of intent on Monday, all three
will play baseball at the next level.
Gunner Archuleta signed with Lamar Com-
munity College in Lamar, Colo., and Phillip
Archuleta signed to play at Otero Junior Col-
lege in La Junta, Colo. Gunner joins the other
Archuleta, Tyler, who also signed with Lamar
last month.
Another Panther, Trey Franks, signed with
University of the Southwest in Hobbs. Franks,
who saw limited time on the mound while an-
choring down first base for Piedra Vista, will
join the Mustangs to pitch
New Aztec basketball coach
Jeremy Archuleta will take over the head
job for Aztec basketball this fall. After sub-
varsity jobs with Farmington, Shiprock,
Navajo Prep and Aztec, Archuleta gets his
first shot at the head job after the Tigers fin-
ished with back-to-back losing seasons.
New Farmington softball coach
Farmington High stayed in-house for its
new head softball coach hiring Tim Trotter to
take over Scorpion softball. Trotter has been
the assistant coach for his brother Sean on
the Scorpion baseball team. Trotter takes
over for Johnny Curry who left the position
right after the state tournament.
CATCHING UPWITH THE COUNTY
New coaches, major league draft, camps and fundraiser
Dominic Moreno
Tim Trotter
19Four Corners SPorTSAugust 2015
Charly Martin Camp
Former Piedra Vista Pan-
ther and Seattle Seahawk
football player Charly Martin
returned to Farmington in
June to host his annual foot-
ball camp at Piedra Vista.
Martin officially retired from
the NFL and is now looking to
stay in football. Martin, who
has his degree in broadcast
journalism, began covering
football for his alma mater
West Texas A&M and doing
some local television in
Washington. For Martin, he
must make a choice between
taking the long route from
local TV to the networks or
heading to the front office
where he has already had
discussions with Seattle,
Kansas City, and the New
York Jets. A new father last
year, Charly is turning the
page from playing but staying
involved in the game.
20 Four Corners SPOrTS August 2015
Connie Mack
The Connie Mack World Series is upon us.
The Series begins on July 31 and runs
through Aug. 7. This year’s tournament will
add a pair of new qualifiers to the bracket,
the Mattingly qualifier and the Continental
qualifier bringing the total teams in the
bracket to 12. Opening ceremonies are on
July 31 between Game 1 and Game 2. The
Connie Mack Parade is on July 31 at 10:30
a.m. through downtown Farmington. For
those who may be looking to host a couple of
players, the orientation is July 24. To apply to
be a host family log onto
http://cmws.org/foster-family/
21Four Corners SPorTSAugust 2015
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Prep season coming up soon
Fall prep sports season is right around
the corner. Football practice begins on
Aug. 3 while the rest of the fall sports
begin a week later. Time to schedule
those physicals.
Golf Fundraiser
Navajo Prep’s Four-Person Scramble to
benefit the Fighting Eagles academic and
athletic programs is Aug. 29 at 9 a.m. at
Piñon Hills Golf Course. The cost is $375
per team. To sign up call athletic director
Mike Tillman at 505.215.3102 or Piñon
Hills at 505.326.6066,
22 Four Corners SpoRtS August 2015
It’s time to pick the 2014-2015
Majestic Media Athletes of the year.
this prep year saw the continu-
ing dynasties of piedra Vista
Wrestling, Aztec women’s track and
Farmington girls tennis continue.
Meanwhile, the county’s domi-
nance on the ball diamonds took a
detour as piedra Vista’s softball
state championship string ended at
nine while the baseball team was
denied a seventh straight champi-
onship title game with an early exit
to Artesia.
the criteria for Athlete of the
year are quite simple. First, you
must be a graduating senior. Sec-
ond, you have to be a three-sport
yearlong athlete. third, you have to
be a contributing member in all
three sports.
I realize this takes out a lot of
qualified athletes, those such as
Aztec track superstar Sarah Root,
Farmington’s track and football
state champion Avery Rasher and
piedra Vista’s five-time state
wrestling champion Anthony
Juckes.
the list will probably contain
athletes you may know, as well as
some you normally don’t hear an
awful lot about; athletes that are a
dying breed, who represent their
school all year long. this year’s
biggest surprise was that a school
the size of Farmington High did not
have a single three-sport athlete,
and Aztec and Kirtland Central had
no female three-sport athletes.
peyton Kee
the list of young ladies includes
a series of athletes from different
sports. piedra Vista’s peyton Kee
has been an integral part of three
panther sports immediately follow-
ing her transfer from Lamar, Colo.,
in the summer of 2013. that fall she
finished third at the district cross
country championships, helping the
panthers to the district title. Also,
Kee immediately was in the mix
with the Lady panther basketball
team and finished her career with
a stellar performance for the pan-
ther track team. As can be the case
with many athletes who participate
in multiple sports, Kee’s senior sea-
son was filled with a host of in-
juries –but that wasn’t enough to
stop Kee from pursuing athletics in
college. next year she will be head-
ing to Fort Lewis College to con-
tinue her career in track.
Athletes
Year:Focus, excel at more than just one sport
Story by Rick Hoerner | Photos by Curtis Ray Benally
of the
peytonKEEpiedra Vista High School
ramsey Baker
Joining Kee at PV is ramsey Baker. Baker
added “three-sport athlete” to her list of ac-
complishments that include Honor Graduate
and Student Body President. Baker has been
on the Panther varsity volleyball team compet-
ing in three consecutive state title matches,
was also a three-year member of the Lady Pan-
ther basketball team and an important cog in
the rise of the Panther tennis team. navajo
Prep’s Vanisha Sam and Leisha yazzie were
part of the always solid basketball program,
and while Sam hit the track on the cross coun-
try and track teams, yazzie was a member of
the eagles volleyball team that played in this
year’s finals and the softball squad that made
it to the state tournament’s second round.
adrian Vigil
as with the ladies, the number of boys par-
ticipating in three sports in their senior year is
dwindling. this year’s male athletes of the year
is led by Bloomfield’s adrian Vigil. For the Bob-
cats, Vigil has been the personification of ath-
letic excellence.
on the football field Vigil was the first offen-
sive option for the no. 4 ranked Bobcats lead-
ing Bloomfield to the state quarterfinals. on
the mat Vigil was a member of the 2014 state
championship squad.
this season in track Vigil stepped to the top
of the podium three times as a member of two
relay teams – the 4x100 and the 1600 meter
sprint medley – and winning the 300-meter
hurdles.
aztec was led by three seniors who partici-
pated in a wide spectrum of sports. Justin
Slavey was a member of the district champi-
onship football team, wrestled, and threw for
the track team finishing 4th at the state meet.
Gray Smith played for the tiger soccer team,
ran cross country and ran track. Jared dis-
wood ran cross country and track for the
tigers and played basketball.
23Four Corners SPortSAugust 2015
ramSeyBAKERPiedra Vista High School
adrianVIGILBloomfield High School
24 Four Corners SPorTS August 2015
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brandon Fleming
Piedra Vista had a pair of three-
sport athletes in Joaquin Sais and
brandon Fleming. Sais played for the
Panther soccer and basketball teams
and ran for the track team.
brandon Fleming joins his
brother Justin, who graduated in
2012, on this list. brandon is one of
those athletes who will rarely, if ever,
see his name in print. However, he
epitomizes what athletics should be
for developing young people. Sports
gave him a sense of purpose and
achievement as he participated in
cross country, wrestling and track.
Jacob belin
Jacob belin was a stalwart at Kirt-
land Central for their football team’s
return to district prominence, taking
the helm at quarterback while also
carrying the load rushing the foot-
ball. belin also wrestled for the bron-
cos and played on the Kirtland
baseball team. belin’s football team-
mate Isaac decker was also a three-
sport athlete for the broncos, playing
basketball as well as throwing for
the track team.
our athletes of the Year show that
the concept of having to focus on one
sport is just not necessary from a
playing, coaching or parenting point
of view. The four women and eight
men who have put their needs behind
the needs of their school should be
commended for participating in multi-
ple sports.
once upon a time there would be a
multitude of athletes sporting letter-
men jackets with as many pins as
they could fit, but today athletes and
families have fallen victim to the
push of specialization for scholar-
ship.
This is nothing more than a trap.
Lebron James was a two-sport ath-
lete in high school; Farmington leg-
end duane Ward, also a two-sport
athlete; and Farmington Mayor
Tommy roberts can say the same.
brandonFLEMINGPiedra Vista High School
25Four Corners SporTSAugust 2015
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The last pro this town produced, charly Martin, played three.
Multi-sport athletes have a lower account of injury. according to a
survey by ohio State, one-sport athletes tend to be less active as
adults.
That doesn't even include the possibility – and more likely probabil-
ity – of burnout. of course there may be one sport to focus on, but you
can help your whole school and community by participating in multi-
ple sports and/or multiple activities. It is high school after all.
Get out and have some fun. Do all you can with the opportunities
that high school offers. It’s only going to come around once in your
life.
jacobBELINKirtland central
26 Four Corners SPOrTS August 2015
To win School of the Year we’ll combine the
boys and girls overall records from every
sport in all three seasons as posted by the
NMAA. Scoring will use the track and field scor-
ing system. The district champion receives 7
points, the runner-up gets 5, third place gets 3,
and fourth place gets 2 points. State champi-
ons get a bonus 7 points, a state runner-up
gets a bonus of 5 and a final four gets the
school a bonus of 3 points. Only team totals
will be counted with the regular season dis-
trict records counting unless there is a post-
season district playoff. Then the tournament
champion will be considered the district cham-
pion. In sports that have no regular season
head-to-head competition, such as cross-coun-
try, the district championship meet will be
used for accumulating totals.
Let’s start with the fall of 2012 where no
state championships were brought back to Dis-
trict 1AAAA, but there were a couple of runner-
ups and some final four participants. District
champions in the fall included Aztec football,
PV volleyball, Farmington boys soccer, Aztec
girls soccer, PV boys cross country and Aztec
girls cross country.
Football:
Aztec 10
PV 5
Farmington 3
Kirtland 2
Volleyball:
PV 12
Farmington 5
Kirtland 3
Aztec 2
Boys Soccer:
Farmington 12
PV 5
Aztec 3
Girls Soccer:
Aztec 12
Farmington 5
Kirtland 3
PV 2
Boys Cross Country:
PV 10
Farmington 5
Aztec 3
Kirtland 2
Fall Totals
Aztec - 37
Piedra Vista - 37
Farmington - 32
Kirtland - 15
In the winter season the district state cham-
pionship was in wrestling but not much else as
basketball was down this season.
Kirtland again reigned supreme in girls bas-
ketball while Farmington topped PV in boys
basketball in the game of the season and
wrestling was all about the state champion
Panthers
Boys Basketball:
Farmington 7
Piedra Vista 5
Kirtland 3
Aztec 2
5th Annual All-Sports Four Corners
Sports Magazine School of the Year
Who took the title?
Girls Cross Country:
Aztec 7
Kirtland 5
PV 3
Farmington 2
Girls Basketball:
Kirtland 7
PV 5
Aztec 3
Farmington 2
Wrestling:
PV 14
Aztec 5
Farmington 3
Kirtland 2
Winter Totals
Piedra Vista - 25
Kirtland - 12
Farmington - 12
Aztec - 10
In the spring, District 1AAAA was dominant – to say the least – with state
champions in boys and girls track and softball; runner-ups in softball; base-
ball; boys and girls tennis and boys track; a third place in girls track and a
pair of fourth place finishes in golf by PV and Kirtland Central.
Softball:
PV 14
Aztec 10
Farmington 6
Kirtland 2
Baseball:
PV 12
Farmington 5
Aztec 3
Kirtland 2
Boys Tennis:
Farmington 12
PV 5
Boys Golf:
PV 10
Kirtland 5
Farmington 2.5
Aztec 2.5
Boys Track:
PV 14
Farmington 10
Aztec 3
Kirtland 2
Spring Totals
Piedra Vista - 71
Farmington - 52.5
Aztec - 39.5
Kirtland - 21
Here are this year’s final totals:
Final Totals
Piedra Vista - 133
Farmington - 96.5
Aztec - 86.5
Kirtland - 48
So Piedra Vista will have the honor of being crowned the inaugural Four
Corner’s Sports Magazine All-Around Sports Champion
Just a month and a half until we start it all over again.
27Four Corners SPorTSAugust 2015
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Located at 111 N. BehrendFarmington, NM 87401
505-325-9600#OneCall Connects
Girls Tennis:
Farmington 12
PV 5
Girls Golf:
Kirtland 8
Aztec 7
PV 3
Farmington 2
Girls Track:
Aztec 14
PV 8
Farmington 3
Kirtland 2
28 Four Corners SPoRTS August 2015
San Juan County was represented by five
cowgirls and three cowboys at the 2015 Na-
tional High School Finals Rodeo, held in Rock
Springs, Wyoming, July 14 through 20.
Lindsey Ashcroft, 2015 Miss New Mexico High
School Rodeo Queen, will compete against 44
other state queens for the national title.
Ashcroft, who will be a senior at Bloomfield
High School this fall, will display her horseman-
ship, speech, and modeling abilities during the
competition.
This is the first time to compete for the
NMSHR queen and she said she’s excited to
support all of the contestants from New Mex-
ico, especially the Four Corners team.
MacKenzie Kemple will be in the pole bend-
ing event. Kemple said she’s enjoyed making
new friends in Arizona and hopes to do well in
the event. She attends Piedra Vista High School.
Holly McGlasson will com-
pete in the cutting event for
the third year in a row. Mc-
Glasson, who will be a senior
at Aztec High School this fall,
has been working with a new
horse. She’ll be judged on
her ability to separate a cow
from a herd. McGlasson
added that she’ll be watching
her competition and will let her horse do what
he does best.
Haley Wolfe will also compete for Arizona, in
the barrels event. Wolfe, who lives in Flora
Vista, has been running barrels since the sixth
grade and believes she’s ready for national
competition.
Baillee Wiseman is an-
other barrels competitor and
is looking forward to her
first appearance in the Na-
tional High School Finals
Rodeo. The Piedra Vista High
School senior said she’s fo-
cused on being in the top 20,
but hopes to bring home a
title.
Jacob Spencer, a sophomore at Bloomfield
High School, is anxious to show his talents as a
bull rider in Rock Springs.
He’s been practicing his rid-
ing, but also keeping a posi-
tive mental attitude – both of
which he hopes will earn him
a title.
Jesse Rogers will repre-
sent New Mexico in team rop-
ing and in trap shooting. And while he looks
forward to the team roping event, his heart is
set on retaining the trap shooting title he won
in 2012. The 2013 graduate of Bloomfield High
School will join his best friend, Casey Carviso of
Fort Wingate, in the team roping event.
Justin Hamilton has tried for several years
to make it to the National
High School Finals Rodeo and
this year, that dream has
come true. An Aztec High
School graduate, Hamilton
said while making the finals
is his ultimate goal, just par-
ticipating is reward enough.
The San Juan County par-
ticipants will enjoy a trade show, volleyball
tournament, dances talent contest and meeting
competitors from 41 states, five Canadian
provinces and Australia during the ten-day
event.
Saddled up Story by Dorothy Nobis | File photos
San Juan County sends 8 to National Finals Rodeo; 5 to NJHFR
31Four Corners SpORTSAugust 2015
The National High School Rodeo Finals is
sponsored by the National High School Rodeo
Association, which has headquarters in Denver.
The NHSFR has a board of directors, one from
each of the 41 states and provinces. Tabbed as
the “World’s Largest Rodeo,” the NHSFR brings
together about 1,500 contestants, who hope to
win not just titles, but prizes and scholarships
worth thousands of dollars.
National Junior High Finals Rodeo
The NSHFR also sponsors the National Junior
High Finals Rodeo, which was held in Des
Moines, Iowa, in June.
McKenzie Watkins of Bloomfield placed
eighth in the All Around Cowgirl competition,
fifth in the Girls Breakaway Average, and fourth
in the Girls Goat Tying Average.
Also competing in the NJHFR were Denton
Faver of Aztec participated in team roping and
breakaway; Cooper Ferrari of Aztec, competed
in team roping and chute dog event; and Cami
Reed, also of Aztec, competed in pole bending;
and Olivia Morehouse of Farmington competed
in barrel racing.
Farmington and San Juan County were
hosts to the National High School Finals Rodeo
in 2002-2003 and again in 2008-2009. While hun-
dreds of area residents volunteered for both
events and the participants and their families
were gracious guests, the cost of hosting the
rodeo caused local leaders to re-think bidding
for the event again.
In spite of the crowds that filled the bleach-
ers during the 2008-2009 rodeos, the Tres Rios
High School Rodeo Association, the local organi-
zation that brought together leaders from
throughout the area to oversee the rodeo, de-
cided the financial costs to the community
weren’t worth the revenue it brought in.
"In good conscience, I just don't think I see
that benefit versus the loss that we incurred,"
said then Farmington Mayor Bill Standley after
the vote to not bid on the event again.
30 Four Corners sports August 2015
SUMMER SPORT IN FARMINGTON
aztecSPEEDWAY
knotholeDAY
riverfest5K
sassyRUN
the New Mexico Activities Association’s Board of Directors met in reg-
ular session on Wednesday, June 3rd in the NMAA Hall of pride and
Honor.
Sally Marquez gave her Director's report which included information
on Spring Championships, the Compete with Class Sportsmanship Initia-
tive and plans for the future, Board member departures
and openings, and the NMAA Foundation Golf tournament
and Fun run fundraisers.
Business Manager Shari Kessler-Schwaner presented
the NMAA Financial report which included information on
revenues and expenses from the Fall and Winter Champi-
onship Seasons and a report on championship ticket
sales from all events held during 2014 - 2015.
Deputy Director Dana pappas presented the NMAA Ac-
tivities report which included information on the 20 ac-
tivity events that took place since the February Board Meeting, the
upcoming rodeo Championships, the success of the three music con-
tests held in April, the collection of state activity dates for 2015 - 2016,
and the rising concern among activity groups regarding transfers and
eligibility for their student participants.
Deputy Director Dana pappas presented the NM officials Association
report which included information on the success of cross assigning of-
ficiating crews during State Basketball, the recent revision of the NMoA
Constitution, the extreme shortage of officials in the sports of base-
ball/softball, and the upcoming State officials Clinic to be held in July.
Sally Marquez then went over several discussion/informational items
with the board. these items included an update on the Colorado Associ-
ation’s decision to allow New Mexico 8th graders to participate with
their teams at events in their state, information on the 2016 - 2018 clas-
sification and alignment schedule/timeline, possible amendments to the
NMAA’s ejection policy for fighting/excessive contact, open enrollment
choices and eligibility, a potential option for sport programs to move up
in class upon request, and overall record as a criteria point within se-
lection/seeding.
the Board of Directors took action on the following items:
• Voted in favor of a proposal to modify the tie-breaker process
used during selection/seeding.
• Voted in favor of a proposal to require alumni games to be played
prior to a team’s first game.
• Voted to table a proposal to modify scholastic eligibility guidelines
that would determine eligibility using semester grades only.
• Voted in favor of a proposal to add a new bylaw regarding aca-
demically ineligible participants.
• Voted in favor of a proposal to establish a policy regarding the
use of Drones (UAS).
• Voted in favor of a proposal regarding the day/time of champi-
onship games in football.
• Voted in favor of a proposal to adjust the NMAA definition of “past
history” in football.
• Voted in favor of a proposal regarding how a host site is deter-
mined for various state football playoff games when
schools have no past history.
• Voted in favor of a proposal to modify the current
“mercy rule” in the sport of football for Class 8 Man
through 6A.
• Voted in favor of a proposal to modify competition
limits in middle school wrestling.
• Voted in favor of a proposal to change the miscon-
duct progression rule in the sport of soccer.
• Voted to approve the NMAA budget for 2015-2016.
the next NMAA Board of Directors meeting is sched-
uled for September 23.
31Four Corners SportSAugust 2015
NMAA Board meetsGroup discusses eligibility guidelines
NASCAr Nellie loves Dale Earnhardt
Jr., in case some of you with your heads
in the sand haven’t figured out by now. NN
loves Junior for a gazillion reasons, and
just this very day, she discovered 300 mil-
lion more of ’em. Junior, according to one of
those sites on the Internet (NN will be forever
grateful to Al Gore for inventing the Internet,
just so’s ya know. How in the world did we
keep up with the latest “news” before Alrighty
Al came up with the idea for a gazillion Internet
sites that would keep us “informed” about
stuff we didn’t know we needed to be informed
about before?), is the richest in dollars of all
NASCAr drivers in the whole wide world.
Junior’s “estimated worth” is a measly $300
million, which is certain to double, triple, quad-
triple, and super-quad-triple before he leaves
the sport. Junior isn’t the sport’s most popular
driver for the eleventeenth year in a row with-
out reason. Ya see, Junior may have $300 mil,
but his fan base is, like eleventeen times big-
ger than that. Junior rules NASCAr.
other drivers may wish they ruled NASCAr.
they may on occasion actually think they rule
NASCAr. they may think fans like them better
than anybody and they may actually think the
fans in the stands come to see them, themown-
selves, race. None of that is true. Anybody who
has been to a NASCAr race will attest to the
roar of the fans when Junior passes a car –
any car – let alone wins a race. When Junior
wins a race, Junior Nation doesn’t leave the
minute Junior crosses the finish line. Nope.
they wait until they see their general in Victory
Lane and then they let out the Junior Nation
roar once again, making the Earth shake and
poor ole Donnie trump think he actually has a
chance to win the presidency. Whatever.
Not that some of those ’nother NASCAr
drivers don’t deserve some additional dollars
in their bank accounts or a fan base of more
than 23 or to be a second-or-third most popu-
lar driver. It is just that Junior is the bomb. In
spite of his fame and his family’s fortune
(which the nice website stated is not included
in his personal 300 mil wealth – thanks, Al, for
keeping the Internet honest and for creating
Wikipedia, which is the gospel for the truth as
those Wiki people like to know it), Junior lived
in a double-wide mobile home for years before
he upgraded to a bigger home and his own lit-
tle city, that includes a bar, a post office and a
Dollar Store (according to Wikipedia).
Junior is humble, kinda dorky in an “aw
shucks” kinda way, and always has something
nice to say about people (unless someone
treats him wrong on the track, in which case
Junior will call a spade a spade or a dumb
driver a dumb driver or a schmuck a
schmuck).
Because NN wants what is best for Junior,
she was kinda glad to hear he had proposed to
the beautiful, blonde, thin, prob’ly fun and
friendly and prob’ly all the ’nother drivers
WAGS (Wives and Girlfriends for those of you
who, because you haven’t seen it on Wiki or
heard Donnie trump or Al Gore mention it,
don’t know what WAGS means) are extremely
jealous of the beautiful Amy for a gazil-
lion reasons and the most recent 300 mil
ones.
And Junior did it in a sweet, romantic
way. NN has never considered Junior roman-
tic (NN always watches the pre-race thingeys
to see how he interacts with Amy and NN
swears she saw him shake Amy’s hand instead
of giving her a kiss once or twice or for three
years. For reals – NN thinks Junior isn’t real
big on pDA (public Display of Affection for
those of you who can’t keep up with Wiki) and
for a while, NN thought Junior might think pDA
was a bad thing and didn’t want the eleventeen
million fans who watch him during every pre-
race thingey to think he was overly affection-
ate, so he stayed with the handshake and a
side hug.
Junior proposed in Germany, in a church,
with a ring that NN guesses he had to have
three of his biggest and best security people
carry because it was that big. Whatever. the
Wedding, which NN is pretty sure she won’t be
invited to after that one time when she
sneaked into Junior’s double wide and pre-
tended she was lost and needed some of Ju-
nior’s “belongings” to help her find her way
again. Junior said he’d never had anyone need
his deodorant or his toothbrush or his “deli-
cates” to find their way home again and NN be
darned; the law enforcement people agreed
with him, so he has a lifetime restraining
order against NN, which keeps her in the nose-
bleed seats at the track and her photoshopped
photo in the possession of every one of his se-
curity people.
NN knows the photo was shopped on ac-
counta she shaved her mustache before that
photo was taken and had the wart on her nose
removed by an expert in Mexico, who had a lit-
tle too much tequila before the surgery and
after he removed said wart, he attached it to
her left ear, where it has left NN with selective
hearing. Whatever.
Junior wanted the proposal to be “good
enough” for Amy and he figured a thousand-
year-old church in Germany was good enough.
NN thinks he’s prob’ly right, and also believes
all the German angels are now Junior fans,
too. Just sayin’. . . .
32 Four Corners SportS August 2015
For the love of JuniorNN finds even more reasons to love Dale Earnhardt Jr.
33Four Corners SPORTSAugust 2015
So good things are happening for Junior.
He won the Coke Zero 400 (NN still wonders
why there isn’t a Sweet Cherry Pie Wine 425 .)
in Daytona, he’s in the top five in the standings,
he finally got a Platinum Capital One credit
card and he never, ever has to worry about his
automobile insurance rates going up, no mat-
ter what (NN, herownself, is jealous over that.
Seems NN’s automobile insurance carrier
doesn’t care that the gas pedal stuck or she
hadda answer her cell phone on accounta it
was her bookie and she always puts all of her
betting money – 20 bucks, on accounta NN
doesn’t have 300 mil in the bank or invest-
ments or in a box under the bed – and it
wasn’t her fault that the car ahead of her de-
cided to stop at a red light when it was still
red/yellow when NN saw it) and is engaged
and planning to be a daddy. Feelin’ the love
here, people, feelin’ the love.
For those of you who don’t read Wiki and
don’t know that Junior is the sports’ most pop-
ular driver for the eleventeenth year in a row
and don’t (NN shudders here and is forced to
down another glass of SCP wine) care where
Junior ranks or who he marries or where he
lives or how much money he makes, NN does
know there are other drivers/happenings in
NASCAR with drivers who wish they were the
sports’ most popular driver and had 300 mil to
play with.
NN has never EVER been a Kyle Busch fan.
Never, EVER. Well almost never, ever. Since Boo-
hoo Busch got married and became a dad, he
has mellowed and isn’t quite as arrogant and
insufferable as he useta be. Thank goodness.
And even NN has a soft spot for proud new
daddies, so when he won the race at Sonoma,
NN shed a tear or two when he went to Victory
Lane.
One of those tears was prob’ly when the
Devil Kitten saw something in NN’s eye and
took a swipe at it (the expert in Mexico says it
will heal quickly if NN drinks a shot of tequila
before she watches future NASCAR races,
which was verified by Wiki, just so’s ya know),
but she was happy for Kyle and his lovely wife
Samantha and for both of Kyle’s fans. It was a
Kodak moment if NN ever saw one, but there
was nary a Kodak camera in sight. Whatever.
So NN is happy for Kyle and she is forever
thankful that the horrific crash Austin Dillon
had at Daytona didn’t end his career or his life.
And, of course, Junior, the sports’ most popu-
lar driver, kept asking about Austin (who
drives the Number 3 car for Richard Childress
and – again, for those of you who don’t go to
Wiki for all your important information – Ju-
nior’s dad, Dale Sr., drove the 3 car for RCR)
even during his victory laps, which explains
why he’s the sport’s most popular driver for-
ever and ever, amen.
NN wishes Tony Stewart would win a race,
hopes that Chase Elliott continues to improve,
loves it when Aztec’s Alex Kennedy makes any
NASCAR race, and hopes that someday, some
way, somehow, she, NN, will be allowed in the
pit area of the one NASCAR race she’s allowed
to attend without her probation officer.
NN did NOT know streaking was prohibited
in the pit area at Phoenix, and was just getting
a little exercise before she put on that driver’s
suit that somehow ended up in her shower
stall in the training room in the driver’s private
area. NN is not the “repeat offender” those law
enforcement people say she is. Sometimes,
that wart that was moved to her ear keeps her
from hearing law enforcement people telling
her to stop, then when she stopped and they
found out she was naked, they told her to run,
Forest, run. Whatever.
34 Four Corners SPoRTS August 2015
The summer has been flying by at The First
Tee of San Juan County, Nm. With summer
programming currently happening at
Riverview Golf Course in Kirtland, Civitan Golf
Course in Farmington and Aztec municipal
Golf Course in Aztec, youth participants are
receiving much needed life skills and charac-
ter value instruction through the game of
golf.
That being said, the end of summer event
to showcase all that The First Tee offers will
be held on Aug. 8 at Riverview Golf Course.
We start with The Corporate Challenge,
where community businesses play against
one another for the Corporate Cup, the trav-
eling trophy currently held by Animas Credit
Union.
After the Corporate Challenge, the Golf
Carnival will be held from noon until 2:30
p.m., featuring Foot Golf, SNAG Golf, hitting
water balloons, a lively putt-putt course
setup and free giveaways for all youth in at-
tendance. Parents will receive updates on
events, clinics and camps that are offered by
The First Tee of San Juan County, Nm.
Finally, the day will conclude with the Golf
Ball Drop, when the helicopter from San Juan
Regional medical Center will drop thousands
of golf balls on the driving range to deter-
mine the winner of our summer raffle.
Golf balls can be purchased at Riverview
Golf Course or by contacting the office at
505.334.4291. The grand prize in the golf ball
drop will be $1,500.
PGA Junior League
The Second season of the PGA Junior
League has once again proven successful.
With expansion from 50 players in 2014 to 80
players in 2015 – including teams from
Southwestern Colorado – the team golf com-
petition from area golf courses is giving
youth participants the opportunity to experi-
ence a friendly introduction to competitive
golf.
With one practice per week at various
courses, and one match per week, the youth
participants are experiencing team golf at its
finest and learning rules, etiquette, team-
work, sportsmanship, respect, courtesy and
perseverance.
The ultimate goal of the PGA Junior League
is to take the next step from recreational golf
to competitive golf in an attempt to generate
a greater interest in the game.
The quality of golf becomes better and the
players then graduate to individual competi-
tion and, it is hoped, high school golf teams
in the area.
TomYOSTThe First Tee
SUMMER PROGRAMSCorporate Challenge and Golfball Drop
in August; 2nd year for Junior League