Four Corners Sports August 2015

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.

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100 W. Apache Street

Farmington, NM 87401

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Please send to

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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


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.


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


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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.”


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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.


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/


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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


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.


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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


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’. . . .


For the love of JuniorNN finds even more reasons to love Dale Earnhardt Jr.


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.


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

Documents

Four Corners Sports August 2015