Four Corners Sports Magazine November 2015

3Four Corners SPORTSNOVEMBER 2015

content| 4 | There can be

only oneThere was a Scottish and Celtic invasion

into the Four Corners on Saturday and

Sunday, October 3 and 4, when the 5th

Annual Aztec Highland Games and Celtic

Music Festival came to Riverside Park.

| 8 | 31 Years of Racing

The longest running mountain bike race

celebrated 31 consecutive years of racing

on Oct. 3, when 150 racers from all over

the nation hit the trails at lions Wilder-

ness Park.

| 18 | Annual event nets $55,000More than 40 anglers competed Aug. 21-22 to

raise more than $55,000 for the Four Corners

Home for Children, a program of Navajo Min-

istries Inc., during the 22nd annual San Juan

River Bi-Fly Fishing Tournament.

| 22 | A great eightPrep players to watch in 2016

| 32 | $24,000 raisedThe 4th Annual Race 2 Educate benefiting

the Foundation for Educational Excellence

was September 26.

| 15 | NMAA summaryThe New Mexico Activities Association’s

Board of Directors met in regular ses-

sion in September at the NMAA Hall of

Pride and Honor.

| 12 | A community of givingIt has become an increasing dire need

and a well-needed trend in local activity –

the medical fundraising event.

| 30 | Bodybuilding andpowerliftinglocal Farmington resident and Piedra

Vista High School wrestling alum, Ryan

Ruybalid, has used his experience lifting

weights to springboard a new passion – a

passion for powerlifting and bodybuilding.

| 26 | College basketballschedules

| 29 | Is scaring a sport?

| 25 | Catching upwith the county

| 20 | Editorial Columnistby Rick Hoerner

| 34 | The First Teeby Tom Yost

| 16 | NASCAR Nellie

| 19 | Fishing Report

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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STORY IDEAS and PHOTOS

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Please send to

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Josh Bishop

4 Four Corners SportS NOVEMBER 2015

Therecan

be only one

5Four Corners sportsNOVEMBER 2015

there was a scottish and Celtic invasion

into the Four Corners on saturday and sun-

day, october 3 and 4, when the 5th Annual

Aztec Highland Games and Celtic music Festi-

val came to riverside park.

“the Highland Games is a celebration of

traditional scottish and Celtic games which

are a combination of events that are histori-

cally based in traditional warfare and farm-

ing,” explained therese Yanan, the Athletics

Coordinator for the Aztec Highland Games

and Four Corners Championship.

the Highland Games also serve as the Four

Corners Championship with competitors trav-

eling from Utah, Arizona and Colorado to

compete along with new mexico for the cham-

pionship. new mexico won the Four Corners

Championship in its inaugural year and suc-

cessfully defended its crown in 2015.

more than 55 athletes competed in events

that included the sheaf toss, weight for

height, braemer stone, light and heavy ham-

mer throw, light and heavy weight for dis-

tance, and caber toss.

“there are eight events in the games and

everyone needs to compete in all of the

Women’s LIGHtoVerALL rAnK

19 monica Boelter 3

10 Anna Black 1

18 Hazel George 2

Women’s openoVerALL rAnK

21 Cindy Johnson 3

16 mikaela Lovato 2

8 Heather mcDonald 1

Women’s mAsters

oVerALL rAnK

22 michelle Crownhart 3

10 mona malec 1

16 edie Lindeburg 2

43 Karen Hart 6

30 LuAnn robinson 4

42 susan Warren 5

5th Annual Aztec Highland Games attract

athletes from across the Four Corners Story by Tom Yost | Photos by Josh Bishop

6 Four Corners SporTS NOVEMBER 2015

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“ThesupportfromthecityofAztec

istremendousandthepark

isabsolutelyamazing.”

-ThereseYanan


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MEN’S AOVERALL RANK

16 Chad Thompson 1

33 David Schafer 5

32 John Anthony 3

32 Roger Crazy Wolf 3

64 Bryce George 7

26 Andrew Heaton 2

45 Ben Stanley 6

82 Scott Oxford 9

65 Reny Reidhead 8

87 Kevin Boelter 10

MEN’S LIGHT NOVICEOVERALL RANK

35 Atlee Beam 5

58 Patrick Bowman 8

15 Scott Burchfield 1

26 Brandon Lambright 2

33 Mitch Sickon 4

37 John Winkley 6

52 Bart Womack 7

29 Thomas Lindsay 3

MEN’S COVERALL RANK

34 Dean Hammer 4

44 Glenn Lewis 6

44 Cody Lewis 6

14 Reny Reidhead 2

37 Kevin Boelter 5

13 Mike O'Gurian 1

31 Jacob Cowham 3

MEN’S LIGHTOVERALL RANK

13 Joel Hegar 1

23 Joe Johnson 3

18 Tim Haisman 2

35 Robby Genson 4

MEN’S MASTERSOVERALL RANK

52 Joel Hager 4

60 Chuck Thacker 7

23 David McClanahan 2

57 Derrick Haisman 6

52 Nathan Lindeburg 4

62 Joe Kozimor 8

71 Dean Hammer 9

80 James Dawe 10

33 Charles Thomas 3

9 Mark Buchanan 1

83 Kris Jones 11

events,” said Yanan. “Different classes throw slightly different

weights based on weight and skill. The games started at 9 a.m. and

finished around 5 p.m. on Saturday. The competitors moved through

the events so there were always events going on throughout the

day.”

The divisions of athletes consisted of: Men’s Masters (over 40

years of age), Women’s Masters (over 40 years of age), Women’s

Open, Men’s A (highest level), Women’s Light (under 150 lbs), Men’s

Light (under 200 lbs) and the Men’s Novice Light.

Yanan said the games have grown every year largely because of

the support of the city of Aztec and the tremendous venue that River-

side Park offers the competitors and spectators.

“The support from the City of Aztec is tremendous and the park is

absolutely amazing,” proclaimed Yanan. “ The New Mexico Celtic As-

sociation took the initiative to get the event to host the Four Corners

Championship last year because of the community and the venue.”

And while the professionals compete on Saturday, many specta-

tors in attendance want to try their hand at the games on Sunday –

which is what the novice divisions are for.

“We have a lot of athletes sign up for the novice class competition

on Sunday simply because spectators want to try it after watching

on Saturday,” said Yanan.


31 YEARS OF RACING


The longest running mountain bike race cel-

ebrated 31 consecutive years of racing on Oct.

3, when 150 racers from all over the nation hit

the trails at Lions Wilderness Park.

This year’s Road Apple Rally was special not

only has this race lasted more than 30 years,

the Bureau of Land Management partnered

with the city of Farmington to place permanent

carsonite trail markers along the race path.

“The BLM bent over backwards to get those

markers in, in time,” said Jody Carmen, a

spokesman for Farmington Parks, Recreation

and Cultural Affairs.

“This is moving us to the forefront for recre-

ational trails,” Carmen said. “You can start in

Lions Wilderness Park and ride it 28 miles

without the fear of getting lost, and that’s all

thanks to the BLM.”

City, BLM partner to make

Road Apple Rally even betterStory by Debra Mayeux | Photos by Curtis Ray Benally

When the race began in 1981, pink ribbons were tied to trees to mark

the trail, and the bike riders shared the area with the horsemen.

the North American trail ride Conference, or NAtrC, started in Cali-

fornia in 1961, and by 1975, there were sanctioned competitive rides in

San Juan County. the first was on Mother’s Day weekend in 1975 at

Navajo Lake. By 1978, there was a second ride on the first Saturday of

october in Chokecherry Canyon. Avid horseman and member of the

NAtrC, Bill Cumberworth headed these rides.

“the horseback ride is a competitive ride, which is not a race,” Cum-

berworth said. “Everyone rides on their own on a 20-30 mile trail.”

Cumberworth like sharing stories about the trail rides and this

piqued the interest of his friend and colleague Clifford Clark. Both men

are retired doctors, but Clark was an avid cyclist. He liked the idea of

the cyclists riding those same trails. He and some of his friends made

mountain bikes to ride by adding gears and fat tires to regular frames.

“We would ride on the trails we could find,” Clark said.

Cumberworth told how the horses rode for about 10 miles a day and

Clark said the bikes could do that in an hour. Clark found 25 cyclists in-

terested in racing with the horses.

“they asked us if they could ride on our trail. they thought it would be

fun to do,” Cumberworth said. “We were a little dubious, but it worked.”

the two groups of outdoorsmen devised a plan. the bikes would start

first, and then the horses would begin. If a bicyclist came upon a horse,

he was to talk, so as not to spook the horse. “If they hear a human voice

it makes them relax,” Cumberworth said.

the horsemen were to stay off of 6-inch wide, hard-packed trail the

cyclists used.

“What it accomplished is it made the bicyclists and the horsemen get


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along,” Cumberworth said.

The first year Clark gathered 25 people to ride and each received a T-

shirt with a logo of a horse on a bike riding over a pile of horse dung,

which is called a “road apple,” and that’s how the race got its name.

“It grew much bigger, faster than our trail ride,” Cumberworth said.

“As it got bigger they decided it was better to not be dodging horses on

the trail.”

Clark agreed. “We couldn’t run it with the horses anymore, because

there were too many bikes.”

The race grew in popularity, and became a favorite of such world-

class racers as Ned Overend, of Durango, Colo. “It’s his favorite race, and

he’s raced all over the planet,” Clark said.

RACe ResulTs

This year’s Overall Pro winner of the Road Apple Race was Quinn sim-

mons, a 14-year-old from Durango, who will most likely be in the Tour de

France some day. He rode his bike at 16.99 miles per hour and had a

race time of 1:45:56.

The 2nd place Overall Pro winner was 44-year-old Randy Flores, who

rode his bike at 16.67 miles per hour with a race time of 1:47:58.

The Cat 1 expert overall male winner was Durango’s Brent Winebarger,

38, with a time of 1:45:53, riding his bike at 17 miles per hour

The 2nd place Cat 1 expert was Joshua snow, 18, with a time of 1:46:42

and a bike speed of 16.87 miles per hour. In 3rd place was Kirby Bryant,

38, with a time of 1:50:23 and a bike speed of 16.31 miles per hour.

The Cat 1 expert overall female winner was Bettina Mills, 48, with a

time of 2:00:13 and a bike speed of 14.97 miles per hour. second-place

winner McKenzie Winebarger, 34, followed her with a time of 2:06:42 and

a bike speed of 14.21 miles per hour. The 3rd place winner was Corren

Wright, 50, with a time of 2:13:09 and a bike speed of 13.52 miles per

hour.

12 Four Corners SPORTS NOVEMBER 2015

It has become an increasing dire need and a

well-needed trend in local activity – the med-

ical fundraising event. With the rising cost of

healthcare, treatment, especially when it

comes to cancer, has become the community

project for helping families’ bridge the eco-

nomic gap. While insurance coverage greatly

helps with medical issues, it does not cover

travel, hotel stays or, in most cases, missing

work.

So, in the mindset of a community filling

these needs, the Farmington Fire Department

put together one of the more unique fundrais-

ers to help one of their own.

Shadd Rohwer, a longtime fireman in Farm-

ington was diagnosed with cancer; and again

the overwhelming costs of medical and ancil-

lary care began to take their toll.

Katrina Rayburn and Chris Sharp were look-

ing to help Shadd’s family and cut into his

medical expenses. With no prior experience of

what to do, they began looking into fundraisers

that could involve the community as well as

local firemen.

In the greatest millennial tradition, they knew

just where to turn – Google. Thinking that some-

thing sports related might be the way to go, the

next question was to see how many of the fire-

men participated in any given sport.

They immediately began looking into a golf

tournament – which at this time a lot of

groups are looking to do. But what to do for

those who don’t play golf?

Once again the Internet brought the solu-

tion. After viewing a video called, “All Sports

Golf Battle” on YouTube, they thought this

might be the way to go. The premise is simple

enough. Players play on the golf course but

don’t really need to know how to play golf – ex-

cept for putting.

A COMMUNITY OF GIVING

Farmington Fire Department hosts unique fundraiser for Shadd Rohwer

13Four Corners SportSNOVEMBER 2015

14 Four Corners SPOrTS NOVEMBER 2015

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Each player would begin with a bag containing four sports items that

may include a football, bat and ball, soccer ball, vortex football, tennis or

racquetball and racket, or a Frisbee. Participants were also allowed to

bring their own four-piece bag of gear. Just FYI: if you have a lacrosse ball

and stick, bring it.

Each player had the opportunity to use each piece of equipment in their

bag one time, up until they hit the green. Then they had to putt out.

So if one teed off by throwing the football, they had to use a different

piece of equipment for the second shot. For most participants it was

much more difficult than they thought. Using the equipment in some or-

ganized order made the difference for those players who succeeded on

the modified course.

The All-Sports Golf Tournament was broken into two divisions – a com-

petitive individual tournament and a team/family tournament. This gave

competitive individuals a chance to challenge each other while the family

event was broken down in alternate shot format allowing each member of

the family to join in.

Outside of the All-Sports Golf Tournament, the event also featured food

donations from Firehouse Java & Cuisine and a prize raffle for a brand

new Savage Bolt Action rifle. The band And Beyond from Aztec played a

complimentary concert and Sound Machine DJ Services was on hand to

add to a great atmosphere.

* Community 28

the New Mexico Activities Association’s Board of Directors met in

regular session in September at the NMAA Hall of pride and Honor.

Sally Marquez gave her Director's report that included information

on regional Athletic Director Meetings and the

NMAA/NMADA Fall Leadership Conference.

Business Manager Shari Kessler-Schwaner pre-

sented the NMAA Financial report which included in-

formation on all state championship events from

2014-2015. Debbie Saunders of Saunders & Associ-

ates then presented the Annual Audit report for the

previous fiscal year. the Board of Directors then

voted in favor of a recommendation to place all

school fines into the NMAA’s opportunity Fund. Last,

the Board of Directors approved the contract of Exec-

utive Director Sally Marquez through the 2017-2018 school year.

Deputy Director Dana pappas presented the NMAA Activities report

which included information on the Activities Council Meeting, the re-

quest for each activity to submit participation numbers to the NMAA,

the updated 2015-2016 activity event calendar, the upcoming one Act

play Competition, a report on the venues solidified for each State

Music Event, and the current review of Activities bylaws as compared

to the NMAA Handbook.

Deputy Director Dana pappas presented the NM officials Associa-

tion report which included information on the 2015 State Clinic, multi-

ple basketball camps held throughout the summer, the inaugural

baseball umpires forum, and the current crisis with recruitment and

retention of officials.

Sally Marquez then went over several discussion/informational

items with the Board. these items included classification and align-

ment, open enrollment, and the potential for teams to move up in

classification by choice. Multiple member school representatives

from the audience also provided feedback on the future of classifica-

tion and alignment.

the Board of Directors took action on the following items:

• Voted in favor of a proposal to require appropriate

school personnel be present at all times during NMAA

sanctioned athletic and activity events.

• Voted in favor of a proposal to make adjustments

to Section VIII of the NMAA Handbook (Activities).

• Voted in favor of a proposal to make adjustments

to Section X of the NMAA Handbook (Charter Schools).

• Voted in favor of a proposal to modify the dual par-

ticipation rule as it applies to Mid-School / Junior High

Football (Bylaw 9.5.A).

• Voted in favor of a proposal regarding coaching

restrictions during golf events.

• Voted against a proposal regarding withdrawn/retired players at

tennis events.

the next NMAA Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for Decem-

ber 8, 2015.

15Four Corners SportSNOVEMBER 2015

NMAA SUMMARYBoard discusses classification and alignment


It has been a tumultuous week for

NASCAR Nellie.

First of all, in NN’s efforts to become

more “wordy” and use more smart words

and sayings, she went to the Oxford Ameri-

can Dictionary (NN was unable to find the

Fort Lupton American Dictionary, which she is

certain exists somewhere in Fort Lupton, Col-

orado, but as NN recalls, that “dictionary” did-

n’t really contain smart words, just the

language of the time, which was somewhere

in the mid ‘60s) to find a word that meant a

“state of confusion and agitation.” NN got all

excited because she saw the definition of tu-

multuous as “a large cask for wine and beer,”

and NN really thought she was on to some-

thing.

Unfortunately, “a large cask for wine and

beer” belonged to the definition of “tun” (for

reals – NN doesn’t make this stuff up) and

she was gonna use that word. All. The. Time.

Whatever.

NN’s tumultuous week became a cause for

a “tun” on accounta Tony Stewart is going to

hang up his driving gloves, his fire suit, his

SPANX, and his introduction at every NASCAR

race after next year.

NN has always been a Tony the Tiger fan.

NN and her NASCAR buddy, Charlene Scott,

useta go to the NASCAR races in Vegas every

year. Every year, CS would cheer for Tony and

NN would cheer for Tony, Dale Earnhardt Jr.,

the sports most popular driver of all time, so

there, and anyone and everyone but Boo Hoo

Bush. That was back in the day when Tony and

NN could get through the gate at the track en-

trance instead of having to use the truck en-

trance, where all the haulers and motor

homes and “we’re not fat, we’re fluffy” people

hadda go through. Tony drove for Home Depot

then and NN only shopped at HD for her home

improvement needs. NN refused to shop at

Lowe’s, on accounta, back then, she wasn’t a

Jimmie Johnson fan so Lowe’s wasn’t the re-

cipient of any of NN’s home improvement dol-

lars and cents (which have always been

extensive on accounta NN believes in repaint-

ing every room in her casita at least three

times a year and, in the years since NN and

Tony have had to use the truck entrance in-

stead of the teeny little gates they force

you through at the Vegas track, for

tools to widen her doors and for heavy

duty supports for her floors. And, if you

must know, the heavy duty stuff is way

more expensive, which NN believes is dis-

crimination – “to have good taste or judg-

ment, to give unfair treatment.”

Just sayin. . .).

Anyway, Tony Stewart is retiring from driv-

ing a NASCAR car after the 2016 season. If we

can have just a moment of silence out of re-

spect for Tony the Tiger (and because NN’s

phone just rang and if she doesn’t answer it,

her probation officer goes crazy and even his

“happy pills” won’t calm him down. Once or

twice, you leave the country without telling

your PO and you leave your cell phone behind

because it won’t fit in your bag and you don’t

want anyone to know who you are or where

you’re going because it may be considered

“questionable behavior” and judges and

lawyers and law enforcement officers act like

you’re a common – “ill-bred, not refined in be-

havior or style” -- criminal. NN has never been

a “common” anything, just so’s ya know). Tony

has always been a hero of NN’s because Tony

pretty much tells it like it is.

If a reporter asks Tony a dumb question

during an interview, Tony will call said re-

porter on it and suggest – “to propose for ac-

ceptance or rejection” -- the reporter find

another career path – preferably one that

takes said reporter away from the race track

and outta Tony’s life. If a fellow driver messes

with Tony, he’ll take his helmet off and throw

it at said driver’s car, hoping it will go

through said driver’s window and knock

some sense into him. If an announcer sug-

gests Tony is getting old and “hefty” or ques-

tions Tony’s ability to win races or another

championship, said announcer will be inun-

dated (“to flood, to cover with water, to over-

whelm as if with a flood” – or as the Fort

Lupton American Dictionary stated, “to be

smacked up alongside the head with reality”)

with hateful emails and twatters and insta-

grammies and skypers by fans.

NN is sorry to see Tony leave the racetrack.

Tony’s the bomb and when he wasn’t the

driver of the Home Depot car anymore, NN di-

verted – “to turn from a course, to go by a dif-

ferent route” – and refused to do her home

No more Tony the TigerNascar Nellie distraught over Tony Stewart’s retirement

17Four Corners SPoRTSNOVEMBER 2015

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improvement business with HD anymore. By

then, NN’s hostility – “of an enemy, un-

friendly” – of Jimmie Johnson had dissipated

– “fritter away”— on accounta Dale Earn-

hardt Jr., the sport’s most popular driver for

eternity – “infinite time, past or future”—was

JJ’s teammate and one must love whoever

Junior teams with, just so’s ya know, so NN

started shopping at Lowe’s. It was a difficult

transition – “changing from one state or

style” – but NN is nothing if not loyal to her

drivers and their current – “now” – sponsors.

NN will miss the fire and the sarcasm – “a

taunt” – that Tony always brings to the track.

You never wonder where Tony stands on any-

thing, because he’ll let you know, whether you

want to hear it or not. The good news is, Tony

will remain an owner of Stewart-Haas Racing

and he’ll prob’ly be vocal and taunting and

sarcastic and hostile, which are just some of

the gazillion reasons we love him.

Two of NN’s most favorite – “liked above

others” – people, Vicki and Randy Thille –

gave NN a Tony Stewart bobble head doll last

weekend. NN almost cried and had it not been

for the glass of wine she was holding with

both hands (NN believes in having just one

glass of wine, so she buys the gallon sized

ones) and couldn’t put it down for a tissue.

NN put the TS bobble head on the table in the

NASCAR shrine room, next to the Ward Burton

bobble head doll (who would have won more

races and a championship if he’da been a lit-

tle taller and could have seen out the wind-

shield and the rear view mirror) and the two

NASCAR Beanie Babies NN bought, thinking

they would be her million dollar retirement

before everyone else had the same idea and

now no one wants a Beanie Baby. Whatever.

In other news, Dale Earnhardt Jr., the

sports most popular driver of all time and

every time, is falling back in the Race for the

Chase, which has given NN gastritis – “inflam-

mation of the stomach.” Between Junior and

NASCAR and Peyton Manning and the Denver

Broncos, when NN passes on to another world

(NN hopes it will be heaven, but is afraid the

Pearly Gates will be manned by the same not-

nice probation people who make NN wear

that ugly ankle bracelet) on her final certifi-

cate – “an official written or printed state-

ment giving certain facts” – where it asks for

cause of demise – “death” – it states, Jun-

ior/NASCAR and Manning/Broncos.

Just sayin’ – “to utter or recite in a speak-

ing voice. “ . . .


More than 40 anglers competed Aug. 21-22 to

raise more than $55,000 for the Four Corners

Home for Children, a program of Navajo Min-

istries Inc., during the 22nd annual San Juan

River Bi-Fly Fishing Tournament.

The Bi-Fly Tournament, considered the pre-

mier trout-fishing event in the Southwest, has

raised just short of $1 million for the childcare

program at Navajo Ministries since its first year

in the mid-1990s. A large portion of the funds

raised are generated by the anglers, who gather

per-inch pledges for the largest fish they catch

during the two-day, catch-and-release tourna-

ment.

“It is always such a joy to be involved with

the Bi-Fly Tournament, especially when it comes

to raising much-needed funds for the children.

The anglers and guides have a great time, and

all of the staff and volunteers truly help put it all

together. Navajo Ministries thanks everyone in-

volved with this terrific event,” Navajo Ministries

President Eric Fisher said.

While the fishing competition is intense for

the two days, organizers and participants realize

the tournament is first and foremost a major

fund-raiser for the Four Corners Home for Chil-

dren. The Four Corners Home for Children, lo-

cated on the campus of Navajo Ministries at 2103

W. Main St., has provided a safe and loving home-

like environment for hundreds of dependent chil-

dren in the region since 1953. The childcare

program is licensed to care for up to 28 chil-

dren. The demand for services has never been

higher. Per inch donations for the largest fish

caught (22”) are still being accepted at

www.navajoministries.org.

Major sponsors for the Bi-Fly included Citizens

Bank, Outback Steakhouse, San Juan Regional

Medical Center and San Juan Rotary Club.

In addition to the actual tournament, the an-

nual Bi-Fly Tournament Banquet was held Aug. 22

at the Farmington Civic Center, with more than

120 in attendance. More funds were raised

through numerous raffle and auction items. Next

year’s Bi-Fly event is scheduled for Aug. 19 and

20.

Event organizer Bob Fitz summed it up this

way. “It is not what you catch that makes the Bi-

Fly special, but why you catch.”

For more information on Navajo Ministries and

the Four Corners Home for Children, or to donate,

please go to www.navajoministries.org.

ANNUAL EVENT NETS $55,000 Bi-Fly Tournament raises funds for Navajo Ministries

SAN JUAN RIVER BI-FLY TOURNAMENT RESULTS

LARGEST FISH: Gregg Price, 22 1/4 inches.

SMALLEST FISH: Gregg Price, 2 ½ inches.

Price had largest and smallest.

FIRST PLACE TEAM: Bo Herrera, Herman Martinez

Eye Guys

SECOND PLACE TEAM: Karl Garling, Gregg Price

Sage Shaggers

THIRD PLACE TEAM: Paul Thompson, Dr. Danny Chang

Leaky Waders

#1 GUIDE: Nark Nesbit

MOST FISH: Bo Herrera (12” plus) 37. Herrera had the

most fish caught last year as well.

19Four Corners SpORTSNOVEMBER 2015

��#��%%""��((!!��**!!&&%%

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��

Fishing on the San Juan

River below Navajo Lake has

been best in the morning

hours. Current flows below

Navajo Lake are 500cfs. With

gin-clear water conditions,

getting the correct display is

very important.

Below is a list of the best

flies to try.

Size 24 gray midge pupae

Size 24 black midge pupae

Size 22 gray big mac midge

Size 22 cream-colored midge larvae

Having gin-clear water conditions is a

bonus for the dry fly fisherman. Look for fish

rising most of the day. Here

are a list of surface flies to

try.

Size 24 parachute adams

Size 22 morgan midge

Size 16 black foam ant

Fishing below the quality

waters has been tough lately. A report of

anglers using night crawlers has been best.

FishingFishingREPORTREPORT

FishingREPORT

T.J. Massey

San Juan River Outfitters

www.sanjuanriveroutfitters.com

505.486.5347


Unless you’ve been living under a rock dur-

ing the last month you have undoubtedly

seen the video of the two high school players

from John Jay High School in San Antonio,

Texas, attacking a referee. immediately the

new and improved world of social media and

instant information decried what an outrage

it was – and of course it was. They were

stunned and said they had never seen any-

thing like that before.

Here’s where we have incredibly short

memories. Just as with other incidents which

seem to be getting more and more prevalent,

this again may be just another time where in-

stant availability and a never-ending sports

cycle just enhances the episode. Those of us

who have been here in the Four corners for

awhile should remember an episode just as

heinous.

it’s amazing that nearly 20 years have

gone by since New Mexico was under the

same spotlight. During a high school football

game between crownpoint and Fort Wingate

in 1996, Wingate linebacker Gilbert Jefferson

had just been ejected from the game after an

unsportsmanlike penalty. The Bears were

leading 22-18 in the fourth quarter of a game

they had to win to secure the district runner-

up position and a birth in the state playoff.

On the sideline there was great confusion

about what had happened and the staff was

trying to figure out who to put in and dis-

cussing whether or not to call a timeout and

settle things down when suddenly the un-

thinkable happened.

On the sideline was former Shiprock,

Farmington and kirtland central basketball

coach, the late kevin Holman. At that time

Holman was the head basketball coach at

Wingate and the football team’s offensive co-

ordinator. Many a time in our conversations

over the years Holman described what hap-

pened next. According to kevin, Jefferson had

headed back to the bench visibly upset and

being directed by the coaching staff to settle

down. As everyone turned back toward the

game, Jefferson rose from the bench and

without warning sprinted from the Wingate

sideline onto the field and headed straight

for referee Alan Bainter of Farmington.

Bainter was no rookie on the football field.

He was a veteran official of 25 years in foot-

ball as well as an umpire in baseball. Anyone

who played junior high or high school sports

in the 1990s knew Alan. At the moment Jeffer-

son left the sideline Bainter was doing his job

and never saw Jefferson coming as he

slammed Bainter to the ground blindsiding

him from behind and knocking Bainter uncon-

scious.

According to Mckinley county Sheriff John

kendall, Bainter was banged up pretty bad.

“The guy couldn't remember his name when

the paramedics asked him,’' kendall said.

Bainter’s wife Pat told the press that her

husband had been knocked unconscious and

suffered a concussion in the incident and

didn't remember what happened.

Predictably, the incident this year politi-

cally matched the one from 1996. The public

outcry was immediate and, predictably the

blame went somewhere else. During the inci-

dent with the John Jay defensive backs the

players told officials after the fact that the

umpire they attacked had used racial slurs

in discussing John Jay players.

The two players also stated that they were

instructed by an assistant coach to perform

the assault, a statement later confirmed by

the coach’s admission. As the press inserted

themselves into the situation, the parties in-

volved do what they always do – they

lawyered up.

RickHOERNEREditorial columnist

ASSAULT ON THE GAMETaking responsibility

for what is right and what is wrong

21Four Corners SpORTSNOVEMBER 2015

Victor Rojas and Michael Moreno sat with George Stephanopolis on

the set of Good Morning America, not with their parents

admitting a mistake and asking for forgiveness, but with their lawyer

stating, “I was doing what I was told,” saying that an assistant coach

told them to retaliate on the official who had made some “question-

able calls” and was part of two other Mustang player ejections. The

ref quickly responded that he had not made any racial slurs, through

his lawyer, of course.

Jump in the Delorean and head back 19 years and you will be

amazed at the lack of progress we have made in the arena. In 1996,

Jefferson’s mother immediately insisted that the official, Bainter, was

picking on her son. The reaction of the community was also pre-

dictable. According to Holman, more than once he heard officials from

Wingate and the Navajo Nation blame the official stating that the Farm-

ington Association had no business sending a white official to call the

game, not noting that Crownpoint was also a majority American Indian

populated school. This was the predominane reason Holman left

Wingate and took the job at Shiprock.

So what is the difference between these two incredibly similar

events? The answer in one simple word the media.

In 1996 Allen Bainter was a blip on Sportscenter. In 2015 Rojas and

Moreno were part of 24-hour news and sports coverage as well as

posted all over social media. When the event happened every radio

talk show took calls and every analyst on every sports show had an

opinion. The same happened right after Rojas and Morales received

their punishment of 75 days out of John Jay and headed to an alterna-

tive high school.

Nearly everyone believed the punishment was too excessive. After

all, they were just following orders from a coach. Of course this coach

should never work again and the players punishment is debatable. But

they are only losing a semester and can return to their high school. I

do wonder, however, when is personal responsibility going to triumph?

Even if the coach told them to do it, deep down they should know

that it’s wrong. A coach’s command can only go so far. At some point a

person has to stand up and determine what is right from wrong for

themselves without the hindsight of public scrutiny. It’s an old adage

that character is what you do when no one is watching. What does it

say about those that do it whenever one is watching? I guess we’ll ask

the lawyer.

We lost Allen Bainter in 2010 and to the best of my knowledge he

never called another game. Whether or not the ref in San Antonio

works again is yet to be seen.

Since that night in 1996, we have seen more attacks on officials

than one can count. The real question that needs to be answered is:

How long will we continue to build a progeny who always look for

someone else to blame for their shortcomings in the classroom, on

our athletic fields, and in our society.

22 Four Corners SPOrTS NOVEMBER 2015

Paige aDair - JuniOr

aZTeC HigH SCHOOl

Once again the aztec Tigers Softball Team

fell short of a state title, but if the Tigers are to

reach the pinnacle it will be behind the arm of

Junior pitcher Paige adair.

adair finished her sophomore campaign at

10-5, leading the Tigers within one game of a

shot at the title. adair has also been a member

of the state contending aztec soccer team.

gabriel aguirre - SeniOr

blOOMFielD HigH SCHOOl

aguirre will look to perform the rare feat

of winning back-to-back state titles this track

season after winning both the discus and the

shot at the 2015 state championships.

apparently District 1aaaa has a knack for

this accomplishment as the last person to do

this was Kirtland Central’s Christian Mackey

who completed the sweep in 2013 and 2014

niKKi benally - SeniOr

PieDra ViSTa HigH SCHOOl

For the past two seasons benally has been

the key guard on the Panther basketball team,

and as a senior will be expected to carry the

load for Piedra Vista. benally has the skill set

to play both the point guard and shooting

guard position.

after basketball, look for benally to anchor

the hot corner for the Panther softball team

and be a big bat in their lineup as they fight to

get back to the top.

SHayna CarlOwe - SeniOr

FarMingTOn HigH SCHOOl

when Carlowe arrived on the Farmington

campus her freshman year the girls basketball

program was in a state of flux. That has drasti-

cally changed under head coach Danny Se-

crest. Carlowe has been a huge factor in that

change.

Her freshman year she was on a team that

finished 3-20. last year she led that team to a

PaigeADAIRaZTeC HigH SCHOOl

gabrielAGUIRREblOOMFielD HigH SCHOOl

A GREAT EIGHTPrep players to watch in 2016


niKKiBENALLYPiEdRa ViSTa HiGH SCHOOL

SHaynaCARLOWfaRminGTOn HiGH SCHOOL

aidanCOCKRELLKiRTLand HiGH SCHOOL

20-9 record in a very tough district. If the scorpions are to continue to

rise, Carlowe will be a huge part.

AIDAn COCkReLL - senIOR

kIRTLAnD CenTRAL HIGH sCHOOL

Cockrell is rare among modern athletes, competing in three sport

seasons, beginning the 2015-2016 year with the Bronco football team

and entering the winter season as the defending state wrestling cham-

pion at 132 pounds.

He entered last year’s state meet unseeded, advancing all the way

after upsetting the no. 1 seed from Cobre. In the spring Cockrell will try

to help the Bronco track team to a district title.

jAsmIne COLemAn - senIOR

nAVAjO PReP

The Prep senior has been a dominant three-sport athlete compet-

ing in basketball, volleyball and track. On the courts Coleman has led

the eagles volleyball team to the finals, where they lost to Texico last

fall.

In basketball Coleman has been the go-to scorer for Prep leading

them to the state tournament the past three years. In the spring Cole-

man will participate with Prep’s track team

24 Four Corners sPORTs NOVEMBER 2015

jAsmIneCOLEMANnAVAjO PReP

wesRAYBURNPIeDRA VIsTA HIGH sCHOOL

* Eight to watch 27


As of this writing Navajo Prep is still looking for a

boys basketball coach for the upcoming season. To

apply, contact Athletic Director Mike Tillman at 326-

6571.

First practice for winter sports is coming up

quick on November 2 for the 2015-2016 season -

Get those physicals done !

Games to Watch …Volleyball

2015 1AAAA and 1AAAAA District volleyball tour-

nament November 2 to 7

2015 State Volleyball Championship in Rio Ran-

cho Nov. 12 to 14

Girls Soccer

Aztec at Piedra Vista on Oct. 22

Girls Soccer State Championships run October

31 to Nov. 7

Boys Soccer

Boys Soccer State Championships run Oct. 31

through Nov. 7

Cross Country

2015 1AAAA District Cross Country Champi-

onship hosted by Fort Wingate on Oct. 31

2015 1AAAAA District Cross Country Champi-

onships at Aztec on October 30

2015 State Cross Country Championship at Rio

Rancho High School on Nov. 7

Football

First Round of the State Playoffs begins on No-

vember 13

Golf Events

On Saturday October 17 Civitan Golf Course will

be offering night time Glow Golf from 8 to 11:30

a.m. Cost for the event is $12 for non-members

and $8 for Civitan members. A $5 cash deposit per

ball will be charged for golf balls to be returned

upon return of the balls. Call Civitan at

505.599.1149 or email [email protected] for

details.

Catching up with the County

®

* Offer expires 11/29/2015. Void where prohibited. The Reward Card is issued by U.S. Bank National Association, pursuant to a license from MasterCard International Incorporated. MasterCard is a registered trademark of MasterCard International Incorporated. Copyright © 2015 MNA, Inc. All rights reserved.

$70GET

4BUY

via MasterCard® Reward Card after submission*when you buy a set of four new BF Goodrich® All-Terrain T/A® KO

MasterCard International Incorporated. MasterCard is a registered trademark of MasterCaroid where prohibited. 1/29/2015. V1/29/2015. Void where prohibited. fer expires 1* Of* Offer expires 1

MasterCard International Incorporated. MasterCard is a registered trademark of MasterCarThe Reward Card is issued by U.S. Banoid where prohibited.

d International Incorporated. Copyright MasterCard International Incorporated. MasterCard is a registered trademark of MasterCarAssociation, pursuant to a license from k National The Reward Card is issued by U.S. Ban

®

© 2015 MNA, Inc. All rights reserved.d International Incorporated. Copyright Association, pursuant to a license from


Lobo head coach Craig Neal says he is ex-

cited. His team’s schedule for the 2015-2016

season will have 13 non-conference games and

two exhibitions. There is also the usual 18

game Mountain West Conference schedule.

The season starts with an exhibition game

Nov. 3 against CSU Pueblo and followed by the

final exhibition game against Rogers State Nov,

6.

The Lobos will meet rival New Mexico State

Nov. 15 in Las Cruces and host the AggieDec.

16. at WisePies Arena.

The non-conference schedule also include

home games against Oral Roberts, Loyola,

Northern Iowa and Rice.

The Lobos will test their road mettle with

games at USC Nov.21 and Purdue Dec. 5.

The Lobos will spend Christmas week away

from home at the Diamond Head Classic.

Teams playing in the tournament in Hon-

olulu Dec. 22 through the 25 include Oklahoma,

Washington State, BYU, Harvard, Northern Iowa

and host Hawaii. – KRQU Albuquerque

NMSU Aggies

The defending outright Western Athletic Con-

ference Champion New Mexico State Aggies an-

nounced a challenging 31-game 2015-16 men’s

basketball schedule that features games

against nine postseason tournament teams

from last season.

The Aggies face five teams from last sea-

son’s NCAA Tournament in 2015-16, with Robert

Morris and Wyoming coming to the Pan Ameri-

can Center and road contests at Wichita State,

Baylor and UC Irvine.

The Aggies went 23-11 last season while

winning the outright WAC Championship by five

games with a 13-1 conference record.

Lobo and NMSU Men’s Basketball releases 2015-16 schedules


WES RAyBURN - SOPHOMORE

PIEDRA VISTA HIGH SCHOOL

Although he wrestled last season at a diminutive 132 pounds, Ray-

burn has some big shoes to fill. Gone from the Panther wrestling team

are two-time state champions Philip Archuleta and Sam Sandoval, as

well as five-time champion Anthony Juckes, who is off to Wyoming.

While Rayburn can’t duplicate Juckes’ five titles, he appears to be on

his way to the next best thing. Rayburn finished second as an eighth

grader and won the title last season at 132. He should be a strong fa-

vorite at whatever class he decides to wrestle.

AVERy SCOTT - JUNIOR

BLOOMFIELD HIGH SCHOOL

Scott enters to 2015-2016 wrestling season as one to watch after

losing in the state finals last season to Robertson’s Joseph Griego.

The junior will be expected to keep up a strong tradition of Bobcat

wrestling where they have been the dominant squad in their district

since leaving what is now 1AAAAA.

Eight to watch continued from 24

New Mexico State Aggies 2015-16

Date Opponent

Nov. 13 Houston Baptist

Nov. 15 New Mexico

Nov. 18 Tenn Tech

Nov. 21 Miss Valley St

Nov. 24 Robert Morris

Nov. 28 at Air Force

Dec. 2 UTEP

Dec. 5 at LBSU

Dec. 13 Wyoming

Dec. 16 at New Mexico

Dec. 19 at UTEP

Dec. 21 Oral Roberts

Dec. 23 at Baylor

Dec. 28 at Wichita State

Jan. 2 at UC Irvine

Jan. 7 at Utah Valley

Jan. 9 at Grand Canyon

Jan. 14 UMKC

Jan. 16 Chicago State

Jan. 21 at Seattle

Jan. 23 at CSU Bakersfield

Jan. 30 UT-Rio Grande

Feb. 4 Grand Canyon

Feb. 6 Utah Valley

Feb. 13 at Chicago State

Feb. 18 CSU Bakersfield

Feb. 20 Seattle

Feb. 27 at UMKC

Mar. 5 at UT-Rio Grande

New Mexico Lobos 2016 Schedule

Date Opponent

Nov. 13 Texas Southern

Nov. 15 at New Mexico St

Nov. 18 Loyola (CHI)

Nov. 21 at USC

Nov. 25 Nicholls State

Dec. 1 Oral Roberts

Dec. 5 at Purdue

Dec. 12 Northern Iowa

Dec. 16 New Mexico St

Dec. 19 Rice

Dec. 22 Auburn

Dec. 30 Nevada

Jan. 2 at Fresno State

Jan. 9 Utah State

Jan. 12 at UNLV

Jan. 16 Wyoming

Jan. 23 at San Jose State

Jan. 27 Air Force

Jan. 30 at Boise State

Feb. 2 UNLV

Feb. 6 at San Diego State

Feb. 9 at Utah State

Feb. 13 San Jose State

Feb. 17 Boise State

Feb. 20 at Air Force

Feb. 23 at Colorado State

Feb. 27 Fresno State

Mar. 1 San Diego State

Mar. 5 at Nevada

The Aggies won their fourth con-

secutive WAC Tournament Champi-

onship and NCAA Tournament

berth as well.

Additionally, NM State has a

pair of games with I-10 rival UTEP,

an NIT participant, a home game

with CBI participant Oral Roberts

and two games with I-25 rival New

Mexico.

“I’m impressed with this sched-

ule and how it shook out,” said NM

State Head Basketball Coach Mar-

vin Menzies. “We were able to put

together a competitive schedule

that would allow us a few oppor-

tunities to really work on our RPI

as well as the opportunity to get a

couple of really good home games

in addition to our normal rival se-

ries games.”

A special addition to the sched-

ule this season finds the Aggies

traveling north to the Santa Ana

Star Center in Rio Rancho, N.M., to

host Northern New Mexico.

The Aggies face a complete WAC

schedule that includes home and

road games with CBI semifinalist

Seattle U. and CIT participant

Grand Canyon.

NM State opens the season with

five straight games on Lou Henson

Court inside the Pan American

Center, starting with opening

night against Houston Baptist on

Friday, Nov. 13. The Aggies follow

that contest with the first I-25

matchup with the Lobos.

28 Four Corners SpORTS NOVEMBER 2015

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��!!�� !!""��!!��!!�� ## ��""��&&&&��!!�� !!""��&&��$$��!!��""��""��

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��

One thing about the San Juan County community is that it is always there

in times of need, and for the Rowher family it was no different.

More than one hundred people, including the 70 participants, attended

the event. The All Sports Golf Tournament raised a large portion of the funds

needed to help with the Rohwers’ expenses and, according to Rayburn and

Sharp; hopefully it will become an annual family event.

“This time it was for Shadd, but there is always someone in need,” Sharp

said.” We hope to make this an annual event that just gets bigger and bet-

ter.”

If you would like to help with the Rowhers’ there is an account set up at

Wells Fargo under the “Shadd Rohwer Donation Account.

If you would like to plan an event at Civitan Golf Course – from a fundrais-

ing tournament to glow golf, nighttime Frisbee golf, to foot golf – contact

Rick at Civitan at 505.599.1194 or email [email protected]

Community continued from 14

29Four Corners SpOrTSNOVEMBER 2015

The sport of scaring people will be offered

later this month when Farmington High

School joins forces with Theater Ensemble

Arts to present Xtreme Terror II: The Evil

Within.

This interactive haunted house is being pro-

duced jointly by FHS Drama, Sociedad Latina

and Theater Ensemble Arts, and will carry on

the tradition that began last year of offering a

fright-filled event for Halloween. The scripted,

theatrical extravaganza provides a frightening

interactive, walkthrough play based on the

popular video game, “The Evil Within.”

Scores of actors will portray characters

that guide people through the old Haywire

building, at the corner of Airport Drive and

Main Street.

FHS students and Theater Ensemble Arts vol-

unteers have spent the past few months turning

the 10,000-square-foot building into an insane

asylum that has been taken over by a maniacal

killer.

Face the killer and other inmates – if you dare

– at Xtreme Terror II.

The performance will run from 7 p.m. to mid-

night Oct. 23-24, and from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Oct. 29. It will be open from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Oct.

30-31. Tickets are $10 per person. For more

information, call 505.326.2839.

IS SCARING A SPORT?FHS, Theater Ensemble Arts haunted

house will have you sprinting from home

30 Four Corners SPoRtS NOVEMBER 2015

Local Farmington resident and Piedra Vista

High School wrestling alum, Ryan Ruybalid, has

used his experience lifting weights to spring-

board a new passion – a passion for powerlift-

ing and bodybuilding.

At just 20 years of age, he now owns the New

Mexico Junior Division record in the 148-pound

weight class with a deadlift of 445 pounds. Yes,

you read that correctly – Ruybalid lifted three

times his own body weight.

“I am just so proud of him,” said his mother,

Melissa. “I admire the time and dedication he

has put forth. He amazes me with what he ac-

complishes every day.”

BOdyBuILdING

POWERLIFTING

PV alum Ryan Ruybalid sets state junior division deadlift record

Story by Dorothy Nobis | Courtesy photos

and


The personal trainer at Gym Lou’s and the

accounting major at San Juan College has his

sights set on many more state records as he

is preparing for his next competition.

“My next meet is at the Phoenix Europa in

October,” said Ruybalid. “I am looking at set-

ting state records in the squat and deadlift in

Arizona.”

The four-time state placer in high school

wrestling never won an individual state cham-

pionship, but he uses that as motivation with

everything he does today.

“I always have a fire burning inside me to

be the best – even though I can never quite

get there.”

Once he graduated from high school, Ruybalid

took to weight lifting for fun and started learning

the finer points of the sport of powerlifting.

“I just love competition,” said Ruybalid.

“Then I started learning about the bodybuild-

ing and powerlifting competitions and fell in

love with it.”

His first powerlifting competition was a

huge success in May of 2014 where he broke

the New Mexico state deadlift record in his

weight class without even knowing it.

“In my first meet I deadlifted 435 pounds,

which was a state record,” explained Ruybalid.

“But since I didn’t know what the record was

and I didn’t tell anyone when I registered that I

was going for the state record, I didn’t get

credit for it. This year in Roswell, I told them I

was going to attempt it so I got credit for it

when I lifted 445 (pounds).”

For the time being, Ruybalid is enjoying the

competitive side of powerlifting and body-

building while getting a degree in accounting

and sharing his passion for physical fitness

and lifting weights with his clients at Gym

Lou’s on Broadway. That passion is directing

his future as well.

“I want to own and run my own gym,” stated

Ruybalid. “I am going to school for my degree

in accounting so hopefully I will be able to get

a good job out of college and be able to save

up so I can own and run my own gym effi-

ciently.”

For the time being, Ruybalid will have to set-

tle for constant improvement and breaking

more powerlifting records.

32 Four Corners SpoRTS NOVEMBER 2015

$24,000 RAISED FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCEAnnual Race to Educate draws more than 300 participants

Story by Tom Yost | Courtesy photos

The 4th Annual Race 2 Educate benefiting the Foundation

for Educational Excellence was September 26. The 5k walk

and run, 10k run and the half marathon hosted 307 partici-

pants raising more than $24,000.

Joe Gomez won the Men’s Half Marathon with a time of 1

hour, 25 minutes and 9 seconds, while Danielle Ferrell won

on the women’s side with a time of 1 hour, 35 minutes and

33 seconds. In the 10k, a fifth grader from Country Club Ele-

mentary won the Men’s Division.

Jacob Nelson averaged a 7-minute mile en route to a win-

ning time of 43 minutes and 43 seconds. Race coordinator

and president of the Foundation for Educational Excellence,

Allison Cahoon won the women’s side with a time of 48 min-

utes and 30 seconds. In the 5k, Sebastian Hogue won the

men’s race with a time of 19:41 while Denise Bonati won the

women’s race with a time of 22:54.

33Four Corners SPoRTSNOVEMBER 2015

��

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56��'$+!��!-1%�!��-!*�$%*#5��(�**! ��!-1%�!��#-!!)!*/.5��+0-��)!-#!*�45��((��&+-� -! %/� �- .��!,/! 5��/%."��/%+*��0�-�*/!! �.%*�!��

5��+0-��)!-#!*�4��!-1%�!

“The race was a big success,” explained Cahoon. “I am extremely happy

that we raised enough money to reach our goal and that we had 100 more

participants than last year’s race.”

Among those participanting, were students from Farmington Municipal

School District who got to run the race free.

“Tibbetts Middle School had the most students in attendance and won the

traveling trophy which was won by Ladera Elementary last year,” said Cahoon.

The Foundation for Educational Excellence is constantly looking for dona-

tions from local community members and businesses to support such pro-

grams such as mini grant programs, the Red Apple Teacher Reimbursement

Program and the Graduating Senior Scholarship Program.

“We couldn’t have had the success we did if it wasn’t for our sponsors and

volunteers,” said Cahoon. “BP and Walsh Engineering were our title sponsors

and the list of our other sponsors and supporters is too great to list, but we

are extremely appreciative of them all.”

The 5th Annual Race 2 Educate is already on the calendar for September

24, 2016 as the Foundation for Educational Excellence is looking to grow even

larger to support Farmington Municipal School educational programs. And

Cahoon and the Foundation Board of Directors is confident that their success

will continue.

“We are looking to raise twice as much money for ever-increasing funding

needs.”

34 Four Corners SPoRTS NOVEMBER 2015

As we are winding down the season for golf

and heading into the winter sports season, I

want to take the time to thank everyone who

made 2015 such a memorable year for The

First Tee of San Juan County, Nm.

While our programs continue to grow and

the demand increases countywide, it is

through the generosity of so many local busi-

nesses and individual volunteers who give so

much of their time to give our organization

such as impact of the youth in our community.

And while the list is too long to fit into an ar-

ticle, a heartfelt thank you goes out to those

that gave of themselves this year…you know

who you are!

massey finishes 5th in San Diego

The First Tee of San Juan County, Nm is ex-

tremely lucky to work with the youth in San

Juan County, but occasionally one of our par-

ticipants goes above and beyond our highest

expectations.

That individual participant, Sebastian

massey, returned home to Farmington with a

5th Place finish in the Regional Qualifier of the

2016 Drive Chip and Putt. Competing in the 10-

11 year old boys division, massey advanced

through local qualifying in Albuquerque by win-

ning his division, and then advanced through

the sub-regional in Denver by finishing in sec-

ond place.

on September 19, massey competed in the

regional qualifier at the famed Torrey Pines

Golf Course in San Diego, Calif. in hopes of

qualifying for the national championship at Au-

gusta National Golf Club the Sunday before The

2016 masters.

massey started off on fire by making his

first two putts and scoring 55 points in the Put-

ting competition. He ended the competition

well by scoring 34, with all three of his drives

in the Driving competition registering points.

The Chipping competition had competitors

hitting shots out of the rough to a steeply

sloped green with the hole at the bottom of the

slope. This part of the competition was what

eventually eliminated massey from con-

tention – as well as three-quarters of the com-

peting field.

Even in defeat, massey and family had a

wonderful time competing, playing golf at Tor-

rey Pines and visiting Sea World.

Congratulations for making us proud, Se-

bastian!

High school golf completes

the fall season

The High School golf teams in San Juan

County have wrapped up their fall seasons on

the links and will take a long winter break be-

fore preparation begins for the spring season

and the 2016 NmAA State Championships.

on the team front, Piedra Vista High School

varsity boys continued their recent tradition of

great play, by earning enough qualifying legs

to earn a spot in the 2016 5A State Champi-

onships at their home course, Piñon Hills Golf

Course. No other team, on the boys and girls

side, from the area has earned a leg for state

as of yet.

on the individual side, Zack Holesinger and

meghan Graff from Farmington High School

and Linda Peralta from Aztec High School have

already earned their spot in the 2016 5A State

Championship.

With countless other individuals – boys and

girls from PVHS, Aztec, Kirtland and Shiprock –

also earning at least one of the three required

legs for state.

Congratulations to all the hard working high

school student athletes who are reaching for

their goals every time they stick the tee in the

ground.

TomYOSTThe First Tee

Fall golf season coming to a close

Documents

Four Corners Sports Magazine November 2015