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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.
Majestic Media
100 W. Apache Street
Farmington, NM 87401
505.516.1230
www.majesticmediausa.com
STORY IDEAS and PHOTOS
covercredit
Please send to
editor@tricitytribuneusa.com
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
7Four Corners SPORTSNOVEMBER 2015
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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.
8 Four Corners SportS NOVEMBER 2015
31 YEARS OF RACING
9Four Corners SPORTSNOVEMBER 2015
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
10 Four Corners SportS NOVEMBER 2015
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11Four Corners sPORTsNOVEMBER 2015
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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
16 Four Corners SPORTS NOVEMBER 2015
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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Located at 111 N. BehrendFarmington, NM 87401
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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. “ . . .
18 Four Corners SPORTS NOVEMBER 2015
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
20 Four Corners SPORTS NOVEMBER 2015
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
23Four Corners SPORTSNOVEMBER 2015
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
25Four Corners SPORTSNOVEMBER 2015
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 rhoerner@yahoo.com 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
26 Four Corners SPORTS NOVEMBER 2015
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
27Four Corners SPORTSNOVEMBER 2015
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
��������� ��������������""����������������� ��������""�����������������������������%�!���%��# ��"# �
����������������������������������������
�������������������������!!�������� ���� ����!!""�����!!������!!���� ����## ����""�����&&&&��!!����� ���� ����!!""�����������&&���������������$$��������!!����������""�������������������""��
����������� ������������������
���
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 rhoerner@yahoo.com
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
31Four Corners SPORTSNOVEMBER 2015
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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“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