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Transcript of Four Corners Sports May 2014
2 Four Corners SportS MAY 2014
3Four Corners SPORTSMay 2014
content| 4 | National School ProgramThe First Tee of San Juan County, N.M., is
making a big impact throughout the
community with their life skills and character
values educational programs through the
game of golf.
| 20 | Play ball!In the fall of 2000 Piedra Vista moved into
District 1AAAA and was given the daunting task
of having to compete with Class AAAA
powerhouse Farmington.
| 8 | Where are they now?When Bryant Funston left New Mexico State
university in 2005 little did he know that he
would be the last Division I basketball player
from the San Juan County. But Bryant’s sports
career had always been a bizarre journey.
| 33 | Fishing Report
| 10 | The Senior GamesThe 31st annual San Juan County Senior
Olympics kicked off April 15 with a Basket-
ball Free Throw. Activities for participants
50 years of age and older continue through
May16 throughout the region.
| 16 | On the GreenWhen the city of Farmington made the phone
call to hire Joel Atson for the vacant Head
Golf Professional position at Piñon Hills Golf
Course, the 28-year-old was surprised.
| 18 | Best of the bestEach spring the best track athletes in the
state meet at uNM for the Marilyn Sepulveda
Track Meet.
| 14 | Paralympian visitsFresh off a silver medal win in Sochi, Russia,
paralympian Alana Nichols made a stop in
her hometown of Farmington in late April to
visit with family and friends.
| 30 | The First TeeSports and youth development are becom-
ing hot topics these days due to overbear-
ing parents, injuries/concussions and the
“one-sport” mentality that so many teams
have adopted.
| 23 | Torch RunThe Four Corners law Enforcement Torch Run
raised $22,600 for Special Olympics during the
April 4-5 Chili’s Tip A Cop event in Farmington.
| 26 | Tennis anyone?Future tennis champions will have an
opportunity to hone their skills this summer
for less than $3 a lesson.
| 32 | Online Processing
| 24 | Editorial Column
Don Vaughan
PuBlISHER
Cindy Cowan Thiele
EDITOR
Debra Mayeux
Rick Hoerner
Tom Yost
CONTRIBuTING WRITERS
Josh Bishop
CONTRIBuTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Suzanne Thurman
DESIGNER
Shelly Acosta
DeYan Valdez
Aimee Velasquez
SAlES STAFF
For advertising information
Call 505.516.1230
www.fourcornerssports.com
Four Corners Sports magazine is published once amonth by Majestic Media. Material herein may not bereprinted without expressed written consent of the pub-lisher. Opinions expressed by the contributing writersare not necessarily those of the publisher, editor or FourCorners Sports magazine. Every effort has been madeto ensure the accuracy of this publication. However thepublisher cannot assume responsibility for errors orommissions. © 2014 Four Corners Sports magazine.
Majestic Media
100 W. Apache Street
Farmington, NM 87401
505.516.1230
www.majesticmediausa.com
STORY IDEAS and PHOTOS
covercredit
Please send to
We’ve got more photos
than we can use.
Check out the photo gallery
for each issue at
www.fourcornerssports.com
Josh Bishop
Fishing season began April 2 in New Mexico, and
anglers had to get used to a new system for
accessing fishing licenses.
with Rick Hoerner
| 34 | 10 Questionswith Jacob McCasland
| 31 | Letter of intentOn April 16 Piedra Vista Panther All-State post
player Kaleigh Graham committed to Metro
State College in Denver.
4 Four Corners SportS May 2014
5Four Corners SPOrTSMay 2014
The First Tee of San Juan County,
N.M., is making a big impact
throughout the community with
their life skills and character values
educational programs through the
game of golf. Perhaps the biggest
impact that is being made is
through the National School Pro-
gram, which is being taught by phys-
ical education teachers at nine local
elementary schools throughout San
Juan County.
Through sponsorships from Mer-
rion Oil and Gas Foundation, the
Stockham Family Foundation and
the Cy Cooper Company, elementary
schools throughout the region are
given the opportunity to acquire
age-appropriate golf equipment, les-
son plans and training for the physi-
cal education teacher at that
particular school. Throughout the
year, The First Tee Nine Core Values
and Nine Healthy Habits are taught
through a golf unit which teaches
youth the basics of putting, chip-
ping, pitching and full swing.
“The National School Program al-
lows students at Bluffview Elemen-
tary School to have exposure to a
Golf in schools keeps
growing strongerStory by Tom Yost | Photos by Josh Bishop
6 Four Corners SPorTS May 2014
“The program is set up to introduce the
skills of golf to all grade levels here
at the school.”
— Charles ThompsonPE TEachEr aT Mccoy ElEMEnTary in azTEc
7Four Corners SPORTSMay 2014
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505-325-9600313 N. Locke Ave. • Farmingtonwww.partnersassistedliving.com
lifetime physical activity,” explained Kathy Lund, Physical Educator at
Bluffview Elementary in Farmington. “Some students at Bluffview may
not have this opportunity without the National School Program. Having
the equipment available at school allows the entire school population to
play the game of golf. The National School Program not only teaches stu-
dents the game of golf and the skills involved, but it also teaches them
skills to help them in the game of life. The Nine Core Values give them
lifetime skills they will need to become successful and productive citi-
zens later in life.”
The Nine Core Values encompass the foundation for The First Tee Life
Skills Program and include: honesty, integrity, respect, confidence, per-
severance, judgment, sportsmanship, responsibility and courtesy. The
Nine Healthy Habits teach participants the importance of making healthy
choices for themselves and others within their community. The Nine
Healthy Habits are: energy, play, safety, vision, mind, family, friends,
school and community.
“In my classroom, we are always talking about the Nine Core Values,”
stated Animas Physical Education Teacher, Shelby Edmiston. “These val-
ues help create a positive environment in the classroom and make stu-
dents want to be their best. For example, I just finished a yoga unit and
we focused on the two core values of having confidence and persever-
ance. Holding the poses in yoga can be very difficult, but my students be-
lieved in themselves and did not give up. I was amazed at the impact
these two words had on my students. These values help make learning
fun for everyone!”
The National Schools Program has now grown to nine elementary
schools within San Juan County, including Animas, McKinley, Bluffview,
Central Primary, Blanco, Ruth N. Bond – with the recent addition of
McCoy and Lydia Rippey in Aztec, and Atsa Biyaazh in Shiprock.
The three schools recently added have allowed the program to be
taught in every major city and town in San Juan County. The Physical Ed-
ucators at those schools are extremely excited to be bringing the pro-
gram to their students.
“I am excited about being able to teach The First Tee program for
McCoy Elementary School students,” said Charles Thompson, PE Teacher
at McCoy Elementary in Aztec. “The program is set up to introduce the
skills of golf to all grade levels here at the school. Over the past few
years we have had the program for one day and the students really liked
* Golf 13
8 Four Corners SporTS May 2014
Story by Rick Hoerner
When Bryant Funston left New Mexico State
University in 2005 little did he know that he
would be the last Division I basketball player
from the San Juan County. But Bryant’s sports
career had always been a bizarre journey.
When Funston arrived at Heights Junior High
for his eighth grade season after living in In-
donesia for the bulk of his childhood, he barely
knew the game of basketball. Table tennis was
more his expertise. It was apparent that Fun-
ston had a knack for the game, with solid size
and physical play. Upon arriving at Farmington
High, Funston played a year of Junior Varsity
before playing varsity for legendary coach
Marv Sanders in 1999 and 2000. As far as
Farmington High’s Class of 2000 – Bryant Funston
9Four Corners SPorTSMay 2014
learning the game of basketball, Funston considers himself quite lucky, “I’ve
been very fortunate in my sporting career to play for some legendary
coaches. Marv Sanders was the second winningest coach in New Mexico
history and Lou Henson was No. 6 all time in college wins when I played for
him.”
After enrolling at New Mexico State Funston tried out as a walk-on for the
basketball team. Through injuries and ineligible players, Funston eventually
saw the court, a perk few walk-ons – especially those with high GPAs – ever
get. Funston remembers his first year with Final Four coach Lou Henson as
a time where discipline mattered and the small details were emphasized.
“A couple months into my first season we were scrimmaging against the
first team and I was having a great practice. I had gotten a couple steals,
had held our team’s best scorer to one basket, and had just chased down
my 3rd or 4th rebound. I looked up, saw my teammate flying toward our
basket, and let loose with a one-handed pass that was right on the mark for
an easy dunk. Coach Henson stopped the scrimmage and I thought I was
about to get some praise. Instead he waved off the basket. Why? Because
one-handed passes were not allowed. Same with jumping to pass. Not al-
lowed. It’s about doing all those small things right and learning from mis-
takes in the past to make sure they don’t repeat in the future. I never threw
another one-handed pass, and still pay great attention to doing the little
things right.”
* Funston 25
You can look at Bryant’s
business and website at
www.buildpeakcompete.com
10 Four Corners SportS May 2014
The Senior Games
11Four Corners SPOrTSMay 2014
The 31st annual San Juan County Senior
Olympics kicked off April 15 with a Basket-
ball Free Throw. Activities for participants 50
years of age and older continue through
May16 throughout the region. The Senior
Olympics are sponsored by the Bonnie Dallas
Senior Center in Farmington, which not only
organizes the multiple events, but also han-
dles registration and the awards picnic at
the end of the festivities.
The activities are tailored for mature
adults and include both active and passive
participation in competitive sporting events.
The focus is to encourage exercise, while
providing an enjoyable experience. There are
a variety of events for all athletic abilities,
including shooting, miniature golf, dance,
bowling, cycling, tennis, table tennis,
archery, golf and running.There also are
other types of competitive events including
pool, dance, cribbage, pinochle, dominoes,
croquet, shuffleboard, duplicate bridge and
horseshoes.
Seniors paid a $7 registration fee and
were able to participate in any and all
events thanks to the BP America Production
Company, which sponsored the annual event.
All participants received a T-shirt and an in-
vitation to participate in the annual dance
contest and the awards picnic.
The series of activities culminate with the
May 16 picnic at Bonnie Dallas Senior Center
to celebrate everyone’s accomplishments.
Awards are presented for first, second, and
third place in all events. “We hope the Sen-
ior Olympics will encourage participants to
meet new people and promote fitness at the
same time,” Bonnie Dallas Senior Center Ad-
ministrator Larry Bomberger said.
“Some of our seniors even go all the way
to the Nationals.”
For more information about the Senior
Olympics, call the senior center at
505.599.1380.
Annual senior Olympicspromotes fitness
Story by Debra Mayeux | Photos by Josh Bishop
12 Four Corners SPORTS May 2014
On Monday, June 16, Nike and Ultimate
Team Sales will host a golf tournament for
the late San Juan County basketball coach
Kevin Holman. The proceeds of the tourna-
ment will benefit the education fund for
Kevin’s children Quinn and Griffin. The tour-
nament is looking for 136 golfers to compete
in the tournament. Cost to play is $100, which
includes 18 holes, range balls, a new Nike
polo shirt, and dinner for a whole team for
$400
During the dinner there will be an auction
of sports memorabilia including an auto-
graphed Chicago Bears helmet from Brian
Urlacher as well as items from the Seattle
Seahawks and Nebraska Cornhuskers and
other donated items.
If you are interested in participating in the
tournament or would like to sponsor a hole
to help with the education fund, please con-
tact Rick Hoerner at 505.215.2533. Come out
for a good time and a good cause.
Coach Holman
Memorial Tournament
Proceeds benefit education fund for his children
13Four Corners SPOrTSMay 2014
what they were being taught. Now we will be
able to make it into a regular unit for all stu-
dents in grades 1 through 3. The nice thing
about the program is that they supply all of the
equipment and information that needs to be
taught and how to teach it to the students. The
equipment is grade appropriate and can be
used inside or outside.”
Leticia Crisp, Physical Educator at Atsa
Biyaazh Community School in Shiprock, is look-
ing forward to implementing the Nine Core Val-
ues across her entire school.
“I am hoping the Nine Core Values will have
a big impact on the students in my school,”
stated Crisp. “I have many ideas as to how to
incorporate the Nine Core Values into all parts
of my school. I believe my students will really
embrace the Nine Core Values and apply them
to all parts of their lives. My job is to show
them how they fit and how to apply them to
their lives. I am very excited to take on this
task. With this first step, I am hoping the num-
ber of bullying incidents will decrease in our
school. My plan is to have the students make
posters of the Nine Core Values and place
them in different areas of the school. I also
plan on introducing the Nine Core Values at the
beginning of the year and reinforcing them in
ALL of my lessons, not just golf.”
Thanks to the Merrion Oil and Gas Founda-
tion, six more elementary schools will be par-
ticipating by the fall of 2016. That will bring the
total to 15 elementary schools – which will af-
fect over 7,000 young people per year.
Golf continued from 7
14 Four Corners SPoRTS May 2013
Fresh off a silver medal win in
Sochi, Russia, paralympian Alana
Nichols made a stop in her home-
town of Farmington in late April to
visit with family and friends.
Nichols, 31, lives in Wheat Ridge,
Colo., and is a dual sport athlete for
Team U.S.A. in the Paralympics. She
competes in both wheelchair basket-
ball and alpine skiing. She competed
in the Sochi Winter Games and
brought home a silver medal in
downhill skiing. It was her sixth
medal in the Paralympics Games.
Her first medal was a gold in the
2008 Paralympics in Beijing as a
member of the Women’s Basketball
Team.
Nichols grew up playing sports in
high school. “I was a three-sport
athlete,” she said. She participated
in basketball, volleyball and softball.
“I had an incredible childhood,”
she said during a fundraising event
on April 26 for Peach’s Neet Feet at
the San Juan Country Club. Nichols is
the daughter of David and Susan
Nichols, and she was raised by her
grandparents, Dave and Joan Vilven.
The event was organized by Matt
Camacho, who complimented Nichols
and Madison Steiner, founder of
Peach’s Neet Feet, on their accom-
plishments. “There are two women
who are out there globally repre-
senting the Four Corners area. What
they are doing is amazing,” he said.
Nichols, while in Sochi, crashed
into Stephani Victor during the
super-G, but she was not seriously
injured. She talked with friends at
the event about the scar she would
have on her chin. Despite the crash,
she was able to go on to win the sil-
ver in the downhill race. She said
Paralympian home for a visitAlana Nichols raises funds
for Peach’s Neet FeetStory by Debra Mayeux | Photos by Josh Bishop
15Four Corners SPORTSMay 2014
she was happy to come home
with a medal.
Also during the event, Nichols
shared a little bit about her
childhood and then explained
how she ended up in a wheel-
chair.
“I was able to start snow-
boarding at a young age,” she
said. Nichols began hitting the
slopes in the eighth grade, but
when she turned 17, she kicked
it up a notch and attempted
backcountry skiing. She called
herself a “daredevil,” saying she
attempted a back flip, over-ro-
tated and hit a rock. She was
paralyzed from the waist down.
Two years later, Nichols was
introduced to wheelchair sports
and athletics. “I began in wheel-
chair basketball and was able to
go forward and win a gold in
Beijing,” she said. After that win, Nichols de-
cided to try her hand at downhill skiing.
“I got back on the horse that knocked me
off,” she said. Nichols went to the Vancouver
Paralympics in 2010 and came back with a
gold in downhill and giant slalom, a silver in
super-G, and a bronze in super combined.
“We have an incredible amount
of potential, regardless of abili-
ties.”
Getting her to Sochi, Russia,
was a “process,” according to
Nichols, who said that even with
a corporate sponsor she has
needed assistance from family
and friends. She credited every-
one in Farmington for her suc-
cess.
“There is power in commu-
nity, when people come together
because they really believe in
something,” Nichols said. She
promoted Peach’s Neet Feet,
comparing the non-profit orga-
nization’s work with the support
she needed from friends and
family to succeed in her Olympic
dreams.
“When I first broke my back, I
felt incredibly lost, without sup-
port,” Nichols said. “I needed a little push –
someone who believed in me, and I’m here to
tell you even a pair of shoes can make a dif-
ference.”
“There are two women who are out there
globally representing the Four Corners area.
What they are doing is amazing.”
— Matt Camacho
16 Four Corners SPortS May 2014
“I would like to help grow the tournament
program and the junior golf program at Piñon.”
— Joel AtsonHead Golf Professional
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When the city of Farmington made the phone call to hire
Joel Atson for the vacant Head Golf Professional position at
Piñon Hills Golf Course, the 28-year-old was surprised.
“I was extremely surprised that I got the job,” said Atson,
“but I was also very excited.”
Atson was born in Shiprock, and grew up in Kirtland,
where he played golf for Kirtland Central High School on one
of the better boys’ golf teams that Kirtland has fielded. After
high school, Atson moved to Albuquerque and worked at
Tanoan Country Club for PGA Member, Dal Daily.
“Tanoan is where I found out about the business side of
the golf industry,” explained Atson. “The love for the game is
why I continued the path into golf, but professionals like Dal
and Jeff Roth were the ones who pushed me further into the
business side.”
After working a stint at Tanoan, Atson moved back to
Farmington and worked at Riverview Golf Course in Kirtland,
as well as San Juan Country Club in Farmington, before
taking a position at Piñon Hills Golf Course in January. The
timing proved to be perfect for Atson, as long-time Head Golf
Professional, Ty Hamer, accepted a job in Fort Morgan, Colo.,
opening up the position for Atson.
Chris Jones, the General Manager at Piñon Hills Golf
Course liked Atson’s work ethic and mix of background
experience from the various courses where he previously
had worked.
“Joel has a great personality and is good with people,”
explained Jones. “He is a good player, which people like, and
is a very good merchandiser as well as a strong teacher. It
helped that he had the two-month interview starting in
January. He worked a couple of months and the timing was
just right – he was a good fit.”
Atson loves the golf business because of the various –
and vast – number of people he gets to meet and with which
he can interact on a daily basis. And while he will be
learning a lot from this new challenge, Atson wants to
make a positive impact as the new Head Golf Professional.
“I would like to help grow the tournament program and
the junior golf program at Piñon,” stated Atson.
Joel Atson is new
golf pro at Piñon
Hills Golf CourseStory by Tom Yost | Photos by Josh Bishop
18 Four Corners SPortS May 2014
Best of the Best
SarahROOTaztec high School
BeauCLAFTONPiedra Vista high School
KaleighGRAHAMaztec high School
19Four Corners SPORTSMay 2014
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Each spring the best track athletes in the
state meet at UNM for the Marilyn Sepulveda
International Track Meet. The Sepulveda meet
brings the best times in the state together
without consideration for class. With just
enough entries to fill the eight lanes, every
race is a final and every attempt in the field
must be at its best.
San Juan County was well represented at
the Sepulveda Meet with a total of 31 individ-
uals competing in 26 different events. Four
athletes – PV’s Beau Clafton, Farmington’s
Devin Hull and Bailey Carter and Aztec’s
Sarah Root – qualified in three separate
events to lead the field.
On the track Clafton and Hull finished 2nd
and 3rd in both the 100 and 200 meters, fin-
ishing just behind Valencia’s Joshua Bur-
bank. Aztec’s Nate Ruteledge finished 4th in
the 400 meters while Piedra Vista distance
runners Harrison Fleming and Timberlin Hen-
derson finished 6th in the 1600 and 3200 re-
spectively. In the hurdles, Aztec’s Josh Harris
placed 4th in the 300 meters and 7th in the
110 meters.
The county athletes showed strong in the
field events as well with Beau Clafton win-
ning the javelin at 181 feet 10 inches. Farm-
ington’s Avery Rasher won the high jump
with a leap of 6 feet 6 inches. Rasher also
competed in the long jump where he finished
5th, two spots behind Aztec’s Ryneal Lewis-
Adams. Greg Passerelli of Aztec finished 6th
in the pole vault. Defending state champions
Christian Mackey of Kirtland Central finished
2nd in both the shot put and discus behind
Volcano Vista’s Mike Budick, still making
Mackey the favorite in Class 4A. Bloomfield’s
Gabriel Aguirre also placed in discus, coming
in 6th.
The ladies of San Juan County were not to
be outdone and were especially impressive
in the field events. In pole vault, San Juan
Area track athletes compete
at Marilyn Sepulveda Invitational MeetStory by Rick Hoerner | Photos by Josh Bishop
* Track 22
21Four Corners SPORTSdate
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CCUUTT CCOOSSTT.. NNOOTT CCOOVVEERRAAGGEE
In the fall of 2000 Piedra Vista moved into
District 1AAAA and was given the daunting task
of having to compete with Class AAAA power-
house Farmington. The Farmington tradition of
Knothole Day now became a battle between
crosstown rivals and more than likely a
matchup for the district championship and a
top seed at the state tournament. On Knothole
Day every ballplayer that suits up for the sum-
mer gets a chance to have their team intro-
duced and to high-five all of the Scorpions on
one baseline and the Panthers on the other.
The players are then welcomed to an after-
noon of lunch and a usually beautiful day at
the ballpark watching our local pastime. For
the high schools, they get a chance to play in
front of a full house before August.
The origin of Knothole Day comes from a
man known for a far more socially significant
innovation of the game. While Dodger executive
Branch Rickey is known as the man that
brought Jackie Robinson to the Majors to inte-
grate professional baseball, he was also the
man who popularized the concept of Knothole
Day. Knothole Games or Knothole Gangs were
part of baseball lore with ballparks being sur-
rounded by wooden fences, much like Ricketts
Park today. As the inevitable knotholes would
fall out of the fences, kids would gather at the
fence to get a glimpse of their diamond he-
roes.
Knothole Day marks the start of youth baseballStory by Rick Hoerner | Photo by Josh Bishop
22 Four Corners SPORTS May 2014
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County schools placed four athletes in the top nine. Aztec’s Morgan
Smith finished 2nd with an 11-foot vault. Sierra Lanier came in 5th
while PV’s Cassie Crowell placed 7th followed by Bloomfield’s Louisa
Maestas in 9th. In the long jump, Aztec’s Sarah Root finished 3rd with
Farmington’s River Hess coming in 8th. Root also finished 3rd in the
triple jump with Farmington’s Bailey Carter placing 8th. At the high
jump pit, Kayli Farmer of Aztec placed 2nd with a jump of 5 feet 4
inches.
Just like with the boys, the girls were extremely competitive in
throwing events. Piedra Vista’s Kaleigh Graham won the shot put with
a toss of 39 feet 9 inches. Kayli Farmer won the javelin with a throw
of 141 feet 7 inches with teammate Rikki Newland placing 6th. New-
land came in 5th in the discus followed by PV’s Taylor Christensen in
6th.
On the track, a banged up Zhianna Flores finished 8th in the 200
meters, but did manage to finish 2nd in the 30-meter hurdles fol-
lowed by Farmington’s Bailey Carter in 5th. Sarah Root won the 100-
meter hurdles with a time of 15.38 seconds, while Carter came in 5th.
Aztec’s Jessica Kresl placed 6th in the 800 meters.
Over the years the Sepulveda Classic has been the measuring stick
for track athletes on how they fare against the best the state has to
offer. San Juan County’s best athletes look to be up the challenge as
they prepare for district and state.
Track continued from 19
As early as the 1880s, baseball teams such
as the New Orleans Pelicans were offering
Knothole days to “youths of sound behavior.”
The St. Louis Cardinals, under the direction of
Rickey, began their first Knothole Gang in 1938,
a tradition he continued with the Brooklyn
Dodgers in the 1940s and ’50s.
In Farmington, Knothole Day is the official
beginning of youth baseball, a tradition that
goes back to the days of Lefty Fox as head
coach at Farmington High, and continuing
today. Initially, Knothole Day included the open-
ing ceremonies for the Farmington Amateur
Baseball Congress with the Scorpions welcom-
ing the new baseball year.
As it has been since 2001, Knothole Day was
a battle for the district championship between
the crosstown rivals. Piedra Vista (17-9, 6-0)
captured their 5th consecutive district champi-
onship and was awarded with a No. 1 seed by
the NMAA for the state tournament with a 10-2
win over the Scorpions. Wyatt Weaver, a rare
knuckleballer at the high school level, pitched
a complete game for the win. Kody Russell had
two RBIs to lead a balanced Panther offensive
attack.
The No. 1 seeded Panthers look to advance
to their fifth consecutive state championship
game hosting Moriarty in the first round. With
the tough schedule Farmington continues to
play, the Scorpions were seeded No. 6, putting
them on the same side of the bracket as the
defending state champion St. Pius Sartans and
No. 2 seeded Goddard. The Scorpions also start
at home with a series against soon-to-be dis-
trict rival Miyamura.
The best of three first round series begins on
May 9 with the remaining eight playing a single
elimination tournament beginning on May 15.
23Four Corners SPORTSMay 2014
The Four Corners Law Enforcement Torch
Run raised $22,600 for Special Olympics during
the April 4-5 Chili’s Tip A Cop event in Farming-
ton.
Several local police officers volunteered to
work as celebrity servers that weekend at
Chili’s, where they performed several tasks in-
cluding greeting and seating guests, waiting on
and bussing tables and serving beverages and
meals. They also sold T-shirts and other mer-
chandise with the Law Enforcement Torch Run
logo. This allowed the officers to raise the
funds to support state and local Special
Olympics athletes and events.
“I would like to give a special thank you to
the citizens of Farmington for coming in and
donating to this event,” Farmington Police Chief
Mike Hebbe said. “At the end of the day, it was
the community of Farmington that really rallied
together and raised more than $22,000 over a
two-day event, and that is really something.”
The money was given to Special Olympics of-
ficials and athletes during an April 23 event at
the Farmington Police Department.
Torch runLaw enforcement raises more than $22,000 for Special Olympics
24 Four Corners SPORTS May 2014
As we move into May, proms are in the
books and graduations are just around the
corner. For the seniors – and apparently a lot
of teachers as well – everything is “the last.”
The last Homecoming, last spring break, last
prom, last sporting event are all fading to
the past.
“The Last” has been a big theme lately as
my youngest gets ready to join hundreds of
other students walking across the gradua-
tion stage to young adulthood. This concept
has been a mixed blessing around the house,
especially for my wife who watched her
daughter dress for her last prom, play her
last game, perform her last concert and run
her last race. However, it also means the last
sports fundraiser, the last team package to
purchase and the last “When is this going to
end?” banquet.
Just last week i wrote that the “just glad
to make the team athlete” is all but gone.
While there are a few three-sport athletes
left, there are more who are looking to
athletics as a way to help pay for college or
more. if you have read this column over the
last three years or so you should know that
my belief is that participation in athletics is
more essential than success. Of course it is
always good to win, and if you aren’t
interested in winning why bother? But the
intangibles that athletics provided my chil-
dren are really where the value of sport is in
a public school setting.
That being said, academics of the high
school are skewed as well. in the new era of
common core, inflated 5.0 Advanced Place-
ment grades and a college readiness attitude
that everything else is of little to no worth,
we have all but discounted the value of work
ethic, community service and the arts. That is
why i am so incredibly proud of my daughter
who chose to experience as much as possi-
ble in her limited high school life and work
toward what i believe is the real value of a
public education – the ability to learn how to
learn and serve above her own needs.
My daughter kira is, first of all, a great kid.
i know every parent says that – and probably
should – but she really is. She has taken
advantage of nearly every opportunity the
public school system offers. in high school
alone she participated in four sports, choir,
student senate, New Mexico Girls State and
honor society. All in all, a great high school
experience
She will finish up her athletic career in
track this month and complete a career of 13
varsity letters. Now my kid is not the one you
are going to read about in The Daily Times or
Max Preps, nor are colleges calling her for
an athletic scholarship, but in all honesty she
got out of athletics exactly what i hoped for –
a boost in self-confidence and a chance to be
part of something bigger than herself. She
learned how to work through injury, much
more than i would wish on anyone, and she
learned that success early doesn’t always
mean it comes later as well.
choir and Student Senate continued to
give her those attributes as well. Just as it
does for many others, choir gave her the
opportunity to experience success that
sports didn’t. in choir she was part of three
state championship squads and an All-State
choir participant three more times.
She learned commitment and leadership
in the Student Senate where she was the
Student Body President with an increased
sense of self worth and sense of responsibil-
ity to get things done for the betterment of
her classmates.
That is all a father can hope for from
sports and activities, that your child learns a
sense of togetherness, pride, empathy and
work ethic. My daughter was a terrific team-
mate and considerate of her opponents. She
embodied all that sports are supposed to
provide for our youth. championships are
great, but do they complete your high school
experience ? is the career of a PV wrestler or
softball player more valuable than those who
never hoisted the blue trophy, but gave all
they had every sports season every year?
For my daughter, the overall high school
experience meant everything, and i’m sure
there was more she still would have loved
to try.
in the ever-changing school dynamic, a
politician’s claim of what they are doing for
education takes priority over those that actu-
ally work in the field. Remember that high
school isn’t just about academics or learning
how to get a job. it is about experiences –
both good and bad – that build character
and natural intellectual curiosity. i thank
those that have given my daughter just that,
from all her teachers and coaches to activity
sponsors and friends. i truly thank all of you.
So here’s to one last “last,” just days be-
fore graduation from high school, and here’s
to all the graduates who lived their high
school experiences out to the fullest,
whether in the spotlight or the shadows. May
what you learned on the fields and courts of
high school carry you throughout life.
RickHOERNEREditorial columnistThe Last …
25Four Corners SPorTSMay 2014
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With his college career over, Funston did
what most athletes do to stay involved – they
coach, first looking in Farmington and then
returning to Las Cruces where he began a
short teaching career, but never got the
chance to coach. After reaching the conclu-
sion that teaching was not really for him,
Bryant moved with his new wife, Kristin to
Memphis. Here, Bryant “ditched the mountain
bike I’d been using for summer basketball
cross-training, bought a road bike, and gave
the Ironhorse a go.”
Although Funston was always fascinated
from a young age, the move to Memphis gave
him a chance to reinvent himself as an ath-
lete. “Growing up, we had good family friends
who were talking about completing the Iron-
horse Bicycle Classic,” Funston recalled. “The
goal was always to beat the train to Silverton,
which takes about four hours. I couldn’t be-
lieve that people were actually capable of rid-
ing a bike that far over those mountains, so
naturally I wanted to give it a try.”
The transition to biking was not particu-
larly easy for an athlete who had trained to
increase strength in his upper body, but now
had to lose that mass to become a competi-
tive cyclist. After finishing well into the 80s in
his first Ironhorse race, Funston began to
look at training differently, so he began using
his time to train and do research on training
techniques.
Today, Bryant Funston trains athletes as
part of a company he co-owns called BPC Per-
formance Coaching. BPC does customized
workouts for close to 60 athletes, manages
two different cycling teams that have grown
to 50+ members, and travels around the
United States training and racing. “It’s always
great to wake up knowing that you are help-
ing people reach their goals,” Funston says
“For some, that’s dropping 50 pounds. For
others, it’s qualifying for the Ironman World
Championships.” That, balanced with the re-
sponsibilities of fatherhood and spouse,
makes Funston a very busy man.
Funston realizes the importance of sports
in his life, both as a developing young man
and now as his adult career. “My adult life is
consumed with sports. The company I have
co-built with my business partner in Memphis
is all about improving sport performance. If
not for sports, I would not have the job and
business that I love. I get paid to work with
athletes, ride my bike, and help people meet
their sporting and fitness goals.” Funston
said. It doesn’t get much better than that as
an athlete looking to make sports a career.
“In college, I knew I wanted to be a coach. If
you had told me that it was going to be a cy-
cling, running, and triathlon coach, I would
have called you a liar. Although I would not
have guessed this path, I am very fortunate
that sports continue to give me so much,” Fun-
ston added. In the future, Funston hopes to re-
turn to the Southwest, perhaps Durango, and
continue his coaching business. “We are also
getting started on developing endurance spe-
cific products to help athletes further improve
within their given sports,” he added.
Funston continued from 9
27Four Corners SPorTSMay 2014
Future tennis champions will have an oppor-
tunity to hone their skills this summer for less
than $3 a lesson.
Farmington High School Tennis Coach Pat
McGrath will offer his annual tennis camp for
youth ages 6 through 16, and the cost is $40
for 12 hours of training.
The camp will run June 2 through 5 at the
Farmington Tennis Complex on 30th Street.
McGrath began coaching the girl’s high
school tennis team nearly 21 years ago. He
began offering the summer tennis camp his
second year of coaching. “We started with 25
kids at Lions Court and it’s gotten bigger and
bigger each year,” he said.
There were 90 children who participated in
the camp last year, and McGrath expects up-
wards of 100 this year. The students will learn
all of the strokes and how to score a tennis
match.
“It is open to all skill levels. Most of my ten-
nis team started at these camps,” he said,
Story Debra Mayeux | Photos by Josh Bishop
McGrath hosts annual youth camp June 2 to 5
28 Four Corners SpoRTS May 2014
wheadding that upper-level students we be drilled at their skill level.
The camp is open to both boys and girls, and some of the high
school-level tennis players will help out on each court. “They know
how to teach,” McGrath said.
The camp has been wildly popular, and McGrath believes that is
because of when it is offered. It is the week after school lets out for
summer, and it is two weeks before the annual Citizens’ Tournament.
“The camp gets the kids excited about tennis,” he said, adding the
game is a lifelong sport that can be enjoyed.
“It’s a cheap sport,” McGrath said. “All you need is a can of tennis
balls and a racket for $30.”
Most people need someone to play against, but the tennis complex
has walls which a player can bounce a ball off for simulated play.
Camp participants need to wear tennis shoes and bring a tennis
racket, sunscreen and water. There is no shade at the tennis com-
plex, so students need to be prepared for lessons, which run from 9
a.m. to noon.
Registration begins June 2, the first day of camp.
For more information email McGrath at [email protected]
29Four Corners SportSMay 2014
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�����
Sports and youth development are becoming
hot topics these days due to overbearing
parents, injuries/concussions and the “one-
sport” mentality that so many teams have
adopted. the true tragedy is that the combi-
nation of these topics plus the elimination of
physical education in our classrooms is re-
sulting in the next generation being under-
developed in various ways.
the one-sport mentality and the decreased
physical education time at school are the two
that raise the most serious concerns with
me as a golf instructor. Besides, there have
always been overbearing parents who think
that their child is going to develop into the
next greatest athlete and while injuries/con-
cussions seem to be increasing, I believe that
society has finally caught up to the inherent
risks that have been there all along.
So let me raise the discussion on why letting
your child play only one sport is actually hin-
dering the development of your child and
how physical education needs to increase in
our schools instead of being taken away.
tHE NEED For morE pHYSICAL EDUCAtIoN
physical education and the arts (music and
art) are being slowly weaned out of our chil-
dren’s education curriculum. With an in-
creased focus on test scores, math and
reading have now consumed our educational
system. Unfortunately, the decision makers
are forcing policies on our children that are
actually detrimental to those said test scores
and – more concerning – their overall devel-
opment.
research is finding that a lack of physical ac-
tivity causes a decrease in blood flow to our
brains which inhibits our ability to focus and
learn. In addition, playing aids in the creative
and imaginative aspect of childhood develop-
ment which is critical for the development of
the “whole” child.
our children need the consistent and con-
stant motor skill development that they re-
ceive by licensed physical educators in our
schools. this, coupled with the pandemic of
childhood obesity rising daily, should be an
alarm in our schools that is reaching Defcon
1. With a decrease in physical education, our
students are underperforming both physi-
cally and academically.
tHE oNE-Sport mENtALItY
repeat after me, “Insert name of your child
here, is Not going to make it to the profes-
sional level at the current sport he/she is
playing in right now.”
Now, I realize there are anomalies and local
products that have proven this statement
wrong, but they are so few and far between
that it isn’t worth ruining your child’s devel-
opment on the .00000000000000001 percent
chance that they will make it to the profes-
sional ranks.
the beautiful thing that many leaders in
youth development are finding through re-
search is that each different athletic en-
deavor builds different coordination levels
that can build upon one another to actually
enhance the sport they choose to play when
they get older and can make their own deci-
sion.
take for example the game of golf – the best
of all the sports in my non-biased opinion –
is a combination of coordination, strength,
balance, rotation and mental fortitude. Hav-
ing your child play baseball, basketball, ten-
nis, soccer, dance, softball and/or volleyball
– or any other sport here – will help your
child develop the brain connectivity in all of
those areas in different ways. Just playing
golf would only develop those certain areas
in one concentrated way. Never mind the de-
velopment of learning how to play a team
sport versus an individual sport and the
brain development that goes along with
learning each skill.
Baseball scouts and managers are starting
to look at the history of sports played by a
youth for each potential baseball draft pick
they make. A red flag is immediately raised if
that player only played baseball growing up
and nothing else. “Why?” you may ask?
It all comes back to learning skills that build
upon one another to form a complete individ-
ual. It is important for them to learn new
skills, learn to adapt, and learn to
succeed/fail with something more than just
one game or sport. Unfortunately, parents
are choosing the select, travel team route for
their kids in many sports, which doesn’t
allow for participation in other activities.
But probably the most important reason for
having your child become active in a myriad
of different skills is that it gets them out of
their comfort zone. they will meet new peo-
ple who may become friends for life, they
may fall in love with the new sport or activity
– which wouldn’t have otherwise happened
in the one-sport model – and they won’t burn
out of the one sport that they are playing ALL
tHE tImE!
If you are over the age of 40 and played youth
sports, I can promise you two things that led to
your overall development – physical education
in school more than once a week and playing
multiple sports growing up during your child-
hood. Yet, this is what is happening to our kids
today – and it is unacceptable. 30
tomYOSTthe First tee
Variety if the spice of lifeTHE FIRST TEE
Four Corners SportS May 2014
31Four Corners SPoRTSMay 2014
Piedra Vista Panther All-State post player Kaleigh
Graham on April 16 committed to Metro State Col-
lege in Denver. Graham, who is a rare five-time let-
terman in basketball, completed a stellar career at
Piedra Vista where she led the Panthers in scoring
and rebounding her senior year.
She was the 2014 District 1AAAA player of the
year and was selected to the North All-Star team as
well as representing New Mexico in the Arizona-
New Mexico All-Star series.
This spring Graham won the Marilyn Sepulveda
Classic shot put competition featuring the best of
the best without regard for class.
Kaleigh Graham, center, signs with the Metro
State Roadrunners alongside her parents Kristy &
Jeff Graham, Head Girls Basketball Coach Joe Reed
and Athletic Director Kelly Thur.
Letter of intentKaleigh Graham signs with Metro State College
32 Four Corners SpORTS May 2014
Fishing season began April 2 in New Mexico,
and anglers had to get used to a new system for
accessing fishing licenses.
New Mexico Game and Fish con-
verted the licensing system to an
online process that requires pay-
ment by credit card and a pur-
chase by computer, tablet or
smart phone.
The licenses may be purchased by
logging onto wildlife.state.nm.us or by call-
ing 1.888.248.6866. The setup has streamlined
the licensing process for both fishing and hunt-
ing within the state, but some have said there is
a problem accessing the site from remote lo-
cations, such as Navajo Reservoir,
where cell phone service is limited.
While the licenses might not
be available at the lake site,
there are off-site properties,
such as Abe’s Fly Shop, that sell
the licenses on a computer set
up in the shop. An employee at
Abe’s said nine out of 10 of the li-
censes go through without a problem.
Some of the licenses have incorrect information
on them, and then the applicant has to call the
toll-free number for a correction.
Most of applications, however, are going
through processing just fine, the employee said.
T.J. Massey, of San Juan River Outfitters, said
while there are no problems when the comput-
ers are working, there are reliability concerns at
the dam. Navajo Dam historically has had Web
server problems, and if someone drives out to
the lake only to find the server down, they will
not be able to get a fishing license.
Story by Debra Mayeux | Photo by Josh Bishop
New system handy as long as you have Internet service
Online processing
* License 35
33Four Corners SpORTSMay 2014
Summer is almost here so it's time to get the fishing gear out andhead to the San Juan River.
Current flows on the San Juan River below Navajo Lake are 250cfs.Water clarity has improved greatly over the past few weeks makingdry fly fishing a possibility in the afternoons. Look for midge clustersto form in the afternoon hours.
With the hatches being best from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. don't be in a rushto get to the water.
Some of the best nymph rigs to try are:Size 22 red larvae followed by size 24 black zebra midge.Size 22 root beer midge larvae followed by size 22 olive midge.
The best dry flies have been:Size 22 single black CDC midge.Size 18 griffith’s gnat.
Fishing in the Catch and Keep area has been fair using worms andsalmon eggs!
FishingFishingREPORTREPORT
FishingREPORT
T.J. Massey
San Juan River Outfitters
www.sanjuanriveroutfitters.com
505.486.5347
34 Four Corners SPorTS May 2014
JACoBMCCASLAND
My goal for the entire season is to stay healthy first and
keep myself in a good shape, so that the only thing left to
worry about is getting better as a pitcher. When it comes to
pitching, my goal is to attack the strike zone more consis-
tently with at least two of my pitches – and I hope three by
the end of the year – and staying healthy so I can stay on the
mound more to work on what I need to be successful.
I look at it as a good experience and a major gain of knowl-
edge in the entire system of advancing in baseball. At UNM,
baseball did not go as smoothly as I would have liked, but
getting to experience school was much more enjoyable than
I thought it would be. As far as baseball, it may have bene-
fited me a little more to go pro right out of high school, but
who knows what could have happened. All that matters now
is that I’m in the same position I would have been. Just
maybe not as far up in the system as I might have been sign-
ing out of high school.
I would have to say going to show case tournaments more
than anything, and getting to play against the best players
around the country. Playing in Farmington is great and
some of the best baseball memories I have are there, but
the jump from there to pro ball is a really big one.
Not at all. I loved every bit of high school and summer base-
ball in Farmington. Getting to play with my brother and best
friends all the time is definitely the highlight of my baseball
memories. I wouldn’t change any of them.
Huge. It’s always nice, when you’re at a tough point in your
career, to know that you have parents like them in your cor-
ner. They always support my brother and me, which is really
nice.
Well there are many things, but the most important is
learning that you don’t have to blow fastballs by everyone,
because you can’t. Professional hitters can hit 100-mph
fastballs. The main thing I’ve learned is that it’s better to
throw to location with movement than just to be wild and
throw hard. It’s also important to keep them off balance by
throwing off speed pitches for strikes at the right times.
Absolutely. Being a pitcher can be pretty boring at times
when you’re not playing. I miss hitting a lot. I try to hit bat-
ting practice when I can, but many of the hitting skills have,
sadly, been lost after four years of not hitting.
I’m not really sure if I did give him any. I know he can take
care of himself and he’s doing really well. Hopefully he can
be playing professionally along with me soon.
I think it has a little bit for both of us in some way or an-
other. I know that after three years of college I was ready to
get out and get to playing professional baseball. It has defi-
nitely been easier, so far, with him being here. Almost every
time I pitch he’s in the outfield playing defense behind me,
which is pretty cool.
In your second year in the Giants organization, what is yourgoal for this season?
1
After your senior year of high school the Giants drafted you,but you decided to go to UNM. How do you look at that decision now?
2
Looking back on your high school career, what best prepared you for the professional baseball life?
3
Was there anything you would have done differently in yourhigh school career?
4
Your parents attended every game you played, it seemed.How important was their support?
5
Your brother Morgan also went on to play atthe collegiate level. What advice did you givehim when he headed to college?
8
Currently, you are in the Giants organizationwith former PV teammate Shilo McCall. Hasthat made the transition to the pros easier ?
9
You were quite a hitter in your youth. Do yousometimes wish you were an everyday playerand getting a few at bats?
7
How have you grown as a pitcher since turning pro?
6
Born: Sept. 13, 1999, Farmington, N.M.High School: Piedra Vista High SchoolCollege: University of New Mexico Drafted in the 38th round (1158th overall) by the San Francisco
Giants in 2010 (did not sign)
Drafted in the 26th round (792nd overall) by the San FranciscoGiants in 2013
35Four Corners SPORtSMay 2014
not too much, I mean you have to look at is
as you’re as good as anyone here. We’re all
professionals. I have met several of the guys
on the big league club, such as Ryan voggel-
song and angel Pagan. they are both great
guys, but if you didn’t know it they would
seem like any other guy walking down the
street. I would say it’s more exciting person-
ally to know that you’re so close to that level
on which those guys play every day, it gives
you something to be excited about. I wouldn’t
say I’m dying to meet anyone, because we
see most of those guys around the complex
quite often.
Were you starstruck at all at
spring training this year? If
so, who were you dying to
meet?
10
“I’ve talked to the shop owners, and not
one of them has had a problem yet,” Massey
said. He still has advised people to get their
license on their home computer before head-
ing out to the lake. “You can print your li-
cense in our office or at home.”
new Mexico Game and fish has not re-
ported any problems on its website, and, ac-
cording to Department fisheries Chief Mike
Sloane the season ahead looks to be a good
one.
“Spring has sprung, and warmer tempera-
tures mean thawing ice, emerging insects,
hungry fish and great fishing,” Sloane said.
new Mexico waters offer all types of fish,
including bass, tiger muskie and walleye in
local reserviors and Rio Grande Cuttthroat,
Gila and Rainbow trout in high mountain
streams, according to the Game and fish.
anglers who live in the state should plan
to purchase their licenses prior to heading
to the lake proper. the licenses are $25 for
the year with a $4 Habitat Management ac-
cess validation and a $5 Habitat Improvement
Stamp, which is mandatory on all uSDa for-
est Service and BLM properties.
non-residents pay $56 for an annual li-
cense or $24 for a five-day license and $12
for a one-day license. Children under 11 and
seniors over the age of 70 can fish free. a
junior license is $5, and a senior license for
ages 65 to 69 is $8. non-resident children can
purchase annual licenses for $15.
Game and fish also provides a game-hunt-
ing and fishing combination license for $30.
Licensing information, as well as the abil-
ity to purchase licenses, can be found on the
Internet at wildlife.state.nm.us.
License continued from 32
“I’ve talked to the shop owners,
and not one of them has had a
problem yet. You can print your
license in our office or at
home.”
— T.J. MasseySan Juan RIveR OutfItteRS