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    <title>Sports</title>
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    <description>Latest local news from The Durango Herald.</description>
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        <link>https://tj.durangoherald.com/montezuma-cortez-wrestling-club-caps-season-with-nine-state-placers/</link>
        <title>Montezuma-Cortez Wrestling Club caps season with nine state placers</title>
        <description>Five middle school and four elementary wrestlers make podium; middle school boys place eighth as a team</description>
        <pubDate>Sun, 29 Mar 2026 21:59:36 -0600</pubDate>
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        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Members of the Montezuma-Cortez Wrestling Club pose for a picture after their appearance in the Colorado Elementary and Middle School state championships in Denver over the weekend of March 20-21. Photo courtesy of Casey SpitzerFive middle school and four elementary wrestlers make podium; middle school boys place eighth as a teamDENVER – The Montezuma-Cortez Wrestling Club added another chapter to a growing legacy with a strong performance at the Rocky Mountain Nationals Elementary and Middle School State Championships.Over the weekend of March 20-21 at the National Western Complex Events Center in the state capital, the club featured 20 athletes across the two competitions, with nine finishing in the top six of their divisions. With five podium finishers, the middle school boys team placed eighth out of more than 130 teams.“It’s a huge accomplishment, especially to be finishing ahead of many larger programs from across the state,” head coach Casey Spitzer said.Eli Kop led the middle school contingent, finishing runner-up.Montezuma-Cortez Wrestling Club’s Eli Kop earned runner-up in the Colorado Elementary and Middle School state championships in Denver March 20-21. Photo courtesy of Casey SpitzerParker Spitzer and Zaine Brito advanced through their halves of the bracket to meet in the third-place match, with Spitzer placing third and Brito fourth. Connor Buffington and Lexi Rubin each placed fourth in their middle school divisions.On the elementary side, Kai Molina, Dawsyn Smith and Tyrann Gallegos led club competitors, each placing third, while Treagan White finished fourth.Other middle school state qualifiers included Beren Howell, CJ Manakaja, Dominic Gustamantes, Jace Kop, Mathew Frazier and Mirikal Frazier. The elementary group also included Tayzen Hill, Riley Tillotson, Casey Kop, Coltyn Schaefer and Peyton Riddell.Their weekend followed a strong regional showing in Alamosa the previous weekend, where the club earned nine individual champions and 20 podium finishers.At the regional meet, Kop, Brito, Howell and Gustamantes topped the podium for the middle schoolers, while Molina, Smith, Gallegos, Tillotson and White were champions in the elementary ranks.After the Colorado Elementary and Middle School state wrestling championships, from left, Coach Ryan Daves, Coach Kael Buffington, Parker Spitzer, Eli Kop, Coach Shelby Buffington, Coach Dominic Gustamantes and Connor Buffington pose for a photo. Photo courtesy of Casey SpitzerThe Montezuma-Cortez Wrestling Club offers wrestling opportunities for athletes as young as four through middle school and has produced numerous wrestlers who have gone on to compete at the high school level. The club focuses on skill development for beginners and seasoned wrestlers seeking elite competition.The competitive season runs from late November through April, with the state championships one of many premier tests for Four Corners wrestlers competing across the Rocky Mountain region.For more information, visit cortezwrestlingclub.com or the club’s Facebook page.]]></content:encoded>
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        <link>https://tj.durangoherald.com/cortez-girls-golf-team-set-to-tee-off-their-spring-season/</link>
        <title>Cortez girls golf team set to tee off their spring season</title>
        <description>Panthers return three-time state qualifiers Amita Crowley and Afton Unrein to lead team</description>
        <pubDate>Sun, 29 Mar 2026 21:16:49 -0600</pubDate>
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        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Montezuma-Cortez senior Afton Unrein looks to lead the Panthers to a strong season in golf. Ben Bradley/Special to The JournalPanthers return three-time state qualifiers Amita Crowley and Afton Unrein to lead teamCORTEZ – As golf courses across the Western Slope open for spring, the Panthers girls golf team is eager to get back to action.Montezuma-Cortez High School will be the last spring sport to begin its season when it opens at Delta’s Devil’s Thumb Golf Course on March 31, and second-year head coach Jarrett Watkins hopes the wait pays off.The Panthers are among the state’s most prolific small-school golf programs, public and private alike. Competing in the 2A classification, where six of the top seven teams at the 2025 state championships were private or charter schools, M-CHS has held its own. While the Panthers did not field a full state-qualifying team last spring, they put two golfers in the top 35 and remain a major force on the Western Slope.Seniors Amita Crowley and Afton Unrein enter the season as the team’s leaders, and the new faces to the program have plenty to look up to. Both Crowley and Unrein have become known names atop leaderboards and are seeking a fourth appearance in the state tournament in their final Panthers season.Crowley and Unrein recorded their best state finishes last spring, with Crowley placing 11th and Unrein finishing 33rd in the 2A field. This year, they guide an up-and-coming group ready to sustain the program’s tradition long after they graduate in May.“Afton and Amita have stepped up and are coaching our younger girls – and the rest of the team pays attention,” Watkins said.A new format accompanies changes in the Colorado High School Activities Association. Rather than relying on a regional tournament and a high-pressure 18-hole round to determine championship qualifiers, the governing body will determine qualifiers based on full-season performance. The top 84 golfers in the state, based on their average score from all tournaments regardless of region, will advance to Lone Tree Golf Club on May 18-19 for the 2A state championships.Junior Dannika Goodall joins the mix of top returners after steadily improving her game last season, regularly shooting in the low 100s while serving as the Panthers’ No. 3 golfer. “Dannika’s been out on the range and working hard to keep getting better,” Watkins said.Freshman Mayci Garver and junior Tinley Philpott, both newcomers to the high school program, add depth along with several players gaining experience along the way.“We’ll have plenty of classroom time to make sure the girls are caught up on the rules of the game, but it’s also good for them to be out on the course and learn as they go,” Watkins said.Montezuma-Cortez plays a condensed schedule with stops at familiar courses. A tournament at San Juan Country Club in Farmington opens April, followed by competitions in Montrose on April 13-14 and at Piñon Hills on April 20. The Panthers also will compete in a tournament hosted by Dolores on April 20 before hosting their own 18-hole tournament April 28 at Conquistador Golf Course.The Panthers close the regular season with tournaments at Tiara Rado and Cattails, with the goal of qualifying multiple golfers for the state championships on the south side of the capital city on May 18-19.]]></content:encoded>
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        <link>https://tj.durangoherald.com/halls-first-team-all-state-selection-headlines-10-cortez-area-honorees/</link>
        <title>Hall’s first-team all-state selection headlines 10 Cortez-area honorees</title>
        <description>Four boys and six girls land all-state selections after exciting winter hoops season</description>
        <pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 22:15:14 -0600</pubDate>
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        <content:encoded><![CDATA[M-CHS junior Trey Hall elevates to shoot between two defenders in a contest against The Classical Academy in a regional final contest in The Jungle between the Panthers and Titans. Erika Alvero/Special to The JournalFour boys and six girls land all-state selections after exciting winter hoops seasonDENVER – After a season filled with notable achievements, Southwest Colorado players earned recognition from the state’s coaches through the all-state selections.Montezuma-Cortez led Four Corners schools with four honorees across its boys and girls teams, while Mancos, Dolores and Dove Creek each landed two selections.Montezuma-Cortez junior Trey Hall was named to the Class 4A first team after leading the Panthers to a 25-1 season and a trip to Denver for the state tournament quarterfinals. Hall eclipsed 1,000 career points as the Panthers captured their first league title as members of the Intermountain League by going undefeated in the regular season, the program’s first league championship since 2003.Senior Trace Hartsoe and sophomore Ah-dae Lang earned honorable mention, joining Hall in receiving their first CHSAA all-state recognition in basketball. Lang and Hartsoe finished second and third on the team in scoring behind Hall.On the girls side, Montezuma-Cortez sophomore Kyndall Schmitt earned her first all-state basketball honor after helping guide the Panthers to an 11-win season and a third consecutive postseason berth. Schmitt led the team in scoring, assists and steals.At Dove Creek, the Bulldogs’ ninth straight winning season featured the leadership and scoring of seniors Taylor Hampton and Hadley Hatfield, who both earned all-state recognition following a 14-win campaign. Hampton closed her career with more than 1,000 points, while Hatfield led the team in assists, many of them setting up Hampton.The Mancos girls tied Dove Creek for a top-two finish in the San Juan Basin League and qualified for the Class 2A postseason for the fifth time in six years. The Bluejays were led by honorable mention selections senior Caylee Moore and sophomore Tinsley Aspromonte. Aspromonte led the team in scoring, while Moore paced Mancos in steals and rebounds during a 10-win season.Both Dolores basketball programs enjoyed some of their best success in more than a decade, with each team earning an honorable mention selection. Junior Koby McClellan led the 13-win Bears in scoring, steals and assists as Dolores posted its highest win total since 2013 and earned its first playoff berth in seven years. Dolores senior Taylor Erautt finished her career as the team’s leading scorer and helped the Bears record their first double-digit win season since 2018.Head coaches from across Colorado voted on nominees submitted by schools in the state’s six classifications. First-team, second-team and honorable mention designations were determined by vote totals.]]></content:encoded>
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        <link>https://tj.durangoherald.com/montezuma-cortez-rally-captures-home-victory/</link>
        <title>Montezuma-Cortez rally captures home victory</title>
        <description>Panthers evade mercy rule, scores 12 runs in three innings to steal win over Montrose</description>
        <pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 22:11:42 -0600</pubDate>
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        <content:encoded><![CDATA[M-CHS senior Parker Conrad beats out a throw to first in a game against Montrose at McAndrew Field. Erika Alvero/Special to The JournalPanthers evade mercy rule, scores 12 runs in three innings to steal win over MontroseCORTEZ – It could end up being a season-changing three innings for Montezuma-Cortez baseball.Facing a 10-run mercy-rule deficit and down to their final three outs in the fifth inning on their home field, the Panthers scored four times in the frame to extend the game.Still trailing by six runs with two innings to play, the Panthers showed signs of life as the rally continued. Two more runs in the sixth, followed by an explosive six-run seventh inning, completed the comeback as M-CHS downed Montrose 17-15 to climb back to .500 on the season.After back-to-back tournaments against top-tier competition, during which the M-CHS offense averaged just three runs per game over its previous five outings, the Panthers (4-4) finally electrified the bats and gained momentum heading into their trip to Carbondale and their Trent Goscha Memorial Tournament title defense.Juniors Easton Pixler and Michael Krupa combined for seven RBIs, while sophomore Brennen Powell delivered a key RBI triple that provided a major jolt. M-CHS overcame several defensive miscues to capitalize on Montrose errors, with seniors Cory Carver and Jaris McDonald scoring seven combined runs.M-CHS jumped out to a 5-0 lead after two innings, but Montrose responded with 15 unanswered runs, leaving the Panthers in need of a spark. Senior Bodie Stiegelmeyer led the charge with three hits, helping fuel the rally as M-CHS pulled out an improbable win in its home opener.The Panthers are off until April 2-4, when they resume play along the I-70 corridor, hoping the comeback provides momentum heading into the heart of their schedule.Panthers senior Kallan Wirth smiles on the mound before pitching to the Montrose Red Hawks. Erika Alvero/Special to The JournalPanthers senior Jaris McDonald surveys the outfield from the mound before pitching to the Montrose Red Hawks. Erika Alvero/Special to The JournalPanthers sophomore Zye Kuenzler winds up for a pitch in a game against the Montrose Red Hawks. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal]]></content:encoded>
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        <link>https://tj.durangoherald.com/big-money-and-controversy-surround-western-trophy-hunts/</link>
        <title>Big money and controversy surround Western trophy hunts</title>
        <description>Wealthy hunters pay top dollar for hunts, padding Fish and Game budgets</description>
        <pubDate>Sat, 09 Nov 2019 01:02:56 -0700</pubDate>
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        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Wealthy hunters pay top dollar for hunts, padding Fish and Game budgets Eight days after he killed an elk nicknamed “Bullwinkle” in a hayfield east of Ellensburg, Washington, Tod Reichert had some explaining to do. Again. Over at least two decades, the southwest Washington business owner spent hundreds of thousands of dollars buying the exclusive hunting licenses he used to kill more than 100 elk. His license for the Ellensburg hunt, a “governor’s tag” auctioned to fund elk-related conservation efforts by state wildlife managers, cost him $50,000. On that hunt in the waning days of fall 2015, Reichert had hoped to stay out of the spotlight and quietly kill a trophy elk. But the bull Reichert shot – in an area the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife had closed to hunting – was something of a local pet. Neighbors were incensed that Bullwinkle was gone and questioned the fairness and legality of the hunt. Hunters unable to shell out for pricey hunting tags feared Reichert would kill a second gigantic elk before they could shoot one themselves. Reichert’s hunt laid bare the economics undergirding wildlife management across the West. State wildlife agencies are largely funded by taxes and fees tied to hunting and fishing, most of which don’t amount to much for ordinary hunters and anglers. But trophy hunters willing to spend big to hunt exactly when, where and what they want demonstrate what happens when that system is taken to its extreme. While the revenue high-dollar trophy hunting generates pays for recovery efforts that help game species flourish, it also binds wildlife managers to a style of hunting that most Americans, and even many hunters, find distasteful. The fee-based framework supporting America’s state wildlife agencies stems from historic wildlife mismanagement. By the late 1890s, wanton slaughter by recreational hunters – coupled with commercial hunting for valuable meats and hides, often aimed at culling species sustaining Native peoples – had devastated North American ecosystems. Hunter and angler dollars were tapped to launch a wildlife management scheme that allowed some species, particularly game species, to rebound. The system persists today: About 59% of the $5.6 billion spent annually by state wildlife departments comes from fees and taxes paid by hunters and anglers. About three decades ago, agencies began issuing special hunting tags that turn a handful of hunts into revenue engines. Some tags are sold at auctions conducted for species-specific hunter organizations like the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, which sold Reichert his tag. The organizations then return 75% to 90% of the revenue to the states to fund management of those species. Other tags are sold in raffles that often see a single hunter spend upwards of $10,000 buying hundreds of tickets for a coveted tag. The high-dollar tags fight a receding tide of revenue as the popularity of hunting fades. The number of Americans who hunt fell 16% between 2011 and 2016, according to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service survey, leaving state wildlife agencies increasingly dependent on trophy hunters willing to shell out. Thirteen big-spending hunters, for example, provided 10% of the revenue California collected selling 184,020 big-game tags in 2018. Bighorn sheep permits issued everywhere from British Columbia to New Mexico regularly run into the six figures. For 25 years, Washington has relied on revenue from auctioning or raffling off hunting tags for bighorn sheep, deer, elk, moose and mountain goat. While hunting opportunities abound in the state, hunters seeking permission to kill choice species in choice spaces – bighorn sheep most famously, but mountain goats, moose and large deer as well – must rely on either dumb luck or deep pockets. In 2018, nine high-cost hunting permits auctioned on Washington’s behalf and 14 unlimited-entry raffles contributed $847,000 to the department’s $15.4 million wildlife management budget. Washington issues just two permits in the state’s premier hunt, bighorn sheep. One is awarded by a lottery that saw 6,734 tickets sold in 2018 at $11.50 each; the other is auctioned off, often for over $100,000. General hunting seasons change the makeup of an animal population and can endanger its viability if not properly managed. But so few exclusive tags are issued that the deaths of those particular animals have a negligible impact on the health of a herd, said Anis Aoude, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife game division manager. “It’s basically a way to gain revenue from that species to manage it,” he said. “There’s really not anything biological that goes into it.” Because state wildlife management efforts prioritize game species – the source of most of their funding – they tend to overlook creatures that aren’t hunted or fished. Wildlife managers stress, however, that the species that do receive their attention do well in part because of the revenue generated by auctions and unrestricted raffles. Many species that wildlife viewers regard as part of the natural environment thrive mainly because of extensive management that includes painstaking tracking and counting of bighorn sheep by helicopter and the airborne reintroduction of mountain goats to areas where they were hunted out decades ago. “There are people that are challenging the notion of hunting. That it has no value, has no modern relevance,” said Keith Balfourd of the Boone and Crockett Club, a hunters’ organization based in Missoula, Montana. “A lot of that is based on the belief that wildlife exists today because it’s nature. … None of that is reality anymore.” Trophy-hunting dollars help pay for high-profile recoveries in Western states. In Montana, record-setting bidding wars for bighorn tags underwrote a recovery effort that has helped the sheep rebound, Balfourd said. Similarly, Rocky Mountain elk had been wiped out in Washington until they were reintroduced in the 1930s as a game species. Since then, revenue from tag auctions has helped protect thousands of acres of elk habitat in Washington, including a 4,486-acre migration corridor west of Yakima that was moved into state ownership in August. Still, a wildlife management system supported by trophy hunting is an awkward fit for a country that increasingly sees the practice as objectionable: Just a third of U.S. residents approve of it, according to a 2019 Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies survey. And it’s hard for those outside the hunting community to join in discussions about the practice, said Chelsea Batavia, an Oregon State University ecological ethicist who studies trophy hunting. The lines between hunting for food, culture or trophy blur as hunters’ motivations don’t cleanly fit in a single box. A hunter interested in feeding their family may display an animal’s antlers; those hunting for trophies may give the meat to their guides to share with their communities. When hunting practices are questioned, Batavia said, hunters tend to point to their ethical codes, which restrict the use of technology and require hunters to engage in “fair chase” practices that give their quarry a chance to escape. To Batavia, the trophy hunting that props up wildlife management systems in North America and around the world evokes the enduring legacy of colonial expansion. Heads and antlers taken by trophy hunters, she said, testify to a desire to dominate nature. “We’re treating them like they’re these objects that we can defile and defame,” Batavia said. Hunters tend to complain about the exclusivity. Hunters seeking permission to hunt highly restricted species like bighorn sheep, Balfourd said, can wait “a lifetime” to win the state wildlife management lottery. “A lot of hunters are playing in that system,” he said. “Governor’s tags are one way to circumvent that process, if you will, and that rubs guys the wrong way.” Idaho stands apart, auctioning only a single bighorn sheep tag. Roger Phillips of Idaho Fish and Game said state leaders have opted to uphold “a long tradition of keeping Idaho’s big-game tags equally accessible to all hunters.” Outrage and resentment often follow when trophy tag holders gain attention. Reichert, who died in 2018, stirred scandal with a 2007 elk hunt involving a helicopter spotter that saw him convicted of lying to wildlife officers. The spotlight again found him when he shot Bullwinkle. That he killed the neighborhood elk in a hayfield closed to hunting prompted Kittitas County prosecutors to charge him with a misdemeanor violation of state hunting regulations; the charge was later dismissed. Calls poured in to game managers. One of those callers was Chris Keller, a hunter who lives in Cle Elum, Washington. It didn’t seem right to him that Reichert, who had a second exclusive tag and was preparing to shoot another elk, had bought permission to shoot two trophy bulls during a single season. Bullwinkle could often be found in the scrubby hills northeast of Ellensburg, Keller said. Had Reichert killed the elk there, the wider public would’ve remained unaware of his hunt and the system of exclusive, expensive permits that made it possible. “It was bad PR,” Keller said. “That bull didn’t just live out on the farmer’s field year-round. He had a huge herd of cows up in the hills, on public lands. “If it had happened up in the hills, no one would’ve cared.”]]></content:encoded>
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        <link>https://tj.durangoherald.com/gambling-firms-see-up-to-8-billion-in-sports-betting-market-by-2025/</link>
        <title>Gambling firms see up to $8 billion in sports betting market by 2025</title>
        <description>Industry is growing quickly after Supreme Court ruling</description>
        <pubDate>Tue, 05 Nov 2019 04:36:05 -0700</pubDate>
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        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Industry is growing quickly after Supreme Court ruling NEW YORK – Investors and sports betting companies are running up the score when it comes to sports betting, predicting the fast-growing industry will be a $7 billion to $8 billion business in the U.S. within five years. But not all the many companies flocking to get in on the ground floor will make it, they predict. Panelists at the NYC Sports Betting Investor Summit said Monday that the industry is growing quickly in this country a year and a half after New Jersey won a U.S. Supreme Court ruling clearing the way for all 50 states to offer legal sports betting. So far, 14 do, and many others are considering it. Investment firm Morgan Stanley predicts the U.S. market will generate almost $7 billion in revenue by 2025, up from $833 million this year. That’s up from an estimate of $5 billion the company had issued less than a year ago. That amount would represent less than 20% of the $41.7 billion won by commercial casinos in the U.S. in 2018. Still, it represents a substantial new revenue stream that, for legal operators, did not exist a year and a half ago. At the investors event sponsored by Morgan Stanley, executives from MGM Resorts, Hard Rock and Mohegan Sun all issued similar predictions in the $6 billion to $8 billion range. And the research firm Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, which tracks sports betting regulation and revenue, said those figures are “very close” to its own estimates of future market size. Participants at the forum cautioned that while the industry is growing quickly, the high cost of acquiring customers and promoting a new business could lead to some current operators failing. “It’s war out there,” said Seth Young, chief information officer for PointsBet. “At the end of the day there’s going to be a lot of carcasses out there on the road.” “It is a growing market here in terms of revenue but it’s a very tough market,” added Scott Butera, president of interacting gaming for MGM Resorts International.” Everybody wants to be here Ultimately I think we’ll see some shaking out.” Nonetheless, Butera said he believes U.S. sports betting will exceed even the increased figures cited at Monday’s forum. “I’ll take the over on $8 billion,” he said. Morgan Stanley gave a high-end bullish estimate that sports betting could generate $15 billion in revenue by 2025 if every state in the nation has legalized it by then. Its worst-case estimate is a $2.5 billion market with only 22 states participating. Panelists predicted as many as 10 new operators may soon join the market. Operators continue to spend heavily to attract new customers, who in turn still must jump through several hurdles to deposit funds in their accounts as many major credit cards will not finance gambling transactions. Kresmir Spajic, senior vice president of online gaming and sports betting for Hard Rock International, said 80% of sports betting transactions in Europe are financed using credit cards, compared with about 30% in the U.S. Even as the conference was underway, numerous sports betting transactions and partnerships were being announced around the country. The National Basketball Association and DraftKings announced a multiyear partnership that will make DraftKings an authorized sports betting operator of the league. And BetIndiana and Sportradar, the provider of sports data and content, inked a partnership to bring Sportradar’s real-time sports data and managed trading services to BetIndiana’s mobile sportsbook.]]></content:encoded>
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        <link>https://tj.durangoherald.com/colorado-cycling-leagues-decade-on-dirt-ends-in-durango/</link>
        <title>Colorado Cycling League’s ‘Decade on Dirt’ ends in Durango</title>
        <description>Colorado Cycling League state championships appear here to stay</description>
        <pubDate>Thu, 17 Oct 2019 21:00:21 -0600</pubDate>
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        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Colorado Cycling League state championships appear here to stay Bigger and better every year, the Colorado Cycling League is set to end its first decade of high school mountain bike racing this weekend in Durango. For the second year in a row, Durango is host to the state championship event known officially as the “Durango Mesa Pursuit.” Last year, 822 riders competed at state. That number is up to 843 this year, with athletes representing more than 80 schools from Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming. “The success of the Colorado League is truly remarkable,” said league director Kate Rau. “It hinges on the dedication of coaches, commitment of the student-athletes and the loyal support of sponsors, host communities and donors. I’m extremely grateful to work with a staff who takes great pride in our work. ... It is very rewarding to see alum return as coaches, race weekend volunteers and watch them continue to pursue a healthy lifestyle and accomplish so much on and off the bike. I’m thrilled to see youth and families share magical memories in the outdoors with a lifelong sport.” An Elevation Outdoors Magazine poll named the 2017 state championships in Eagle and the 2018 championships in Durango the best regional mountain bike events. Thanks to the great efforts made by the Durango community and the quality of the event, Rau said the Colorado Cycling League, which is part of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association, plans to bring the state championships back to Durango again in 2020. It’s an event Durango worked diligently on for three years to bring here, and Iron Horse Bicycle Classic race director Gaige Sippy, a key contributor to bringing the state championships to Durango, aims to keep it here as long as possible. It’s a way for the entire state to experience the Durango cycling culture. With the recent death of IHBC co-founder Ed Zink, who was a titan in the cycling community and largely responsible for bringing some of the biggest events of the sport to town, Sippy said he is even more motivated to put on memorable events for years to come.A spectator-friendly course in a fun-filled environment has helped Durango serve as a good host for the Colorado Cycling League state championships.Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file “I want to encourage everyone to come check out the racing this weekend,” Sippy said. “Even if you don’t have a kid involved, it’s great to come out and see the Durango Mesa venue, see what it could be and come support local cycling. There are so many kids involved, and you can feel the good energy. “For me, personally, the fact (Zink) has passed, it drives it home even more for me this year to work hard on these great events. I want to encourage the community to come out and support something (Zink) was proud to see happen here last year, and I know he would have been happy to come and see the racing and offer his support again this year.” Teams from Southwest Colorado are well represented at the state championships. Animas High and Durango High are perennial title contenders, as Durango has won two consecutive Division 2 championships. National champions are among athletes who compete in the high school league along with four athletes this year who competed at the mountain bike world championships. What makes the high school league such a success is the way the top-end riders blend in with those still new to the sport and the way teams support each other top to bottom. Animas and Durango travel together and support each other as one team though they score points for different teams. Animas and Durango combine to have 34 riders competing at state this year.Aleah Austin of Durango High School is congratulated after winning last year’s sophomore girls Colorado Cycling League state championship at Durango Mesa. The state championships are a fun-filled weekend with smiles all around.Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file “Both schools are really one team in my book,” said Animas High’s Riley Amos, a four-time junior national champion who was on the USA Team Relay squad that won silver at the world championships this year. “We travel together, race together, and it’s a really good group of kids. We all race our hearts out for Durango.” Also in the field is a composite team of riders from the Cortez, Dolores and Mancos area to make up the High Desert team which will have 11 athletes this year. “It’s so great to have a race close to home,” said High Desert DEVO coach Sabina Kraushaar. “Our team has grown quite a bit, and we have a big freshmen team this year with four boys and one freshman girl at state this year. For us, it’s exciting because we had only one freshman last year, and now we have our first girl (Sophie Eschallier) going to state this year, so it’s super exciting for us.” Rau said the Durango community the last two years has been tremendous with support from Durango Mesa landowner Marc Katz, who allows the race to take place on a beautiful setting on private property, with hundreds of racers and parents camping out on the land during the weekend. She also credited Sippy and the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic crew for its efforts along with Fort Lewis College and its cycling program as well as Moira Montrose Compton, Durango DEVO and the business partners who support the event. “Countless people contributed to the successful event,” Rau said. “That scale of our events is quite large, and the local knowledge and support is integral.”Lots of competitors camp out for the Colorado Cycling League state championship at Durango Mesa.Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file The weekend is also a big opportunity for Fort Lewis College, as the mountain bike athletes and families receive a tour of the campus. The awards banquet is also hosted at FLC. Last year, the FLC cycling team was in Montana at collegiate mountain bike nationals, but this year, nationals fell a week early, and the Skyhawks will have their full contingent of riders and coaches on hand to support the high school event. “So many of our athletes were high school mountain bike athletes,” said FLC cycling director Dave Hagen. “They know what it’s all about. Quite a few of our new freshmen on the team are Colorado kids who were racing this last year. I think more high school kids see this is a great place for young mountain bikers to come and get a very good education and ride their bike.” With 31 states now supporting NICA leagues, Colorado has long been at the forefront. While a decade on dirt will come to a close Sunday, it’s clear Durango will play a big part in the next decade of the Colorado Cycling League. “The student-athletes are very inspiring,” Rau said. “They seem to thrive in the team setting established by the incredible coaches. As I say, the teams provide a enticing pool of fun and the riders choose to enthusiastically drink it, whether they strive for World Cup competition or be a part of a friendly, healthy tribe.” jlivingston@durangoherald.com VolunteerRace-day volunteers help make the Colorado Cycling League successful, and Durango DEVO still needs people to sign up to help with this weekend’s races. Volunteers are needed for both race crew and at the on-site campground . To sign up for the campground, go to https://bit.ly/33CyqOw. For the race crew signup, go to https://bit.ly/35KOq2G.]]></content:encoded>
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        <link>https://tj.durangoherald.com/blunk-individual-champ-fort-lewis-college-cycling-second-at-mountain-bike-nationals/</link>
        <title>Blunk individual champ, Fort Lewis College cycling second at mountain bike nationals</title>
        <description>Colorado Mesa steals title from Skyhawks in gravity events</description>
        <pubDate>Mon, 14 Oct 2019 02:52:52 -0600</pubDate>
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        <media:thumbnail url="https://imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com/?uuid=C283765F-D7DC-40FC-8C80-9E25856D6C83&#038;function=thumbnail&#038;type=preview&#038;source=false&#038;width=600&#038;height=400" />
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Colorado Mesa steals title from Skyhawks in gravity eventsElle Runyan ripped down the course at Big Bear Lakes, Calif., on her way to a varsity women’s downhill title at the USA Cycling Collegiate Mountain Bike National Championships.Courtesy of Fort Lewis College cycling Four points were all that separated the Fort Lewis College mountain bike team from a third consecutive national championship. After a hard-fought three days of racing, all eyes were on the team relay – the final event of a nine-race program at the USA Cycling Collegiate Mountain Bike National Championships at Big Bear Lakes, California. Henry Nadell and Ellen Campbell had FLC in third place after the first of four laps in the relay. Savilia Blunk bridged the gap to the leaders to get Cole Paton in position, and the FLC standout senior torched the final lap to give the Skyhawks a team relay victory ahead of Brevard College. But it was a third-place finish by the Colorado Mesa University Mavericks out of Grand Junction that proved to be enough, as CMU edged FLC by four team points to claim the national title. “It’s an awesome competition with them always,” said Blunk, who won the varsity women’s individual omnium championship for her combined results in the cross-country, downhill, dual slalom and short-track. “It was super cool to see such strong teams competing against each other. Everyone on our team fought and put everything on the line, and I’m proud of everyone.” Paton closed out the team relay win for the FLC men in his final collegiate race. It brought an end to a sensational career in which he won back-to-back varsity men’s titles in cross-country and short-track. Though it wasn’t enough to win FLC a 25th national title in program history this year, Paton was proud of the FLC fight. “It took everything I had,” Paton said of his final lap on the team relay. “I was set up super well by Henry, Ellen and Savilia. I had to really give it everything I had, and I sealed the deal. We had the whole team out there cheering for us, and that makes it the most special moment of the whole weekend. “My weekend couldn’t have been better, even though we got second as a team overall. Everyone gave it everything, and we can be stoked on second overall. This was a really good way to finish my collegiate cycling career.”Durango’s Cole Paton raced to another short-track cross-country mountain bike collegiate national championship Saturday at Big Bear Lakes, Calif. Paton has won two consecutive short-track titles at collegiate nationals as well as two cross-country mountain bike titles in a row. Sunday, he also helped FLC win the team relay national championship with a strong final lap that took the Skyhawks from third to first.Courtesy of USA Cycling FLC’s final day at nationals started with fireworks. Elle Runyan, a junior, claimed the women’s varsity national championship in stunning fashion. The 20-year-old from the Seattle area ripped down the course in 4 minutes, 53.265 seconds to deliver a win. Sarah Smith of Colorado Mesa was second in 4:55.389. “The course was very dusty and dry, what we call kitty litter back in the Pacific Northwest,” Runyan said. “That deep dust is hard for me because I mostly deal with mud and wet conditions where I come from. I did have a few downhill races over the summer in Idaho and other dry places, and that helped a ton along with having guidance from awesome coaches.” One of those coaches was McCauley Smith, who won the last two downhill titles for FLC. Runyan said she immediately thought of Smith when she crossed the finish line Sunday. Runyan wasn’t confident going into the race or after her final run. She had qualified in seventh place and had to watch six other riders come down the course who could unseat her from first place.Washington’s Elle Runyan was able to celebrate a collegiate varsity women’s downhill championship Sunday in California on a course she wasn’t confident that she would be able to put together a winning result.Courtesy of Fort Lewis College cycling “My practice in the morning didn’t go super well. Honestly, I was just hoping for a top-10 and thought I’d be lucky to get that since the course didn’t play to my strengths,” she said. “I was in disbelief when I came across the line and my teammates said I was going into first. When all six people behind me came down with slower times, that was insane.” Runyan, who also led the FLC women with a fifth-place finish in dual slalom, will have one more year to defend her national title. She then plans to get a masters degree in education at FLC and wants to return as an FLC coach. The men’s varsity downhill is what put the Mavericks in the lead for good, as CMU took first through fourth in front of three FLC riders. Turner Conway won in 4:17.509 ahead of Andras Simon’s 4:18.186. Trevor McCutcheon was third in 4:18.343. FLC’s top finish came from Keanu Smith, who was fifth in 4:23.220. Cole Fiene and William Farmer placed sixth and seventh for FLC. FLC finished with 664 points in the team omnium behind Colorado Mesa’s 668. When the Mavericks won the men’s and women’s dual slalom and FLC placed third in the men’s slalom and fourth in the women’s slalom, the Mavericks took control of the weekend. Brevard College out of North Carolina finished with 551 points to place third. Blunk was still able to deliver the women’s individual omnium to the Skyhawks. She raced all five events, as she placed third in cross-country, second in short-track, sixth in the downhill and added a top-15 in dual slalom. Blunk finished 28 points in front of Maria Doering of Lees-McRae in the standings. Third place, only one point behind Doering, went to FLC’s Campbell, who completed her collegiate mountain bike career in style with multiple podium finishes and the team relay gold to go with her omnium bronze.Fort Lewis College’s Savilia Blunk (302) raced to second in the women’s short-track national championship race Saturday in her home state of California, as Colorado Mesa’s Katie Clouse (340) was able to win the title. Blunk would finish the weekend as the individual omnium champion for her combined results in short-track and cross-country as well as downhill and dual slalom.Courtesy of Fort Lewis College cycling Blunk will have two more seasons of collegiate racing with FLC. “It was a hard weekend of racing for (Campbell) and I both racing for the omnium,” Blunk said. “It’s a lot of racing at the end of a long season for me. It was super fun to mix it up with the gravity girls and get some experience racing downhill and dual slalom. This whole weekend was fun to be part of, and the team relay was super special. I’m so happy to be part of this team and also relieved the racing is over. I am completely exhausted.” jlivingston@durangoherald.com]]></content:encoded>
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        <link>https://tj.durangoherald.com/photo-soccer-and-a-salute-to-seniors/</link>
        <title>Photo: Soccer and a salute to seniors</title>
        <description></description>
        <pubDate>Fri, 04 Oct 2019 01:44:57 -0600</pubDate>
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        <link>https://tj.durangoherald.com/pickleball-tournament-in-durango-draws-devotees/</link>
        <title>Pickleball tournament in Durango draws devotees</title>
        <description>Fast-growing sport looks for permanent outdoor courts in Durango</description>
        <pubDate>Sun, 22 Sep 2019 23:32:54 -0600</pubDate>
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        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Fast-growing sport looks for permanent outdoor courts in DurangoAround 70 people participated in the 2019 Durango Pickleball Open, held Saturday and Sunday at the Durango High School tennis courts.Patrick Armijo/Durango Herald Pickleball devotees like to point out it’s one of the fastest growing sports in the country, something you could believe this weekend when some 70 players from the region descended on Durango to compete in the 2019 Durango Pickleball Open. The tournament, held at Durango High School, divided players by skill groups, with Saturday largely devoted to men and women’s doubles and Sunday play largely comprised of mixed doubles. Max Paustian of the Southwest Colorado Pickleball Association said the sport is an amalgam of tennis, badminton and pingpong. “It appeals to all skill levels. It’s easy to learn and fun to play,” he said. The sport features a lot of volleying, similar to tennis, with a lot of fast-paced, back-and-forth ball movement. Courts are the same size as a badminton court and the rackets more resemble pingpong paddles. Linda Arnold played tennis for 40 years and converted to pickleball four years ago. “Pickleball is easier on your body, and it’s addictive, like tennis,” she said. The Southwest Colorado Pickleball Association has been working to get permanent pickleball courts built in the city. Currently, the association has painted lines on tennis courts at Needham Elementary – two pickleball courts can be accommodated on one tennis court. “It’s a great sport, there’s a lot touring, and it’s popular with baby boomers. It will fill up the restaurants. It’s good for the city,” Arnold said. “It promotes great mental and physical health for seniors,” she added. “If we can help accomplish a higher quality of life for seniors, that’s a great accomplishment,” she said. Alice Sowards never played ball sports when she was younger, but she ran, hiked and cycled, and she said pickleball is now the perfect complement for her. “A friend got me into it. I love the competitive and social nature of it,” she said. Paustian said anyone interested in joining the Southwest Colorado Pickleball Association should call (505) 360-3110. Membership dues are $20 for a single member and $30 for a family. parmijo@durangoherald.com]]></content:encoded>
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        <link>https://tj.durangoherald.com/dolores-to-seek-interim-manager/</link>
        <title>Dolores to seek interim manager</title>
        <description>Playground grant approved; discussion continues on football at Joe Rowell</description>
        <pubDate>Wed, 28 Aug 2019 00:57:29 -0600</pubDate>
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        <media:thumbnail url="https://imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com/?uuid=D61667FE-4958-4257-9436-1BA72279E8CA&#038;function=thumbnail&#038;type=preview&#038;source=false&#038;width=600&#038;height=400" />
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Playground grant approved; discussion continues on football at Joe Rowell The town of Dolores is advertising for an interim manager to replace departing manager Jay Ruybalid, who resigned this month. Mayor Chad Wheelus said the interim manager will be charged with temporarily taking over day-to-day operations and will help guide the town in the application and selection process of hiring a permanent manager. The town will advertise for the position in the coming weeks. Trustees plan to review applications and appoint an interim at the Sept. 9 regular board meeting with a six-month to one year contract. In the last six years, Dolores has had three managers, two of whom departed in the last two years. “By appointing an interim, we are in a better position to hire a permanent manager that is a good fit for our town,” Wheelus said. Trustees reported they were approved for a $80,000 grant for playground equipment from KaBOOM!, an organization that partners with the Colorado Health Foundation and other groups to promote youth exercise and play. The town’s match is $1,500, and is required to organize volunteers for the project. This spring community volunteers, including children, will be asked to join in planning, choosing equipment, and building the structure under the guidance of professionals. The KaBOOM program equipment would be installed on a 2,500-square-foot portion of the Joe Rowell site, with the full-build project funded by the town filling out the remaining 7,000 square feet. Earlier this month, the Dolores Town board approved up to $300,000 in funding for new playground equipment at Joe Rowell Park. They are applying for a Great Outdoors Colorado grant to help defray some of the costs. Plans are to put out bids to choose a playground builder with construction to begin in spring 2020 at the former playground site in Joe Rowell Park.This proposed conceptual plan shows a new football field, competition track, concessionaire and pedestrian bridge across the Dolores River at Joe Rowell Park in Dolores.Re-4A Dolores School District The board continued discussions regarding a request by the Dolores School Board to move its football field to town-owned Joe Rowell Park. The school also wants to add an eight-lane competition track, with public access for the field and track shared between the town and the school. School officials are restructuring the school campus to reduce exposure from a nearby bluff they fear could be used by an active shooter. New campus security designs will encroach on the current football field, so a new location is needed for the field, according to school officials. With town support, the district could include the potential to relocating it to Joe Rowell in a long-term strategic campus plan that would be used for applying for grants. Some trustees supported the idea of moving the football field to the west side of Joe Rowell, an idea that has been floated for decades. But there would be many details to be worked out regarding use agreements, costs and maintenance. Some trustees were undecided until more details were worked out. Trustee Val Truelsen said if needed on a temporary basis, it would not take much to stripe in a football field on the west side of the park for use by the school. Trustee Melissa Watters was not in favor, suggesting other uses such as incorporating a botanical garden would be a more aesthetic fit and attract visitors. No decisions were made on whether to move the football field to the park. The board agreed the west side of the park is underused. It used to host youth soccer games, and if portable goals and some field striping were installed that could happen again. Trustee Jen Stark wants the town to consider re-starting organized youth activities that were once popular at Joe Rowell. “Cooperation with the school to build a youth program for the park is a tangible goal,” she said. Town attorney John Kelly was directed to investigate whether any deed restrictions on Joe Rowell exist after it was transferred from the U.S. Forest Service to the town in the 1990s. The school currently has an agreement with the town to use the baseball fields at Joe Rowell, but the agreement is outdated and too vague and needs to be updated, Truelsen said. Trustees want school officials to meet with the Dolores Parks Committee and planning and zoning board about the plans to locate a football field and track at Joe Rowell.]]></content:encoded>
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        <link>https://tj.durangoherald.com/ranch-rodeo-a-big-hit-with-competitors-and-fans-in-cortez/</link>
        <title>Ranch Rodeo a big hit with competitors and fans in Cortez</title>
        <description>Ranchers praise Zane O’Dell for organizing cowboy-friendly event</description>
        <pubDate>Sun, 04 Aug 2019 04:22:24 -0600</pubDate>
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        <media:thumbnail url="https://imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com/?uuid=24C3017D-4799-4B97-8A9F-A52496BE7B85&#038;function=thumbnail&#038;type=preview&#038;source=false&#038;width=600&#038;height=400" />
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Ranchers praise Zane O’Dell for organizing cowboy-friendly event As the sun sank toward the horizon at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds on Aug. 2, a thin cloud of dust rose from the facility’s main arena and the distinct smell of stock and leather permeated the air. Cutting through what might have otherwise been a silent night, the rich sound of an auctioneer’s voice cascaded across the arena floor before eventually mixing with the cries of young children and the conversations of excited fans. In the arena, a large group of ranchers of different ages, genders and backgrounds laughed and exchanged tips ranging from how to best corral the small calves waiting in nearby shoots to how to avoid the horns of several large steers that would soon be loaded into a nearby horse trailer. All the while, an American flag waved overhead with the help of a light breeze as if to remind all those in attendance of the greatness of the United States of America and its deep connection to the ranching community. “Ranching is a different lifestyle and you don’t really understand it until you’ve done it,” said Will Vest, who traveled approximately six hours from Arizona to compete in this year’s event. “It’s a heartbeat of our country.” Like many ranch rodeo events, this year’s rendition of the Josh Karston Memorial Ranch Rodeo required four- and five-person teams of ranchers to perform numerous tasks meant to simulate everyday work on a ranch. Such tasks included loading steers into a trailer, separating and penning small calves from a larger herd, hitching a steer to a large post, and roping and tying down steers as if to prepare such steers for branding. Unlike many traditional ranch rodeo events that require teams to perform each task separately however, the Josh Karston Memorial Ranch Rodeo’s “scramble” format required teams to compete all four tasks as quickly as quickly as possible without breaks in between. The result of the unique format was non-stop action that kept fans engaged and kept competitors entertained and shortly after the event, several ranchers praised rodeo organizer Zane O’Dell for putting together the unique event. “The reason that we come (all the way from Arizona) is because of Zane O’Dell,” Vest said. “Zane is a cowboy and he comes at it with a cowboy mindset. The event that they have here are cowboy events and everything is so well-organized. It’s all because of Zane O’Dell.” Seven teams competed in this year’s event, including The Wild Bunch from Blanding, Utah, which led off the competition with an impressive performance that highlighted the importance of teamwork and ended with an event-best time 3 minutes and 23 seconds. Also producing a crowd-pleasing performance was the Tomahawk team, which was comprised of several local ranchers and featured two young female ranchers whose deft roping elicited loud cheers from the large crowd. Shortly after the conclusion of the main ranch rodeo events, teams competed in a Wild Cow Milking Event, which required ranchers to rope a cow and subsequently remove a bell from its neck. As teams of ranchers did their best to hang on to the wild cows while dodging ropes and horns, the arena announcer remarked that Wild Cow Milking “can get real Western real fast” as if to recognize the pure intensity of the event. After a team known as the Outsiders captured top honors in the Wild Cow Milking event with a time of 42 seconds, competitors gathered near the arena and conversed with other members of what many described as a “tight-knit” ranching community. “Nearly everybody out here knows each other,” Cortez rancher Jeff Osbourn said. “(This event) is just a good deal and we all enjoy one another and we do what we need to do.” Thanks to Josh Karston Memorial Ranch Rodeo organizers and the many ranchers who competed, fans were treated to another exciting ranching showcase at this year’s Montezuma County Fair.]]></content:encoded>
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        <link>https://tj.durangoherald.com/demolition-derby-thrills-fans-at-montezuma-county-fair/</link>
        <title>Demolition derby thrills fans at Montezuma County Fair</title>
        <description>Demolition derby a smashing hit in front of large, raucous crowd</description>
        <pubDate>Sun, 04 Aug 2019 04:20:36 -0600</pubDate>
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        <media:thumbnail url="https://imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com/?uuid=6CC9D3B1-776D-4E5B-A362-BBC0944833A8&#038;function=thumbnail&#038;type=preview&#038;source=false&#038;width=600&#038;height=400" />
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Demolition derby a smashing hit in front of large, raucous crowd Twenty minutes before a group of uniquely decorated cars drove onto the track at Fairgrounds Speedway for the annual Cortez Demolition Derby on Aug. 3, the stands were already packed with a colorful cast of spectators. “Make America Great Again” hats were everywhere, and the smell of cigarette smoke and deep-fried food was strong. Excitement was palpable throughout grandstands that were painted to resemble an American flag and the ruggedness of small-town culture was on full display. In the pits behind the arena, cutting torches hummed while emitting blue light as drivers and crew members swung sledge hammers and made last-minute adjustments and modifications to cars whose tough steel frames harkened back to another time. All those at Fairgrounds Speedway, be them drivers or crew members, were there for one thing and one thing only – to see cars bang one another into oblivion and witness a type of carnage that only takes place in Cortez once per year. As the bright neon sun dipped under a cloud near the western horizon and the clock struck 6 p.m., engines purred to life, cars entered the Fairgrounds Speedway arena and derby time officially arrived. Unique cars take center stage As the owner of Backwoods Towing and Recovery in Dove Creek, James Cundiff has become very familiar with cars and their various makeups. As a young man, he marveled at the powerful builds of Detroit’s famous muscle cars and in recent years, he has shaken his head as manufacturers have placed hybrid engines inside of shiny plastic bodies. A longtime veteran of demolition derbies, Cundiff knew all too well that a Toyota Prius would not cut it in this year’s derby event. Rather, he needed something with plenty of solid metal and a tough engine to match. Eventually, after a bit of searching, Cundiff settled on a 1989 Oldsmobile Cutless whose relatively small size allowed for maneuverability and tough frame appeared capable of inflicting damage in the derby arena. “I own Backwoods Towing and Recovery in Dove Creek and this car was given to me,” Cundiff explained. “I actually got the car for my son, Danny Stuckman. He is driving it in the derby this year.” After removing all of the glass from the vehicle, relocating the gas tank to a safe location, welding reinforcement bars along the driver’s side door, cutting a hole in the hood, installing a roll cage, and adorning the body with a Jurassic Park sticker and some colorful paint, Cundiff knew that his machine was ready to go. “The Jurassic Park sticker was my son’s idea,” Cundiff said. “Otherwise, we just worked the car up to give protection to the driver. I’ve been doing derbies for years. It’s just a lot of fun.” ‘Adrenaline rush’ keeps drivers coming back A longtime competitor in demolition derbies, Durango resident Darell Cordary has become quite familiar with the bumps, bruises and whiplash that often follow big-time collisions with heavy 1970s-era cars. Never one to be intimidated by a bit of physical discomfort however, Cordary entered this year’s derby with a 1973 Buick Century intent on doling out destruction. “(My car) was in an old guy’s field and his kids took the keys from him because he was too old to drive,” Cordary explained. “I got it for a couple of hundred bucks and here it is. I just try to hammer people until the car quits. Don’t stop, that’s my strategy.” Asked what keeps him coming back to the derby year after year, Cordary, who also races Sport Mod stock cars at tracks throughout the region, explained that the adrenaline rush provided by demolition derbies is beyond compare. “The adrenaline rush, you can’t get it anywhere else,” Cordary said. “I drive race cars and it ain’t nothing like this. This is just a lot of fun.” Derby veteran brings home title Standing next to his 1973 Oldsmobile Cutless before the final year of this year’s derby, Mancos resident Ted Neergaard had the feeling that a title at this year’s derby event was well within his reach. After all, his boat-like vehicle had sustained little damage while smashing its way through the preliminary round and its stout body appeared as if it could run through a brick wall if it was so asked. “(The type of car) makes a pretty big difference,” said Neergaard, who has competed in demolition derbies for decades. “Every manufacturer made cars a little different. Once you start getting into the 1980s, they started putting in crumple zones and things, which don’t work as well for derby cars.” Although Neergaard expressed concern that a broken linkage cable might limit him in the final round, the veteran had little difficulty smashing the competition as he and his car emerged delivered the last hit in the derby’s final round and emerged victorious. “I’m getting way too old to be doing this, but I’m not going to quit any time soon,” Neergaard said. “I just went out and hit as hard as I possibly could. I tried to take the competition out.” Truck derby and off-road race thrill fans While smashing cars provided the most memorable highlights at this year’s demolition derby, a Tough Truck/UTV race along a dirt track and a truck demolition derby also provided memorable moments for fans. Several impressive jumps by off-road vehicles during the Tough Truck/UTV competition elicited cheers from fans and Bayfield resident Ken Fusco stole the show during the truck derby when he piloted his 1994 Ford 150 to victory. “Tonight was the first time that I ran a truck,” Fusco said. “I’ve been running cars for about eight years now and it’s pretty cool. In a truck, you get some great hits. What’s neat about the derby is that we’re all friends and we’re just trying to have fun. We’re all just easy going people and it’s great to have good friendship and go at it.” A great event, indeed, and a vital part of this year’s Montezuma County Fair that will not soon be forgotten.]]></content:encoded>
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        <link>https://tj.durangoherald.com/ranch-rodeo-set-to-highlight-this-years-montezuma-county-fair/</link>
        <title>Ranch Rodeo set to highlight this year’s Montezuma County Fair</title>
        <description>Ranchers of all ages will compete in event that casts light on rural life</description>
        <pubDate>Tue, 30 Jul 2019 02:02:16 -0600</pubDate>
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        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Ranchers of all ages will compete in event that casts light on rural life From its founding on April 16, 1889, Montezuma County has enjoyed a strong connection with the ranching community. Therefore, when this year’s Ranch Rodeo takes place at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds on the evening of Aug. 2, a unique piece of the local area’s essence will be showcased and honored. Hosted by Zane O’Dell and part of this year’s Montezuma County Fair, the Ranch Rodeo will feature numerous tasks that are meant to simulate work that is performed ranches on a daily basis. Teams of ranchers will have the opportunity to separate stock, rope, pen and load calves, steers and fully grown cattle as quickly as possible while pushing themselves and their horses to the limits during what promises to be an exciting event. “(Ranch rodeos), they show what (ranchers) do on a daily basis,” said Isiah Ethington, who works on ranches throughout Montezuma County. “One of the greatest parts of this country is the ranching community, and we know that (God) is watching us every time that we trot out.” While the ranchers who compete in this year’s Ranch Rodeo will do so in hopes of winning the prize money that will be awarded to top teams, the event will be about far more than financial gain or bragging rights. “For me and my family, we’re fifth-generation right here in the county,” Montezuma County resident Hardy Tozer said while competing in last year’s event. “Ranching is what I do, and who I am. It’s not a nine-to-five job. It’s your life.” Those interested in observing this year’s Ranch Rodeo while becoming acquainted with an important part of Montezuma County’s history and culture are encouraged to stop by the Montezuma County Fairgrounds on Friday. Teams wishing to participate in this year’s event must be registered by 6 p.m. Competition is slated to begin at 7 p.m.]]></content:encoded>
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        <link>https://tj.durangoherald.com/san-juan-mountains-association-to-host-teen-backpacking-trip/</link>
        <title>San Juan Mountains Association to host teen backpacking trip</title>
        <description>San Juan Mountains Association will host a teen backpacking trip for ages 13 to 17 from Aug. 7 to Aug. 9 through the Burro Fire burn area. Teens will learn backcountry skills as well as lessons about fly-fishing and fire...</description>
        <pubDate>Thu, 11 Jul 2019 16:58:00 -0600</pubDate>
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        <content:encoded><![CDATA[San Juan Mountains Association will host a teen backpacking trip for ages 13 to 17 from Aug. 7 to Aug. 9 through the Burro Fire burn area. Teens will learn backcountry skills as well as lessons about fly-fishing and fire ecology. The trip is designed for all ability levels, but participants will need to carry most of their own supplies. There will be side hikes, ecology lessons and time to splash in the creek. The guide, MK Gunn, has 12 years of guiding experience and is a certified interpretive guide. Clay Kampf, fisheries biologist for the San Juan National Forest, will also accompany the group. Some free rental equipment is available. A mandatory planning meeting will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Aug 5. There is a suggested donation of $75 per participant. For more information, call Gunn at 385-1269 or email MK@sjma.org. San Juan Mountains Association will host a teen backpacking trip for ages 13 to 17 from Aug. 7 to Aug. 9 through the Burro Fire burn area. Teens will learn backcountry skills as well as lessons about fly-fishing and fire ecology. The trip is designed for all ability levels, but participants will need to carry […]]]></content:encoded>
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        <link>https://tj.durangoherald.com/cortez-water-dragons-place-fourth-in-montrose/</link>
        <title>Cortez Water Dragons place fourth in Montrose</title>
        <description>Erin Lawrence wins seven individual events at competitive three-day meet</description>
        <pubDate>Mon, 01 Jul 2019 22:20:46 -0600</pubDate>
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        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Erin Lawrence wins seven individual events at competitive three-day meet Squaring off against the toughest competition that they have faced this season, the Cortez Water Dragons swim club took to the pool for the Montrose Marlins Invitational, June 28-30, and performed well. Leading the way for the Water Dragons as she has throughout the season was Erin Lawrence, who dominated several events in the girls 11-12 age division and earned top honors in the 50-yard freestyle (29.81), 100-yard freestyle (1:06.99), 50-yard breaststroke (40.54), 100-yard breaststroke (1:28.17), 200-yard breaststroke (2:43.68), 100-yard backstroke (1:14.06) and 100-yard individual medley (1:16.29). Erin Lawrence also finished second in the 200-yard backstroke (2:43.68) and third in the 50-yard backstroke (25.84) and 500-yard freestyle (6:45.82). Also earning top-three finishes for the Water Dragons in several events was Jayden White, who competed in the girls 9-10 age division and placed first in the 100-yard freestyle (1:22.28), seconds in the 200-yard individual medley (3:29.26) and 50-yard backstroke (44.07) and third in the 200-yard freestyle (3:14.53) and 50-yard freestyle (39.44). Fynn Anderson competed in the boys 6-and-under age division and finished first in the 25-yard freestyle (24.26). Bodie Fischer competed in the boys 8-and-under division and placed first in the 100-yard backstroke (2:02.67). Taylor Johnson competed in the girls 9-10 age division and placed first in the 25-yard freestyle (17.94) and second in the 25-yard backstroke (22.55). Other Water Dragonsâ€™ swimmers earning top-three finishes in multiple individual events included Dannika Goodall, who competed in the girls 9-10 age division and placed second in the 25-yard butterfly (23.45) and third in the 100-yard backstroke (1:36.01) and 100-yard individual medley (1:34.97). Eleri Brown competed in the girls 9-10 age division and placed third in the 25-yard backstroke (23.72) and 25-yard breaststroke (34.20). Theta Decker competed in the girls 6-and-under age division and finished second in the 25-yard freestyle (33.39). Anna Tewell competed in the girls 9-10 age division and placed third in the 25-yard butterfly (24.01), and Lucas Decker competed in the boys 9-10 age division and finished third in the 25-yard freestyle (17.36). Braden Schmittel swam in the boys 13-14 age division and placed third in the 100-yard individual medley (1:14.79). Anna Lawrence took to the pool in the girls 13-14 age division and touched the wall third in the 50-yard backstroke. The Cortez Water Dragons finished fourth out of the 13 teams that competed in the three-day meet. Aspen Swim Club finished first overall. Next up for the Cortez Water Dragons will be the Western Slope League Championships in Grand Junction, July 12-14.]]></content:encoded>
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        <link>https://tj.durangoherald.com/cowboy-half-marathon-brings-runners-to-mancos/</link>
        <title>Cowboy Half Marathon brings runners to Mancos</title>
        <description>Proceeds from annual event benefit Mancos Public Library</description>
        <pubDate>Mon, 24 Jun 2019 16:40:18 -0600</pubDate>
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        <media:thumbnail url="https://imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com/?uuid=B5E25503-D60E-4779-B297-DD763E7DDD50&#038;function=thumbnail&#038;type=preview&#038;source=false&#038;width=600&#038;height=400" />
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Proceeds from annual event benefit Mancos Public LibraryJackie Culp of Durango crosses the finish line after competing in the Cowboy Half Marathon in Mancos on Saturday.Ian MacLaren/For the Journal With the sun shining and a light breeze blowing, 168 runners set out Saturday from the Mancos Public Library to compete in the Cowboy Half Marathon 5K, and Fun Run. The annual fundraiser for the Mancos Public Library drew numerous community members and several businesses that provided refreshments and entertainment. Among the many familiar faces at this year’s race was former Mancos High School athletic standout Ro Paschal, who recently completed his sophomore year on the Adams State University’s cross-country and track teams. Showcasing the powerful stride and determination that made him one of the top runners in his school’s history, Paschal eased to a victory in the 5K with a time of 17 minutes, 40.01 seconds before taking a moment to describe what makes the Cowboy Half Marathon special. “It’s great to see the entire community out enjoying the weather,” Paschal said. “This is a great event every year. I’m not in the best shape right now, so I decided to do the 5K, and I had a great time. It was more of a workout for cross-country for me.” Also participating was former Mancos High School standout Caleb Yoder, who recently completed his freshman year at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. Standing near former teammates, teachers and community members, Yoder lauded atmosphere that has defined the Cowboy Half Marathon. “I was running along with a woman from Durango who had never run here,” Yoder said. “I’m sure that she doesn’t come to Mancos much, so something like this just brings people from other towns to Mancos. It’s cool to see new people, and it’s cool to see all of the familiar faces and stuff.” Among the local businesses that provided food, concessions and door prizes were Osprey Packs, P&D Grocery, Absolute Bakery, Zuma Natural Foods and Four Dope Gringos. Rocky Mountain Timing provided electronic timing for the half-marathon and 5K races, and KSJD radio host Tom Yoder entertained a large crowd of fans and competitors with an eclectic mix of music. Finishing behind Paschal in the 5K was Diana Davis of Durango, 21:18, and Taylor Gasman of Fruita, 23:06. Ian Huang of Durango took top honors in the half-marathon, 1:21:47. Kenneth Rennick of Meeker finished second, 1:22:35, and Mancos High School alum Simon Kearns finished third, 1:25:04. Seventy-eight runners completed the half-marathon, and 98 runners finished the 5K. Awards were given to top overall finishers and top finishers in multiple age groups, and numerous prizes were raffled off after the event. “I think in a lot of small towns, there isn’t a whole lot to do,” former Mancos High School cross-country runner Teslin Stecher said. It’s important to get running and have some fun.”]]></content:encoded>
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        <link>https://tj.durangoherald.com/dirt-track-racing-coming-to-fairgrounds-speedway-this-weekend/</link>
        <title>Dirt track racing coming to Fairgrounds Speedway this weekend</title>
        <description>IMCA competitions will take place on Cortez track</description>
        <pubDate>Thu, 20 Jun 2019 23:55:32 -0600</pubDate>
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        <content:encoded><![CDATA[IMCA competitions will take place on Cortez trackDrivers from across the Four Corners will compete this weekend at the Fairgrounds Speedway.The Journal file Looking to add another chapter to the exciting history of dirt track racing in Cortez, drivers from across the Four Corners will arrive at Fairgrounds Speedway this weekend to compete in several International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) races that will take place June 21 and June 22. Among the cars scheduled to take part in the weekend event will be Quarter Midgets, Mini Sprints, Dwarfs, Sport Compacts, Hobby Stocks, Stock Cars, SportMods and Modifieds. Each classification will include heat races followed by an A-Main. Drivers will earn points that will count toward the IMCA standings, and several local racing legends, including Tony Hill, Aaron Spangler and Brodie Spangler, are expected to fire up their engines. Races will begin at 7 p.m. each evening and tickets can be obtained at the gate. Adult tickets are $10, senior citizens $6, and children between the ages of 6-13 are $6. A family pass that includes two adults and two children is $25, and concessions may be purchased at the track.]]></content:encoded>
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        <link>https://tj.durangoherald.com/former-m-chs-athletes-excel-on-college-shooting-team/</link>
        <title>Former M-CHS athletes excel on college shooting team</title>
        <description>Duran, Trennepohl help Liberty University rifle team qualify for championships</description>
        <pubDate>Thu, 20 Jun 2019 23:53:38 -0600</pubDate>
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        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Duran, Trennepohl help Liberty University rifle team qualify for championshipsFormer Montezuma-Cortez High athletes Alec Trennepohl and Caisey Duran now compete on the rifle team at Liberty University in Virginia.Courtesy For as long as Caisey Duran and Alec Trennepohl can remember, guns, ammunition and target shooting have been a part of their lives. By the time that they could walk, both college students had been schooled in the importance of gun safety and the Second Amendment, and by the time they hit grade school, Duran and Trennepohl were already experienced shooters. After dabbling in competitive shooting during their grade school years, the two Montezuma County residents turned their attention to more traditional athletic endeavors, and during their teenage years, they became standout athletes at Montezuma-Cortez High School. For Duran, athletic success came in the form of qualifying for state competitions in swimming and cross country, and for Trennepohl, athletic success came on the baseball diamond, where he excelled at the plate and in the field. After graduating from Lighthouse Christian Academy in 2018, Duran and Trennepohl chose to attend college at Liberty University, a private evangelical university in Lynchburg, Virginia, that has become known for its quality education and commitment to Christian values. Upon arriving at Liberty, neither Duran nor Trennepohl had plans to continue their athletic careers given the difficulty of walking on to Division I athletic programs and their commitment to their studies. Their competitive desires did not abate with their arrival at school, however, and after several weeks on Liberty’s 7,000-acre campus, Duran and Trennepohl began talking about pursuing some sort of athletic endeavor. One night, the two high school and college classmates found themselves talking about guns, and soon after, Duran brought up the possibility of trying out for Liberty’s rifle team. “I looked into shooting because I got anemic (in high school) and I thought that shooting would be a good option for me because I couldn’t run or swim,” Duran said. “Shooting was something that I grew up doing, and I thought that (joining the shooting team) was meant to be.” While Trennepohl was initially reluctant to try out for a college shooting team, given that he had not shot competitively in more than a decade, he eventually relented in the face of Duran’s encouragement and decided to put his target shooting skills to the test. After participating in several practice sessions and quickly retraining their eyes and their bodies, Duran and Trennepohl took part in the Liberty rifle team’s tryout and qualified for the 14-person team. “Making the team was a bit of a surprise since I hadn’t done any competitive shooting since NRA shooting when I was really young and I didn’t like it,” Trennepohl said. “I grew up around guns, and I always loved them though, so making the team was a thrill.” Throughout the remainder of the fall and into the winter, Duran, Trennepohl and their teammates trained at an indoor shooting range and honed their skills. The team also worked hard to secure necessary equipment, including .22 caliber small-bore rifles, air rifles and scopes. On Feb. 9, the team traveled to Charlottesville, Virginia, to compete in the Intercollegiate College Shooting Athletics Sectional Competition, which took place at Rivana Rifle and Pistol Club. Duran finished second on the Liberty team with 450 total points in the small-bore rifle event, which qualified her for the NRA National Intercollege Club Rifle Championships. Duran and Trennepohl also qualified for the championships in the air rifle event with scores of 523 and 529, respectively, and Liberty qualified for the championships as a team in the air rifle event. “I hadn’t shot an air rifle before coming to Liberty, so qualifying for (the championships) was a bit of a surprise,” Duran said. “I won three different prone (shooting) competitions prior to high school, and our Cortez team placed first in three different competitions, but sectionals was (a much bigger event). Approximately six weeks after their performance at sectionals, Duran and Trennepohl traveled to Fort Benning, Georgia, for the championships and helped their team place eighth nationally in the air rifle competition. Trennepohl finished with a score of 501, and Duran finished with a 494. “A lot of people don’t classify shooting as a sport, but it’s kind of like any other sport, it’s very mental,” Duran said. “If you have a bad shot, you start to panic and your heart rate goes up. You have to make it mechanical so it doesn’t have to be mental.” “I really enjoy the discipline that (shooting) teaches you,” Trennepohl added. “It’s mental discipline and physical discipline. If you can feel how fast your heart is beating, it’s not a good thing.” With the first year of their college shooting careers now in the books, Duran and Trennepohl both indicated that they are eager to return next season and improve on their individual and team results. “For our club, our goal is to have the team place top-three or even top-five (nationally),” Duran said. “Individually, I want to be in the top 10.” “My goal is getting to the level where some of the elite shooters are,” Trennepohl said. “I know that it takes a lot of time and a lot of those kids have been shooting their entire lives. Seeing the progress that I’ve already started to make, I feel like I could get to that level.” Given their familiarity with guns and their rapid improvement at the college level, it seems quite likely that Duran and Trennepohl will accomplish their goals at Liberty and continue to serve Montezuma County proud.]]></content:encoded>
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        <link>https://tj.durangoherald.com/hillcrest-golf-club-sued-over-tee-box-placement/</link>
        <title>Hillcrest Golf Club sued over tee box placement</title>
        <description>La Plata County woman says she was hit by ball because of ‘negligence’</description>
        <pubDate>Tue, 18 Jun 2019 22:30:25 -0600</pubDate>
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        <content:encoded><![CDATA[La Plata County woman says she was hit by ball because of ‘negligence’Hillcrest Golf Club redesigned and reconstructed many of its tee boxes, including the fourth hole, moving the tee box to give golfers a clear view of the fairway. Anne Herring claims in a lawsuit that the realignment of the tee box creates a risk for putters on the fifth hole’s green. A golf ball hit Herring in the eye in 2018, an injury for which she is still seeking care, her attorney said.Durango Herald file A La Plata County woman hit in the face with a golf ball at Hillcrest Golf Club says the corporation that operates the course acted “heedlessly and recklessly, without regard to consequences or of the rights and safety of others,” in a lawsuit filed last month. The redesign and reconstruction of Hillcrest Golf Club about four years ago moved the tee box on the fourth hole so golfers had a more clear shot at the fairway. But the realignment put the fifth hole’s putting green within range of the fourth hole’s tee box, creating “dangerous activity” for golfers on the fifth-hole putting green, Anne and Dexter Herring said in a lawsuit against Durango Municipal Recreation Inc. The Hillcrest Golf Club Board of Directors did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Durango Municipal Recreation has not filed a response to the Herrings’ lawsuit, which was filed May 24. A golfer driving a ball on the fourth hole hit Anne Herring in the face May 26, 2018, while she was putting on the fifth hole. Herring’s eye had swollen shut, said Durango attorney Michael McLachlan, who is representing the Herrings in their lawsuit. She continues to be treated by eye doctors and physicians more than a year after her injury, McLachlan said. After her injury, Hillcrest’s board of directors had a sign installed at the tee box on the fourth hole saying: “As a courtesy to players on #5 green please let them clear the green before hitting your tee shot. Thank you.” ‘A risk of golf’ But the sign came too late and isn’t enough, the Herrings argue in their lawsuit. Anne Herring said in the lawsuit that she was almost hit by a golf ball in 2017 while trying to sink a putt on the fifth hole. So she called the front desk and told the attendant what happened. But Herring claims in her lawsuit that after she had notified the course staff of the hazard, Hillcrest Golf Club “failed to take any action as to the dangerous activity and condition on the putting green of Hole 5.” It goes on to say: “(Durango Municipal Recreation) purposefully did not place such a barrier in 2017 or at any other time because it would be aesthetically ‘ugly.’” McLachlan said his clients want Hillcrest Golf Club to install a barrier that golf balls cannot pass through, like a net or a wall, between the fourth-hole tee box and the fifth hole green. They claim the golf course was negligent and Anne Herring was injured as a result of the negligence, according to the lawsuit. The Herrings are also seeking monetary compensation related to “medical bills, medical damages and pain and suffering and some disfigurement,” McLachlan said. His clients did not ask for a specific amount, he said. Although being hit by a golf ball may be “ordinarily considered to be a risk of golf,” Herring’s case is unique because her injury was caused by “a design fault of the course and not something that you would ordinarily expect,” McLachlan said. “People who play golf can expect to be hit,” McLachlan said. “But when the design of a course increases the chance of being hit on a green, that’s what makes this case unique.” bhauff@durangoherald.com]]></content:encoded>
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