3Four Corners SPORTSAPRIL 2015
content| 4 | Fun for the Whole Family
As sure as the sun rises, somewhere
there is a teenager complaining that
there is nothing to do in the metropolis
that is Farmington. And while
compared to cities the size of
Albuquerque or larger that might seem
true, Farmington does have some
activities to offer from golf to exceptional
movie theaters to great walking trails.
| 8 | Exercise and laughterWhen Sheri Rogers, Rick Palmer and
Bobby Hume started playing volleyball
together 30 years ago in a city volleyball
league, they each had a goal – to win.
While the wins and losses in that league
no longer matter, what Rogers, Palmer
and Hume have “won” are friendships
that have endured for more than 30
years.
| 12 | Winter Prep SportsOn Feb. 2nd Punxsutawney Phil saw his
shadow assuring that there are six more
weeks until the state basketball tourna-
ment.
| 14 | 3-Gun CompetitionShooting enthusiasts will have the opportu-
nity to compete for prizes and trophies at
the Second Annual San Juan County
Sheriff’s 3-Gun Charity Challenge match.
| 24 | Speed and adrenalineShaleen Brown admits she has a need – a
need for speed.
| 16 | Transcending theWinter WarriorIt’s the fifth annual Winter Warrior 10K
snowshoe race, founded by Steve Ilg,
Wholistic Fitness coach, and hosted by the
Durango Nordic Center.
| 28 | The Hidden (Valley) OpportunityHidden Valley Golf Course has been a
fixture in the Aztec community for many
years.
| 22 | Editorial Columnistby Rick Hoerner
| 30 | 10 Questionswith lisa Webb
| 34 | The First Teeby Tom Yost
| 32 | NASCAR Nellie| 20 | Successful SeasonThe swimming and diving teams from
Farmington High School and Piedra Vista
had an extremely successful seasons cul-
minating at the 2015 NMAA Swimming and
Diving State Championships at the Albu-
querque Academy Natatorium in Albu-
querque on Feb. 20 and 21.
Don Vaughan
PuBlISHER
Cindy Cowan Thiele
EDITOR
Rick Hoerner
Tom Yost
Dorothy Nobis
CONTRIBuTING WRITERS
Curtis Benally
Josh Bishop
CONTRIBuTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Suzanne Thurman
DESIGNER
Shelly Acosta
Clint Alexander
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. © 2015 Four Corners Sports magazine.
Majestic Media
100 W. Apache Street
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STORY IDEAS and PHOTOS
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Please send to
Shaleen BrownJosh Bishop
4 Four Corners SpORTS APRIL 2015
As sure as the sun rises, somewhere
there is a teenager complaining that
there is nothing to do in the metropolis
that is Farmington. And while in compar-
rison to cities the size of Albuquerque or
larger that might seem true, Farmington
does have some activities to offer, from
golf to exceptional movie theaters to
great walking trails. Then, of course,
there is the stalwart of all small town ac-
tivities; your local bowling alley.
Farmington is especially fortunate to
have Bowlero Lanes, a state of the art
bowling center that provides family en-
tertainment. First built in 1956, Bowlero
Lanes has stood the test of time. Current
owner Chad Franks, who took control of
the alley in 2001, is third in a family line
of owners to run the operation. In 1958
Chad’s grandfather, Charlie Reese, re-
opened an abandoned operation left for
dead six months earlier. The original
Bowlero Lanes was located on an iso-
lated field before Home Depot and Safe-
way built on the adjacent properties
back when Dizzyland Liquors was the
lone business on the same side of Main
Street.
Originally, Bowlero had 16 lanes, less
than half the size it is today. For those
who have been inside the structure, that
would be ending just where the snack
Story by Rick Hoerner | Photos by Josh Bishop
Chad Franks carries on the Bowlero Lanes family tradition
5Four Corners SpoRtSAPRIL 2015
bar is today. In the early ’70s the lanes
were updated to 24 lanes just before the
second generation, Rowdy Franks, took
over the lanes in 1976, adding a small
lounge to the building to go with the
eight new lanes.
Updating the technology, especially
when it comes to pin setting, has been
the continuing evolution of the bowling
alley. As Rowdy’s son Chad took over the
lanes at the turn of the century, changes
were inevitable. Since Chad Franks took
over ownership the bowling alley has ex-
panded and upgraded. Franks added 10
updated lanes that include laser light
shows with neon and black lights and a
digital jukebox, a full service pro shop,
and a full-service Crackers Sports Bar
with 100 seats and over 30 digital televi-
sion screens.
Franks also turned the old lounge into
a poolroom to complement other activi-
ties in the building.
For Franks, changes in technology is
essential to the survival of the sport. For
Bowlero, the bowling clientele is an ever-
changing evolution steadily moving from
declining league bowlers to an increase
in casual bowlers looking for family en-
tertainment. Updates such as automatic
scoring and gutter bumpers for young
and inexperienced bowlers have made
the lanes more family friendly.
Chad Franks, center back row, and Coach Kelly Evers, back row right, stands with the the state shanpionship bowling team at apractice session at Bowlero Lanes.
6 Four Corners SportS APRIL 2015
“Bumpers have been the most important technological advance,” Franks
said “After all, if all you are doing is throwing the ball in the gutter every time,
how likely are you to come back?” Automatic scoring also has made the game
more user friendly for families – not having to worry about scoring, or the
fear of knowing how to keep score, and focusing on time together.
Like the rest of the world technology has
been a mixed blessing for the bowling indus-
try. While it has made bowling more accessi-
ble to the masses, it also must now compete
with video games, 500 cable channels and the
smart phone, making bowling one of a grow-
ing number of options for an individual’s
spare time.
Still, as of 2011, bowling is still a $10 billion
industry and is still the number one participa-
tion sport in America with more 71 million
people who list bowling as something they do
for fun at least three times annually.
Just as in golf, technology has changed the
bowling industry. And also like golf, the ball
and the equipment have replaced the require-
ment of skill – in varying degrees. Also like
golf, the game has to evolve with a public look-
ing more for entertainment than for competitive skill.
For Bowlero that means looking at creative ways to keep the competition
of bowling while catering to a new base looking for a cost-effective night
out. So, Bowlero is looking at rotating leagues that would not have the com-
mitment of 36 weeks but rotating with others for perhaps a 24-week
7Four Corners SPorTSAPRIL 2015
schedule. They will also be looking at more
compact bowling seasons to keep the regular
league bowler an important part of the
changing landscape.
The future of Bowlero may be based on the
growth of high school bowling teams and
leagues. High school bowling, as an activity,
is one of the fastest growing sports on high
school and college campuses with over
50,000 high school and 35,000 college
athletes competing annually.
High school bowling was added to the New
Mexico Activities Association list of
sponsored activities in 2006 giving students
an activity not based on size or speed as
much as skill. The local high schools have
been especially strong in state competition
with Farmington finishing in the top for three
consecutive years including a state
runner-up this year.
Piedra Vista won the first bowling state
title in 2006 and has added three more titles
including the state title this year with the
assistance of the next generation of Franks
leading the way. High school bowling has
increased to the point where this past winter
Bowlero offered a high school league that
included 50 students.
The future of bowling will be adjusting to
constant change. While more than 100 million
people in 100 countries participate in
bowling, the participants and level of
participation is in constant flux.
The next Franks generation is already look-
ing toward continuing the family
tradition. Trey Franks, a senior at Piedra
Vista, dreamed of growing up in the bowling
alley.
He received work experience at a young
age, and having full access to the snack bar
didn’t hurt either. When asked if he could see
himself taking over some day, Trey said,
“Yeah, I could see myself sitting in that
chair,” pointing to his father.
Until then, Bowlero will look to add more
to the community bowling experience, adding
to birthday parties and anniversaries with
church group outings and new league
options. Summer league signups are coming
up soon and the air conditioning will be on
all summer for a family gathering.
8 Four Corners SportS APRIL 2015
9Four Corners SPoRTSAPRIL 2015
When Sheri Rogers, Rick Palmer and Bobby
Hume started playing volleyball together 30
years ago in a city volleyball league, they each
had a goal – to win. While the wins and losses
in that league no longer matter, what Rogers,
Palmer and Hume have “won” are friendships
that have endured for more than 30 years.
The three no longer play volleyball, but
wallyball – a sport similar to volleyball, but a
separate sport with separate rules. The most
obvious element that differs between the
sports is the fact that wallyball is played in a
racquetball court. The walls are a critical fac-
tor in wallyball and players can’t use more
than one wall.
During the course of those 30 years, six
more people have joined Rogers, Palmer and
Hume, and those friendships have been
strengthened and treasured by all.
“This team is so much fun,” Rogers said of
the “new” group. “We’ve been friends for so
long and it (playing wallyball) gives us a rea-
son to gather and have fun. We get in a little
exercise and it gives us an excuse to go to
grab an adult beverage afterwards.”
The team, which now includes Dean and
Tracy Pecotte, Lisa Poulson, Mari Garcia, and
Lori Proctor, play every Wednesday night at the
Farmington Recreation Center. There is a lot of
laughter, slapping of hands, friendly teasing
and a surprising amount of competition.
“We have a lot of fun together and we al-
ways have,” said Palmer. “Some things that
have happened on the court have been retold
for years, with good laughs every time we re-
member them. I really love these guys and all
the ones that have participated over the
years.”
Wednesday night Wallyball leads to years of lasting friendship
Story by Dorothy Nobis | Photos by Josh Bishop
ExErcisE laughterand
10 Four Corners SPORTS APRIL 2015
It is the friendships that all of the team
members emphasize as the best part of the
weekly games. “I believe the laughs, the exer-
cise and the overall camaraderie have kept me
engaged all this time,” said Mari Garcia, who
has been participating since 1998. “The group
of friends I’ve gained is invaluable and dear to
me.”
“I have had the pleasure of knowing and
having these people in my life for around 25
years,” said Lisa Poulson. “I think we have be-
come family more than friends.”
Palmer recently lost his father and said his
wallyball teammates and friends shared his
grief. “These people brought us food, sent us
cards and called and texted to express sympa-
thy and see if they could do anything for us,”
he said. “I think the friendship is far more im-
portant to me than the competition or exer-
cise.”
Playing for fun and exercise is a priority for
all of them, but it doesn’t take a visitor long to
see that the competition is fierce – but
friendly. When asked who is the most competi-
tive player, there was little hesitation. Rogers,
Poulson and Palmer are at the top of the list of
most competitive and the worst losers.
Rogers said it isn’t about the competition,
however. “For myself, I'm over with playing that
competitive. This is more fun with a little com-
petition thrown in, and we mix up the teams so
it's not ‘us against them.’ It's just fun.”
Palmer said he plays for “fun, but I like to
win, too.” Poulson admitted most of her team-
mates would say she’s the most competitive.
“Everyone will probably say it’s me,” she said
of her competitive spirit. “My husband always
tells me it’s not the Olympics. When I’m waiting
to go play, my husband always tells me I have
my ‘wallyball face’ on. I’ve mellowed quite a bit,
though, and I always remind (everyone) it’s
just a game!”
“It’s for fun,” agreed Tracy Pecotte, “but it’s
competitive enough to keep it challenging.”
It is Hume who is tagged as being the best
player and is the official scorekeeper. “Some-
times when Bobby isn't there – he’s the only
one who keeps us straight on the score -- we
don’t keep score as much. It's just fun to do
something clever and/or skilled to win the
point,” Rogers said.
Hume said he’s the unofficial scorekeeper
because, “I like to do it and everyone else likes
that they don’t have to.” In addition to being
the scorekeeper, Hume likely has the most ex-
perience playing wallyball.
“I’ve been playing about 45 years,” he said. “I
started in high school and I’ve always enjoyed
playing. I’m probably one of the more competi-
tive players, but it’s not a life or death situa-
tion.”
Hume said Rogers and Poulson are the most
competitive. “At times, we can get really com-
petitive,” he said with a laugh. “But we all re-
ally have lots of fun and we always have a good
time.”
11Four Corners SPoRTSAPRIL 2015
The team plays from 7 to 8 p.m. and most
arrive a little early. The joking and teasing
begins immediately and one senses that
while the exercise and the competition are
important to all of them, it is the friendships
that are the reason they have played to-
gether for decades.
“We can cuss and discuss and call each
other names, like ‘nice shot,’ when referring
to Rick,” said Garcia. “It’s also funny when
Lisa and Lori get to giggling and snorting
when Tracy does her squeal, and Rick calls
Sheri names. The dirty looks and dirty plays
are also entertaining, to say the least.”
“For Dean and I, we keep coming back be-
cause we can laugh, have a great time and
still get some exercise,” said Pecotte.
“They’re a great group of people.”
Hume said the friendship the team enjoys
goes beyond the wallyball court. “We go to
Telluride for a week and go skiing and in the
summer, we’ll all go to the lake. It’s one of
those situations where we all get along. It’s a
good bunch of people.”
“We’re an unlikely, but strangely compati-
ble group,” added Garcia. “These have been
some of my dearest and closest friends over
the years and wallyball was our catalyst. A
love and respect that has grown from a sim-
ple invite to play a friendly game has kept us
together and will continue to do so.”
The Farmington Recreation Center has three
courts available for wallyball. Courts may be
saved after 7 p.m. on Thursdays for games the
following week. The cost for the courts is $2 per
person and courts are available from 6 a.m. to
10 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m.
to 4 p.m. Saturdays.
12 Four Corners SPORtS APRIL 2015
On Feb. 2nd Punxsutawney Phil saw his
shadow assuring that there are six more
weeks until the state basketball tournament.
In the spring, San Juan County has been
nothing short of dominant, winning boys and
girls track, baseball and softball, and girls ten-
nis.
In the winter, it’s been all about wrestling
when it comes to state titles, Piedra Vista has
been on a half decade run and Bloomfield won
a title in 2014 and this season has been no dif-
ferent. Even with a change at the helm, the
Panthers moved on to their fifth consecutive
state championship.
Wrestling
It’s good to be Anthony Juckes. In five years
Juckes has won five individual and team state
championships. Juckes wrapped up title No. 5
with a pin at 145 pounds over Jerry Robinson
of Belen helping PV overcome a day one deficit
to the Eagles. Juckes won his first title as an
eighth grader at 106 pounds.
In 2012, Juckes moved up to 113 pounds
winning his second title followed by a third
title in 2013 at 132 pounds. In his junior cam-
paign Juckes moved up to 145 pounds winning
title No. 4. While only five other wrestlers have
ever accomplished what Juckes did individu-
ally in his career, he does have the distinction
of being the only wrestler with 5 individual and
5 team titles.
Juckes had plenty of teammates with which
to share the wealth for championship No. 5,
perhaps the most difficult, having to come
back from a first day deficit to Belen.
Story by Rick Hoerner | Photos by Curtis Ray Benally
Piedra Vista Wrestling team wins 5th consecutive title.
Anthony Juckes, Piedra Vista High School.
Winter prep sports PV Wrestling wins 5th straight title; rivalries in basketball, bowling
13Four Corners SPORTSAPRIL 2015
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Coach Michael Bejar’s squad met the chal-
lenge winning 5 individual championships in-
cluding a second consecutive state
championship from Philip Archuleta and Sam
Sandoval. Freshman Nick Rino and Wes Rayburn
rounded out the individual titles for the Pan-
thers. Wyatt Weaver placed second with Alberto
Martine and Tristan Dwinell finishing in third. PV
lost the services of defending state champion
Zach Ahlgrim to a mid-season injury.
Aztec’s Austin Littlefield placed third for the
Tigers. In Bloomfield the Bobcats finished fourth
led by Gage Krielick, Avery Scott and JD Robin-
son finished in second with Donny Trujillo and
Lorenzo LaMere finishing in 3rd. Kirtland Cen-
tral’s Aidan Cockrell was the only other San
Juan County individual champion at 132 pounds.
Bowling
On the lanes the state title came down to fa-
miliar cross-town rivals Piedra Vista and Farm-
ington who practice together weekly at Bowlero.
A state tournament preview had the title coming
down to three schools, the cross-town rivals
and Artesia. Farmington made its way to the
championship going undefeated while Piedra
Vista had to work its way back through the los-
ers bracket after losing its match with Artesia.
The Panthers went on to eliminate Española Val-
ley and Los Lunas before winning a rematch
with Artesia, leaving the Panthers with the diffi-
cult task of knocking off Farmington twice.
In the championship round Kelly Evers’ Pan-
thers worked their way to their fourth state title
adding trophies to their 2007, 2009 and 2013 ti-
tles. Individually Trey Franks led the Panthers
with high score and high series at the tourna-
ment as well as second high average statewide
over the season.
His sister Raegan, Kaitlin Joslin and Dallin
James joined Franks on the All-state team. For
Trey, it’s his third team championship in his five-
year career and the second for Raegan in three
years
For Farmington High, they have steadily
worked their way up to the podium. After finish-
ing 5th in 2012, the Scorpions finished in fourth
in 2013 and 2014 before reaching the champi-
onship round this year.
Basketball
When the announcement of the district
changes for the 2014-2015 prep season were an-
nounced, there was one sport that looked to
have drastic change – basketball. The district
traded one traditional power in Kirtland Central
for another in the Gallup Bengals.
While Miyamura seemed to have stepped back
after a strong showing last season, the Bengals
were what district opponents expected – a domi-
nant force on the floor. Gallup finished the dis-
trict season undefeated in both boys and girls.
Farmington finished a solid second in both divi-
sions losing only to Gallup. The Aztec girls fin-
ished in third along with the PV boys.
The Lady Scorpions under head coach Danny
Secrest continued to make giant strides this
year. Farmington finished 20-7, their best season
in a long time. Aztec also showed improvement,
finishing ahead of what should have been a
solid Piedra Vista squad. Farmington’s boys also
put up another solid season under Paul Corley
finishing 18-8. Piedra Vista finished third fol-
lowed by Aztec.
In the new District 1AAAA, as expected, Kirt-
land Central came in and took over the district
on the boys side. Despite winning only 10 games
total, the Broncos won eight of those in district
play to win the boys title. Devon Manning has
done a great job bringing Bloomfield back, fin-
ishing second at 7-3 followed by Shiprock at 6-4
in a district that may have the toughest road
schedule in the state.
On the girls side old rivalries were renewed
as Kirtland and Shiprock reacquainted them-
selves as district foes. Shiprock continued its
dominance of the district with the Lady Broncos
right behind. Bloomfield was the shocker of the
season coming in third at 15-12, their first solid
winning season in a while.
At Navajo Prep the Lady Eagles finished be-
hind Tohatchi, losing two close contests to the
Warriors. For the boys it’s been a difficult sea-
son finishing 5-21.
Now it is time for the weather to warm up,
the wind to pickup and spring sports to start
up.
Farmington Girls Basketball Coach Danny Secrest
Shooting enthusiasts will have the opportunity to compete for prizes and
trophies at the Second Annual San Juan County Sheriff’s 3-Gun Charity Chal-
lenge match, set for May 15 through 17 at the San Juan Wildlife Federation
range, 5652 U.S. Highway 64. the event begins at 7 a.m. each day.
Steve White, the event coordinator, said the match will include competi-
tors from throughout the Four Corners in a shooting match that involves
shooting a rifle, pistol and shotgun.
Categories include law enforcement, posse (civilians), females, juniors
(under 18 years of age), seniors (over 50 and less than 65 years old), Super
Seniors (those over 65) and military (active duty).
White said that this year the 3-Gun Organizing Committee met and de-
cided that they will reduce the number of shooting stages to 8 or 9 based on
the number of match staff available.
“there will probably be seven individual stages where competitors will
shoot a combination of tactical firearms (rifle, pistol and shotgun) at a vari-
ety of paper, steel and clay pigeon targets. the stages will represent situa-
tions that a law enforcement officer might encounter during a tactical
situation that may demand the use of firearms. One of the individual stages
will be a long range stage where the competitor will engage targets from 50
to 350 meters using primarily his rifle,” White said.
the other individual stages may use one or more of the tactical firearms
available to the competitor. the final stage is a team stage where a four-
man team engages a variety of targets ranging from 10 to 100 meters.
teams are predetermined at or before entering the match. Businesses that
are interested may sponsor a team or a stage for $480 and $500 respec-
tively, White added.
“the event is limited to 100 competitors and is open to public spectators.
ten stages – including scenarios engagement of various styles and types of
targets, nine individual stages and one team stage, (will be offered),” White
added. “the stages are scored using a combination of target hit scores,
penalties and time taken. the top three teams and top five individuals in
each of the categories will receive prizes and trophies.”
the match fee is $120 if participants register before May 1 and $124 after
that date. the U.S. practical Shooting Association’s 3-gun rules will apply.
For more information contact 3-Gun Coordinator Steve White at
505.320.3048 or visit www.sjcsofoundation.com/3GUN/
registration and a walkthrough of the course will begin at 7 a.m. with a
mandatory safety meeting at 7:30 a.m.
the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office Foundation is sponsoring the event
and proceeds with will benefit the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office Volun-
teers In partnership program and the San Juan Wildlife Federation.
the foundation’s president is Lisa Webb, a mortgage planner at Lisa L.
Webb, Guild Mortgage Co.; tommy Bolack, owner of B Square ranch is the
vice president; Cari Drake, business manager at Airstar, is the secretary;
and Steve White, retired from the U.S. Army, is the treasurer and guides the
foundation. Foundation directors include Alvin Klein of Bates Wells Advertis-
ing, and Kelly Eaves of Farmers Insurance.
15Four Corners SpOrtSAPRIL 2015
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Charity challenge will benefit San JuanCounty Sheriff’s Office Foundation
Story by Dorothy Nobis | Courtesy photos
16 Four Corners SPorTS APRIL 2015
It’s the fifth annual Winter Warrior 10K snow-
shoe race, founded by Steve Ilg, Wholistic Fitness
coach, and hosted by the Durango Nordic Center.
I am careening down a short 50-foot section of
hard packed snow and water ice, an overturned
turtle rocketing along on its polished shell. I slap
my feet down to the ground and beg the hobnails
in my running shoes to gain purchase, but it is
the aspen trees that finally stop my wild flight. I
quickly stand and look behind me to see if fourth
place runner, Mark Thurston of Flagstaff, Ariz.,
has passed me. No? Not yet?
“Hey! Nice slide,” Thurston calls out, quickly
passing behind me. I shake off the rush of my
tumble and do a quick system check– ankles?
Check. Shoulders? Yep, all good. Hip? Bruised
and a bit creaky. Perfect! Let’s get this thing
going again.
Transcending the Winter Warrior
Story and photos by Ben Brashear
Insight comes from stretching your limits into a new form
17Four Corners SportSAPRIL 2015
18 Four Corners SpOrTS APRIL 2015
Mud, grass, ice and snow
It’s a race like this that subverts all expec-
tations tearing at the thin veil of the perfunc-
tory like a wax strip yanked from yeti’s hairy
chest. It’s painful and there’s some shame in-
volved. The daytime high of 60-degrees nearly
took down a 30-year-old record, more than 30
percent of the course was mud and grass in-
terspersed with a creek crossing, water ice,
and hard packed snow. The difficult conditions
persisted despite hours of course mainte-
nance, rock hauling and clearing trees from
the course by Ilg in trying to keep the track
“snowshoe” friendly.
Most of the athletes arrived at the start line
with snowshoes in hand only to ditch them
later in favor of micro spikes. Only the most
dedicated athletes and those attempting to
qualify for snowshoe nationals, hosted in Eau
Claire, Wis., on Feb. 27, endured the excruciat-
ing challenge of the variable conditions, risk-
ing de-lamination of the top decking of their
snowshoes.
Often, though, it takes something out of the
ordinary, something as drastic as 60-degree
temperatures in the middle of February, to
wake us up from the comfort of our routine, to
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19Four Corners SpoRTSAPRIL 2015
rediscover the benefit of chaos and its ability
to redefine our perceptions. Chaos might be a
bit extreme, but it is unexpected change that
primes our mind and body to adapt and grow.
As of late I have been winding my way
through my morning jog and ski running half
asleep, and it continues on that way through-
out my workday. That is until four weeks prior,
when I found out that my mother had been en-
during incredible abdominal pain and might
have ovarian cancer. The doctors were “un-
sure of what” might be “benign or malignant,”
and so decided that there would have to be a
wholesale removal. Now that’s running face
first into oblivion. How do you take that on?
Rob Schultheis, local Telluride, Colo., author
and outdoorsman, argues that catharsis, ulti-
mate understanding, lay in what he has
dubbed “bone games.” A “game” in which the
modern athlete, through a challenging or even
a life-threatening experience, can obtain the
wisdom of a desert-wandering Moses or at-
tain the transcendence of a meditating sadhu
perched high up on the Lhotse Wall. Enduring,
struggling, pushing your physical limits is to
the athlete as pain is to the ritualistic shaman.
In doing so you can attain a super-fluid state
where the mind and body and environment
seem to work in conjunction producing hints
of revelation, of peace and understanding that
border on the religious.
Does the situation have to always be that
extreme to gain insight? I do not believe so. I
do believe that it simply takes pushing against
the elastic wall of your current limitations and
stretching them out into a new form. My op-
portunity to wrap my head around my
mother’s medical condition came when Steve
Ilg offered me the chance to run in his race. I
happily accepted his challenge, as it was a
chance, as Ilg would say in his coach’s voice,
“to train my weakness.”
Taking it all in stride
I stride out the stiffness in my hip from my
fall and cannot help but smile at how ridicu-
lous it must have looked to Thurston watching
the look on my face as I whipped my arms and
legs back and forth when I slid into the trees. I
am a few strides down the trail and I watch
Thurston flash through the pine trees as cur-
rent first place Drew Gunn, his salt and pep-
per fro, bounces over the hill with Lee
Rosenthal tight on his heels in second place
seeming only to taunt Gunn’s pace. I try to
match Thurston’s pace as I make my way to
the final 35-degree pitch of Last Gasp Hill.
The steepness of the climb slows my pace.
It forces me to drive each step with my hands
pressing hard into each quad. It feels as
though the fascia in my hip flexors is smolder-
ing as my lungs heave against my heart, which
beats like a broken-winged bird. I keep my
pace until I can taste the hint of metal on my
breath.
And it is here, perhaps at the mercy of my
endocrine system, in which the worries and
anxiety of life, of my mother and her ailment,
seem to become less daunting. Their mon-
strosity seems manageable.
My steps quicken into a sprint, hobnails
grip into the groomed track and I press to-
ward the final descent to the finish line. And
though, after crossing the line, I wasn’t shak-
ing the desert sand of Mount Sinai from my
shoes or dusting off the glacial ice from the
Lhotse Face, there was just enough challenge,
enough pain pressing into the wall of my limi-
tations that I swear I must have seen a burn-
ing bush out there somewhere along the
course.
20 Four Corners SPOrTS APRIL 2015
The swimming and diving teams from Farm-
ington High School and Piedra Vista wrapped
up an extremely successful seasons at the
2015 NMAA Swimming and Diving State Cham-
pionships at the Albuquerque Academy Natato-
rium in Albuquerque on Feb. 20 and 21.
With both squads being extremely young
and with bright futures in the not too distant
future, Coach Miguel Ortiz and Coach Karen
McCay were very pleased with the results for
the year.
“They blew my expectations out of the water,”
said Ortiz. “There was no way I could have been
prepared for this amount of time drop. It all
came together. This year was a winner.”
McCay was also extremely happy with her
team from Piedra Vista meeting the goals she
had set for the season.
“The team met my goals for the season ex-
actly,” said McCay. “This year, I wanted two
athletes to qualify for state based on time
standards. Two of my swimmers were able to
do that. We also maxed out our diving entries
for the boys, taking four divers to state. And
we were also able to qualify one relay team.”
To qualify for state, swimmers and divers
are able to qualify during the season based on
their times for the event or their scores in div-
ing. Both also are able to qualify during the dis-
trict meet the week prior to the state
championships by finishing either first or sec-
ond in their respective event.
Overall, the Farmington High School boys fin-
ished in 15th place out of 32 teams, while the
girls team finished 18th out of 23 teams com-
peting.
SUCCESSFUL SEASONPV, FHS swimming, diving squads have bright future
Story by Tom Yost
21Four Corners SPORTSAPRIL 2015
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Notable high finishers for Farmington High
School included as follows:
100 Breaststroke
Nathan Isaacson placed 7th - dropping 3.18 sec
off his best time
200 Medley Relay
Boys (Marshall Magnuson, Nathan Isaacson,
Trenton Grossheim, Jeb Pinckley) placed 8th -
dropping 3.09 sec off best time
Girls (Raimi Clark, Mishael Isaacson, Octavia
Homka, Kayla Farnsworth) placed 14th - dropping
2.47 sec off best time
100 Butterfly
Trenton Grossheim placed 11th - dropping 2.55
sec off best time
On the diving side of things for Farmington
High School, diving coach Ian Donald was also ex-
tremely happy with the results from the season.
“The state meet was a huge success for both
the FHS boys and girls teams,” said Donald. “We
have been a small and tight knit team throughout
the season. Being so close has helped the kids
push each other to the next level. In the 1 meter
diving championships Raimi Clark took 12th
place and Claire Madera took 18th place. After
seeing the overall improvement from last year to
this year, I know these girls will only get better
and better.”
For Piedra Vista, they qualified nine total ath-
letes for the state meet including a full comple-
ment of boys divers, along with two swimmers
and one relay team.
Ammon Seavey for the boys diving team fin-
ished in 5th place, while Benjamin Van Otteson
just barely missed qualifying for the finals.
McCay will be losing Seavey to graduation this
year, but is extremely excited for Bodee DeWees
to carry the torch for PV Diving.
“We had the only eighth grader that qualified
for state in diving this year and it was one of
those magic moments,” said McCay. “Ammon
Seavey was also a state qualifier as an eighth
grader, and acknowledged himself that Bodee ac-
tually had a harder diving list and is a more con-
trolled diver as an eighth grader than Ammon
was at the same age.”
“Sophomore Shayla Moffitt also performed ex-
tremely well at State,” added McCay. “She nearly
recorded a senior zone time for USA Swimming
in the breast stroke, missing by only .41 sec-
onds.”
Going forward, both teams are losing a few
seniors, but both FHS and PVHS have a ton of
young talent in the eighth grade and freshman
years to build quality programs in the future.
“We are losing leadership with Nathan Isaac-
son,” explained Ortiz. “But we are retaining a lot
of experience at the freshmen and eighth grade
levels. We also have an extremely deep girls
squad and are very excited for the future.”
McCay is in a similar position, losing a few sen-
iors but reloading with a crop of young talent at
the eighth and ninth grade levels.
“We met our goals for this year,” said McCay.
“So next year we will increase our expectations
for the team to get better, and as they get older
they will gain experience. We lose three veteran
seniors and five other seniors that were compet-
ing at the high school level for the first time. The
rest of our team consisted of sophomores, fresh-
men and eighth graders. We are an extremely
young team and very excited for what the future
holds.”
22 Four Corners SPORTS APRIL 2015
in the news the past month has been two
interesting stories on cheating. Both went
past the realm of sports to the opening of
news.
First there was the story now known as
“Deflategate,” it would be nice to find a new
term for scandals which doesn’t end in gate.
Then came the news that the chicago Jackie
Robinson All-Stars, that represented the
United States in the Little League World Se-
ries, used players that were not in their as-
signed district.
As a society the edict of “cheaters never
prosper” has been replaced with, “if you’re
not cheating, you’re not trying.” As a former
teacher i was once shocked at the amount of
cheating that went on in the schools where i
taught – by the end of my career, not so
much. cheating has gone main-
stream. it has become situa-
tional. it is even
encouraged as long as
the means brings
about the desired
result - winning.
Let’s play a
game that guaran-
tees a family fight on
game night, Scruples, and de-
cide which of these scenarios are cheating
and which are not.
First scenario: Runners on first and third
in the bottom of the ninth inning with a tie
game, one out with a ground ball toward sec-
ond. The second baseman picks it up and
tosses the ball toward the shortstop behind
second. The shortstop, nowhere near
second, makes the turn for two and the
round doesn’t score; extra innings.
Scenario Two: You are watching Game 5 of
NBA series. One that is remarkably 2-2 with
one team the predominate favorite with an
NBA superstar, and the other a bunch of
upstarts like the Atlanta Hawks. During a piv-
otal sequence a foul doesn’t get called on
one end but on the other the superstar
draws a foul and heads to the line. The color
commentator, a former player himself, be-
gins explaining that this is how it works. “Su-
perstars have earned that call,” he calmly
and matter-of-factly states.
Scenario Three: During the summer your
child’s local high school team is playing in a
summer league, pick the sport. You’re rela-
tively familiar with all the other local teams
and notice that one of the teams has a new
player, a “cousin” who is staying with the
family during the summer. Fast forward to
the season and there they are playing for the
same team.
The answers here are
quite simple. it depends
on which color uniform
you’re rooting for. if
your team missed the
bag or didn’t get called
for the penalty you’re not
complaining and likely are
telling the other side to stop whin-
ing. if your player didn’t get the call or
suddenly the odds are stacked against you,
more than likely you’re crying foul. in reality
we have accepted cheating if we get to the ul-
timate goal – the win.
We have totally accepted cheating as a fact
of life. in the classroom cheating can range
from the desperation of not wanting a failing
grade to “it’s just not that big of deal.” The
same can be said outside the classroom and
on to the field. To some degree cheating has
always been situational. it’s risk reward. Ath-
letes and coaches weigh that risk. So morals,
that seem so high on the list until they come
to success or failure, disappear quickly. Do i
cork the bat? Do i curve the hockey stick? Do
i use a little stick ’em? Do i take the PED? Do i
blur the boundaries? Do i alter the ball?
All these questions seem to be irrelevant
to the home team. While every other baseball
city in the country detests Barry Bonds, not
San Francisco. While all other fans are up in
arms over the pressure of footballs, not Pa-
triot fans. The Yankees are considering retir-
ing Andy Pettitte’s number despite admitting
steroid use.
Why?
He won games in the playoffs. As a sport-
ing society we have even cherished the
cheater. in 1991 baseball added Gaylord
Perry to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Perry was
an admitted cheater in his career using for-
eign substances on the ball while the Hall
keeps out the baseball’s all-time hits leader.
Everyone is looking for a competitive edge
and it’s interesting how society draws the
line from advantage to cheating. Baseball
has a code about the immoral sign stealer
from second base but no problem shorting
the bag on a double play.
While the pressure to win blurs the moral
line, it still comes down to what color of uni-
form you cheer for. consider that chicago
apologist and Pardon the interruption host
Michael Wilbon defended Jackie Robinson
West, stating that the children should pay for
the crimes of the adults as did the mayor of
chicago, Rahm Emanuel, who still plans on is-
suing championship rings to a team stripped
of their title. What is the lesson learned?
Just this past week in Tennessee two
teams tried to intentionally lose a game to
get a better matchup at the state tourna-
ment. Finally, one team’s administrator chas-
tised the coach and the team went on to win
by 26. But this says all you need to know
about win at all cost sports.
Where were the parents?
Did anyone question two coaches that im-
plied players should intentionally miss shots,
hand the ball over to the other team or even
attempt shots at the wrong baskets? Of
course not. in the long run making a mockery
of everything competitive sports is supposed
RickHOERNEREditorial columnist
CHEATERSThese days it is that you win, not how you play the game
23Four Corners SPortSAPRIL 2015
to be about on the chance of ad-
vancing one more round in the
state tournament has become the
norm.
I was once part of a game in
which my opponent was down 3
with under a minute to go and
stalled out to get a home game in
the district tournament by point
differential.
Maybe somewhere along the
way we lost our innocence when
we began teaching that the whole
story of George Washington chop-
ping down the cherry tree and re-
fusing to lie about it became a
myth replacing legend. Maybe it
has become our cynical nature to
not trust the other side is an hon-
est competitor. After all, everyone
is doing it. Perhaps it is just that
we’ve become a win at all cost so-
ciety whether it is in love, politics
or sport.
Apparently it is that you win, not
how you play the game.
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26 Four Corners SPoRTS APRIL 2015
Shaleen Brown admits she has a need – a
need for speed.
When Brown saw members of the Rio
Grande Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) rac-
ing against themselves and others at courses
set up in the parking lot at McGee Park, she de-
cided it was something she wanted to do. And
when she watched her neighbor, Scotty
Lasater, load up his car to head to those same
races, that need for speed went from an “I
want to do it” to an “I will do it.”
Brown shared her need with her husband,
Lonny, who began searching for a car for his
daredevil wife. While searching on Craig’s List
for something else, Lonny saw an ad for a race
car. “It was a really good price,” he said. Check-
ing with his friends who were more knowl-
edgeable about SCCA cars than he was, Lonny
discovered it was a good car and a good price
– and he bought it.
The 1972 Triumph Spitfire wasn’t a pretty
car, however. Spraypainted an ugly brown,
Shaleen wasn’t impressed with it when she
saw the photograph. “But I knew my husband
was really good at making things pretty,” she
said with a laugh.
It wasn’t just the ugly color of the car that
needed work. It was just about everything.
“There wasn’t any power steering and it was a
poor, ugly little car,” Lonny said. “We took it all
apart, did a lot of body work and painted it.”
With the help of his employees (Lonny owns
B&B Truck Parts), Lonny also had to replace
the engine – after Shaleen blew it up on a
practice round, and before her first scheduled
race.
Shaleen wasn’t sure she was prepared for
that first race, however. “It was a two-day run
at McGee Park, and I was getting ready,” she
remembered. “I said ‘maybe I should just go
watch (the race)’ and Lonny said no.”
SCCA racing satisfies
Shaleen Brown’s love of bothStory by Dorothy Nobis | Photos by Josh Bishop
“Shehadbustedthemotorandwehadworkedonitforweeks,get-
tingitreadyforhertodrive,”Lonnysaidwithalaugh.“therewasno
wayshewasnotgettinginthatcarandgoingoutthere.”
WhileneitheroftheBrownswerefamiliarwithSCCAracing,their
learningcurvewashandledaseasilyasShaleendoestheracecourses.
thecoursesarechangedaftereachrace,providingadditionalchal-
lengesforthedrivers.orangeconesdefinethecourse,whichincludes
sharpturns.Ifadriverhitsacone,it’satwo-pointpenalty.Driversare
allowedtowalkthecoursepriortoeachrace,butwalkingitisn’tthe
sameasdrivingit.
“thegoalistogetthroughthecourseasquicklyandcleanlyaspossi-
ble,”Shaleensaid,addingthatotherdriverstoldhertoclosehereyes
andseethecoursebeforeshegetsbehindthewheel.thedrivermust
focus.“Youhavetokeeplookingaheadandlookwayahead,”shesaid.“I
thinkit’smademeabetterdriverwithmyeverydaydriving,too.”
Shaleenhasbeendrivingforalmostayear.LastApril,sheattended
theBobBondurantDrivingSchoolinChandler,Ariz.Whiletheschool
doesn’temphasizethekindofracingShaleendoes,shesaidshelearned
alotaboutracecardriving.
“IdroveahighspeedtrackinanewCorvette,”shesaidwithahuge
smile.“Itwasfourdaysofanadrenalinerush.”
thatadrenalinerushissomethingShaleenenjoysinherownrace
car.Whileshe’sbeenknowntogetlostonacourseandshe’sspunout
onoccasion,herself-confidencehasincreased.“Youthinkyouknow
whereyou’reat(onthecourse)andallofasudden,theconesalllook
alike,”shesaid,adding,“butinthelastfewmonths,Idon’tfeellikethat
anymore.”
theSCCAseasonrunsfromMarchthroughNovember,withracesabout
everythreeweeks.ShaleenraceslocallyandinAlbuquerque.outoftown
racesareusuallyjustone-dayraces,whichisjustoneofthereasonsthe
BrownslovetheSCCA.Becausetheyhaveafamilyandjobs(Shaleenisa
clinicdirectoratSanJuanregionalMedicalCenter,whereshe’sbeenem-
ployedfor25years),racingSaturdaysgivesthemtheopportunitytoenjoy
thesport,whilestillhavingtimeforfamily.theapproximately30club
memberswhoracewithShaleenhavebecomegoodfriendsandthe
Brownsarequicktocreditclubmembersfortheirsupport.
“theclubpeoplehavebeensowelcomingandsoeagertosharetheir
knowledge,”Shaleensaid.theclub’sfirstFarmingtonracethisseason
isApril18-19atMcGeepark.thereisnochargetobeaspectator.
Aswithanysport,thereisanemphasisonsafety,Lonnysaid.“Acer-
tifiedSCCAtechnicalinspectorinspectseverycarforsafety.thereare
workersonthecoursewithfireextinguishers,redflagsandradios.If
someonegetsoffthecourseorspinsout,theythrowtheredflag(which
allowsracerstoknowthere’stroubleonthetrackandtheymuststop
wheretheyareonthecourse).”
27Four Corners SportSAPRIL 2015
* Shaleen Brown 31
28 Four Corners SpORTS APRIL 2015
Hidden Valley Golf Course has been a fix-
ture in the Aztec community for many years.
Once a 9-hole gem owned and operated by
the Armstrong Family, it was converted into
an 18-hole facility at the turn of the new mil-
lennium where it was privately owned and
operated by a partnership headed by David
Bacon.
In the fall of 2014, Hidden Valley closed its
doors and went on the market for sale. The
city of Aztec had not been without a golf
course for the better part of 50 years, and
now the future was uncertain.
That is when City Manager Josh Ray
stepped in. An avid golfer, himself, Ray saw
the facility as an asset that was worth look-
ing into by a municipality, set up through the
city’s enterprise fund.
“Hidden Valley is an awesome asset,” ex-
plained Ray. “Ever since I have been here, we
have known that this is an excellent asset for
our community. When you have it in your
community you need to be able to capitalize
on it.”
The asset to which Ray refers is an already
established 18-hole golf facility that seam-
lessly falls into the community lifestyle cher-
ished by many in the Four Corners.
“The course is already built and has been
here,” added Ray. “The city of Aztec is a
recreational hub for outdoor activities as
part of the Four Corners and the state of New
Mexico. For us, this is another recreational
outreach for our community. We already have
mountain biking, fishing, hiking, the Ruins,
off-roading, and now the golf course. All of
the hidden (Valley)
opportunityAztec changing 18-hole facility into ‘true’ municipal golf course
Story by Tom Yost
29Four Corners SpORTSAPRIL 2015
these activities get people outside and enjoy-
ing the beauty of New Mexico.”
The decision was not automatic for the
Aztec City Commissioners, who were ex-
tremely thorough in the analysis of the ac-
quisition.
“It was a very difficult decision for our city
commissioners,” said Ray. “But we felt that
this offer needed to be moved on.”
Ray is confident that the plans for the fa-
cility will allow for maximum volume, at-
tracting community members to experience
and enjoy the golf course.
“There is a major difference between how
we will operate the golf course, as opposed
to how it was operated in the past,” ex-
plained Ray. “We will operate it as a true mu-
nicipal golf course out of our enterprise
fund. It will have to be revenue positive for
us to stay in the business.”
An extremely difficult task in today’s mar-
ket, with the decline of golf being well docu-
mented nationally.
“Golf may be on the decline and this is a
huge risk – not a huge dollar risk, but as an
investment risk. Long term we want to figure
out how to market the Aztec Municipal Golf
Course at Hidden Valley as a major asset to
our community.”
How will the city of Aztec operate the
newly acquired golf course to make money
instead of losing it? The short and long term
plans have been laid out to operate on an ex-
tremely tight operating budget and solely to
stress the playing of the game.
“Our goal is to create a course with vol-
ume,” added Ray. “We want to sell member-
ships and have a lot of traffic. We are not in
the business to teach people how to play
golf; we are not looking to deter people from
other avenues. We want to offer a quality
golf course at a quality rate.”
“We will not have a full time golf profes-
sional on staff. We will have an admin assis-
tant to manage the day-to-day operations as
well as the parks and recreations depart-
ment. We will have a full time course super-
intendent to make sure the facility is in top
quality shape for our customers.”
Ray is also excited to announce an afford-
able rate structure that, for many golfers in
this community, is going to be hard to pass
up.
“We want to offer an annual golf member-
ship for $250 to all San Juan County govern-
ment employees and local school employees.
We will also charge those same employees
$250 for a yearly cart fee, if so desired. Our
goal is membership, volume and traffic,” ex-
claimed Ray.
Regular membership will be $500 for the
year and $500 for the cart, with daily green
fees at $20 and $5 for the cart. All prices will
have tax added.
And if the short-term goals are success-
ful, the long-term future of the Aztec Munici-
pal Golf Course at Hidden Valley will be in
great hands, backed by a tight-knit commu-
nity.
“We want to market something different
and unique for the community. We want the
golf course to be seen as an additional asset
that our citizens can truly benefit from.”
30 Four Corners sPORTs APRIL 2015
Why was the Foundation created? 1
What benefit is the Foundation to the sheriff's Office and the
people who work there?
2
What is the benefit to the citizens of san Juan County?3
Who do people contact if they want to be involved?4
What projects has the Foundation supported thus far? 5
are any of the members of the sheriff's Office
actively involved in the Foundation?
6
How are they involved?7
are there similar foundations in the area?8
How much money has the Foundation raised?9
Who may enter the 3-Gun Challenge and how
much participation do you expect?
10
Lisa Webb is president of the board for the san Juan sheriff’s Office Foundation
and is a mortgage planner at Lisa L. Webb, Guild Mortgage Company.
There are many members of the san Juan County sheriff’s
Office involved in the programs and events of the sOF. sheriff
Ken Christesen actively encourages members of the sO to be
involved in the community. Every sOF program has a
commander from within the sO as well as assistance from
interested deputies and civilian staff.
The Foundation is a labor of love for many in the community
and close to the heart of many in law enforcement as you
see at events like shop with Your Cop, which exceeded our
goal of 100 kids having a better Christmas in 2014. Each sOF
Event has a corresponding Foundation board member. alvin
Klein was instrumental in making sure the 2014 shop with
Your Cop was a great success, and Cari Drake made the
Breakfast with Your sheriff successful.
san Juan County sheriff’s Office Foundation raised almost
$45,000 to assist with programs.
The 3-Gun Charity Challenge can be entered by anyone who
fits into the two categories of civilian or law enforcement.
anyone interested in entering or sponsoring can reach the
event by calling sJCsOF Board Member and Event
Coordinator steve White at 505.320.3048 or online at
http://sjcsofoundation.com/3gun/
There are similar 501(c)(3)’s assisting some governmental
entities.
The Foundation sponsors many civic events/programs like
the Women against Crime Class, as well as funding
programs that enable accredited volunteers to make a
difference in the sheriff’s Office – from additional civilian
office staff to the Reserve Program that provides the
manpower necessary for emergencies.
The san Juan County sheriff’s Office Foundation was
created to expand the outreach into the community to
establish programs and secure additional funding for
broader assistance for the needs of san Juan County.
The benefit to the citizens of san Juan County is a safer
community with more help on the streets, more help within
the sheriff’s Office to assist with budget cuts, and a means
for great programs to reach kids in need with shop With
Your Cop. in addition, the program helps keep people safer
with programs such as the Reserve Deputy Program, County
Neighborhood Watch and Women against Crime class.
anyone interested in assisting with any sJCOsOF program
can call the sOF at 505.334.6108. There is a short application
to start, followed by a full background and interview with
Commanders. There are many areas of need for volunteers
and funding to meet anyone’s civic interest.
The sJCsOF supports programs and events to raise funds for
outreach into the community to make a positive difference.
We have supported the Reserve Deputy Program, Women
against Crime class (held twice a year at the sO) san Juan
County Neighborhood Watch, Victim services for victims of
domestic violence, Breakfast with the sheriff, Energy alliance
Golf Tournament, Court Watch to review repeat offenders
and their prosecution results and, of course, the 3-Gun
Charity Challenge with the san Juan Wildlife Federation.
LisaWEBB
31Four Corners SpoRTSAPRIL 2015
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All drivers are required to wear SNELL
certified helmets. Modified race cars are
equipped with safety harnesses, roll bars,
and kill switches for fuel on the outside of
the car, which allows race workers to stop
the flow of the fuel if needed.
And while Shaleen drives a race pre-
pared car, street cars are most often
driven for SCCA races. More than 50 per-
cent of the cars are every day drivers. It’s
not how much you spend; it is about bet-
tering yourself as a driver and having
fun,” Lonny said.
The Browns paid $5,500 for Shaleen’s
car and have invested about $20,000 in the
total race operation. The biggest expense
is fuel – $7 a gallon – and tires – $350 per
tire. They use about four sets of tires per
year. “The tires come from England on a
boat to California or the East Coast,”
Lonny said.
Shaleen has no desire – yet – to move
on to another race car division. “I like the
challenge of the turns,” she said, adding
her experience at the Bob Bondurant Driv-
ing School made her appreciate those who
drive on round tracks.
“Round track racing takes a lot of con-
centration,” she said, adding that if she
raced on round track racing, “my brain
would go ‘oh, look at that butterfly,’ be-
cause I don’t think I could concentrate for
that long of a period of time.”
While most professional drivers are
men, Shaleen said about 30 percent of
SCCA drivers are women, and encourages
women – and everyone else – to attend a
race. “They can ride with me,” she offered.
“It’s really a lot of fun.”
It is fun the Browns share. And while
Lonny supports his wife’s racing and
takes care of the car, there is one thing he
has yet to do with her.
“I haven’t ridden with her,” he admitted.
“I just take care of her car.”
Shaleen Brown continued from 27
It would have been a good movie. one
of those action packed, star studded
movies that rakes in a gazillion dollars
the weekend it opens and continues to
give the mega-millionaires a billion dollars
a day for the next seven days (none of which
they will donate to NN’s favorite charity of
which NN is the chairman of the board and the
beneficiary) and until the next big movie gets
underway the following week.
the 2015 Daytona 500 would be a movie
NASCAr Nellie would like to direct, produce,
choreograph, edit, do hair and makeup and
star in. NN could do all of those things. Maybe
not well, but NN has, in her varied “career,”
stayed at several Holiday Inns (under several
different names, to confuse her “fans,” aka law
enforcement personnel who remain convinced
she is some kind of curse they must bear on
accounta some of her “known associates”
aren’t the kind you’d bring home to momma
or your fourth grade teacher. Whatever), and
has done hair and makeup in a for
reals beauty salon (they now call ’em
beauty spas and the hair stylists – who
were known as “beauticians” when NN
was in the field – all look like movie stars
theirownselves) and she took tap dancing
lessons and helped choreograph the Big
recital.
NN’s tap dancing instructor got confused,
though, and gave NN the wrong address of
the Big recital, so NN didn’t get to show her
choreographing skills to the huge audience
NN heard the for reals Br had in the right ad-
dress. NN has also edited some in her profes-
sional career. She’s had to edit doctor’s
prescriptions, judge’s decisions and, occa-
sionally, a note from the mother of a con-
victed misdemeanor person. NN is nothing if
not able versatile. Just sayin’ . . . .
32 Four Corners SportS APRIL 2015
Nascar Nellie’s ready to put on her director/producer hat
Daytona 500 – Daytona 500 – the movie!the movie!
Daytona 500 – Daytona 500 – the movie!the movie!
33Four Corners SPORTSAPRIL 2015
For starters, this year is Jeff Gordon’s final
year. Ole Jeffey is retiring while he’s on top,
or almost on top, and while he is still one of
the BFFs of the sports most popular driver,
Dale Earnhardt Jr., who makes everyone want
to be his BFF. NN didn’t useta like Jeff Gordon.
When he first crashed the NASCAR party, most
of the drivers were rednecked dudes who en-
joyed getting under the car and mechanicking
as much as they did getting behind the wheel
and driving.
Jeff was a
young, pretty boy,
and Dale Earn-
hardt Sr. took
great pleasure in
making fun of
Jeff, who sported
a mustache back
then, thinking it
would make him
look older. It
didn’t really – in
fact, NN is pretty
sure he used eye-
brow pencil or a
black marker to
draw that mus-
tache on, but it
was kinda cute
and NN felt kinda
sorry for him.
After Junior,
the sport’s most
popular driver for
the eleventeenth time in a row, left his wicked
stepmother, who treated him like Cinderfella
and was sooo not nice to him, and went to
Hendrick and became a teammate of Gordon
and Jimmie Johnson (NN still has a hard time
shopping at Lowe’s on accounta she was
never a JJ fan and if NN isn’t a fan of a driver,
she never EVER supports the companies that
sponsor those drivers. Just so’s ya know), NN
felt an obligation not to hate, hate, hate and
to shake, shake, shake her intense dislike for
JG and JJ because it’s always all about Jun-
ior. Just sayin’. . . .
Anyway, Gordon’s final season will be tough
for him and the fans. NN is pretty sure Jeff’s
gonna get as tired of reporters asking him
what it’s like to know it’s the last time he’s
gonna race ??? track and how does he feel, as
the fans are. A former reporter herownself
(NN was an small time anchor on a small time
television station and had no staff, so she was
forced to make up a coupla stories or two or
three, thinking no one would ever know. In
retrospect, NN should have known that at
some point, people would question her sto-
ries about being abducted by aliens, who mis-
took her for one of the seven virgins and
when they found out she wasn’t what they
thought she was, they tossed her out of the
UFO and she landed in a volcano that was
about to erupt and Navy sailors rescued her
when they heard her screaming like a ban-
shee. Whatever), NN thinks those reporters
could come up with some better questions.
Like how’s it going to feel to be able to go
to the bathroom whenever you want on race
days, and will you be glad not to answer some
of the really dumb questions people ask you,
and how much money is in your 401(k) and
can you live on it or will you have to get a
part-time job like most people?
So Jeff’s last Daytona 500 was s’posed to
be the Big Story of the weekend. And while it
was and all of the drivers signed a windshield
for Jeffey, stating how much the admire him,
have been fans of his since they were 3 and
how much they’re gonna miss him (no one
said what they prob’ly really feel – that
they’re glad he’s finally leaving so they don’t
have to worry about racing him to the win or
for the spot or to the garage, where they can
finally go to the bathroom), Danica Patrick
and Denny Hamlin pretty much took over the
headlines when Danica got into Denny’s face
after he spun her out during practice. NN
watched the movie (she also offered to edit it,
putting Junior in there somewhere, maybe re-
ferring, on account he IS the sport’s most
popular driver, but that phone call/text mes-
sage/email never got returned. Whatever)
and was proud of Danica for calling Denny
out.
Denny tried to calm her down, saying it
wasn’t his fault, and put his hands on her
shoulders, trying to comfort her – or make
sure she couldn’t haul off and smack him
alongside of his
head, which is
prob’ly what she
really wanted to
do. That was a big
deal, and the
media had a hey-
day with it.
Then came the
Nationwide Series
(NN doesn’t al-
ways watch Na-
tionwide races on
accounta they’re
like the minor
league in baseball
or the world
league in football,
but she does sup-
port some of the
drivers there – no-
tably her former
Sweet Baboo,
Eliott Sadler, who
threw NN and her love and devotion under the
NASCAR trailer when some pretty young thing
came along – and he found out wasn’t one of
the seven virgins (he had seen the news that
one night when NN needed a story quick and
a better “clip” for her ever expanding re-
sumé), and that nice Kyle Larson, who is a
racing buddy of my grandsons from another
grandfamily, Bradley and Josh Huish). Kyle
Busch, who for years was known as Boo-hoo
Busch by NN on accounta he whined all the
time and blamed everybody else for his bad
attitude and his not-exactly-Jeff Gordon-looks,
crashed during the race, slamming a not-so-
safe barrier and broke his leg.
That took Kyle (who married that beautiful
Samantha, who evidently found something in
Boo-hoo that NN and a gazillion other fans
have missed over the years and who is carry-
ing Boo-hoo’s baby, who we can all hope and
* Nascar Nellie 35
34 Four Corners SporTS APRIL 2015
I always consider it cheating when winter
forgets it is winter and turns back into fall.
The month of February was unbelievably
gorgeous as many residents in our area took
advantage of the mild temperatures and
sunshine to get active outdoors. With so many
options at our disposal, the activities become
infinite in how our community wants to spend
our free time.
With all of the options being chosen, the
game of golf is suffering what many are
calling “a decline.” The experts are saying that
the game just doesn’t fit into the lifestyles of
Generation X and Y (millennials) as time
restraints and computer-generated entertain-
ment are dominating their attention and
expendable income. According to the “expert,”
golf is antiquated, too slow and isn’t very
much fun to most of those who are not playing
it.
With that being said, I am not naïve enough
to think that the game is for everybody.
Do I think the game is in trouble?
Yes and No.
It was in decline from the late 1990s and
early 2000s when the boom of golf exploded
with the interest caused by Tiger Woods. Then
I look at programs like The First Tee, compa-
nies like TopGolf and ideas like Foot Golf and
think that the game is going to be just fine
going forward.
I also believe that the mindset of con-
sumers is being dramatically altered by the
technological advancement that has been hap-
pening for the better part of 25 years. That is
not going away and neither is the “instant
gratification” of apps and games that are
dominating the lives of so many who are being
drawn to them like the songs of the Sirens did
to odysseus in Homer’s The odyssey.
Too many lives are being altered in a nega-
tive way for the tipping point from the com-
puter games to outdoor activities/real life
experiences not to occur – and I think that it
is coming sooner than you think.
The game of golf is the furthest thing from
instant gratification as there is on this earth.
It is a complete 180-degree change from the
reset button on a video game. The formula for
the game is passion and hard work, but noth-
ing is ever guaranteed – especially becoming
a great player.
Golf – if given a chance – offers so much
more than is often perceived. Those who be-
come involved in the game start describing it
in terms of a romantic relationship or as a
healthy addiction that keeps them coming
back. I believe that while golf might not be for
everybody, it is one of the few options that of-
fers something for everyone.
I feel that the masses are going to start
gravitating back to the outdoors, with their
families involved – and what better activity is
there for the generational gap than the game
of golf? The game spans generations where a
6-year-old can play with an 80-year-old and
both can beat a 25-year-old.
Golf is a social gathering where 40 minutes
of the four-hour rounds are spent concentrat-
ing on the game and the other 3-plus hours
are spent in the company of good friends,
family or strangers who share your passion.
The game offers an hour (or five) respite
from the grind that is computer screens, obli-
gations, deadlines and stress. And when all is
said and done, the stresses of life and work
and family are still there – but the memories
of spending a memorable two hours with your
daughter (son, dad, friend) playing golf will
last for the rest of your (and their) life.
Time, unfortunately, does not stand still –
but the less time younger generations experi-
ence and enjoy what life has to offer, the more
likely they are going to look back and regret
their time spent. Golf is a wonderful activity to
get outside, slow down and experience all of
the nuances that make the game so special to
so many. And with so many wonderful golfing
experiences in The Four Corners, I would en-
courage you to give it a try – or a second
chance.
The game of golf isn’t dying, it is just wait-
ing patiently for you to experience all it truly
has to offer.
TomYOSTThe First Tee
Golf has a lot to offer for all ages
The greaT ouTdoors
35Four Corners SPoRTSAPRIL 2015
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pray has his mother’s good looks) out of the M&Ms car (NN invested
all of the Perfect Child’s inheritance in M&M collectibles when her
Sweet Baboo drove the M&M car and, as much as NN loves M&Ms, she
no longer buys them on accounta she is nothing if not loyal to her
drivers, even when they toss her aside like an old oil rag – NN does
still eat M&Ms, she just doesn’t buy ’em, which caused a huge layoff at
the M&M factory. NN didn’t get her fuller figure from eating carrots
and cauliflower, ya know) and put him in the hospital, where he
watched the Daytona 500 on one of those little televisions they put in
hospital rooms.
But it wasn’t just Boo-hoo who missed the Big Race. His Big Bro,
Kurt, also missed the big show and the first of Jeff Gordon’s last races
and, NN is guessing, the signing of the windshield, on accounta Kurt is
in big trouble with the law enforcement people who used to dog NN,
watching her every move and her every text/email/phone calls. No one
knows when/if the Busch Brothers will return to the track, but NN’s
putting her three cents on Boo-hoo. Just sayin’ . . . .
The Big Race and the Big Show were exciting and fun. NN loves the
pre-race festivities, especially when the announcers introduce Junior,
the sport’s most popular driver, and the fans go wild and you can ac-
tually feel the earth move and the angels sing, and when the jets do
the big fly-over and when someone you’ve never heard of sings the Na-
tional Anthem. NN always cries when she hears the National Anthem
on accounta she’s proud of her country and all it stands for. NN always
stands when they sing the NA, even when she’s in the ladies room tak-
ing care of business. Whatever.
NN loved the race. She loved it when Junior took the lead and the
fans roared and the ground shook and the angels sang, and she en-
joyed the several big wrecks, ’specially when no one is injured. NN
loved it that some of her not-so-favorite drivers – like Braggart Brad
Keselowski, who is the least most favorite driver in the sport – don’t
do well. NN raises her glass of Sweet Cherry Pie wine to toast the bad
luck of BBK each and every time he screws up.
NN is not a fan of Joey Logano, who went on to win the race, after a
“questionable” call by the NASCAR officials to end the race in a
green/white/checkered flag, which, in NN’s expert opinion, was done
so Junior, the sports most popular driver and who was running third
and would have caught Little Joey and won if half of the field didn’t
wreck in the final laps wouldn’t win on accounta NASCAR is trying to
get younger viewers. NN is happy Little Joey got married during the off
season and he has a cute little wife and they’ll prob’ly have cute little
Joeys and Samanthas and NN loves a good love story. NN can’t remem-
ber exactly why she doesn’t like Little Joey, but it musta been some-
thing big.
NN is glad the NASCAR season has returned. She loves her NASCAR
faves and really, really doesn’t like her NASCAR non-faves. NN drinks
Mountain Dew, has Nationwide Insurance, tried to enlist in the Na-
tional Guard (they cited NN’s age and her background check as rea-
sons – NN thinks the National Guard people are nice and lovely, but
don’t have much of a sense of humor, on accounta all of those things
in her background were “committed” with the good of the Nation in
mind. Whatever).
NN hopes Jeffey enjoys his last season, that Kyle Larson and Trevor
Bayne have good years, that Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus play
well together this year, that Tony Stewart (who refused to weigh in for
the Big Race and, after seeing him in his driver’s suit, NN understands
why) gets his groove back, loses a little weight and wins some races,
and that Junior, the sports most popular driver, wins a championship
and creates a celebration within Junior Nation that not only makes the
Earth move, but the whole entire universe. Just sayin’ . . . .
Nascar Nellie continued from 33
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