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CC Bulldogs win Texas Tech rodeo
The Clarendon College men’s rodeo team is reeling off victories like the Dallas Cowboys in the 1990s.
Riding the backs of its bronc busters and bareback riders, the Bulldogs have won three events in a row, most recently at Texas Tech University this past weekend. With that, Clarendon College moved to within 60 points of Southwest Region leader Western Texas College.
“We’ve been building every week, and it’s shown the last three weeks,” said Bret Franks, the team’s coach. “Our goal is to be the top team in our region when the season ends, and we’re making the right moves to be in that position in the spring.”
The Southwest Region consists of 10 events through the 2022-23 campaign, and half the rodeos took place during the fall session.
“We have five rodeos left in the spring, so we’ll get a chance to take a little break and come back next semester fresh and ready to roll,” Franks said. “It’s been fun to watch these kids come out and find success. Now, we just want to build off that.”
As has happened in their victories at home two weeks ago and at Vernon (Texas) College a week ago, the Bulldogs earned the most points in saddle bronc riding. Slade Keith of Stanfield, Arizona, won in all three phases – the first round, the championship round and the aggregate – to win the overall title. Dylan Hancock of Golconda, Illinois, placed fourth in the long round, third in the short round and third overall.
Weston Patterson of Waverly, Kansas, rode two broncs for a cumulative score of 142 points but didn’t place.
Sam Petersen of Helena, Montana earned his second bareback riding victory in three weeks. He was 81 points to finish second in the long round, then won the short round and the average after scoring 79.5 points Saturday night. His two-ride cumulative score of 160.5 was a point and a half better than the field. Fellow bareback rider Clayton Moss of Wheeler, Texas, advanced to the short round but didn’t place.
“We have a lot of talented people on this team,” Franks said. “They will all have an opportunity to contribute for us. I like the direction we’re going right now, and I can’t wait to see what we can do come the spring semester.”
By Ted Harbin, TwisTed Rodeo
Clarendon Lions celebrate 100 years of service
The Clarendon Lions Club celebrated its 100th anniversary last Saturday night, October 22, with a Centennial Banquet at the Bairfield Activity Center to close out a day full of Lions service and fun in the community.
Boss Lion Landon Lambert presented Lion Nathan Estlack as the Outstanding New Member for 2021-2022, and Lion Anndria Newhouse was recognized as the Lion of the Year for her role in promoting club growth and visibility through numerous community service projects.
Laney Gates was formally crowned as the club’s Sweetheart for the current year.
International President Brian Sheehan recorded a personalized video message for the club’s centennial, and Lions International Director Ernesto “T.J.” Tijerina was the guest speaker for the evening, focusing his remarks on the importance of service and fellowship.
Other dignitaries attending the banquet were Past International President Jimmy Ross and his wife, Lion Velda Ross; Lion Juanita Tijerina; and Second Vice District Governor Chris Rogers with his son, Lincoln.
ID Tijerina presented several certificates on behalf of IP Sheehan assisted by District Governor Roger Estlack. The International President’s Certificate of Appreciation – the fourth highest award in Lionism – was presented to Lions Jacob Fangman, Chuck Robertson, Ashlee Estlack, and Landon Lambert. The club itself also received a Certificate of Appreciation on the occasion of its centennial.
Several Lions were recognized for their many years of service to the association, including Lion Bobbie Thornberry – 25 years, Lion George U. Hubbard – 20 years, Lion Jacob Fangman – 10 years, Lion Scarlet Estlack – 10 years, Lion Russell Estlack – 20 years, and Lion Tex Buckhaults – 30 years.
Boss Lion Lambert also received recognition on behalf of the club with the Club Excellence award for the previous Lion year and the Membership Satisfaction award.
Lion Ashlee Estlack, in her capacity as vice president of the Chamber of Commerce, presented the club with a $1,500 check from the proceeds of the Hot Rods to Harleys Fun Run. The money will go to the Lions’ new effort to secure a gift for each Donley County elementary student this Christmas.
Lion Janie Noble won the bingo game for a Melvin Jones Fellowship, and Wellington Lions Club Boss Lion Jeff Thomas won the drawing for the gift bag DG Estlack and Lion Ashlee brought back from the international convention in Montreal this summer.
All members of the Clarendon club also received a special centennial coin struck for the occasion.
Lion David Dockery read the proclamation from the city naming October 22, 2022, as Clarendon Lions Club Centennial Day, and DG Estlack gave a brief history of the club, which has grown from 23 members two years ago to 49 members today.
Several members of the Amarillo Downtown Lions Club attended the banquet, including Boss Lion Gemma Mitchell and Lions John Michie and Kevin Cox. Amarillo Downtown sponsored the chartering of the Clarendon club in 1922, and Clarendon’s is now the second oldest club in District 2-T1, which covers the top 26 counties of the Panhandle.
A total of 66 Lions and guests were registered for events on Saturday, which included the District’s Fall Family Fun Festival. Events began at the Mulkey Theatre at 9:30 with short sessions on improving service to communities. Local and District Lions posed on the north side of Antro Plaza to recreate a 1930 picture taken at that location of district Lions with Melvin Jones, the founder of the association.
Lions then participated in a Diabetes Awareness “Strides Walk” from downtown to the Chance Jones Playground at Prospect Park, and later assembled about 100 non-perishable food boxes at the Donley County Senior Citizens Center for local homebound residents. Lions also helped plant a centennial tree in front of the Lions Hall.
Following the service projects, more than 40 local and district Lions and Clarendon residents assembled in the Lions Hall for afternoon bingo with a corn hole tournament being held outside later in the afternoon.
Prior to the banquet, an open house, hospitality, and ribbon cutting were held at the Lions Hall in celebration of the anniversary as well as the completion of renovations to building. Numerous Lions and family members have worked hard on improvements to the building for the last couple of months. The Lions Hall building was originally part of a German POW camp at McLean during World War II before it was moved here following the war. It has served as the club’s home since the 1940s.
Clubs represented during Saturday’s activities were Clarendon Lions Club, Amarillo Downtown Lions Club, Amarillo Community Lions Club, Amarillo El Barrio Lions Club, Amarillo Lake Tanglewood Lions Club, Canyon Lions Club, Dumas Lions Club, Del Rio San Felipe Lions Club, Quitaque Lions Club, and Wellington Lions Club.
Perry discusses legislative priorities
State Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) met with students and constituents at the Clarendon College Bairfield Activity Center last Wednesday, October 19, to cover a variety of issues that will be coming up during before the state legislature in 2023.
Perry said the state’s economy is being fueled right now but said he expects it to slow down, and the senator outlined some of his top priorities in the next legislative session, including spending $9 billion to fix the state’s electric grid and focusing on the recapturing water used in oil production and treating it.
“Water will determine if Texas is here for your great-grandchildren,” Perry said.
With that in mind, Perry also supports a $2 billion water initiative designed to help improve water infrastructure in the state, noting that about 143 billion gallons leaks out of water lines currently.
The senator intends to carry a bill intended to improve discipline in schools by removing difficult students from the classroom. Perry also said the state is cannot stop the next school shooting, but there will be efforts to improve school safety, which will come with oversight.
Perry hedged on a question about whether he would support a ballot initiative on Texas withdrawing from the Union, noting that it’s a complex issue and that while Texas could probable survive on its own, he prefers to see Texas thrive.
Asked about his view of local government, Perry said that when local governments raise taxes, it’s the state that takes the blame for it. Perry said places like Houston “bring their trash to the legislature,” and lawmakers try to deal with those communities’ issues, particularly rising taxes. Perry, however, has supported “carve outs” that are designed to shield small rural counties from rules aimed at large, urban counties.
Asked about increasing the base allotment for public schools and about the teacher shortage, Perry said the legislature will focus more on “paying down property taxes” than increasing the allotment and said the teacher shortage “is temporary” and that discipline was more important than pay in terms of teachers staying in the profession.
Lady Broncos win district XC title
The Lady Bronco cross-country team competed in the Regional Cross-Country Meet on Monday, October 24, and finished fifth as a team.
The fifth-place finish was one spot out of the top four teams that earned the right to advance to the State Meet in November. There were 164 runners in the event.
Madi Benson finished in the 18th spot out of 164 runners with a time of 13:27.6.
Benson, who was only just under a minute off the first-place time, is a freshman and has been running solid all season long.
Berkley Moore ran the course in a time of 13:54.3 for 34th place, and Presley Smith was 38th with a time of 13:55.6.
The rest of the team were fairly close together at the finish line. Avery Sawyer was 40th at 13:59.9 with Kenidee Hayes right behind her in 41st with a time of 14:00.4. Gracie Ellis crossed the finish line in a time of 14:20 for 51st place and Aliyah Weatherton was 133rd at 16:09.8.
Bryce Williams was the lone qualifier for the Broncos and finished 51st out of 162 runners with a time of 19:42.5.
Williams and the Lady Broncos qualified for the Regional Meet by placing high up in the district meet on October 12. Williams ran fourth in the district meet with a time of 19:15, and Kaleb Mays ran 15th at 22:09.
Hayes was third in the finishers at 12:40, and Benson was right behind her at 12:45. Moore ran the course in a time of 12:50, and Smith was 13:00. Ellis turned in a time of 13:05 for seventh, Sawyer was 14th at 13:45 and Weatherton was 16th with a time of 14:00.
Taking the top spots in the junior varsity division were Tandie Cummins with a time of 12:40 and Makenna Shadle in second at 14:28. Kennadie Cummins was third at 14:38, Gracie Wilkins was fourth at 14:51, and Trystan Brown was fifth at 14:53. Gracie Clark ran sixth with a time of 15:01, Kimbrasia Ballard was eighth at 15:25, and Laney Rummel was 10th with a time of 15:58.
Hayden Elam was 11th at 15:58, Finley Cunningham was 14th at 17:14, and Courtlyn Conkin was 15th with a time of 17:18. Kashlyn Conkin was 16th at 17:22, and Millie McAnear came in at 22:02.
Local 4-H members win Gold Star awards
Thirty outstanding 4-H members from the Panhandle area were honored at the 65th annual Gold Star Banquet hosted by District 1 of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service on October 18 at West Texas A&M University.
Among those recognized were Donley County 4-H members Brenna Ellis and Levi Gates.
To qualify for the Gold Star Award, the highest 4-H honor at the county level, a 4-H’er must be at least l5 years old, have completed three years of club work, be an active member and complete a record book.
Other area 4-H members honored were: Armstrong County – Haley McLaughlin and Brooks Myers, Briscoe County – Vanessa Beltran and Benjamin Trevino, Carson County – Molly Babcock and Payton Ogletree, Collingsworth County – Hunter Stark, Dallam County – Erin McDaniel and Jolie Bowers, Deaf Smith County – Avery Detten, Donley County –, Gray County – Rebecca Scott, Hall County – Braylee Brooks, Hemphill County – Haeleigh Thompson and Leah Moreno, Moore County – Bentlee McKay, Ochiltree County – Karson Pribble and Tatum Oquin, Oldham County – Lynlee Spinhirne and Mason Neelley, Potter County – Bailee McAlister and Emily Schooler and Ransley Bates, Randall County – Emily Fields and Kade Lawrence and Kyle Guerrero, Roberts County – Landry Dukes, Sherman County – Samantha Unruh, and Wheeler County – Wes Shaw.
The annual Gold Star Banquet was supported by the Deaf Smith Electric Cooperative, Hereford; Rita Blanca Electric Cooperative, Dalhart; North Plains Electric Cooperative, Perryton; Swisher Electric Cooperative, Tulia; Greenbelt Electric, Wellington; and Lighthouse Electric, Floydada.
CC men win Stampede Rodeo
Led by a couple of event victories and several other top placings, the Clarendon College men’s rodeo team won its home event October 13-15.
“We had a lot of people step up and do good for us, and that’s what it takes to win in our region,” Clarendon College rodeo coach Bret Franks said. “I think the Southwest Region is the toughest in college rodeo, so any time you can win in this region, it’s a big deal.
“Winning at home makes it even better.”
Sam Petersen of Helena, Montana, won the bareback riding title, scoring 82 points to win the first round and 77 points to finish second in the championship round. His two-ride cumulative score of 159 points was good enough to claim the overall title. Petersen is now in second place in the Southwest Region’s bareback riding standings.
Fellow bareback rider Weston Patterson finished fifth in the first round and also placed in fourth in steer wrestling. He earned two spots in the short round but was unable to finish because he was in a battle for the saddle bronc riding title in ProRodeo’s Prairie Circuit, which had its finals this past weekend. Patterson finished the season as the circuit’s champion and will advance at the national circuit finals rodeo, called the NFR Open, in July.
“When you have pro athletes that are competing at the college level, you realize they have some goals they want to meet,” Franks said. “This was a good opportunity for Weston to win a PRCA championship and set himself up good for next season, and I didn’t want him to miss out on that.
“I was worried our chances to win this weekend would be hurt by him not being here for the short-round, but everybody else stepped up big and helped us pull through.”
Dylan Hancock of Golconda, Illinois, also walked away with a title, scoring 159 cumulative points to win saddle bronc riding. He was 75 points in the long round to advance to the short go-round, where he had the highest-marked ride of the rodeo, an 84, to win the final round and the average title.
Teammate Slade Keith of Stanfield, Arizona, won the first round and finished in a tie for second in the championship round; he finished second, just a point behind Hancock in the aggregate. With the points he earned in Clarendon, Keith moved regional lead in the saddle bronc riding standings.
“I was really proud of how many kids we had in the short round,” Franks said, noting that bull rider Hadley Miller of Boyd, Texas, competed in the final round but didn’t place. “I think it says something to see that many black vests in the short-go at our hometown rodeo.”
For the women, Quincy Sullivan of Peralta, New Mexico, stopped the clock in 2.3 seconds to finish as the runner-up in the first round of breakaway roping. She placed fifth in the final round and finished fourth overall. She is eighth in the regional standings.
The Bulldogs men finished with 495 points to outlast Southwest Region leader Western Texas College. That helped Clarendon College move up to third place in the Southwest Region with seven events remaining on the 2022-23 schedule.
“We’ve made some good strides, but we need to keep putting ourselves in position at every rodeo if we want to win the region,” Franks said. “I think we have the ability to do that.”
By Ted Harbin, TwistedTed Rodeo
Broncos roll by Quanah
The Clarendon Broncos suffered a couple of early losses in their 2022 football season but have since turned it around as they move closer to a District Championship with only three games remaining in their season.
The Broncos’ 48-6 win over the Quanah Indians put them at 5-2 for the season as they prepare for a road trip to Memphis Friday night to take on the Cyclones.
Junior quarterback Harrison Howard had a good game in the air as he posted 133 yards passing. Howard hit his favorite receivers for three of the Broncos’ seven touchdowns.
After an opening 28-yard kick-off return by Quay Brown to put the Broncos at Quanah’s 46-yard line, Lyric Smith grabbed a 14-yard pass and bolted into the endzone nearly untouched for the Broncos’ first score and then fought off a defender to add the bonus. After Quanah went four and out, senior Texas Tech recruit Jmaury Davis snatched a pass from Howard and dodged several defenders for six more points and set the precedent for the remainder of the game. Davis looked impressive as later in the first quarter he returned a Quanah punt 65 yards for six.
The Broncos scored four more times before time ran out in the first quarter with touchdown runs from Davis and Anthony Brown who picked converted a fumble into six points. Wilson Ward kicked four extra points in the game.
The Indians were only able to manage one touchdown right before half time.
Davis carried the ball once for 21 yards and had 79 yards receiving and Smith carried once for five yards and caught two Howard passes for 79 yards. Brown had three carries for 23 yards and Josiah Hearn carried three times for 12 yards and one TD.
The Bronco defense was solid once again with several players racking up tackles. They did a great job of containing the Indians behind the 50-yard line for all of the first quarter and several minutes of the second.
Pride of Clarendon
The Bronco Band competed last Saturday in the UIL Region I Marching Contest in Amarillo. The Band received a Division II rating and represented Clarendon excellently after a lot of hard work and dedication by all the members of the band. The Bronco Band is under the direction of Director Jacob Diaz and Drum Major Jacob Murillo. Enterprise Photo / Roger Estlack
Lions to celebrate centennial October 22
The Clarendon Lions Club will celebrate its 100th anniversary this Saturday, October 22, with a full day of local and district Lions activities.
The day will start with the Lions District 2-T1 Fall Family Festival, beginning at the Mulkey Theatre with donuts, mimosas, and coffee at 9:30 followed by rapid fire presentations on expanding community service throughout the Panhandle.
Local and area Lions will then gather on the north side of the Antro Hotel site to recreate a picture that was taken there in 1930 with Lions founder Melvin Jones. In addition to area Lions, Past International President Jimmy Ross and International Director T.J. Tijerina are expected to attend.
Attendees will then participate in a Strides Walk to Prospect Park to raise diabetes awareness, followed by service projects after lunch.
At 2:30 Lions and any interested community members are invited for Bingo and Cornhole at the Lions Hall. Prizes will be awarded.
A ribbon cutting and open house will be held at the newly renovated Lions Hall at 5 p.m., and the Lions will gather at the Bairfield Activity Center for their Centennial Banquet at 6:30, which will feature awards and reflections on the Lions’ history here since the club was chartered on October 28, 1922.
Follow the Clarendon Lions Club on Facebook for more about this year’s Centennial Celebration.
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