By Sandy Anderberg
The Nazareth Swifts could only muster one run against a solid Bronco defense in a district match up at home last Wednesday.
The 7-1 win over Naz put the Bronco powerhouse at 9-0 in district play, but a 2-4 loss to Wellington on Friday left them at 9-1 for the District season.
In the Nazareth game, Zack LaRoe was on the mound and posted 14 strikeouts, no unearned runs, one hit and three walks for his effort on the mound for seven innings.
The Broncos flexed their muscles in the fifth inning, where they scored four runs. Caleb Cobb hit a single and Kade Hunsaker had an RBI single, and Nick Shadle connected on a RBI single, as well. Bryce Hatley and Cobb seemed to light a fire under the Broncos with their performance at the plate, that allowed their team to find a rhythm offensively.
“I thought Zack pitched a great game,” coach Brad Elam said. “But we struggled hitting the ball at times.”
On Friday, the Broncos took on Wellington in their last regular season game and came up short. Chance Lockhart was on the mound for the Broncos and gave a great effort for three innings as he held them hitless and struck out two. Hunsaker took the loss for the Broncos.
The Broncos put two runs on the board in the fifth inning, but could not get anything else going in the game.
“(I) was very disappointed at the results,” Elam said. “We had no fire, just going through the motions. We only had two hits. We just did not hit the ball. Giving up only four runs are games you should win.”
The Broncos will be looking to post-season play, which will get underway next week.
News
Lady Broncos’ season comes to abrupt end
By Sandy Anderberg
With a win seemingly in hand, the Lady Broncos only had to hold on through one more at-bat from Abernathy to earn the right to advance to the next level. They were sitting in a good spot, with two outs against their opponent. But according to head coach Gary Jack, ‘one little mistake’ took the win away from the Lady Broncos.
“Our softball season came to an end Wednesday night in Canyon,” Jack said. “The girls played a tough game and with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, we were still ahead 4-3. One little mistake allowed Abernathy to score the two runners on base and squeak out a 5-4 win.”
Jack cited several players with great defensive play in the game.
“We played really well defensively all night,” Jack said. “Taylor DeGrate, Taylor Gaines, Sterling King, Briley Chadwick, and Allyson Hogan made some great defensive plays throughout the game. Sterling pitched the best game I’ve ever seen her pitch.”
As good as the Lady Broncos played, they struggled to hit Abernathy’s good pitcher.
“We did have trouble hitting Abernathy’s pitcher,” Jack said. “Brooke Martin, DeGrate, and Hogan hit the ball very well, ripping several hits to the wall. It wasn’t enough as a couple of mistakes allowed Abernathy all five of their unearned runs. Our girls did play a very inspired and emotional game. We just didn’t get the little breaks at the end we needed. I am very proud of how our girls competed.”
The Lady Broncos finished their season in second place in the District race.
“I’m very proud of how our girls competed,” Jack said. “Overall, it was a good season.”
Clarendon GT students hold showcase
Clarendon ISD Gifted & Talented students showcased their projects for the community last Tuesday, April 28, in the school cafeteria. GT classes focused on the Texas Performance Standards Project, which provides standards for students to conduct self-guided research on topics of their choice while challenging them to high levels of achievement. Through completion of the projects, students were able to demonstrate a deep level of understanding in at least one area of study.
The Showcase was a great opportunity for these students to share their area of interest and for the community to enjoy their quality work. CISD officials appreciate everyone for making the Showcase a success, including mentors and teachers that guided students through their projects and Mrs. Howard and the Family & Consumer Science students for preparing and serving refreshments.
Elementary projects under the supervision of Tashia Duncan included: Kindergarten – Ella Estlack, Do Your Part for Art; Second Grade – Gracie Clark, Johnny Appleseed; Ben Estlack, George Washington; Isabella Neal, Do Your Part for Art; Maloree Wann, Abraham Lincoln; Third Grade – Easton Frausto, TCU Gaming; Avery Halsey, Monopoly Zoo; Toby Leeper, The World’s Runner; Nicole Phipps, Do Your Part for Art; Fourth Grade – Britton Cottrell, Bermuda Triangle; Jace Cottrell, The Marfa Lights; Laney Gates, The Stonehenge; Taylor Halsell, The Loch Ness Enigma; Makenna Shadle, The Bermuda Triangle; Cate Word, The Queen of Loch Ness; Fifth Grade –Rhett Caison, Story Quilt- Hockey; Graci Drackley, Story Quilt- Fundraisers for Help; and Josiah Howard, Story Quilt- Kidnapped.
Junior High projects under the supervision of Lisa Grahn were: Sixth Grade – Sophia Bilbrey, History of Sculpting; Shylee Morrow, How History Has Affected Art; Callie Phipps, The Forgotten Event of WWII; Seventh Grade – Madisen Gay, Radio Waves; Jayden Monds, Lasers; Kira Weatherton, Rube Goldberg Project; Eighth Grade – Charlotte Craft, Gluten Free?; and Gavin Word, Study of Drones.
High School projects under the direction of Karissa Huffman included: Ninth Grade – Harley Jaurequi, Basic Animation; Philip Monds, Aspects of Photography; Trinity Stribling, Pompeii; Tenth Grade – Jack Moore, The Trojan War; Riley Shadle, Modern Uses of Droning; Eleventh Grade – Caleb Cobb, The Battle of Gettysburg; and Xavier Neal, Custom Wiki Project.
Bees slow work on old house
The old house at Sixth and Bugbee was again on the agenda when the Clarendon City Council held its regular meeting last Thursday, April 23.
The structure narrowly avoided condemnation by the city a little more than five months ago when the owner of the house, Linda Lewis, was given six months to address specific code concerns.
Lewis did not attend last week’s meeting, but sent Julie Russell to speak on her behalf. Russell said removal of one old balcony on the house had gone smoothly but attempted removal of a second balcony had revealed an infestation of bees. Work on the house has since been hindered because of the risk of agitating the bees.
The aldermen took no action on the house last week. Mrs. Lewis has until May 18 to satisfy the city’s code department and its safety concerns.
In other business, aldermen approved amending the city’s employee handbook regarding when a new employee receives medical insurance and life insurance.
Aldermen considered proposals for a new heating and air-conditioning system at City Hall, but they took no action because the three proposals differed in the efficiencies of the units that would be installed. The city will look at this issue again but will ask contractors to give proposals based on the same efficiencies.
The council approved paying for a plumbing bill incurred at the residence of Dennis and Ruth Petty. The couple had a muddy spot appear in their yard and employed a plumber thinking they had a leak on their side of the water meter. The leak turned out to be coming from an abandoned meter not theirs.
Herring plans small business seminar
Herring Bank will host a Small Business & Ag Producers Appreciation Seminar next Tuesday, May 5, in Clarendon to show the Herring team’s support for local businesses.
The purpose of the event is to encourage businesses to plan for success, according to Jerry Woodard, Market President of Herring Bank in Clarendon.
“Our hopes are to spark interests among business owners and facilitate planning and being proactive instead of just reacting as things happen,” Woodard said.
The seminar, which will be held at the Clarendon College Bairfield Activity Center from 6 to 8 p.m., aims to provide local business owners with tips that will help them reach their goals for success. The covered topics will discuss solutions to help grow businesses in a number of areas.
Herring officials want to help attendees save time, understand the various legal aspects of business ownership, and walk away with great ideas on boosting business, and the bank assures that attendees will have fun while learning a lot.
This event is free to all attendees. Beverages and hors d’oeuvres will be provided for our guests’ enjoyment.
The topics and speakers for Herring Bank’s Small Business & Ag Producers Appreciation Seminar are: “Protecting Your Success” with Rodney Skelton (CPA), PFS Securities America Inc.; “Panhandle Groundwater” with groundwater conservation district general manager C.E. Williams; “the Role of EDC in the Community” with Clarendon EDC Interim Executive Director Jack King; “Wellness Benefits” with Clarendon physician Dr. John C. Howard, MD; “Common Legal Issues” with Clarendon attorney James T. Shelton; “Relationship Banking” with Herring Bank Credit Analyst Manager Andy Nenstiel; and “Tools to Simplify Your Business” with Herring Bank’s Internet Banking & Social Media Specialist Erika Silva and Merchant Portfolio Administrator Jodi Maxwell.
“We have such great respect for our local business owners,” Woodard said. “Opening and running a business certainly isn’t easy, but what it does to strengthen our community is truly priceless.”
Herring Bank would like to extend a special thank you to our community partners for helping us make this event possible: Panhandle Groundwater, Clarendon Economic Development Corporation, Dr. John C. Howard, James T. Shelton, and PFS Securities America, Inc.
Herring Bank was established in Vernon, Texas, in 1899. The bank provides a full range of commercial and consumer banking products, as well as investment and trust services.
To RSVP for Tuesday’s event or for more information about Herring Bank’s Small Business Appreciation Seminar, contact Carol Cocke at ccocke@herringbank.com or (806)874-3556 x2127.
Enterprise wins press awards
The Clarendon Enterprise received seven awards during the 105th annual Panhandle Press Association Convention in Amarillo last Saturday, April 25.
During the annual PPA Better Newspaper Contest, the Enterprise received two first place plaques in the categories of Best Feature Stories written by Roger Estlack, and Best Sport Photography for photos taken by Roger and Alice Cobb.
The paper got second place honors for Editorials, Best Website, and Best Society & Lifestyles featuring Bob Watson, Peggy Cockerham, Kathy Spier, and Ben Estlack. The Enterprise also tied for second place Best Serious Columns. Ben Estlack’s “Cub Reporter” column also received praise from the judges in the Humorous Columns contest.
The PPA was led this year by Shamrock publisher Jeff Blackmon. He will continue on the PPA board as Immediate Past President and is succeeded by Clarendon’s Ashlee Estlack as president – the fourth member of the Estlack family to lead the Panhandle Press in its 105-year history.
Other board members include Vice President Larry Thornton of Muleshoe and Secretary/Treasurer Roger Estlack of Clarendon along with directors, Tara Huff of Fritch, Joni Yara of Booker, Amanda Rogers of Canyon, Mary Smithee of Canadian, and Robin Brooks of Dumas.
The PPA represents 35 member newspapers in the Panhandle region. The association’s 106th convention will be in Clarendon on April 14-16, 2016.
Sign up now for Mulkey booth space
Booth space reservations and car show entries are now being taken for the third annual Mulkey Block Party scheduled for Memorial Day weekend on Saturday, May 23.
This year’s Herring Bank Car Show has been expanded to include motorcycles, and entry fees are $20 per vehicle. Entry forms are available online here and at the Clarendon Visitor Center.
Booth space for activities, food, or vendors is $50 each on a first come, first served basis. Forms for booth spaces are also available online here or at the Visitor Center.
“Insufficient Funds” will be back on stage to entertain for the evening. Steve Hall and Jesse Lincycomb, both of Howardwick, will provide the opening musical entertainment starting about 6 p.m., and a live auction benefiting the Mulkey Theatre Project will also be held.
Entertainment activities for kids are being lined up as well, including showing cartoons in the Mulkey.
For more information on the third annual Mulkey Block Party, to rent booth space, or to sign on as a sponsor, contact the Clarendon Visitor Center at 806-874-2421.
Franks brings experience to CC rodeo
By Ted Harbin, Rodeo Media Relations
Bret Franks is a cowboy.
For the past two years, the Guymon, Okla.-born man has served as the Livestock and Equine Center director and ranch horse coach at Clarendon College, a community college in the Donley County seat. Now he’s adding rodeo coach to his list of duties, recently hired to take over the 30-year-old program.
“I feel like the Good Lord led me here,” said Franks, a graduate of Oklahoma Panhandle State University in Goodwell and a three-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier in saddle bronc riding. “When the rodeo coaching job came up, it was the perfect fit. It was almost like it was meant to be.”
He was raised two and a half hours north in the Oklahoma Panhandle in an agriculture family. He participated in ag-based programs and attended Northeastern Oklahoma A&M on a livestock judging scholarship. He transferred to Panhandle State on a rodeo scholarship and won the Central Plains Region bronc riding championship while there.
He began a 10-year career in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in 1993, qualifying for the NFR as one of the top 15 bronc riders in world standings in 1997, ’98 and 2000. He won the Prairie Circuit saddle bronc riding title twice and was the 2002 National Circuit Finals Rodeo champion.
From 1995-99, Franks served as rodeo coach at his alma mater, guiding the men’s team to the national championship in 1997 and 1998. He did that while also juggling a prolific rodeo career.
“I think the biggest thing I can bring to the kids on the rodeo team is my ability to coach the mental aspect of the game,” said Franks, who lives in Clarendon with his wife, Darla, and their sons, Clint and Cole. “With my 20/20 vision of the past, I can look at the mistakes and struggles I had in the sport, and I can help them deter those problems and challenges before they ever get there.
“I can help them mentally prepare to win.”
Though he slowed down his rodeo career considerably after the 2002 season, he always was close to the game. He was the livestock supervisor and rodeo coordinator for Carr Pro Rodeo from 2005-09, then took a job as assistant manager at Cattlemen’s II Feedlot in Hedley, Texas, just a short drive from his Clarendon home. He worked there for four years until the business closed, then began his duties at Clarendon College. The institution is the first Texas junior college to have a ranch horse team, which promotes the college and agriculture in ranches and stock horse events. As the Livestock and Equine Center director, he is in charge of all events at the facility, including ropings, barrel racing competitions, bull ridings, clinics and practices, just to name a few. Now he’ll add to that list.
“It’s a big undertaking and a huge responsibility, but I’m really looking forward to everything,” he said
Bret Franks has a powerful career of rodeo experiences to use in order to help teach the young rodeo stars at Clarendon College.
Broncos claim district championship again
By Sandy Anderberg
The Clarendon Broncos are the District Champs yet again, going perfect at 8-0 in their District schedule and 14-5 overall.
Their last victim was the Kress Kangaroos on last Tuesday night at home. The Broncos started strong and only used five innings in their 14-4 win.
Clarendon got their bats going strong in the fourth inning, after putting three on the board in the opening inning, when they scored on an RBI single by Kade Hunsaker, an RBI double by Chance Lockhart, a two-run single by Clay Koetting and RBI single by Izzy Osburn. Caleb Cobb was in on the action in the first inning when he slammed an RBI double. Hunsaker posted a good game from the plate with five RBIs on just two hits.
Lockhart was on the mound for the duration and struck out 11 hitters. He allowed no earned runs, only four hits and no walks.
“Chance pitched a great game,” coach Brad Elam said. “We made a few too many mistakes in the field, but that is correctable. We hit the ball well. I am very proud of the way the kids have played in district.”
Earlier in the week, the Broncos only needed six innings to state their case against the Memphis Cyclones on the road Monday in another district match up. The Broncos scored six runs in the fourth inning that set the tone in their 15-2 win. They were able to add seven more in the final inning to seal their victory.
Kade Hunsaker was on the mound and threw 11 strikeouts and allowed no earned runs. Memphis did manage two hits and three walks over the five innings Hunsaker threw.
“It took us awhile to get going; but once we did, we were hard to stop,” Elam said. “I thought we hit the ball well, and Kade pitched a good game.”
The Broncos really got thing rolling in the fourth when Cobb hit a two-run single and Charles Mason slammed a two-run triple to add six runs to the board. Osburn and Koetting connected in the sixth with an RBI single each and Zack LaRoe made good on an RBI double.
Before the scoring ended in that inning, Caleb Cobb turned up the heat with a two-run homer. Overall, the Broncos racked up 14 hits from eight hitters, 13 RBIs and 13 scored runs.
The Broncos will play at home on Tuesday, April 28, against Nazareth beginning at 4:00 p.m. to wrap up their regular season.
Mason, Weatherton Area champions
By Sandy Anderberg
Clarendon High School’s Charles Mason out jumped and outlasted every other opponent in the long jump at the Area Meet last week at West Texas High.
Mason posted a distance of 22’2″ in the contest, outdoing his closest competitor by 10 inches.
Sprinter Amelia Weatherton ran for gold in the 100-meter dash with a time of 12.90 to earn the championship in that event. Weatherton will also compete in the long jump due to her third place finish in the Area meet with a distance of 16’2 ½”, and Mason will be running in the 100-meter dash, also. He finished fourth with a time of 11.44 and earned the right to advance. Both athletes will compete at the Regional level in Odessa May 1-2 along with other athletes who finished in the top four of their event. Both the Broncos and Lady Broncos finished seventh in the final team standings.
The Bronco 400m relay crossed the wire just out of the top four, finishing fifth with a time of 45.16 and was run by Keandre Cortez, Steven Johnson, Cedrick McCampbell, and Mason. The 1600m relay took eighth place with a time of 3:54.64. Running the mile relay was Caleb Cobb, Cortez, Bryce Grahn, and Colt Wood.
The Lady Broncos’ sprint relay finished eighth at 54.45 and was run by Taylor DeGrate, Taylor Gaines, Weatherton, and Jensen Hatley. The mile relay took seventh place with a time of 4:42.36 and members were Hanna Howard, MaRae Hall, Carlee Johnson, and Abby Johnson.
Caleb Cobb will advance to the next meet with a second-place finish in the 800m run with a personal best time of 2:02.22. Cobb also competed in the 400m dash and finished sixth at 57.69. Bryce Grahn will advance in two long distance events. He ran a time of 10:24.68 in the 3200m run for second place and took third place in the 1600m run with a time of 4:51.12. McCampbell finished seventh in the triple jump with a distance of 39’7″ and was seventh in the 200m dash at 24.47.
On the Lady Bronco side, senior Abby Johnson finished second in the 400m dash with a time of 1:00.66 and fourth in the 200m dash at 27.76. Carlee Johnson ran a 2:38.66 in the 800m run to advance and Taylor DeGrate had a good run in the 100m hurdles to finish second with a time of 16.76. Berkeley Alexander took sixth in the discus with a throw of 98’10″ and seventh in the shot put with a distance of 32’6″. Allyson Grahn took eighth place in both the 1600m and 3200m runs with times of 7:01.47 and 14:51.96 and MaRae Hall ran seventh in the 400m dash with a time of 1:10.28.
“All of the athletes competed very well and I am very thankful and proud for the way they competed,” coach Johnny Nino said. “Caleb Cobb dropped his time in the 800m a full eight seconds from a personal best of 2:10 to a personal best of 2:02. He made up his mind he was going to run with the Canadian runner and it was a two-man race to the finish.
“The last time he raced the Canadian runner, Caleb lost by about 120 meters. He ran a really good race. Charles Mason is moving on in the 100m and long jump and he is getting better at both events. Bryce Grahn is moving on in the 3200m and the 1600m. I appreciate the hard work that all the track athletes have put in this year,” Nino said.
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