SPORTS

RODEO: 4X Arena is a place to ride

Published

11 years ago

07/15/2015

By ERIC VICCARO
bnewssports@gmail.com

4X Arena was the brainchild of Libby Clayton and Johnny Uselton of rural Nocona.
On Saturday night, the one-year-old arena played host to a World Senior Professional Bull Riders event as well as a film crew shooting a documentary on small-time rodeo in Texas.
“We constructed it from scratch,” Clayton said of 4X Arena. “It was originally a team-roping arena with chutes, but we removed all that.”
4X Arena is located off United States Highway 82, less than five miles west of Nocona, on Eureka School Road.
“It’s a source of pride for us,” Clayton said. “We love the Nocona area. It has a small-town feel, and it was nice for me to come back to that. It was heartwarming.”
Clayton grew up in rural Illinois, and she met Uselton at a rodeo. Uselton is a former rider on the WSPBR circuit – competing until 2011.
The WSPBR is a not only relatively young, but it also is a rapidly growing circuit.
“It’s a dream come true,” Uselton said. “I’ve wanted to do this for years (build an arena). Nocona is a really a perfect place. We can draw cowboys from Oklahoma and from the Metroplex.”
WSPBR co-founder Robert Long, who competed in Saturday’s event, agreed with Uselton – saying Montague County is an ideal spot for a tour stop. Long founded this organization along with Morgan Saunders and Troy Moseley.
“We go all the way to Wichita, Kansas, now in just six short years,” Long said, “and we go all the way to Galveston in the south. This is a great centralized location.” Read more in the mid-week Bowie News.

A contestant rides a bull at 4X Arena, less than five miles west of Nocona, during Saturday evening’s World Senior Professional Bull Riders tour stop. The WSPBR is specifically designed for senior bull riders ages 35 on up. Click on the image itself for the complete photo. (News photo by Eric Viccaro)

SPORTS

Norwood new Bowie boys hoop coach

Published

7 hours ago

04/30/2026

bowienews

Landry Norwood has agreed to become the new Head Boys Basketball Coach for Bowie High.

Norwood grew up in Paradise, playing a number of sports for the Panthers during his high school career. With a number of family members still in the area and the position coming open, Norwood applied and was hired.

“I know the tradition up here,” Norwood said. “I was glad (Athletic Director and Head Football) Coach Tyler Price felt he could put his trust in me.”

Bowie’s varsity went 2-10 last year, both wins coming against Vernon. Norwood spent five years as an assistant in Lipan before spending the next four years at Llano, three years as head coach. He said his last two years in Llano were rough after graduation of nine seniors his first year and a 26-7 squad.

For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News

SPORTS

Nocona softball falls to Archer City

Published

7 hours ago

04/30/2026

bowienews

Nocona came into game two of its Class 2A Division I bi-district series with Archer City looking to rebound from a 17-0 loss in game one.

The Lady Indians took a quick lead but the Lady ‘Cats had too much in the tank and knocked Nocona out of the playoffs courtesy of a 13-3, five-inning victory winning the best of three series, 2-0.

Kylea Wallace reached base on a second baseman’s error. With one out, M’leigha Franklin took a pitch over the wall in left field for a home run, igniting the Lady Indian crowd with a 2-0 lead.

Archer City prevented further damage by retiring the next two hitters. The Lady ‘Cats struck in the bottom of the inning for seven runs.

For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.

SPORTS

Lady Rabbits win bi-district

Published

7 hours ago

04/30/2026

bowienews

Culture. It’s a beautiful word.

Bowie Softball Coach Griffin Fields has been trying to install a positive, winning culture since taking over the job. For the first time since 2019, the Lady Rabbits qualified for the postseason, facing District 8 top seed Early in the bi-district round.

After beating the Lady ‘Horns 9-8 in game one of the best-of-three series April 23, Early came back and evened the series less than 24 hours later, 15-0. The Lady Rabbits used the aforementioned culture and got out to a quick lead in game three.

Bowie was then forced to come from behind for the second straight night. Kinley Baker, who had the game winning RBI in game one, came through again in game three and broke a 6-all tie with a single to lift the Lady Rabbits to a 9-6 victory in the finale.

For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.