SPORTS
RODEO: 4X Arena is a place to ride
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)
New Saint Jo Boy’s Basketball Coach Terry McLennan said the school’s family atmosphere is what prompted him to join the Panther family.
“This is an opportunity to be an important program but also part of a great community,” McLennan said. “I’ve been looking to get back to a small town environment like the one I grew up in and played ball and this should do that.”
McLennan played basketball in Hubbard outside of Waco. McLennan comes to town after being the assistant girl’s basketball coach in Grand Prairie.
McLennan contends he’s a defensive style of coach but says his team will focus on intensity.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
New Saint Jo Boy’s Basketball Coach Terry McLennan said the school’s family atmosphere is what prompted him to join the Panther family.
“This is an opportunity to be an important program but also part of a great community,” McLennan said. “I’ve been looking to get back to a small town environment like the one I grew up in and played ball and this should do that.”
McLennan played basketball in Hubbard outside of Waco. McLennan comes to town after being the assistant girl’s basketball coach in Grand Prairie.
McLennan contends he’s a defensive style of coach but says his team will focus on intensity.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
After some coaching time in East Texas, Bret Botard will be the new girl’s basketball coach at Bowie.
Botard said it’s a chance to work with Bowie Athletic Director Tyler Price once again. Price was Botard’s assistant when he coached at Nocona.
“I wanted to get back into the area,” Botard said. “It’s a good community.”
Botard graduated high school in 1995 from Del Valle High School, outside Austin, and went to Texas Tech. He started his coaching career in Lubbock followed by returning to his alma mater where he was an assistant for his high school coach.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
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