SPORTS
STORM CENTER: Walker legacy remains
Last weekend in Nocona, the Ray Walker Coed Memorial Softball Tournament took place at the American Legion Sports Complex.
This marked the sixth annual Walker tournament, and it was a celebration of Ray’s life.
“The tournament started with friends in 2010, and we helped out,” Walker said.
Sherry Brown, Ray’s daughter, has continually been impressed with the outpouring of support for the event – and the Walker family.
“The community support means a lot,” Brown said. “We’ve come together to support dad, and that means the world to us.”
Walker grew up in Montague, and he valued hard work at such an early age.
Brown said Ray Walker shined shoes at the Montague County Courthouse, and that served as the start of his business savvy.
Walker also valued education, and he graduated from Nocona High School in 1965 where he concentrated on vocational and agricultural classes.
In 2001, Nocona surprised Ray with induction into the prestigious NHS Hall of Honor for his worldwide business success and military heroism – we’ll get into all that later in this writing.
Proceeds from the tournament benefit scholarships for Nocona and Prairie Valley High School seniors.
Brown estimated the tournament has raised about $50,000 in scholarships.
“It’s humbling,” she said. “We have a lot of sponsors who help out and give us donations.”
The money raised comes through tournament fees, T-shirt sales and a full concession stand.
Kenneth D. Jones won the home run hitting contest. Batters gave $10 for 10 swings.
Crown Royal took top honors and the Dino-Mites were second. Overall, Brown reported there were 11 teams in action. Read more in the weekend Bowie News.
Editor’s Note: The Storm Center column is the expressed written views of sports editor Eric Viccaro and not The Bowie News.
Nocona’s Ray Walker, who died in 2010 while vacationing with his wife, Mary, in Oregon. Walker’s legacy is still felt in the community today. (Courtesy photo)
The Chisholm Trail Youth Rodeo had its awards ceremony this week, giving out plaques and buckles to the top competitors throughout the summer season.
There were four age categories with five events to compete in for the young athletes.
Along with the best results in each event, at the end the overall best cowboy and cowgirl in each age division was awarded as well.
The lead line division, in which an adult helps the young competitors, saw Rylee Stewart win the first in poles, barrel racing and mystery event on her way to win top cowgirl.
Hattie Snow got the fastest time in the flags event and Lany Shupak got the fastest goat time. Riggin Bishop got named the top cowboy in the division.
In the eight-and-under division, Whitley Goins won the top cowgirl and Trell Carpenter won top cowboy. Goins got the fastest times in barrel racing, flags and mystery event. Carpenter got the fastest time in poles and goats.
In the 9-12 age division, Sage Keck won the top cowgirl while Chisum Carpenter won the top cowboy. Keck got the fastest times in four of the five divisions. Only Layna Taylor getting the fastest goat time prevented her from winning in a clean sweep.
In the 13-18 age division, Tess Egenbacher won the top overall cowgirl award.
Kiley McCracken won both the barrel racing and flags event. Emma Strahan won the poles and mystery event. Hadlee Bryan won the goats event.
There was no top overall cowboy in the age division.
To see the times for the winners of each event in all four age categories along with pictures of all of the top cowboys and cowgirls, pick up a copy of the weekend edition of the Bowie News.
Nearly 600 youngsters signed up for this season of youth baseball sports through the BSA. The group celebrated with awards this past week and introduction of all its teams. See all the awards and photos from the night in the mid-week Bowie News. (Photos by Barbara Green)
The 2024 Summer Olympics is just a few weeks away taking place in Paris. The opening ceremonies will be July 26 and are planned to be unique as they take place along the Seine River that flows through Paris. Thomas Bach prepared this op-ed to welcome the world to Paris.
By Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee
The Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 is only days away. The excitement gripping this nation is palpable.
As this unique festival of sport draws closer, we all are feeling that France and the French people are ready to welcome the world’s best athletes with the hospitality and passion for sport for which they are famous all around the world.
Already millions of people have greeted the Olympic flame on its journey around France with a huge wave of enthusiasm. All of us are looking forward to an unforgettable celebration of Olympic sport and French culture in the coming weeks.
Read the full story in the mid-week sports in your Bowie News.
-
NEWS2 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS8 months agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS1 year agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS2 years agoWreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS12 months agoMurder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
NEWS1 year ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
-
NEWS2 years agoBowie Police face three-hour standoff after possible domestic fight
-
NEWS2 years ago
Driver stopped by a man running into the street, robbed at knifepoint