SPORTS
STORM CENTER: Brown controls running dynasty at Boys Ranch
Cal Farley founded the residential children’s facility known as Boys Ranch, located in the Texas Panhandle, back in 1939.
Since 1994, former Bowie Junior High School coach and teacher Kenneth Brown has worked for Boys Ranch Independent School District – and he’s been part of one of Texas’ most storied traditions – Roughrider boys’ cross country.
“While coaching at Boys Ranch, he’s been very successful in cross country,” said former Bowie athletic director Gayno Shelton in a note written to me.
That might be an understatement.
Boys Ranch has won a district title in boys’ cross country EVERY year since 1981.
Since Brown took over the controls of the program from Buddy Sparks in 2002, the Roughriders have garnered six regional championships and two state titles.
This year, Josh Bush will represent Boys Ranch at the University Interscholastic League state meet – scheduled for today. The 2A boys’ race is set for 3:10 p.m. at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock.
In 1987, Brown had just graduated from Oklahoma Panhandle State University with a degree in natural science. He drove from his hometown of Spearman for an interview with Shelton.
“I had put out more than 100 applications,” Brown remembered.
After the process, Brown had to know if he had the job or not. Then Bowie Junior High principal Clyde McMurray green-lighted hiring Brown, and Shelton was elated.
“Gayno sort of adopted me when I worked in Bowie,” Brown said. This weekend, Brown was expected to visit with Shelton here in town.
After three years in Bowie, Brown worked at independent school districts in San Antonio and Sanford-Fritch before landing at Boys Ranch.
When Brown started, he was a teacher, coach and house parent, which he considered “tough.” 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.
Kenneth Brown. (Courtesy photo, used with permission)
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
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.
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.
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