SPORTS
STORM CENTER: Giving bonds a pass
The sports editor knows our current economy isn’t completely sound.
However, several weeks ago, Nocona Independent School District voters turned out at the polls and defeated a proposed $15.1-million school bond.
On the May 7 election night scoreboard, there were 426 votes for passage and 552 votes against.
Overall, 978 votes were cast, and voter participation was affected by the fact the election took place on a Saturday.
On that same day, Nocona High School had prom – so, in my opinion, the election wasn’t first and foremost on the voters mind like it should have been.
It was the first time in 38 years Nocona had the opportunity to vote on a bond, which funded construction of Nocona Middle School.
The present Nocona High School was built in 1952, and the building has outlived its shelf life – especially when considering safety.
Superintendent Vickie Gearheart was encouraged, even though voters essentially sacked the school district for a loss.
“I am extremely encouraged to know that 426 people saw the need for a new high school and agreed it was worth the extra expense to pay for it,” she said, in a May 11 story written by Bowie News staff reporter Dani Blackburn.
The “Our Kids, Our Future” political action committee, which spearheaded a campaign to get the bond issue carried remains steadfast.
“We are going to continue until we get the bond proposal approved,” said the “Our Kids, Our Future” Facebook page.
The group has indicated it would like to try again either this November or possibly in May 2017. In my humble opinion, the bond election should take place next May. However, it should NOT take place on a Saturday. Read more from this column in the July 16 Bowie News.
Editor’s Note: The Storm Center column is the expressed written views of sports editor Eric Viccaro and not The Bowie News.
Here’s the floor plan for the proposed high school in Nocona, which would be located on land near the former Nocona Boot Company not far from United States Highway 82. Nocona would like to pass a bond to build a new high school, which would be the first new construction since the 1970s. (High school floor plan by CADCO Architects, Abilene)
Nocona got its new press box into place this week at Jack Crane Stadium. The old press box, which was in place for more than 60 years, was taken out in early June and moved to Indian Valley Raceway. The new press box was by the Southern Bleacher Company out of Graham. Athletic Director Black Crutsinger said they looked at a lot of press boxes and decided they liked the one at Lindsay High School and went with that model. Sean Hutson operated the crane from the Hurd Crane Service that put the press box up for Nocona.
Sunset native Cason Richey (right) and his team roping partner Beldon Cox from Weatherford repeated as the International Finals Youth Rodeo champions last weekend at Shawnee, OK. Richey and Cox won the previous year and were able to complete the repeat by catching three steers in a combined time of 16.6 seconds. Richey is expected to compete attend Texas Tech University this fall and compete on the rodeo team.
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.
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