SPORTS
RODEO: Break out in breakaway
By ERIC VICCARO
sports@bowienewsonline.com
Recent Bowie High School graduate Kelsey Hancock has prepared for this moment all her life, spending countless hours roping.
Now, Hancock will participate in the National High School Finals Rodeo, which will begin July 16 in Gillette, Wyo.
“It’s going to be the first time to go to nationals,” Hancock said. “I think it’s pretty cool. I worked hard all year. I went to state, and I made it. I’m excited to go.”
Hancock will compete in the breakaway roping event based on her performance at 26 different Texas high school rodeos throughout the course of the 2016-17 season.
What’s the key to success in breakaway roping?
“I think it’s memory and practice,” Hancock said. “It’s a mental game, too. You should keep your head clear. You should be careful at the barrier. You have to let the calf out.”
Every millisecond counts and there’s no wiggle room for error.
Hancock scored 39 points during breakaway roping competitions, which placed her fourth. The top-four girls from Texas in breakaway advanced to the national finals – including Jordi Edens of Gatesville.
To soon-to-be Weatherford College rodeo starlet, Hancock said she spends at least 90 minutes per day roping from her performance horse, Chauncey, originally owned by Kevin and Angela Przilas. Read more in the July 15 Bowie News.
Bowie’s Kelsey Hancock performs in the breakaway roping event during a regular season high school rodeo in Saginaw. Hancock will compete at the National High School Finals Rodeo in Wyoming. (Courtesy photo by Joe Myers)
In its first match since last year’s state semifinal appearance, Saint Jo hosted Bryson Aug. 11 and took a 25-13, 25-12, 25-21 win over the Cowgirls.
The Lady Panthers lost some talent to graduation but have five seniors ready to have a successful season. Savannah Hil, one of the five, got Saint Jo rolling offensively with a four-point serving string, including a pair of aces. Abby Carter’s kill and Kamron Skidmore’s block helped put the Lady Panthers up 5-2 in game one.
Hadleigh Moore added a four-point string of her own to extend the lead to 10-3. Tatum Morman’s pair, helped by a Hill kill, gave Saint Jo a 14-5 lead. Bryson got within five before a Hill 3-pointer, with help by a Carter kill, put the lead back at 18-10.
After an Olivia Johnson kill broke serve, Jordyn O’Neal served up the final five points, with Johnson providing a kill to move things along.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
Despite being the smallest school in the Brock varsity classic volleyball tournament, the Lady Indians finished 4th out of the eight teams there.
After losing to the host team in its first pool play match Aug. 14 18-25, 14-25 and also to Class 3A Wall 12-25, 8-25, Nocona rebounded to close out pool play with a 20-25, 25-23, 25-20 win over Christoval. Sy Parker had 16 kills and 7 blocks in the three matches. Raylea Bowles had 12 kills, 17 digs and served up three aces. Maddyn Bowles had seven kills and 14 digs while Paige Davis had seven kills and 15 digs. Baylee Thomas added 11 digs.
From the setter spot, Kasi Castro had 20 assists, served up five aces and contributed 14 digs. Leah Meekins added 18 assists and six digs during the three matches.
To open Saturday’s bracket play, the Lady Indians posted a 25-18, 18-25, 26-24, 25-19 win over Fort Worth Christian. Castro staked Nocona to a 2-0 lead in game one. Kills by Parker set up pairs of points from Raylea Bowles and Leah Meekins helped Nocona negate an early deficit and take a 10-9 lead.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
County football teams had their first scrimmage of the season Aug. 14 with mixed results.
Forestburg hosted Azle Christian and Victory Christian. Under a new system with new head coach Cori Hayes, the Longhorns looked pretty good in the coach’s eye.
“The first team looked good,” Hayes explained. “Overall we need to work on our pace and blocking assignments and blocking assignments. Overall we looked good for the new regime.”
Forestburg hits the road to scrimmage Newcastle Aug. 21.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
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