SPORTS

Smith wins first world title

Published

8 years ago

12/19/2018

Bowie resident Clay Smith earned his first world title in team roping at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas last week.
Smith and his partner Paul Eaves finished third in the contest after catching eight of 10 cows for 34.5 seconds over the course of 10 days. The pair won $174,577 each at the event.
With both holding the number one position in the world standings heading into the event, they were just able to hold off the competition to earn the world title, finishing with $289,921 on the year.
Before the competition, Smith and Eaves announced they would be breaking up their partnership after this year to go their separate ways after four years together.
Together they had qualified for the National Finals and had finished 12th, second and third the three previous years.
Smith has been competing in the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association since 2013 in team roping as a header (meaning it is his job to catch the cow’s head).
Named after famous roper Clay O’Brien Cooper, Smith was born into roping along with his two younger brothers Jake and Britt, who also were named after famous ropers. Smith teamed with Jake his first two years on the pro circuit.
Smith now lives in Bowie along with his wife Taylor. The couple had their first son in April, Jade.

SPORTS

Nocona, Saint Jo VB open district with wins

Published

7 days ago

10/01/2026

bowienews

Nocona and Saint Jo opened their respective district play with convincing road wins.

The Lady Indians needed four games but outlasted Archer City, 3-1 (25-22, 25-19, 23-25, 25-16). Paige Davis and Sy Parker each had 12 kills to pace Nocona with Davis adding 12 digs defensively. Maddyn Bowles led the way with 17 digs, 11 assists and served up three aces.

Setter Kasi Castro had 24 assists and 13 digs with Sophia Gaytan adding 12 assists and eight digs. Saint Jo went into Bellevue and posted a 25-15, 25-14, 25-22 sweep over the Lady Eagles.

For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.

SPORTS

Bellevue VB wins at home over Midway

Published

7 days ago

10/01/2026

bowienews

After a tough loss to open District 10-A volleyball play, Bellevue’s squad used the two-day break to refocus its efforts. The break worked as the Lady Eagles evened its record at 1-1 with a 3-0 win over visiting Midway Sept. 24 (25-17, 25-22, 25-20).

Bellevue Coach Jamie Hickey said working on game scenarios in practice has begun to pay off. Keeping focus was key to the victory as well.

“I think our key tonight was our mindset and just staying together,” Hickey said. “Letting mistakes go and focusing on the next play. We’ve been working on scenarios in practice and being intentional with each possession and attacking the ball more. I think we did tonight.” The Falcons played gutsy all night long, staying in each game after Bellevue had taken a good lead but the Lady Eagles, playing before a large crowd, held their own.

For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.

SPORTS

Lady ‘Horns sweep past Gold-Burg

Published

7 days ago

10/01/2026

bowienews

Forestburg opened District 10-A action with a road win at Gold-Burg Sept. 22, beating the Lady Bears in a three-game sweep (25-8, 25-9, 25-6.)

Forestburg’s Madi Wadsworth started game one with a five-point run, including two aces. Brenna Briles kept the drive alive with a kill. Gold-Burg broke serve and Zara Andrade’s serving point cut the deficit to three.

Yareli Aguirre cut the lead to 5-7 with another single point. Jocelyn Rich later countered for Forestburg with another five-point string to extend the lead to 13-5Back-to-back aces by Rich forced Gold-Burg Coach Cheryl Cromleigh into a timeout.

Sophomore Addy Conway rolled off four aces amidst a six-point run for the Lady ‘Horns to give the squad a 20-6 lead. Jocelyn Rich’s kill kept things moving along for Forestburg.

For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.