SPORTS

RODEO: 4X Arena is a place to ride

Published

11 years ago

07/15/2015

By ERIC VICCARO
bnewssports@gmail.com

4X Arena was the brainchild of Libby Clayton and Johnny Uselton of rural Nocona.
On Saturday night, the one-year-old arena played host to a World Senior Professional Bull Riders event as well as a film crew shooting a documentary on small-time rodeo in Texas.
“We constructed it from scratch,” Clayton said of 4X Arena. “It was originally a team-roping arena with chutes, but we removed all that.”
4X Arena is located off United States Highway 82, less than five miles west of Nocona, on Eureka School Road.
“It’s a source of pride for us,” Clayton said. “We love the Nocona area. It has a small-town feel, and it was nice for me to come back to that. It was heartwarming.”
Clayton grew up in rural Illinois, and she met Uselton at a rodeo. Uselton is a former rider on the WSPBR circuit – competing until 2011.
The WSPBR is a not only relatively young, but it also is a rapidly growing circuit.
“It’s a dream come true,” Uselton said. “I’ve wanted to do this for years (build an arena). Nocona is a really a perfect place. We can draw cowboys from Oklahoma and from the Metroplex.”
WSPBR co-founder Robert Long, who competed in Saturday’s event, agreed with Uselton – saying Montague County is an ideal spot for a tour stop. Long founded this organization along with Morgan Saunders and Troy Moseley.
“We go all the way to Wichita, Kansas, now in just six short years,” Long said, “and we go all the way to Galveston in the south. This is a great centralized location.” Read more in the mid-week Bowie News.

A contestant rides a bull at 4X Arena, less than five miles west of Nocona, during Saturday evening’s World Senior Professional Bull Riders tour stop. The WSPBR is specifically designed for senior bull riders ages 35 on up. Click on the image itself for the complete photo. (News photo by Eric Viccaro)

SPORTS

Saint Jo volleyball opens with victory

Published

2 days ago

08/20/2026

bowienews

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.

SPORTS

Lady Indian VB falls in semis at Brock Tourney

Published

2 days ago

08/20/2026

bowienews

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.

SPORTS

Area teams hit gridiron for scrimmages

Published

2 days ago

08/20/2026

bowienews

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.