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)
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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