SPORTS

STORM CENTER COLUMN: Screening is a matter of heart

Published

11 years ago

05/05/2015

Okay, the sports editor wants you to pause before continuing to read this column.
Listen to the beat of your heart.
That’s one thing we take for granted, the simple beat of our heart, which helps us all sustain our lives.
Around Montague County, the sports editor watches as high school athletes pour their hearts out into every sport imaginable – from football and volleyball in the fall, through basketball in winter and current spring sports such as tennis and baseball.
The Texas State House has tentatively passed legislation, called House Bill No. 767, which would require “cardiac assessments of participants in extra-curricular activities sponsored or sanctioned by the University Interscholastic League.”
Wayne Smith, R-Baytown, created the bill which has passed the House twice on April 13 and April 14. The measure has since been sent to the Public Education Committee for discussion and examination, and the Senate still has yet to vote on the matter.
HB 767 was first filed back in January.
Scott Stephens, the father of deceased former Crosby football player Cody Stephens, has pushed for legislation since the death of his son from a condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM, for short).
Stephens, who stood 6-foot-9 and weighed 290 pounds, died from Sudden Cardiac Death while taking a nap. He was also set to play as an offensive lineman for Tarleton State University in Stephenville, earning a scholarship to the school. Read more of this column 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.

University Interscholastic League. (Logo provided by the UIL, no copyright infringement inferred)

SPORTS

Imotichey takes over as Forestburg VB coach

Published

7 days ago

07/16/2026

bowienews

A positive culture can be tough to install but will reap dividends if done correctly.

Trinadee Imotichey is trying to do just that with her Forestburg Lady Longhorns.

Imotichey, an assistant coach on the 2025 Forestburg volleyball team, was moved into the head coaching position. Last year’s coach, Cori Hayes, took over as football head coach.

Imotichey, in her 2^nd year in Forestburg, said she learned a lot from Hayes and is ready to take over.

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

SPORTS

Lady Rabbit SB beats Bridgeport

Published

7 days ago

07/16/2026

bowienews

Bowie’s summer softball league team overcame a 6-1 deficit with a six-run third inning for a 7-6 win over Bridgeport in its season opener July 6.

The league consists of teams from Bowie, Nocona, Lindsay, Bridgeport, and Alvord and will last three weeks. Bowie will host games each week.

Bowie pitcher Hazel Trahern gave up two singles and a groundout to put the Sissies on the board in the first. It would be the only hits she gave up in the game. Two groundouts and a strikeout got the Lady Rabbits out of the jam.

Bowie got the run back in the bottom of the first with Andee Jo Miller opening the frame with a walk and a stolen base. She then scored on Kynlee Baker’s groundout to tie the game at one.

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

SPORTS

Keck heads to National Junior Olympics

Published

7 days ago

07/16/2026

bowienews

Rest. Run. Repeat.

Sage Keck, an 8^th grader at Montague, lives by this mantra. No ifs, ands and buts about it.

She’s been running since fourth grade PE classes where she would run a mile every week. After discovering she could outrun the other students, she began to enjoy it and continued doing it.

Her success continued, as she finished 2^nd overall against more than 200 runners at the Old Saint Jo 5K July 4. In last weekend’s Texas Junior Olympics, she reached the pinnacle of her career so far by qualifying for the United States of America Track and Field (USATF) National Junior Olympics in Norwalk, Calif. in three events.

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