SPORTS
STORM CENTER: Richardson is a special athlete
Back in 2008 and 2009, the current Bowie News sports editor lived in Liberal, Kansas, which is roughly a six-hour drive from Montague County.
The newspaper I worked for then received the Amarillo Globe-News, and there was a fascinating story taking place in Texas involving a high school athlete named Bonnie Richardson.
Richardson singlehandedly won the University Interscholastic League Conference 1A track and field championship.
Bonnie didn’t accomplish the feat once, she did it twice as a junior in 2008 and once again as a senior in 2009.
Richardson was the lone qualifier from her school, Rochelle, which is an unincorporated community in McCulloch County. Brady is McCulloch County’s county seat.
Yes, Rochelle is a tiny blip on the map. But, the community of less than 200 people still has a functioning United States post office and the school district – off Texas Highway 190.
And that’s my point, track and field stars can come from anywhere – including here in Montague County.
We have plenty of small school districts; Gold-Burg, Prairie Valley and Forestburg come to mind. Bellevue, in neighboring Clay County, is also capable of producing a “Bonnie.”
The Bowie News coverage area is sending three to the UIL state meet next week in Jackrabbit Zeke Vaughan in the high jump, Saint Jo pole vaulter Sarah Patrick and Forestburg thrower Cheyenne Banks.
We wish all three of these juniors good luck on the biggest stage of them all – Mike A. Myers Track and Soccer Stadium in Austin. 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.
Bonnie Richardson was a talented multi-event track and field athlete. Here, Bonnie prepares for the discus. Richardson won the Texas state meet all by herself not once, but twice. (Photo by Patrick Dove/San Angelo Standard-Times)
Nearly 600 youngsters signed up for this season of youth baseball sports through the BSA. The group celebrated with awards this past week and introduction of all its teams. See all the awards and photos from the night in the mid-week Bowie News. (Photos by Barbara Green)
The 2024 Summer Olympics is just a few weeks away taking place in Paris. The opening ceremonies will be July 26 and are planned to be unique as they take place along the Seine River that flows through Paris. Thomas Bach prepared this op-ed to welcome the world to Paris.
By Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee
The Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 is only days away. The excitement gripping this nation is palpable.
As this unique festival of sport draws closer, we all are feeling that France and the French people are ready to welcome the world’s best athletes with the hospitality and passion for sport for which they are famous all around the world.
Already millions of people have greeted the Olympic flame on its journey around France with a huge wave of enthusiasm. All of us are looking forward to an unforgettable celebration of Olympic sport and French culture in the coming weeks.
Read the full story in the mid-week sports in your Bowie News.
Saint Jo’s Firecracker 5K welcomed 100 runners for its 16th year on July 4th.
According to runsignup.com, Old Jo’s Firecracker 5K saw 100 runners of all ages register to kick off in downtown Saint Jo.
Brayden Willett, 14, Nocona, was the top male finisher with a time of 19:02.6. Sarah Rainey, 35, Saint Jo, was the top female finisher with 21:47.1.
In the male nine and under division, I. Miller, nine, Muenster, repeated his first place win from 2023 with at time of 34:52.8. E. Thomas, eight, no town listed, also repeated her win with a time of 31:58.5.
Emry Raney-Cavnar, 14, Ardmore, OK, won the male 10-14 group and E. Christensen, 11, Decatur, took the female race. In the male 15-19 division Luke Gehrig, 17, Muenster, won, while Sophia Christensen, 15, Decatur, took the ladies’ title.
See all the results and more photos in the weekend Bowie News.
Special appreciation to Jennifer Gaston Panther Photography for use of her photos.
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