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)
New Saint Jo Boy’s Basketball Coach Terry McLennan said the school’s family atmosphere is what prompted him to join the Panther family.
“This is an opportunity to be an important program but also part of a great community,” McLennan said. “I’ve been looking to get back to a small town environment like the one I grew up in and played ball and this should do that.”
McLennan played basketball in Hubbard outside of Waco. McLennan comes to town after being the assistant girl’s basketball coach in Grand Prairie.
McLennan contends he’s a defensive style of coach but says his team will focus on intensity.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
New Saint Jo Boy’s Basketball Coach Terry McLennan said the school’s family atmosphere is what prompted him to join the Panther family.
“This is an opportunity to be an important program but also part of a great community,” McLennan said. “I’ve been looking to get back to a small town environment like the one I grew up in and played ball and this should do that.”
McLennan played basketball in Hubbard outside of Waco. McLennan comes to town after being the assistant girl’s basketball coach in Grand Prairie.
McLennan contends he’s a defensive style of coach but says his team will focus on intensity.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
After some coaching time in East Texas, Bret Botard will be the new girl’s basketball coach at Bowie.
Botard said it’s a chance to work with Bowie Athletic Director Tyler Price once again. Price was Botard’s assistant when he coached at Nocona.
“I wanted to get back into the area,” Botard said. “It’s a good community.”
Botard graduated high school in 1995 from Del Valle High School, outside Austin, and went to Texas Tech. He started his coaching career in Lubbock followed by returning to his alma mater where he was an assistant for his high school coach.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
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