Cheyenne Central recommends Severn for head coaching spot

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Drew Severn will be Cheyenne Central’s new football coach, pending school board approval.

Severn, who played football and wrestled at the University of Wyoming, was an assistant football coach at Burns and an assistant wrestling coach at Central, and also previously coached in Arizona, a school news release said.

Severn takes over for Brick Cegelski, who went 85-87 in 18 years as head coach.

To see the list of all coaching changes statewide, click here.

The hiring was first reported by various Cheyenne media outlets:

 

–patrick

Close to home: UW football’s in-state recruiting efforts don’t affect Cowboys’ win-loss record, but new coach Bohl promises change

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When Craig Bohl was introduced as Wyoming’s new head football coach in December, he emphasized how he recruited high school players from the state of North Dakota while coaching at North Dakota State.

With the Cowboys, Bohl said he would recruit each of Wyoming’s 64 football-playing high schools, looking for players who fit his system. In fact, Bohl said he would “scour” Wyoming to find players to don the brown and gold.

The promise instantly endeared him to Wyoming fans, who for years have griped about UW’s inability to both find and develop in-state football talent. How well Bohl follows through on that promise will be determined in part by how many Wyoming players join the Cowboys by signing a National Letter of Intent on signing day on Wednesday.

In the past 10 years, Wyoming fans have had plenty of reasons to be disillusioned by the lack of homegrown talent suiting up for the brown and gold. In fact, only once in the past 10 years has the Wyoming football team had an above-average number of letterwinners actually hail from the Equality State, an examination of 2,626 UW letterwinnners by home state since 1964 by wyoming-football.com shows.

In fact, former UW head coach Dave Christensen had only three letterwinners from Wyoming on his squad in 2011 and 2012, and only two letterwinners from Wyoming in his final year 2013 – matching the fewest number of native letterwinners to suit up for UW since 1973.

Oddly enough, an examination of the hometowns of UW’s letterwinners over the past 50 years reveals an interesting trend: The Cowboys’ recruitment of homegrown talent has basically no effect on the team’s win-loss record.

Wyoming fans will trade success on the field for fewer homegrown players – the 1967 Sugar Bowl team, one of the most beloved in UW history, only had one letterwinner from the state of Wyoming. But Cowboy fans within Wyoming’s borders have been frustrated recently by the combination of two factors: The lack of Wyoming players coupled with the lack of consistent success on the field.

That made Bohl’s promise that much more powerful. To a proud but frustrated fan base, Bohl’s success, or failure, at recruiting Wyoming’s best high school football talent may end up being just as important as his ability to win games.

The facts

In the past 50 years of Wyoming Cowboy football, about 12.5 percent of the Cowboys’ letterwinners have been homegrown. But in the past 10 years, only once (in 2010) has UW topped that 12.5-percent mark, having more than an average number of letterwinners come from the state of Wyoming.

In 2013, only two players from Wyoming (Gillette’s Spencer Bruce and Laramie’s Josh Teeter) earned letters for the Cowboys.

Wyoming hasn’t paired the two elements Wyoming fans love most — a winning record and an above-average number of letterwinners coming from Wyoming high schools — in more than a decade. Actually, Wyoming hasn’t had the best of both worlds since 1999; that season, UW finished 7-4 and had 13.1 percent (eight of 61) of its letterwinners come from Wyoming.

That double-dip has happened often enough for Wyoming fans to know it’s possible.

In the past 50 years, Wyoming has notched a winning season with an above-average number of homegrown players 12 times. But UW has actually had more winning seasons come from seasons when the number of homegrown letterwinners was below average:

UW football, since 1964 Record above .500 Record below .500
Above average # of Wyo letterwinners 12 seasons 14 seasons
Below average # of Wyo letterwinners 14 seasons 10 seasons

Here’s a season-by-season breakdown of the number of letterwinners, the number of letterwinners from Wyoming, Wyoming’s winning percentage and the correlation therein, with cells in green signifying above-average seasons:

Season Letterwinners Letterwinners from Wyoming % Letterwinners from Wyoming UW win %
1964 40 7 17.50% 0.700
1965 42 2 4.76% 0.600
1966 42 2 4.76% 0.909
1967 46 1 2.17% 0.909
1968 46 2 4.35% 0.700
1969 39 2 5.13% 0.600
1970 44 7 15.91% 0.100
1971 51 9 17.65% 0.455
1972 41 8 19.51% 0.364
1973 40 2 5.00% 0.364
1974 48 5 10.42% 0.182
1975 47 7 14.89% 0.182
1976 52 9 17.31% 0.667
1977 48 9 18.75% 0.409
1978 50 7 14.00% 0.417
1979 55 8 14.55% 0.417
1980 54 8 14.81% 0.545
1981 51 11 21.57% 0.727
1982 52 12 23.08% 0.417
1983 51 12 23.53% 0.583
1984 54 9 16.67% 0.500
1985 52 11 21.15% 0.273
1986 56 12 21.43% 0.500
1987 57 9 15.79% 0.769
1988 58 9 15.52% 0.846
1989 52 6 11.54% 0.455
1990 53 8 15.09% 0.692
1991 55 5 9.09% 0.409
1992 52 3 5.77% 0.417
1993 50 4 8.00% 0.667
1994 53 4 7.55% 0.500
1995 42 4 9.52% 0.545
1996 57 7 12.28% 0.833
1997 66 5 7.58% 0.615
1998 61 7 11.48% 0.727
1999 61 8 13.11% 0.636
2000 62 10 16.13% 0.091
2001 59 8 13.56% 0.182
2002 64 8 12.50% 0.167
2003 54 9 16.67% 0.333
2004 60 4 6.67% 0.583
2005 67 6 8.96% 0.364
2006 62 5 8.06% 0.500
2007 54 6 11.11% 0.417
2008 59 6 10.17% 0.333
2009 54 4 7.41% 0.538
2010 53 7 13.21% 0.250
2011 55 3 5.45% 0.615
2012 54 3 5.56% 0.333
2013 51 2 3.92% 0.417
TOTAL 2626 322 12.26% 0.497

In years where UW had a higher number than average of its letterwinners come from Wyoming, the Cowboys finished a combined 140-158-3; in years where UW had a lower number of Wyoming letterwinners than average, the Cowboys went a combined 145-130-1.

UW has had its best success both with and without homegrown recruits. Wyoming had just two homegrown letterwinners in 1966 and only one — the lowest total in 50 years — in 1967; those two years, the Cowboys had back-to-back 10-1 seasons. However, in back-to-back double-digit victory seasons in 1987 (10-3) and 1988 (11-2), Wyoming had nine homegrown letter winners each season, and in the 10-2 1996 season, UW had seven homegrown letterwinners, above the average for the past 50 years.

However, in Wyoming’s only double-digit loss seasons the past 50 years (2000 and 2002), the Cowboys had a higher-than-average number of homegrown letterwinners. And, of course, in the past two seasons under Christensen (4-8 and 5-7), the Cowboys have had a dearth of in-state talent.

It’s not like UW is missing out on in-state recruits. In fact, a recent analysis of the hometowns of college football players by Benn Stancil of Mode Analytics showed a fact even Christensen’s biggest detractors can’t ignore — every single FBS football player from the state of Wyoming in 2013 played for the Wyoming Cowboys.

The new course

Even so, Bohl’s promise struck a chord with in-state fans. In examining the numbers, we can see why.

In the past 50 years, Wyoming has had a below-average number of homegrown recruits AND finished with a losing record only 10 times. But five of those 10 seasons have come since 2005.

Wyoming fans stomach losing easier when it’s homegrown players on the roster. But when it’s not? Wyoming fans react like you’d expect fans of the state’s only four-year institution to react: with frustration.

If Bohl follows through on his promise to recruit Wyoming high schools harder than his predecessors, then some of that frustration might fade.

History shows us, though, that UW’s success is much less dependent on where its players come from than what UW’s coaches do with the players once they get to Laramie.

A special thanks to Diane Dodson of the UW Sports Information office for providing the information on hometowns of Cowboy letterwinners. This work would not have been possible without her help.

Post updated Nov. 19, 2014, to fix HTML5 compatibility issues.

–patrick

Update: Cheyenne East

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One small update to the site: Cheyenne East’s game on Sept. 25, 1986, was against Longmont (Colo.) Skyline, not against Salt Lake (Utah) Skyline. My source had an error and I finally recognized it and fixed it.

–patrick

State track and field champions: Help needed!

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In addition to the football and basketball research I’ve done for Wyoming, I have also begun to dig into Wyoming’s track and field records. In theory, this project of finding +/- 8,000 individual and relay champions is an easier project than 23,000 football games. Thanks in part to the records posted by the Wyoming High School Activities Association, I’ve gotten a great start.

But last names won’t be enough. I need some help. Specifically, I’m looking for first names of the individual state champions below. If you can help, leave a comment below or email me at pschmiedt@yahoo.com.

I’d love to do more of this research, but being in North Dakota will make this type of work difficult. So I’m relying on my readers for help. Scour microfilm, look in old yearbooks, whatever… Just help a guy out. I will appreciate it for life!

Champions with missing first names are listed below, separated by gender, then by event and classification; the year of their championship and their school abbreviation accompanies their name. Some athletes have their first initial; others don’t. Records for boys go back to 1974; for girls, 1973 (the year of the first girls state track meet).

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Updated 4/6/14: The original list was getting hard to read with all the strike-throughs. So here’s a cleaned-up version of what I still need. (To see what I need by school, check at the end of the comments.) I have preserved the original list, with the strike-throughs, below this one.

This list updated 8:52 a.m. 5/28/14.

GIRLS
High jump
Class 4A: Gorseth, Riverton, 1977.

+++

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Original list. Last edited 8:52 a.m. 5/28/14 to reflect latest updates. Crossed-through names have been found!

BOYS
100
Class 4A: J. Winfrey, KW, 1984; Parham, CC, 1983; Cooley, Lar, 1978; Smith, CC, 1977; Johnson, CE, 1976; Hopkins, KW, 1975; Nelson, Pow, 1974.
Class 3A: Franklin, Tor, 1983; Allen, Jac, 1982; Sims, Tor, 1979; Joslin, Kem, 1978; Call, SV, 1977; Richardson, The, 1976; Nakamura, Kem, 1975.
Class 2A: K. Asay, RM, 1984; Ratyche, TR, 1979; Patterson, Sho, 1978; Cooney, PB, 1977; Bluemel, MV, 1976; Wunder, Lin, 1975; Padilla, MB, 1974.
Class 1A: Lee, SR, 1983; Hinckley, Cow, 1982; K. Wagner, Dea, 1981; B. Savage, Byr, 1980; Cronk, Chu, 1978-79; Williams, Byr, 1977; Eller, Gld, 1976; Welch, Cow, 1975.

200
Class 4A: Stewart, RS, 1978; James, CC, 1977; Johnson, CE, 1975-76; Nelson, Pow, 1974.
Class 3A: A. Lainhart, SV, 1983; Cook, Jac, 1982; Reith, The, 1978; Wolbrandt, Buf, 1977; Boelen, The, 1976; Nakamura, Kem, 1975.
Class 2A: Vinot, TR, 1979; Bell, Gue, 1978; Harvey, MV, 1977; Bluemel, MV, 1976; Westling, WR, 1975; Padilla, MB, 1974.
Class 1A: Sibbett, Cow, 1983; Hinckley, Cow, 1982; K. Wagner, Dea, 1981; Cronk, Chu, 1978-79; Williams, Byr, 1977; Hessenthaler, Byr, 1976; Welch, Cow, 1975.

400
Class 4A: T. Peterson, She, 1985; J. Jackson, CC, 1984; Larsen, Riv, 1978; Koritnik, CE, 1977; Tanner, KW, 1976; Kennah, Lan, 1975.
Class 3A: L. Robinson, SV, 1985; A. Lainhart, SV, 1983; Lainhart, SV, 1982; Hopp, Tor, 1978-79; Dedmon, The, 1977; W. Richardson, The, 1976; Hamer, Tor, 1975.
Class 2A: M. Sibbett, Byr, 1985; White, WR, 1982-83; Hohnholt, Gue, 1979; Bell, Gue, 1978; Eyre, Lym, 1977; Cooney, PB, 1976; Marsh, Lin, 1975; Shepperson, Upt, 1974.
Class 1A: D. Bennion, Met, 1981; Paterson, LaG, 1978; Hessenthaler, Byr, 1977; Sinn, Mand, 1976; Hehnke, TS, 1975.

800
Class 4A: R. Poe, KW, 1985; B. Hoblit, NC, 1984; O’Brian, KW, 1983; Hopkins, GR, 1982; Daniel, Riv, 1979; Ness, CC, 1978; Charkey, CC, 1976-77; Bishop, CE, 1975; Nichols, Lar, 1974.
Class 3A: W. Penny, Pow, 1984; Robinson, SV, 1983; Wenzel, Buf, 1982; Scheer, Tor, 1979; Manning, The, 1978; Hopp, Tor, 1977; Rainey, SV, 1976; Madden, Lus, 1974-75.
Class 2A: J. Burnett, Kem, 1984; S. White, WR, 1983; White, WR, 1982; Watt, Upt, 1979; Straley, Pin, 1978; Welch, Mor, 1977; Straley, Pin, 1976; Furlong, WR, 1975; Brisko, MV, 1974.
Class 1A: J. Nummila, BH, 1985; D. Bennion, Met, 1981; Harris, Kay, 1979; Trowbridge, Enc, 1978; Hudson, Met, 1977; Harris, Kay, 1976; Burgess, Enc, 1975.

1600
Class 4A: R. Poe, KW, 1985; B. Hoblit, NC, 1984; Hoblit, NC, 1983; Hollers, Cod, 1982; Watt, KW, 1978; Charkey, CC, 1977; Bishop, CE, 1976.
Class 3A: Green, Glk, 1983; Williams, Jac, 1982; D. Velarde, Tor, 1977; Valardi, Tor, 1976; Davis, Eva, 1975; Price, Buf, 1974.
Class 2A: G. Vickrey, Kem, 1985; B. Daiss, Lin, 1984; Dewey, BH, 1983; Shahan, Lym, 1982; Hudson, Met, 1978; Hohnholt, Gue, 1975-77; Watson, Gue, 1974.
Class 1A: J. Nummila, BH, 1985; Linton, Met, 1983; A. Thomas, Brl, 1981; French, AC, 1979; Trowbridge, Enc, 1978; Rose, Met, 1975-77.

3200
Class 4A: R. Poe, KW, 1985; J. Fischer, Gil, 1984; Hoblit, NC, 1983; Fellows, Cod, 1982; Davis, CE, 1978-79; Miller, CC, 1977; Bishop, CE, 1976.
Class 3A: Green, Glk, 1983; Williams, Jac, 1982; Geslin, Kem, 1978; Dean, Eva, 1977; Davis, Eva, 1974-76.
Class 2A: G. Vickrey, Kem, 1985; B. Daiss, Lin, 1984; Myers, Pin, 183; Shahan, Lym, 1982; Hudson, Met, 1978; Hohnholt, Gue, 1977; Straley, Pin, 1976; Hohnholt, Gue, 1975.
Class 1A: J. Numilla, BH, 1985; Linton, Met, 1983; A. Thomas, Brl, 1981; French, AC, 1979; Peterson, Cok, 1978; Rose, Met, 1975-77.

110 hurdles
Class 4A: K. Lane, CE, 1985; S. Garrett, CC, 1984; Alm, CE, 1983; Quaney, CC, 1982; Dorr, Gil, 1979; Riedl, CC, 1977-78; Shanor, CE, 1976; Jones, CC, 1975; Herbison, CC, 1974.
Class 3A: Draney, SV, 1983; Bayse, Jac, 1982; Seely, The, 1978; Bodine, Tor, 1977; Adams, Tor, 1976; Meredith, Dou, 1975; Clinkenbeard, Jac, 1974.
Class 2A: Gilliland, WR, 1983; Mirich, Mor, 1982; Anderson, Gue, 1979; Roop, Han, 1978; Eyre, Lym, 1977; Grasmick, Sho, 1976; Runner, WR, 1975; Padilla, MB, 1974.
Class 1A: K. Booth, SE, 1984; Wiles, Brl, 1983; Wessel, Enc, 1982; G. Cloudy, Met, 1981; Neumann, Cok, 1978; Bassett, Byr, 1975-77.

300 hurdles/180 hurdles
Class 4A: J. Stewart, KW, 1985; Bi. Gilliland, Riv, 1984; Ristau, NC, 1983; Petty, Lar, 1982; Dorr, Gil, 1979; Stewart, KW, 1978; Bush, Riv, 1976-77; Jones, CC, 1975; Herbison, CC, 1974.
Class 3A: E. Thompson, Buf, 1984; Fales, Tor, 1983; Bayse, Jac, 1982; Quest, Buf, 1978-79; Rainey, SV, 1977; Adams, Tor, 1976; Trabing, The, 1975.
Class 2A: Stewart, PB, 1983; Anderson, Gue, 1979; Roop, Han, 1978; Eyre, Lym, 1977; Eggli, PB, 1976; Runner, WR, 1975; Hampton, Upt, 1974.
Class 1A: K. Booth, SE, 1984; Bennion, Met, 1983; Sorenson, Dea, 1982; G. Cloudy, Met, 1981; Music, JC, 1979; Neumann, Cok, 1978; Bennion, Met, 1977; Bassett, Byr, 1975-76.

Discus
Class 4A: R. Tyson, Lar, 1985; D. Edeen, CC, 1984; Boonhower, CE, 1977; Hensman, Wor, 1976; Svilar, Lan, 1975.
Class 3A: D. Peterson, Eva, 1984; Mowry, Kem, 1983; Roe, Glk, 1982; Grapes, Tor, 1979; Sittner, Tor, 1977-78.
Class 2A: Bailey, TR, 1979; Hunter, TR, 1977; Werner, Bas, 1976; Garrison, MV, 1975.
Class 1A: P. Lissman, SE, 1985; A. Wardell, Alb, 1984; Wardell, Alb, 1983; Eschrich, TS, 1982; Craft, Man, 1978; Petsch, Alb, 1977; McLaughlin, Alb, 1976; Diercks, Mand, 1975.

High jump
Class 4A: J. Rehm, KW, 1985; B. Coventry, NC, 1984; W. Rehm, KW, 1983; Hall, KW, 1982; Edwards, She, 1979; Taylor, KW, 1978; Helvey, She, 1977; Shanor, CE, 1976; Smith, Cod, 1975.
Class 3A: M. Michael, Tor, 1985; B. Humphrey, Jac, 1984; Draney, SV, 1983; Laird, Whe, 1979; Parrott, Jac, 1977-78; Kelsey, Lov, 1976; Schmidt, Kem, 1975.
Class 2A: S. Ravikar, Kem, 1985; S. Radnikar, Kem, 1984; Booth, SE, 1983; McColley, MB, 1979; Coulston, Dub, 1977-78; Redfield, Sun, 1976; McCartney, Han, 1975; Sanchez, Han, 1974.
Class 1A: K. Booth, SE, 1984; Hottell, Alb, 1983; Smothers, TS, 1982; Cook, Brl, 1979; Winters, Brl, 1978; Bassett, Byr, 1976-77; T. Bassett, Byr, 1975.

Long jump
Class 4A: J. Benson, NC, 1985; P. Brinkman, CC, 1984; Mossey, CE, 1983; Griffin, KW, 1982; Riedl, CC, 1978; Oliver, CC, 1977; Jenkins, CC, 1976.
Class 3A: B. Sanders, Eva, 1984; Draney, SV, 1983; Franklin, Tor, 1982; Koza, Tor, 1978-79; Rubes, Buf, 1977; Smith, Tor, 1976; Kautz, Tor, 1975.
Class 2A: J. Eastman, Han, 1985; M. Fox, WR, 1984; Stewart, Gue, 1978-79; Eyre, Lym, 1976-77; Schuricht, Mor, 1975.
Class 1A: K. Booth, SE, 1984; Wiles, Brl, 1983; Lee, SR, 1982; Winters, Brl, 1979; Neumann, Cok, 1978; Williams, Byr, 1977; S. Bassett, Byr, 1975.

Pole vault
Class 4A: B. Strube, KW, 1985; J. Christensen, Lan, 1984; Bregar, Lan, 1983; Hudson, CC, 1982; Bottom, NC, 1979; Turk, KW, 1977-78; Pilch, CE, 1976.
Class 3A: B. Barham, Glk, 1985; T. Eisenhauer, Tor, 1984; Eisenhauer, Tor, 1983; Varney, Tor, 1979; Garland, Buf, 1978; Schlager, Tor, 1977; Murphy, Tor, 1976; Sandlian, Tor, 1975.
Class 2A: S. Wocicki, Bas, 1985; T. Hagemeister, Bas, 1984; J. Grove, Dub, 1980-81; Boaker, Dub, 1979; Coulston, Dub, 1978; Wanger, Lin, 1976-77; Winters, Pin, 1975.
Class 1A: M. Wiles, Brl, 1984; Wiles, Brl, 1983; Wessel, Enc, 1982; L. Michaels, Brl, 1980; Wiles, Brl, 1979; Michaels, Brl, 1978; Bassett, Byr, 1975-77.

Shot put
Class 4A: M. Folkers, NC, 1985; J. Bliss, CE, 1984; Boonhower, CE, 1977; Boomhower, CE, 1976; Lange, KW, 1975.
Class 3A: S. Roe, Glk, 1985; K. Coffelt, Tor, 1984; Gregory, New, 1983; Howell, Tor, 1979; Waln, Glk, 1978; Roush, Dou, 1977.
Class 2A: T. Shumway, Gre, 1985; D. Hansen, Gre, 1984; Bailey, TR, 1979; Perkins, Gue, 1976-77; Ferguson, Sar, 1975.
Class 1A: A. Lemaster, SE, 1985; A. Wardell, Alb, 1984; Ballard, Byr, 1983; Eschrich, TS, 1982; D. McDonald, TS, 1980; Cundall, Gld, 1979; Flock, GH, 1978; Wright, Byr, 1977; McLaughlin, Alb, 1976; Gutierrez, GH, 1975.

Triple jump
Class 4A: S. Simmons, KW, 1985; B. Olsen, NC, 1984; Mossey, CE, 1982-83; Turner, CC, 1979; Riedl, CC, 1978; DeWyke, CE, 1977; Johnson, CE, 1976.
Class 3A: C. Canaday, Tor, 1985; C. Erickson, SV, 1984; Draney, SV, 1983; Fales, Tor, 1982; Oberg, Tor, 1977-78; Richardson, The, 1976; Kautz, Tor, 1975.
Class 2A: J. Wollington, Bur, 1985; J. Mickelson, Lov, 1984; Booth, SE, 1983; Rakness, Sar, 1979; Maxson, Sho, 1978; Eyre, Lym, 1976-77; Oltmans, MB, 1975.
Class 1A: K. Booth, SE, 1984; Delgado, Cok, 1983; Wessel, Enc, 1982; Winters Brl, 1978-79; Bassett, Byr, 1977; Brown, Byr, 1976; S. Bassett, Byr, 1975.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

GIRLS
100
Class 4A: T. Peden, NC, 1985; A. Banks, CC, 1984; Peper, Gil, 1977; Riedl, CC, 1976.
Class 3A: Kimsey, Tor, 1976-77; Stone, Jac, 1975.
Class 2A: C. Hollenbeck, Bur, 1985; K. Anderson, Kem, 1984; Hauf, Han, 1983; Martin, Han, 1982; L. Janicek, PB, 1979; Butler, TR, 1977; Dellos, Bas, 1975-76.
Class 1A: C. Lovett, Chu, 1984-85; Buell, AC, 1983; Stencel, TS, 1982; S. Stencel, TS, 1981; L. Miller, Brl, 1980; Alspach, JC, 1979; Milliner, Gld, 1977-78; Campbell, LaG, 1976; Brunk, TS, 1975.

200
Class 4A: A. Banks, CC, 1984; Burman, Lar, 1975-77.
Class 3A: Hayman, Dou, 1983; Trouchon, Whe, 1979; Logan, Buf, 1978; Tennant, Dou, 1977; Kimsey, Tor, 1976; Reith, The, 1975.
Class 2A: Wood, PB, 1982-83; Soppe, Bur, 1978.
Class 1A: C. Lovett, Chu, 1984-85; Smith, SR, 1983; Stencel, TS, 1982; S. Stencel, TS, 1981; D. Jenkins, Enc, 1980; Neard, Kay, 1979; Milliner, Gld, 1978; McCollum, Gld, 1977; Tranel, SR, 1976.

400
Class 4A: Gundrum, CC, 1979; Nelson, She, 1978; Hales, KW, 1976-77; Schneider, NC, 1975.
Class 3A: Swanson, Buf, 1979; Stockwell, Gre, 1977-78; O’Neal, The, 1975.
Class 2A: Wood, PB, 1983; Kingery, Bas, 1982; J. Ackerman, Sho, 1980; Ackerman, Sho, 1979; Soppe, Bur, 1977-78.
Class 1A: T. McCray, JC, 1984; Smith, SR, 1983; Tharp, Man, 1979; Tranel, SR, 1977-78; Milliner, Gld, 1976; Herold, SR, 1975.

800
Class 4A: R. Gillingham, RS, 1988; S. Short, KW, 1984; Huff, Wor, 1979; Sanford, NC, 1976-78; Kuzara, She, 1975.
Class 3A: Jorgenson, Dou, 1983; Schuman, Buf, 1978-79; Storkel, Tor, 1977; Bartsch, New, 1975-76.
Class 2A: Soppe, Bur, 1977-78; Collman, Pin, 1976; Johnson, Bur, 1975.
Class 1A: Fethkenher, TS, 1983; Corson, SR, 1978; DeBrock (or DeBock), Met, 1975-77.

1600
Class 4A: T. Befus, Riv, 1984; Huff, Wor, 1979; Sanford, NC, 1976-78; Kuzara, She, 1975.
Class 3A: Jorgenson, Dou, 1983; Graham, Glk, 1979; Schuman, Buf, 1978; Graham, Glk, 1977; Bartsch, New, 1975-76.
Class 2A: T. Garcia, Han, 1984; Garcia, Han, 1983; Gosar, Pin, 1981-82; Stulc, Bas, 1977; Brown, WI, 1976; Johnson, Bur, 1975.
Class 1A: Carter, TS, 1983; Cook, Brl, 1979; Roediger, Gld, 1978; Coronado, Man, 1977; Barrus, Met, 1976; Jensen, Byr, 1975.

3200
Class 4A: C. Oedekoven, NC, 1985; D. Gale, Gil, 1984; Gale, Gil, 1983.
Class 3A: Rodrigues, Buf, 1983; Luchsinger, Whe, 1982.
Class 2A: T. Garcia, Han, 1984; P. Garcia, Han, 1983; Gosar, Pin, 1982; C. Moss, WI, 1981.
Class 1A: H. Carter, TS, 1984; Carter, TS, 1983.

80 hurdles
Class 4A: Ferguson, Lar, 1977; Riedl, CC, 1975-76.
Class 3A: Seppala, New, 1979; Stone, Jac, 1976; Williams, Kem, 1975.
Class 2A: L. Janicek, PB, 1979; Garner, Gue, 1978; Sailor, Bur, 1977; Materi, Upt, 1976-75.
Class 1A: Tharp, Man, 1977-79; Brunk, TS, 1975-76.

100 hurdles
Class 4A: S. Barraclough, Riv, 1984; Ferguson, Lar, 1977; Riedl, CC, 1975-76.
Class 3A: W. Tinsley, Tor, 1984; Stone, Jac, 1976.
Class 2A: B. Smoot, Mor, 1985; K. Anderson, Kem, 1984; Smoot, Mor, 1983; Hileman, Sar, 1982; L. Janicek, PB, 1979; Garner, Gue, 1978; Sailor, Bur, 1977; Taylor, MV, 1976; Materi, Upt, 1975.
Class 1A: S. Dayton, Cok, 1985; T. Sax, Met, 1984; Arndt, AC, 1983; Rice, TS, 1982; Tharp, Man, 1977-79; Brunk, TS, 1975-76.

200 hurdles
Class 4A: S. Barraclough, Riv, 1984; Barraclough, Riv, 1983.
Class 2A: K. Anderson, Kem, 1984; Fairbourn, MV, 1983; Hileman, Sar, 1982.
Class 1A: T. Sax, Met, 1984; Sax, Met, 1983; Stencel, TS, 1982; S. Stencel, TS, 1981; D. Rice, TS, 1980.

300 hurdles
Class 3A: L. Thomas, New, 1985.
Class 2A: L. Farrar, Bur, 1985.
Class 1A: S. Dayton, Cok, 1985.

Discus
Class 4A: L. Walter, She, 1984-85; Walter, She, 1982-83; Goetzinger, Riv, 1979; Sostrom, Wor, 1978; Goetzinger, Riv, 1977.
Class 3A: Evans, Jac, 1983; Blakeman, Eva, 1982; Stenseng, Buf, 1979; Jones, The, 1978; Yatz, Gre, 1977; Hamer, Tor, 1975-76.
Class 2A: Tucker, Lym, 1983; Dietz, PB, 1982; Lamb, MV, 1979; Shepardson, Dub, 1977-78; Harvey, Upt, 1976.
Class 1A: S. Paules, MB, 1985; Smith, SR, 1983; Stencel, TS, 1982; J. Stencel, TS, 1981; Corson, SR, 1979; Eaton, Gld, 1978; Rubis, Mand, 1975.

High jump
Class 4A: K. Bagby, She, 1985; K. Matchett, NC, 1984; Matchett, NC, 1983; J. Stender, She, 1980; Stender, She, 1978-79; Gorseth, Riv, 1977; Sherman, CC, 1975.
Class 3A: H. Wilson, Jac, 1985; Jorgenson, Dou, 1982; Gonzalez, Tor, 1978; Stenseng, Buf, 1977; Solberg, Lus, 1976; Williams, Kem, 1975.
Class 2A: J. Hicks, Lym, 1984; Cliver, Sun, 1982; J. Ackerman, Sho, 1980; Story, Dub, 1979; Humphrey, Sun, 1977-78; Materi, Upt, 1975-76.
Class 1A: A. Boomhower, Kay, 1984-85; Rice, TS, 1983; Stencel, TS, 1982; Webster, Far, 1979; Wyman, TS, 1978; Dunn, Lag, 1977; Steben, Hun, 1975-76.

Long jump
Class 4A: Campbell, Raw, 1983; Whitman, NC, 1982; R. Thompson, CE, 1981; McAtee, KW, 1976; Banister, NC, 1975.
Class 3A: T. Armstrong, Tor, 1985; Seppala, New, 1979; Burnap, GR, 1976-77; Edl, Jac, 1975.
Class 2A: C. Hollenbeck, Bur, 1985; T. Kingery, Bas, 1984; Hileman, Sar, 1983; Martin, Han, 1982; L. Janicek, PB, 1979; Soppe, Bur, 1977-78; Steege, Bur, 1976; L. Soppe, Bur, 1975.
Class 1A: J. Wells, SE, 1985; T. Ward, Enc, 1984; Smith, SR, 1983; S. Stencel, TS, 1981; L. Bridges, Dea, 1980; Tharp, Man, 1979; Tranel, SR, 1978; McCollum, Gld, 1977; Allington, JC, 1976; Steben, Hun, 1975.

Shot put
Class 4A: M. Tomlin, KW, 1985; L. Walter, She, 1984; Walter, She, 1982-83.
Class 3A: Jones, The, 1978-79; Stenseng, Buf, 1977; Elingford, Eva, 1976; Murphy, Tor, 1975.
Class 2A: P. Jacobson, TR, 1984; Tucker, Lym, 1983; Shepardson, Dub, 1979; T. Lamb, MV, 1978; Hankins, WR, 1977; Scott, TR, 1976.
Class 1A: S. Paules, MB, 1985-84; Smith, SR, 1983; J. Cox, TS, 1981; Sundigas, TS, 1979; Wyman, TS, 1978.

Triple jump
Class 4A: M. Haynes, She, 1984; Norris, Riv, 1983; Carmine, RS, 1982.
Class 3A: H. Wilson, Jac, 1985; Giffin, New, 1982.
Class 2A: T. Kingery, Bas, 1985; J. Gordon, Bur, 1984; Kingery, Bas, 1983; Martin, Han, 1982.
Class 1A: T. Ward, Enc, 1984; Howe, Chu, 1983; S. Stencel, TS, 1981.

Softball throw
Class 4A: Faure, Wor, 1977; Schneider, NC, 1975-76.
Class 3A: Williamson, Gre, 1979; Gonzalez, Tor, 1976-78.
Class 2A: Lamb, MV, 1979; C. Lamb, MV, 1978; Lamb, MV, 1977; Snyder, Pin, 1976.
Class 1A: Corson, SR, 1979; Wambeke, Dea, 1978; Sedman, Hun, 1975.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

–patrick

Updates: Shoshoni, Cheyenne East, Lusk, St. Mary’s

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I’ve made the following updates to the site:

Added three games to Shoshoni’s 1929 season, the first in school history: a 18-0 loss to the Riverton JV on Oct. 26; a 0-0 tie with Thermopolis JH on Nov. 1; and a 18-0 loss to Riverton JH on Nov. 9. I added all three games to the missing games list because locations could not be found for any of the three games.

In tracking down this info, I also found Shoshoni’s coach for 1929 was James Share. He also coached Shoshoni in 1931; I still don’t know if Share was Shoshoni’s coach in 1930, too, or not. For now, it’s listed as missing on the Coaches Project.

Corrected Cheyenne East’s coach in 1977. It was Art Kissack, not Ron TenBensel. Thanks to Cliff Collins, who played for Kissack in 1977, for the help!

Fixed the location of the St. Mary’s-Lusk game in 1971. It was in Lusk, not Cheyenne, due to problems with the field in Cheyenne. Thanks to Cory Griffith at the Lusk Herald for the help!

All the updates have been reflected on all the relevant pages. As always, if you spot an error on this site, let me know! Post a comment below or email me at pschmiedt@yahoo.com.

–patrick

Early 2014 favorites

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With the 2013 season now almost two months finished, it’s time to start looking ahead to 2014. (Right?) Of course, any season predictions are premature — even up until the season starts. Most of the fun comes in the play on the field, not the chatter off it. Still, it’s fun to look ahead and think about what MIGHT happen on the field next season…

Class 4A

The big four — Cheyenne East, Natrona, Gillette and Sheridan — have comprised the semifinal playoffs each of the past four years. Although nothing is guaranteed, especially if Kelly Walsh and Cheyenne Central remain competitive, I think one of the big four will win it all again in 2014. For now, I like East to repeat, but the top-heavy nature of 4A makes picking the winner of the state title difficult the week of the game, much less 10 months away….

Early top 5: 1. Cheyenne East; 2. Natrona; 3. Gillette; 4. Sheridan; 5. Kelly Walsh.

Preseason class MVP: Tevis Bartlett, Cheyenne East.

+++

Class 3A

Powell, on a 27-game winning streak and returning all-staters Carter Baxter and Riley Stringer, is the obvious choice. But don’t be fooled; 3A is more nuanced than that. Douglas will again present a real threat to the Panthers’ title run — and to the winning streak, as the teams meet in Week 1. And don’t forget about Cody. This could be the best Broncs team in years, and they’ll push Powell for conference and state supremacy.

Early top 5: 1. Powell; 2. Cody; 3. Douglas; 4. Star Valley; 5. Riverton.

Preseason class MVP: Riley Stringer, Powell.

+++

Class 2A

Looking at who’s coming back and who’s not, I have a difficult time seeing anything but a rematch in next year’s 2A title game. Big Horn returns four all-state choices from this year and Mountain View has three; the rest of Class 2A has four returning all-staters combined. I think 2A will have less parity, but the top teams will be better. Lovell is loaded again, though, and also keep an eye out for Thermopolis — the Bobcats were a pleasant surprise last year and have a good young core of players.

Early top 5: 1. Mountain View; 2. Big Horn; 3. Lovell; 4. Thermopolis; 5. Lyman.

Preseason class MVP: Cade Covington, Mountain View.

+++

Class 1A 11-man

Kind of like 4A, 1A 11-man has a core of teams that just keep making semifinal appearances. Cokeville, Lusk and Southeast have been in the semifinals together each of the past three years. Make it four, as all three squads are ready for another run at a championship. As for who will win it all? Well, in the preseason, they’ll probably be in that order. The surprise team could be Tongue River, which is getting better and has some talent returning from a team used to the rigors of a 2A schedule.

Early top 5: 1. Cokeville; 2. Lusk; 3. Southeast; 4. Lingle; 5. Rocky Mountain.

Preseason class MVP: Jace Petersen, Cokeville.

+++

Class 1A six-man

In short, six-man is wide open in 2014. No clear favorite exists in six-man, but a few teams stick out because of the talent they have coming back — Guernsey, Kaycee, Dubois and Meeteetse all have enough depth, speed and experience to make title runs, and Snake River, which returns all three of its all-conference selections, could be a darkhorse.

Early top 5: 1. Guernsey; 2. Meeteetse; 3. Dubois; 4. Kaycee; 5. Snake River.

Preseason class MVP: Brady Esquibel, Guernsey.

+++

I know these thoughts are incomplete. So help me fill out what the 2014 season might look like. Chip in your comments below and let’s start talking about next season. It’s never too soon to talk football!

–patrick

Midwest vs. Hulett game film from 1998

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I recently converted the game tape of the 1998 meeting between Midwest and Hulett to a digital format and loaded it onto Youtube.

I played for Midwest in this game, which we won 19-16. Other than that, the game doesn’t really have any special significance, although I did call it my most memorable game in A Century of Fridays. For the fun stuff, fast forward to 31:30, to watch Midwest’s game-winning drive, down 16-13.

If you’ve uploaded game film to Youtube, I’d love to hear about it. Post a comment below! Of course, not every game film will get a post on this blog, but if anyone has gone to the effort of restoring playoff/championship game films, I’d be glad to share them around. I’ve previously linked to the 1954 Class A championship film and to Powell’s 1957 playoff games, including the Class A title game.

In uploading this video, I also stumbled across Meeteetse’s game films for the year, including the state championship against Midwest.

–patrick

Site updates: Basin, Byron, Cowley, Dayton, Glendo, Manville, Reliance, Sunrise

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In calculating some season records, I’ve uncovered a few more season mis-tallies on my part. The following mistakes (in tallying only, not in any individual game results) have been corrected to individual seasons:

Basin, 1923, 2-4 not 1-5; Byron, 1944, 5-5 not 5-3; Dayton, 1950, 7-1 not 6-2; Glendo, 1956, 2-4 not 3-3; Manville, 1932, 0-6 not 0-5, and 1946, 1-4 not 2-3; Reliance, 1942, 3-1 not 2-2; Sunrise, 1936, 3-3-1 not 2-4-1.

I’ve also fixed the overall record for Cowley (12 total ties, not 11).

The changes are reflected on all relevant pages. As always, if you spot an error, feel free to let me know via email at pschmiedt@yahoo.com, or just leave a comment here.

–patrick

 

Updates: Lander, Natrona, Laramie, Fort Washakie, University Prep, Star Valley, Evanston, Jackson, Superior

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Thanks to the files available at the Wyoming Newspaper Project, I added four games and fixed five others:

Added two games between Lander and Natrona in 1910: a 0-0 tie on Nov. 13 and Lander’s 6-0 victory on Nov. 24.

Updated the final score of Fort Washakie’s 6-0 victory over Lander on Oct. 8, 1910; I had seen 6-1 but I knew it was a typo in the original source. I found a better source.

Removed Fort Washakie’s 6-0 victory over Lander on Oct. 18, 1910. This came from a reprint about the game that was played on Oct. 8; Lander and Fort Washakie only played twice in 1910, not three times.

Found the score for Laramie’s 20-0 loss to the UW JV on Oct. 23, 1909.

Found the score for Laramie’s 6-3 loss to the UW JV on Oct. 11, 1911.

Found the score and the date for Laramie’s 52-0 victory over University Prep on Sept. 30, 1921.

Added two games for Laramie in 1910: an 11-5 loss to the UW JV on Oct. 29 and a canceled game with the UW JV on Nov. 24.

I also found University Prep’s coach for 1921; it was Orion Neff. Neff coached Laramie in 1922.

+++

In addition, in trading info with Dahl Erickson at the Star Valley Independent, I was able to add some more information on the Braves and their opponents from the 1930s and 1940s, including six new games and updates on five others:

Noted that Evanston beat Star Valley on Oct. 22, 1932 (no score available)

Noted that Star Valley beat Thatcher, Utah, on Nov. 11, 1932 (no score available)

Noted that Star Valley beat Jackson on Oct. 20, 1934 (no score available)

Noted that Firth, Idaho, beat Star Valley on Oct. 19, 1934 (no score available)

Noted that Star Valley beat Bancroft, Idaho, on Oct. 27, 1934 (no score available)

Added Star Valley’s 45-0 victory over Downey, Idaho, sometime between Sept. 22 and Oct. 11, 1945 (no date available)

Added Star Valley’s 19-19 tie with Paris, Idaho, sometime between Oct. 13 and Oct. 27, 1945 (no date available)

Added Star Valley’s 19-0 victory over Superior sometime between Oct. 14 and Oct. 28, 1945 (no date available)

Added Star Valley’s 18-13 victory over Montpelier, Idaho, sometime between Oct. 15 and Oct. 29, 1945 (no date available)

Added Star Valley’s 13-6 victory over Superior sometime between Oct. 16 and Nov. 30, 1949 (no date available)

Added Star Valley’s 12-0 victory over Malad, Idaho, sometime between Oct. 17 and Nov. 30, 1949 (no date available)

Thanks, Dahl, for the help!

All the relevant pages have been updated with all the relevant info. As always, if you spot any errors, let me know! Post a comment here, or email me at pschmiedt@yahoo.com.

–patrick

Annual championship sweep: Football, basketball/wrestling, track in the same year

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What makes a championship-caliber team? Is it great coaching? A strong program? Tradition? Or is it something much more straightforward: athletes?

Ten times in Wyoming state history, one group of senior athletes has been so dominant that it has put a monopoly on that year’s football, basketball and track state championships. Winning any one of the three is difficult enough; winning all three in the same season takes a special group of athletes. Only one school (Snake River) has ever done it twice, and the Rattlers did that in back-to-back years.

Here are the 10 groups that have accomplished the football-basketball-track sweep in the same academic year:

1958-59 Sheridan (shared football championship)
1968-69 Laramie
1968-69 Byron (shared football championship)
1977-78 Cheyenne Central
1980-81 Kelly Walsh
1980-81 Southeast
1994-95 Burlington
1998-99 Gillette
2010-11 Snake River
2011-12 Snake River

It’s also possible the 1941-42 Cheyenne Central teams did the same — the Indians won football and basketball, but the track champion is unknown for that year. Anyone with an hour to spare and access to some microfilm want to look that one up for me?

None of these schools also won the state wrestling championship. Actually, it’s arguably more difficult to pull off the football-wrestling-track sweep — only three schools have done that in one year:

1965-66 Cheyenne Central
1982-83 Star Valley
2008-09 Gillette

If any of Wyoming’s five football champion schools (Cheyenne East, Powell, Big Horn, Cokeville and Meeteetse) want to join either list, they definitely have history against them. But the right mix of athletes could make such a sweep happen.

–patrick