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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

The two Shrine Bowl coaches have set their staffs for the annual all-star football game.

South head coach Matt VandeBossche of Lusk will be joined by Brick Cegelski (Cheyenne Central), Mark Lenhardt (Torrington), Marv Mirich (Burns), Zack Scott (Hanna) and Ryan Nelson (Lusk assistant).

North coach Vic Wilkerson of Gillette will round out his staff with Jim Stringer (Powell), Michael McGuire (Big Horn), Andy Garland (Upton-Sundance), Ken Swieter (Midwest) and Jason Gill (Gillette assistant).

John Cundall, Shrine Bowl executive director, announced the coaching staffs Tuesday.

The coaching staffs will now work on selecting the 36 players for each team. The game will be June 14 in Casper.

–patrick

Let’s go back to 1948 — a watershed year in Wyoming high school football.

That year, the Wyoming High School Activities Association voted to implement a playoff for Wyoming’s Class A and B schools.

But what if the WHSAA had decided against playoffs and maintained a postseason invitational, much like what had existed in 1946 and 1947 in Wyoming and much like what the NCAA’s Football Bowl Subdivision uses now?

Well, clearly, the bowl system — which was basically one championship game for Wyoming schools in 1946 and 1947 — would have had to expand. And the challenge system and the polls of the sportswriters that existed to set up previous championships would have been replaced, maybe by some sort of mathematical power ranking.

And if that system existed in 2013, it probably would have generated some interesting results.

The model shown below is based on a few assumptions: first, teams gain eligibility by finishing above .500, no matter their classification; second, a power rating weights schools by classification; third, matchups are set by projected power rating, plus, in the case of “lower tier” bowls, rematches from the regular season are avoided whenever possible. Records and matchups below represent regular-season results only, of course.

In 2013, the big controversy, of course, would have been Sheridan’s placement in the championship game over both Powell and Douglas. Commenters on this blog would have either derided a broken system or praised a system that allows for losses to teams with “tougher” strength of schedule ratings. It would have been messy, and imperfect, and unsatisfying — kind of like the NCAA’s bowl system.

Would you have liked the postseason to look like this?

State Farm WHSAA State Championship: Gillette (9-0) vs. Sheridan (7-2)

Rio Tinto Cloud Peak Energy Rose Bowl: Powell (9-0) vs. Cheyenne East (7-2)

Taco John’s Fiesta Bowl: Natrona (6-3) vs. Douglas (10-1)

First Interstate Bank Sugar Bowl: Star Valley (5-4) (5-3) vs. Kelly Walsh (5-4)

Wyoming Medical Center Orange Bowl: Lovell (8-0) vs. Cody (6-3)

Sierra Trading Post Cotton Bowl: Lander (4-4) vs. Jackson (5-4)

Key Energy Outback Bowl: Riverton (5-4) vs. Burns (8-0)

FMC Gator Bowl: Big Horn (7-1) vs. Mountain View (6-3)

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming Liberty Bowl: Newcastle (5-4) vs. Cokeville (7-1)

Peabody Energy Sun Bowl: Wheatland (5-3) vs. Lusk (7-0)

Loaf ‘n Jug Holiday Bowl: Glenrock (4-4) vs. Lyman (6-3)

Powder River Coal Co. Alamo Bowl: Thermopolis (5-3) vs. Upton-Sundance (4-4)

Encana Las Vegas Bowl: Lingle (4-4) vs. Rocky Mountain (6-2).

WHSAA FCS Championship Game: After a playoff bracket, Meeteetse (10-1) vs. Midwest (9-1)

–patrick