Sports
Braves Sports coverage from the Star Valley Independent’s Dahl Erickson.
updated July 21, 2008 by the Star Valley Independent in Sports
Well, on some counts I have to apologize for not having the Stir up and running on Friday, but some days you just have to take the phone off the hook and head out of town. Here’s the make up question for this week.
This week’s Stir question has to do with basketball. Remember, please no internet researching and feel free to guess as many times as you would like in the comment section. Perhaps wait until I’ve responded with a right or wrong until you guess again.
The winner will get points based on the correct answer of course, but also get bonus point(s) for the harder additional questions. After racking up 4 total points during the Stir, you’ll be getting some Star Valley apparel. (Check out the standings at the bottom of this post) Who knows, at the end of the 2008-09 school year, the overall winner might be getting something big.
Without further delay, here’s this week’s Sports Stir question.
In the 1967-68 season, the Star Valley Braves, with head coach Lew Monsen, won the school’s first ever basketball state title. They went 18-5 that season, never losing by more than three points. Here’s your question:
Which team did the Braves defeat in the state championship game?
Bonus question: Where was the championship game played? (be specific)
Extra Hard Bonus question: What was the score of the game?
The Friday Sports Stir standings so far:
Rick Walker: 3 pts
Shane Williams: 2 pts
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updated July 15, 2008 by the Star Valley Independent in Sports
Laramie, Wyo. (July 14, 2008) — University of Wyoming Athletics Director Tom Burman announced on Monday that Mark Branch has been selected as the new head wrestling coach at the University of Wyoming.
Branch comes to Wyoming from Oklahoma State University where he was the Associate Head Wrestling Coach. He was a part of five NCAA team championships as a coach and student-athlete at OSU. As a college wrestler, Branch was a member of OSU’s 1994 NCAA Championship team, and served on the coaching staff for OSU’s 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 NCAA titles.
He provided the Cowboys from Stillwater with personal and team instruction including technique training, weight training, conditioning and nutrition. He was instrumental in the recruiting of student-athletes to Stillwater, as well as organizing fundraising projects, promotional strategies and assisting in public relation functions with student-athletes. Branch replaces Steven Suder, who coached the Wyoming Cowboys from 1989-2008.
“The hiring of Mark is exciting for the future of Wyoming Cowboy wrestling,” Burman said. “We feel his experience and passion will enable us to become a national player in the wrestling community.”
“For me, this is the realization of my goal to become an NCAA head coach,” said Branch. “I’m from a competitive background, and I was looking for a place where I could build a nationally-competitive program. I believe there is a great deal of support from the Athletic Department and the University as a whole at Wyoming. Wyoming is the right program for me and the right fit for me and my family. I appreciate the confidence that Tom Burman (UW Athletics Director) and Matt Whisenant (UW Senior Associate Athletics Director) have shown in me to get the job done.”
As a member of the OSU coaching staff, Branch was named the National Wrestling Coaches’ Association (NWCA) Assistant Coach of the Year in 2004. He helped coach OSU to seven Big XII Championships, four NCAA Championships and three Dual Team Championships. He was named the Associate Head Coach at OSU in 2002. He individually coached 31 All-Americans and nine NCAA Champions.
Branch has been a freestyle wrestling coach for the Gator Club in New Orleans, La., since 1997 where he provides personal instruction and training in freestyle wrestling. His teams have participated at various World Team training camps. He has coached at the U.S. Nationals and World/Olympic Team Trials.
As a student-athlete at OSU, Branch was a four-time NCAA All-American (1994-97), four-time NCAA National Finalist (1994-97), two-time NCAA National Champion at 167 pounds (1994 and ’97) and a two-time National Freestyle All-American (1998 and ’99). In 1997, he was named the Big XII Athlete of the Year, OSU Student-Athlete of the Year and the top graduating senior for OSU Wrestling. He was a four-time NWCA Academic All-American, received an NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship Award and a Big XII Post-Graduate Scholarship Award.
Branch earned his bachelor of science degree in secondary education from Oklahoma State in 1997 and earned his master of science degree in athletic administration from OSU in 2000.
“I wouldn’t be in this position if it weren’t for the opportunities I was given at my alma mater, Oklahoma State,” said Branch. “John Smith (Head Wrestling Coach at Oklahoma State) gave me the opportunity to learn from him. I consider him to be the greatest coach in college wrestling. I was fortunate to be a part of the greatest program in college wrestling as a student-athlete and assistant coach with the Oklahoma State Cowboys, now I’m excited to build on the great tradition of Wyoming Cowboy wrestling.”
A native of Newkirk, Okla., he and his wife Susan have a daughter, Maggie Belle, and a son, Mason Layne.
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updated July 11, 2008 by the Star Valley Independent in Sports
With a solid month of beautiful Star Valley weather and some of the nation’s most scenic links, the Stir is dedicating this week’s trivia to the sport of Golf.
Congratulations to Rick Walker, who’s won both weeks, coming from left field to claim last week’s answer. Just a reminder of how this works: Use the comment section to answer, I’ll respond as timely as I can to let you know if you’re right. You can certainly guess more than once. In fact, guess ’till your heart’s content
Please no Internet researching. If you have an old paper that you can look at, or a relative that knows, that’s great. I’ll usually try to have a bonus question included that will also be worth a point.
Over the course of our Friday Sports Stir columns, I’ll keep track of the points and for every four points compiled by someone, they’ll win some Star Valley sports apparel. Up for grabs right now? A Star Valley Cheesemakers Hat.
Okay, here’s this week’s question:
Bill Hoopes, recently retired SVHS Golf Coach, won how many state championships as Head Coach of the Braves and Lady Braves Golf Teams?
Bonus Question: Who was the most recent individual state champion golfer from Star Valley?
Good luck to all, and make sure to make use of the comment section below. Have a great weekend and Go Braves!
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updated July 8, 2008 by the Star Valley Independent in Sports
If the voting through the first week is any indication, the fans of Star Valley want the name of the field to be Braves Field and they’re not liking much of anything else.
This week’s update takes a look at the new curbing made of concrete that has given the oval shape of what’s to come in the eight-lane track. According to those working on the field, the curbing is something that the rest of the field will anchor to and will provide a solid base when the turf and track are installed.
Also, dozens of new fence poles have sprung up around the field and behind the main bleachers to the west of the Pole Vault runway but it isn’t stopping several coaches from using the facilities.
In addition to Allison Hicks and Adam Isaacson teaching the youth in morning soccer camps at the practice fields, the Braves have between 60 and 70 players trying to learn from the new Star Valley coaching staff. Coach Chris Howell is busy, as are many of his assistants, installing a new offense, a new defense and a new mindset for his first head coaching opportunity, and after witnessing the first day of the camp, Coach Howell is certainly making good use of his time with the players.
The Braves will meet up with the Riverton Wolverines on August 30, on the new surface and facility with both teams sharing surprisingly similar goals. New Wolverine head coach Jeremy McCormick will also be looking for a good first impression as the two new coaches will christen a new field for the 80th year of Star Valley football.
Be sure to click below for video footage of the update and don’t forget to vote for your favorite suggestion on the right hand side of this page. The top vote getter, and that’s looking to be nearly decided, will be presented to the school board of LCSD #2 for approval at the July 17, meeting.
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updated July 6, 2008 by the Star Valley Independent in Sports
Well, with the Governor in town, the nation celebrating it’s birthday and yours truly with a busy schedule, I forgot my new Friday sports trivia. Well, here’s your makeup question -
Of course all of the Friday Sports Stir questions can be answered using your comment section, and it’s always a chance to either show off your intelligence, or your luck. Either one is good here.
Okay, here we go. With the Star Valley Braves beginning their summer football camp Monday evening at 6 p.m., this one has to be a football question. The Star Valley Athletic Club played their first football game in the fall of 1928 under Coach Newell Peterson. They lost their first two games to Kemmerer and Cokeville respectively (ouch!). They won in Week 3 against what team? For bonus points, what was the score?
This is also important because Star Valley has won at least one game in every season they have played, no small feat over eight decades of football.
I am keeping track of the winners for this portion of starvalleyindependent.com, and they will be rewarded with cool Star Valley gear for the winners of each month, so take your best guess.
Good luck to the football and soccer players who both begin camps on Monday, check back for some video and some pictures from their July experiences right here at the website.
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updated July 1, 2008 by the Star Valley Independent in Sports
While it may not look like much has changed since last week, much of this week’s progress took place below the soil.
Drainage pipes and soil shaping that will eventually help the track drain were constructed, as was the posts for the fencing which will surround the field and the track.
In addition to the work on the main portion of the field, grading work has also taken place in the throwing area as well as a new layer of protection on the driving area and the parking lot surrounding SVHS and the athletics area.
Be sure to click below
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updated June 27, 2008 by the Star Valley Independent in Sports
Taking a cue from the sports world, the Independent presents a Friday brain teaser to whet your appetite for local athletics. Click below to prove your Star Valley sports knowledge.
First off, no cheating. A powerful temptation the internet is (Yoda voice). Use the comment section to make your guess and I’ll let you know if it’s right. If we go the weekend without a correct answer then I’ll give the answer on Monday.
We’ll have one of these every Friday so that you can have an excuse to have lower productivity on a day that you should have off anyway. Rotten five-day work weeks anyway.
And with that, today’s Star Valley sports question is related to wrestling: The Braves have a long tradition of wrestling proficiency dating back to the 1960’s. In that time, three Star Valley wrestlers have claimed three individual state titles during their high school career. Who are they?
Okay Star Valley faithful, let’s get those answers rolling in. Also, if you have a great sports question, send it along to svidahl@silverstar.com.
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updated June 23, 2008 by the Star Valley Independent in Sports
In our third update on the progress for the athletics facility being constructed at Star Valley High School, some of the improvements in the last seven days include a level surface which has been expertly excavated.
Also, drainage pipe construction is underway as is the concrete pad for the Pole Vault runway.
The naming process for the facility is underway and you can submit your name for the new addition by sending it to the Independent at P.O. Box 129, Afton WY, 83110 or by dropping by the Independent offices at 360 S. Washington St. in Afton.
The names will be placed in the poll section of this website from July 1 through July 16 and the top vote getter will be submitted to the school board of LCSD #2 for approval at their meeting on July 17.
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updated June 16, 2008 by the Star Valley Independent in Sports
Work has taken another step on the new facilities at SVHS. Click below for your weekly update.
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updated June 13, 2008 by the Star Valley Independent in Sports
Some coaching staffs will remain intact such as the Lady Braves volleyball team. Others, such as the Braves football staff, have undergone an overhaul.
Here are the newest additions to the Fall Sports staffs as approved in L.C.S.D. No. 2’s latest meeting held June 12, 2008.
Football: Newly minted Head Coach Chris Howell will also serve as the team’s offensive coordinator. Jason Cazier will return as the team’s defensive coordinator, while Kelly Merritt will serve as the linebackers coach. Joe Hale will handle offensive lineman duties and Winston Patterson will coach the running backs. Nick Crosby is the new defensive backs coach, while newcomer to the valley Justin Walker, will take the defensive ends and tight ends. Chris Abrams rounds out the new staff as the wide receivers coach.
Additionally, Star Valley picked up a valuable Jackson defection as Dustin Shockley will join the freshman staff in addition to picking up freshman boy’s basketball duties in the winter. Shockley has coached in Jackson as part of the Lady Broncs basketball squad and served as the Broncs linebackers coach up until last season including Jackson’s 11-0 state championship season.
New Head Golf Coach Kelly Fulmer will welcome long-time Star Valley coach Homer Bennett as an assistant coach this fall.
The Lady Braves’ staff remains unchanged as Brandy Taylor, Jayne Filibi, SaVanna Romine and Dahl Simpson helm the volleyball programs respectively.
Ty Draney and Corena Ricks will remain as the Cross-Country staff.
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