I've changed a few things, added a few things, taken away a few things. We've had several successes and a few failures along the way -- but I think the successes have outnumbered the failures.

Since I've been a part of the Star-Tribune staff, we've responded to reader ideas and added several new items: football box scores, basketball quarter scores, The Blitz, the Casper Corner, the Two-Minute Takedown and Four-Minute Mile sections of state wrestling and state track coverage, and, of course, Sports Goulash.

With that, I'm looking for new ways to tweak. And I'm wondering what YOU want to see.

If you were in my shoes, what would you do? What sports or events need more coverage? What sports or events need less? What can we add or modify to make information easier to read/find on a daily or weekly basis?

With as much as we do, I always feel like we can improve. And I'm appealing to you to see what you want -- after all, readers are the lifeblood of any newspaper. The satisfaction in my job doesn't come from writing a story, it comes from knowing that story will be read by you.

So, I'm going to open myself up here and ask what you want to see. Whether it's general ideas about overall coverage or specific story ideas, I'd love to hear it. Feel free to post your thoughts here, or, if you'd like to address me more specifically, feel free to e-mail me at patrick.schmiedt@trib.com or call me at (307) 266-0615 or (800) 791-5002.

Thanks.

Posted by patrick.schmiedt@trib.com

It's Thursday afternoon, so that means it's trivia time. You know the rules by now -- don't go looking up the answer and posting it here; guesses are encouraged; 24-hour (roughly) time limit; answers should be submitted as a comment on this post; I'll do my best to let you know if your answer is right or wrong ASAP.

On to the question: Last Saturday, Stephen Michel of Laramie and Kristen Scheffler of Lovell won the Milward Simpson Award, given to the top senior high school athletes in the state. In all, there were 10 finalists -- five boys and five girls -- just like there are every year.

However, in the 33-year history of the award, 15 still-open schools still haven't had a Milward Simpson Award finalist. My question: What is the largest school in Wyoming never to have a Milward Simpson Award finalist?

Bonus question: What are the other 14?

Post your answer in a comment below.

Posted by patrick.schmiedt@trib.com

Dipping back into the well for something I did last year: Way-too-early high school football rankings. Of course, between now and August (and November), a ton can happen. And, of course, between now and the first game, we'll be seeking the opinions of every single coach in the state on what teams to watch, and those weigh heavily into our official preseason rankings.

With that, here's what I think. Tell me what looks good and what looks questionable:

Class 5A
1. Natrona County: State's offensive MVP looked good last year running behind an experienced line. Now that line is gone -- and Tom Earl gets a chance to prove himself all over again.
2. Green River: No one has more experience in the backfield than the Wolves, led by D-I prospect Andrew Meredith.
3. Evanston: Lots of juniors filled key roles on last year's runner-up team.
4. Cheyenne East: Making three straight state championship games doesn't happen by accident. A program is in place, once and for good.
5. Gillette: Because it's Gillette.

Class 4A
1. Buffalo: The Bison haven't lost a conference game since conferences were reinstated in 2005.
2. Douglas: Cody Bohlander could be as explosive as any other player in the state, and he's surrounded by what appears to be a pretty good crew of players.
3. Jackson: The Broncs lost a lot of seniors of last year's undefeated state championship team. But still, the players coming back were part of an undefeated state championship team....
4. Star Valley: Always tough, you know the Braves will bring it year in and year out.
5. Worland: I like the Warriors a lot. I always do early in the season. But October has been Worland's telling month the past couple seasons.

Class 3A
1. Glenrock: The Herders had several young players on last year's runner-up squad, including Star-Tribune Super 25er Ryan Lee.
2. Kemmerer: Four all-staters come back for the Rangers. Can I just call it now? Glenrock-Kemmerer on Nov. 15 in Glenrock.
3. Lovell: A new coaching staff could provide the stability needed to put the past away.
4. Mountain View: Is the West losing its parity? There looks to be more separation in the West this year than in previous years... and MV looks like the one team that could step up and challenge Kemmerer.
5. Newcastle: I still think 2006 wasn't a fluke. I still think 2007 was.

Class 2A
1. Big Horn: Parity was abundant in 2A last year, but the Rams have some solid talent returning and have to be the early favorites.
2. Riverside: Back-to-back title game appearances, including the championship last year, isn't only based on talent.
3. Lusk: Two all-staters are back for the Tigers.
4. Saratoga: The Panthers were one big play away from playing for the state championship.
5. Burns: If the backfield stays injury-free, the Broncs could go places.

Class 1A
1. Southeast: How do you not pick Southeast? Winners of 18 straight games and back-to-back state champions -- and with a pair of all-staters returning.
2. Cokeville: No one can question Cokeville's football pedigree. However, the Class of 2008 was the first class since the Class of 1983 to not win a state championship at least once in its four years of high school.
3. Guernsey: The Vikings are starting to build a nice football tradition of their own, but numbers could be their undoing.
4. Burlington: The Huskies will probably host a first-round playoff game.... unless somebody out West really steps up this fall.
5. Hulett: Don't forget that the Red Devils have put together back-to-back winning seasons and return several players -- including their only all-stater -- from last year's squad.

The lights are flickering here so I better post this quickly (stupid lightning). Comment below with your thoughts.

Posted by patrick.schmiedt@trib.com

The fourth installment of Impossible Trivia Thursday brings with it a reminder of the rules: No researching to find the answer (if you look it up, don't give away the answer). Guesses are welcomed and encouraged. Post your answers as a comment to this post, and I'll do my best to let you know ASAP if you're right or wrong.

Now, on to the trivia....

The Gillette girls basketball team is an annual contender for the state championship. That's no secret -- it's a pattern that's gone on for years.

This week's trivia question: What was the last school to beat the Gillette girls in the first round of the Wyoming State High School Basketball Championships?

Bonus: In what year was this game, and what was the final score?

Remember to post your answer as a comment below. Go!

Posted by patrick.schmiedt@trib.com

Friday begins the 33rd annual Wyoming-Montana all-star basketball series. As usual, the Wyoming teams have home-court advantage for the first game -- Friday's games are in Sheridan -- while the Montanans have it for Saturday up in Billings.

Don't know much about the Montanans. What do y'all know about the Treasure State's guys and gals? Anything?

Wyoming's rosters shape up well -- or at least they did with similar personnel for the Wyoming-South Dakota series. The Wyo guys have some sharp-shooting guards, evident by the 38 3-pointers they made in two games against South Dakota, while the Wyo girls should get a little boost from having a full roster and the state's only senior D-I signee (Lovell's Kristen Scheffler) in the lineup.

Here are the rosters:

Wyoming boys
BUFFALO: Jerad Anderson, 6-4, F. CHEYENNE CENTRAL: Jason Moyte, 5-10, G. EVANSTON: Austin Kofoed, 6-1, G. GILLETTE: Ryan Hutchison, 6-3, F; Justin Nelson, 6-0, G. LARAMIE: Galand Thaxton, 6-2, G/F. ROCK SPRINGS: Brandon Allen, 6-4, C. SUNDANCE: Cody Emrick, 6-0, G. TONGUE RIVER: Rob Johnson, 6-5, F. WIND RIVER: Leithaniel Peahrora, 5-8, G.
Coach: Joel Davidson, Sheridan College.
Montana boys
BILLINGS CENTRAL: Daniel Pearson. BILLINGS WEST: Casey Rogers. BROWNING: D.J. Fish. BUTTE: Brandon Boltz; Cole Conway. HELENA: Grant Fink. LIBBY: Jim Mee. MISSOULA SENTINEL: Andy Garland. SHELBY: Trey Wanty. WINIFRED: Brian Foran.
Coach: Bill Dreikosen, Rocky Mountain College.

Wyoming girls
CHEYENNE CENTRAL: Chelsey Lybeck, 5-6, G; Cassie Carlson, 5-11, C. DOUGLAS: Kelsey Scott, 5-9, F. LANDER: Dani White, 5-9, F. LARAMIE: Kendahl Avery, 6-1, C. LOVELL: Kristen Scheffler, 5-11, G/F. ROCK SPRINGS: Amanda Willmore, 5-6, G. SHERIDAN: Laura Quist, 5-6, G; Erika Stender, 5-10, F. WORLAND: Jannel Scheuerman, 5-8, G.
Coach: Frank McCarthy, Sheridan College.
Montana girls
ANACONDA: Ali Hurley. BIG TIMBER: Rachel Pauli. BOZEMAN: Jeni Guertin; Kirsten Tilleman. BUTTE: Brianne McClafferty; Joey O'Neill. GLENDIVE: Kalli Stanhope. LIVINGSTON: Sage Indendi. MALTA: Laramie Schwenke. MILES CITY: Torrie Cahill.
Coach: Brian Henderson, Rocky Mountain College.

Posted by CNFR dude patrick.schmiedt@trib.com.

The 2008 Shrine Bowl is in the books. The North won 16-10. Check the Star-Tribune on Sunday and Monday for more.

Anyway, the game itself was all it was hyped to be. The North's ground game was just a little too much for the South to overcome. Turnovers were also key -- the South had four, the North one.

Tongue River's Rob Johnson won offensive MVP honors, while Kelly Walsh's Zach Johnson was the defensive MVP.

Rob Johnson's numbers were solid for a low-scoring game -- 9-of-17 passing for 118 yards and a touchdown, and four carries for 21 yards and another score.

Zach Johnson, meanwhile, won the defensive honors thanks to two interceptions and a fumble recovery.

Rock Springs' Drew Rollin had my vote for offensive MVP, by the way. He finished with an even 100 yards on 15 carries and help set up the South's only touchdown with a big 23-yard run. He had more than half of his rushing yards in the first quarter.

I'm still wrapping my head around this one. I'll probably post some more thoughts as comments below as I think of them.

What did you think? Were you there? Who got your votes for MVPs? What plays stuck out in your mind?

Posted by patrick.schmiedt@trib.com

Here it goes, round 3. Remember the rules: If you don't know the answer, looking it up is discouraged. Guesses are welcome. Submit your answer in a comment below. If no one gets it right in 24 hours, I'll post the answer.

This week's question: Since 1982, what school has had more individual girls golf state champions than any other? Bonus question: Who were this school's individual champions, and in what years did they win their individual titles?

Posted by patrick.schmiedt@trib.com

In case you haven't heard, the Shrine Bowl is on Saturday here in Casper. My colleague Austin Ward and I are all over it this week -- we'll be bringing you stories from each camp each day all the way up to the big game.

The early dope has this one as South speed vs. North size. The North is by far the bigger team, with 15 players weighing at least 210 pounds. The South only has five at 210 or more, but will try to make up for that with its speed and quickness (even though the North team has its fare share of speed as well).

As we saw last year, though, this game is usually defined by one big playmaker. Last year, that playmaker was Douglas' Blake Richendifer, who was the offensive MVP and scored all three touchdowns in the South's 20-17 victory.

So... when you look at this year's rosters, who do you think are the biggest playmakers? Who on these lists has the chance to put up an MVP-type performance on Saturday?

(By the way, after watching the North practice, I think the big playmaker on offense could be Jackson's Alex Bush. They've got him playing at wideout and, as unassuming as he might look, he's quick and aggressive but has soft hands. After I go to the South practice today, I'll give you my thoughts on that squad, as well.)

Here are the rosters for Saturday's game. Post your comments below.

(By the way, in the hype of the game, let's not forget what these young men are playing for. Click here.)

Shrine Bowl Rosters
NORTH SQUAD
Number Name School Height Weight
1 Jake St. John Big Horn 6-1 170
2 Braden Benson Gillette 5-10 180
4 Stephen Pyer Worland 5-11 175
5 Kasey Garnhart Riverside 5-2 145
7 Scott Soderstrom Worland 6-0 190
10 Zach Johnson Kelly Walsh 6-0 160
11 Dane Robertson Lovell 6-3 195
12 Ray Moore Sundance 6-1 190
13 Alex Bush Jackson 6-1 190
14 Chase McNamee Shoshoni 6-3 185
15 Rob Johnson Tongue River 6-5 185
16 Trevor Feusner Cody 6-4 205
17 Curtis Lindgren Greybull 5-11 170
21 James Hepp Wright 6-1 170
22 Kyle Blumenshine Riverton 5-11 180
25 Anthony Fleak Gillette 6-0 190
26 Josh Dunkelberger Sheridan 6-0 195
27 Daniel Goe Jackson 6-1 170
29 Tyler Dahlgren Powell 6-2 220
33 Erik Heiss Kelly Walsh 6-2 210
37 Zachary Edwards Natrona 6-1 218
40 Matt Rich Natrona 6-0 185
43 Ryan Morton Sheridan 5-11 180
47 Mike Mounce Natrona 5-11 175
52 Michael Thompson Cody 6-2 190
56 Peter Fenster Buffalo 6-2 220
61 Dakota Ramey Buffalo 5-11 246
62 Thomas Nowakowski Big Horn 5-10 280
63 Casey Sullivan Gillette 5-11 275
66 Ross Schulte Natrona 6-1 230
70 Steven Antle Gillette 6-5 320
72 Joel Holbrook Kelly Walsh 6-1 215
75 Carson Rowley Natrona 6-5 223
79 Randall Haefele Wright 6-4 235
81 Matthew Sebade Lander 6-5 215
90 Toby Wood Riverside 6-3 250

SOUTH SQUAD
Number Name School Height Weight
1 Ron Halstead Rock Springs 5-9 175
2 Drew Rollin Rock Springs 6-1 205
3 Jared Walla Cheyenne East 6-2 180
4 Jordan Abrams Star Valley 5-10 155
5 David Moats Guernsey 6-0 160
6 Brock Hayden Cheyenne Central 6-3 170
7 Chris Jenkins Cheyenne Central 5-9 175
8 Kyle Crandall Evanston 6-0 175
10 Remington Roberts Kemmerer 6-2 180
15 Wesley Werbelow Pinedale 6-1 185
20 Jake Spero Evanston 5-9 170
21 Alex Stratton Cheyenne East 6-0 190
24 Skyler Hoopes Lusk 5-9 170
25 Trenton Blakeman Glenrock 5-9 175
27 Darren Neely Cheyenne East 6-0 188
29 Cody Saloga Evanston 5-9 195
30 Scott Boner Douglas 5-10 175
34 Stephen Easton Southeast 6-1 200
40 Evan Nishi Kemmerer 5-11 170
42 Jason Easley Kemmerer 5-10 190
44 Ben Hanson Lusk 6-0 170
50 Michael Poulos Laramie 6-2 200
51 Matt Cook Cheyenne Central 6-2 220
53 Brian Bull Douglas 6-1 195
54 Dustin Condos Lyman 6-1 185
55 Tyson Anderson Green River 5-10 195
56 Kelly Garvin Green River 6-1 225
62 Justin Willard Evanston 6-0 190
68 Jason Simmer Cheyenne East 6-2 205
70 Jim Downs Glenrock 6-8 290
73 Jay Leininger Burns 6-2 185
76 Greg Eiden Jr Big Piney 6-0 190
77 Aaron Weglin Southeast 6-0 285
81 Chase Tyson Wheatland 5-11 180
84 David Capozzoli Saratoga 5-10 170
89 Keenan Zimmerman Torrington 6-4 210

Posted by patrick.schmiedt@trib.com

(Stick with me now. This may seem confusing at first, but I'll clear it up at the end. Promise.)

With the recent WHSAA proposal to expand Class 4A to 14 teams, I think I've stumbled upon a solution that might help keep Jackson (now the unlucky 14th school) in Class 3A.

And all it would take is one more high school.

Right now, Teton County splits its elementary students into three schools -- two in Jackson and one in nearby Wilson. The two Jackson schools are split by grade, Jackson Elementary for grades K-2 and Colter Elementary for grades 3-5, but the Wilson school is an all-inclusive K-5 grade school.

In sixth grade, though, all the Teton County schools come together with Jackson Hole Middle School. They stay together there, and then they all go to Jackson Hole High School as freshmen.

About a quarter of Jackson's high schoolers come from the Wilson Elementary system. Using fall 2006 enrollment figures from those elementary schools (thanks, Wyoming Department of Education), a straight-up Jackson High School would have about 552 kids this year, while a Wilson High School, pulling kids from the Moran and Kelly elementaries, would have about 189. (That's a total of 741).

Last year, Jackson's ADM (the enrollment number the WHSAA uses for school classification) was 653.460. Obviously, there's a difference between my total and Jackson's projection, but that's not important. Instead, let's focus on what Wilson High School would create for the WHSAA -- a wee bit of chaos.

Even at the 552 mark, Jackson can't realistically be considered as a 4A school in Wyoming -- even though at 552 students, Jackson's spot in 14th place wouldn't change.

Now, let me explain that I'm not seriously advocating this. If a Wilson High School would have made any kind of sense, it would have happened by now. The folks up in Jackson are smart enough to realize when they need a new high school, and now clearly ain't the time. Wilson High School is only a figment of my imagination, and for now, that's where it should stay.

(OK, I promised this would all make sense and it'd be worth it to read all that. So, here goes....)

What this scenario does expose is the WHSAA's unclear definition of what will make up a classification in the upcoming cycle if this new proposal passes.

At 14th place, Jackson at 653.460 is big enough for 4A -- or it is, according to the WHSAA's proposal. But still at 14th place, Jackson at 552 wouldn't be, at least not according to a little phrase the WHSAA could be using to reclassify its schools this fall.

For the first time, the WHSAA could try and use something called a "natural break" to create its classifications. The "natural breaks" are part of a reclassification proposal that the WHSAA passed on first reading in April and will bring up again for discussion in September.

While the term "natural break" has no definition in regards to reclassification, its application could render some unwanted consequences. 

That whole "natural break" idea is extremely abstract, and defining it is tough for anyone. But now, that's suddenly the responsibility of the members of the WHSAA board of directors.

For now, the only definition that makes sense in this proposal is the term "no more than." As in, the proposal's wording calls for "no more than" 14 schools in 4A, "no more than" 16 in 3A and "no more than" 20 in 2A.

Combine those two phrases together, and the WHSAA could have more wiggle room -- and, consequently, more power -- than it has ever had before in regards to reclassification.

Without more clearly defined definitions of what constitutes a "natural break," the WHSAA is opening itself up to criticism on a subject that already has plenty.

(OK, point made. But I'm not done.)

By the way, I could have just as easily put forth this example with Star Valley.
 
My rough guesstimates, using census and school enrollment data, would put about 100-150 kids in grades 9-12 in a North Star Valley High School, a figure that includes the communities of Alpine, Etna, Freedom, Star Valley Ranch, Thayne, Bedford and Turnerville.
 
(As an aside, you'd HAVE to put that school in Thayne, right? And you'd HAVE to call them the Cheesemakers, right? Yeah, I know, the factory is closed, but for nostalgia's sake....)
 
Anyway....
 
Opening Thayne High School would put Star Valley High School at about 600 kids, dropping them from 12th to 14th overall on the WHSAA's enrollment list. Then, the question: where's the best "natural break"?
 
So would Cody, now 12th at 662.347, suddenly be big enough for 4A -- even though Riverton is 11th with the ADM of 739.501? Would Jackson at 653.460, be bumped up too? And is Star Valley at 600 big enough? Do you include Star Valley, Cody and Jackson in a 14-team 4A? Or only Cody and Jackson in a 13-team 3A? Or only Cody in a 12-team 4A despite a "natural break" between 11 and 12? Then, logistically, how do you organize an 11-school Class 4A?

Final summation? None, really. This is all guesswork right now. There is no guarantee the WHSAA board will pass the proposal that includes the "natural break" phrasing. And there's no guarantee on how the ADM numbers the WHSAA will receive in the fall will come together.

But somewhere, somehow, the perfect storm is brewing.

Maybe even in Wilson.

Posted by patrick.schmiedt@trib.com

Here is the second installment of Sports Goulash's newest feature, Impossible Trivia Thursday. You all remember the rules: 24 hours to answer; post your answer as a comment and I'll tell you if you're right/wrong as soon as I can; no researching to find the answer (well, you can look it up if you want, but if you look it up to find the answer, you should play nice and not answer).

All right, round 2: Who is the only Wyoming boy (since 1974) to three-peat as state champion in the 300 hurdles?

Bonus (and hint): This person won his three straight 300 hurdles titles while competing for two different Wyoming high schools. What schools were they?

Posted by patrick.schmiedt@trib.com

South Dakota recently became the final state to add state-sanctioned soccer. The big debate, though, in South Dakota, is when the sports should be played.

Overwhelmingly, the state's soccer coaches want both boys and girls to play in the fall. They say too many soccer players are also involved in track....

And that got me thinking about Wyoming. Right now in Wyoming, both track and soccer are spring sports, despite the fact that most states around Wyoming play soccer in the fall (Nebraska is the lone exception).

Obviously, the big difference here in Wyoming is the lack of state-sanctioned high school baseball and softball, which are big in surrounding states in the springtime. But if Wyoming did ever decide to move soccer to the fall, many other dominoes would have to fall for it to work.

Simply placing soccer in the fall wouldn't work -- too many other sports are going on in the fall season for soccer to have a chance.

What might make fall soccer work is if some other sports moved from the fall to the spring. Girls swimming is the keystone in soccer's move -- and moving swimming from the fall to the spring would be tough. But both golf and tennis could move easily to the spring (many schools already have the sport in both the fall and the spring, and all that would have to move to the spring is the state culminating events).

But going up against both football and volleyball might be too much for soccer to overcome, especially at the 3A level.

What do you think? Should soccer be a fall sport? Does it work better in the spring in Wyoming? What would it take for soccer to move to the fall in the Equality State?

Just curious.

Posted by patrick.schmiedt@trib.com