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Sports Goulash

Odds and ends of Wyoming high school sports.

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In which sport is it hardest to build a dynasty?

Posted by: Patrick Schmiedt on August 5, 2008 at 11:33PM EST

Of the WHSAA's 12 boys and 12 girls sanctioned sports, each one has had its dynasties.

Sooner or later, all dynasties eventually fade. Some last longer than others, and they're all worthy of recognition.

But in which sport is it hardest to build and maintain a multi-year dynasty?

Is it a mainstream team sport like football, basketball or soccer, where seasons are often defined by how teams play in a three-game loser-out tournament?

Or is it tougher in a sport like golf, where one bad day for a team meber -- or one outstanding day -- might mean the difference between first and fifth?

Or is it in a sport like wrestling or tennis, where individual efforts are paramount and team success -- and therefore the construction of a dynasty -- simply a byproduct?

For argument's sake, here are the the longest and second-longest state championship streaks in WHSAA-sponsored sports (excluding indoor track, which is brand new, and alpine skiing, where our archives only go back to 1993):

Boys
Football: Cokeville, 6 (1986-91), and Worland, 5 (1952-56)
Cross country: Gillette, 7 (1988-94) and 6 (1998-2003), and Wright, 5 (1998-02) and Encampment, 5 (1973-77)
Tennis: Cheyenne Central, 8 (1986-93), and Natrona County, 3 (1977-79) and Jackson, 3 (2000-02)
Golf: Cheyenne Central, 4 (2004-07) and Douglas, 4 (1981-84)
Basketball: Gillette, 6 (1992-97), and Cheyenne Central, 4 (1942-45) and La Grange, 4 (1958-61)
Wrestling: Star Valley, 7 (1992-98), and Cody, 6 (1947-52) and Gillette, 6 (2003-08)
Swimming: Lander, 12 (1997-08), and Green River, 4 (1974-77), Laramie, 4 (1976-79 and 1985-88) and Gillette, 4 (1993-96)
Nordic skiing (since 1982): Jackson, 5 (1989-93 and 2004-08), and Natrona County, 4 (1996-99)
Track (since 1974): Torrington, 6 (1974-79) and Gillette, 6 (2001-06)
Soccer: Cheyenne East, 4 (1986-89), and Kelly Walsh, 2 (2002-03) and Cheyenne Central, 2 (1990-91)

Girls
Volleyball: Cokeville, 9 (1985-93) and 7 (1995-01), and Pine Bluffs, 5 (1978-82)
Cross country: Gillette, 12 (1995-06), and Douglas, 5 (2001-05)
Swimming: Gillette, 6 (1994-99), Laramie, 6 (1972-77) and Douglas, 6 (1978-83)
Tennis: Cheyenne Central, 7 (1981-87), and Sheridan, 4 (1990-93)
Golf: Lusk, 6 (2001-06), and Gillette, 4 (2000-03) and Natrona County, 4 (1991-94)
Basketball: Gillette, 5 (1994-98), and Gillette, 4 (2001-04) and Star Valley, 4 (1986-89)
Nordic skiing (since 1982): Lander, 6 (1993-98), and Natrona County, 4 (1989-92)
Gymnastics: Gillette, 7 (1999-05), and Laramie, 6 (1979-84)
Track: Ten Sleep, 6 (1981-86), and Worland, 5 (1993-97)
Soccer: Cheyenne East, 3 (1986-89) and Natrona County, 3 (1989-91)

What do you think? Looks like soccer might have the early edge...

Posted by patrick.schmiedt@trib.com

Send This | Categories: Basketball, Cross country, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Skiing, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track, Volleyball, Wrestling

(10) Comments

Posted by: SAW on August 6, 2008 12:35PM EST

Patrick,

You forgot the Greybull wrestling run of 8 titles in 9 years. 1984-1987 and 1989-1992

Posted by: GoOrange on August 6, 2008 1:03PM EST

Interesting topic... I think that in the era of specialization - more kids specializing in one or two sports and participating in fewer total sports - it will be tougher to sustain a dynasty in football because of the numbers required. I also notice that football is the only boys sport in your lists that don't include the larger schools.

Wyoming creates specialized youth traveling baseball, soccer, volleyball and basketball teams... but there is not a vehicle for that in football. Kids specialize and have perceived success at a younger age because of these traveling teams. Since football is not included in that mix, I believe that kids are most likely to stay with the traveling team sport and, perhaps, not play football.

And, you can't have a discussion about Wyoming dynasties unless you include Cheyenne Post 6 - American Legion Baseball.

Posted by: Patrick Schmiedt on August 6, 2008 5:34PM EST

GoO, specialization is a double-edged sword. It really depends on the individual. Specialization in high school is one thing -- specialization at age 9 or 10 is completely different and completely wrong. And Cheyenne's baseball run is definitely impressive, and it didn't come without hard work. But baseball, especially American Legion, might be a bit easier to maintain because players can come back and play after their first year in college -- players gain that extra year and it's easier to maintain a strong team that way. Just my $.02.

SAW, I didn't forget. This is not an all-inclusive "dynasties" list -- it's a list of consecutive state championships. Greybull's most in a row was 4.

--patrick

Posted by: tmillerwyo on August 7, 2008 11:11AM EST

GoOrange, I believe Worland competed in the top classification until about the late-70s. Though I do agree the more players that are needed to sustain a dynasty the harder it is. In a single season FB takes more individuals to win than any other sport, and FB is the hardest sport for an individual to dominate for 4 years (because it emphasis on physical maturity).

Posted by: DB on August 7, 2008 12:10PM EST

Patrick, why isnt the Trib giving ANY coverage of the state baseball tournaments. I know that Casper doesn't have legion team but there still is some exciting baseball going on.

Posted by: Burke Binning on August 7, 2008 3:09PM EST

I will try from my end on this, but I'm pretty sure Torrington owned the 60s and 70s in boys track. Dennis Anderson, the former HC until 1994, won 22 state track titles. The WHSAA only has the results for boys back to 1974, which contains 7 of those titles. I remember a banner that used to hang in the school commons listing state team titles in each sport and the boys track banner had a lot of years on there. If it is still there, I will try to have someone check on it for me and I'll get back to you.

On another Blazer note:

From 1974-2008 (35 track seasons), Torrington boys track has won 11 titles, and finished second 9 times.

Posted by: Patrick Schmiedt on August 7, 2008 4:42PM EST

Burke -- So is it easier or harder to build a track dynasty?

Posted by: Wass on August 7, 2008 5:16PM EST

You don't need many athletes to have a great track team. If you have three great athletes that excel in different events such as one for sprints, one for distance or jumps, one for the throws, it may be possible to win a state championship in track. Terrell Brown with BP scored 40 one year, his senior year, and pretty much won state track for BP by himself.

Posted by: Hunter on August 7, 2008 6:28PM EST

I would have to say that the 3 true team sports stand out Football, Basketball, and Soccer. The others are individual sports in which one good athelete could carry a team.

I would have to agree with others that football would be the hardest due to the fact that there are more atheletes invloved and it is the least dependent upon individuals.

Posted by: Burke Binning on August 7, 2008 10:17PM EST

I can't speak for soccer, but football is the truest TEAM sport I have witnessed. Basketball to an extent is hard, but if you have a truly special player--Doug Baker, for example--you can be a dominant "team."

Top 5 Hardest to Build a Dynasty IMHO
1. Football - players must commit to the program year after year.

2. Cross Country - I know what you're thinking, but consider what Gillette has accomplished for a long period of time. They have convinced generations of young kids to do the one thing that most athletes and kids dread . . . RUN. A lot.

3. Wrestling - similar to XC, you need a base of boys year in and year out willing to go through a lot of pain and suffering for a common goal. And you need that with a lot of athletes not just one or two.

4. Soccer - Though I don't really care for it, I will admit you must have a very cohesive unit much like football to be consistent throughout the years.

5. Chess - Seriously. That many smart kids year after year is impressive. Go Fightin' Bobby Fischers!!!