Posted by: gtown on March 12, 2008 10:25PM EST Patrick I'm not sure if Michel will blow by the long jump. I think he will break Ames two hundred and may even get the 100 record as well. He has a way to go in the long jump though.

Posted by: Henry Fan on March 13, 2008 9:29AM EST Let's not forget about Amber Henry from Mountain View competing for her 12th state track championship and she's only a junior! She won the 400, 800, mile, and 2 mile two as a freshman AND a sophomore in the 3A ranks, and now she'll be competing with the 2A. How impressive would it be for her to win 16 events in her career!!!

Posted by: tmillerwyo on March 13, 2008 12:59PM EST I agree with gtown about Stephen, but he also could be the state's first 50' TJ. Poor Big Horn girls (defending 2A state champions), I think the best that they can hope for this year is 3rd. Maggie and the other LFL girls (defending 1A state champions move up to 2A) scored over 50 points during the Indoor T&F State Championship for the champion Cheyenne Central girls team. But Amber and the other MV girls (defending 3A state champions move down to 2A) may be the most talented 2A group of girls in the state. My heart is for LFL, but mind says MV. However it ends up the 2A Girls State T&F Championships is going to be highly competitive. I think many All-Class-Bests will come from the 2A girls. Also watch 4A’s Emily Moore from Gillette, she’s the “Stephen Michel” of girls 4A T&F. She’s the best female jumper ever produced from this state and she’s only a junior.

Posted by: Bulldog Fan on March 13, 2008 1:04PM EST Along with Emrick, the Bulldogs are going for their 3rd consecutive 2A state track championship. I like track because of the team AND individual possibilities. GO BULLDOGS!!!!

Posted by: JYD on March 13, 2008 1:23PM EST Maggie Oschner and Amber Henry are truly studs. They will each be trying to win consecutive state championships in events. The 2A girls state track title race will be very interesting. Mountain View is the early favorite, but Lingle is pretty darn good. Big Horn losing a distance runner to Sheridan doesn't help them but they have some really good athletes. IT will be a lot of fun. Hopefully we will have a great track season weather wise in Wyoming and our outstanding athletes can compete at their highest abilities.

Posted by: Chris Gray on March 13, 2008 6:13PM EST I will echo the thoughts of gtown & tmiller. Michael won't get the long jump, but 200 is very attainable as is 100 for Michael. He ran a 22.5 indoors! That is crazy fast! The difference between indoors & out is devastating, trying to maneuver those tight banking curves at full speed! I see Michael running a mid to possibly low 21 with the right conditions. Also, hopefully he didn't peak in the TJ, but 50' is definitely not out of the question! I am so happy he signed with UW, I will be able to follow his career easily from there! Now, how about Aubrey West from Star Valley, the sophomore that went 18'10" early in the indoor season? I can't wait to see how she does outdoors!!As far as I am concerned, the whole team thing in track is just for bragging rights for coaches. The only form of team that matters in track is for the relay teams!

Posted by: gtown on March 13, 2008 8:30PM EST Chris I am also interested to see Aubrey West. Since jumping that she has not came close again but if she can jump that again at state she can give Moore a run for her money. The difference between indoor and outdoor is alot. Most of the kids times from state indoor this year were about a second slower then there times at state outdoor so I think it's safe to say that in the right conditions Stephen could go mid to low 21

Posted by: Chris Gray on March 13, 2008 9:00PM EST Hey gtown, I did notice that she didn't approach that distance any other time (Aubrey West). Hopefully it wasn't a "Bob Beamon" jump. Yeah, indoors is just treacherous! I also forgot to mention Justin Gebicki's name in this discussion! That is a national talent in the vault as well! I see he was working on other jumps during the indoor season, & I believe he went 6-5 in the high jump? Does that sound right? If he is a beginner in the high, he obviously has a high ceiling in that event, as it takes more than just good leaping ability. I can't wait for the season to start!

Posted by: gtown on March 13, 2008 10:39PM EST Ya Chris I'm not sure exactly how high he went I thought maybe 6'2 but I could be mistaken. But it should be great watching him in the pole vault. I think he should be able to get Ben Petersons record I believe it is 16'3 though he did go 16'9 earlier in his senior season. Should be a great season

Posted by: Kevin Williams on March 14, 2008 12:22AM EST Chris Gray, I have to take exception somewhat to your statement about track not being a team sport. If you witnessed the 4A girls race from 2007, you would notice that the "teams" were very much in evidence, especially on Saturday. The teams from Kelly Walsh and Gillette both knew what was at stake on the last day and both squads laid it on the line for one of the most exciting finishes in recent times before the squad from Campbell County prevailed by one half point. Coaches always get too much blame and too much credit for how their teams do in any sport, but coaches in all sports are dedicated to try to put the best "team" into competition that they possibly can. That includes the worlds first sport, track and field, as well. If teams were not important in the sport, why do they keep score?

Posted by: Chris Gray on March 14, 2008 12:54AM EST Kevin; Well, Kevin, to me track & field is not a true team sport. I feel the same about wrestling. Most every performance is purely individual in these sports. When I ran track in high school & college, the only thing I could control was my own performance. That is fine if others want to put alot of importance on team points, especially the bigger schools who can load up in every event. Then, when you limit how many individual events an athlete can be in, you are really hamstringing the "team". In ALL team sports, there is a set number of "teammates" that can participate at one time (i.e. 11 in football, 5 in hoops, 6 in volleyball etc...) there is no minimum or ceiling in track. How can a small "team" like Newcastle compete against Natrona County? In real team sports, we would have a chance, as there is an equal number of competitors to play against. I just think keeping team points, but limiting the number of events your stars can compete in turns it into a total numbers game, just simple math, you will never convince me otherwise. Do they keep team points at the Olympics? No, just a medal count. Everybody has heard of Carl Lewis, but I would say that very few have heard of the "Santa Monica Track Club". Anyway, to put a point on Stephen Michaels time in the 200m indoors, Brendan Ames best time this year at Kentucky was a 22.65!! And that was on a "banked track, or a track greater than 200 meters", which means the curves are not as acute, & therefore easier to run! I am telling you guys, watch Michaels 200 time this year (don't get overly concerned about the Laramie high team, or any other team for that matter though! Just enjoy the great individual performances!!)

Posted by: Kevin Williams on March 14, 2008 10:00AM EST Chris, You may be right, but I do know the look on the faces of Kelly Walsh Girls and the tears that flowed afterwards and the joy and the smiles on the faces of the Gillette girls team were the same as if they had lost or won the final "game" of a "team" sport. There are ceilings and minimums in track and field. One of the reasons why events are limited is to keep an individual from dominating a team and lead to participation and improvement of others on the "team". The days of Rhonda Munger winning a team title by herself should be minimized and contributions by the rest of the team members allowed to grow. You say there are no team scores at the Olympics? What do you think the medal counts are? Why is the 1968 Olympic Track and Field Team considered to be the best ever track and field team the U.S. has ever sent to the Games? Probably not just because of the world records that they set, but of the number of gold medals that were won. And by the way, I played "team" sports in high school and college, and in those also, my performance was about the only one I could control. Chris, we will probably never agree on this, and that is OK. That is what this page is about to discuss different points of view. Thanks for sharing.

Posted by: Bulldog Fan on March 14, 2008 10:16AM EST I like the word AND that I used in my earlier post. In most sports you can't control what the other team member does, but you have to rely on those people to pull their weight. In track and wrestling you rely on the other team members for the team scores, but you can win your own individual state championship even if your team doesn't. You could be the only person from your school(there was a wrestler I read about) at state. Kevin & Chris both have very valid points, but I still like AND.

Posted by: Chiefs fan on March 14, 2008 4:37PM EST What about Caleb HMH from W.I.H.S. he has a few title's behind him. It's going to be a good battle between Caleb and Cody. Not bad for a underclassmen its going to be a good year for Caleb watch 2A.

Posted by: Chris Gray on March 14, 2008 5:54PM EST Ok Kevin. I'm sure I am one of the very few who don't like individual sports as team sports (track, wrestling, swimming...). That's fine. I played both in high school & college, & I know that if the other receivers weren't running their routes hard, the db's would sniff that out right now! If the linemen weren't blocking, the qb would be sacked, etc...I had nobody blocking for me in the 400 m, or triple jump. As far as medal count being considered score, so the top 3 were the only people scoring? Not much of a team effort there, eh? It still comes down to math-saturate the field with enough of your people & you are bound to get the numbers! I love the ability of someone being able to dominate the field! I would love seeing Maggie Ochsner be able to do as many events as she could! That's quality over quantity! Anyway, you are right; we will never agree, much like conservatism & liberalism in politics; one of us is simply right, & the other is way left!! (Just kidding!!) Anyway, good debate-now waht are your views on global warming?

Posted by: Kevin Williams on March 14, 2008 6:03PM EST Chris, I wish global warming would show up soon so that the track "teams" could get a meet in this weekend.

Posted by: Chris Gray on March 14, 2008 7:07PM EST Roger that!! Course, the bad weather did get me home early to get a jump start on my brackets!! I saw an ad in yesterdays paper that the Trib was doing some brackets, I'll have to check that out! The more pools I can get in the better chance I have! In my case, it is definitely a matter of quantity over quality!

Posted by: Bulldog Fan on March 15, 2008 2:32AM EST Chief's fan...Caleb HMH is a great runner. There is also a kid from Lingle..I think his name is Strong. No doubt they will both be working hard on Cody. That's good for him, he needs that push. I don't know if any of them will compete against each other before regionals. Maybe at the Classic in Casper?

Posted by: HS Sports Fan on March 15, 2008 5:55PM EST I guess that Chris would like to see all those Dogie Tracksters out there each wearing their own uniform and not representing anyone but themselves. Part of being a team is making sacrifices for the team. A 112 wrestler bumping up one week because the JV 112 guy (yes i said guy) can win and now you can score at both weights. Talk to Coach Quigley about whether he alway had the best 100 Fly person swimming that event at state. Hmmm how many team titles did Quigley's squad put together? How many of those girls went on to swim at the next level?

Posted by: Chris Gray on March 15, 2008 10:25PM EST Not sure of your point HS Sports fan-you said guy? What is the significance of a guy wrestling? Aren't 99% of the participants in wrestling "guys"? Anyway, I see the significance of wrestling more of a team sport, as each team should be able to fill a weight class. Sounds like you have tunnel vision. No, they shouldn't represent themselves, they represent their schools. Why should a school, or individual be limited to the number of events they can compete in, simply because they are better? (Talking about being limited to 4 events in track Sports fan-I'll try to talk slow for you!) And how is being on a small track team sacrificing? So what do you think-will the Laramie coach put Stephen Michael in the 1600 & the shot put so he can win a team title? OK anonymous HS Sports fan-I guess you have totally missed my point! Go back & read, & really think about what I have said, & try not to blind yourself with some kind of moral high ground about "sacrificing" for the team. Every athlete sacrifices something in every sport! My point is that you can saturate all events just with numbers in track & win a team title; it is simple math! I'm not saying there should be no teams in track, it's just realistically not as important as a sport like football, or basketball or volleyball to me. Boy-I never should have expressed my opinion on this!

Posted by: gtown on March 15, 2008 11:26PM EST Chris when you mentioned Michaels throwing the shot it reminded me of him actually throwing the shot at a cheyenne indoor meet a couple weeks ago. He didn't do well but it was still sort of funny to watch. I think if an athlete could enter in more than 4 events Michaels could win 6 or 7 events!

Posted by: Chris Gray on March 15, 2008 11:45PM EST I think you are right! I would have liked to see him throw! (Course I would love to see him do anything!) Yeah, I think he is a national class talent. Probably the sort that if he did work on the shot, he would do very well in that! Just like Randy Ellis from Upton back in the day! Ran low 22's in the 200, High 10's in the 100, Long jumped over 22', tripled I think at least 42, excelled at the vault & high jump! What a great decathlete he would have been! Oh yeah, ran mid 14's in the 110's as well, & 49's in the 400!! Crazy talented!! Speaking of crazy talented, how bout Tiger today? Starts out 7 shots back this a.m., & is tied for the lead by the end of the day!!! (Not to get too much off topic, or anything!!)

Posted by: T. Quigley on March 16, 2008 1:20AM EST This has been a real interesting blog to watch the responses, as I tend to agree with both sides of the debate. It is very difficult to compare the sports of swimming and track. The top swimmers generally are able to perform well in each event as you are executing a movement in the same medium-water. Also, in most swim programs the athletes train with a variety strokes just provide a complete workout and are often adept at a variety of strokes and distances. In track, each event (or group of events) are generally specialized (i.e. weights, sprints, hurdles,jumps, and distance). Most of the workout is focused on the speciality event in track and field. I was very fortunate to have the students which I coached accept my philosophy of 'team' in an individual sport. In order to compete against larger teams with more numbers, we had to maximize our possible point production by placing swimmers that had more versitility in events that may not have been their favorite to allow swimmers that were more specialized in their events to compete in the strongest area. This was not always a popular choice, but one that did place the team outcome first and individual success second. In swimming the relay points are double the individual event points, once again placing an emphasis on team aspect of those squads. Once our line up had been determined, our driving force was alway "you can only control your own performance", and the focus was switched to individual performance. It was a philosophy that I was fortunate to have supported by both are athletes and their parents. My greatest joy in coaching was the ability to bring out the best in the individuals who I came into contact with and see them perform at a high level. My proudest feat in coaching was seeing these individuals come together and do whatever was necessary to be successful as a team. As Chris mentioned, every athlete sacrifices for their team regardless of the sport or talent level. Without a surrounding cast of of exceptional athletes, it is impossible to earn a team title regardless if the activity is football, basell, track, swimming, or curling.

Posted by: T. Quigley on March 16, 2008 1:34AM EST I apologize for some of my typos as it is getting late. Here are what some of the sentences should say, " maximize our possible point production by placing swimmers with more versatility in events that may not have been their favorite to allow swimmers that were more specialized to compete in their strongest area" and "I was fortunate to have supported by both our athletes and their parents". basell should be baseball. Chris, you can play "Rawhide" anytime-just make sure you edit Enimen.

Posted by: He-Man on March 16, 2008 4:07AM EST ahh yes, the agreeable sports blog. Pat, thanks for not stirring up the pot like those other bloggers.

Posted by: Chris Gray on March 16, 2008 11:35AM EST Hey Todd! What are you doing up that late?!? Deadwood? Anyway, I definitely can't comment with any kind of authority at all about swimming-I've always admired Todd (don't let that go to your head, though!!), for that kind of strategy to maximize his teams score! By the way Todd, I see it only took you about 14 minutes to type out that first entry; not bad! Those adnministrative skills are paying off (wink, wink!)!! Ok, bloggers, lets move on!!

Posted by: CAT FAN on March 17, 2008 12:38AM EST Im ready for football season haha. Whos gonna be good next year

Posted by: Fred Thomas on March 17, 2008 8:49AM EST With the make up of individual performance recognition Track would certainly seem not to be a team sport. However I'm sure we all have seen the last event at the State Track Meet with two teams needing a win by the 4X400 Relay Team!! I'm a realitive newcomer to the Wyoming State Track Meet, but the race of the Cody Girls in 2006, when I believe an injury sidelined one of their regular 4X400 Relay participants was all about the team.A young Lady of not nearly the same ability was thrust into a tough situation (This team had not lost all year?)By the time Staci Slight's final leg was over, she erased a half lap deficite and the attending crowd had witnessed one of the GREATEST come backs of a relay team or any team for that matter!?? Team or Individual? The substitute runner had ran her guts out and kept them close enough for Miss Slight to run down the opposing teams runner making it a great win. MAYBE BOTH. I can't wait for the events to begin!!

Posted by: Kevin Williams on March 17, 2008 12:17PM EST Just to get my last word in, I was talking to a track coach, and a good friend, who was a state champion, a school record holder, and went on to a very good career at what is now a Mountain West school in the sport of track and field. What he talks about mostly, however, is how his "team" lost the state title by 2.5 points his senior year in high school. I guess the team aspect is just important to a few of us. To each, his own. Rest easy, this is my last comment on this subject.

Posted by: Hitman on March 17, 2008 5:04PM EST URL: http://yahoo.com tmillerwyo, i agree i think 2A girls will be a dog fight,does anyone know if there have very been 3 defending champs in the same division before? the way big horn girls step it upi would not count them out .....

Posted by: Chris Gray on March 17, 2008 8:39PM EST Sorry, Kevin; I am a last word hog!! I am SURE I am in the minority, maybe it comes from being from a small school with not much in the way of numbers (I too am a former state champ, & still have several school records & ran in college 1 year, led the conference most of the year in the quarter & runner-up in the triple jump, in the SDIC. if we are comparing pedigrees-not the point though!) You think a team title in track is just as important as in football, or hoops! I disagree, I love the true team sport, I ALWAYS refer to our state championship in basketball as opposed to my personal ones in track (course I acknowledge those too, just not as important!) There is not much more dramatic than watching the 4x400 with something on the line, though! (hard time believing Stacy erased a half lap in the quarter, though Shanelle Porter used to do it on a weekly basis!)Anyway, still just my opinion, not trying to brainwash anyone, or lead kids down the wrong path- just trying to keep things in perspective!! Thanks, & good night!!

Posted by: Kevin Williams on March 17, 2008 11:44PM EST Chris, I didn't say THE last word, just MY last word. Sleep well, my philosophical antithesis.

Posted by: Chris Gray on March 18, 2008 12:08AM EST Ah, but you have already contradicted yourself, as you have added another entry. Perhaps your thoughts aren't that concrete at all! (Just teasing, of course!) I did not win the powerball this past weekend, so I must get to bed so I can get up early for work, & have a nice clear mind when filling out my brackets! Go Cowgirls!!

Posted by: SportsLlama on March 18, 2008 12:51AM EST Just for a clarification, it's Audrey West, not Aubrey. Good luck to everyone, may the spring be warm, (please)

Posted by: bobcat fan on March 18, 2008 10:36AM EST How about an underclassman to watch at KW, Audrey Stevens (soph) won the hurdles last weekend at the NC event.

Posted by: Chris Gray on March 18, 2008 6:41PM EST All of a sudden there are Audreys falling from the sky.....

Posted by: C. Anderson on March 18, 2008 8:17PM EST Chris did they ever get that Triple Jump or 400 record corrected in Newc? It was always on top of my list of things to do, but just never got around to it.

Posted by: Chris Gray on March 18, 2008 11:42PM EST Yeah, hey , thanks, Craigy-baby!! I think Todd is actually in the process of putting up a "Rocky Balboa" type statue of my likeness, but in the pose of my famous Regionals salute! Schweeett!! If you want, I can scan you a copy of a general likeness & send it e-mail!

Posted by: Soccer Mom on March 22, 2008 1:30PM EST I was a member of Ten Sleep's girls track team during the 80's when they won 6 consecutive titles under Kermit Sweeny. We saw success because we competed not only as individuals but as a team. Almost every member of the team was called upon at times to compete in events we didn't normally - especially during Regionals and State. A couple of those years saw stand-out stars such as Annette Lyman but most of those titles were won on depth. I was a sprinter(100,200,400 & 4x4) but when coach told me to run the 800 at Regionals because he was confident I could place and we needed points to secure a regional title I smiled and did it, placing at regionals and state which gave us much needed points in our tie with Snake River for the State Championship. Coaching strategy and coachable team players gave us those championships and memories I will never forget.

Posted by: Chris Gray on March 24, 2008 7:53PM EST Ok-this is my last comment on this subject; Soccer mom has proven my point-with no set number of athletes, you can win a "team" title just by manipulating the numbers. If you can qualify enough athletes for state, you have a good chance of winning a team title. Notice how a whole track "team" does not qualify for state, it is done individually. When a football, basketball volleyball or soccer team qualifies, EVERYBODY on the team goes. I don't know, maybe just comes from being on a "team" that took 5 members to state my senior year! Now, if we could have limited every other "team" to five at the state meet, then we could have had a level playing field! Oh, & as far as running in an event that was not your specialty, welcome to high school athletics! I did that sort of thing on a regular basis! Even in college, coach Little tried to turn me into a hurdler! (My hammies are still sensitive to this day!!) I played offensive line in football up until my senior year! If you are a good, respectful athlete, you just play where your coach thinks is the best for the team, & you love it! I feel like the Charles Barkley of "The Goulash"! There, done! I will say no more forever (on this subject, that is!!)

Posted by: C. Anderson on March 24, 2008 8:41PM EST Chris - You make a good argument! Promise?

Posted by: Chris Gray on March 24, 2008 11:03PM EST Hey, C, whoever you are! All I wanted to hear was some confirmation!!! I promise!

Posted by: big bb fan on March 25, 2008 1:31PM EST I wish there was a hit counter so we would know how many people actually read these blogs. It appears that Chris Gray is impressed with his written word (as he should be) but he only reached 16 people. Of the 42 blogs, 14 was his. Patrick, is there anyway of knowing how many people around Wyoming (heck the entire world) is really reading these great blogs? Thanks

Posted by: Bulldog Fan on March 25, 2008 2:11PM EST big bb fan...I have wondered the same thing. I personally know several people that read, but never post. I know a couple others that read and have posted once or twice over the last year. (Has to be something they are truly passionate about.) Hey Patrick, while you are at it, did you ever find a way to let us go back and look at the old blog? Or maybe move some of the better information to this one?

Posted by: Chris Gray on March 25, 2008 11:17PM EST Chuckle, chuckle. Ok,ok. I get the hint. I know that there are ALOT of people that read these, but simply don't respond, as I hear from people all over town (the state for that matter!) that know of it and enjoy it. But it would be interesting to know exactly. (That's 15 now, big bb!)

Posted by: big bb fan on March 26, 2008 12:08PM EST Chris Gray-No offense. I enjoy some of your conversations but it seems to be on a personal basis with friends or old high school chums. You could certainly email them directly or (I think they still work) pick up a phone and call them. There always seems to be a few people out there that feel as if they are reaching out to a broad spectrum of folks and I think it would be neat to know how many are really reading the blogs. I enjoy them but seldom write (unless it is to bash John Sparks out of Cokeville, the worst basketball official I've ever seen). During the football season it was Mike Walk that frequented the Goulash and now it seems I see your name alot. Like I said, I enjoy reading the blogs. Take care.

Posted by: Chris Gray on March 26, 2008 9:35PM EST No offense taken, big bb. I realize, however, that this is merely a blog, not some sort of "official " type of governemnt communication. I don't believe that I am taking up "blog space" that could go to more needy bloggers. Patrick; please let me know if I am monopolizing more worthy bloggers space. Perhaps because this is the political season, we should make sure that equal time is given to liberal bloggers as well as conservative bloggers. Maybe I just missed the "Bloggers Commandments", I will have to check on the trib.com home page. On a more serious note, I know alot of people through the years that share the same interests as myself, & when they see my name on here, they respond. I'm sure that if you, or several others who use cute little anonymous names would use your real names, you would find others would respond to you as well. I am not the type who would enter something purely for the negative intention to smear someones name, while remaining anonymous myself. See? Now I am getting all carried away. OK-no offense taken. Great, now I'm up to 16! I hate myself.

Posted by: big bb fan on March 27, 2008 10:31AM EST Chris-I really do enjoy your blogs. Please "blog on" my man. You are right about the cute little names. I really go by -Jaimie lol

Posted by: Chris Gray on March 28, 2008 7:43PM EST Hmmmmmmm.......

Posted by: Patrick Schmiedt on March 28, 2008 11:05PM EST Bulldog fan (and anyone else that's interested): We're working on moving the old Sports Goulash archives over to the new place. I talked with our Web guys this week and they're trying to figure something out. As soon as I know something, I'll post it here. Believe me, I want those old archives back as bad as anyone. Thanks for putting up with the change. --patrick

Posted by: Bulldog Fan on March 29, 2008 2:13AM EST Patrick, Thanks...and I really like the new blog. It's just nice that we don't have to lose all that valuable info from the other one. (Well, some of it was "valuable")