april 2013 sports lubbock monthly

Scott Harrison, Sports Director

Sports in Lubbock is about excitement, athleticism, competition

...and service. We believe that every game is an opportunity

to show good, old-fashioned West Texas friendliness. We’d be

happy to help you ace your next sporting event.

experiencethe perfect

servelu� ocksports.org 8 .692.4035

http://www.lubbocksports.org

Scott Harrison, Sports Director

Sports in Lubbock is about excitement, athleticism, competition

...and service. We believe that every game is an opportunity

to show good, old-fashioned West Texas friendliness. We’d be

happy to help you ace your next sporting event.

experiencethe perfect

servelu� ocksports.org 8 .692.4035

http://www.buffalobattlebegins.com

http://www.lubbocksports.org

http://www.buffalospringslaketriathlon.com

4 | APRIL 2013 | Sports Lubbock Monthly

Regulars

6 Lead Off

7 Run the Race

8 Opening Shot

10 Life as I See It

11 Stay in the Game

22 Run the Race

45 Sports in the Hub

Connectwww.sportslubbock.com | 806.781.8482

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StaffPUBLICATIONToby & Christi Brooks....................................PublishersKristi Hart..............................................................EditorBaron Batch.....................................Contributing WriterDevin Hargrove................................Contributing WriterAlyssa Kitten....................................Contributing WriterGeorgia Reed...................................Contributing WriterRiley Swinford..................................Contributing WriterJoe Szynkowski...............................Contributing Writer

ARTKristen Bednarz........................................PhotographerMichael Dalby...........................................PhotographerDominique Harmon..................................PhotographerRegina Penney..........................................PhotographerJohn Weast...............................................PhotographerAshley Wirz...............................................PhotographerToby Brooks.................................................Art DirectorDonald McArthur...............................Graphic Designer

Sports Lubbock Monthly is published monthly by Chaplain Publishing, a division of NiTROhype Creative, 3104 CR 7520, Lubbock, Texas, 79423, phone 806.781.8482. Contents may not be reproduced without consent of the copyright owner. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means electronically or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Sports Lubbock Monthly is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, articles, photographs, or artwork. To submit information, photos, or stories or for advertising inquiries please contact Sports Lubbock Monthly at 806.781.8482, via email at [email protected], or via the Sports Lubbock website at www.sportslubbock.com.

ON THE COVER: Lubbock-area photographer Shawn Best snapped this month’s cover athletes, Coronado Mustangs Gregory Hewett (catcher) and Zane Ancell (hitter) at a recent photo shoot for the CHS baseball media guide. Believe it or not, Ancell isn’t actually hitting a ball. The image was expertly stitched together from a series of images by SLM artist Donald McArthur. Those of you who checked out our first-ever issue in September will recall that Hewett was on the cover of that issue, too. We know, we know, we should spread it around but the pic was just too darn cool NOT to run.

18 | LADY RAIDER GOLF

SUPER BRIGHTWith the #1 ranked golfer in the nation surrounded by an experienced nucleus of talented teammates, the TTU Lady Raider Golf team is poised to make some waves in the Big 12, and hopefully beyond by Toby Brooks

12 | HIGH SCHOOL SWIMMING

MIGHT AS WELL WINLubbock High swimming sensation Madisyn Cox figures if you are going to compete, you might as well dominate the competition by Riley Swinford

40 | TECH WOMEN’S HOOPS

SHARP’S SHOOTERSTexas Tech welcomes back legendary women’s basketball squad who brought NCAA title to Lubbock 20 years ago by Toby Brooks

Features

24 | COVER STORY

COMING OF AGE Lubbock’s favorite little leaguers reflect on a spectacular 2007 run to Williamsport by Joe Szynkowski

APRIL 2013

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My kids love baseball and softball. If you’ve read this column in the past, you’ll recall my descriptions of batting cage insanity and my deep-seated dislike for the various twine-chewing varmints that frequent my back yard.

For my daughter Brynnan, this is a big spring. After one year of tee ball and two years of machine pitch softball, she is finally moving up to kid pitch 10U this season.

Big deal, you say, right? Well, for a nine-year old little girl with aspirations of pitching, it is a big deal. Sure, she played a short fall ball season and we started working on the underhand delivery way back in August. She even faced a few batters and managed to notch her first out back in September. However, this spring season is different. Not only are there more competitive games, she is on a team that has no experienced pitchers at all. For the first time in her young “career,” her teammates are counting on her to contribute in the circle.

She has worked hard and practiced often in learning the basics of the softball pitch. As my friend and her former coach Marty White pointed out from the beginning, the hardest part for a little girl who is learning to pitch is to figure out the release point. Let the ball go too soon and she’ll slam it into the dirt. Let the ball go too late and it will sail high into the air. To make matters worse, the “window of opportunity” for a young pitcher’s release is remarkably small. To make a long story short, it is a tough skill to master and it requires tons of practice.

I’ve loved watching my little girl steadily grow in confidence as she has put in the practice to become a better pitcher. The talented staff at Hub City Fieldhouse, including current TTU pitcher Brittany Talley and former Red Raider Danielle Matthews have helped along the way. Make no mistake, she still has a long way to go. However, as I write this she is getting ready to start her first game as a pitcher tomorrow. She’ll probably throw a few in the dirt and I’m pretty sure she walk a few batters, but she is ready to give it a shot.

The thing I love about sports is that they provide rich context to teach kids about life. What is more, I find that they also provide excellent object lessons that God uses to teach me what He wants me to learn. Take this magazine for instance. Seven months ago, my wife and I took a huge leap of faith and launched what we hoped and prayed would be a successful publication. In all honesty, there were some times early on where I wasn’t really certain if I had it in me to pull this thing off. I felt like my timing was all wrong and I was either emotionally in the dirt or sailing way off course because of my own lack of ability.

However, through it all I remained 100% confident that Sports Lubbock Monthly was simply something that I had to do. All I needed to do was look into my backyard to see my little girl putting in rep after rep to see a great example of persistence. Like her, I often missed the mark. And like her I kept on trying in the hopes that sooner or later I’d finally get the hang of it.

So after seven months, my little girl will at long last take the circle. If she is to be successful, she isn’t going to be able to take the time to think about something as sudden as when to release the ball. The reps create the experience and the practice creates the ability. Eventually the skill becomes so familiar that it is automatic.

So the lesson for me (and, if you have read this far, you as well) is pretty clear. Quit worrying about being perfect. Work hard. Sleep less. Practice more. And just let it go.

Just Let It Go by TOBY BROOKS LEAD OFF

www.sportslubbock.com | APRIL 2013 | 7

Families and Sports: What a great and humbling topic. I am a pastor at Redeemer Church (you can check us out at www.redeemerlubbock.org) and also have what I

call my second job: coaching my 11-year-old son’s baseball team. Recently, I also started coaching my 4-year-old in a short season league, and when it’s not baseball season, we do football and basketball, too. Like a lot of you, we stay busy, but we have a lot of fun.

Let me start with what is great about coaching my sons. It’s fun to be on the field with my boys! Ultimately though, it all comes down to discipleship. All of life does, really. God has called me to make disciples and that starts in my home. Here are ways I get to do that when I coach my sons:

Dealing with Adversity Baseball is a hard game and there are many

opportunities to blame others, want to give up, get angry, and other hard situations. In a small, practical way, I can teach my boys how to deal with setbacks and low-grade suffering. What a great training ground!

Developing Godly Ambition and Effort

Sports are the ultimate meritocracy. As long as a coach is fair, the best player plays in a certain position. If my son wants a particular position, it is a great opportunity to talk about why he wants it and what it will take to have a realistic shot at it. This isn’t the time to talk unrealistically about “you can do anything!” That is not a true statement and sports will ultimately show them that. Together, we set realistic goals and work to get there.

Being on MissionWe always have a mix of kids and families on

the team that are at different places spiritually. I

can help my older son, and the younger in a few years, see everyone as our friends and teach him the importance of talking about Jesus with all of them. Jesus was called a friend of sinners (like me!) and I hope my family can follow His footsteps.

Now for the humbling part: Here are some things that God has used to grow me, honestly, through failure.

Parents that are coaches tend to be too easy or too hard on their own kids. I tend to be harder on my own son than the rest of the team. This reveals some weird things going on in my heart; maybe I have to admit that I am living a little through him. Ouch.

I haven’t always kept my cool. I am a competitor and that is fine. However, sometimes I cross a line and forget umpires are doing the best they can, or fail to remember that all parents are emotional about their kids, like I can be as well. I wish could say that I always calmly made my point when there is a dispute on a rule, but I haven’t always done that.

Sometimes I coach like I have something to prove. That sounds pretty silly, but I know it is there. A lot of the worst parts of youth sports are adults that are trying to beat other adults and using kids as pawns to accomplish this. To say that I am above that desire just isn’t honest.

All in all, coaching my boys’ baseball teams is great and humbling. We are all being discipled through the experiences. All of the great sports moments can still happen, but my kids can learn to follow Jesus in this time as well. The humbling moments take me to Jesus and I see our sin and need for a Savior – Jesus. His death and resurrection mean that sports can, and should be, redeemed.

Dusty Thompson is Lead Pastor at Redeemer Church in Lubbock. He and his wife Amy have two sons, Roman (11) and JJ (4). His is a skilled pastor and a dynamic preacher who abhors wearing neckties.

RUN THE RACE

Families and Sports by DUSTY THOMPSON

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Heb 12:1

RUN THE RACE is a monthly column featuring a brief devotional written by area coaches and youth ministry leaders.

DOMINIQUE HARMONOPENING SHOT

MAKIN’ A RACQUET

This cool pic of Coronado senior tennis standout Emily Alderson was shot by award-winning photographer Dominique Harmon at the Capitvated Images studios south of Lubbock. Emily and doubles partner Karly Garland only lost one doubles match during the entire regular season. The pair won district last year and were seeded no. 2 in regionals. Emily has played tennis since she was 12 and will be attending the University of Oklahoma in the fall.


Yes, I watch the bachelor. So what. Judge me. You may be unaware but there has never been a black bachelor. I want to be the first. Why not? Someone’s gotta do it. After watching this week’s episode I sent in an online application. This is what it said. Enjoy.

Ok. I’ll be honest. First off, I have been watching the show for quite some time. It is entertaining. However, I have also noticed that there has never been a black bachelor. Yes….I only said black. I don’t use African American because I sometimes am not politically correct. So what.

I will undoubtedly be the most entertaining and genuine bachelor that has ever been on the show. The only reason I know this is because my friend Jackson told me I would be a good bachelor because of how much I care about people.

Jackson is a junior in high school. When he was in the 8th grade he was having trouble with the ladies because he had horrendous hygiene. At this time I was in college and decided I could help the little smelly guy. So I took these matters into my own hands. I went out and made Jackson a hygiene kit and gave him some pointers. He didn’t get any ladies but no longer smelled awful. Afterward he said thank you. This made me happy. Ok, maybe I just got off topic a bit with that. Sorry. I have ADHD. But even though I have ADHD, I did graduate college. This means I’m a hard worker right?

Anyway…Back to why I should be on the show. Here are my good qualities.

I am nice, honest, good looking, rich, smart, hilarious, genuine (meaning I have good abs like the R&B singer) and above all else I have been showered with humility. Also I love Jesus meaning I will not kiss on the show…but am willing to do many other promiscuous things, like holding hands and stuff.

Maybe I could be the first black bachelor. I play in the NFL and am entertaining and do not have any baby mommas…or babies. I tried all that once. It didn’t turn out well. We won’t talk about that though. Ok…hope to hear from you guys soon. If no, I will find love elsewhere. Preferably ChristianMingle.com, or BlackPeopleMeet.com. Or maybe BlackChristianMingleMeet.com.

Goodbye.Follow me on twitter. I’m actually a real person. This is not a joke @

baron_batchP.S.: Eventually my friend Jackson got the girl. They hold hands and stuff

now. It is cute.Baron

Baron Batch is a former Red Raider who plays running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers. In addition to being a world-class athlete, he is a gifted author and artist. He has graciously agreed to share excerpts from his blog for use in Sports Lubbock Monthly. To read more of his work, be sure to visit baronbatch.com.

BATCHelor Application by BARON BATCH LIFE AS I SEE IT

“Also I love Jesus meaning I will not kiss on the show…but am willing to do many other promiscuous things, like holding hands and stuff.”

http://www.baronbatch.com


STAY IN THE GAME by KERRY WIMBERLY

Throwing the baseball or football is a kinetic chain action of function.

Applied Functional Science (AFS) defines the truths about function that are

unarguable. A few of the physical truths include the fact that the body has to work against gravity, has to control mass and momentum, and is driven in an infinite number of ways. The complexity is to be able to create strategies based on the truth that in turn creates the techniques (exercises) that allow us throw efficiently. So, with this strategy we can turn the complexity into simplicity.

In throwing, too much time is often spent focusing just on the shoulder and not enough on the whole chain reaction. To allow our shoulder to be strong and powerful (and most stable), we have to take advantage of the kinetic chain to throw efficiently and to reduce injury. There are three “transformational zones” (TZ’s) that we have to be concerned with in throwing:

• TZ1). Cocking Phase (The Load - Deceleration)

• TZ2). “The Whip” (The Explode - Acceleration)

• TZ3). Follow Through (Deceleration)

In each of these TZ’s there is a specific bone motion, muscle action, and neurological control that has to be trained, conditioned and rehabbed in order for the athlete to have success.

In TZ1, the athlete needs to be efficient in his eccentric load (muscles contracting and lengthening) to the muscles on our front side from the ground up, in order for us to begin the acceleration phase.

In TZ2, the whip, the athlete must be balanced and stable while moving extremely fast through her legs, hips, and core. This achieves the most stability.

In TZ3, or follow through, the athlete must now have good functional flexibility to decelerate the mass and momentum we just created.

You will notice that with any article this author writes, there will never be a grocery list

of exercises that you must do. This is because everyone is an individual (one of the core truths of AFS) and that as clinicians at Lubbock Sports Rehab, it is our job to assess you individually to find your specific “weak links.” Then, we design an individual program based on the AFS principles that create a foundation of success.

Some of the critical fault areas are the pelvis, trunk, and scapula. The pelvis is the powerhouse and the strongest part of the kinetic chain. The trunk/spine then gives a functioning platform/base to allow the Scapula to accelerate and decelerate the shoulder efficiently. Acceleration and deceleration cannot accurately occur without this proper function.

Remember, in function, we have a requirement of:

• Load to Explode• Load - Decelerate TZ1, to Accelerate

“Whip” TZ2, to the Decelerate Follow Through TZ3.

• Gravity, Ground Reaction Force (Foot on Ground) and Mass/ Momentum

• Chain Reaction, the sequencing of all movements

Applied Functional Science is a field that allows us to appreciate what our body gives us. It teaches us to respect the physical, biological, and behavioral drivers that move us and helps create strategies of exercises that allow us all to be successful.

If you have any questions about the throwing shoulder or would just like to know more about Applied Functional Science (AFS) please contact Lubbock Sports Rehab. I would be glad to answer any questions you may have to solve all your functional needs.

Kerry Wimberly is a certified and licensed athletic trainer (ATC, LAT) and a Fellow of Applied Functional Science (FAFS) at Lubbock Sports Rehab.

Brought to you by

Throwing the Ball


HIGH SCHOOL

SWIMMING

MIGHT as WELL WIN

Lubbock High swimming sensation Madisyn Cox figures if you are going to compete, you

might as well dominate the competition

DEVIN HARGROVE ASHLEY WIRZ

BLING BLINGCox displays her hard earned hardware, which includes three state titles and designation as the 2013 Texas Class 4A Swimmer of the Year

Most student athletes can only dream of performing consistently in rarest form. However, for Lubbock High School swimmer and team captain Madisyn Cox, rare form is the only way to compete.

Swimming and competition have been a part of Madisyn’s life since a very young age.

“We have some family friends who lived in Lubbock and we’ve known them for a while,” says Madisyn. “They have kids around my age and I don’t know how they got into swimming, but they got my sisters into it. One day my mom was like ‘Hey do you want to go to swim practice?’ and I had to go anyway just to watch them. I figured I might as well do something, and I decided to get in the water.”


Madisyn explains that competition is in her nature. Whether it is in the pool or on the track, the Lubbock High senior has proven time and time again that she has what it takes to beat out the competition.

“I started out at Lubbock Swim Club, which is a competitive club,” says Madisyn. “I was going to meets, and my rationale with it was that if I have to go to meets and I have to train for something, then I might as well have a purpose and go out there and do the best I can and win.”

With this dedication and passion for athletics, it is no surprise that Madisyn’s achievements do not stop when she gets out of the water. Her academic record is bested only by her achievements in the pool.

“I am the student body Vice President at Lubbock High and a member of the National Honor Society,” says Madisyn. “I also volunteer through the United Way youth division at places such as the Parkway Neighborhood Center and Salvation Army.”

Many young athletes struggle to balance sports and school, trying to keep up with homework and practice, and many never seem to catch much of a break. While Madisyn also has these factors to contend with, it is through a sharp mind and wise ways that she manages to keep up with everything she says.

“I manage sports, school, and friends by time management,” explains Madisyn. “I don’t have much time for procrastinating so when I have a task at hand, I generally just get done what needs to be done.”

This no-nonsense approach is what has allowed her to set the bar for a new standard of practice and performance for young athletes across the board. She explains that it is only through hard work and adherence to a rigorous schedule that she has been able to accomplish such a feat at a young age.

“In season, I wake up and go to practice from 5:45 A.M. to 7:30 A.M.,” explains Madisyn. “After this I go to school and then come back for more practice. Every other day, in this case Tuesdays and Thursdays, I would do weights from 3:30 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. On Mondays and Wednesdays, the days I don’t have weights, I would go in the morning and then 5:30 to 7:30 at night.”

“I don’t have much time for procrastinating so when I have a task at hand, I generally just get done what needs to be done.”

-Madisyn Cox


HIGH SCHOOL

SWIMMING

Madisyn explains that her goals for swimming are simple, to practice and perform at her best at all times.

“It’s every swimmers dream to be on an Olympic team,” says Madisyn. “But I guess my goal would be not just to be on the Olympic team, my goal is to be the best of the best.”

This is a goal which Madisyn has come within a fingertips length of attaining. Aside from the countless achievements she has achieved locally, Madisyn had the fantastic opportunity to compete for a spot in the 2012 Olympics, which she only barely missed.

When asked about her experience at the Olympic trial, she said, “It was quite an experience, definitely eye opening. I’ve never been on that kind of stage before, so it was nice just to get the feel of everything. It was definitely the most intense meet

I’ve ever been to, so it was nice to have the chance to learn how to deal with that kind of pressure under those kinds of circumstances. But definitely eye opening.”

Madisyn explains that she has come a long way from the person she was at her first event during the tryouts.

“For my first event, I was just that nervous little seventeen-year-old who didn’t even know what to expect,” says Madisyn. “After that, you know the pressure. I kind of got used to it and it was okay. It was easier to manage and easier to focus on your own race and focus on what you’re there for.”

While many people might be put down by failure on such a high stakes playing field as the Olympics, Madisyn explains that she took it as an opportunity to examine her own shortcomings and improve for the next Olympic tryouts.

“I’m in practice every day,” Madisyn says. “Not just going there and going through the motions, but going there with a goal in my mind knowing that I’m there to achieve something. That helps push me to the next level in training and hopefully I can keep moving to the next level.”


This intense level of practice and dedication has not been for naught, all of it has accumulated in a long list of achievements and personal successes including sixteen-time District champion, fourteen-time Regional champion, fourteen-time State qualifier, and five-time State medalist among many others. But Madisyn explains that some of her achievements hold more value to her than others.

“Last year I kind of had an off year and didn’t perform my best, so nothing about last year I had good memories about, which pushed me to refocus my goals for this year,” says Madisyn. “However the year before that, my sophomore year, I won state in the two hundred IM and until this year, that is what I was most proud of, because until then I could never see myself on the top of the podium at the state level. Then this year I would have to say I’m most proud of my accomplishments because not only were they state golds, but they were state records, and I was really able to leave my mark on that meet and that pool and really show people for years to come by giving them something to work at.”

Cox says she still has a long way to go in her career as a swimmer. She plans to keep swimming in college and explains that the next years will be dedicated to preparing for the next Summer Games tryouts.

“The next Olympics will come around while I’m a junior in college,” says Madisyn. “I feel like that will give me a pretty good understanding or idea of how it could actually turn out.”

Madisyn signed with the University of Texas, where she hopes to be able to bring something to the table that the university has yet to see.

“I want to do the best I can and give them as much as I can,” says Madisyn. “Hopefully help them out with definitely conference titles and maybe even national titles.”

As of now Madisyn says she plans on studying neuroscience while in college and hopes to enter into Medical School after graduation. Devin Hargrove is a regular contributor to Sports Lubbock Monthly. He may be reached at [email protected]

“The next Olympics will come around while I’m a junior in college. I feel like that will give me a pretty

good understanding or idea of how it could actually turn out.”

-Madisyn Cox

HIGH SCHOOL

SWIMMING


LADY RAIDER

GOLF


SUPER BRIGHT

With the #1 ranked golfer in the nation surrounded

by an experienced nucleus of talented teammates,

the TTU Lady Raider Golf team is poised to make

some waves in the Big 12, and hopefully beyond

TOBY BROOKS

Being the best in world at any given skill requires a combination of natural ability, diligence, hard work, and ample opportunity. For Texas Tech senior

golfer Kim Kaufman, a lifetime of practice and preparation paid dividends as she concluded the fall 2012 season as Golfweek’s #1 women’s collegiate golfer in the country. However, for fourth year Lady Raider head coach JoJo Robinson, it is aspirations for team rather than individual accolades that are flying high above the manicured greens at the gorgeous Rawls Course facility.

RED RAIDERS IN THE MISTTexas Tech Lady Raiders on the range prior to the 2013 Lady Puerto Rico Classic.

JOHN WEAST


“Kim has goals she hasn’t yet accomplished as a college golfer, but her big push is to get us there as a team.”

-Texas Tech women’s golf coach JoJo Robinson

“Kim has goals she hasn’t yet accomplished as a college golfer, but her big push is to get us there as a team,” said Robinson. “Her teammates are in the gym with her and they are out on the course competing with her. They see what she does every day and they see that it is no wonder she’s #1.”

And make no mistake, it isn’t just Kaufman who is showing that excellence is steadily becoming the norm rather than the exception in the Tech women’s golf program. When Robinson took over the program in June of 2009, the team was coming off a middling 2008-2009 season ranked #63 nationally. After climbing into the 40’s and 30’s in the rankings over the next three seasons (#40 in 2010, #47 in 2011, and #32 in 2012), the Lady Raiders currently find themselves ranked 13th.

Kaufman, a former standout at Clark High School in Clark, South Dakota, completed her junior campaign with a respectable #48 ranking, just 11 slots behind fellow classmate and top 2012 performer Gabriella Dominguez of Chilton, Texas. Top performances have literally come from all over the globe, with junior Beverly Mendoza of the Philippines currently ranked #169 nationally and sophomore Elin Arvidsson of Sweden ranked #217. Texans Hannah Arnold of Lufkin and Victoria Uresti of Anna and Californian Kimmy Hill of Palm Desert round out the squad.

The team’s steady ascension has come through consistent play across the board with every member playing a role in the team’s success. The team recently placed third in the Puerto Rico Classic, finishing just one stroke behind second place Arkansas and 14

GABBY DOMINGUEZSenior, Chilton, Texas

BEVERLY MENDOZAJunior, Mandaluyong City, Philippines

ELIN ARVIDSSONSophomore, Falkenberg, Sweden


LADY RAIDER

GOLF

NUMBER ONE WITH A CLUBTexas Tech Lady Raider golfer Kim Kaufman finished the fall 2012 season as the #1 ranked player in the country.

TEACHABLE MOMENTKaufman (left) consults with Lady Raider head coach JoJo Robinson

ALL FOR ONE, ONE FOR ALLThe Lady Raiders have adopted the tagline “Team First” for the 2013 season.


LADY RAIDER

GOLF

strokes behind winner and current #4-ranked Alabama. It was Tech’s best finish in the program’s fourth year of play in the event.

Most recently, the ladies in the scarlet and black captured the Mountain View Collegiate Invitational title in Tucson, Ariz., marking the third victory of the year and drawing the team’s current win total even with their best record since 1994. At the same time, the opportunity for the best finish in program history still exists. The team still has two regular season tournaments, Big 12 Conference Championships, and NCAA regional and national events yet to come.

For Kaufman, she isn’t letting the newfound recognition change the way she approaches the game.

“Kim’s one of a kind,” said Robinson. “She’s a great example to everyone on our team. She knows what she wants to do in the future and she’s not going to let anything get in the way of that,” Robinson added.

“It’s still pretty weird, actually,” said Kaufman. “I wasn’t very well known probably my first two years. I think now it is getting better. It is exciting,” she confirmed with a smile.

For fans and followers of the Tech program, it certainly is exciting. Hopes are high for a solid finish to a season that, while still admittedly young, has been one of the best in school history thus far.

“The outlook for this year is super bright. It’s going to be good,” she concluded.

Toby Brooks likes to write. And design. And work. But rarely sleep. He came up with the idea for Sports Lubbock Monthly, so you have him to thank or blame for the magazine (depending on whether you like it or not). He may be reached at [email protected].

VICTORIA URESTI (left)Freshman, Anna, Texas

KIMMY HILL(right)Freshman, Palm Desert, California

HANNAH ARNOLDJunior, Lufkin, Texas

STAND CLEAR: RECORD SEASON IN PROGRESSThe Lady Raiders are off to a solid start for the 2013 campaign. Pictured here, left to right: Head coach JoJo Robertson, Beverly Mendoza (JR), Elin Arvidsson (SO), Kim Kaufman (SR), Gabby Dominguez (SR) Hannah Arnold (JR) Kimmy Hill (FR) Victoria Uresti (FR) Asst Coach Emily Kuhfeld.

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LAST HURRAH IN THE HUB (pullout poster)The majority of Lubbock’s 2007 LLWS team are finishing out their high school playing careers this season as seniors at Coronado High and Frenship High. The group posed for a quick picture following their recent matchup. Pictured left to right: Tyler Thorne, Stephen Smith, Zane Ancell, Taylor Bridges, Bryndan Arredondo, Gregory Hewett, Bo Ricks, and Max Randolph. Although most will continue to play at the next level and hopefully beyond, this picture was likely taken just after the last time the group will compete on the same field. Sarah Ancell photo provided

CAN YOU BELIEVE THEY’RE ALL GROWN UP?The 2007 Lubbock Western All-Stars pose after their third place finish in Williamsport. Pictured left to right: Zane Ancell, Manager Ed Thorne, Bo Ricks, Garrett Williams, Max Randolph, Stephen Smith, Taylor Bridges, Gregory Hewett, Tyler Thorne, Jay Pendergrass, Bryndan Arredondo, Coach Gerald Arredondo, and Brock Lilley.Dianne Hewett photo provided


COMING OF AGE

Lubbock’s favorite little leaguers reflect on a spectacular 2007 run to Williamsport

JOE SZYNKOWSKI SHAWN BEST

OTHER PHOTOS PROVIDED

Some sounds can travel great distances. The clinking ring of a metal bat

striking a ball, for instance, can permeate 1,700 miles. So too can the

unmistakable sound of little boys of summer, laughing and living out their dreams. Lubbock citizens will attest. They experienced it in 2007 when their groundbreaking group of youngsters took the Little League World Series by storm, traveling across country to Williamsport, Pa., as the first team from Lubbock to make the big show.

Williamsport is quite a drive from the Hub City. Heck, it’s quite a plane ride.

“Just going out there with all of my buddies was an overwhelming experience,” said Taylor Bridges, now a senior for Coronado High School. “All of the people watching and the stage we were on…that really didn’t matter. We were out there just getting to play baseball.”

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Now with a couple of former players in college and the rest wrapping up their high school careers, the LLWS alums have moved on. Sure, the stories still surface during casual conversations. Like the ones about playing ping pong with kids from across the world or getting a kiss on the check from ESPN reporter Erin Andrews.

But for the most part now, memories of the LLWS are just that – memories.

“I was playing with my best friends and we were doing what we were dreaming about since we were nine years old,” said Max Randolph, one of Bridges’ teammates at Coronado. “We felt like major league ballplayers. It’s fun to look back on, but we really don’t focus on it too much now.”

WorkaholicsThe Lubbock Western Little League All-Stars entered

the 2007 season with a proven track record. Some of the team’s players had advanced to the state tournament for

three consecutive years before making it to Williamsport. Most of the boys played baseball year-round, and the Westerners challenged themselves out of season with private tournaments. They traveled to Dallas to take on some of the best teams in the state, finishing in second place twice. The exposure to tough competition and large crowds readied them for the 2007 regionals, and eventually, Williamsport.

“That is the hardest-working group of kids I’ve ever seen,” said Ed Thorne, a dentist in Lubbock who managed the 2007 team. “They just loved to work and they loved baseball.”

Thorne’s son, Tyler, was one of the squad’s standouts – third best in home runs and RBIs entering the Southwest Regional Tournament in Waco. Garrett Williams led the Westerners in hits, home runs and RBIs, and was the team’s ace from the mound. Bryndan Arredondo was second in home runs and RBIs, and would prove to come up with some clutch hits in the LLWS.

BRIDGES ON THE BUMPCoronado senior Taylor Bridges Shawn Best photo

“That is the hardest-working group of kids I’ve ever seen. They just loved to work and they loved baseball.”

-Ed Thorne, Manager, 2007 Lubbock Western All-Stars


But the team was more than three players. All 11 Westerners had homered entering regionals, and had each played their part in helping the team cruise through the regular season and win the area championship with an impressive 31-1 victory.

That team-first approach paid off during regionals, when the Westerners went into Waco and came out regional champions with a win over Roswell, NM, to clinch the trip to Williamsport.

“The atmosphere of that game was absolutely incredible and we played our hearts out,” said Williams, now an elite pitcher for Calvary Baptist Academy in Louisiana. “Our goal at the beginning of the season was to make it to the World Series, and our dream came true because of that game. I believe that was our highlight of the year.”

“I remember winning that game and just dog-piling in the middle of the field,” said Coronado’s Gregory Hewett. “Knowing we were going to the World Series was an amazing feeling.”

Hello, Williamsport!

Most of Lubbock’s little leaguers had never previously traveled over the borders of Texas, let alone halfway across the country. Nevertheless, the long flight to Williamsport seemed to be over in a flash.

“Looking back we were just so excited to make it to the World Series,” Randolph said.

“Everything just went by so fast. It was just indescribable.”

THORNE IN THE FLESHCoronado senior Tyler Thorne Shawn Best photo

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BA BEHIND THE DISHFrenship senior Bryndan Arredondo Photo provided


DA DA DUNT, DA DA DUNTHere the team poses with ESPN’s Karl Ravech of Baseball TonightDianne Hewett photo provided

HITTING FROM Z TO ACoronado senior Zane AncellShawn Best photo

The Westerners’ excitement only intensified when they arrived at their destination. Pregame and game coverage splashed across ABC, ESPN and ESPN2. Various media personalities interviewed the boys, including ESPN’s Baseball Tonight crew of Karl Ravech, John Kruk and Andrews. In fact, it was a kiss on the cheek from Andrews that serves as a lasting memory for most of the former little leaguers.

“Yeah, we all thought she was very pretty,” said Bo Ricks, now a senior baseball player for Frenship. “I think we all blushed a little bit.”

“That was an experience,” laughed Arredondo, one of Ricks’ Tigers teammates.

All blushing aside, if Lubbock’s favorite little leaguers were overwhelmed by the extra attention, they didn’t show it.

“The most astonishing thing was watching them take the field during that first game,” said Thorne, who watched his team cruise to a 6-0 victory over Coon Rapids, Minn., to open the series. “To see them go out there in front of that many people and just stick to the game plan, we knew we were going to be good after that first game.”

Williams recorded an astounding 17 strikeouts in that win over Coon Rapids. The lefty fell short of becoming the third pitcher in LLWS history to fan all 18 batters when the tournament’s new pitch-count rules forced him to exit with one out to go.

The Westerners’ next game – a 5-1 win over Chandler, Ariz. – was Zane Ancell’s time to shine. He struck out 11 and added a home run in the victory, while Arredondo


“We felt like pro players when we got back to the airport. I remember walking through those spinning doors and seeing 100 to 200 people there waiting for us.”

-Brock Lilley, 2007 Western All-Star right fielder

BO KNOWS BASEBALLFrenship senior Bo Ricks Photo provided

G UNITCalvary Baptist Academy (La.) senior Garrett Williams PricePhoto photo provided

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added two dingers. Arredondo hit a three-run homer to help Lubbock rally from a deficit in its next game, an 8-2 win over Lake Owego, Ore.

It was a near-flawless start for Lubbock, which suddenly found itself one win away from securing a spot in the title game. The only team left in its path was Warner Robbins, Ga., in the U.S. Championship Game.

Win Some, Lose OneLubbock came out sluggish against Georgia – and not

the kind of sluggish that helped them belt so many home runs throughout their dream season. Georgia jumped out to a 4-0 lead through three innings before a 2-run homer by Williams cut Lubbock’s deficit in half. A stretch of bad luck struck Lubbock when Ancell broke his leg in a home-plate collision and an Arredondo fifth-inning line drive with two men in scoring position was snagged out of the air by Georgia’s shortstop.

The Westerners fell, 5-2. It was their only loss of the season.

“That was one of the worst feelings of my life,” said Steven Smith, presently a senior baseball and football player at Frenship. “It was really just embarrassing to lose in front of that many people and to come up short of something that we’d worked so hard for.”

“We were heartbroken,” Arredondo said. “I can still remember exactly how that felt. It just wasn’t our day. I remember their fans screaming “USA…USA,” and just thinking ‘I wish we were going to that championship game.’”


WORLD CHAMPIONPitcher Garrett Williams was a member of the gold medal winning USA Baseball 18U team in 2012 Photos provided

“I was glad to leave Williamsport with the reputation that Lubbock, Texas left there.”

-Garrett Williams, 2007 Western All-Star pitcher & first baseman


LLWS was about more than baseball

It is midnight behind Lamade Stadium in Williamsport. The grassy hill – an iconic landmark in World Series lore – sits vacant. But that’s about to change.

Eleven youngsters from West Texas are looking to blow off some steam. And boy, have they earned it. The little leaguers emerge from their dorm and sit atop the expansive hill with any pieces of cardboard they can muster. For the next two hours, the boys zip down the hill at top speed, creating even more lasting memories on a trip chock full of them.

“It probably wasn’t the safest thing, but it was a really cool experience,” said one of the former all-stars, Brock Lilley, now a freshman at Texas Tech. “It’s like we could relax and just be in awe of the whole experience that we had just been through.”

Lubbock players had endured more than games during their run in Williamsport that ended in a third-place finish. Throughout the trip, the Westerners formed special relationships not only with their fellow teammates, but with peers from across the globe.

“I remember the tradition of trading pins with teams from other countries,” Lilley said. “That was very interesting trying to communicate with them. It was a great experience.”

A huge entertainment room on campus with free games and ping pong helped foster a bonding environment between players of all nationalities, cultures and languages.

“Ping pong really does bring people together,” said Zane Ancell, now a senior at Coronado. “We played people from the Netherlands, China, Japan, Venezuela and Canada. We would all just rotate in and out, and get to know kids from other places and cultures.”

The little leaguers from Lubbock shared a dorm with the Venezuelan team, an experience that helped some Westerners appreciate their lot in life.

“One thing I learned about was how real cultural and economic disparity are,” said Gregory Hewett, a senior at Coronado. “I remember the kids from Latin American were shocked one night that we ordered a pizza after dinner because we were still hungry. You always hear about people with less, but to see it right in front of you was a pretty eye-opening experience.”

-Joe Szynkowski

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While Georgia went on to beat Tokyo in the series title game, Lubbock took care of business in the consolation matchup. Williams pitched a no-hitter and struck out 14 batters to beat Willemstad, Curacao, 1-0. “Our bats got the run we needed to win,” Williams said. “I was glad to leave Williamsport with the reputation that Lubbock, Texas left there.”

Williams and his teammates were also glad to land back in Lubbock.

“We felt like pro players when we got back to the airport,” said Brock Lilley, now a freshman at Texas Tech. “I remember walking through those spinning doors and seeing 100 to 200 people there waiting for us.”

Celebrations, parades and accolades followed, as Lubbock exalted over its Westerners. It was a genuine expression of adoration from a community invested whole-heartedly into its boys’ success – a support that was cultivated long before the little leaguers returned home.

“It was amazing how much love we received from the city of Lubbock,” Lilley said. “During the season, we would go in from business to business asking for monetary donations. Everyone was always willing to support us on our journey.”

After they won the state tournament, the Westerners were asked to signed baseballs by Fort Worth University players. The little leaguers also received a major send-off before embarking on their trip to Williamsport.

“Lubbock was nuts,” Tyler Thorne said. “Baseball is always big in Lubbock and that just proved it.”

“We felt like pro players when we got back to the airport. I remember walking through those spinning doors and seeing 100 to 200 people there waiting for us.”

-Brock Lilley, 2007 Western All-Star right fielder


“While we were in Williamsport, I remember getting text messages and phone calls on my dad’s phone from family and friends back home,” Smith said. “They were supporting us the whole time we were out there.”

Lessons LearnedWhile all of Lubbock’s little leaguers

have left the LLWS in their past, they agree that they gained something from the experience. “I learned to never give up,” said Frenship senior Jay Pendergrass. “We never really thought we’d make it that far. It just showed that you can make things happen with hard work and dedication.”

Overall, the boys are focused on their respective jobs at hand. Some are striving for that high school state championship. Others are focused on their studies. “I hear them talking about it every once in a while,” said Coronado coach Gary Hix, who was rooting on the Westerners while coaching in Amarillo in 2007. “If they do bring it up, it’s neat to hear their stories about it and to hear them reminiscing.”

Ancell – one of Hix’s players who helped lead Coronado to the state tournament two years ago – got his first taste of what it takes to rebound from an injury after he broke his leg during the LLWS semifinal game. He has leaned on that same resolve during his high school career, while he continues to bounce back from Tommy John surgery that kept him from playing his junior year.

Lubbock’s LLWS GamesGame 1:Lubbock 6, Coon Rapids, MN 0Garrett Williams struck out 17 in the win. He could have fanned all 18 if not for the new LLWS pitch-count rules.

Game 2: Lubbock 5, Chandler, AZ 1Zane Ancell hit a home run and struck out 11 batters in the victory.

Game 3: Lubbock 8, Lake Oswego, OR, 2Bryndan Arrendono hit a three-run homer to help Lubbock rally from a 2-0 deficit.

Game 4: Warner Robbins, GA, 5, Lubbock 2Warner Robbins shot out to a 4-0 lead, and held on behind some solid defense.

Game 5: Lubbock 1, Willemstad, Curacao 0Williams allowed zero hits and struck out 14 in 5 2/3 innings, and Lubbock wrapped up its LLWS as winners of the consolation game.

Fun FactsThe majority of Lubbock’s former LLWS players recall being kissed on the cheek by Erin Andrews as their most memorable experience in Williamsport.

The team Lubbock beat in the LLWS consolation game, Willemstad, Curacao, fielded Juremi Profar, who last year was signed by the Texas Rangers. Juremi’s older brother, Jurickson, hit a home run in his first-big league game last year for the Rangers and is regarded as one of MLB’s top prospects.

PROUD ALL OVER AGAIN2007 Lubbock Western All-Stars Manager Ed Thorne (left) and wife Traci (right) pose with son Tyler (center) on signing day, November 15, at Coronado High. Thorne accepted a scholarship to play at Stanford following graduation. Also signing were Zane Ancell (U of New Mexico) and Taylor Bridges (TTU). Toby Brooks photo

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MAX EFFORTCoronado senior Max Randolph Shawn Best photo

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BROCK SOLIDTexas Tech freshman Brock LilleyPhoto provided

“I remember thinking that was a really tough experience breaking my leg,” Ancell said. “But it turned out to be pretty minor in comparison to my arm injury and needing Tommy John. The recovery and missing an entire season have been really tough.” Ancell is back for the Mustangs and feeling better every game.

Williams now pitches for former major-leaguer Todd Walker at Calvary Baptist Academy, which is striving for a second consecutive Louisiana state championship. Since leaving Lubbock in 2009, he has played international competition as part of a national 18-and-under team, and recently signed to play baseball at Oklahoma State.

“We as a team learned how to play in the spotlight and how to deal with the notoriety that we obtained from it,” Williams said.


HOMEPLATE HEROCoronado senior Gregory Hewett Shawn Best photo

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Tyler Thorne has spent his entire high school career in the spotlight. He understands extra attention, and this time next year will be playing baseball for Stanford University. His dad laughs about a painting hanging in his office that Tyler completed before he was a master of the mound, or even a spelling expert, for that matter. The painting is of a baseball pitcher with the words “One day I will be a picher [sic] for the Yankees and I will be very very rich.”

He’s on his way. One could argue that it all started in Williamsport. “The plane trip, arriving in Williamsport, staying in our dorm, it was

all about bonding,” Thorne said. “It was cool to play for my dad and it was cool to play with all of my best friends. That was the biggest thing, being able to experience all of that with those guys on the team.”

Joe Szynkowski is a contributing writer for Sports Lubbock Monthly. Contact him at www.joeszynkowski.com or follow him @JoeSzynkowski on Twitter.

Special thanks to Dianne Hewett who was instrumental in obtaining photos for this special feature.

HEAVY HITTERFeared on the gridiron in the fall as one of the area’s leading football players, Frenship senior Stephen Smith is a terror at the plate for opposing pitchers, too Photo provided

FRENSHIP FRIENDSHIPShown here with teammates Stephen Smith (left) and Bo Ricks (right), Jay Pendergrass played left field for the 2007 LLWS team Photo provided


HAS IT REALLY BEEN THAT LONG?It is hard to believe, but the 1993 Lady Raider hoops team led by coach Marsha Sharp and paced by the legendary Sheryl Swoopes recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of their momentous accomplishment. Swoopes’ 47 points helped seal the deal as the Red Raiders defeated the favored Ohio State Buckeyes 84-82 to capture the crown. Entering the tourney as the #2 seed from the west, Tech defeated Washington, USC, and Colorado to earn a berth to the Final Four, where their hot streak continued as they trounced Vanderbilt in the semi-final before narrowly beating OSU despite two Buckeye three pointers in the closing seconds. Pictured left to right are members of the team and support staff who were in attendance for the recent commemorative weekend held at United Spirit Arena: Krista Kirkland Gerlich (All-Tournament Team), Stephanie Scott Gerber, Janice Farris Legan, Noel Johnson, Nikki Heath, Melinda White Soliz, Michelle Thomas, Teri Meyers White, Natalie Steadman (athletic trainer), and T. Jones.


SHARP’S SHOOTERS

Texas Tech welcomes back legendary women’s basketball squad who brought

NCAA title to Lubbock 20 years ago

TOBY BROOKS JOHN WEAST

TECH WOMENS

HOOPS


LADY RAIDER ROYALTY

Former Head Coach Marsha Sharp (left) and former teammate and standout Krista Kirkland-Gerlich (right) look on as the incomparable Sheryl Swoopes flashes a “Guns Up” for the crowd during halftime of the February 18th matchup against Texas.

Swoopes, dubbed “the Michel Jordan of women’s basketball” was nearly unstoppable during the team’s legendary march through the tournament, setting new records for points in a game, points in the Final Four, points in a half, field goals made, free throw percentage, free throws attempted, and ultimately earning tourney MVP honors. Kirkland also garnered All-Tournament accolades for her performance, as well.

Swoopes is a three-time Olympic gold medallist, was voted one of the Top 15 players in WNBA history, and most recently played for the Tulsa Shock during the 2011 season.

Sharp was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003 and now serves as Tech’s associate athletic director for professional development & community engagement.

Kirkland-Gerlich was a three-time All-SWC selection, left Tech as the all-time career assists leader, and is currently the head coach of the West Texas A & M Lady Buffs.

TECH WOMENS

HOOPS


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by ALYSSA KITTEN SPORTS IN THE HUB

The University Interscholastic League (UIL) has grown into one of the largest inter-school organizations in Texas since its founding in 1910. UIL has supported teachers, coaches and students in achieving fair and enriching competitions in sports,

music, debate and academics. UIL has also partnered with various organizations to create events promoting good sportsmanship and the health of students and athletes,.

For more than 10 years UIL has partnered with Lubbock Sports to host dozens of events in Lubbock each year, ranging from sporting tournaments to academic competitions on both the district and regional levels. This year, Lubbock Sports will be working with 15 UIL events in Lubbock, including regional basketball, tennis and golf tournaments, a track and field meet, a cross country meet and a swimming and diving meet.

Naturally one might assume the Lubbock Sports Sales Team only caters to sporting events, but their services actually extend to UIL’s academic events such as one-act plays and debate meets.

“Each event has specific needs,” Josh Dill, sales manager for Lubbock Sports, said. “We look at everything from facilities to hospitality to staffing. After careful evaluation, we determine what we can do to help out and get the event hosted in Lubbock.”

The Lubbock Sports team has enjoyed working behind the scenes of UIL events. For example, they have set up hurdles for a track meet and ensured food availability for coaches and staff. The team works with each event to make certain the personnel is in place for help with registration, housing, meals, event planning and marketing.

Lubbock Sports was recently rewarded for all of their hard work. SportsEvents Media Group, a national leading industry publication focused on events and competitions, announced its 2013 class of Readers’ Choice Award winners in January. Lubbock Sports was among the winners and received the 2013 Readers’ Choice Award in recognition of their efforts. Dill himself received the Certified Sports Event Executive honor in October 2012, which is offered by the National Association of Sports Commissions for ‘individual seeking continuing education in the sports planning industry.

If you would like to learn more about how Lubbock Sports can help you host a sporting event or tournament, please call 806.747.5232. To find up-to-date information about events, attractions and dining and shopping options, visit www.visitlubbock.org.

Alyssa Kitten currently serves as Communications Coordinator of Lubbock Sports. She may be reached at [email protected].

“Each event has specific needs. We look at everything from facilities to hospitality to staffing. After careful evaluation, we determine what we can do to help out and get the event hosted in Lubbock.”

-Josh Dill, Lubbock Sports Sales Manager

You will possess a towering sense of honor.

You will develop

a relentless will to succeed.

You will become a part

of our nation’s impenetrable shield.

If you have what it takes to make it.

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You will become a part

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If you have what it takes to make it.

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april 2013 sports lubbock monthly

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