Whole lotta racing going on

SPORTS SHORTS
by Scott Boyle

A couple a hundred folks successfully battled the Dutch Oven Wars over the weekend, participating in the 117th Annual Pioneer Day 5K in Monticello and the 26th Annual Hillman Triathlon and Kids Triathlon in Blanding. 

Race Directors Jeff Hunt and Steve Olsen reported massive participation under near perfect conditions for the races that occurred simultaneously in the two communities.

Hunt reports, “We had a great turnout for the 5K, with 113 participants, plus seven kids in the mile.  Former Buckaroos Jordan Jensen and Ruth Skouson were the mens and womens winners for this year. The day started off a relatively cool morning with a slight drizzle, but that was just icing on the cake. 

“It was the largest group that we have had, but that is mostly thanks to the Mantz and Jensen families.  The Andersons from up north were also here and brought a big crowd.”

The overall winners are Jordan Jenson for the men with a time of 19:27.  Ruth Skousen won for the women with a time of 20:37. 

Age group winners for age 13 and under are Conner Mantz and Carlie Mantz.  For age 18 and under are Devin Wright and Ashley Anderson.  The 19 to 29 division winners are Jordan Jensen and Nicky Loftis.  For 30 to 39 it is Joe Jensen and Ruth Skousen.  Age 40 to 49 is Walter Bird and Laurie Randall.  50 and over is Bill DeJonns and Tina Murdock. 

Hunt adds, “The Cross Country teams would like to thank all those who showed up to support the 4th annual race.  We were able to raise over $1,500. That should go a long way to support the team for the coming season.  I would also like to remind all cross country runners and all fall athletes that practice starts Monday at 7 a.m.”

Hillman recap
Reports Olsen, “Both races turned out real good with no injuries, only stiff muscles and exhaustion. We had a 15 year old kid from Holladay UT, Alex Bowcut, win the overall male individual and Kim Hiatt from Blanding win the female overall.

“This is a sprint distance race that will ‘kick your butt’.  It was a lot of fun. The only negative thing we had happen is someone borrowed, without returning, two sheets of plywood that I use to cover cattle guards.

“I hope they needed them more than I did, because I know that they will not get out of answering for taking them.” 

Twenty seven kids participated in the Kids Race Friday evening, with Aubrey Carroll and Ethan Hurst winning the girls and boys 7-10 divisions, while Heidi Hiatt and Davin Lyman capturing the 11-14 division. 

Teams Jessica Walker, Brandon Walker and Hannah Nielson and the Morleys – Sarah, Isaac, and Max – won the relay versions. 

On a personal note, my eight year old twin grandkids, Emmy and Satchel Fausett, placed third and seventh in their respective divisions in their first attempts at a triathlon. 

In the Hillman, 43 participants tested their fitness.  In addition to the overall winners, Bowcut and Hiatt, Taylor Francom won the under 20 division, Noelle DeGroot and Paul Sanders won their respective female and male 20-25 sections, Callie Spotted Elk and Chad Hurst the 26-30, 31-35 Megan Sivert and Theron Jeppson, 36-40 Amy Walling and Jason Hanson, 41-45 Donna Mast and Steve Hiatt, 46-50 John Harris and +50 Catherine Tuhy and Robert Burns. 

Sarah and Chris Bishop won the co-ed relay division, Walling, Hoppensteadt, and Greg made their case in the male relay and Kline Carroll, Katie Carroll and Jennifer Brandt danced their way to the family relay crown.  Another personal note: Satch and Ems’ mom, Trisdan, placed second in the 26-30 division. 

Me?  I was eatin’ and digestin’ Dutch Oven Potatoes, losing a big battle in the Dutch Oven War, though not the War, I vow.

Baseball
I skipped a team last week, failing to report on the Monticello White Sox, coached by long time and long time-yet-to come coach, Steve Draper (he has five boys). 

Draper reports the team played well in their UBBA tournament, winning two games over tough opponents, but losing the critical game that kept them from advancing to the single elimination championship round. Congratulations on the fine way all these teams represented our county.

Summer Games
Earlier in the summer, several local residents participated in the annual Utah Summer Games in Cedar City. 

Von Black of Monticello, competing in the Masters Mens division, participated in four events, winning a gold medal in two events, the 400 and 800 meter runs and taking the bronze in the javelin and 200 m.  Black is a former state champion in the 400 and 800 runs for Monticello High way back in … can’t remember when. 

My daughter-in-law, Sarah Boyle, competed in womens tennis, capturing a bronze medal.  The Wright Brothers, Devin and Justin, flew their way to a couple of medals, both winning gold in the event the Wright family seems to own, the javelin, Devin in the 17-18 boys division and Justin in the 13-14 age division. 

Justin also was bronzed in the 1500 meter run while Devin was silvered in the 2000 meter steeple chase, an event he had never run before.  He also accomplished his goal of not getting his shoes wet. 

Surely some Blanding athletes participated and hauled home medals as well.  Email me at sboyle@sanjuanschools.org or csboyle@frontiernet.net with any pertinent information. 

Golf news
Hey, its sure to be a busy week at the Hideout Golf Club.  A Junior Golf Clinic will be July 28 and 29 for golfers 7-17 and costs $20 per child.  The instructor will be the golf professional from the Moab Golf Club, Robert Jones.

The Annual Hideout Shootout, a two-man best ball tournament, takes place this Friday, along with the popular Hideout Amatuer on the weekend. They will keep the place hopping for a few days.  It’s not too late to sign up for either or both of these tournaments. 

For those who are not in a tournament but who hope to play golf, there are times available.  Call the Pro shop to get a tee time.