OCR Text |
Show Cyan Magenta Yellow Black Wednesday, December 27, 2006 A9 Sanpete Messenger/Gunnison Valley Edition 2006 (Continued from A8) when it will be released. Officials with the BLM said it could be years before the report is finished and ready for implementation. Meanwhile, four-wheeler enthusiasts and bicyclists are enjoying access to Sanpete’s public lands. Several things have converged this year that brought a lot of attention to Sanpete, including an aggressive ad campaign through Sanpete Economic Development. Also, the increasing success of Manti’s ATV ride, which had twice the participants in 2006 as it had in 2005, and the Sanpete Classic Bicycle Race that runs through the north end of the county in August, which had a 50 percent increase in participants from 2005. Ephraim started its own bike The retirement of Gunnison basketball coach Danny Hill was just one of several milestones and awards for Sanpete coaches and administrators. ride, the Pioneer Trail Bike event, and Gunnison sponsored the Belly-Button Marathon. Also, 2006 was the first year for the Sanpete Scrambles, a cross-country motorbike race that experienced huge success in its inaugural year with 500 attendees, including 200 racers. Finally, Faiview’s Winter Sports Festival is beginning to attract big numbers to Fairview Canyon for the unequaled snowmobiling and cross-country skiing opportunities. There are, however, mixed feelings about the attention, as some locals would prefer to keep Sanpete to themselves. pal John Ericksen was awarded as the Utah Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association’s Administrator of the Year. The award is given to one high school principal every year who has made a name for himself as a “supporter for activities for kids.” The award is just one of about two or three that recognize the achievements of principals. Finally, Gunnison high school basketball coach, Danny Hill, retired. Hill is as much an institution as Braithwaite and Ericksen and was honored by both during pre-game ceremonies at North Sanpete and Manti high schools. Coaches and administrators Pep and Rastus It was a big year for former and current coaches and administrators with two major awards and a retirement. A Sanpete institution, Wilbur Baithwaite, in June won the prestigious National Federation of State High School Association’s Award of Merit for his dedication to the higher ideals of sports and to his commitment to his players and students, even far beyond retirement. Also, North Sanpete Princi- And to round out the year’s sports stories is the return of the prodigal dolls, Pep, Rastus and Victory, after being missing for 25 years. The dolls acted as spoils for the victor of the Manti/North Sanpete basketball game for nearly 89 years. South Sanpete School District Assistant Superintendent Brenan Jackson said, “Where the dolls are has been the most talked about thing in the 15 years I’ve been with the district.” Templar boys suffer frustrating pre-season-ending loss to Juab, 45-33 By Bob Bahlmann Staff writer MANTI—The Manti Templars finished off the pre-season with a frustrating loss against the Juab Wasps last Wednesday, 45-33. Manti’s leading scorer, David Hugentobler, was sidelined due to an injury and the short-handed Templars knew they’d have their hands full against Juab. It wasn’t long before Manti found themselves even more undermanned. Manti got off to a fast start with a 3-pointer and free throw from Ned DeMill. With Juab ahead 6-4 Manti forced a turnover and DeMill was off to the races, but a hard foul and a retal- iatory shove by DeMill resulted in his ejection. With two of the team’s top scorers on the bench, and the rest of the team unable to buy a basket, the Wasps took a 23-12 halftime lead. Manti came out in the third quarter and outscored Juab by six to get within striking distance. However, Manti got into foul trouble and Juab’s greater depth made it tough for Manti to keep a team on the floor. Weston Stilson missed most of the third quarter with four fouls and exited the game with his fifth midway through the fourth. With one senior, three sophomores and a freshman on the floor, Manti still battled their way to within four points before disaster struck. Juab went to the free throw line and stayed there most of the final minutes. The Wasps shot 14 free throws without the Templars getting a single possession. Down 43-30, Manti’s Russ Hugentobler nailed a three, but was whistled for his fifth foul and the Wasps handed Manti a frustrating loss to end pre-season play. Manti’s shooting was less than hot. They were 9-of-46 for 19 percent. The bigger, more physical Wasps had a slight rebounding edge with 31 boards compared to Manti’s 27, but Juab made their rebounds count, getting 12 points on put-backs while Manti only managed four. Griffin Aste, who played all but the final minute or so of the game, led Manti with 10 Points. Hugentobler and Tylan Jackson had five each, DeMill and Stilson had four, Nick Brown had three, and Tyler Thomson had two. Manti will take a break for the holidays, but will be right back in the thick of things on Jan. 3, 2007 when they travel to Monroe to take on the South Sevier Rams. Local. Community. NEWS The Sanpete Messenger Gunnison Valley Edition Our Christmas “Statement!” We like to give credit where credit is due. So the first order of business is giving special thanks to you. You’ve shown us your friendship in so many ways. Thanks for sitting down at our table this past year! Have a Merry Christmas and Happy News Year! LOS AMIGOS RESTAURANT EPHRAIM Now it’s our turn to wish you the very happiest of holidays! 84 W. Main, Moroni • 268 S. Main, Ephraim • 520 S. Main, Gunnison • 436-8288 283-8288 528-5288 |