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Show B6 Vernal wrestler places 2nd at national championship ' yv '3a v 7 Uintah High School graduate Patrick Sharp paced the Northwest College Wrestling Team to the 2004 national championship and earned personal glory for himself as well with a second place individual finish. fin-ish. Wrestling at 133 pounds, Sharp helped the NWC Trappers of Powell, Wyo., rewrite the record books at the National Junior College Athletic Association Wrestling Championship tournament tourna-ment Feb. 27 and 28 in Rochester, Minn. The Trappers posted 155.5 points to claim top dog honors, the most recorded by a single team during the entire 44-year history of the tournament. California's Lassen College was a distant second, posting post-ing S9.5 points, followed by Iowa Central Community College (87.5), North Idaho College (82) and Kansas' Colby Community College (78.5). The NWC grapplers were ranked first in the nation before they even hit the mats this season and never surrendered their position. And for the first time in its history, Northwest College qualified a wrestler for the national tournament in all 10 weight categories. Sharp figured prominently in that success story. The sophomore All-American All-American scrapped his way to a second place finish at the tournament, tourna-ment, posting a 23-9 record for the season, with only one loss to another anoth-er junior college opponent. "Pat is our little tough man," NWC Wrestling Coach Jim Zcigler said. "He's what we call hard-nosed tough, the kind of guy who comes to practice with his knuckles beat up from working on his truck, turning turn-ing wrenches, and dirt on his pants from working on one of the local farms before practice. He's the kind of kid that doesn't tolerate anybody who quits or wimps out. Quit is just not part of his vocabulary. Three years at NWC is evidence enough for me." Sharp's tenacity was put to the test during his years at Northwest. An outstanding high school recruit, his first season was cut short by a knee surgery. Just when he got back on his feet and was looking forward Jacksons earn Northeastern Hunter Education instructors Carl and Carole Jackson have received the Northeastern Region I lunter Education Instructors of the Year Aw ard. A state winner will be selected from six regional award recipients. The Jacksons were nominated by Conservation Officer Terry Smith. Carl and Carole Jackson have been teaching Hunter Education to the youth and their parents in the Uintah Basin since 1991. Anyone born after Dec 31, 1965, is required to graduate from a Hunter education course before they can purchase a hunting license in Utah. The Jacksons take pride in the quality qual-ity learning experience they provide their students. Recently, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources joined other states in offering a Hunter Education Internet Course and the Jacksons became certified to teach this class as well as teaching the traditional classes. The fact that the Jacksons have continuously offered a great learning learn-ing experience for their students, certified and taught three internet classes has earned them this award and recognition." Smith also acknowledges all of the Uintah Basin instructors. "They all do a great job providing this service for the public." "The traditional Hunter Education Course requires students to attend a minimum of six classes and a shooting test,"say the Jacksons. "The Internet course is completed on line by the students before attending a five-hour field day which includes hands on instruction, instruc-tion, films, class instruction, written test and a shooting test. The field day is limited to 20 students. The Internet course takes several hours to complete but makes it convenient con-venient for those who cannot work around the schedule of the traditional tradi-tional classes. This course can be found by going on line to www.wildlife.utah.gov ." The Jacksons will, in the near future, become certified as fur harvester har-vester and Bow Hunter Education Pat Sharp has beaten many opponents in order to make it to the National Championships. to a promising second year, he suffered suf-fered a second knee injury and had to have a second knee surgery. These injuries cost him two seasons - half a lifetime for a college wrestler. But he made up for lost time during his third year by finishing finish-ing as the national runner up in his weight class. "Anyone who watches him wrestle one time can tell this guy is nonstop from the first whistle to the last," Zeigler said. "Through pain, injury, fatigue or frustration, it doesn't matter. He never ever quits. And for that he's not only our little tough guy, he's our spark plug." Zeigler said he doesn't have to worry about his wrestlers whining or making excuses because Sharp just won't tolerate it. Its wrestlers like Sharp that Zeigler credits for his own 2004 national coach of the year designation. designa-tion. "They make me look good," he said. Zeigler has carved a reputation for his coaching philosophy, which includes monthly teamfamily dinners, din-ners, regular off-thc-mat teamfamily teamfami-ly activities and weekly (somcjjmes twice-weekly) compulsory academic academ-ic study halls for the whole team. He recruits young wrestlers on the basis of their athletic potential and character. Sharp plans to continue his Carole and instructors. Those interested in becoming certified as furharvester andor bow hunter education instructors must first be certified as a hunter education instructor. At this time, it is not mandatory in Utah for bow hunters to take Bow Hunter Education with the exception of the internet course required for the extended hunts. The purpose of these programs is to educate hunters in the safe use of firearms, hunting and trapping ethics, wildlife conservation and sportsman's survival, which will help eliminate hunting-related firearms accidents, and instill an understanding of, and respect for the wildlife resources of Utah. The Utah Hunter Education Instructors Association elected the Jacksons to share the North Eastern Region vice president position. The Association membership dues are $10 and includes a UHE1A patch and membership card. All Hunter Education instructors are encouraged encour-aged and welcome to belong to this Association. The UHEIA not only supports the YHEC, but makes it J,u 3 J ry mm- s ' :4 'fit v-"vcl V- I V VI I 1 - I ' i ' ''4- 1 ft I j ( ,T i r . J Pat Sharp wrestling and business administration administra-tion studies next year at an NCAA Division I School. His parents are David and Liz Sharp of Vernal. Northwest College, located in Powell, Wyo., 70 miles from Yellowstone National Park, is a two-year, residential college offering offer-ing transfer and technical programs of study that blend traditional arts and sciences with emerging technologies. tech-nologies. Region of the year Carl Jackson possible for instructors from all over the state to get to know each other and share their concerns and ideas at their annual meeting, and through their newsletter. The Jacksons offer their support to any Hunter Education graduate who wishes to participate in the 2004 Utah State NRA Youth Hunter Education Challenge which will be held April 16 and 17 at the Spanish Fork Gun Club. This event is sponsored by the Utah Hunter Education Instructors Association in conjunction with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Another shooting event this year is the Women's Outlaw Trail Festival .22 Rifle Josie Shoot, June 26. Girls under 18 must complete Hunter Education before they can participate in this event. For more information on these events, or to sponsor a Uintah Basin shooting team or individual, contact the local 4H Shooting Team Coach, Mark Partridge, at 435-781-0007, or the Jacksons at 435-781-2218, ccjackeasilink.com . I ! The Vernal Altitude Cycle BMX Team are, back row: Josh Beasley, Jentry Caldwell and Jessey Murray; second row: Nick Muse, Donald Maldonado, Steven Reynolds, and Jeremy Smuin; front row: Josh Lupcho, Dominique Maldonado, Dalson Maldonado, Christopher Wagner Jr., Chayssee Wagner, Donald Dall, Ritchie Ouch and Payden Dugan. 7 e ir Dual tie a mm Vemal's Altitude Cycle BMX team participated in the American Bicycle Association (ABA) Race for Life Series in Rock Springs, Wyo., held Feb. 28 29. The ABA Race for Life Series is a nationwide series held at every ABA sanctioned BMX track in the United States. The net proceeds from the races go to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Unlike all regular BMX events, anybody can race in the Race for Life without becoming a full-fledged ABA member. mem-ber. Regulations Regulations change for white-tailed white-tailed prairie dogs People planning to take (includes shooting, trapping, and any other method of capture or killing) white-tailed white-tailed prairie dogs need to be aware of a change in the regulations. The white-tailed prairie dog, Cynomys leucurus, was added to the seasonal closure list along with the Gunnison prairie dog, Cynomys gunnisoni. The closed season for both species is from April 1 through June 15t. During this time, no taking of prairie dogs is allowed. The seasonal closure for both species includes their entire range. Split Mountain Archers host The Split Mountain Archers hosted host-ed their annual spring three dimensional dimen-sional target shooting competition last weekend at Western Park. The event featured life-size targets of various popular wildlife species and drew bow and arrow enthusiasts from at least Colorado, Wyoming, Arizona and Utah. According to John Richardson, spokesman for the Split Mountain Archers club, the event has grown from approximately 100 shooters 11 years ago to over 500 scored shooters this year. "The shoot was a huge success," Richardson said. Some of those who participated in this tournament also traveled to compete in another gathering near Spanish Fork. The event was held at the indoor arena at Western Park. Club members mem-bers spent all day Friday building the natural scenery and habitat for the wildlife targets. The range included a series of 25 targets and shooting positions. Included, was an elevated station designed to provide pro-vide a shooting scenario similar to a hunting tree stand. The targets were placed at various distances ranging from 25 to 65 yards and included wild turkeys through a cougar and bear on through virtually all of the big game species found locally. Archers had to adjust their shooting to the habitat setting, distance and animal target size as they moved from one firing position to another. One arrow for each archer was released at each of the shooting stations sta-tions and scored for accuracy. The final point total earned for each archer will be used to determine the winner in each weapon division. The tournament was organized into four classes based on the type of bow used. The traditional category catego-ry included long bows and recurves with no sights. A compound bow Team members also raced a double dou-ble point race on Feb. 29, bringing home several first, second and third place wins. Despite bad weather and bad roads, 20 members of the team made it to Rock Springs, Wyo., to race, showing how motivated moti-vated and dedicated to the sport both the kids and adults are. There were a total of over 225 racers from Utah, Wyoming and Colorado that participated in the race. The team's efforts to get a BMX track in Vernal to serve the entire Uintah Basin continues. Tena Dall change for In addition to the seasonal closure, white-tailed prairie dogs in the Coyote Basin area of Northeast Utah are protected year-round. This is to protect them, as the prey base, and the endangered black-footed ferret. A boundary description of this area may be obtained from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR). The seasonal closures for both species of prairie dogs are part of a protective action to try and keep the two species from slipping further toward extinction. Both species have seen serious declines in their population numbers and available division included a grouping with sights and one without. Compound bowmen also could choose to compete com-pete with finger or mechanical releases. Cash prizes will be awarded for the top shooters in each category. Richardson said that 65 percent of the entry fee money is earmarked to be returned to shooters in prize money. He was enthusiastic about the support the club received from Uintah County. "We received $1,000 from Uintah County economic development develop-ment funds to use as added prize money," Richardson said. He felt that the county got a good return for their grant. Many restaurant and motel business owners commented to club leaders regarding the added business they noticed from archers. "The county really helped us make this a broad success," Richardson added. The remaining registration money will be used to help offset the $4,000 cost of targets tar-gets and Western Park rental fees. "We hope to break even on the shoot," Richardson said. The archery club sponsors the tournament to help promote the archery shooting sports. Richardson said that there were over 40 female archers shooting this year in addition addi-tion to the traditional male contingent. contin-gent. He thought the ages of those participating ranged from five years of age to the late 70is. Eight year old C. J. Baum was one of the younger archers competing in the event. He had scored hits on two of his targets, one of which was a wild turkey replica, but had to take a wistful glance as he passed the black bear target. His arrow had missed its mark on the bear and he was on his way to retrieve his shaft. As is common to all hobbies and sports, there was good natured rib of Vernal BMX said team members feel the track would benefit the children of the community by giving giv-ing them something they can be involved with year round. She also said the track would "benefit our business and community in a positive posi-tive manner," but they can't build the track without local support. For more information on supporting support-ing the BMX track, call Troy with Altitude Cycle at 781-2595, Tena Dall at 789-3800 or Kris Wagner in the evenings at 78 1 -1 560. prairie dogs quality habitat. The US Fish and Wildlife Service has been petitioned to place both species on the threatened threat-ened and endangered species list. An exception to the seasonal closure clo-sure is those animals directly involved in causing damage to agricultural agri-cultural and private lands. Landowners should contact the UDWR prior to removing animals during the seasonal closure period. competition bing between those who competed with or preferred different weapon types. A group of shooters from the Craig and Steamboat Springs area of Colorado competed with recurve and long bows. John Floyd of Steamboat Springs was competing in Vernal for the first time. He was shooting a long bow and said he had been using it for about a year. When he and some of his companions were asked why they were shooting the old traditional bows instead of the newer compound com-pound weapons they began to admit it stemmed a little from peer pressure. pres-sure. Josh Zimmerman of Craig has been shooting a recurve bow for about six months. He placed the blame squarely on the shoulders of one man in the group of friends -Jim Phillips. Zimmerman called Phillips "Obi-Wan Kanobi," in reference ref-erence to the legendary teacher from the Star Wars movie. Phillips apparently enjoys shooting shoot-ing long bows and has done so for a considerable time. He admitted leaning hard on his friends and using his influence to convince them to shoot traditional bows. "I brought them all over from the dark side of the force," Phillips said after being ribbed by his friends. According to Richardson, the Split Mountain Archers will have an outdoor shooting range put together in the next few weeks. Once the mud is dried and the spring thaw well underway, they will set targets up at the Vernal Rod and Gun Club range. Those who may be interested in pursuing archery as a hobby or wanting to join the club can get information from signs posted at the Vernal Rod and Gun Club. |