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Show C2 Wednesday, October 17, 2007 Vernal Express The gal By Bear CEaiBga Expnss Writer Two years ago Jaylee Dudley decided she was going to play on the Uintah High School football team. "I'd been playing with my friends since I was in fourth grade. We always played tackle and everyone was scared of me. So once I made the grades I started playing." explained Dudley, now a junior at Uintah High School and the lone female member of the football team. Dudley doesn't mind being the only female player. j"The guys have been cool, they respect me and treat me like one of the guys," commented Dudley. She explains that even if there was a girls' Ute football team she would rather play with the boys. "I prefer playing against the Speedway Another racing year at Diamond Dia-mond Mountain Speedway will come to an end after a practice, fun race scheduled for Oct. 27 at noon. Cost will be $5 for spectators specta-tors and $20 for drivers. Track champions will be awarded at a banquet on Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. The banquet will be at the Stockman's restaurant in Vernal. : "All of the drivers deserve a Need Extra Bucks' to bag your Buck? Stop by V Jiffy's BuySellTradeLoan for that extra cash! I Payday, Title & Pawn Loans Hours: 8:30 - 6:30 Monday - Friday, 8:30 - 5:00 Saturday Vernal Roosevelt 789-4394 722-0404 630 W. Main 296 E. Hwy 40 In Business over 35 years i I ' : I ' '- . ; xvi Jr!" i TXi"1 1,11 in the football trenches guys. I enjoy the challenge. If the girls could handle it, then maybe I would play with them," she said. Dudley's favorite part about football, and the part that she says most girls couldn't handle, is the contact in the sport. "It's fun to get mad and hit somebody. You get to take your anger out on the guy across from you," she said. And Dudley has plenty of opportunity op-portunity to "hit somebody" from the fullback or outside linebacker positions that she plays. "My favorite is outside linebacker, line-backer, but fullback is fun be-causeyougettorunupthemiddle be-causeyougettorunupthemiddle and block," she explained. She hasn't scored any touchdowns touch-downs this year, but she has recorded plenty of tackles while on the field during the JV and sophomore games. "I was a little scared and nervous in my first game. I kept thinking about what I needed to announces track champions hand this year, a lot of improvement improve-ment was made," said Melissa Christensen, the track's promotion promo-tion officer. Mini-stockchampionsinclude Kelly Young, of Lapoint in first place with 589 points, Eric Estep of Vernal in second place with 547 points and Dustin Dahms of Vernal in third place with 473 points. m fi!Bun)3I3 A! m mum sa do and trying to stay focused," explained Dudley. Once she overcame her nerves she recorded her first tackle. "That first tackle felt really good," she said. Head Football Coach Doug Harding explained Dudley has done well so far this season. "Sheworkshardandhasdone a good job with her conditioning in the weight room," he said. "I've been impressed with her determination." Harding feels her gender has never been an issue. "For me it is not about gender. It is about capability. If a girl can handle the physical aspects of football and she can do well, then she can play. With Jaylee that has never been an issue," he said. Dudley said that her football career will probably be over after high school. "There is a professional football foot-ball team for girls, but I'm not Pure stock class winners are Ken Estep of Vernal in first place with 507 points, Clinton Richens of Vernal in second with 475 points and Clayton Christensen of Vernal in third with 459 points. Street stock champions are Grady Martin of Vernal in first with 649 points, Aaron Eaton of Vernal in second with 583 points oou t 1 L that interested. I'm just playing to have fun," she said. She is more interested in the conditioning aspects of football for her future career, explaining that some day she would like to start a personal training career. Her hope is to someday help professional athletes, like her favorite fa-vorite player Champ Bailey, stay in shape during the season. "I'm trying for Miss Uintah County this year. Some of the girls have a good physique, but I have bigger bulge in the larger muscle groups." said Dudley on her chances of winning the crown. And for now, her interests do not include guys. "I prefer them as friends. I'm more muscular than a lot of the guys at the high school," joked Dudley. She added that she would never date a football player unless it was John Elway, her all-time favorite. and David Haase of Vernal in third with 523 points. Winners in the modified class include Paul Peterson of Rock Springs, Wyo., in first place winner win-ner with 305 points, Rod White of Vernal in second with 242 and Levi Pummell in third with 221. Dwarf A winners are first Shane Simper of Vernal in first place with 509 points, Wayne Simper of Vernal in second with 490 and Rick York of Vernal in the third place spot with 372. Dwarf B champions include Hagen Simper of Vernal in the top spot with 294, Bruce Hatch of Vernal in second with 259 and Bobby Rasmussen of Vernal with 219 points to place him in third. Volleyball Continued from CI tournament on Oct. 26 and 27. Who they play will be determined by the result of the Judge and Waterford match. A victory for Judge would put the Utes in first place. But, if Waterford wins, Uintah and Waterford will tie. Waterford hasn't loss a match since Oct. 6. Cochran feels her team's chances are good. "We feel like we can take , state,", she explained. "It will come down to whoever works the hardest and plays the best." i Salazar isn't quite as confident as her player. "Everyone is peaking so every game could go any way," she said. "I think, right now, the state title is up for grabs. With everyone every-one peaking and playing at the same level it's anyone's to take," said Salazar. mi 4 ijj Jaylee Dudley has been the only female member of the Uintah High School football squad for the last two-years. Dudly says her favorite part of football is the intense physical contact. An invitation to readers By Cwey Cmbihbbi Express Writer "I read all of your articles, I don't agree with everything you say, but I read them." said a lady half jokingly. For those of you wondering, it wasn't my mom. I laughed at the time and went on doing whatever task I had set out to accomplish. However, a little later this week I found myself contemplating her words. A dust-covered light bulb faintly brightened above my head with the thought that here I sit writing whatever I want week in and week out. I spew forth as an unopposed expert on every subject in sports. I give no one the opportunity to defend themselves them-selves as I say what is wrong with their programs. I have a small amount of unbridled power in my hands. I have recognized this is wrong for a long time, and now I'm going to do something about it. This column is about opinions. It is my opinion, but my opinion is not an expert or perfect opinion. more or less informed than my own. Regardless of how informed their opinion might be, it is still very important and I want to hear it. Do you agree? Do you disagree? dis-agree? Am I missing the big picture? pic-ture? Do you know about a topic that needs to be addressed? This isn't about agreeing or disagreeing. disagree-ing. It's about understanding CP m t'mmmiiM mm m )n i i If - - ' ,1 '1 'it 't . I J r K-rJY cub different opinions. It's about knowing the varying opinions of the sports community. I'm not trying to change the sporting world, I couldn't even do that if I wanted to. I'm offering the public an informed opinion. That is what this column will always be - me weighing in on a topic of my choice. However, if you email or call me with a good point or a topic that needs addressed, I'll gladly consider it. If you send me an email telling me I'm a worthless dirt bag, I'll read it and I might respond privately, but I think we understand that isn't what this is about, j-; l i hSUll hopehisjqpens up the lines of communication and helps me improve. The column is growing grow-ing up, and the first change is allowing readers to voice their opinion. If you have something to say I can be reached on the phone by calling the Vernal Express, or via email at csportsexpress(5) yahoo.com. Include your name and how you fit into the sports community. ' V ' 4 m JU 463 East Main - Vernal www.perrymotor.com 789-2114 |