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Show (Die Page B3 iTinu8-3tibfpfnbf- -:- nt Nevada newspaper notes loss of Wells, longtime coach who is taking Moab job by Chuck Hildebrand NevadaPrep.cora Dennis Wells had better bring plenty of videotape when he takes his final stroll around the Eureka High campus in June. "Thats the last thing I'm gonna do, said Wells, who coached 11 state championship teams in his 12 years at Eureka. "Im going to take video of the hallways, all the pictures and trophies weve the football field, everything 1 can think of. When I get homesick for Eureka, and I will, I'll look at that video and it will take me back. Wells has resigned as football, wrestling and baseball coach, effective at the end of this school year, to accept the won, head football coaching position at his alma mater, Grand County High in Moab. Its a job he had been offered several times in the past, and, he says, one of the very few jobs attractive enough to convince him to leave Eureka. "Its time to move on, he said April 13. Eureka is a real good situation, but its always been a goal of mine to coach at a bigger school. I felt like time had kind of passed me by a little bit, and it will be easier on us as a family, not having to go all the way to Elko (230 to shop. miles round-trip- ) Wells will be leaving behind a multiple-spor- t legacy that probably is unmatched in recent Nevada small-scho- ol history, especially when one considers it spans only 12 years and was achieved at a school that has an enrollment of only 95. In his 12 seasons, he won seven 1A and 2A state wres- tling titles (1992 and six straight from two 1A football championships (1996 and 1999) and two 1A baseball crowns (1994 and 1997). Dur1994-99- ), school year, ing the 1996-9- 7 the Vandals won state titles in all three sports - a single-yea- r trifecta believed unmatched since Nevada, which until the 1950s was the least populous state in the Union, has had enough high schools to make the achievement significant. Nevada InterscholaBtic Activities Association records are incomplete, but its believed only three other coaches in the y have won past more state titles than Wells. "The 1A is losing a great coach and an outstanding leader of young people, said Alamo coach Ken Higbee, half-centur- whose Panthers defeated reka and then Smith Valley to win the 1A state title last fall. "His program was the model for our state. It was always a pleasure to coach against him because his teams were always prepared and played the game the way it was supposed to be played. "Coaches will always come and go, but the coaches who truly build programs will never be forgotten. Eu- When Wells arrived at Eureka, the school didn't even have a wrestling program -yet the Vandals won the 1A state title in 1992, their very first year in the sport. Even after the 1 A and 2A were combined for wrestling in 1996, forcing Eureka to compete against schools several times its size, the Vandals extended their state-titl- e streak, win1996-9af2A from the ning ter taking the 1A crown the previous two years. Of the 18 wrestlers who have won four individual state 9 championships since Nevada established wrestling as an interscholastic sport in 1968, four are from Eureka. The Vandals also have won 44 individual state titles under Wells. "I think thats pretty amazing for a school our size, Wells said. This past season, Eureka stunned Battle Mountain - a school more than three times Eureka's size by winning the Northern 2A tourna- - ment, although Battle Mountain did win the state title. Eureka wasn't nearly as dynastic in baseball, partly because Eureka is so isolated that it's virtually impossible for athletes from there to play summer-leagu- e Wells thinks baseball. Yet hell remember the 97 title - the one that gave him the three-titl- e distinction for that school year - as vividly as any of the wrestling or football titles, We beat Smith Valley in 11 innings in that one, he said. "It was pretty exciting, especially since it was the third one that year." 4-- Baseball was one of the 2 con- siderations that prompted Wells to accept the job at Grand County High, from which he graduated in 1983. His son Trace, a sophomore who is a standout in football and wrestling, may have an even brighter future in baseball, and Dennis Wells will be an assistant baseball coach at Grand County in addition to his football duties. "Moabs tradition is rich Thursday, April 18, 2002 MOAB CITY RECREATION PREVIEW this spring: Moab Swim Center NOW OPEN for lap swim and est in baseball," Wells said of Grand County, which has about 550 students and is in water aerobics at noon and 5:00 p.m. daily, except 2A classification. fa"Theyve got a brand-necomI can think one that cility, pete with a lot of college facilities. In Eureka, there aren't even enough kids to have a Utahs Sundays. Single visits and showers S w Senior League (ages available, students think of several times each day, but thinking of food science as a major could be a more profitable use of brain power. food Utah State University's Nutrition and Food Sciences Department announces the creation of several scholarships for undergraduate stu- dents in food science that will be awarded beginning fall semester 2002. The scholarships range in value from $500 to r $2,000. scholarships One-yea- are available for incoming freshmen and for students who transfer to food science from another department on campus or from another university. There are also multiyear scholarships available for undergraduate researchers. The scholarships are supported by Dr. N R. Ghandi, an alumnus ofUSlTs Nutrition and Food Sciences Dpfirtment who previously endowed scholarships Sir graduate students. Associate Professor Bart Weimer says fxxi GCHS present Guys and Dolls . Grand County High will present the musical production "Guys and Doilsl" Tuesday, April 23 and Thursday and Friday April 25 and 26. Music teacher Cad Dastrup says, "Were really excited about this musical. The kids have taken on more responsibility In the production end and fm really proud of their efforts. It promises to be a very entertaining evening!" The play starts at 7 p.m. and tickets are $4 each or $20 per family. outwardly at least, is as daunting as the one he transformed in Eureka. Grand County has not had a winning football season since Wells younger brother led the Red Devils to the Utah state title game in 1985. The program last year even though was the it had 22 seniors, and before. year "But Ive never felt any (outside) pressure to win, he said. The pressure for me is the pressure I put on myself, 1-- and defensive coordinators never even had (planning) meetings with the (previous) head coach. The kids seem pretty excited, just because somebodys coming in who will make them work, and Im excited about it. It'll also be a chance to coach football. The Nevada 1A plays football, and proposals to allow the stronger 1A programs to play 9- - or football have failed to gain NIAA-wid- e support in recent years. Wells in previous years had said he had expected to stay in Eureka at least until Trace graduated from there, but a combination of factors -the chance to turn around a downtrodden program, Traces baseball potential, the opportunity to have land in the Moab area, Eureka's isolation - prompted him to make the move now. Another factor is the employment situation in Eureka County, where a major mine closure that began in February and will be completed by October is likely to result in a precipitous drop in the school's enrollment. 11-m- U-m- "But there are still good athletes here," he said. "I feel like Im leaving the program in pretty good shape. And its been a great run. See Welle' letter to the tor, Page AT, ll, T-Ba- 9 and you have to have high expectations. I went back there and interviewed some coaches for (the openings on) my staff, and it turns out the offensive T-Ba- 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the Middle School Cafeteria for children ages 5 through 14. OR REGISTER EARLY at the city offices, 115 West 200 South, $20 registraanytime between now and Pitch and Coach tion fee for leagues. $40 fee for Girls Softball and Boys Baseball. 0 ll At the MARC the month of April Celebrate the school-ag- e artists of Moab and view their artistic works at the MARC during the Grand County School District Art Show. Adult Softball Leagues form- ing. $150 per team. Pick up registration form at City offices, 115 W. 200 South. Fee and form DUE by May 1, 2002. American Red Cross Lifesaving Course offered at the Moab Swim Center April 26 - May 4, 2002. $100 course fee. Register at City offices. Call Shawn for more information, 259-822- 6. Interested in SPONSORING a youth baseball or softball team? $250 per team for your logo on shirts and banner at the ballpark. Thanks for helping Grand Countys kids and City Call Marcy for details. Coming this spring - 2nd Annual edi- All-Cit- y TRACK MEET on Saturday, May 18th science is an often misunderstood field. It is not about becoming a chrf or a dietician; those skills are covered in other programs in the department It is about using science to create and improve food. "Food science is a good place to integrate all kinds of science, en- TOuni TENNIS PROGRAM . gineering and agriculture," Weimer says. "Its far people who are invention oriented and who like team interaction and solving problems. Food science brings to- gether biotechnology, computer science, chemistry, biology, physics and engineering to create new products and improve food safety." Weimer adds that food sci, ence is an excellent major fir students who are headed to medical or dental school because it blends many fields of science. It's also a good choice for students who plan to get a bachelor's degree and jump right into a career. The food industry is growing steadily and for the past several years more than 95 percent of students graduating from the department have found jobs in their field. They are working at everything from small companies to food giants Kke Kraft and starting salaries range from per year, Weimer says. The deadline for scholarship applications is July 15. For more information and applications, contact Weimer at (435) 797- $35,000-$50,00- V Baseball, and Softball Registration on Tuesday, April 23rd from Youth USU serves up new scholarships for freshmen Most j 13-1- program." In football, Wells will be inheriting a situation that, 0-1- jf , this summer. Watch for details. Moab Classic Girls 12 & Under Fast Pitch Softball Tournament at the Center Street Ballpark on May 17 and 18, 2002. Come out and support the Moab Cougars. Canyonlands Mens Fast Pitch Tournament at the Center Street Ballpark on June 14, 15 & 16, 2002. Come watch the fast pitch action. v iSsiDQElfiim Qhk) 0 on |