Steamboat Today: John F. Russell

John F. Russell: Supporting skiing’s future

n less than 100 days, the best Alpine ski racers in America will step onto an international stage where they will showcase their skills against the best the world has to offer at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

John F. Russell: Down to a moment

A few months from now, on the snow-covered slopes surrounding Vancouver, the world will watch as Olympic champions are determined in terms of meters and seconds. The journey to the games can be measured in years of hard work, measured in seemingly never-ending training sessions.

State cross-country meet postponed

Sailors will compete Nov. 7 in Fossil Ridge instead of this weekend

More than 18 inches of snow has fallen in Fort Collins, the site of the meet. Organizers delayed it because of safety concerns.

Tigers volleyball plays its way to district tourney

Senior Rachael Koehler hopes the members of the Hayden High School volleyball team pick up a new nickname this week when they travel to Meeker for the district volleyball tournament. "We want to be the comeback kids," Koehler said. "We've been working really hard, and we feel like we can upset some teams at the district tournament." The Tigers took the first steps to earning that nickname Tuesday night by beating Plateau Valley in three games.

Steamboat soccer ready for playoffs

Sailors host opener at 3:30 p.m. today against D'Evelyn

The D'Evelyn Jaguars hope to keep their high school soccer season rolling today. But to do so, they'll have to defeat a Steamboat Springs High School Sailors squad ready for a home playoff game. The Sailors are looking to put an end to D'Evelyn's late-season roll. The teams square off at 3:30 p.m. today at Steamboat's Gardner Field.

John F. Russell: Wild rides with new focus on World Cup

Snowboarder Vic Wild has been waiting for this winter, but for the Olympic hopeful it's about a lot more than gold, silver or bronze. It's about getting back on snow and racing.

Cowboys take down Tigers, 36-7

Mitchell Jacob and fellow back Tyrel Gerloff used their size and speed to help the Cowboys improve the team's record to 7-1 this season with a 36-7 win against the Tigers.

Hayden volleyball loses to Meeker in 5

After two games Friday night, things didn't look good for the hometown Hayden Tigers. But it takes three games to win a volleyball match, and the Tigers were not going to give up at home. Meeker jumped out to the lead by winning the first game 25-22 and then dominating the second, 25-7.

Hot deals highlight Steamboat's Ski & Sport Swap

Caroline Bohlmann, special events director for the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, can't tell you exactly what will be available at the annual Ski & Sport Swap, but she knows there's bound to be more than a few good deals.

Sailors cross-country looks to regional meet

Team prepares with midweek meet in Rifle

Sailors cross-country coach Andy Reust is hoping a midweek meet in Rifle will give his runners one last challenge before they gear up for the regional meet.

Unbeaten Sailors, Huskies soccer teams meet for league lead

Battle Mountain coach Dave Cope wouldn't be surprised if the outcome of this year's Western Slope League was decided by a single goal in tonight's game against Steamboat Springs. Cope's Huskies will face the Steamboat Springs High School Sailors today at 6:30 p.m. at Battle Mountain.

Rams defense comes up big in homecoming win

After a 28-15 win against previously unbeaten Dove Creek on Friday night, the members of the Soroco Rams football team walked off the field feeling like they had learned more than how to win a football game. They felt like they had learned what it takes to be champions.

Interest high for ski swap Oct. 16

Nobody is more excited for the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club's annual Ski & Sports Swap than Rick DeVos. But DeVos and many others in Steamboat Springs will have to wait one more week for the Oct. 16 sale to begin. The event will begin with the early bird sale at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16. Shoppers can pay $5 and enter the sale and have the first opportunity to buy used and new items. Shoppers younger than 18 can enter the sale that night for free.

Cyclocross rider wins in Las Vegas race

When cyclist Jon Cariveau headed to Nevada last month for the Interbike International Bike Show, he wasn't planning to share the stage with a singing Elvis - but then, anything can happen in Las Vegas. Cariveau edged James Coats, and 125 other racers, in the 2009 Wheelers and Dealers cyclocross race Sept. 23, and that's exactly where he ended up - sharing the stage with Elvis during the race's awards ceremony.

John F. Russell: Spontaneity is gone in sports

One of the things I love most about sports are the spontaneous displays of emotion that often define the game - or become bigger than the game.

Man encounters mountain lion on Quarry Mountain trail

Mountain bike rider Dave Dietrich wasn't sure how he should feel Monday evening after coming across a full-grown mountain lion on Emerald Mountain.

Man meets mountain lion on Howelsen

Dave Dietrich said brief encounter on Quarry Mountain Trail was interesting, frightening

Dave Dietrich said he was riding on the new Quarry Mountain Trail when he came across the big cat. The two stared at each other for two to three minutes.

Shooting event to honor Lorna Lou Farrow

Deb Schaffer will never forget Lorna Farrow's passion for shooting. Schaffer credits Farrow for igniting her love of the sport, and she says Farrow will be greatly missed in Steamboat Springs' shooting community.

Tennis squad wraps up league title

Steamboat adult tennis team looks toward district competition

A nearly perfect record in league play this season has given a group of tennis players from Steamboat Springs the chance to play for a district title in the Colorado Tennis Association's summer adult league.

John F. Russell: Riders try new team

Budget cuts cost Erica Mueller a place on the U.S. Snowboarding Team this year, but she's not going to let that end her dream to make the Olympics in Vancouver. Mueller joined a newly formed, independent group of champion Alpine snowboarders called America's Snowboard Team.

John F. Russell: Keeping track of what is important

Bryan Fletcher has spent most of his life pursuing important things. The U.S. Nordic Combined Ski Team, top finishes on the World Cup and in February, he hopes a spot on the U.S. Olympic team that will compete in Vancouver, B.C.

Fall Classic ends in sudden-death-playoff finish Monday

After scoring an eagle on the final hole of the Fall Classic at Haymaker Golf Course, local golfer Butch Boucher hoped for some hometown magic in the sudden death playoff. His opponent was just glad he got a second chance.

Sailors golf earns 2nd straight tournament title

The Steamboat Springs High School boys golf team traveled to Carbondale on Monday and picked up its second tournament title in a row at the River Valley Ranch Golf Club.

John F. Russell: The sunset that can rise above everyday life

I couldn't help but feel thankful last weekend as I sat on the shore of Monarch Lake near Granby, watching the setting sun paint the clouds hanging above the water a shade of crimson.

Riders tie in Bull Bash

2 rounds can't establish a winner at Sunday event

Two rounds of bull riding weren't enough at the 2009 Professional Bull Riders Rocky Mountain Bull Bash on Sunday afternoon at Brent Romick Rodeo Arena. When the dust cleared after the final round, judges were forced to used a coin to determine who would get an additional $5,000 bonus ride.

Camp a success for US Nordic team

Demong finishes 2nd in Gundersen event; coach confident

The U.S. Nordic combined team left for Norway two weeks ago hoping to train a few days with the always-strong Norwegians and see how well the team's summer training program has worked.

Rollingstone Ranch wins SWIGL title

Women's golf team earns low net score in summer league

For the first time in the six-year history of the Steamboat Women's Interclub Golf League, the traveling trophy for the winning team has a new home with the Rollingstone Ranch Golf Club's team.

Bull Bash comes to rodeo arena today

PBR action highlights holiday weekend

Cowboy Mike Lee is excited about returning to Steamboat Springs to defend his title at the 2009 PBR Rocky Mountain Bull Bash today, but he knows that when you make a living riding bulls, nothing is guaranteed.

Inaugural Stage Race off to fast start

Cyclists fly over 4.5-mile road course at Marabou; race continues today

The first day of the inaugural Steamboat Springs Stage Race was filled with fast times, scenic beauty and a touch of nostalgia. Day 2 is already under way with a circuit race at Marabou Ranch that will continue throughout the day.

Challenging trail to greet runners in 10K at 10,000 Feet

Up, up and up are the three words that race director Stephanie Scholl uses to describe the start of the 10K at 10,000 Feet. "This is a difficult 10-kilometer race for several reasons," Scholl said. "There's the altitude and then the first three miles of the race are a climb."

Gunderson leads Sailors golf to 2nd place in Montrose

A solid front nine, and an even better showing on the back nine, helped senior Kaelen Gunderson lead the Steamboat Springs High School golf team to a second-place finish in Montrose on Thursday.

Huck-a-thon to open ramps

It's the type of event that normally lands in Steamboat Springs in January, but freestyle coach Rob Day is hoping the plastic-covered jumps at Bald Eagle Lake will bring top-level jumping competition here a few months earlier.

Golf team places 3rd in Delta

Sailors face tough competition at Devil's Thumb course

The Sailors didn't win Wednesday in Delta, but coach Steve Dodson was happy with what he saw from his team on the difficult Devil's Thumb course. "We left a couple of strokes out on the course today, but I was proud of the way our guys grinded it out on the course," Dodson said.

Golfer sinks an ace

Mary Weiss sinks hole-in-1 Monday afternoon

Golfer Mary Weiss has been waiting for her day since the first time she picked up a club 15 years ago. "I think I always hoped that this day would come," Weiss said of hitting a hole-in-one on No. 3 on Monday afternoon at the Steamboat Golf Club.

Skatepark rolls toward reality

Preliminary work under way on Bear River Parcel

To most people, the 9,000-square-foot site on the back of the Bear River Parcel appears to be a pile of dirt. But local skateboard enthusiast Jon Casson envisions so much more.

Steamboat cross-country team hopes to capitalize on small numbers

Coach Andy Reust would like nothing more than for the runners on this year's Steamboat Springs cross-country team to end the season in the same place where they start it.

John F. Russell: Keeping up with Shaun White

Taylor Gold is in for a busy year. Not only does the sophomore have to keep up with his math, science and English classes at Steamboat Springs High School, but he also has to keep up with the always-changing world of snowboarding if he has any hope of reaching his Olympic-sized dreams.

Schaffrick picks up best World Cup finish of her career

Local snowboarders hit road looking for World Cup success

It might seem a bit early for snowboarding season, but that didn't stop Steamboat Springs' Maddy Schaffrick from picking up the best World Cup finish of her young career Tuesday in New Zealand. Schaffrick finished 11th in Tuesday's opening World Cup halfpipe event in Cardrona, and fourth among American riders.

Nordic skiers shake off injuries

Nordic combined's Johnny Spillane and Eric Camerota face hardships

U.S. Nordic combined skier Johnny Spillane hoped to spend the final days of summer soaring off plastic-covered jumps in Norway. But after tearing his meniscus in July, it appears the three-time Olympian and 2003 World Champion instead will spend his time recovering from knee surgery.

John F. Russell: Hoping to make the scene

If you want a front-row seat for all the Olympic action in February, it's time to find a hotel room near Vancouver.

John F. Russell: Falling for a risky idea

But lately, I've started to wonder what it will take for the next generation of "extreme" athletes to gain our attention.

Don Toy tennis event not typical

Tournament brings students, community together

The first Don Toy Mixed Troubles Tennis Tournament featured 15 players from Steamboat Springs High School and 26 adult members of the community, in friendly matches Saturday at the Tennis Center at Steamboat Springs.

John F. Russell: For the love of the game

I've never met Chris Kuxhaus face to face, but after talking with him on the phone for a few minutes last week, I can sense that he's one of those guys who truly loves the game.

Softball team earns 2nd place at Special Olympics

This summer has been about a lot more than winning for local softball coach Chris Kuxhaus, who prefers to focus on building his players' confidence and skill levels while making sure they're having a good time.

Lauinger takes 3rd junior golfers title

After winning two regional junior tournaments in a little more than a week, Houston-based golfer Chris Lauinger wasn't too sure about his chances of finding the same success at the Haymaker Junior Championships.

Riders crank at Crankworx

Local mountain bikers gravitate toward top finishes

After watching the professional downhill mountain bike riders at last year's Crankworx Colorado Free Ride Mountain Bike Festival, young Steamboat Springs rider Ben Siegel was ready to have a shot.

John F. Russell: Dreams heat up on local ice

Ten-year-old Val Katsman is living proof that Olympic dreams can be found in small packages. It's true that, at first glance, he looks like any other child. But this pre-teen can explain the difference between an axel and a Lutz with the same enthusiasm most children his age describe the latest video game released for the Xbox.

Texan takes Cowboy Shootout title

Houston golfer shoots past field in local tournament

For the second time in three years, Houston resident Chris Lauinger has lassoed the title in the Cowboy Shootout junior golf tournament. Lauinger shot a 71 to lead the field in the 16- to 18-year-old division.