Twenty teams from a huge geographic area met in Phoenix on February 26-27 for the 2016 Arizona State Judo Championships and all five of the students from Garcia’s Judo Club in Gallup did well.

Nancy Rodriguez, a five-year veteran in training with Miguel Garcia and a past state champion more than once (three-state champ titles in 2013 and another in 2014), held on to her title for 2016 at this meet. Rodriguez will compete later this year in a Junior Olympics and International Championship in Irvine, TX.

In the 8-10 Novice Girls class, the trio of Paige Kee, Jocia Long and Alyson Pinto finished 1-2-3, respectively. They will also be attending the Junior Olympics meet in Texas...

The undefeated Gallup Bengals started the District Championship game against Farmington with a 10-0 run, then had to go to work as the pesky Scorpions refused to roll over and play dead for the rest of the game. Gallup sort of toyed with Farmington in the first quarter as they finished those eight minutes with a 23-15 lead.

The second quarter got serious. A bad pass by Gallup resulted in two Farmington points, then a missed field goal and a foul gave the Scorps two more points, making it 23-19. Another missed shot and another foul brought Farmington to the line again, where they made the front end of the one-and-one, then snagged the rebound for a chance at more. Only a walk by...

One season slowly fades into memory as another begins. The constant circle of life and sport.

Area teams did well in basketball this year, at least in our covered schools, and there was even a state championship in wrestling. Several basketball teams are still in contention in NM, though Arizona has finished their tournament.

Sports start young though, and I will doff my cap to those just beginning their long journeys in physical exertions.

Let’s open with the members of Stars and Stripes Wrestling, known as the Gladiators at the recently held State Championships.

The Gallup Club came back with three top awards, three for second place, one for third and two for fourth. First place...

The Tohatchi Lady Cougars basketball team won their Feb. 27 home tournament game against Navajo Prep by a score of 52-42.

Photo Credit: Del Ray