Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide for Reeves County, Trans-Pecos, Big Bend of West Texas

Sports

Friday, February 6, 1998

City could lose Gloves tournament

By JON FULBRIGHT
Staff Writer
PECOS, Feb. 6 -- The West Texas Golden Gloves Tournament
came to Pecos four years ago because no one in Odessa wanted
to make the effort to keep it.

Now, Fred Martin, the man responsible for brining the
renamed West of the Pecos Golden Gloves Tournament here,
said Pecos might lose the tournament for the same reason
Odessa did back in 1994.

Martin, the Pecos Warbirds manager, who also takes the Open
Division Golden Gloves winners to the State Tournament in
Fort Worth every year, said until this week he had gotten
little assistance in putting on the 1998 tournament,
scheduled for next Friday and Saturday at the Reeves County
Civic Center.

"Other cities are dying to get a hold of it," Martin said
Thursday. "It brings people and money into town.

"I expect over 100 boys to be here, and every one of them is
going to eat at least two meals while they're here, and
they're going to buy gas and spend money on motel rooms," he
added.

The Pecos Chamber of Commerce announced this week they would
again host the event, which will start at 7 p.m. both nights
at the Civic Center. That's a change from two weeks ago,
when statements by Chamber of Commerce Executive Director
Tom Rivera and new Chamber president Richard Crider about
support for the event seemed to be at odds with each other.

In talking last month about events the Chamber would be
involved in during his term as president, Crider cited the
Golden Gloves, and added, "This year, the chamber will be
sponsoring a boxing smoker."

Meanwhile, Rivera said he wanted to see others help out in
sponsoring the tournament.

"We'd like to help promote any event in the community,"
Rivera said. "But on those events, we'd like to try and get
away from being the sole sponsor. Once something gets going,
we want to try and get a local sponsor."

"He (Rivera) just told me a few weeks ago, but he should
have told me 11 months ago if they were going to want to do
that," Martin said. "But it looks like Richard wants to keep
it, and I've talked to others like Gerald Tellez who want
it."

While Martin said he had received little help preparing for
this year's tournament, he was more optimistic after meeting
with Chamber officials this week.

"I just came from a meeting with Richard, and he said
they're trying to pick it up," he said. "We're going to have
it, but we've just got to try and raise enough money to get
the team to Fort Worth.

"Richard and Linda Ornelas are both very interested in it,"
he said. "Linda's been real instrumental in getting this
thing going."

The tournament has brought boxers from across the Permian
Basin and South Plains to Pecos, and Martin said this year,
boxers from Abilene and Amarillo may also be competing.

"We can use donations, and volunteers. This should be a
community project, and we need all the help we can get,"
Martin said. "I don't mind doing my share, but I just don't
want to come up short when it comes time to take the
regional champions to the state tournament."

Donations, gate receipts and concession sales last year
allowed the West of the Pecos Golden Gloves to turn a $6,000
profit during its two-night performance, Martin said. Of
that amount, $4,000 went towards paying for the Fort Worth
trip, along with trophies and jackets for the boxers. "Once
you get through with everything, they (the Chamber) should
have kept at least $1,500, plus the smoker, where we split
$400 with them."

As far as next week's card goes, Martin said along with
fighters from further away marking the trip, he said "We
might have some bigger boys fighting than last year. They're
not as experienced, but they're bigger and will be in the
Open Novice Division."

Martin said his own team would have five or six boxers
competing, while trainer Roy Juarez said that group will
include the team's first Open Division fighter in a while,
in Jesus Marruffo. Open Division boxers are the only ones
who advance to the state tournament.

Juarez said Michael Vasquez, Peter Juarez, Ricky Rubio, Jr.,
and Gilbert Plasencia are the others who'll fight in the
Junior Olympic Division.

"I took two boys to fight in Denver City last weekend,"
Juarez said. "Gilbert Plasencia defeated Steve Benitez (of
Sundown) by decision, and Ricky lost by decision to Eric
Garcia (of San Angelo).

"They're all still a little out of shape. Hopefully, they'll
be ready for the Golden Gloves," Juarez said.

Juarez said another tournament is scheduled for Feb. 28 at
the Civic Center, while the team will travel to Odessa for a
smoker on Feb. 21.

Eagles drop home opener to Loboes

PECOS, Feb. 6 -- The Pecos Eagles' tennis team got in a lot
of matches Thursday, even if they didn't get in a lot of
wins, in their Spring home opener against the Monahans
Loboes.

Monahans swept all 12 girls matches on the way to a 17-4
victory over the Eagles at the Pecos High School tennis
courts.

"I feel my kids are developing their game plans and game
strategies," said Eagles' coach Bernadette Ornelas. "All
these scrimmage matches are to prepare for the upcoming
tournaments."

Pecos' top three seeds in boys singles play, Jonathan
Fuentes, Tye Graham and Jeff Lam, all won, while Graham and
Lam teamed for the Eagles' other victory, in doubles against
Kyle Wilbur and Jeremy Ray.

Nine of Pecos' 11 girls got in matches for Pecos, while all
seven boys played. "I'll have 11 who'll be eligible to play
next week. We've had four new boys come out, so right now we
have 11 and 11."

Ornelas said she hasn't decided yet on who'll play singles
and who'll be paired in doubles play once Pecos begins
tourament competition next week, in San Angelo.

Monahans (17) at Pecos (4)

Boys Singles
Jonathan Fuentes defeated Kyle Clemmer, 6-1, 6-4; Tye Graham
defeated Robert Wilbur, 6-4, 6-3; Jeff Lam defeated Drew
Skinner, 6-1, 6-4; David Lam lost to Jeremy Ray, 6-1, 6-0;
Sonny Cylia lost to Justin Yates, 6-0, 6-1; Robert Payne
lost to Kurtis Gibson, 8-0.

Girls Singles
Teresa Minjarez lost to JoAnna Cup, 6-0, 6-1; Vanessa
Miranda lost to Rachel Baker, 6-0, 6-1; Erin Dominguez lost
to Meagan Shawn, 6-1, 6-3; Lorrie Minjarez lost to Christina
Wilbur, 6-1, 6-1; Rachel Pharoah lost to Erin Armstrong,
6-0, 6-1; Priscilla Levario lost to Sandra Molinar, 8-2;
Tiffany Jarrett lost to Melinda Covensky, 6-0, 6-4; Sarah
Metler lost to Covinsky, 8-1; Veronica Valenzuela lost to
Rachel Baker, 6-0.

Boys Doubles
Graham and J. Lam defeated Clemmer and Ray, 8-6; D. Lam and
Cylia lost to Skinner and Yates, 8-1; Craig Wein and Fuentes
lost to Wilbur and Gibson, 8-5.

Girls Doubles
T. Minjarez and Miranda lost to Cup and Baker, 8-0;
Dominguez and Pharoah lost to Molinar and Wilbur, 8-0; L.
Minjarez and Levario lost to Armstrong and Shawn, 8-0.

Eagle girls end season, boys seek to tie Steers

PECOS, Feb. 6 -- The season ends tonight for the Pecos
Eagles' girls' basketball team in a place they haven't had
much luck in over the years, while Pecos' boys will try
again for their first district win with one week left in the
season, as both squads travel to Big Spring to take on the
Steers.

The girls face the Steers at 6 p.m., followed by the boys
at 7:30 p.m., with the junior varsity starting times
reversed for the girls and boys teams.

Both Eagle teams comes in off seven-point losses to San
Angelo Lake View at home on Tuesday -- the girls by a 60-53
margin and the boys by a 61-54 score. Big Spring, meanwhile
also comes in off defeats on Tuesday, 52-38 on the girls'
side and 63-47 in the boys' game.

While Pecos' boys are 0-7 so far in district, Big Spring's
lone win was last month in Pecos, 64-62 on a Chauncy Ford
lay-up as time expired. It was one of five games out of
seven so far for Pecos in District 4-4A play in which the
Eagles either led or were within three points in the final
two minutes, only to see things slip away.

Ford had 22 points that night, while Fernando Navarrete had
19 and Jacob Chavez 17 for Pecos, though Chavez was held
scoreless in the second half by the Steers.

The girls spent most of their first meeting with Big Spring
trying to come from behind. After a brief first period lead
Pecos cut a nine point deficit in the second period to
three, then cut a 16-point Steers lead in the third period
to 61-58 with three minutes to play, only to watch the
Steers pull away for a 74-60 win.

Pecos hasn't beaten Big Spring since their last playoff
trip, in 1991, which was also their last win on the Steers'
home court. Tonight's game will be the Eagles' last visit to
Big Spring for at least two years due to this week's UIL
realignment, and coach Brian Williams said he may give some
of the players he'll have back next season more playing time
this evening.

"I've got Shay (Lara) and Katrina (Quiroz) and my two posts
(Monique Levario and Leslie Hathorn), and I might move up a
wing for Friday," he said. "It would probably be either
Ashley (Salcido) or Crystal (Garcia)."

Despite Tuesday's loss, the Steers come in with a 5-4 record
in district, compared to the Eagles' 2-7 mark. Keesha Lott
had 21 points in last month's win over Pecos, while Kara
Hughes had 17 and Nadia Cole 16. Lorie Marquez led Pecos
with 22 and Annette Marquez put in 16, including four
3-pointers.

A Pecos win and a victory by San Angelo over Sweetwater
would leave the Steers and Maidens tied for third place in
the 4-4A standings, but the Steers won both games over Lake
View this season, giving them the tiebreaker for the final
4-4A playoff berth.

Pecos' girls golf season underway

PECOS, Feb. 6 -- The Pecos Eagles girls golf team opened
this 1998 schedule this morning with the first round of the
San Angelo Golf Classic.

It's one of five two round tournaments the Eagles will
compete in this season, which will also get Pecos
well-prepared for next year's long trips in the El Paso-area
District 2-4A. Four of the Eagles' trips this season are 200
miles or more, including this weekend's visit to San Angelo.

The Eagles' varsity will travel to El Paso for tournament
play in March, and will make two visits to Sweetwater, later
this month for the Sweetwater Golf Classic and in April for
the final round of the 54-hole District 4-4A Tournament.

The first and second rounds of the tournament are set for
Big Spring and Fort Stockton, and the Eagles will also get a
chance to play on those courses before district begins.
They'll go to Big Spring next week and make a trip to Fort
Stockton to close out February.

Coach Tina Hendricks' team placed fourth last season in
district, with a 1.060 score, and lost their only
all-district golfer, Lindley Workman, to graduation. But
Pecos returns all their other players, and will look to earn
one of the two regional tournament berths won last season by
Fort Stockton and Andrews.

The Eagle boys will begin their 1998 season later this
month, and will host one of the three district tournament
rounds, while also going to Andrews and San Angelo for 4-4A
play.

Pecos Eagles 1998
Girls Golf Schedules

x - District

February
6-7 (Fri.-Sat.) - San Angelo Girls Golf Classic (Varsity)
--- 9 a.m.
13-14 (Fri.-Sat.) - Big Spring Invitational (Varsity) --- 8
a.m.
20-21 (Fri.-Sat.) - Sweetwater Golf Classic (Var.) --- 9 a.m.
27-28 (Fri.-Sat.) - Ft. Stockton Invitational (Var., JV) ---
9 a.m.

March
6-7 (Fri.-Sat.) - Midland Invitational (Varsity) --- 9 a.m.
13-14 (Fri.-Sat.) - Andrews Invitational (Varsity) --- 9 a.m.
16 (Mon.) - Alpine Invitational (JV) --- 9 a.m.
20-21 (Fri.-Sat.) - El Paso Invitational (Varsity) --- 10
a.m.
28 (Sat.) - x-at Big Spring (Var., JV) --- 9 a.m.

April
|4 (Sat.) - x-at Ft. Stockton (Var., JV) --- 9 a.m.
18 (Sat.) - x-at Sweetwater (Var., JV) --- 9 a.m.

Olympics open today in Nagano

By TED ANTHONY
Associated Press Writer
NAGANO, Japan, Feb. 6 -- Over at the stadium, they spent the
day in the final stages of a secret dress rehearsal -- a
secret that more than 3,000 spectators shared. On the
streets, people shopped, wandered -- and some collided with
this year's first real taste of Olympic disarray.

A day before the 1998 Winter Games opened, as Japan's
emperor sped toward Nagano on a bullet train, the head of
the International Olympic Committee seemed upbeat if a
little guarded at the relative smoothness of the runup to
Day One.

``So far, so good,'' IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch
said this morning.

The last Olympic Games, in Atlanta, were roundly criticized
for logistical difficulties from transportation to computer
problems. Up to now, though, strict Japanese organization
seemed more the order of things.

Until late this afternoon, that is. At a ceremony on a
downtown square to mark the Olympic flame's arrival, a
turnout of several thousand spectators appeared to surprise
police. Officers struggled with the swarms for a time before
resorting to a loudspeaker, drowning out Samaranch's words
as they ordered people to disperse.

``You can't get in,'' one officer warned. ``Follow police
instructions and move on. You are a nuisance.''

The few who could see watched American figure skater Kristi
Yamaguchi and two Japanese gold medalists carry three
torches into the square, completing relays that brought the
flame over three routes across Japan.

``If it keeps up like this, things are going to be a real
mess,'' said Akemi Ota, a spectator whose view was blocked.
``We just aren't accustomed to dealing with big events like
this. I hope everything goes OK.''

On the whole, though, excitement was building; that much was
clear on the ski slopes of Hakuba, on the ice rinks of the
M-Wave and White Ring venues, and in the post-practice
comments of athletes from around the world.

``It's probably going to be one of the greatest experiences
of my lifetime,'' said U.S. speed skater and two-time silver
medalist Eric Flaim of Boston, who will begin his fourth
Olympics by carrying the American flag into the opening
ceremony Saturday.

Participants in that extravaganza gave it a final
run-through Friday, minus a few crucial details -- like
Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. Stand-ins played their
roles in the rehearsal, which reporters were permitted to
attend under the condition they didn't report details
beforehand.

The focus on secrecy showed: Olympic volunteers traversed
the cherry-blossom-shaped Minami Nagano Sports Park,
demanding reporters shut off laptop computers. ``They're
afraid you might e-mail out details,'' one said,
apologizing. Phone calls, however, were permitted.

Some aspects of the ceremony are common knowledge, though,
one being the participation of the ever-popular sumo
wrestlers, representing Japan's national sport.

The nation's yokozuna, or sumo grand champion, Akebono, will
perform the ring-entering ceremony, and a host of his sumo
compatriots will join him before escorting each nation's
delegation into the $75.4 million arena.

The 516-pound Akebono, born Chad Rowan in Hawaii but now a
Japanese citizen, will wear the customary loincloth and
nothing more, no matter how cold it gets. And it gets darn
cold in that arena when the wind starts to blow.

``I'm going to be naked,'' he said today. ``There isn't a
lot I can do to stay warm. I'll just have to endure it.''

Quipped 440-pound sumo ozeki (champion) Musashimaru,
standing at his side: ``I'm going to drink a lot of sake.''

For the opening ceremony finale, musicians in Nagano and on
five continents -- in Berlin, Sydney, New York, Beijing and
Cape Point, South Africa -- will belt out Beethoven's ``Ode
to Joy'' simultaneously, thanks to a souped-up satellite
link that conductor Seiji Ozawa likened to ``jumping through
a window.''

``I need lots of luck,'' he told The Boston Globe.

Akihito and Michiko arrived by bullet train from Tokyo this
afternoon. They were to serve as hosts at a tea party for
Olympic organizers tonight, preside over the opening
ceremony and return immediately to the capital.

It was Akihito's father, Emperor Hirohito, who signaled
Japan's post-World War II re-emergence into the
international community by opening the 1964 Summer Olympics
in Tokyo.

A 1998 conflict, or the possibility of one, was on
Samaranch's mind today when he expressed concern again at
the chance the United States might attack Iraq during an
Olympics that features themes of peace and cross-cultural
understanding.

Japan said today it would ask the United States to refrain
from any hostile military action during the games. President
Clinton has said the Olympics would not be a factor in any
decision about attacking Iraq.

``Our hope, I can say our only hope, is the Olympic truce
will be observed,'' Samaranch said. ``Our force is very
limited. .. We've done everything we possibly could.''

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