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High School Sports

Gabe Archuleta wins poll as best Bayfield/Ignacio HS spring sports athlete

Junior baseball player was a two-way star for Ignacio Ignacio’s Gabe Archuleta pitches on April 19, 2024, at IHS Field against Bayfield. (Joel Priest/Herald file) Gabe Archuleta stepped up to the plate this season, both figuratively and literally, for Ignacio High School. He was rewarded with several accolades, including being voted the top Bayfield or […]

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Gabe Archuleta wins poll as best Bayfield/Ignacio HS spring sports athlete


Junior baseball player was a two-way star for Ignacio

Ignacio’s Gabe Archuleta pitches on April 19, 2024, at IHS Field against Bayfield. (Joel Priest/Herald file)

Gabe Archuleta stepped up to the plate this season, both figuratively and literally, for Ignacio High School.

He was rewarded with several accolades, including being voted the top Bayfield or Ignacio high school spring sports athlete on durangoherald.com. Archuleta also earned a San Juan Basin League First Team All-Conference spot as a catcher and a Colorado High School Activities Association All-State honorable mention.

As one of the five nominees, Archuleta took a whopping 67.06% of the vote. Ignacio’s Lincoln deKay (track and field) took second with 15.29% and Bayfield’s Sydney Rey (girls soccer) finished third with 10.59%.

“It means a lot to me because coming into high school, I never thought that I’d win something like this,” Archuleta said about being voted as the top spring sports athlete. “It means a lot to me and my family to show that hard work has been paying off.”

Archuleta’s hard work has led him to be a strong player on both sides of the ball for the Bobcats. He finished second in the San Juan Basin League in runs and first in stolen bases, but was also solid on defense. Archuleta played catcher and pitcher, finishing second in the SJBL in batters struck out (behind teammate Ambrose Valdez) and second in fielding percentage.

With Archuleta and fellow All-State honorable mentions Sonny Flores and Stoney White Thunder on the roster, Ignacio had a strong season. The Bobcats took their fourth straight league title, something they take pride in and place emphasis on throughout the season. IHS finished 15-6 overall and 10-1 in league play, with their season ending in a 12-11 loss to Wray in the 2A Region 1 Regional in which a miracle rally barely fell short.

Ignacio’s most dominant stretch of the season allowed them to put their talents on full display. After being swept in a doubleheader by Monte Vista on March 28, Ignacio went to work. From April 1 to 26, IHS went 11-1, outscoring their opponents 165-51 over the 12-game stretch.

Archuleta credited team chemistry as the main reason Ignacio had such a strong season, with teammates building trust and confidence in one another. He also said that head coach Isiah Valdez and assistant Lawrence Toledo led the team very well and helped all the athletes, including him, to get better.

Playing catcher, pitcher and being a solid hitter is something Archuleta has had to work his way up to in his three years of baseball. He began as an outfielder and tried catching when the team’s catcher was injured his freshman year. Archuleta discovered his talent for catching and stayed as the Ignacio catcher.

As a sophomore, Archuleta began pitching in practice and became a strong pitcher, working with former IHS baseball coach and high school star Damon White Thunder. The progression to becoming a well-rounded player continued in the offseason between his sophomore and junior year. He said that the biggest area of growth for him was hitting, with dialing in his swing and getting contact as two major points he focused on.

Going into his senior year, Archuleta wants to focus on becoming a team leader as a new group of freshmen joins the team.

“(I want to develop) team chemistry, because we’re going to have freshmen coming in,” Archuleta said. “The way I think about it is I want to be like the seniors that I went to school with when I was a freshman.”

Archuleta said the Bobcats has several goals for his senior season and looks forward to doing whatever he can to help the team get to them.

“Winning the league is one of our main goals,” said Archuleta. “Our biggest goal is to go to regionals, have a winning record, do good in regionals and try to make it out. I think this is going to be the best team we’ve had, just a lot of talent all around. I think we’re capable of a lot.”

ajbonanno@durangoherald.com

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Behind the Whistle

With more games and fewer whistles, the challenge to staff Arizona prep sports quietly continues. High school sports in Arizona are just weeks away from kicking off another season. Soon, Friday night lights will return, gymnasiums will be buzzing, and cross-country trails will be packed. But while the focus often falls on student-athletes and coaches, […]

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Behind the Whistle

With more games and fewer whistles, the challenge to staff Arizona prep sports quietly continues.

High school sports in Arizona are just weeks away from kicking off another season. Soon, Friday night lights will return, gymnasiums will be buzzing, and cross-country trails will be packed. But while the focus often falls on student-athletes and coaches, there’s another group getting ready behind the scenes—officials. And while the national numbers paint a promising picture of recovery, Arizona’s story comes with its own set of hurdles.

We don’t often tell stories about referees. Athletes get the highlights, coaches get the interviews, and when officials are mentioned, it’s usually for a call someone didn’t like. But these are the people who keep the game moving, night after night, in every corner of the state. So today, we’re pulling back the curtain a little—with the help of Brian Gessner, Commissioner of Officials for the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA).

This year, the National Federation of State High School Associations reported a 6% increase in officiating registrations across 36 states. The total number of registered high school sports officials is now above pre-pandemic levels—an impressive rebound from the COVID-era lows. But according to Gessner, the state still finds itself playing catch-up.

“Arizona is a growth state,” Gessner explained. “More schools, more games, and the need for more officials.” While overall participation is on the rise, that growth brings more strain to a system that’s already running lean. Veteran officials are working more games than ever, and rural areas are still struggling to field enough referees to keep contests running on schedule.

Gessner says the AIA has launched an aggressive, multi-front approach to tackling the officiating shortage. Recruiting, in his words, is a “shotgun approach” aimed at drawing interest from universities, junior colleges, school districts, first responders, and beyond. The campaign includes a full-scale media blitz across radio, print, TV, social media, and signage. But the most successful method so far hasn’t come from billboards or hashtags—it’s come from within. The AIA’s internal incentive program, driven by current officials recruiting others into the fold, has yielded the strongest results.

Retention, on the other hand, requires more precision. Every first, second, and third-year official in Arizona is contacted multiple times throughout the season, not just for administrative check-ins but to make sure they’re supported and improving. They’re paired with veteran mentors, scheduled alongside experienced crews, and evaluated regularly.

“We want to make sure they don’t just survive the season—we want them to succeed and come back,” Gessner said. Veteran officials also receive ongoing support to help identify and resolve issues before they lead to burnout or attrition.

Still, even with better recruitment and mentorship, there’s one factor that continues to drive people away before they ever pick up a whistle: the environment. Gessner doesn’t sugarcoat it.

“Absolutely! This is the number one reason why people won’t enter the avocation—because of the environment,” he said. “‘No way! I don’t want to be yelled at like that!’”

Verbal abuse and poor sideline behavior—mostly from adults—continue to plague youth and high school sports across the country, and Arizona is no exception.

In response, the AIA has made sportsmanship a central point of emphasis. This past year, the association increased the penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct from coaches and players, which led to a measurable decrease in ejections. Some school districts are going even further, implementing their own policies with additional consequences. To recognize those who get it right, the AIA recently introduced the Copper Star Award, which honors schools that demonstrate exceptional sportsmanship throughout the season.

Athletic directors right here in southeastern Arizona are seeing the strain firsthand. At Safford High School, Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Ryan Scherling says the shortage has forced schools to adapt—sometimes in ways that directly affect the games themselves. In recent seasons, his teams have played varsity basketball with only two referees instead of the standard three, and varsity softball with just one umpire on the field.

Rescheduling and improvising have become part of the routine. Still, Scherling notes some encouraging signs. With stronger behavior policies in place for players, coaches, and fans, the atmosphere at local games is beginning to shift. And that shift matters—especially when it comes to keeping new officials from walking away after their first tough assignment.

“Officials are essential to high school athletics,” Scherling said. “Without them, we simply can’t host games.”

Just down the road at Thatcher High, Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Tye Stewart says some sports are being hit especially hard. Locally, soccer officiating has dwindled to just one available referee—despite the need for three per match. Other sports are in a similar spot.

Stewart points to time commitment, modest pay, and the behavior from the stands as the biggest factors keeping younger people from stepping in.

“There are very few of the younger generation willing to sign up,” she said. “Reasons range from the time commitment, to the pay, to not wanting to deal with the harsh criticism coming from the spectators.”

But like Scherling, she believes part of the solution is right in front of us. “Increase positive behavior from the stands and I feel you would see the younger generations step up to fill the need,” she said. “We would welcome all those interested.”

Looking ahead, Gessner sees youth engagement as one of the keys to long-term stability. He cites a sobering statistic: 70% of kids stop playing sports when they enter high school.

“Think of the involvement and benefits if we could capture half those kids,” he said. That’s part of the idea behind the Officials Youth Academy, a developing program that would train high school students to officiate junior high games. The AIA is also working on an initiative to integrate officiating education into high school curricula for academic credit.

While new blood is essential, technology is also playing an increasing role in supporting officials. Gessner says the AIA’s in-house scheduling system is continuously evolving, but it’s video that’s making the biggest impact.

“Without question, video is the best training tool,” he said. “And we’re always looking to expand those opportunities.”

Despite the efforts, the numbers still fall short of where they need to be. Arizona’s growing population means more games, and while the official count is increasing, it’s not rising fast enough.

“Our veteran officials are overworked with the number of games—that creates health issues and potential burnout,” Gessner said. “We certainly aren’t at the number of officials that we need.”

Officiating in Arizona is rebounding, but rural communities like Safford and Thatcher continue to face staffing challenges. Local athletic directors report limited referee availability in key sports, with games sometimes played short-handed. While statewide recruitment and retention efforts show progress, many agree that improving behavior from spectators and supporting younger officials will be critical heading into the new season.

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Last Chance Stampede Thursday Highlights and Results

The Last Chance Stampede kicked off in Helena on Thursday night with a sellout crowd in Cool Alley Arena. Below are posted results:  Jack Marshall SWX Local Sports Reporter HELENA- The Last Chance Stampede kicked off in Helena on Thursday night with a sellout crowd in Cool Alley Arena. Below are posted results:  Bareback riding: […]

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Last Chance Stampede Thursday Highlights and Results

The Last Chance Stampede kicked off in Helena on Thursday night with a sellout crowd in Cool Alley Arena. Below are posted results: 



HELENA- The Last Chance Stampede kicked off in Helena on Thursday night with a sellout crowd in Cool Alley Arena. Below are posted results: 

Bareback riding:
1. Seth Hardwick, Ranchester, Wyo. 83 points on C5 Rodeo’s She-La;
2.Jake Kesl, Tendoy, Idaho 81;
3.  Cole Gerhardt, Mandan, N.D. 81;
Steer wrestling:
1. Traver Johnson, Eltopia, Wash. 3.7 seconds;
2. Jaret Whitman, Whitehall, Mont. 4.3;
3. Evan Spady, Alliance, Alb. 4.5;
4.  Reno Ward, Deer Lodge, Mont. 4.7.
Team Roping: 
1. Cameron Irwin, Buffalo, Wyo./Coley Nicholls, Kinnear, Wyo. 5.5 seconds;
2. Brody Groves, Czar, Alb./Cody Tew, Belgrade, Mont. 5.7;
3. Grady Quam, Crossfield, Alb./Logan Groves, Czar, Alb. 6.1;
4. Jon Peterson, Belle Fourche, S.D./Arye Espenscheid, Big Piney, Wyo. 6.2.  
Saddle bronc riding:
1. Jake Watson, Hudson’s Hope, B.C. 86 points on C5 Rodeo’s Another Sunday;
2. (tie) Brody Wells, Powell, Wyo. and Tyrel Roberts, Charlie Lake, B.C. 85.5 each;  
4. Kyle Wanchuk, Sherwood Park, Alb. 80;
Breakaway roping:
1. Paige Camp, Belgrade, Mont. 1.8 seconds;
2. (tie) Shelby Boisjoli-Meged, Calgary, Alb. and Celie Salmond, Choteau, Mont. 1.9 each;
Anna Callaway, Billings, Mont. 2.2;
4. (tie) Cadee Williams, Big Timber, Mont.; Tiffany Schleck, Floresville, Texas and Tiffany Ogren, Hysham, Mont. 2.3 each.
Tie-down roping:
1. Coy Skocdopole, Big Valley, Alb. 8.8 seconds;
2. Corbin Fisher, Ashland, Mont. 9.6;
3. Chantz Webster, Ponder, Texas 10.4;
4. Clay McNichol, Okotoks, Alb. 11.0.
Barrel racing:
1. Manchi Nace, Laurel, Mont. 17.49 seconds;
2. Abigail Knight, Charlo, Mont. 17.64;
3. Heather Crowley, Poplar, Mont. 17.76;
4. Ashley Day, Volborg, Mont. 17.78;
Bull Riding
Nash Jones, Stanfield, Ore.  82 points
2. Lane Vaughn, Klamath Falls, Ore. 81;
3. Sam Southern, Weengallon, Queensland 77;

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How many titles did Hulk Hogan win? Top wrestling highlights

Jul 25, 2025, 12:16 PM ET Open Extended Reactions Before his untimely death on July 24, 2025, Terry “Hulk Hogan” Bollea was a pioneer in the world of professional wrestling. Hogan’s professional wrestling career ran from 1977 to 2012. [embedded content] Hogan headlined the first WrestleMania in 1985, which drew an audience of around 1 […]

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How many titles did Hulk Hogan win? Top wrestling highlights

Before his untimely death on July 24, 2025, Terry “Hulk Hogan” Bollea was a pioneer in the world of professional wrestling. Hogan’s professional wrestling career ran from 1977 to 2012.

Hogan headlined the first WrestleMania in 1985, which drew an audience of around 1 million on closed-circuit television and introduced professional wrestling to the masses. Hogan was in the main event of seven of the first eight WrestleMania cards, eventually becoming the face and hero of the wrestling world.

“Hollywood” racked up many accomplishments throughout his iconic run. Check out his key wrestling stats and accolades below:

Background

Born: Aug. 11, 1953

Hometown: Augusta, Georgia

Height: 6 feet, 7 inches

Weight: 300 pounds

Nicknames: “Hollywood,” “The Fabulous,” “The Incredible,” “Hulkster,” “The Immortal One,” “The Unstoppable Force”

Theme music: “Real American” by Rick Derringer

Finisher: Atomic leg drop

Championships

Southeastern Championship Wrestling

New Japan Pro Wrestling

  • IWGP Heavyweight Championship (1983)

  • IWGP League Tournament (1983)

  • MSG Tag League Tournament with Antonio Inoki (1982, 1983)

World Championship Wrestling

WWF/WWE

  • WWF/WWE Championship (Won on Jan. 23, 1984, April 2, 1989, March 24, 1991, Dec. 3, 1991, April 4, 1993, April 21, 2002)

  • WWE Tag Team Championship with Edge (2002)

  • Royal Rumble (1990, 1991)

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Rosenberg: Hulk Hogan was the Babe Ruth of professional wrestling

Peter Rosenberg reflects on the legendary career of professional wrestler Hulk Hogan following news of his death at 71.

Other accomplishments

Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (2003)

WWE Hall of Fame (2005, 2020)

International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (2021)

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Christine Brennan highlights Caitlin Clark's trailblazing journey in new book

From the moment her name was called during the WNBA draft, Caitlin Clark has become one of the most prominent faces of the league, helping to shatter attendance records and ratings. A new book, “On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women’s Sports,” takes a deeper dive into the former Iowa Hawkeyes star’s […]

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Christine Brennan highlights Caitlin Clark's trailblazing journey in new book

From the moment her name was called during the WNBA draft, Caitlin Clark has become one of the most prominent faces of the league, helping to shatter attendance records and ratings. A new book, “On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women’s Sports,” takes a deeper dive into the former Iowa Hawkeyes star’s career and where she’s headed next.

Christine Brennan, who was elected the first president of the Association for Women in Sports Media, wrote the book.

Brennan notes that Clark is more than a basketball player; she’s an entertainer known for her exciting playing style, including long-range shooting and creative assists.

“The way she plays, the fun, the joy—that’s an entertainer and that’s entertainment. And that’s what transcends sports. And that’s where grandmothers and grandfathers in the produce section who are talking about their evening plans and making sure to watch the Fever, very similar to the way it was with Tiger Woods,” Brennan said. “I covered him the length of his career, same thing, where people who couldn’t care less about golf watched Tiger—same here. And that’s why we see the incredible record TV ratings and attendance and just the national outpouring of love and fandom for this one 23-year-old athlete.”

RELATED STORY | WNBA franchise values surge, spurred by rising stars and growing popularity

Brennan noted that there has been a sea change in how women’s sports are viewed. One example is how Indiana Fever home games last year attracted a larger average attendance than five NBA teams.

“The nation has fallen in love with what we’ve created with our daughters and our nieces and the girl you wave at in the driveway as she’s lugging her volleyball gear and then changing to her soccer gear in the car before going to play lacrosse. This is a national phenomenon. And Caitlin Clark really is much more than just a sports story,” she said.

One subject Brennan touches on in the book is the issue of race and how Clark is able to draw significant attention in a league that is predominantly Black. Brennan said there is general agreement that Clark’s rise to stardom would have been different had she been Black. However, Brennan sees Clark’s addition to the league as a positive for all players.

“It also shines on all of those wonderful players, most of them Black, who deserved attention for years but never received it from the male-dominated mainstream sports media. They’re getting it now,” she said. “A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston—so many of these great players who were ignored—are now getting the attention they deserve. The rising tide lifts all boats.”

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Section III football single

Syracuse, N.Y — Section III has seen its fair share of dominant athletes over the past half-decade. Over the next couple of weeks, syracuse.com will list the stats leaders in several categories for several sports over the past five seasons. If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our […]

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Section III football single

Syracuse, N.Y — Section III has seen its fair share of dominant athletes over the past half-decade.

Over the next couple of weeks, syracuse.com will list the stats leaders in several categories for several sports over the past five seasons.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

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