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CHS students advance in UIL competition

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Clarendon High School took twenty-one students to UIL Academic competition last Thursday, March 25, with eight students advancing to regionals on April 16th at WTAMU.

CHS 2021 regional UIL qualifiers.

The Lincoln Douglas Debate started the day off with Catherine Word (3rd ), Josiah Howard (2nd ), and Darcy Grahn (5th) placing. Toby Leeper took first place in Current Issues while Avery Halsey, Shylee Morrow, and Levi Gates grabbed second place team in Calculator.

Halsey (2nd ) and Word (4th) placed in Copy Editing. Morrow (1st ), Howard, and Jaxan McAnear(5th ) nabbed first place team, beating the second place team by one point.

Word (3rd) advances in Informative Speaking while Adriana Araujo (6th ) added points in Persuasive Speaking. Makenna Shadle (2nd ), Davin Mays(4th ), and Laney Gates(5th ) assisted Clarendon in Feature Writing while Laney Gates(6th) placed in Editorials.
Journalism acquired second place team. Leeper (6th ) aided points in Mathematics.

Rounding out the day in Headlines were Word (2nd ) and Shadle (3rd). Speech took second place overall as a team.
Clarendon placed third overall all out of six schools. The top three finishers in each contest will advance to regionals.

Lions to hold Jones 5K, Polar Bear Plunge April 17

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A new Polar Bear Plunge will be held in conjunction with the ninth annual Chance Mark Jones Roar & Run 5K, which will be held Saturday, April 17 at the new Clarendon Aquatic Center.

The Clarendon Lions Club is hosting the events to raise awareness of Child Abuse. Those interested in running or walking the 5K (about 3.1 miles) or taking the plunge are encouraged to sign up before April 8 to take advantage of the early registration price.

Early registration is $20 for the 5K, $20 to take the plunge, or $30 for a combo registration for both events. Signing up by April 8 also guarantees participants the official 5K/Plunge t-shirt. Registrations after April 8 will cost $25 each or $40 for the combo registration.

The Lions Club is also encouraging all participants to wear costumes for both the 5K and the plunge with a prize being award to the best dressed person in each competition. The crazier the costume, the better, the club says.

The year’s 5K will again start and end at the Clarendon Aquatic Cent many charitable activities of the Clarendon Lions Club, which includes eyeglasses for local school kids, Christmas food baskets for local families, hosting the local office of The Bridge – Children’s Advocacy Center, local scholarships, continued park improvements, and monetary support for other local charities.

For more information, contact Lion Ashlee Estlack at ashlee.estlack@gmail.com or 806-662-4687 or Lion Roger Estlack at publisher@clarendonlive.com or 806-874-2259.

COVID vaccinations available for all adults

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Adults of all ages can now get vaccinated for COVID-19, according to Donley County Judge John Howard, MD.

Howard said Tuesday that state officials have now approved giving the vaccine to all adults, and the vaccine is available at the Clarendon Family Medical Center. Those interested in being vaccinated should call the clinic to make an appointment.

COVID-19 infections in Donley County continue to appear to be under control this week, but the local clinic has reported one new case of the disease this week. It is the first positive case of the virus locally since February 15 and the only know case that is active currently.

The clinic has now given 1,311 COVID-19 tests with 361 of those being positive. Combined with known positive tests conducted on local residents elsewhere, there have been 404 confirmed cases in the county. The deaths of 13 local people have been attributed to COVID-19 since the pandemic began a year ago.

CC men place second at ENMU rodeo

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The Clarendon College Rodeo Team traveled to Levelland March 18-20 where Eastern New Mexico University hosted a spring rodeo. Clarendon men’s team finished second overall behind Western Texas College and ahead of Tarleton State.

The results of those making the short round are as follows:

CC’s Brody Wells receives spurs for winning the bronc riding competition at the ENMU rodeo. Courtesy Photo

In the bareback riding, Cole Franks had 77 points in the long round for 3rd, 75 in the short round (4th) and finished 3rd in the average. Rickey Williams scored 71 for 6th in long go, 80 in the short go (2nd) and finished 4th in the average.

In saddle bronc riding, Brody Wells was 82 in long go (1st), 81 in the short go (2nd) and won the average. Weston Patterson was 80 in the long go (2nd) but bucked off in the short go finishing 5th in the average.

Trey Elshere and Cash Wilson both were 69 points in the long round tied for 7th and both bucked off in the short round finishing with a tie for 7th in the average.

In the team roping competition, Kreese Milligan and Dawson Reedy placed 6th in the long go with a 5.8 second run but missed their steer in the short round.

Dawson Reedy was 75 points in bull riding in the short round for 5th place and bucked off in the short round.
The Clarendon College team will head to Sweetwater this weekend where Ranger College will host the rodeo.

Pool sets hours, rates for aquatic center

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Rates and hours have now been set as city officials get ready to open the new Clarendon Aquatic Center in just nine weeks.

City Administrator David Dockery said a grand opening and ribbon cutting will be held for the center on Friday, May 28, with regular hours to begin Saturday, May 29, in time for the Memorial Day weekend.

The center will be open regularly from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and will be closed on Mondays.

The city council met March 11 and approved fees for annual passes to the aquatic center. Day passes will cost $5 for everyone over the age of 17, $4 for ages 4-17, and free for ages three and under. Annual passes are $100 per individual and $250 for a family of up to four members and $50 for each additional household family member.

Parties can be scheduled at the aquatic center after hours at a rate of $125 per hour.

Dockery said the city has employed Trinity Cavanaugh to be the pool manager for the aquatic center and 11 people have signed up to take lifeguard training beginning on May 1 with the city intending to employ each of that group who pass their training.

City officials will begin filling and treating the pool about April 1, and the first public event at the pool will be the Polar Bear Plunge held in conjunction with the Lions Club’s annual Chance Mark Jones Roar & Run 5K on Saturday, April 17.

Plans are in the works to pave the aquatic center’s parking lot before the grand opening, and the city council also approved action to re-pave Kearney Street near the center with a chip seal from curb to curb from Fourth Street to Sixth Street.

In other city business, the city council on March 11 approved an amendment to an agreement with the City of Pampa regarding the use of their animal control facility; took action to approve three new stop signs at the intersection of Eighth and Jefferson; Bunny Owens and Annette Osburn were approved as election judges for the city election in May; and initial discussions began on future plans for street paving in the city.

Broncos blow by Valley

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The Bronco baseball team outlasted the Valley Patriots at home last week and put together a great team effort in their 13-3 win. Junior Brock Hatley got the win pitching four innings while only allowing three hits and two runs with three strike outs.

Jordan Herndon slides into second base last Friday against Valley. Courtesy Photo

Jared Musick came in for relief and threw two innings. Koyt Tucek set up the Broncos’ offensive run early in the game with a single that grounded out, but scored one run. After going scoreless in the next inning, the Broncos posted six more runs by the bottom of the fifth before adding six more in the final inning.

Clarendon’s scoring frenzy came from hits by Jodee Pigg, Tucek, Easton Frausto, and Musick for RBI’s. The Broncos racked up 10 stolen bases in the game with three of them coming from Jordan Herndon.

The Broncos will travel to Kress March 26 and play at 4:00 p.m. with JV to follow. The JV will play at River Road on March 27 at noon.

Lady Bronco softball results were not available at press time.

Donley County 4H team wins Houston horse judging

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The Donley County 4-H Horse Judging Teams, coached by Robin Ellis, did very well when they competed at the Houston Livestock Show Horse Judging Contest on Thursday, March 18.

The Donley County 4-H Horse Judging Team of Bryce Williams, Maloree Wann, Elliot Frausto and Gracie Ellis and their coach, Robin Ellis took first place last Thursday in Houston. Courtesy Photo

The team of Bryce Williams, Maloree Wann, Gracie Ellis, and Elliot Frausto won the contest. and the team of Whitney William, MaryJo Dushay. and Makynna Williams placed 11th overall.

Placing individually overall were Gracie 5th place, Elliot 8th place, Maloree 13th place, MaryJo 29th, Makynna 31st, Bryce 35th, and Whitney 36th. In the Reasons Class, finishing in the top ten were Bryce placing 1st and Gracie 2nd

Broncos win first state championship, beat Grapeland, 64-60

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Whether or not you are a basketball fan, you have to be a Bronco fan after witnessing history being made on the Alamodome hardcourt in San Antonio last Saturday.

The State Championship was the first for a team sport in Clarendon and Coach Boston Hudson, at 25, might possibly be the youngest coach to win a State Championship.

“The guys did what I asked. They bought in (to our plan), and I think we did it the right way,” first year head basketball coach Hudson said about the Broncos’ 2A State basketball win.

The 2021 State Class 2A Champions. For more photos, see this week’s print issue. Enterprise Photo / Roger Estlack

All season, the Broncos had a goal to reach; the State Tournament and a Championship. Their goal came to fruition last Saturday morning as the strong and determined team took to the court. With fans in the ‘Dome, at the Mulkey Theater, and at home, the Broncos flexed their muscles and made their dream a reality by defeating a good Grapeland team 64-60.

Lamarcus Peniger drives to the basket during the state championship game Saturday. Enterprise Photo / Roger Estlack
Bronco Cheerleaders at the state championship game. Enterprise Photo / Roger Estlack

The Broncos had only four losses this season. Their last loss came at the hands of the Canyon Eagles who are a solid 4A team with only one game before their District opener. That loss spurred on the Broncos who faced off against Gruver to begin a 12-0 run in regular season. Their post-season play was stellar as well as they worked their way through Fritch, Farwell, Floydada, Christoval, Wink, and Lipan before punching their ticket to the Championship game in San Antonio.

Early on in the Championship game, the Broncos stormed to a 18-12 lead behind a 10-3 run before ending the first quarter of play. The Broncos fell off somewhat in the second quarter but regained the momentum after the break. There were 11 lead changes in the game and four times the score was tied.

Both teams were cold from behind the arc shooting 16 three-pointers all together, but the one long ball that was all net belonged to Thompson at the third quarter buzzer from about six or seven steps behind the mark to get the Broncos to one point up.

“I thought Jordan (Herndon) was going to hold it, and I ran up there to shoot the ball and saw Jmaury (Davis) set me a screen and I shot it,” Thompson said. “We knew they were just as athletic as us. They had their #3 who played just like Jmaury, and he had a double-double at half time. Number 00 was back-to-back All-State and we knew #5 was going to be a handful.”

Thompson gave props to Jordan Herndon who took out the best players all year with his strong defense and was able to get the Grapeland player in foul trouble.

The Broncos were able to add three points to their one-point lead in the final eight minutes of play that had exaggerated ups and downs for both teams. With only 40 seconds to play, Grapeland turned the ball over, and Clarendon’s Lamarcus Peniger drove to the basket and was fouled. Peniger missed the first shot, but made the second putting the game at 60 all with 30 seconds remaining.

A player for Grapeland took the inbound ball and headed down court only to be picked by Peniger who made good on an easy layup to lead by two with 10 seconds to go.

“I was so excited on the steal, I almost jumped on the layup early,” Peniger said. “I thought I was going to get chased down, but it was exciting to make that shot and help my team.”

After a time out, Grapeland’s Johnny Lamb drove to the bucket, but Davis was there to take the charge giving his team the ball while fouling the Grapeland player out. Cayden D’Costa, who has been a bright spot on the team, then heaved the ball full court to Thompson who made the easy lay in. Grapeland had one more chance but could not convert giving the Broncos exactly what they went to San Antonio to do; come home with the gold.

The free-throw line was not a friend to either team. The Broncos only made 13 of 24 from the bonus line for 54 percent. However; the Sandies struggled to finish at 48 percent missing 15 out of 29 shots.

Seniors Donovan Thompson and Ethan Babcock have been solid all season and contributed to the Broncos’ great season at 25-4.

“I’m just so proud of them and I’m thankful for our seniors Ethan and Donovan,” Hudson said. “We will miss these guys, but what a way to go out for these two. I don’t think it could end any better than the way it did.”
Thompson would go on to win the MVP of Class 2A.

“We’re just excited and going to enjoy this and try to do it again next year,” Hudson said. “I’m going to take spring break and enjoy it and as soon as we get back start looking at things and figure out all the pieces of the puzzle for next year and try to do it all again.”

Thompson finished with 21, Davis had 13, and Sylvester Ballard helped with 12. Peniger put in eight, Herndon added six, and D’Costa finished with four. Davis had eight rebounds, Ballard grabbed seven and had two assists, Thompson had five rebounds and five assists, Peniger grabbed two offensive rebounds and had three assists, Herndon had five defensive rebounds with two assists, D’Costa had four rebounds and five assists, and Lyric Smith had one defensive rebound in the game.

The Texas Association of Basketball Coaches selected an All-Tournament team. Joining Thompson was Ballard and Davis.

This was the Broncos 5th trip to state. The Broncos previously made appearances in the final four in 1969 where they faced Friendswood; the championship game in 1970 where they took on Kennard; the final four in 2011 where they faced Tenaha; and the championship game in 2017 where they took on Muenster.

In addition to a large number of Bronco fans traveling to San Antonio, more than 200 packed the Mulkey Theatre to watch the game live on the big screen, breaking out into the Clarendon High School Song when the final buzzer sounded in San Antonio.

Tornadoes hit Clarendon, Greenbelt

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Wreckage and debris were left in the paths of two tornadoes that struck Donley County Saturday evening, March 13, but no injuries have been reported.

Both tornadoes struck the City of Clarendon, and one moved on to Greenbelt Lake, ripping up travel trailers, mobile homes, docks, and other structures in the lease lots and marina area on the south side of the reservoir.

The National Weather Service in Amarillo initiall

Tornado damage at First Baptist Church in Clarendon. Landry Judd Photo
Tornado damage in Clarendon. Enterprise Photo / Russell Estlack
Tornado damage at Lake Greenbelt. Amy Goodlin Photo
Tornado damage at Lake Greenbelt. Landry Judd Photo

y categorized both storms as EF-0 tornadoes but later upgraded the storm that hit the lake to an EF-2 with wind speeds of up to 120 mph.

NWS said at least seven tornadoes hit the Panhandle area Saturday evening as an upper level storm system moved northeast across the southern Rockies, and severe thunderstorms with tornadoes developed as wind shear, moisture, and instability increased just ahead of the upper level storm system.

“If the temperature had been five degrees warmer, it would have been a massive storm, according to the weather service,” Donley County Sheriff Butch Blackburn said. “There was considerable damage, and they are finding stuff tore up at the lake that was not evident right after the storm.”

Clarendon Fire Chief Jeremy Powell said spotting the storms was difficult because the tornadoes were rain-wrapped.

“We had several areas of circulation, and we had at least a dozen spotters out watching,” Powell said.

The first tornado started near the JA Ranch Road at 5:42 p.m. just outside of Clarendon and moved across the edge of the city, moving near Maple Drive and then hitting the edge of the college campus, damaging the baseball scoreboard, before gathering strength and heading to the lake, Powell said.

The weather service said the tornado took on a wider path as it progressed towards Greenbelt Lake, where it damaged mobile homes, recreational vehicles, and boating facilities. Many trees were also snapped in the area.

The first tornado followed a path of about 13.2 miles and was as wide as 1200 yards and was on the ground for about 30 minutes before it dissipated north of the old liquor store by the golf course.

The storm missed the populated part of the City of Howardwick, but caused considerable damage on the southeast side of the lake.

“It hit what’s usually referred to as the A and B lots area, Old Marina Point, and Jetski Beach,” Powell said. “I’m estimating between 30 and 50 trailers or mobile homes were damaged, and one permanent residence was damaged. I’d guess about three-quarters of a million dollars in damage just at the lake alone.”

Powell said officials shut down entrances to the lake Saturday night because of the wreckage and the large number of downed power lines in the area. Sunday morning, people with property in that area were allowed to come inside.

As the first tornado still raged, a second tornado touched down at 5:51 in Clarendon, near Eighth and McLean streets, progressed to Bond Street and then moved north, destroying fences, damaging roofs, and breaking and uprooting trees along the way. The storm also hit the First Baptist Church before dissipating as it crossed US 287.

The second storm reached peak wind speeds of about 80 to 85 mph, followed a path 0.6 miles long, and was a maximum of 40 yards wide at one point. It lasted for about one minute, the weather service stated. It could have been a satellite to the larger tornado.

Several homes, trees, and sheds were damaged. Approximately 10 homes suffered shingle damage to roofs, while multiple trees were downed, the weather service reported.

Following the second storm, emergency personnel did a grid search of the area starting at Koogle Street and moving west to check on homes and damage, Powell said.

CHS lifters compete at regional

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The Bronco Powerlifters competed in the Regional Power Lifting Meet last Thursday in Sundown and were both able to lift personal bests in their weight class.

Rhett Caison competed in the 165-pound weight class and finished 11th, which was two spots ahead of the two lifters that he was tied with going into the meet. Caison lifted a total of 945 pounds, a personal best. He also had a personal best in the squat lifting 340 pounds. He posted a weight of 235 pounds on the bench and 370 pounds on the dead lift.

Colton Benson has improved all year as well and finished sixth in the 123-pound weight class with a lift total of 570 pounds which is a personal record for him. Benson was able to post a personal best in the squat of 185 pounds, 135 pounds on the bench and 250 pounds on the dead lift. Benson improved two spots ahead of where he qualified.

“I was very happy with the way they competed at the meet,” Nino said. “Colton increased his total by 35 pounds and Rhett increased his total by 25 pounds. They both worked very hard this year and it showed on the last meet. I would like to thank them and all the powerlifters for their efforts this year. I would also like to thank Mr. Jeffers, the students, faculty, administration, and our athletic Director Coach Conkin for their support this year. The sendoffs were great.”

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