Sports

It was a fun-filled day for baseball at the Alpine Cowboys baseball camp at Kokernot Field in Alpine on July 30, as kids of all ages pause for a photo after a training session with Cowboys players as they worked one-on-one and in small group drills. Avalanche photo by Roxanne Hill

Runners take off at the Texas Music 5k Fun Run held in front of Printco on July 31 in Alpine. The event was hosted by Artwalk Alpine, Visit Alpine, and Viva Big Bend. Proceeds from the race went toward the maintenance of four of the city’s murals. Participants earned old school cassette tape medals created by Alpine artist Amanda Calhoun. Avalanche photo by Roxanne Hill

On Aug. 9 at the Manuel Payne softball field at Kokernot Park in Alpine, Alpine High School Class of 2021 graduate and accomplished athlete Aneesa Payne was surprised with a $1,000 check from the Big Bend Amateur Softball Association of Alpine. She was recognized for her dedication and work as a softball player, and recently as a successful first-year coach for the 10-12U girls.

The Lady Bucks played at the First Annual Coach Pancho Martinez Memorial volleyball scrimmage on Aug. 6 in Marfa. Here they line up in front of the Fort Davis Indians varsity team. The season officially started on Aug. 9 in Monahans. Avalanche photo by J.T. Maroney

How has your game recovered after a year off from COVID? My game has definitely enhanced since COVID. My last year in college was cut short by COVID so at first I was obviously very upset.

Since the team was formed in 2011, the Alpine Cowboys professional baseball club has reached the postseason every year in the Pecos League. The Cowboys secured their spot in the playoffs once again last week by way of a 4-2 record, which featured a 3-1 series win over the Tucson Saguaros – Alpine’s firstround playoff opponent.

Sul Ross State University rodeo athlete Ky Hamilton won “the daddy of them all” in bull riding at the 125th Cheyenne Frontier Days this past weekend. He went five for five, riding all three in Cheyenne, and he placed in Deadwood as well. In the photo, Hamilton riding at the Gem State Classic. Photo by Western Edge

Sul Ross State graduate and volleyball/softball standout Annikka Canaba has been named the 2020-21 American Southwest Conference Woman of the Year, and will represent the ASC on the 2021 NCAA Woman of the Year award ballot.

The Cowboys sit three games back from the Tucson Saguaros in their division with fewer than a dozen games to play in the regular season. A two-game series against the Roswell Invaders began with a close loss, 12-11.

One of the few players returning from the 2019 championship team is Calvin Graves, an outfielder who is serving as captain for the 2021 squad. Said Head Coach Sean Persky, “Graves has a lot of baseball knowledge, and understands what we do here in Alpine.