Ironhorse Raceway Plays Host
to Legion of Racers and their Fans

Vallyn Bernard

The Ironhorse Raceway, just north of Huntington, sponsored Motocross USRA Round 6 on Aug. 25. Almost 350 riders, ranging from as young as 3 to almost 60, showed up from Utah, Idaho, Nevada, and Colorado to compete. Legions of fans, friends and family were also on hand to watch and support those riding.

Owner/operators Blair and Maurdi Larsen, with the help of their sons Dylan and Dalas, have worked hard to provide a world-class motocross raceway. I was surprised when I arrived for the races to discover a small city of camp trailers and motor homes surrounding the raceway. It looked as if each racer had several bikes to race. They went from ones so small they looked like toys to machines that appeared able to jump across a hay field.

Once the racing started, they were well organized and moved quickly through the different events. I expected to be eating a lot of dust watching from the edge of the raceway, but the track was constantly watered to keep the dirt intake as low as possible.

I think many people may have the wrong impression of motocross racing. The image of loud dirt bikes throwing a cloud of dust in the air was stuck in my mind. What I found at Ironhorse was anything but people making noise. I watched riders (most of them in extremely good physical condition) wearing the latest in protective gear compete at the highest level on bikes and 4-wheelers that were immaculately taken care of.

For some reason my first experience with a rodeo came to mind as I watched the riders race against each other and soar through the air over the jumps. At my first go round with a rodeo I was mesmerized by men tying themselves onto bucking broncos and 2000 pound bulls.

What I enjoyed so much with motocross was the number of people of all ages who were able to compete, plus the fact the bikes don’t chase you down and try to kill you if you fall off. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed watching the motocross races. If you’ve never been to one you need to give it a shot.

Spartans Blast Canyon View Falcons 41-21

Vallyn Bernard

In another exciting football game on Aug. 24 the Emery Spartans got their first win of the season against the Canyon View Falcons while piling up 41 points.

Last week the Spartans lost a heartbreaker in overtime to Duchesne. In that game the Spartans seemed to have a little trouble finishing some of their offensive drives. But not on Friday night against the Falcons.

The offensive line showed great discipline allowing Dempsey Jeffs to draw the Falcons off sides several times on hard counts. You can add excellent blocking to the offensive lines resume which allowed the Spartan running backs to rumble for 178 yards and two rushing touchdowns by senior Mike Jones.

Jordan Gee had a memorable night on the field by rushing for 80 yards and catching two short touchdown passes. The first was from quarterback Dempsey Jeffs early in the first quarter to tie the game, and the second was a halfback pass from Ryne Jones late in the fourth quarter to put the game away at 35 to 21.

The other two Spartan scores came from a five yard pass, Jeffs to Ryne Jones, and a fumble picked up by linebacker Blake Mortensen, who ran it back 15 yards for the final score of the game. As hard as the defense played in this game, it was poetic that they were able to put some numbers on the scoreboard for the team.

Our Spartans have provided us with two exciting football games and the community support has been fantastic. Discipline and hard work pays off on and off the field. These young men wearing Spartan uniforms will continue to do their jobs, so let’s make sure we do ours by continuing to support them.

This Friday’s game will be on the Spartan field against Ben Lomond. Don’t forget your battle flags.

Tennis Team Serves Up Win Against Canyon View

Vallyn Bernard

Love – 20 Spartans
If the score sounds a little screwy it’s because the Spartan tennis team has 20 players this year not 15 or 30. Even better is this year’s team has nine returning players.

Head Coach Tom Hansen and Coach Willie Frisbie are in their fifth year overseeing the Spartan racketeers. Coach Hansen has high hopes for this year’s team, especially after winning the first match of the season against Canyon View here at Emery High School on Aug. 22.

Each tennis match is broken down into five separate matches: 1st, 2nd and 3rd singles, and 1st and 2nd doubles. A team has to win three out of the five matches to win the overall match. Did you get that? No worries, we’ll get it all worked out before the season is over.

Megan Singleton won the 2nd singles match. Whitney Allen and Kaitlin Potter won the 1st doubles while Adri Weighing and Melaine Frisbie took the 2nd doubles match. Three out of five, that means the Lady Spartans win the overall match. See how easy it is. I guess since you have five matches someone had to lose. Varsity players Whitney Saupan, 1st singles, and Courtney Sitterud, 3rd singles, lost in very close matches.

The Lady Spartans play Delta at home on Aug. 30 at 3 p.m., so carry a battle flag over to the courts. These ladies put a lot of time and effort into getting ready to play. The bottom line is they’re Spartans.

Lady Spartan Tennis 2007
Sept. 4 at Uintah
Sept. 6 at Juan Diego
Sept. 11 home against North Sanpete
Sept. 12 at South Sevier
Sept. 13 at Delta
Sept. 18 home against Juan Diego
Sept. 19 at Richfield
Sept. 20 at North Sanpete
Sept. 25 home against Wasatch
Sept. 28, Region Tournament at Snow
Oct. 5-6, State Tournament at BYU