NEWS for immediate release



NEWS for immediate release

Wyoming Chapter:

National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame

 February 16, 2010

 Contact: Mike Schutte, president (970) 484-2797

 

Wyoming Chapter Scholar-Athlete Finalists and Special Award Recipients Announced; Tiller to keynote banquet

LARAMIE – Wyoming’s top prep football Scholar-Athlete for 2009 will be chosen from a field of 12 finalists from 11 different state high schools, according to the Wyoming Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, sponsor of the award. The finalists will be honored at the Chapter’s 16th annual awards banquet, set for Saturday, March 20, 2010, at the Hilton Garden Inn and University of Wyoming Conference Center in Laramie.

Additionally, two other prep athletes will be recognized for their courage and perseverance and two University of Wyoming football team members will be honored for their academic and football achievements. All will receive commemorative plaques and $1,200 scholarships from the chapter and the state’s top scholar-athlete, who will be announced at the event, will receive an additional scholarship.

Twelve state residents, including six game-day stadium crew members, will also be recognized during the banquet for their respective contributions to fandom, contributions to amateur football, and achievement in coaching and officiating. The banquet’s keynote address features former Wyoming and Purdue head football coach Joe Tiller, who retired from the Boilermakers at the conclusion of the 2008 collegiate season. Tiller retired to his home in northern Wyoming.

Wyoming Chapter President Mike Schutte said the finalists, both linemen and backs from each division, this year also includes representatives from the state’s new Six Man division. The finalists were chosen from a field of 73 nominations from prep coaches across the state, he said. Recognition as a Scholar-Athlete is based upon a combination of a player’s academic achievement, football skill and community involvement. Each nominee receives a certificate from the Wyoming Chapter.

Schutte said a capacity crowd is anticipated for the popular banquet. “We sold out the banquet last year and ticket sales are running strong again so far this year,” he said. “This is an exciting and motivational evening and anyone can attend.” Tickets are $30 and may be purchased by contacting Kermit or Wendy Sweeny in Worland at 307-347-2979.

The Wyoming Chapter of the NFF-CHF is the second largest, in terms of membership, out of 120 chapters nationwide.

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The Wyoming Chapter Selection Committee, based on the high number of outstanding nominations, chose as finalists, two backs from Class 1-A and two linemen from Class 4-A.

Finalists and Special Award Recipients are:

Class 1-A Six Man

Kyle Redding – Midwest High School – Lineman

Jon Borah – H.E.M. High School – Back

Class 1-A

Jordan Sparks - Cokeville High School – Lineman

Tanner May – Southeast High School – Back

Leland Pfeifer – Hulett High School – Back

Class 2-A

Eric Robinson - Kemmerer High School – Lineman

Colin Herold – Thermopolis High School – Back

Class 3-A

Quentin Kane – Douglas High School – Lineman

Pierre Etchemendy - Douglas High School – Back

Class 4-A

Chris Andrews – Green River High School – Lineman

Levi Henrie – Cheyenne Central High School – Lineman

Austin Woodward - Sheridan High School – Back

University of Wyoming

Weston Johnson –Linebacker

Russ Arnold – Center

Keith & Joyce Bloom Scholar-Athlete Courage Award

Bobby Anderson – Riverside High School

Scholar-Athlete Perseverance Award

Chuck Maike II – Wheatland High School

Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football

Dave Rangitsch – Saratoga

Bob Matson – Casper

Dennis Rate – Casper

Ed Rate – Casper

David Shutts – Casper

Bruce Heberlein – Casper

Matt Johnson - Casper

Greatest UW Football Fan

Sue Nelson – Laramie

Carrol Orrison – Casper

Greatest High School Football Fan

Lester Fatheree, Jr. – Kemmerer

Ox Zellner Football Official Career Achievement

Mike Harris – Riverton

Football Coach Career Achievement

Carl Mirich – Moorcroft

Biographies of Finalists and Award Recipients:

(MEDIA NOTE: Photos of each finalist and award recipient are available upon request. Please contact Mike Schutte at MShootee@)

DAVE RANGITSCH - Saratoga

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO AMATUER FOOTBALL

Growing up in Riverton, WY, Dave Rangitsch loved baseball, basketball and football. In baseball, Dave was a member of the State Little League Championship Team that went on to play in San Bernadino, CA. Quite an experience for a small town kid form Wyoming. Then his team won the State Senior Babe Ruth title and played in Pendleton, OR. In high school Dave was a 2-time letter winner for basketball, 3-time letter winner in football and was on a State Runner-Up team in 1973. Dave earned All-Conference football honors in 1975. After high school, Dave attended the University of Wyoming and graduated in 1981. He then became an elementary school teacher in 1981 at Saratoga Elementary. During is tenure there, he coached both middle school and high school football from 1985- 1994 before becoming the Principal at the school. Now very busy, he still found the time to work with the high school football coaches to incorporate using elementary students in creating a bond and mentorship with high school players. In conjunction with the high school student-athletes he created a reading day with the elementary students to ensure younger students would realize the importance of the “student before athletics” concept. So the athletes would read to them and then as a reward the elementary students would get to carry their helmets out to the starters as they were announced. Dave also had the high school players referee and coach flag football games building a positive influence from the older athletes to the younger ones. During the high school games, Dave has worked on the chain gang, taken stats, helped announce, spot, sold programs, and cheered on his beloved Panthers. In 2006 he was the major influence of starting the cities Youth Flag Football league in conjunction with the Saratoga town Recreation Department. Dave is currently working with a committee to provide lights for their field and is helping with all the fundraising efforts toward the project. Dave has been on the Saratoga Town Recreation Board for 23 years. He also has been a volunteer coach for little league baseball for 10 years and in junior golf for 5 years. Dave is married to his wife Barbara and they have 2 children. They enjoy fishing, hunting, rafting, 4-wheeling, attending sporting events, and, most importantly, spending time with family and friends.

BOB MATSON – Casper

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO AMATEUR FOOTBALL

As a member of the Natrona County HS Football Crew, Bob Matson has announced the Varsity football games for the last 27 years. He was the Shrine Bowl announcer for 11 years and emceed at the Shrine Bowl Banquet for 8 years. Bob helped with the construction of the football field and in 2003 stayed up through the night clearing snow off the field for their first round playoff game the next day, which was the ESPN Prep Highlight game. Bob played several sports in Jr. High and High School, but football became the one he was most passionate about while playing at Iowa City High School. He went on to play football at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota and lettered his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. His senior season he was the co-captain of a nationally ranked and undefeated team and was selected All-Conference. After college, Bob’s love of the game kept him close to it as he decided to go into teaching and coaching. He first coached football and basketball in Carpentersville, IL. From there he headed to the University of Idaho where he taught and coached football. He then taught and coached in Australia for a short time before moving to Casper and settling down. For the last 31 years, Bob has been a teacher and a coach at Natrona County High School, coaching football for 4 years, track for 21 years, and cross country skiing for 28 years. When Bob is not at the High School, you will find him volunteering his time in many other ways to the Casper Community. He is a member of the Casper Mountain Lions Club that maintains nature trails for visually impaired people. He is a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. Bob has skied 24 hours each year, for the past 8 years, for local causes and is a member of a group that has developed the ski area and natural area on Casper Mountain. Bob and his wife, Barb, have 2 children and enjoy the outdoors, sports, music and reading.

DENNIS RATE – Casper

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO AMATEUR FOOTBALL

As a member of the Natrona County HS Football Crew, Dennis Rate has operated the Time Clock for the Varsity football games for the last 28 years and the Shrine Bowl for 17 years. Dennis also coached and served on the board for the Midget Football program for over 15 years. He had one team, consisting of 15 boys and 1 girl, which went undefeated for two years and won two City Championships. Many of the midget players he coached went on to play football from Jr. High through High School and some went on to play in college. Dennis was an All-State football player in 1979 for Natrona High and played in the 1980 Shrine Bowl. He kicked a record 47 yard field goal in that game, which helped the North win 6-3. That record held up until June of 2009. Dennis also played on two consecutive American Legion State Baseball Championship teams in 1979-80. Dennis served as a board member of the Child Development Center of Natrona County for 5 years and is still a committee member. He has volunteered his time as a state track meet Field Official for several years. Dennis is married to Marla and is the President of Western Construction, Inc. He loves boating, fishing, camping, traveling and, believe it or not, yard work.

ED RATE – Casper

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO AMATEUR FOOTBALL

As a member of the Natrona County HS Football Crew, Ed Rate has operated the Score Board for the Varsity football games for the last 28 years and the Shrine Bowl for 17 years. He coached in the midget football program and severed on the board, being president for three years. He has also served for 25+ years as a timer and picker on the finish line at the State Track meets 20+ years as a timer and scorer at the State Wrestling Tournaments. Ed played high school football in Findlay, Ohio and was Co-Captain and MVP his senior year. He played his college ball at Case Institute of Technology. He was coached by Lou Saban. It was Lou’s first coaching job after retiring from the Cleveland Browns. Ed was the Outstanding Offensive player his junior year and Co-Captain and MVP his senior year. After college, Ed served honorably in the U.S. Navy (Seabees) for four years. He then worked for various firms in the construction industry from 1957-1974. In 1974 he formed his own company, Western Construction, Inc., which he ran until he retired in 2002, turning the reigns of the company over to his son, Dennis. He served for several years on both the Water & Sewer District Board and the Natrona County Planning & Zoning Commission. Ed is married to Susan and they have 2 daughters, 1 son, 4 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. He loves Fly-fishing when he isn’t contributing to sports programs or to the community.

DAVID SHUTTS – Casper

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO AMATEUR FOOTBALL

As a member of the Natrona County HS Football Crew, David Shutts has worked on the Chain Gang for the Varsity football games for the last 27 years and counting and started with the Shrine Bowl Chain Gang two years ago. David says, “Being a part of the Chain Gang has allowed me the experience of working with coaches from Art Hill to Steve Harshman and has allowed myself to be a part of some memorable seasons and games. It has given me the opportunity to support both players and coaches both on and off the field.” David coached both recreation and competitive league soccer for five years and served on the Garden Creek Volleyball Club Board of Directors. David is a graduate of Natrona High School and the University of Wyoming. He is employed at the Wyoming Medical Center. He is married to Perri and they have two children. He enjoys cross country running and mountain biking.

BRUCE HEBERLEIN – Casper

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO AMATEUR FOOTBALL

As a member of the Natrona County HS Football Crew, Bruce Herberlin has worked on the Chain Gang for the Varsity football games for 27 years and counting. He started with a group of friends that played football for Art Hill. His friends slowly dropped out, but he is still there enjoying working for Mustang football. “Being on the sidelines enables you to hear opposing players and coaches trying to work a game plan and you get to talk with referees about calls and penalties,” Bruce stated. “It has been great to watch the competitive spirit and sportsmanship of the players on both teams. A basketball player, Bruce was the City League Basketball representative at the local Recreation Center for over 20 years and has served on various other boards at the Center. Bruce has been a self-employed painting contractor for 32 years. A Natrona High graduate, Bruce is married to Marla and they have 2 children and 5 grandchildren.

MATT JOHNSON – Casper

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO AMATEUR FOOTBALL

As a member of the Natrona County HS Football Crew, Matt Johnson has been one of the Statisticians for the Varsity football games for the last 29 years. He also coached and refereed in the Casper Midget Football program for a few years in the 1980’s. Matt played football and basketball at Thermopolis High School. He was a 145 lb starting offensive guard on the 1970 undefeated team. Many of his teammates went on to play and coach at a higher level. Matt blew his knee in a sand lot football game, which ended his career. He attended UW and received his BS in Business Management in 1976. He is currently the Vice President at River-Rail Community Federal Credit Union in Casper. He has helped in the community by serving meals at the Central Wyoming Rescue Mission, did some construction work on a north Casper church and helped his church move several local families in need. His friends tell him there is a hammer calling his name at the Habitat for Humanity when he retires. He is married to Nancy and they have 3 children and 2 grandchildren. He enjoys golf, camping, gardening and anything else that takes him outdoors so he can chase his grandchildren.

SUE NELSON – Laramie

GREATEST UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING FOOTBALL FAN

Sue Nelson has seen it all when it comes to Wyoming Athletics. Since 1966, she has attended about 600 football and men’s and women’s basketball games. Rain, snow, or shine, she is there to support her beloved Cowboy’s. Sue not only goes to the games, she gets personally involved with the coaches, players and parents. Before each game she waits outside the Rochelle Center and supports the players as they come out to take the field. After the games, win or lose, she visits with the players on the field and then waits for the players to come out of the locker room to give them words of encouragement and console them after losses. Sue not only attends the home games but many of the away games as well, cheering on the Pokes at BYU, Air Force, CSU, UNLV, San Diego State, New Mexico, Utah, Georgia, Texas A&M, Nebraska, and Tennessee. She attended the Holiday Bowl in 1987 and was well on her way to the Las Vegas Bowl until her airplane slid off the runway and put a damper on that trip. She is a frequent caller to both the football and basketball coaches shows, always offering support. She has written many positive editorials to the local papers and several letters to the coaches. Sue is a long time Cowboy Joe Member and has volunteered her time with the Cowboy Joe Blitz since 2002, the same year she was voted the Cowboy Joe Newcomer of the year! In 2006, Sue was honored as “The Fan for Life” during a UW football game and in 2008 was the honorary coach during the Spring Game. Sue is also a huge basketball fan, and in 2008, Coach Schroyer let her talk to the team before departing for the Mountain West Tournament. Sue has been employed at the Mountain West Farm Bureau for 29 ½ years and is presently working on a degree at LCCC. She volunteers with various projects in the community as a Farm Bureau employee. She has also been involved in helping promote the adoption of greyhound dogs in Colorado. Sue’s husband passed away in 2006 and she has one child and one grandchild who are very proud of her! She enjoys writing, photography, traveling and, of course, attending UW Athletic events! Wyoming has the greatest fans in the country, and Sue Nelson is one of the greatest of all!

CARROL ORRISON – Casper

GREATEST UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING FOOTBALL FAN

Carrol Orrison graduated from Cheyenne High School in 1946 and was then off to the University of Wyoming. Since arriving at UW in 1947, Carrol has only missed 6 home football games in 63 years! Traveling from Casper, he brings a charter bus with anywhere from 10 – 20 Cowboy Fans to every home football game and the Saturday basketball games. If there is a Broncos game, you will see the same bus tailgating at Invesco Field. You can always spot him in his gold shirt, long rider coat, white cowboy hat, and white beard. When Wyoming changed its colors to prairie gold, Carrol was not a happy fan! “I never switched. I refused to wear the new colors,” said Orrison. “I would show up with the brightest yellow shirt I could wear to everything I went to!” He is now very happy that the Pokes have gone away with the new and back to the old. Along with being at every game, Carrol has made numerous donations to UW athletics including the Rochelle Center and the Coaches Office Fund. He has donated up to $10,000 a year, in items, for the Cowboy Joe Auction since its inception. Carrol is an avid flyer and, at one time, provided aircraft to the coaches for their speaking and recruiting trips for 10 years. Carrol has been honored as the Cowboy Fan of the Year by the athletic department and the Cowboy Joe Club. Carrol served in the United States Marine Corp and served as a Wyoming State Legislator for 6 years. He is the owner of Casper Beverage and has 2 children, 3 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

LESTER FATHEREE JR. – Kemmerer

GREATEST WYOMING HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL FAN

Lester Fatheree said, “I played football and basketball in the seventh grade, where I was notable for my small statute and slow speed.” In the eighth grade he had to choose between football and band. He was better at playing the trombone, so his football career was over. Lester may not have been blessed with the size and speed to be a football player, but that didn’t stop his passion for the game. Lester moved to the Kemmerer community 18 years ago from East Texas where football is the biggest show around. When he relocated to Kemmerer he began attending the Ranger’s football games because he had several teens from his congregation who played for Kemmerer High School. He has attended every home game/meet/tournament possible for football, basketball, volleyball, swimming, wrestling, and golf. He travels to away games for football, basketball and volleyball. He has missed very few games over the years. “If I didn’t have to make a living,” he says, “I would never miss any of the sporting events!” If he can’t attend he will listen on the radio. Lester has been the sports reporter for the Kemmerer Gazette for the past 8 years. He looks forward, with great anticipation, to each football season. He reports on the football camp held every summer and does a preview of the season before the first game. He is on a first name basis with all of the coaches, players, their siblings, and parents. He tries to feature as many players as possible in all of his stories. Lester says he loves writing about high school sports because there is nothing like it. Lester owns several red and black shirts and Rangers’ caps and proudly dons them at every game. He recalls a volleyball player tossing him a t-shirt for being their “number one fan.” He put the shirt on over the one he was wearing, right there in the stands. That is where he draws the line, though. “I’ve never considered taking my shirt off and painting myself red and black,” he laughs. He can talk for hours, not only about the statistics and game details, but also about what makes them important. Lester says that fans sometimes forget that their team’s opponents are kids just like their own. “They’re just kids and they need our support,” he said. For him, the other side of that coin is supporting his home team in defeat as well as victory. “Let them know, even when they lose, that they’re ours, and we’re proud of them,” he says. Lester is a graduate of Howard Payne University and received his Masters from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Besides being a sports writer, Lester is a case worker for NOWCAP Financial Literacy. He has sold real estate and has pastored churches for over 30 years. He was the co-founder of “The Chocolate Shoppe/Teen Center” and still serves on the board. He helps with 4H Judging and the Salvation Army. Lester is also a member of the Kemmerer Ministerial Alliance. Lester and his wife Kay have 3 children and enjoy fishing, golfing and reading.

MIKE HARRIS - Riverton

OX ZELLNER FOOTBALL OFFICIAL CAREER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Mike Harris has officiated high school football for 25 years, including 15 State Championship games and over 45 playoff games. He has been the rules interpreter for Wyoming high school football for 14 years and has been the clinician for the referee position at the Football Mechanics Clinics since their inception in 1997. Mike was named Wyoming’s Football Official of the Year two times and was inducted into the Wyoming Officials Hall of Fame. Mike attended St. Stephens High School and was one of their greatest athletes. He was All-State in both football and basketball his junior and senior years. The St. Stephens High School Basketball teams of 1959 and 1960 were 53-1, 2-time State Champions and won 49 straight games, a record at that time. Those teams were inducted into the Wyoming Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. Mike is also a member of the Wyoming Coaches Association Hall of Fame and he has been a starter at the Wyoming State Track Meet for the last five years. Mike shared this story: “I was umpiring a varsity football game and got hit by a quick pass over the middle, so the pass was incomplete. One of the players on offense asked me why they didn’t get to replay the down and I explained that I was part of the field and I was just too old to get out of the way. As he turned to walk away he said, “Then why don’t you quit?” I thought about that for about one second.” Wyoming football is glad Mike didn’t quit and is still involved. Mike was a math teacher for 37 years in Riverton and was Head Football Coach for 1 year, Head Basketball Coach for 17 years and Head Track Coach for 7 years. Mike has been married to Carolyn for 41 years and they have two married daughters and 5 grandchildren. Carolyn just happens to be the sister of Carl Mirich, who is also being honored tonight. When Mike has a little spare time, he enjoys playing golf and babysitting his grandchildren.

CARL MIRICH – Moorcroft

FOOTBALL COACH CAREER ACIEVEMENT AWARD

In Wyoming, you can mention the name Carl Mirich in any football circle and they will know the man you are talking about. That’s because Carl retired in 2003 after coaching football for 38 years; 6 years as an assistant and 32 years as a head coach, compiling a record of 154-115-2. But football wasn’t the only sport he coached. He was a boys basketball head coach for 27 years, girls basketball head coach for 5 years, head track coach for 27 years and head golf coach for 7 years! Carl played basketball at Sheridan College for two years before transferring to Black Hills State University where he played football, basketball, baseball, and track for 2 years and wrestled for 1 year. In 1963 Carl lettered in all five college sports and was the Athlete of the Year. He held the single season basketball shooting percentage record from 1963 – 1990. Carl earned his Masters Degree from Black Hills State in 1972 and was inducted into the BHSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993. Carl’s football coaching career began at Prairie City H.S. in Oregon, where he coached a 9-man football team from 1963 – 1969. In 1968 his team was the State runner-up with a record of 11-2 and he was voted runner-up Coach of the Year out of 108 coaches and had two players go on to play college football. Carl then moved to Goshen Hole, WY and coached from 1970-1974, starting with a 1-7 record his first year and then going 4-4, 5-3, and 6-2 in his final season. He then moved on to Midwest, Wyoming as an assistant defensive coach and helped Dallas Hoff rebuild a football program that led to two state championships in 1979 and 1980. Carl became the head coach at Moorcroft in 1980. In his 23 years as the Moorcroft Head Coach, Carl led his team to 6 Conference Championships and a State Championship in 1996 with a record of 10-0. That year he also earned Super 25 Coach of the Year and was the Wyoming State Coach of the Year. He earned the Powder River Conference Coach of the Year honors 8 times. Marv, Carl’s son, told us this story, “My day cared a great deal about coaching and his players. When I was young he would bring players over to our house to go over plays. He would use pennies on the floor to go over the plays, especially with the quarterbacks. He was, however, very “old school” and set in his ways. When I was in high school we always were asking if we could get "rip-away" basketball warm-ups. He would always say "you hot dogs ought to worry about winning games and not being clowns." My senior year we won conference in football, basketball and track. The only class to win all 3 in the same year. The next year the basketball team got rip-away sweats for warm-ups!!” Carl has belonged to the Lions Club, coached American Legion Baseball, and started the Northeast Wyoming Baseball program along with Jake Shiller. An avid golfer, Carl helps sponsor the Junior Golf Program at Keyhole Country Club in Pine Haven Wyoming and donates golf clubs to the yearly Junior Golf Tournament. Carl lives in Pine Haven with his wife Deanna. They have 3 boys, George, Rock and Marvin. They also have 6 grandchildren and they love spending time watching their sporting events. He is also an avid gardener and someday will spend his time in his dream green house!

ROBERT “BOBBY” ANDERSON - #56

RIVERSIDE HIGH SCHOOL – KEITH & JOYCE BLOOM COURAGE AWARD WINNER

In 2006, as a freshman, Bobby Anderson impressed the coaches enough to earn some playing time on the varsity Special Teams. During the varsity’s season opener he played every down on special teams and saw a little time at running back. The coaches liked what they saw and knew that Bobby was going to be a major contributor during the season. The next day, at a JV game in Wind River, he tore the ACL in his right knee. He was finished for the season and had a full ACL replacement surgery. Bobby worked hard in the off season rehabbing his knee. His sophomore season arrived and Bobby started every game at defensive end and tight end, for the 2007 2A-State Championship team. In the Championship game he recorded a sack, a fumble recovery and a big fourth quarter reception to help his team win. That same year, in wrestling, he was the State Runner-up at 215 lbs despite weighing closer to 205 lbs. Bobby’s junior season started and during two-a-days, the coaches noticed he was having trouble recovering after conditioning drills. In week two, Bobby really struggled during the Varsity game and he told the coaching staff he felt sluggish and exhausted all the time, no matter how much rest he was able to get. The coaches recommended he see a doctor, which he did, and after blood tests it was discovered his blood was extremely low in iron. That caused him to be anemic, which in turn led to him being very lethargic and unable to recover from any physical exertion. He began to receive iron through an IV on a weekly basis, which gave him more energy, but his body was still not back to normal. The treatments continued the rest of the season and Bobby only missed one game and his play improved on a daily basis. In February of 2009, Bobby went to Billings Montana and underwent a colonoscopy, an arthroscopy, and a cat scan of his liver. He was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, which is ulcers in the colon, and Primary Sclerosing Colitis Liver Disease. They recommended he make an appointment at the Mayo Clinic. At the Mayo Clinic they ran more tests and did an ultrasound on his liver and were officially able to confirm that he had the PSC Liver Disease. He was given a prescription to control it. Bobby returned for his senior season and was back to his old self. He was voted team captain by his teammates and led 1A defensive linemen in defensive points. Bobby earned All-State and All-Conference honors. “During his high school career, Bobby has endured many hardships but has met each one with courage and a great attitude!” said Coach McGuire. “His teammates truly look up to him and he has a great ability to lead people. His positive attitude rubs off on both his peers and his coaches and has made him such a valuable part of our football program!” Bobby also participates in wrestling and track. In the classroom he ranks 4th in a class of 23 with a 3.7 GPA and score of 19 on the ACT. He is a member of the National Honor Society, FCCLA, Student Council and Spanish Club. Bobby plans to attend Casper Community College and is undecided on his major. His proud parents are Bo Miles and Charlene Anderson.

CHUCK MAIKE II - # 74

WHEATLAND HIGH SCHOOL – PERSEVERANCE AWARD WINNER

When Chuck Maike II, was in elementary school he went to his first Wheatland High School Varsity football game. There the dream began of being one of those players, under the lights, with screaming fans, family and friends. Chuck began playing flag football then, and his love for the game continued to grow. In 7th grade, he went out for tackle football and had a great, injury free season. All that changed the next year. Two days before his 8th grade football season was to begin, Chuck tore the ACL in his left knee, his season over before it even started. Disappointed but determined to play in 9th grade he began rehabilitation and showed up the next year for freshman football. After making it through two-a-days and getting some time in the Blue and Gold Scrimmage game, Chuck broke his right forearm and was casted for 8 weeks, preventing him from once again playing the game he loved. He chose to stay with the team as a manager, and took care of the helmet repairs, stats and water as well as giving moral support to his teammates. He knew his sophomore year he would be playing, so he studied the playbook and paid close attention to each game to prepare. Chuck lifted weights all summer, dreaming of his sophomore year. Then early in the season misfortune struck again and he suffered a torn MCL in his right knee and reinjured the ACL in his left knee. Once again, Chuck wanted to do whatever he could to help the team so he took over manager duties once again. After the season he had surgery to reconstruct his ACL using a graft from his right knee. “It was super hard to deal with, but luckily I had tons of support from coaches, friends and my parents!” said Maike. During the offseason he rehabbed both knees and once again hit the weight room. Coach Scott Schultz, put him to work on the hip sled, ladder drill and everything you could think of to get him back in playing shape. Chuck’s junior year arrived and he finally played a full JV season for the Bulldogs, injury free. With his senior season right around the corner, Chuck worked very hard in the weight room, and never missed a clinic or camp. His senior season started and at 6’, 226 lbs, Chuck earned the starting position at center for the Bulldogs. He ended the season earning Lineman of the Year honors. “Chuck is a rare young man who has refused to be left behind from injuries he had sustained playing this game of football.” said Coach Schultz. “His teammates have been inspired by his persistence, desire, determination and support! Chuck maintained his high spirit and let it flow from him and spread it to others when they wanted to lay back. He is a player that has touched the hearts and minds of all that surround him!” Chuck had this to say about that last year: “After lifting all summer, every summer, it finally came down to my last season. There was no way I could get hurt. After all the hard work put in by my teammates and coaches, I had vowed to push and give my all. After it was all over, I’m proud to have played with my team, glad that my coach didn’t give up on me and thankful to be a Wheatland Bulldog!” Chuck also participated in track, basketball, and wrestling in high school, earning 4 Varsity Letters. In the classroom he ranks 40th in a class of 90 with a 3.5 GPA. He has been on the honor roll every semester in high school. He gives back to the community by participating in highway clean up and volunteering at the recycling center. Chuck plans to attend the University of Wyoming to study, you guessed it, Physical Therapy! His proud parents are Chuck and Barb Maike.

KYLE REDDING #73

MIDWEST HIGH SCHOOL – 1A-6 LINEMAN

A 6’, 185lb tight end on offense and linebacker on defense, Kyle Redding has been playing both sides of the ball for the last three years. His sophomore year his team had 15 players for an 11 man squad. His team was small but Kyle was a little larger than the other players so his coach, Ken Sweiter, convinced him to play on the line. His team took a beating that year going 0-8. After a season like that Kyle at first thought he had enough of football and would focus on basketball. But after listening to his coach and teammates, he decided playing was what would be best for his school and team. It was a decision that Kyle was glad he made. Kyle’s career stats include 90 pass receptions for 1,039 yards, 19 carries for 187 yards, 203 total tackles and 4 interceptions. Coach Ken Sweiter stated, “To sum up what kind of player Kyle is can be done in one word....Competitive. He was the team leader and did whatever was necessary for the team to do their best.” His senior year Kyle earned 1st team All-State and All Conference honors as well as the 6-Man Defensive Player of the Year, Powder River Conference Player of the Year, Team MVP and Super 25 Honorable Mention. Kyle also earned All-Conference Honors in Basketball and was the team’s Defensive MVP his junior year. He will graduate with 6 varsity letters, 3 in football and 3 in basketball. In the classroom Kyle ranks 6th in a class of 29, with a 3.26 GPA and a score of 22 on the ACT. He has been a member of the Student Council for 3 years. When Kyle isn’t on the field or at school he is working. He has had a full time job since he was 12 years old. Kyle is known for his community involvement as well, always being willing to step up to help the elderly, needy, friends, family and co-workers. Kyle plans to attend LCCC first and then the University of Wyoming to study Agricultural Business. He would like to play basketball in college. His proud mom is Maxine Redding.

JON BORAH #32

H.E.M HIGH SCHOOL – 1A-6 BACK

At 5’8” and 155lbs, you could say of Jon Borah, that dynamite comes in small packages. From the linebacker position his senior year, Jon recorded 143 tackles, 3 blocked kicks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 safety and 1 touchdown. He has earned 1st Team All-State and All Conference honors both his junior and senior years. As a Team Captain this year, Jon lead his team in tackles and in one game he sacked the quarterback causing a fumble, which he then recovered and ran back for a touchdown. “Jon was an excellent leader for our team this year. His work ethic in practice rubbed off on many of the young players. He was willing to do whatever was asked of him, without question or complaint” said his coach Tom Waring. After a game in which Jon had 22 tackles, coach Waring asked Jon how he prepared himself for such an excellent performance. Jon’s answer, “I spent about three hours this morning just riding around on my horse.” Jon is also on the track and wresting teams. He will graduate with 12 varsity letters, 4 each in football, track, and wrestling. In the classroom, Jon ranks 1st in a class of 20, with a 3.9 GPA and a score of 25 on the ACT. He is the president and 3 year member of the National Honor Society as well as president of FBLA. Jon also earned All-State in choir his sophomore year. He has been a volunteer firefighter for one year and has earned the honor of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. Jon has been accepted to attend the Air Force Academy and hopes to play one of the sports, he loves, in college. He will study Civil Engineering. His proud parents are Gary and Sheila Borah.

JORDAN SPARKS #65

COKEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL – 1A LINEMAN

At 5’10” and 160lbs, Jordan Sparks has been going up against players that are bigger and stronger his whole career, but that hasn’t stopped him from getting the job done. A Super 25 Honorable Mention at outside linebacker, Jordan earned 1st Team All-State and All Conference honors his junior and senior seasons, and 2nd Team All-State, 1st Team All-Conference his sophomore season. In three years for the Panthers he has had 32 unassisted tackles, 103 assisted tackles, 20 sacks, 15 tackles for a loss, 6 fumble recoveries and 4 interceptions. A team captain his senior year, his coach, Todd Dayton said, “Jordan is never out worked and always puts the team ahead of his own desires!” Jordan also excels on the track. He has earned All-State honors for 3 years, and at the 2009 State Championships he won the 110 Hurdles and the 1600 Relay. Jordan also is a member of the basketball team. He will graduate with 12 varsity letters with 4 each in football, basketball and track. In the classroom Jordan ranks 4th in a class of 18 with a 3.9 GPA and a score of 24 on the ACT. He was the sophomore class president and is presently the student body president. A 3-year member of the National Honor Society, he has been on the “A” Honor Roll 4 years and was the Student Citizen of the Month 3 times. Jordan is also a member of Pep Club, Show Choir, Pep Band, Student Government, and Junior Legislature. He has been in the school musical for 4 years and, in the leading roll his senior year, won the best actor award. He was a Boys State Delegate, a Hugh O’Brian Leadership Delegate, is President of the Stake Youth Committee and an Eagle Scout. Jordon gives back to the community by volunteering in the Humanitarian Aid Project, Highway Clean up, Blood Drives, Subs for Santa, Thanksgiving Widow/Widower Baskets, and snow removal for the elderly. He plans to attend Utah State University to study Pre-Law and is undecided on whether he will play sports. His proud parents are John and Debbie Sparks.

TANNER MAY #32

SOUTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL – 1A BACK

Breaking records was not on Tanner May’s mind when he started football his freshman year, but break records he did. In doing so, he helped lead his team to 4 straight State Championships, with a combined record of 40-4! The 5’10”, 160lb running back, broke the Southeast All-Time Career Rushing Record with 3,091 Yards and 36 rushing TD’s in his career. His senior season he rushed for 1348 yards on 190 carries and 16 TD’s. He also ran two kickoffs back for TD’s. He had a career 4204 All Purpose yards and 46 TD’s. The Team Captain, Tanner, a Super 25 1st Team pick as a senior, also earned 1st Team All-State and All-Conference honors his junior and senior year, as well as 1st Team All-Conference his sophomore year. He was named the 1A Offensive Player of the Year both his junior and senior seasons. “I have never met a young man with as much talent and who works as hard a Tanner does,” stated his coach, Mark Bullington. “If we needed a big play on either side of the back, sooner or later, Tanner would deliver.” Tanner also participates in wrestling where he is a two time state qualifier and in track where he has been an All-State competitor for two years. In the classroom Tanner ranks 7th in a class of 24, with a 3.94 GPA and a score of 22 on the ACT. He is a member of the National Honor Society, President’s Education Award Program, and Student Council. He is heavily involved in FFA, is a Dare Role Model Spokesman, and was a Sr. Homecoming Attendant. He gives back to the community through FFA projects, Student Council Projects and the Yoder Youth Group. He also works full time on his family farm in the summer. He plans to attend Chadron State, Blackhills State, Mesa State or the University of Wyoming to play football and study engineering. His proud parents are Randy and Tracy May.

LELAND PFEIFER #33

HULETT HIGH SCHOOL – 1A BACK

A 3-time All-State and All-Conference linebacker and fullback, Leland Pfeifer has been knocking down the opposition for a long time. The Super 25 Honorable Mention, had 139 tackles, leading the state his senior season. He also recovered four fumbles. His junior year he recorded 127 tackles and, his sophomore year, another 125 tackles, leading the conference both years. He was team captain his last two years. Coach Steve Colling stated, “Leland is one of the hardest working people I have ever taught or coached. When I say hardworking, I mean in and out of the classroom. He never misses a weight workout, sports workout or class meeting.” Leland also excels in wrestling with two state championships and two Championships in the Ron Thon Tournament. Track is his other venue where the 6’ 215lber earned All-State honors, the last two years, with two second place finishes in the Discus and is currently the State Champion in the Shot-put. Leland will graduate with 12 varsity letters, with 4 in each sport. In the class room Leland ranks 6th in a class of 28, with a 3.7 GPA and a score of 23 on the ACT, including 3 AP classes. He has served on the student council and was the freshman and sophomore class president. He is involved in FFA and mentors Junior High students in math and reading. He also coaches Elementary kids in wrestling every spring and helps out his neighbors with their brandings and other projects they need help with. Leland plans on attending the University of Wyoming with a hope to play football or wrestle for the Pokes, while studying Science/Geology. His proud parents are Bill and Jeani Pfeifer.

ERIC ROBINSON #54

KEMMERER HIGH SCHOOL – 2A LINEMAN

At 6’4” and 235lbs, Eric Robinson is a force to reckoned with. A man of many roles on the Rangers, Eric plays offensive and defensive line, and takes care of both the punting and kicking duties. In his career at Kemmerer he has amassed 113 assisted tackles, 47 unassisted tackles, 28 tackles for a loss, 10.5 sacks, 7 fumble recoveries, 23 forced fumbles, and 1 blocked kick. In the kicking game he had 24 punts, averaging 34.9 yards, and 16 kick offs averaging 44.3 yards. His proud parents are Karl and Julie Robinson.

COLIN HEROLD #12

THERMOPOLIS HIGH SCHOOL – 2A BACK

At 6’3” and 175lbs, Colin Herold has been catching balls on the football field and basketball court for the last two years. A Super 25 2nd-Team honoree, Colin is a 2-time All-State and All-Conference Wide Receiver and Safety. His senior season he had 895 yards on 54 receptions with 9 TD’s. Handling the punt and kick off return duties he averaged 9.1 yards per punt return and 18.1 yards per kick return. His career defense totals include 106 assisted tackles, 77 unassisted, 10 blocked punts, and 10 interceptions. His junior year he played quarterback, throwing for 499 yards on 134 attempts and 54 completions with 1 TD. Colin was the teams MVP in 2009 as well as a team captain. Coach Chuck Syverson said “Colin is one of the top receivers in the state and had several key catches that propelled us to the state championship. He has been instrumental to our team’s work ethic, attitude and success!” Colin also excels in basketball where he was an All-State honoree his junior year and was the leading scorer in the conference, leading them to the Conference Championship. Track is his other venue where he is also an All-State competitor and current State Champion in the 110 Meter High Hurdles. In the classroom, Colin ranks 2nd in a class of 47 with a 3.98 GPA, including 10 AP classes, and a score of 27 on the ACT. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Boys State, Student Council, KEY Club, S.T.A.N.D. Club, FCCLA, Close-Up Program, and the R.E.A.D.Y. Tutoring Program. He gives back to the community by coaching and helping with youth sports in town, highway clean ups, reading to youth, and counseling youth on drug and alcohol prevention. Colin is undecided where he will attend college but the University of Wyoming and Stanford are his top choices. He would like to play one of his sports in college. His proud parents are Greg and Lisa Herold.

QUENTIN KANE #78

DOUGLAS HIGH SCHOOL – 3A LINEMAN

A member of the 2008 and 2009 Back to Back State Champion Bearcats, Quentin Kane had quite a senior year. At 6’1” and 230lbs, he closed holes down on defense and opened them up on offense. A Super 25 1st –Team honoree, Quentin was 1st-Team All-State and All –Conference his senior year and 1st-Team All-Conference his junior year. He was the starting left tackle on this year’s squad that led the 3A Class in offense with 399.5 yards per game. His coach, Jay Rhodes, said: “Quentin has the best feet and technique of any offensive lineman that I have coached. He was tenacious on his blocks often driving his man five to ten yards downfield. His love and enthusiasm for the game was inspiring not only to players but to the coaching staff as well. His leadership, attitude and scholastic ability exemplify what a scholar-athlete is all about.” Quentin also participates in wrestling and track for the Bearcats, and will graduate with 8 varsity letters. In the classroom, he ranks 1st in a class of 104 with a 4.0 GPA and a score of 27 on the ACT. Quentin participates in Skills USA. He gives back to the community by volunteering to mow and shovel elderly citizen’s yards and walks, helping with the Track and Field Summer games for the Wyoming Special Olympics and helping with the Special Olympics Golf team. He also has a love for drag racing and won the high school class last year. Quentin is undecided as to where he will go to college but would like to study Optometry. His proud parents are Rich and Renee Kane.

PIERRE ETCHEMENDY # 6

DOUGLAS HIGH SCHOOL – 3A BACK

Not many running backs in high school top the 1,000 yard mark in a season, and only a select few top the 2,000 yard mark. Well Pierre Etchemendy is one of those few. The 2-time Super 25 1st Team honoree, carried the ball 200 times for 2,036 yards and 29 TD’s his senior season, breaking the school records for both and leading the Bearcats to their second straight State Championship. He led the state in rushing in the 3A Class. He also had 107 tackles and 180 defensive points which was 6th in the state. He had a career 263 tackles and 470.5 defensive points. A team captain, Pierre earned 1st Team All-State and All-Conference honors his junior and senior seasons. His coach Jay Rhoades said, “Pierre was the leader of our undefeated state championship team and strives for excellence in everything he does on and off the field.” Pierre also knows how it feels to be a champion in wrestling, winning the title last year at 171 lbs and earning All-State honors. He earned All-State honors in track his junior year with a 2nd in the discus and 1st in the 4x100. In the classroom he ranks 1st in a class of 106 with a 4.0 GPA, including 6 AP classes, and a score of 24 on the ACT. He was Class President as a freshman and sophomore, Executive Board Treasurer as a junior and the Senior Class Representative. He is a member of the National Honor Society and the DHS Mentor Program. Pierre gives back to the community by participating in trash clean up, reading to kids, spending time with elementary school kids, Christmas gift giving, and canned food drives. Pierre plans to attend Chadron State College to study Ag-Business or Design & Technology and will be playing football. He works on the family ranch each summer and loves riding horses. His proud parents are George and Jeannie Etchemendy.

CHRIS ANDREWS #70

GREENRIVER HIGH SCHOOL – 4A LINEMAN

A tackle on both offense and defense, Chris Andrews, suffered a torn MCL in the sixth game of his junior year for the Wolves. He battled back and his senior season was named a team captain and earned 1st Team All-State and All-Conference honors as well as a Super 25 Honorable Mention. At 6’1” and 230lbs, Chris still earned All-Conference honors his junior year playing only 6 games, and was an All-State Honorable Mention his sophomore year. “Chris has always been relentless in his work ethic and his leadership. He instilled an expectation in our team that has led to a very successful off season program” said his coach, Darren Howard. In the classroom Chris ranks #1 in a class of 168 with a 4.0 GPA, including 5 AP classes, and a score of 32 on the ACT! He is a member of the National Honor Society. Chess anyone? Don’t play Chris, as he has won the High School Division State Championship 4 years in a row. Forensics is his other game where he is the team captain, a National Forensic League All-American; ranked 1st in Wyoming and 15th nationally. He has won 10 tournament championships in Lincoln-Douglas Debate and 11 in Extemporaneous Speaking. In 2009, Chris was elected Mayor at Boys State and was one of two participants selected to attend Boys Nation where he was the first Wyoming representative to be elected President of Boys Nation! Chris gives back to the community by participating in Coats for Kids, Adopt A Highway, coaching pee wee football, and Sweetwater County Wellness Fair volunteer. Chris plans to attend Notre Dame or Michigan State to study Chemical or Nuclear Engineering. His proud parents are Dale and Loretta Andrews.

LEVI HENRIE # 55

CHEYENNE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL – 4A LINEMAN

Going to school in Florida his freshman and sophomore years, Levi Henrie, was a CHS Indian. When his dad, who’s in the Air Force, moved to Cheyenne his junior year he was once again a CHS Indian and just had to change his colors from green to red. At 6’1”, 230lbs, Levi was chosen as the Class 4A Lineman of the Year. A Super 25 1st –Team honoree, he also earned 1st –Team All-State and All-Conference honors. A tackle on both sides of the ball, he had a career 110 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, 9 sacks, 2 blocked kicks and 1 safety. “Levi brought toughness and grit to the field of play and to our other players and we would not have been in the position to win the state title game if he was not part of our program” said his coach, Brick Cegelski. In the classroom Levi ranks #1 in a class of 411 with a 4.0 GPA, including 6 AP classes, and a score of 33 on the ACT. He participated in the “We the People” competition and his team took 2nd Place. He competed in the National Knowledge Bowl while in Florida, with 3 other students, and they took 11th place in the nation. Levi has given back to the community by helping with hurricane clean up while in Florida, being a referee for youth basketball and football, restoring a handicap accessible van for a disabled man, building a brick fence for his church and leading a Church Youth Group, which regularly visits the elderly, sends care packages and cleans up yards. Levi attended an early morning Bible study class, Monday through Friday, all four years of high school. Levi is undecided on where he will attend college but wants to study Law and play football. His proud parents are Shawn and Dixie Henrie.

AUSTIN WOODWARD #4

SHERIDAN HIGH SCHOOL – 4A BACK

The 2009 Gatorade Wyoming Football Player of the Year, Austin Woodward led the Broncs to the State Championship playing 3 positions; quarterback, linebacker and punter. A 2-time Super 25 1st Team selection, he earned 1st Team All-State and All-Conference honors. Austin was the 5A-4A Offensive Player of the Year both his junior and senior years and the Super 25 Defensive Player of the Year in 2009. Austin put up big numbers his senior season completing 156 of 252 passes for 1,810 yards and 15 TD’s. He also rushed 181 times for 1,023 yards and 13 TD’s ending up with 2,833 all-purpose yards and 28 TD’s! As a punter his average was 41 yards. Defensively he ended with 140 defensive points. Austin ended his career with 6,659 all-purpose yards and 371 defensive points. “I have coached for 19 years, and Austin is the finest football player, both in character and physical ability I have ever coached!” said coach, Don Julian. Austin also earned All-State and All-Conference honors in basketball and track his junior year where he won the State Championship in the 4 x 100 relay. He will graduate with 10 varsity letters. In the classroom, Austin ranks 14th in a class of 207, with a 4.0 GPA, including 2 AP classes, and a score of 26 on the ACT. He is a member of the National Honor Society, FCA and was the 2009 Homecoming King. He was the Summit Award winner and lettered academically all 4 years of high school. Austin gives back to the community by being a peer instructor in a P.E. class for physically and mentally challenged students, working with the youth football program and volunteering at the county fairgrounds. Austin plans to attend the University of Wyoming to study Engineering and play football. His proud parents are Gene and Pamela Woodward.

RUSS ARNOLD #70

UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING – CENTER

Russ Arnold took over as Wyoming’s starting center in 2009.  He started all 13 games his senior season, and started 29 career games as a Cowboy, including 3 games as a redshirt freshman.  New offensive line coach, Pete Kaligis, stated, “I came in and met Russ when school started on January 11, 2009. His poise began in the weight room. With the weight room numbers he put up and how he led drills was amazing. He did a great job of taking charge.” The respect he had from his teammates was evident when he was voted one of four team captains as a senior.  Arnold earned Second Team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VII honors in ‘09, achieving a 3.31 cumulative grade-point average in business administration.  He played both center and offensive guard during his career, and was responsible for anchoring the Wyoming offense in its new no-huddle, spread formation in ‘09.  He earned Academic All-Mountain West Conference honors for the fourth time in his Wyoming career.  In the community, Russ assist with a Northglenn and Laramie Youth Football Camps, helped build a home with Habitat for Humanity and works with Elementary students. Russ was one of the top offensive linemen in the state of Colorado his high school senior season of 2004.  He was named First Team All-Colorado as an offensive lineman for all classifications by The Denver Post.  He also earned First Team All-Class 5A by The Denver Post.  The Rocky Mountain News selected him First Team All-Class 5A, and named him Second Team All-Colorado for all classifications.   Arnold was also an outstanding wrestler. Russ graduated from UW in December, 2009 with a BS in Business Administration. He is currently working in Denver as a Financial Professional. His proud parents are Barbara and Grant Arnold. 

WESTON JOHNSON #36

UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING – LINEBACKER

Weston Johnson was the emotional leader of the Wyoming defense in 2009.  His teammates showed the confidence they had in Johnson when they voted him a team captain for the ‘09 season.  Johnson played in 46 career games during his career and started 25.  As a senior, he ranked 5th in the MWC and 53rd in the nation with 106 tackles. 13 tackles for losses ranked him 5th in the MWC and 61st in the nation.  Johnson also tied for the team lead in interceptions, with three.   Johnson recorded four double-figure tackle games in ’09 including 12 vs. No. 4 ranked TCU.  He finished his career with 229 total tackles, including 20 tackles for losses and 3 interceptions. He received the “Iron Man Award” and was voted the “Most Inspirational Player” by his teammates. During the spring of 2009, Johnson was recognized by the UW College of Business as its top Senior Marketing Student.  Coach Christensen stated, “It is our goal to have our players excel on the field and in the classroom. For Weston to win this award is something we are very, very proud of.” In the fall of 2009, he was named a Second Team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VII selection as he achieved a 3.47 cumulative GPA in marketing.  He also was named Academic All-Mountain West Conference for the fourth time in his college career. In the community, Weston was involved in the Elementary Reading Program, Habitat for Humanity, Youth football camps, UW Sports Festivals at Elementary Schools across the State and the Laramie Recreation Center After School Program. He is a faithful member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. From Wray, Colorado, Johnson was selected a First Team All-State wide receiver and linebacker and played in the North-South game. His team was 12-1 his senior year losing only the State Championship game. He also played basketball, baseball and track. Weston graduated in December, 2009 with a BS in Marketing and Finance minor. He plans to attend Graduate School and obtain in MBA. His proud parents are Jill and Blane Johnson.

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