Bowler remains dedicated to sport despite a challenging beginning

Justin Barron, now 16, took up bowling at age 4 for the “Wednesday Webles,” a bumper-bowling league. He soon joined an older kids league where bumpers were not used and his mother Lisa Barron recalls some trouble he faced with this transition.

“I can remember him bowling a whole game and never getting a pin down, and he would turn around and yell ‘Yeah’ like the real object of the game was to miss all the pins,” Lisa said.

Justin never got discouraged and continues to bowl and work on his skills. He now bowls on a summer scholarship league, a Saturday morning youth league and for his high school’s bowling team.

“He is not the top bowler, but he continues to work on improving his game with a good attitude,” said Lisa.

Justin will bowl this weekend July 23-24 with his cousin Ricky Lupo, 24, who helps Justin with his tournaments and volunteers as a coach for Justin’s high school team.

Red Dogs Football to bring diversity, experience to the SMSG

“Red Dogs Football,” a team based out of St. Louis, formed in 1999 to play in the Budweiser Sports League in Creve Coeur, Mo.  Over the years, many players have joined and left its roster, but a love and passion for the game remains constant on the team.

The team’s roster has included athletes that not only excel in football, but also other sports. For instance, Ryan Coyne played for “Red Dogs Football” from 2005 to 2008 and is ranked fifth in the world in boxing by the World Boxing Association.

Eighteen men make up “Red Dogs Football” and they vary in age and football experience. The team’s quarterback Gary Brittan, 56, has played the game since 1979 and played both high school and college football. Brittan plays alongside guys in the their 30s, 40s and even with the team’s youngest player who is 24.

“We are all different ages and come from different backgrounds, but we all get along really well,” said Scott Hanke who joined the team in 2003.

“Red Dogs Football” has won its league four times and played in the championship about eight times. Brian Pogue and Sean Maheri have seen each of these victories as they have been on the team since its beginning.

Each year, the team holds a golf tournament and recruits sponsors to help pay for league fees and uniforms.

“Red Dogs Football” will play in the Show-Me STATE GAMES 7v7 football tournament this weekend on Saturday, July 23. Although this is the team’s first time coming to the GAMES, they have been talking about coming for years.

“I finally said ‘This is it. We’re going this year no matter what,’” said Hanke. “We play tackle and full contact so the GAMES will be a little different than what we’re used to, but we’re ready.”

Racewalker to compete in SMSG for the first time since 1986

Steve Lipe had been an avid racewalker for about six years before he gave up the sport 11 years ago.

“I got away from the sport because I was with someone who could not have cared less, so I pretty much forgot all about it,” said Lipe.

However, in October, 2006, Lipe met his future wife whom he married in 2009.

“We were putting away some thing into storage and she found all of my trophies and my ribbons,” said Lipe. “She was impressed and she encouraged me to take up the sport again and I am constantly gaining the ground that I lost 11 years ago.”

Lipe will compete in the Race Walk on Sunday, July 31, in the Show-Me STATE GAMES.

“I really enjoy my sport again and I want to be the best I can be at it, as long as I have my wife to cheer me on,” said Lipe.

For Elder family, golf provides family bonding and character growth

Lester Elder and sons Tanner and Levi share not only a last name, but a passion for golfing.

“They played in last year’s SMSG golf games for the first time and had such a great time they are coming back this weekend,” said Heather Elder, Lester’s wife.

In the 2010 Show-Me STATE GAMES, Lester and Tanner shot a 1-over par to take the gold in the parent/child golfing competition. Tanner and Levi also each took silver in their age divisions.

This year, Tanner and Levi will compete individually in their age divisions on July 23 and both boys will play with Lester in the parent/child division on July 24.

Levi works at Oak Hills Golf Course in Jefferson City and each morning Tanner comes along to work with his older brother and plays 18 holes while Levi works.

The boys have only been coached by Lester so far, but next year Levi’s high school will have a golf team for the first time and Levi will be a charter member of the new team.

Heather recalls a time when the family’s passion for golfing helped them get through a rough time:

“Two years ago, our brand new home burned down, and we lost everything, including all of their golf clubs and golf equipment. New golf equipment was first on the list for replacement. While Lester was working diligently to rebuild our home, we moved into a rental home near Oak Hills. While I was at work each day, Levi and Tanner would walk to Oak Hills, towing their new clubs and pull carts behind them in order to play. Golf was truly something that kept them “normal” while our family was going through terrible adversity.”

Lester (left) and Tanner (right)

Tanner (left) and Levi (right) with their 2010 SMSG medals

Grandview girl hopes to medal in SMSG for fifth consecutive year

This year, Alyssa Williams, 13 of Grandview, Mo., will make her fifth straight appearance playing tennis in the Show-Me STATE GAMES.

Alyssa has medaled in each GAMES that she has competed in and, over the last two years, she took three gold medals. Two of these first place victories were in the singles competition and one was in doubles.

In July, she will attempt to capture her third straight singles gold medal in the girls 18s age group. Alyssa has previously took first in the girls 16s and girls 14s age groups.

“Alyssa looks forward to the Show Me State Games every year as this is one of the only times that her family that reside in Columbia can watch her play tennis,” said Nicole Williams, Alyssa’s mother.

She will compete from July 29-31 in both Junior Singles and Junior Doubles.

Sibling exhibits brotherly love, sportsmanship in 2010 SMSG

Brothers Duffin, 10, and Hollis, 8, Makings of Marshall, Mo., play baseball together for the Marshall Mud Hounds 10 and under team and have competed together for four years.

This season, Duffin, the pitcher, leads the team with a .496 batting average and has faced 300 batters while pitching this season. Hollis, the catcher, has a .319 batting average and leads the team in stolen bases.

John Makings, Duffin’s and Hollis’s father and coach of the Marshall Mud Hounds, recalls an instance between the two brothers in a game for third places versus the Columbia Gators during the 2010 Show-Me STATE GAMES:

“Duffin was on the mound and Hollis was catching. Duffin walked a batter and the next batter he hit. Hollis made his way to the mound.  He got to the edge of the mound and big brother Duffin gave him a little shove and said, ‘Just go catch!’ Hollis then threw his hands up and returned to his position.  Duffin then struck out the next two batters to end the inning.  When Hollis returned to the dug out, I asked him what happened.  Hollis said,  “Dad, I was just going to tell him it’s ok, he is doing a good job!’”

Duffin and Hollis will play in the 2011 Show-Me STATE GAMES with the Marshall Mud Hounds on July 22 to 24.

Hollis, age 8

Duffin, age 10

Father and son excelled together in 2010 Show-Me STATE GAMES

David Walker and his son Darius Walker both share a passion for Track & Field. Last year in the Show-Me STATE GAMES, they together took first place in the following events: 100M, 200M, 400M, long jump, triple jump and 4 x 100M.

This was nearly every event the two participated in. Darius also placed second in the 400M.

Darius, a student at the University of Central Missouri, took first place in the NCAA Division II Decathlon in 2010.

David and Darius hope to continue their success in the Show-Me STATE GAMES this year.

An unwavering dedication to baseball in rough times

Hunter Turley, a high school senior on the KC Sharks baseball team, went through some rough changes two years ago. His mother was diagnosed with cancer and he was diagnosed with scoliosis in his spine, eventually discovering a fracture there as well. However, Hunter’s dedication to the team has been unwavering, showing up to nearly every game and practice while his mom was sick. His dedication was obvious even at 10 years old when he broke his arm in a collision at first base and took the field with the broken arm, even batting with one arm. Hunter never complained or showed frustration. Some of his teammates have given him the nickname “beast” because of his commitment to the team, playing through hard times and the pain of his scoliosis. The parents on the team refer to him as a man because of how he carries himself and just the person he is. Hunter’s mother passed away just over a year ago, and Hunter’s family showed much courage and strength during that time. The team has learned a lot from Hunter’s family and feels blessed to have Hunter on the team.