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John F. Russell

Stories by John F.

John F. Russell: Coaches have an impact that can inspire

Coaches do a lot more in Steamboat Springs than manage the big game. A coach's actions can inspire young athletes to reach higher, fuel a love for the game and teach lessons that reach well beyond the lines of a field.

John F. Russell: High school officials in Routt County help make the game better

They step under the lights every Friday night in Routt County, they take to the courts and they keep the game fair for local high school athletes. Referees are an important part of the game, even if we don't always agree with them.

John F. Russell: Seeking something to cheer for

Football fans in Colorado rejoice. After years of seeking a quality quarterback, Denver finally has landed one of the best and found something to cheer for this season.

John F. Russell: Back to bowling

The temperatures are dropping, the colors are changing and it's back to bowling. All are sure signs that fall has arrived in Steamboat Springs.

John F. Russell: Labor Day weekend fishing tradition

I've followed traditions for my entire life, but one of my favorite family traditions is still being written in the mountains of Colorado.

John F. Russell: Leaving Steamboat Springs, making memories on the road

The road trip used to be a right of passage or necessary for work. But now, it has become a place to make memories.

Steamboat high school golf team 3rd in Cortez tournament

Members of the Steamboat Springs High School golf team hit the road this week picking up a third-place finish and experience the coach hopes will pay off at the end of the season.

John F. Russell: Steamboat Springs resident takes place in Hall of Fame

When Marvin Crawford is inducted into the Ski Jumping Hall of Fame this week, it will be the fourth time the Steamboat Springs skiing legend has found his way to a Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

John F. Russell: Coors Field ballpark a place to make memories

A trip to Denver to watch a ball game at Coors field is the best way to remember the reasons I've always loved the game of baseball.

Steamboat's Rally for the Cure coordinator steps down

After 13 years at the helm, Steamboat Springs resident Linda Danter will step down as coordinator of Steamboat's Rally for the Cure golf tournament fundraiser.

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John Aragon resigns, at least temporarily, as Steamboat boys tennis coach

The veteran coach says he will forgo leading the boys team this fall but hopes to return to his post next year. Assistant coach Don Toy will take the reins for the time being.

John F. Russell: London Olympics inspire Steamboat children

Watching the Olympics on television can bring back memories and inspire us all to dream of becoming a world champion.

John F. Russell: Olympic paddler leaves lasting impression on Ski Town USA

Olympic paddler Rich Weiss nearly won Steamboat Springs' first Olympic medal the summer before Nelson Carmichael's historic run.

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Steamboat Little League teams take swing at titles

Little League baseball teams from Steamboat Springs played in state tournaments across the state last weekend hoping for titles and ultimately walking away with great experiences.

John F. Russell: Major league moments

It was a moment 10-year-old Kevin Kaster had been waiting for since the first pitch of the ball game. But as he made his move to field the hot grounder, the unthinkable happened. His feet lost their grip on the soft dirt, and his knee slipped to the ground.

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Steamboat police increase patrols in wake of Aurora shooting

In the wake of the movie theater shooting early Friday in Aurora that left 12 dead and 59 wounded, the Steamboat Springs Police Department increased patrols at local theaters.

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Steamboat mountain bikers take top spots in Breckenridge 100

Kelly Boniface was well rested and focused as she left the starting line of a 68-mile marathon mountain bike race in Breckenridge on Sunday.

John F. Russell: Rallying for the cause

The scene at the Rally for the Cure golf tournament never really seems to change.

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Annual Steamboat golf fundraiser draws more than 230 players

Jan Fritz isn’t what most people would call an avid golfer, but every July, she puts on her finest pink clothing and makes an appearance at Rollingstone Ranch Golf Club.

John F. Russell: Cowboy image

Nobody is ever going to mistake me for a cowboy. I could drop an entire month’s salary on boots, shirts and Wrangler jeans at F.M. Light & Sons, but when I walk out the door, I still would not have what it takes.

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Police: Woman hurt after fleeing officers in SUV

A 57-year-old woman was hospitalized Thursday afternoon after crashing her SUV while fleeing from Steamboat Springs police.

John F. Russell: This goal is for Mom

Two weeks ago, as I stood on the sideline of a soccer field at Memorial Field watching my daughter play a game, I came to understand just how special a simple moment can be.

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Steamboat Golf Shoot-Out still helping after 10 years

A longtime community fundraiser to support junior golf programs in Steamboat Springs is looking forward to its 10th year.

John F. Russell: 9 games to wrap up a season

It’s only nine games, but for some bowlers, the scores they roll at the state bowling championships are the biggest of the season.

Kent Denver's field has ties to Steamboat

The site of Tuesday’s second-round playoff game between the Steamboat Springs boys lacrosse team and Kent Denver may be more than three hours away by car, but its tie to this area is strong.

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Steamboat lacrosse looks to move past Kent Denver

The Steamboat Springs boys lacrosse team will look to knock off one of the state’s top teams when they travel to Englewood on Tuesday for the second round of the state playoffs.

Steamboat girls soccer to meet Broomfield

Both the Steamboat Springs and Broomfield girls soccer programs will look to make up for missed opportunities when they take the field at 6 p.m. Tuesday for the opening round of the state playoffs.

John F. Russell: Hardest position in the game

It’s one of the hardest positions to play on any field, and arguably, it’s one of the most important.

Steamboat Golf Club surrenders 2 holes-in-one

Two local golfers had success on the No. 3 hole at the Steamboat Golf Club this month, an unusual occurrence and the golf course.

Steamboat boys lacrosse finish out regular season with win

The Steamboat Springs High School boys lacrosse team wrapped up the regular season campaign Monday evening on the front range with a 8-5 win against the Golden Demons.

John F. Russell: NFL draft sparks fan interest

I’ve followed the adventures of the Denver Broncos and the NFL for most of my life, but I’m at a loss when it comes to explaining how the NFL draft has become a prime-time television sensation.

John F. Russell: Newfound appreciation for winter

Glancing at the slopes of Steamboat Ski Area this week, you can understand why some skiers were disappointed this season.

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Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club celebrates the best

More than 30 awards handed out Tuesday at annual ceremony

More than 30 awards were handed out to athletes, coaches and volunteers at the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club's annual awards ceremony.

John F. Russell: Dreams of the Majors

Just when I had given up all hope, along comes Jamie Moyer.

Soroco track notches top finishes at Warrior Wild West Invitational

Soroco High School may have been one of the smaller schools at the Warrior Wild West Invitational track meet Friday, but it didn’t stop the Rams from picking up some top finishes.

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Impressive effort leads Steamboat boys lacrosse to 8th straight win

Steamboat boys lacrosse cruised to a 13-1 victory against Thompson Valley at Gardner Field on Monday. Steamboat’s Tyler Scott sparked the scoring with the opening goal just a few minutes into the contest.

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Steamboat athletes head to Canada for Nordic combined, jumps

Adam Loomis raced to the front of the pack in the open class Saturday at the Canadian National Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Championships in Whistler, British Columbia.

John F. Russell: The thrill of ski jumping

It only took me a few minutes on the phone with Nordic combined ski jumper Bryan Fletcher to realize that he is driven by a feeling few of us will ever understand.

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Ex-Broncos in Steamboat to support Ski 4 Yellow event

Former Denver Broncos David Treadwell and Reggie Rivers on Friday talked football and the reason for their visit to the Yampa Valley — Saturday's Ski 4 Yellow event.

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Steamboat tennis sweeps Vail Mountain School

The Steamboat Springs High School tennis team made a statement en route to a 7-0 win against Vail Mountain School as the team starts to look toward the final stretch of the season.

Soroco track athletes open season in Parker

The Soroco Rams headed to Parker for the opening track and field meet of the season Saturday.

Hayden track shows well in Grand Junction

Brentt Gabel jumped 38-1 to take sixth place in the triple jump to lead the Hayden Tigers at the Mickey Dunn Invitational in Grand Junction last weekend.

Steamboat track athletes record string of personal bests

Asher Rohde recorded a new personal best in the 1,600-meter run Saturday at the Mickey Dunn Invitational in Grand Junction highlighting a strong early-season showing for the members of the Steamboat Springs High School track team.

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John F. Russell: Challenge leads to bad hair day

When young ski racer Riley Smith stepped into the starting gate at the J5 Rocky Mountain Division Finale on March 11 in Powderhorn, she was motivated by something completely different. “I think most young racers are motivated by the chance to make their coaches look ridiculous,” Smith’s coach Chris Puckett said.

Steamboat's Reiter races into the top 10 at World Cup event

Alpine snowboarder Justin Reiter led the United States on Saturday with his best finish of the season at a World Cup event in Valmalenco, Italy.

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Steamboat girls nearly upset Summit in return to varsity lacrosse

The Steamboat Springs High School girls lacrosse team stepped onto the field as a varsity program Monday for the first time since 2008.

John F. Russell: Trying to keep up with the best

It’s been a few weeks since David Lamb and I skied together, but I think I can sum up the experience in one word: humbling.

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Steamboat girls claim top high school honor

A strong showing from the members of the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club’s girls cross-country program helped our town become the first in the state of Colorado to earn the honor of National High School Champion at the Junior Nationals Championship, which were held in Utah last weekend.

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Steamboat skiers cap off strong week with top finishes

With a little more than a kilometer and a half left in Sunday’s Junior Nationals 3x3 cross-country relay race, Max Scrimgeour was at the back of the pack, waiting to make his move.

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National stage awaits Steamboat girls hockey players

The girls hockey season in Steamboat Springs is winding down but not before five local players have the opportunity to step onto the national stage in Dallas at the end of the month.