Nye County youth coaches express thanks

As 2014 winds down, the coaches throughout the Nye County School District wish all of Nye County a happy Thanksgiving. And the PVT Sports is thankful for all the hardworking coaches in Nye County who mold and shape our youth.

This year Nye County coaches were thankful for many things. Beatty football was thankful that they were able to play football on a home field, and that they had the most successful year since 1996. Beatty volleyball was thankful for the opportunity to make it to the state tourney for the first time since 1998.

Pahrump was thankful that the golf team sent two representatives to state, Riley Moore and Kellie Hunn. The volleyball team was thankful for making the playoffs, and the Trojans football team was thankful for the four home wins. The Trojans soccer teams were thankful for another season.

Tonopah was thankful for its volleyball team making the playoffs and were thankful for all the hard work the football team put into their season.

The youth coaches from Nye County shared with the PVT what they were individually thankful for.

Robert Hopkins, Pahrump Valley High School golf coach said, “I am thankful for good health, family and friends (and Aaron Rodgers).”

Trojans baseball Coach Brian Hayes expressed his thankfulness by saying, “I am thankful for the many blessings my Lord Jesus Christ has given me, including my beautiful wife and children.”

Craig Rieger coaches football, wrestling and track for the Trojans and said, “I am thankful for family and friends, home and food, good health and happiness, safety and peace, love and joy. That is a prayer my son says every night along with the Lord’s Prayer. Happy Thanksgiving,” he said.

Pam Larmouth the Lady Trojans soccer coach’s thoughts turned to God.

“I am thankful for first and foremost my testimony of Jesus the Christ, my family and the miracle of science and medicine,” she said.

Trojans Athletic Director Ed Kirkwood was thankful for all the kids that participate in sports at the high school.

“I am thankful that I will be able to go visit with my kids and grandkids back East,” Kirkwood said. “I will be going out there at Christmastime. It will be great to celebrate the holidays with them. It’s scary looking at the newspaper where I grew up. I check the obituaries every day. It’s always somebody I know. I am happy that I am healthy. “

Trojans basketball Coach Jennifer Hagstrom said she is thankful for the people she works with.

“I’m thankful for healthy and happy friends and family here in Pahrump for the holidays,” the coach said. “Also, I’m thankful for the opportunity to work with great young people with a will to succeed through many obstacles.”

Joe Sladek, local club soccer coach, said, “I am thankful that we live in warm sunny weather during the wintertime and my family and friends.”

James Robertson, the Beatty football coach, was thankful for his great season.

“I am thankful that no one was seriously hurt and that everyone was able to play,” he said.

In Tonopah, Muckers girls basketball Coach Russell Olin said, “I am thankful that I coach a great team of girls. I am thankful my mother is still going strong at age 88, and that I have a sister who is taking care of her. I am thankful I have a lot of great friends in Tonopah.”

Muckers Golf Coach Robert Otteson said, “I am very thankful for my beautiful wife Penny and our large wonderful family, my six children and six grandchildren. I am also grateful for all the close and wonderful friends that I have in Tonopah and for the chance I have to work with the youth in the community, both refereeing and coaching. They keep an old man young at heart.”

Muckers football and wrestling Coach Duffy Otteson expressed how grateful he was.

“I couldn’t coach if it wasn’t for my wife taking care of my family while I’m gone all the time with the kids coaching football and wrestling,” Otteson said. “I am very blessed to be able to coach all these young kids in Tonopah and be a part of their lives as they grow and mature. And I hope that I am a positive influence in their lives as they grow up and help them be great young people.”

Muckers baseball Coach Clark Jewett said that he was most thankful for his family.

“Without them and their support I could not be what I am today. Also I am very thankful for the many friends that I have made and have around me. Life wouldn’t be what it is without friends. Again I am thankful of my family because without their approval there is no title of head coach. Also many thanks to my assistant coaches. I can’t be successful without those guys, the tireless hours on the field and on the road traveling to help us be the best we can. One last thing I cannot go without thanking, it’s the many great kids I have had the opportunity to coach. I can’t have a great team without players that are willing to put forth the effort to strive to be the best, and to deal with us coaches.”

Muckers volleyball Coach Chuck Fox said, “I’m thankful for my family and friends. I’m thankful for being able to do so much here in Tonopah, coaching, teaching, having two great careers since I’ve been here … and everything that waits for me in the future!”

Jim Soltz, area director for Special Olympics Nye County, said his athletes were thankful for having Special Olympics.

“You asked me if our athletes had anything to be thankful for, well at Audrey’s (Gourley) service on Wednesday many words were spoken about how grateful they were that Audrey got involved to provide something for folks with special needs to do. Our athletes may not have said it with words but with their tears.

“I’m sure they would say they are thankful for having a Special Olympics program which gives them something to look forward to do besides sitting around and watching TV. So I’m very thankful to everyone one in our town who has been so willing to help us by donating and to all our volunteers who give of their time and so much more because without them there would be no Special Olympics Program in Pahrump. Pahrump Special Olympics is very thankful for the PVT sports, who not only listened to our needs but helped to make others aware of them too.”