Meeker, Meeker Sports, Sports

NEW TRADITION: Kindler establishes Meeker as basketball power

MEEKER — Eleven years ago, when Klark Kindler took over as basketball coach at Meeker, the school didn’t have much of a tradition in basketball.
Things sure have changed.
Both the boys’ and girls’ teams advanced to the 2A state tournament this season, believed to be a first, with the boys placing third, their highest finish ever, and the girls fourth.
When Kindler arrived on the scene, however, the Cowboys didn’t automatically become a state-caliber team. It took time to build the program.
“There wasn’t a whole lot of success before I got here, and we didn’t have a whole lot of success my first few years, either,” Kindler said. “My third or fourth year, we went to the district tournament and lost by three in overtime to Cedar Ridge. After that, we got a lot more competitive.”
Now, expectations are considerably higher. But even in the days when the team wasn’t winning, it had the backing of the community.
“I always felt we had great community support,” Kindler said. “I can remember my second year, the girls and boys both struggled and we were playing Olathe, and the gym was packed. So, we’ve always gotten great support, but they were more excited this year.”
With good reason.
The boys cruised through the regular season with only one loss, on their way to winning the league title.
The lone regular-season loss came in the first game after the Christmas break. It was against league foe Plateau Valley, though it was a non-league game. No coach ever wants to lose, but the loss turned out to be an attention-getter for Kindler’s team.
“We didn’t want to show them a lot of stuff, because I knew we were going to play them again two weeks later,” Kindler said. “You never want to lose, but it helped us focus. It showed that us, hey, we are beatable.”
Kindler blamed himself for the loss, though it wasn’t indicative of how the team played throughout the season.
“I thought we had a great season,” Kindler said. “Like I told the kids after the last game, with the exception of that one game we lost to Plateau Valley, we were ready to play. The one game we weren’t ready to play, it was my fault that I didn’t get them ready.”
At the state tournament in Pueblo, the Cowboys won their first game, narrowly, against Sanford, 47-43, giving Meeker its first first-round win at a state basketball tournament since 1967, when the Cowboys took fourth.
But in the next game against Colorado Springs School, the eventual state champs, Meeker lost 66-41.
Kindler didn’t think the Cowboys played their best ball in the first two games at state.
“The first two games, I thought we played tight,” Kindler said. “I think we were trying a little bit too hard.”
Going into the third-place game, Kindler wondered how his team would respond after a loss.
“You never know if they are going to come out a little flat,” Kindler said. “But we talked about how no team (from Meeker) had ever won third place at the state tournament. So we were playing for something.”
The Cowboys responded just the way Kindler hoped they would.
“Brian (Crowe) came out and hit his first three shots, and I think when he did that, everyone else settled in to playing the way we had throughout the year,” Kindler said.
Meeker easily beat Ignacio, 56-41, in the third-place game, with the senior Crowe, playing in his final game for the Cowboys, leading the way with 22 points. Junior Mitch Jacob, who was chosen for the all-tournament team, chipped in with 14.
The Cowboys featured balanced scoring throughout the season, with Crowe averaging 13.6 points per game, Jacob 13.3 and Dakota Rowlett, another junior, 12.8.
“Five of our top six players led us in scoring at one time or another in a game this season,” Kindler said.
He knew, as the season went along, the Cowboys had a chance to make it to state, and even win it.
“When you get to the state tournament, you have to have some things go right for you,” Kindler said. “Toward the end of the year, when we played Hayden and Rangely, the way we played in those games, I thought we might have a chance (to win state). That’s when it really started coming together, and I knew we’ve got something special. When we finished that weekend, I thought there was a chance we could win it.”
Even though the Cowboys came up short in their hope of winning it all, Meeker finished the season with a 25-2 record and was ranked as high as second in the state.
Last season, the Cowboys finished with a 15-6 season record, but two years ago they went to the state tournament, for the first time since 1992, and fashioned a 22-4 record.
“I think we’re starting to build that (basketball tradition),” Kindler said. “At the state tournament, I noticed a lot of kids who had played in the last 11 years, who were there. There were four guys from the first team I coached, 11 years ago, who came to watch the games. You try to build on something like that.”
One former Meeker player, Dale Dunbar, who played for the Cowboys back in the 1970s, when they didn’t win a game in his first two seasons, says the program is on the rise.
“It’s probably the best (record) in my memory,” Dunbar said.
As far as next season’s team, Kindler expects more good things. The Cowboys will have everybody back, except seniors Crowe and Clinton Kilduff.
“We will have four of five starters back,” Kindler said. “I’m hoping one of the underclassmen will step into that role (of replacing Crowe as the starting point guard). I think we have kids who are capable. With a good summer of getting more experience, we’ve got some kids who could step into that role and really contribute. The thing that helps us right now is we have a lot of depth in our program. We’ve got 11 or 12 players who can contribute one way or another.”
While expectations will be high again for next season’s team, Kindler said it’s a sign of how far the program has come.
“I know our expectations and our goals will be to get back (to the state tournament),” Kindler said. “Our goal is to get to the state tournament every year. It’s probably everyone’s goal, but the last few years, its been a realistic goal for us.”

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  • It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
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  • It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
  • Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
  • Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
  • Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
  • The winning teams and individuals for the 18th annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly Fishing Tournament are as follows. Individual top weight catch was Dave Metrovich and longest fish was Kevin Massey. First place team won by Rio Blanco Abstract: Erik Eckman, Adam Parrett, Dave Metrovich and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Second place team was Drake Consulting: Travis Kaiser, John Douglas, Tony Bartolomucci and Bob Brandeberry. Third place team Mr. Rogers and the Hood (accepted by Doug Rogers) Gary Rogers, Mark Beauchamp, Kyle Schutte and Rick Gunter. The white fish have been frozen and will be served at the annual White River Community Association fish fry fundraiser in June.
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week. Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! We appreciate all your continued support!
1 hour ago
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1/9
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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View on Instagram |
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Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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View on Instagram |
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Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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View on Instagram |
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Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
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View on Instagram |
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