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Recreation
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- Written by: Tami Cramer
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – If we build it, they will come – and they did.
Building 5 miles of single track by hand is hard work and involves a heck of a lot of time.
When the coaches of the three local high school mountain bike teams asked the owners of Six Sigma Ranch and Winery in Lower Lake if they might be interested in hosting a NorCal League race, they didn’t hesitate in responding “yes.”
So, the work began in late summer/fall of this past year by the local coaches, parents, riders, community members, league officials and other NorCal teams.
They spent hundreds of hours designing and building the 5-mile, 500-foot elevation gain trail which contains punchy climbs, drops, v-outs, creek crossings and lots of switchbacks, including a snaking section that has 13 in a row.
The course was completed just in time for the races on April 29 and 30.
The local teams raced on Saturday, April 29; the NorCal Northern Conference raced that day and the South Conference raced the next.
The weather was perfect, most of the deep mud had dried out, but the dirt was still tacky making for optimum traction.
For most riders, this was not the fastest course, but definitely the most technical.
“The sense of pride in what we’ve accomplished is overwhelming,” stated Coach Tami Cramer. “All the hard work we put in building the trail was totally worth it to see all the kids racing on it. I know the Ahlmann family (owners of Six Sigma) are elated as well to be a part of getting a race back in Lake County after the destruction of the Boggs Forest from the Valley fire.”
As far as results, the local riders were at an advantage with it being the home course.
“Nearly all our riders had their highest placings of the season,” said Coach Jeff Cramer.
Two stepped up onto the podium; Kia Kohler (KHS/JV girl), third, and Rainey Vanoven (CLHS/Soph girl), fourth. Both of them had the same placings for the overall season series in the Northern Conference.
Other top Six Sigma results: Tanner Morton (CLHS Soph), 14th; Chris Fischer (MHS Frosh), eighth; Bron Falkenberg (CLHS Frosh), 11th; Joseph Bloomquist (MHS Frosh), 12th; Jacob Stahr (CLHS Frosh), 12th; Miranda Cramer (CLHS Frosh girl), 12.
As Tanner Morton said, “It felt amazing to have a top 15 finish at our home course. I gave it everything I had.”
And that’s just what they did all season to make this event happen. Gave it all they had.
State Championships were two short weeks after Six Sigma on Sunday, May 14, at 5 Springs Ranch in East Petaluma.
This is the only race in which all the best riders from the North/South Conferences of the NorCal League and the SoCal League come together to compete.
More than 750 student-athletes raced from as far north as Humboldt County to as far south as San Diego.
Mostly double-track, the trail wraps itself up the grassy, oak laden slopes up and around the ranch property in a 6-mile loop with 500 feet of climbing.
Definitely a “fast” descending trail, all the local qualified riders had two to three laps to race.
Categories were huge with most of the local riders finishing mid-pack. Top finisher of the day was Rainey Vanoven (CLHS Soph girl) who finished seventh of 44 racing.
Another notable finish of the day; Chris Fischer (MHS Frosh) with 33rd out of the huge field of 97.
Overall, the three teams made great strides in the season.
Repeat riders made vast improvements over last season, the teams grew dramatically, with many being freshmen that will continue on next season) and they made their own trails.
The point that was made was that great success requires great effort.
Tami Cramer coaches the mountain biking teams for Clear Lake and Kelseyville high schools.
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- Written by: Carrie Wilson
How to begin a career as a wildlife officer?
Question: I’m in high school and last month my dad and I were contacted by a game warden while we were out fishing.
He was really nice. After checking our licenses and sturgeon cards, and once he figured out we were all good, he spent at least another 20 minutes with us answering a bunch of questions.
Afterward my dad and I were talking about it and I’m thinking now that becoming a game warden is something I would like to consider someday for a job. I’m only 16 though so what should I do now to prepare for a career as a game warden? (Josh M., Benicia)
Answer: First of all, thank you for your interest! You are lucky you have a dad who is interested and willing to pass along the love of fishing to the next generation.
We are always excited to hear from young enthusiastic outdoors people like you who desire a career that will benefit California’s extraordinary fish and wildlife resources.
According to California Department of Fish and Wildlife Capt. Patrick Foy, “The same things that may motivate you also motivated most of today’s wildlife officers (game wardens). We have a passion to protect California’s fish and wildlife resources while patrolling in 4×4 trucks, boats of all sizes, ATVs, and even horseback and personal watercraft. We think spending a career outside in California’s wild places beats pretty much any other career out there. As law enforcement officers, we have the authority to investigate all crimes and arrest all criminals – whether they are poachers, polluters, violent criminals, drug dealers, reckless drivers, auto thieves, etc. and therefore we help keep law abiding Californians safe. We thrive on helping the most vulnerable of California’s citizens and the fish and wildlife with no voice. And we are excited to meet young people, such as you, who share our values and want to pursue a career as a wildlife officer.”
Knowing what career you want to pursue in high school makes it much easier to make that dream a reality. And yes, there are several actions you can take to prepare yourself for a wildlife officer career with CDFW. Here are a few important tips:
Continue to develop your passion for fishing and the outdoors, and consider taking up hunting if you don’t already. Although a fishing and hunting background can help with your career as a wildlife officer, it is not required. Sounds like you’ve got the fishing part figured out!
Do well in high school, plan to attend college and do well there. We check all of your grades in both high school and college. The grades you are earning right now make a difference. Earn a four-year college degree to be more competitive than those who meet the minimum requirement of 60 units.
What to study in college? Whatever interests you! Many wildlife officers have bachelor’s degrees in subjects ranging from English and math, to the more traditional wildlife management and biology. Just be sure to meet the minimum 18 units of required courses listed at the link below.
• Develop excellent public speaking and communication skills.
• Learn to speak a second language if you do not already.
• Never use drugs. Even a single use of any “hard drug” results in automatic disqualification depending on how old you are and when you used them.
• Maintain a good driving record. We thoroughly examine your driving record from the day you begin driving.
• Crimes such as shoplifting, vandalism, theft from employers, etc., are inconsistent with a career in law enforcement, but that should be obvious. You are required to disclose all crimes committed on your initial application, whether or not you were caught.
• Consider military service. Serving in the military is an excellent way to gain real world experience and develop the leadership skills needed to thrive as a wildlife officer. Veterans who pass our written exam are automatically moved into the No. 1 rank which is a substantial benefit to them. Just make sure you also gain the college education necessary to meet minimum qualifications.
• Maintain excellent physical fitness, including knowing how to swim. You must pass a series of physical fitness tests, including a swim test to be accepted into the academy.
Become thoroughly familiar with the CDFW Law Enforcement Division Web site. It lists the minimum qualifications you will need to be accepted into the Academy.
With the above tips in mind, everywhere you exceed our minimum qualifications makes you more competitive for selection. We hope this helps you develop a plan to make your career goals a reality!
Note: Although Josh is in high school and not yet eligible to apply, any interested and eligible applicants should begin checking back around August. The application period is expected to be open in the September-October timeframe.
Carrie Wilson is a marine environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. While she cannot personally answer everyone’s questions, she will select a few to answer each week in this column. Please contact her at
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- Written by: Editor
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Youth Fishing Club sent six teams to Russo's Marina for the FLW high school bass tournament.
Justin Gentle took second in the juniors division.
John Westberg of Pomo Elementary and Thomas Humphrey of Lower Lake High School had the best team placement, coming in ninth out of 43 teams.
Humphrey caught the biggest bass of the tournament, which weighed 5.48 pounds.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
ALBANY, Calif. – On Saturday, April 2, Mavis Pyorre – entered as an individual wrestler from Lakeport – headed out to the California Girls Middle School State Wrestling Championships to wrestle in the 99-pound weight class.
Medals were awarded to the top six placers.
Mavis was seeded third, but this did not turn out to be any advantage, as she faced one of the toughest paths through the bracket.
For her first match Mavis faced off with the eventual eighth placer Taylor Micallef from Raul Castillo Martial Arts.
Mavis would get the first takedown and would win the battle 2-0 (Micallef’s only other loss was 2-3 against the third place finisher).
Next up, Mavis would face the eventual state champion from Star Wrestling Academy in Bakersfield.
Mavis fought hard, but after a battle at the end of the first period was down 0-2.
Mavis put the pressure to her for the next two periods, but just could not get her turned to her back, in one last effort to turn her in the final minutes of the match; Mavis’s hold would slip and ended losing 0-4 (just as last year this was the closest match the state champion would face all day, as she went on to pin her other opponents and beat her finals opponent the No. 1 seed, 8 to 2).
In her next match Mavis would pin a hometown opponent from Albany. Then, Mavis would battle it out with the second seed from Smash Gyms in San Jose and eventual 4th place medalist.
With a questionable choke hold her opponent was using, Mavis fell behind 0-5 in the first period. In the second period they would face off standing in the neutral position; again the opponent went for the chip whip, this time Mavis would fight it off and take her down to her back; just about pinning her.
Unfortunately Mavis was only awarded the takedown points. In the final period after a reversal, Mavis was able to get an escape, a takedown and was in the process of turning her opponent to her back as time ran out, leaving Mavis just short 5 to 7 and missing advancement to the medal rounds.
Mavis ended the day at 2 and 2, and finished in seventh place (both the fifth and sixth place medalists were pinned by the opponents Mavis had faced). Mavis said she looks forward to high school where the match time period is longer.
“She did great, I’m so proud of her, there is no quit in this girl!” said her dad and coach Rick Pyorre. “In fact I told her the United States Girls Wrestling Association National Championships Tournament will be held in American Canyon on Saturday, April 16, and each period will be 30 seconds longer.”
Looks like Mavis may have one more tournament.