The Steamboat Pilot & Today: Stories by John F. Russell

John F. Russell: Not your dad’s video games

Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008

Last year, Santa brought my 11-year-old son a Wii for Christmas.

Winter cyclists can enjoy roads less traveled

Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008

It’s only 2 miles from Deborah Improta’s downtown home to where she works on Shield Drive. In the summer, riding her bike along the Yampa River Core trail is a breeze — but in the winter, she likes to think of it as more an adventure.

World Cup kicks off

Americans ready to open season in Kuusamo on Saturday

Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008

It’s been eight long months of training for the U.S. Nordic Combined Ski Team. But on Saturday, the jumps and the results will count as the World Cup tour returns for another season.

John F. Russell: Keep ski jumping afloat

Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008

An old, black-and-white photo depicts a cold, gray winter day in the mountains. There are hundreds of people, dressed in long fur coats and top hats, standing in a snow-covered field at the base of a steep hill.

Reiter, Mueller finish strong

Friday, Nov. 21, 2008

Last season was rough for Steamboat Springs snowboarder Erica Mueller. Last week was even harder.

Warm weather, cool budget

Howelsen Hill faces challenges

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008

Jeff Nelson knows it’s not easy to fool Mother Nature, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t tried.

John F. Russell: 2-stepping for skiing

Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008

I can’t dance. Doesn’t matter if it’s rock ’n’ roll, big band or swing — I have a better chance of finding gold at the end of a rainbow than finding the beat on the dance floor.

Top dogs in play at city championships

Friday, Nov. 14, 2008

They may not allow pets underneath the protective cover of the Tennis Center at Steamboat Springs, but that will not stop the local tennis community from uncovering the area’s top dogs this week.

John F. Russell: List should start with a hug

Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008

On one of the worst days of his life, a good friend gave me the best advice. “Hug your kids,” he told me.

Youth hockey scores a title

Steamboat players win at Frightfest

Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008

Nothing could scare the Steamboat Springs Bantam A team at the Foothills Frightfest Hockey Tournament in Littleton.

John F. Russell: Money for sports is well-spent

Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008

Every fall, I see parents lining the sidelines of soccer and football games, sitting in the stands at volleyball matches, hanging out near the greens at golf tournaments or courtside at tennis tournaments.

Winter Sports Club at the ‘top of the hill’

Group receives award from prestigious museum’s Hall of Fame

Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008

Executive Director Rick DeVos says he always knew that the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Cub was at the top of the skiing world, but it’s nice that someone else agrees.

John F. Russell: Steamboat looks like champs in Pueblo

Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008

Saturday, the Colorado High School Activities Association handed out titles to the top young tennis players in the state.

Sailors sweep Eagles in tennis

Steamboat tandems medal in state doubles brackets

Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008

Steamboat Springs high school tennis players were all smiles Saturday morning at Pueblo City Park after the Sailors swept past Broomfield to win a pair of doubles matches on the final day of the 2008 State 4A High School Tennis Championships.

2 Sailors teams play for 3rd place at state

Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008

Steamboat’s No. 3 singles player Jeff Lambart gave it his all in a 7-6 (4), 7-5 loss to Niwot’s Stephen Lammers. Only a few points separated Lambart from his goal of getting a shot at a medal. But it wasn’t to be.

Steamboat competes in State Tennis Championships

Friday, Oct. 17, 2008

A pair of Steamboat Springs doubles teams provided all the spark and emotion the Sailors needed on the opening day of the 2008 State High School Tennis Tournament at Pueblo City Park on Thursday.

Win or lose, it’s not the draw

Tennis coach looks past 2008 4A state championship brackets to find success

Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008

High school tennis coach John Aragon prefers not to plot. So when the brackets for the 2008 4A Boys State High School Tennis Championships were released Monday afternoon, the Steamboat Springs coach didn’t start planning how his players were going to make their way to the finals.

Spillane captures title

Steamboat skiers fare well in US Nordic Combined Championships

Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008

The World Cup Nordic combined season still is more than a month away, but that didn’t stop American Johnny Spillane from recording his first big accomplishment of the 2008-09 winter.

John F. Russell: What high school sports are all about

Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008

It wasn’t supposed to have been “the game.”

Tigers defeat Rams

Hayden’s hitters overpower scrappy Soroco team

Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008

Hayden’s hitters did what they were expected to do in the final 2008 home game for Tigers volleyball, but that didn’t mean the Soroco Rams were going down without a fight.

U10 soccer grabs Cup title

Steamboat youth squad outscores opponents, 24-2, in 4 games

Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008

Winning is nice, but what soccer coach John Seymour really likes to see is growth. Last weekend, Seymour had plenty to celebrate after watching the group of young players he coached along with Dave Terranova and Andy Cohen grow into champions at the Colorado Youth Soccer Cup.

SSWSC says ‘no thanks’ to Continental Cup

Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008

Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club Nordic Program Director Todd Wilson had hoped to bring aspiring Nordic combined skiers from around the world to Howelsen Hill this December for a Continental Cup competition. But then the rules got in the way.

Sailors get big league win

Steamboat beats Battle Mountain, 2-1, keeps playoff hopes alive

Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008

The home team’s offense owned the opening minutes of Tuesday night’s soccer game, but it was the Steamboat Springs defense that stole the show in a 2-1 win against the Battle Mountain Huskies.

John F. Russell: Remember football’s Walker

Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008

He represents all things good about sports.He was an undersized back — 5 feet, 11 inches tall and 173 pounds — who wasn’t supposed to have made it in the National Football League.

Reiter rides to opening World Cup race

Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008

Alpine snowboarder Justin Reiter was excited about the opening World Cup race of the season, even if it will take place inside what he refers to as a giant refrigerator.

John F. Russell: Americans stronger than ever

Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008

He’s been to the Olympic Games four times, his consistent finishes on the World Cup made him a standard in the sport of Nordic combined and his self-assured personality made him a favorite quote for reporters around the world.

Lodwick eyes return

Nordic combined skier comes out of retirement to try for Olympic gold in 2010

Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008

The golden trees lining Strawberry Park hillsides last week served as a reminder for Nordic combined skier Todd Lodwick as he continued to train for his return to the world stage.

Local golf pro selected for PGA

Brosterhous heads to regional match

Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008

Luke Brosterhous, the assistant golf professional at Haymaker, has been selected to play in the PGA’s Western Chapter Cup Matches next month in Grand Junction.

Sailors have eyes on state

Steamboat leaves for Aspen hoping journey will lead to 4A golf championships

Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008

The words of golf coach Scott Berry sounded good as they rang in the ears of Steamboat Springs High School golf team members, who were preparing for today’s regional tournament in Aspen.

New coach joins Winter Sports Club

Friday, Sept. 19, 2008

The Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club’s new ability cross-country coach brought a wealth of experience and knowledge to the club when he started earlier this month, but that doesn’t mean he will bring big changes.

Businessman with local connections races with Lance Armstrong

Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008

In the real world, cycling enthusiast Len Zanni is the co-owner of Big Agnes, but for a few days last week, he experienced the chaotic realm of cycling legend Lance Armstrong.

John F. Russell: Bowling a Russell family tradition

Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008

I still remember standing on the approach at Broadway Bowl with my father’s words rolling around my head like rocks.

SWIGL keeps local women swinging for titles

Friday, Sept. 12, 2008

For the past five years, the Steamboat Women’s Interclub Golf League has offered area women a chance to grow the game, make new friendships and test their golf skills.

John F. Russell: Fishing for family values

Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008

No television, no electricity, no problem.

John F. Russell: No joke: Skiing showdown moves to plastic

Sunday, Aug. 31, 2008

When I heard that the 2009 U.S. Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Championships were going to take place in October, on Lake Placid, on plastic, I thought it was a joke. It wasn't.

Bull riders return to Romick

Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008

Die-hard rodeo fans are hoping for one last shot to watch rank animals and hungry cowboys compete for top dollars at the Brent Romick Rodeo Arena in Steamboat Springs on Sunday.

Ski jumpers find opportunity in Norway

Three locals travel with US Ski Team to get experience abroad

Friday, Aug. 29, 2008

Taylor Fletcher, Brett Denney and Cliff Field left for Lillehammer, Norway, last week in search of opportunity. The three Steamboat Springs residents are finding it.

Weston swings for spot at University of San Diego

Former Sailor taking golf to new level

Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008

Former Steamboat Springs High School golfer Michael Weston will tee off one last time this summer before packing his bags to leave for college.

Triathlon tips offered at meeting tonight

Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008

In less than two weeks, athletes will have a chance to test their swimming, running and biking skills in the cool mountain air of the Yampa Valley during the Steamboat Triathlon.