Local Cyclist

[dropcap]J[/dropcap]ack Maddux is probably one of the best cyclists in the Fresno area today. And he's 16. We did an outdoors story in the Bee about the young up-and-comer and his next move to join the U.S. Junior National Team and race in Europe. I had to make a quick portrait of Jack and dragged out my Alien Bee lights and a battery to a spot in Woodward Park. Maybe someday we'll be seeing more of Jack as he pursues his dream of riding in the Tour de France.  To read more about Jack, check out the story in the Bee.

City-County All-Stars

[dropcap]S[/dropcap]hot the annual City-County All-Star football game a couple of weeks ago. It's alway a fun football game to shoot because there's still quite a bit of sunlight during the first half, unlike prep football games during the regular season. For some reason though, this one attracts TONS of other photographers. I know Horn Photo sponsors it and I think they have a few guys out there but it's just funny to watch all these guys with cameras shooting an event they don't usually shoot. Anyway, I felt pretty good because I felt I had the shot of the game when I captured Edison's Khari McGee hurdling another player along the opposite sideline. I heard the crowd "OOOH" loudly after it happened. I was just glad no one stepped in my way and I had it pretty sharp. I saw that our reporter pretty much topped his story with that one play in the paper the next day so it was a pretty good thing I got it.

Track Championships

[dropcap]O[/dropcap]n Thursday I covered the Tri-River Athletic Conference track and field championships at Clovis East High School. I stayed the entire four hours of the meet because I really needed to cover the first races as well as catch the winner of the long jump at the very end. Although the heat was tough to work in, it was a very exciting meet to watch. The unusual part of this meet was how many freshman contenders there are - especially in the girls events. Perennial powerhouse Buchanan had several up-and-comers as did meet winner Clovis North. I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot more of some of these athletes over the next three years.

Clovis Rodeo

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Clovis Rodeo is one of the more sought-after assignments we get at The Bee all year. It used to be a real fight to be the one to go but now that there's only a few of us, it goes to the lucky guy working the late shift. In particular, the first Thursday event, the Pro Bull Riders tour, is primo. Instead of waiting until the very end of the show, you get bull riders the whole time. That's like a fireworks finale from start to finish. The hardest part, and the least attractive part, is trying to get the names of the riders. Between the loud music and the announcers who seem to gloss over many of the names, it can be a real chore. You'd think they'd have names and numbers like other rodeo events, but not this one. I guess you're supposed to *know* these guys if you're a real rodeo fan. Oh well. Anyway, enjoy the photos.