05-27-2010-Thursday - Wise County Messenger

16A WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas, Thursday, May 27, 2010
SPORTS
BASEBALL
Messenger photo by Richard Greene
GRIPPING FUTURE — Bridgeport senior Blake Waldrep will try to impress scouts during the Greater West Texas Baseball Coaches Association All-Star Game June 6 in
Lubbock. Waldrep went 4-3 with a 1.47 ERA this past season.
Now starring
Waldrep closes high school career at all-star game
By RICHARD GREENE
Blake Waldrep will walk across the
stage to receive his diploma Friday night,
but it will not bring an end to his highschool
baseball career.
The Bulls’ right hander will pitch in
the Greater West Texas Baseball Coaches
Association All-Star Game June 6 in Lubbock.
“It’s a pretty cool honor,” Waldrep said.
“There was only one other guy in our district
chosen.”
The game will be Waldrep’s first action
since the Bulls were eliminated from the
Class 3A Region I playoffs by Burnet May
15. He earned Bridgeport’s lone win in the
area-round series.
Before the all-star game, Waldrep will
join other Class 3A and 4A Region I players
in performing for local college scouts
June 5.
“It’s a chance to work out for scouts and
try to get recruited,” he said.
Waldrep, who is also planning to attend
a tryout for North Central Texas College
at Gainesville later in June, wants an opportunity
to pitch at the next level.
“I like to play baseball, and it’ll give me
something to do while in college,” he said.
Bridgeport coach Ted Leps believes his
staff ace will get that opportunity after a
strong season. Waldrep went 4-3 with a
1.47 ERA. He struck out 72 and walked
28. Waldrep also hit .462 with 24 RBIs on
Continued on page 14A
SKATEBOARDING
Skaters shred Decatur
Riders from across state take part in Shred Fest
Messenger photo by Brandon Evans
LIFTING OFF — Derek Stanko, 14, of Arlington performs an
arly grab during Saturday’s skateboard contest in Decatur.
By BRANDON EVANS
A large crowd gathered
around the Decatur skateboard
park late Saturday
afternoon for a contest that
featured a surprise appearance
by professionals from
the Metroplex.
More than 25 contestants
entered Shredderz Skate
and Sport’s second Annual
Shred Fest. Jorge Villagomez,
19, of Houston took
first place.
“I did pretty good considering
I had just driven all
the way from Houston,” Villagomez
said. “A lot of good
people showed up. I was
just cruising around and
doing my thing. I thought
there were some guys better
than me out there.”
He said consistency
helped him win the contest.
“I just landed everything,”
Villagomez said. “I didn’t
really fall.”
Villagomez has been skating
for six years and has
won contests in Houston
and Austin. He is sponsored
by Shredderz Skate and
Sport in Decatur. He’s been
with the shop for a year.
Local skateboarder Daniel
Williams of Boyd finished
second.
Each of the riders took
three, one-minute runs
in the park. Three judges
scored each run. The lowest
score of the three was
dropped.
Another skateboarder
from Houston also performed
well in the event.
Taylor Jett, 19, placed
fourth overall and won the
“Best Trick” contest. Afterward,
Shredderz gave him
a sponsorship.
The first-place winner
received a skateboard deck
and other items. Second
through fourth places received
grab bags.
“I’d like to say thanks
to everyone who came out
and made it happen,” said
P.J. Reicheneker, owner of
Shredderz. “And thanks to
everyone from Arlington,
Dallas and all over the Metroplex
for coming out and
competing.”
Reicheneker said Yesterday’s
Texas restaurants,
Cody Rocamontes Inc. and
Hype! Skateboards helped
to make the contest a success.
Cody Rocamontes Inc. is
Continued on page 14A