<\/p>\n
Classic summertime fun with a nod to history embodied the annual Escalante Days and Nights festival held in Dolores over the weekend.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, hundreds of people filled downtown to enjoy the traditional events, including the chain-saw, arm-wrestling and balloon-throwing contests.<\/p>\n
The Ragland family again dominated the saw competition, winning first, second and third place in both the small-saw and big-saw categories.<\/p>\n
Competitors have to make three cuts through a 12-inch Ponderosa log set up on a flatbed truck in the middle of Central Avenue. The cuts must be made within a 6-inch section of log.<\/p>\n
Luke Ragland took first place in the small-saw competition with a time of 12.34 seconds. He also had the fastest time for the big-saw category, with 8.37 seconds, edging out his brother Jake by a half-second.<\/p>\n
\u201cWinning this is a family tradition,\u201d he said. \u201cI come down every year to beat my brother, and to make sure the Ragland name stays on top.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the small-saw contest, Doug Ragland took second place (15 seconds), and Jake Ragland took third place (15.91 seconds). In the big-saw category, Jake Ragland took second (8.87 seconds), and Harold Ragland took third place (9.19 seconds.)<\/p>\n
Luke, a lawyer from Denver, said the trick to the fastest times is finesse over power.<\/p>\n
\u201cLimiting time between each cut is the key,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
In the women\u2019s category, Mariah Ragland made her mark this year as well. The 22-year-old\u2019s steady control of the saw garnered the fastest time of 20.69 seconds.<\/p>\n
\u201cFeels good to be the first woman in the Ragland family to do it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The popular event always draws a big crowd.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt represents the history of logging in this area,\u201d said longtime competitor Mark Rose. \u201cBut it\u2019s tough to beat those Ragland boys.\u201d<\/p>\n
The arm-wrestling competition saw some tough match-ups.<\/p>\n
Jade Lyle took first place in the women\u2019s category, Raquel Hunter took second, and Elsie Zwicker took third.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was pretty tough, and exciting to compete and win,\u201d said Lyle, a vet tech from Cortez. \u201cIt was my first time, and I\u2019ll be back next year.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the middleweight division, Sonny Boren, 16, of Cortez, took first place, followed up by JJ Bartlett in second and Wyatt Jones in third.<\/p>\n
\u201cFeels great to win!\u201d Boren said.<\/p>\n
In the heavyweight division, Rich Morris fended off all competitors and took first place. Troy Hicks took second, and Jordan Johnson third.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve won a lot before, but got beat by a guy half my age this time. It\u2019s always a good time,\u201d Hicks said afterward.<\/p>\n
The softball tournament attracted 19 teams from all over the Four Corners, said organizer Dane Gallaher.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver two days, we played 41 games on three fields,\u201d he said. \u201cThere were some competitive match ups and a good crowd.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the A Bracket, the Cozona Eagles took first place, and Duece Duece took second. In the B Bracket, the Hawks took first place and 4C took second. In the ladies tournament, Diamond D won got the winners trophy, and Two Piece and a Biscuit took runner up.<\/p>\n
The high school wrestling and football teams managed the tournament and concessions. They raised $2,000 for travel expenses for their upcoming season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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