A long time ago on a basketball court far, far away…
A couple local high school stars stood out in multiple sports for the green and white, ranging from basketball to track and field. Rachel (Sorensen) Lewis and Haley Dahl Snyder were also good enough to play Division I basketball ... and good enough to stay in the Silver State and play for the Wolf Pack when Lewis competed from 1999-2001 and Snyder followed from 2002-2004.
Since then, though, like Division I sports in general where it’s the top level in college sports and difficult to reach, Fallon has not had a presence on the court in Lawlor Events Center until now.
For the first time in 11 years, Ali Tedford is representing the Greenwave by competing as a walk-on for this year’s Nevada women’s basketball team. And the Fallon faithful will get its first opportunity to see Tedford sporting the new colors today when the team will host a free clinic. It begins at 4 p.m. at Lawlor Events Center and children eighth grade and younger are allowed to participate.
Tedford, like the student-athletes before her, displays a strong desire and work ethic to excel at the highest level in sports, even if there’s any doubt that she may not be up for the challenge. But Tedford’s strong will and persistence with the Greenwave only fueled her competitive spirit to the point where you better lock the doors at Lawlor if you don’t want her playing for the Wolf Pack.
But this year will be extra special for Wolf Pack fans when they see another local playing for Northern Nevada’s only university. Fallon doesn’t get the opportunity to advance its stars to the Division I level, especially at Nevada, but when the green and white is present, good things can happen.
Tristan (Adams) Johnson and Carly (Sorensen) Sipherd, younger sister of Rachel, started all four years for the Nevada volleyball team when the Wolf Pack was a contender and made the NCAA tournament on a regular basis. Jessica Daum was a walk on. Scott Smith turned in a solid career on the golf course, and Harvey Dahl and Josh Mauga made a name for themselves by competing in the NFL. Kelly (Smith) Frost and Michelle (Beach) Hallisey, Tedford’s cousin, each played softball, while Owen Mackedon played baseball.
Along with Tedford battling for the Wolf Pack this year, Fallon also has another former standout competing with Joe Pyle redshirting with the football team. The former Fallon quarterback is currently on the scout team and in a tough competition for playing time. But you never know what will happen at Mackay Stadium, and Pyle could surprise us all if he’s summoned to take over the reins.
Fallon has a strong Wolf Pack fan base, which continues to grow every year, especially with its own can defy the odds of coming from a small town and competing for college’s highest division. Tedford and Pyle have made it, proving that your career with the Greenwave has a bright future on the collegiate stage.
Come out for today’s free clinic and see how Fallon continues to make an impacting presence on the university campus.
Thomas Ranson can be contacted at lvnsports@yahoo.com.