Go Big Gold!!

It was one if the most anticipated games of the season. These two teams from neighboring states have been competing since 1934. Over a total of eight games, Wyoming never came out with the win. Their most recent meeting occurred in 2013. It ended in a score of 37-34. But this year the team seemed different. They had already won a game, and were excited form their thrilling win in triple overtime. Fans would be traveling from all over the two states to pack the stadium. And your Wyoming cheerleaders would be there to cheer on their Cowboys.

September 10, 2016, Wyoming @ University of Nebraska, 11:00am, Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, NE, ESPN2.

Early Friday morning we loaded up the vans a set off for Lincoln Nebraska. An 8 hour drive straight down I-80. As we drove into Lincoln, we were greeted by the stadium. It was hard to miss. It seemed to tower over the rest of the city. Upon arriving at our hotel in downtown Lincoln, we checked in and went to our rooms to get ready for that nights events.

We gathered down stairs and departed for Buzzard Billy's a few blocks away. As we walked through downtown, we were surprised by the hospitality of the Nebraska fans. Every where we went that weekend, we were thanked for coming, wished good luck, and asked to take pictures. We arrived at the restaurant filled with Cowboy fans. We sang Ragtime Cowboy Joe and did a few cheers and then interacted with the fans. We ate dinner, did a quick appearance for the local news station, and then headed back to the hotel. We had a little bit of free time. Two other teammates and I decided to walk around downtown Lincoln and find this doughnut shop our teammate had mentioned, Hurt's Donuts. Somehow, we got a little lost trying to find it, but met some locals who helped us find the shop. We then walked to campus and looked at the stadium up close. We headed back to our hotel and went to bed. Tomorrow would be a long day.

Saturday morning. After a quick breakfast, we got ready and headed to the Embassy for the pregame pep-rally. Again we interacted with fans, sang Ragtime Cowboy Joe, and did a cheer. It was time to make our way to the stadium for the game. There were Nebraska fans everywhere. We entered the stadium and walked onto the field. I was overcome with excitement. I began to shake, not from the chilled wind, but from pure excitement and adrenaline.

 

11:00. Game time. We stood along the sideline as we watched the Nebraska Pregame in awe. The stadium as packed. Nearly 90,000 fans. All wearing red. It was the 349th consecutive sellout for the Cornhuskers dating back to 1962. (They hit 350 this past weekend) The "Sea of Red" was loud and proud and speckled with gold. I can't explain the energy in the stadium. It was unreal.
This video may be from last year, but this is exactly what happened.
Nebraska Pregame

Throughout the entire game, Wyoming kept a close score trailing by an average of one touchdown. After half time the Cowboys came back on the field ready to fight for the win. But it quickly took a turn for the worst. With 15 minutes left in the game the score was Wyoming 17 Nebraska 24. but in the 4th quarter we gave up 28 points, most of which came as a result of five interceptions. The Cowboys fought till the end, but were unable to get the win. Final score, 17-52. The Wyoming Cowboys had lost their first game. 1-1

Even through the score may not have been in our favor, the experience definitely was. Cheering in front of 90,000 fans, Nebraskan hospitality, the Nebraska band playing Ragtime Cowboy Joe during pregame, and the Sea of Red wave. I had a great time at the game and wouldn't trade the experience for anything. 

Until next time,
Ashley

Football on a Sunday?

It was the first game of the 2016 season. Who wouldn't be excited? The past few year had been rough for the Wyoming Cowboys. In 2014 they ended the season 4-8, and then in 2015, 2-10, were we had the youngest football team and athletic department in the nation .
But with two years at Wyoming under Coach Craig Bohl's belt, things were starting to change. This season looked to be much better. We have a older more experienced team, good leadership, and excited fans.

September 3, 2016, Wyoming v Northern Illinois University, 8:30pm, War Memorial Stadium, Laramie, WY, CBS Sports. I was time to see what the 2016 Wyoming Cowboys were made of.

The cheer teamed arrived at 5pm for warm-up. After a basic skills warm-up, we left for the Pep-rally and Cowboy Walk. What a great tradition. Fans gather at the Gateway Center outside the stadium to watch the band and cheer team perform, listen to Coach Bohl speak, and watch the football team enter the stadium. After the Pep-rally, Cowboy Joe (the pony), band, and cheer escort the football team from the Gateway center, down the street, through the parking lot filled with tailgating fans, and into the stadium. We returned to the field-house for warm-up and snack. Around 8:00 we lined up and began to make our way to the field. But at some point between Cowboy Walk and game time, a large storm had moved into the Laramie valley and it had begun poring in the War. We were informed that there was a lightning delay. We turned around and headed back inside.

Here is a quick run down of how lightning delays work. With each strike of lightning, the delay restarts at 30 minutes which is then followed by a mandatory 55 minute warm-up period for the football teams. SO... If there was 1 minute left in a lighting delay and lightning struck again, the time would restart at 30 minutes. And no, they won't cancel a game for weather.

We waited in the field house, and after 110 minutes of delay, the game finally begun. 10:20 kickoff. But man was it worth the wait. The stadium was packed with excited fans and students. Back and forth these two teams went. We were tied at 13 at half-time. Both teams came back and played hard.

With 1:13 left in the game, NIU scored a touchdown to tie the game at 27-27. And then with 4 seconds left in the game, Wyoming decided to kick a field goal. Cooper kicked the ball. IT WAS GOOD!!  OR so we thought. NIU had called a timeout right has he had kicked the ball. It did not count. He got back out on the field, and... No Good. Regualation had ended and we were still tied.

I can't fully put into word what happened next, so please do me a favor and watch the video.
Over Time in Wyoming

It was like something out of a movie. Wyoming snapped the ball. Allen and Hill with the fake hand off. Allen looked to throw. Incoming defender on the right. Turn around. Across the field. More defenders. Turn back in. Allen dove for the endzone. He's in. Wyoming Scored!!! WYOMING WON!!! The time was 2:34am, Sunday, September 4, 2016.

The team charged across the field, tackling Allen, celebrating in the endzone. The fans were screaming. The cheerleaders jumping up and down. It was a night to remember. After a short celebration, the team and cheerleaders headed across the field and huddled in front of what was left of the student section. Lead by the football captains everyone sang Ragtime Cowboy Joe one last time.


The Wyoming Cowboys had won their season home opener on a Sunday morning. 1-0 

 Until next time,
Ashley

Junior Year Has Officially Begun

I have always looked forward to starting a new school year. As I near the end of my summer break I am always excited to head back. This year was no different. I was ready. I had purchased the school supplies I needed, prepped my class binders, and considered my outfits for the first week.
The one thing I didn't give much thought to was my schedule. Have a look.

Monday:
Up at: 7:00am
Work 8:00-5:30
Lifting: 6:15
Dinner/Homework/Shower/Next day prep: 7:00-10:30
Bedtime: 10:30-11:00pm

Tuesday:
Up at: 5:20am
Practice: 6:00-8:00
Internship: 8:00-10:30
Observing Young Children: 11:00-12:15
Lunch Break: 12:15-1:20
Teacher a Practitioner: 1:20-4:00
Head Home: 4:00
Dinner/Homework/Shower/Next day prep: 4:00-8:45
FCA 8:45-10:30
Bedtime sometime between: 11:00 and 12:00

Wednesday:
Observation: 8:00-9:00
Work: 9:00am-1:30pm
Physics in Elementary Schools: 2:00-3:00
Work: 3:15-5:30
Lifting: 6:15-7:00
Grab Dinner: 7:00-7:30
Bible Study: 7:30-9:00
Homework/Shower/Next day prep: 9:00-11:00
Bedtime: 11:00

Thursday:
Up at: 5:20am
Practice: 6:00-8:00
Internship: 8:00-11:30
Lunch/ Get ready: 11:30-1:00
Teacher a Practitioner: 1:20-4:00
Head Home: 4:00
Dinner/Homework/Shower/Next day prep: 4:00-10:00
Bedtime sometime between: 10:00 and 11:00

Friday:
Up at: 7:00
Work: 8:00-5:30
Homework/Relax/Dinner: 5:30-10:30
Bedtime: 10:30

NOW.. this is not completely accurate. This schedule does not include additional games, inter hours, work training, team travel and event, or working at Sonic on the weekends

Week one was absolute chaos. I was struggling to find my rhythm, get organized, and was already behind in my reading. It hit fast and hard. Like a freight train.

After one crazy week, I really was looking forward to a three day weekend to spend time with my family at the cabin. But things happen and my dad got sick. Plans canceled. Luckily my mom and brother were still able to make it up Saturday for the Football game. And man was it a good one. You can read all about it in my "Football on a Sunday?" post.


Now that I am three weeks into the semester, I am finally getting into my rhythm and figuring out how to appropriately manage my time. I have talked to my mom, teammates who have previously taken the classes I'm in, and my professors. I have had to force myself to step out of my comfort zone and ask for advice and help. Thursday after class I stayed to talk to my professor. I explained how I was falling behind in the reading and the stress that it was causing. She gave me some great pointers in regards to the class and the reading and really helped me to calm down and figure out how best to navigate through the course. Possibly one of the biggest moments for me thus far this semester.

After realistically looking at the semester, I have come up with a few goals:
1) Achieve a 4.0 semester GPA
2) Grow and strengthen my relationship with God and others (friends, bible study ladies, teammates)
3) Apply the things I am learning in class to my job to become a better teacher
4) Gain at least three new skills in cheer.

I'm excited to continue to share my semester with you and to continue to grow as an individual


Until next time,
Ashley