Panther Prowl Tournament a success

Panther Prowl Tournament a success

Nov. 2, 2000


	SOCCER TEAMS from throughout the Four Corners area competed at the second annual Panther Prowl Soccer Tournament at Parque de Vida. The boys and girls players and their fans braved cold and rain. Some 450 participants took part in the fund-raiser for high school soccer programs and Tri-City Soccer Association.

CORTEZ JOURNAL

It was three days of wet and wild soccer games at Parque de Vida.

"Wet and sometimes muddy players and their loyal fans spanned Parque de Vida, with every inch of field space occupied," Panther Prowl Soccer Tournament organizer Barb Cullington said.

This year’s second annual tournament was larger than the first tournament of a year ago. A total of 32 teams with some 450 players, ages ranging from 8-50, participated in the event. Teams came from Aztec, N.M.; Durango; Telluride; Pagosa Springs; and Moab, Utah. No trophies were presented to the top teams as the goal of the event was to focus on all players in a competitive, but friendly atmosphere, according to Cullington.

"Teams did vie for first place by earning tournament points, and it could lose points if the fans displayed bad sportsmanship," she commented.

The teams coming out on top in the various divisions were: U10 Girls Durango Wild Things, U12 Boys Durango Avalanche, U14 Girls Mallory’s Flames, U14 Boys Durango Reds, and Adult Mixed League Team Siracusan.

The event is sponsored by Barbara and Ed Cullington, Colorado West Realty, and Tri-City Soccer Association.

Proceeds of the tournament go to the booster club for high school soccer teams, and to support Tri-City Soccer Association’s Tourna-ment/Scholarship Fund.

"The sponsors want to congratulate the players for their great play and the fans for their fortitude to brave the rain and cold. The sponsors also would especially like to thank the many individuals who volunteered to referee and the businesses in the community who provided support: City Market (pumpkin awards), Comfort Inn, Graffis Motors, McDonald’s, and Fiesta Theater. The sponsors would welcome any businesses who would like to participate in future tournaments," Cullington added.

The tournament organizers said it wanted to thank the Cortez Parks and Recreation Department on their "great work on preparing all the fields" and to the City of Cortez for providing such a "great park of the youth."