About Tammy Luksich

Tammy Luksich is The Prairie's Sports Editor. She joined the staff in 2008 and is a senior majoring in Broadcasting. You can contact her by e-mail.

Buffs Fourth-Quarter Comeback Not Enough

Posted on October 1, 2009 by Tammy Luksich

PHOTO | ALLIE RENYA - Isaiah Lewis offensive lineman protects the pocket from Jimmy Saddler-McQueen.

Tammy Luksich
Sports Editor

Web Editor’s Note: Click here for more photos of the game!

The West Texas A&M Buffaloes could not get past the #10 Texas A&M-Kingsville Javelinas on Sept. 26 at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium. The Javelinas walked away with a 23-17 conference victory.

The win drops WT drops to 1-4(0-2 LSC) while the Javelinas improve their overall mark to 5-0(2-0 LSC).

The first half was a defensive shootout. Defensive end Eugene Sims had two quarterback sacks, while linebacker Mark Ford and defensive back Curtis Jefferson each grabbed an interception.

The Buffs held the Javelinas 7-0 going into the half.

“There were a lot of things we saw were positive,” Don Carthel, head coach, said. Defensively we’re causing turnovers and hitting people which will usually help you win some football games. Looking back, that was a game we probably should have won, but we didn’t get it done.”

The Javelinas were able to get on board right off the bat with their first possession in the third quarter. A

An 81-yard drive on seven plays set up the Javelinas for a four-yard touchdown run from Connell Davis; tying the score 7-7.

The Javelinas took their first lead of the game after Christian Brom launched a 20-yard field goal; making the score 10-7 with 1:55 left in the third quarter.

“Third downs are killing us offensively and defensively,” Carthel said. “We’re letting people off the hook and we’re not converting as much as we need to.”

An 83-yard drive on 15 plays helped the Javelinas go up 17-7 in the fourth quarter.

But the game was not over yet. The Buffs fired back with a one-yard connection between quarterback Taylor Harris and wide receiver Brittan Golden to put the Buffs within three points, 17-14 with 2:53 left on the clock.

A 35-yard field goal from placekicker James Chandler tied the game, 17-17; sending it into overtime.

“The key thing with Taylor is he’s been banged up pretty good since Grand Valley,” Carthel said. “He’s getting better and healthier, he still doesn’t have his mobility, but his arm strength is getting better and his confidence with his receivers is getting better.”

The Buffs were unable to convert with the first possession. The Javelinas took the win after three plays and a drive from Fred Winborn up the middle for a touchdown.

“It’s disappointing to play that well and not get the win,” Carthel said.

Despite the loss, Harris was 29-for-51, passing 306 yards and one touchdown. Wide receiver Stephen Burton tallied 13 catches for 168 yards. Running back Kelvin Thompson led the ground efforts for the Buffs with 60 yards and 19 carries. The Buffalo offense put up 355 yards and 17 first downs.

Defensively, Sims led the way with 11 tackles, 3.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks. Jefferson added 15 tackles, an interception and 1.5 tackles for loss. The Buffalo defense recorded five sacks and four interceptions.

“We’ve have to go back to work this week and try to get a win,” Carthel said.

We’ve got to make more plays.”

Next up, the Buffs will face the Mustangs of Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, on Oct. 3. Kickoff is set for 7:05 p.m.

Lady Buffs Shutout Lady Aggies, 2-0

Posted on September 24, 2009 by Tammy Luksich

OFFENSE: (Left) Lady Buff Becky Hewson focuses on the ball and getting past the approaching defender.

Tammy Luksich
Sports Editor

The West Texas A&M Lady Buffs prevailed over the New Mexico State Lady Aggies with a final score 2-0 on Sept. 21. The win lifts the Lady Buffs to 6-0-1 overall.

In the 20th minute of the game, sophomore midfielder Lindsay McHorse put WT on the board with a 12-yard cross kick to score the first point. McHorse struck again in the 46th minute with the game-winning goal. McHorse currently leads the Lady Buffs in goals tallying six on the season.

The Lady Aggies outshot the Lady Buffs 10-8, but they could not get past Lady Buff goalkeeper Kelly Skehand. Skehan added four saves in the game to help the Lady Buffs earn the victory.

The Lady Buffs begin conference play this weekend as they travel to Eastern New Mexico University on Sept. 26 to take on the Zias. Match time is set for 1 p.m.

Buffs Pound Bulldogs, 41-15

Posted on September 24, 2009 by Tammy Luksich

Tammy Luksich
Sports Editor

The West Texas A&M Buffaloes earned their first win of the season against the Southwestern Oklahoma Bulldogs in front of a crowd of 3,000 fans in Weatherford, Okla. The Buffs improve their overall record to 1-3(1-1 LSC), while the Bulldogs fall to 0-4 (0-2 LSC).

“We played four quarters this game,” Don Carthel, head coach, said. “We stayed focused and handled ourselves well. That 0-3 was ugly, and I’m glad to get that monkey off our back.”

Getting the monkey off their back seemed to provide the same relief for some of the players.

“We were starving for a win,” Kevin McCluskey, inside line backer, said. “Everything came together and we played good sound football.”

The game seemed promising for the Buffs going into the half with a 31-0 lead. The Bulldogs were able to get on the board with 8:59 to play after SWOSU linebacker John Kaye intercepted a pass from Buff quarterback Taylor Harris. Kaye returned the interception to the 5-yard-line.

The next play SWOSU’s Daniel Barwick made a path into the end zone making the score 34-7.

In the third quarter, Buffs backup quarterback Tanner Marsh saw some playing time as he led the charge into the red zone after a 21-yard connection to wide receiver A.J. Ruffins.

The next play wide receiver, Brittain Golden was Marsh’s target as he was brought down on the SWOSU 2-yard-line.

Finally, running back Tevin Mitchell scored the first touchdown of his collegiate career after diving into the end zone. Placekicker James Chandler booted a field goal for the Buffs to earn the extra point, making the score 41-7.

“Its always good to get those guys in there and get them in the mix,” McCluskey said. “You never know when you’ll need them and it’s good to get them some experience.”

With 10:55 left to play, the Bulldogs struck back with another touchdown after a four-yard run from Dashon Carter-Mayes. The Bulldogs then saw Jody Sawyer sneak into the end zone for a two-point conversion to make the score 41-15.

Offensively, Harris completed 20-of-31 passes for 259 yards and one touchdown. Marsh was 13-of-27 for 116 yards. Running back Kelvin Thompson led the ground game efforts for the Buffs, after rushing for a career-high 132 yards and 17 carries.

Thompson also added six catches for 39 yards. Brittain Golden was another Buff with a career-high performance. Golden finished with 137 receiving yards.

The WTAMU defense held SWOSU to 157 yards. The defense also forced three turnovers, 11 tackles for loss and six sacks.

Next up, the Buffs will host LSC opponent Texas A&M-Kingsville on Sept. 26. Game time begins at 6 p.m. from Kimbrough Memorial Stadium.

Wildcats Explode Past Buffs, 31-10

Posted on September 17, 2009 by Tammy Luksich

Tammy Luksich
Sports Editor

No. 6 Central Washington Wildcats defeated the WTAMU Buffalos, 34-10, in Ellensburg, Wash. The loss drops WT to 0-3 on the season, while CWU improves to 3-0.

It was a sad sight Saturday for Buffalo fans as the Wildcats led 31-3 at the half. Coming out of the locker room, the Buffalo defense seemed to find a spark. They held the Wildcats to three points in the second half.

Inside linebackers Anthony Scott and Kevin McCluskey led the team with eight tackles each. McCluskey also nabbed minus two yards for tackles for loss. Jordan Smith also added seven tackles.
Offensively, the Buffs finished the game with 230 yards, opposed to the 366 yards from the Wildcats. Senior quarterback Taylor Harris, completed 23-of-38 for 174 yards and one touchdown. Running back Kelvin Thompson accumulated 81 rushing yards and 16 carries for the Buffalos.

Wildcat quarterback Ryan Robertson threw for 21-of-36 with 227 yards and four touchdowns. His main target was wide receiver Johnny Spevak, who had nine receptions for 121 yards and one touchdown. Additionally, teammate Randal Eldriged had 64 rushing yards to lead the ground game effort for the Wildcats.

WT travels to Southwestern Oklahoma on Sept. 19. The LSC opener is set for 6 p.m. from Milam Stadium in Weatherford, Okla.

Lady Buffs Sweep Western Washington Invitational

Posted on September 17, 2009 by Tammy Luksich

PHOTO BY TAMMY LUKSICH | SERVE RECIEVE: Katie Rickwartz and Melissa Harper prepare for the next play. Both seniors were named Lone Star Conference players the week of Sept. 15.

Tammy Luksich
Sports Editor

West Texas A&M University Lady Buffs went undefeated in the Western Washington Invitational in Bellingham, Wash. Sept. 11-12. WT defeated Central Washington, Western Oregon, Seattle Pacific and Western Washington to improve their overall record to 11-2.

“It was really good to go 4-0 since the following weekend we went 2-2,” Erika Dupree, sophomore outside hitter said. “It was just really good to relearn some lessons because we’re interpreting everything and applying it during the game.”

Senior Melissa Harper was named the tournament MVP. Additionally, fellow seniors Katie Rickwartz and Laura Prinsen nabbed all-tournament honors.

“Western Washington was the start of something,” Jason Skoch, head coach, said. “We found some pieces [players] that I think are going to be put in long-term positions.”

The Lady Buffs will look to build off these wins with their new pieces in their next game, Thursday, Sept. 17. It will be the first Lone Star Conference game for WT. They host the Wildcats of Abilene Christian. Game time is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at The Box.

WT finishes second at Colorado Premiere Challenge Tournament

Posted on September 10, 2009 by Tammy Luksich

Photo by Tammy Luksich.

WTAMU Lady Buffs finished 2-2 at the Colorado Premiere Challenge Tournament in Denver, Colo, Sept. 4-5. The Lady Buffs finished 7-2 overall.

In the first game, WT slid past Lewis University in five sets. The Lady Buffs completed the game with scores 25-20, 15-25, 25-17, 20-25 and 15-11.

Senior right side hitter Laura Prinsen, led the offensive attack with 17 kills. Teammate Lauren Thedford followed with 14 and Natalie Johnson added 10. On the defensive side, freshman libero, Lauren Beville shoveled 14 digs alongside senior setter, Katie Rickwartz with 12.

“We accomplished some good wins against high ranked teams,” Thedford said. “We still have a lot to work on to stay consistent throughout matches and tournaments.”

The second game seemed to be more challenging for the Lady Buffs as they fell to #12 Central Missouri in five sets. The final scores of the game were 26-24, 25-15, 25-19, 25-21 and 15-11.

Rickwartz tallied 36 assists in the game with Thedford nabbing 13 kills to lead the team.

“Our mental mistakes centered around us staying focused,” Thedford said. “In many games we were up and only needed to win one more game, but we allowed the other team to go on runs of 3 or more points.”

In the third game, WT rebounded from their loss to sail past #8 Southwest Minnesota State in four sets. The final scores of the game were 16-25, 25-17, 25-18 and 26-24 to land WT a slot in the championship game of the silver bracket.

Senior middle blocker Melissa Harper shined as she led the team with 17 kills. Harper added two block assists and one solo block. On the defensive side, Thedford notched 14 digs while sophomore middle blocker, Lauren Purdy posted six block assists.

“Right now we’ve definitely been preparing to start off games a lot better, tougher and faster,” Prinsen said.

In the championship game, #23 Metro State got the best of WT defeating them in five sets. The scores were 25-22, 18-25, 25-23, 22-25 and 10-15.

This time Prinsen brought her senior leadership to the floor. She finished the game with 18 kills and 11 digs. Thedford and Beville led the defense with 18 and 17 digs. Rickwartz also added 15 digs and 38 assists.

“We went 2-2 by staying strong in the 5th game. Unfortunately, we had the opportunity to go 4-0 this weekend, but we just didn’t put the ball away when we needed to,” Thedford said.

“The Denver tournament is always tough but we’re glad we could learn from playing high level teams.”

Next up the Lady Buffs travel to Bellingham, Wash., for the Western Washington Tournament on Sept. 11-12. WT faces the Central Washington Wildcats in the first round beginning Friday at 9:00 a.m.

WTAMU Men’s Soccer snuffed by Rollins College

Posted on September 10, 2009 by Tammy Luksich

Tammy Luksich
Sports Editor

No. 8 WTAMU Men’s soccer played in San Antonio on Sept. 6 against Rollins College. The Buffs could not seem to get past the Tars after losing 2-0.

Both teams took only four shots in the first half, leaving the score 0-0. But in the 50th minute, the Tars scored after Bradley Welch was able to get past WT goalie, Sebastian Furness.

Shortly after, the Tars scored again when Nick Sowers planted a kick in the goal from the left side, making the score 2-0.

“This loss was disappointing,” Butch Lauffer, head coach, said.

“We had a lack of leadership and urgency at times and we’re better than that. There is really no excuse for a poor performance.”

The loss drops WT to 3-1-0 overall, while Rollins improves to 3-0-1 on the season.

Next up, the Buffs will host their first home match of the season against Texas-Permian Basin on Sept. 13 at The Pitch. The game is set to begin at 4 p.m.

“We’ve got a few extra days to prepare for them,” Lauffer said. “We’re going to watch a lot of film and start correcting some of the things that are unnecessary.”

Former WT football players get playing time in pre-season

Posted on September 3, 2009 by Tammy Luksich

San Diego Chargers receiver Charly Martin during opening day of the Chargers' training camp Monday, July 27, 2009, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

Former wide receiver, Charly Martin, and former quarterback, Keith Null, both saw time in their NFL debuts earlier this month. In May, Martin signed as a free agent for the San Diego Chargers, while Null was drafted in the sixth round to the St. Louis Rams. Since then, the duo seem to have been putting forth extra effort to make their respective squads.

In the Chargers pre-season opener against the Seattle Seahawks, Martin led the way with five receptions and 67 receiving yards. Four of his five receptions went for first downs. Additionally, Martin made two tackles on special teams. While playing at WT, the Farmington, N.M. native left a markon the WT record books.

Currently, he ranks first for receiving yards, 1,867, reception yards, 4,108, and pass receptions, 244. Among these honors, Martin was named the Daktronics first-team All-American and LSC South Receiver of the Year for the 2008 season. Martin and the Chargers will wrap up the NFL preseason with their last game, Friday, Sept. 4, against the San Francisco 49ers.

In addition to Martin’s playing time in San Diego, Null was seen in his first NFL game on Aug. 14 when the St. Louis Rams defeated the New York Jets, 23-20.

Null went 2-for-2 for 16 yards and the game-winning touchdown. The pass was completed to wide receiver, Sean Walker, for a 13-yard connection.

Keith Null | PHOTO BY G. NEWMAN LOWRANCE

Similar to Martin, Null holds many records in the WT record books. The former quarterback currently ranks number one in total career passing yards, 9,385 and the most passing yards for a single season. In the 2008 season, Null was nationally ranked in passing yards per game and second in total offense.

Null also received numerous other honors such as first-team ESPN TheMagazine/CoSIDA Academic all-District 6 selection and LSC South Academic Player of the Year. The next game for Null and the Rams will be Thursday, Sept. 3 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Lady Buffs spike competition, start season 5-0

Posted on September 3, 2009 by Tammy Luksich

Tammy Luksich
Sports Editor

WTAMU Lady Buff Volleyball finished the Britkare Lady Buff Classic Tournament with an untarnished 5-0 record. WT defeated Texas Permian Basin, Nova Southeastern, Grand Valley State, Western New Mexico and Lubbock Christian for the title.

Three Lady Buffs walked away with All-Tournament Honors, seniors Katie Rickwartz and Melissa Harper were named as All-Tournament recipients, alongside Laura Prinsen who was awarded the tournament MVP.

The Lady Buffs began the season with new leadership from Jason Skoch, head coach. Skoch replaced Tony Graystone after Graystone accepted a similar coaching position at Texas A&M-Commerce in February.

Skoch hails from Kirksville, Mo., where he led the Truman State Lady Bulldogs to four-consecutive top 10 rankings in the AVCA polls.

During his time at Truman State, Skoch compiled a 137-22 record (.861), made five consecutive NCAA tournament appearances and developed 11 All-American student-athletes.

Now, Skoch is looking to do the same thing at WT by preparing the team for future opponents.

“He [Skoch] has such high expectations for us,” Melissa Harper, senior middle blocker said. “Practice is always intense. Therefore the games aren’t as stressful.”

Teaching the team new techniques may be challenging for a new coach, but that process seems easier for Skoch with added support from the team. “This group of girls is very competitive,” Skoch said. “They handled the change really well and they’re just good people.”

Last season, the Lady Buffs completed the season with an overall record of 34-5. They recorded a perfect 15-0 record at home and finished 13-0 in the Lone Star Conference, nabbing the LSC title for the third-consecutive season.

Now, it seems as though the Lady Buffs are at it again. “It always gives a confidence winning games at home,” Harper said. “We played some highly ranked teams this weekend and we were able to get the win.”

The Lady Buffs will look to get another series of victories Sept. 4-5 as they travel to the Colorado Premiere Tournament in Denver, Colo. facing Fort Lewis College in the first round.

Texas Ivy, a must-stop antique shop

Posted on April 29, 2009 by Tammy Luksich

PHOTO BY AMANDA GARCIA | ANTIQUE BOUTIQUE: Family-owned business continues to provide excellent service and one-of-a-kind antiques for its customers. Texas Ivy sells items such as vintage glass, retro furniture, rare glass and various other collectibles.

Tammy Luksich
Sports editor

One woman’s love for antiques has blossomed into a unique stop along Amarillo’s Route 66. The Carroll family has continued to promote the rich heritage of Sixth Street since they became entrepreneurs more than thirty years ago.

Their story began on Sixth Street after Willis Carroll and his wife, Mildred, became owners of an auto sales lot in 1983. Willis and Mildred raised their four children, Linda, Dora, Cynthia and Allen, in Amarillo.

In 1997, the family purchased the home next door to the lot. The home was built in the 1920s and still has its original home settings of an old-fashioned bathtub, refrigerator and stove.

Shortly after the purchase, Mildred and Linda, turned the home into an antique shop.

“My mother [Mildred] always wanted something that reflected her personality,” Linda said. “This small store fit that.”

The name Texas Ivy was Mildred’s idea. Just before the store was opened, Dora’s daughter, Ivy, died of ovarian cancer at the age of 19. Mildred combined her love for the Lone Star State and the loss of her granddaughter into one-Texas Ivy.

After Ivy’s death, Dora and her husband moved to various states across the country. In 1999, Dora, and her family moved back to the Panhandle to help her mother and sister run the shop.

Besides being an entrepreneur, Mildred was also an active part of the community and continually found ways to give back by volunteering at absentee polls and numerous other occasions. Milldred was well known in the community for her kindness and generosity.

“She [Mildred] was 100 percent giving,” Linda said. “She was only 4’9” tall, but she had a huge heart for helping anyone.”

Neighboring shop owners seemed to share the same affection for the little lady.

“Everybody knew her,” Pat McVickers, Pink Flamingo storeowner, said. “She was just a wonderful person.”

Sadly, five years after the opening of Texas Ivy, Mildred passed away. Linda was co-owner of the store and she inherited the business. Linda also worked another job as an environmentalist. Dora took over as the director of sales and services for Texas Ivy.

“My sister was working all the time so I took over the store for her,” Dora said. “Everything has just fallen into place ever since.”

Linda said that while Mildred was alive, the daughters made it a tradition to plan road trips to go antique shopping.

“We would always stay at a bed and breakfast,” Linda said. “Then we would wake up and go shopping.”

The sisters, Linda and Dora, continue this tradition today with thoughts of their mother traveling with them in spirit.

“I’m proud of being able to do something that my mother always wanted,” Linda said. “Especially when I buy something I knew she would have liked.”

Mildred’s love for antiques and people seems to have been passed down to Dora, as she remembers her mom and Sixth Street.

“When we were young, my mom always brought us down to sixth street,” Dora said. “There has always been lots of antique shops we would go into and look at.”

Through her tenure as a shop owner, Dora said she’s also grown to be more appreciative for the history of the street.

“Route 66 is a great thing,” Dora said. “Anyone who is part of it knows that it changes you a little because when you say, ‘Route 66’ people know what you’re talking about.”

Linda and Dora said they encounter a variety of people that come into their shop.

“We see people from all over the world,” Dora said. “That’s something I normally wouldn’t get with a different job.”

Among the location for Texas Ivy, Linda and Dora said another reason customers come to their store is for their reasonable prices.

“We strive to find unique things at a price people can afford,” Linda said. “We also look for specific items that people collect.”

Some of these items include pottery, vintage class, retro furniture and much more.

“It’s great because I get to handle stuff that I wouldn’t normally own,” Dora said.

These antiques are small pieces of art almost anyone can enjoy. If someone happens to be traveling and sees an old stone building with a picket fence, they should stop in.

They probably will not be greeted by an older woman, but instead, her daughter, Dora, will be sure to provide some of the best customer service.

Avatars by Sterling Adventures