We were sad to learn that after 22 years our friends at the
Cowboy State Games have
ceased operation (more information).
Fortunately, Wyoming athletes that wish to continue
competing in State Games are eligible to compete in the 2008
State Games of the West,
a new regional sports festival open to State Games participants
from 13 states in the West.
Join us July 24-27 in Colorado Springs for the
inaugural State Games of the West!!
The inaugural State Games of the West
will be held July 24-27 in Colorado Springs, Colorado
and will feature 31 sports. This event will be combined
with Colorado's Rocky Mountain State Games and will serve as
a qualifier for the 2009 State Games of America.
The sports for the inaugural State
Games of the West include: 5K Run/Walk, Archery, Badminton, Basketball, Billiards, BMX
Racing, Bowling,
Cycling, Diving, Field Hockey, Figure Skating, Flag
Football, Golf, Gymnastics, InLine Hockey, Judo, Karate, Powerlifting, Racquetball, Rock Climbing, Shooting, Soccer, Softball
(Slow Pitch), Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Track & Field,
Triathlon, Volleyball, Weightlifting and Wrestling.
This event is open to all State Games athletes from the
following states: Alaska,
Arizona,
California,
Colorado,
Hawaii,
Idaho,
Montana,
Nevada,
New Mexico,
Oregon,
Utah,
Washington and
Wyoming. All participants are eligible by
competing in their local State Games in 2008 regardless
of their placement.
The State Games
concept was developed in New York in 1978 with the Empire
State Games. In 2007, more than 500,000 athletes competed in
State Games nationwide. State Games feature various sports of
the Olympic and Pan American Games as well as sports that have
regional popularity within each state.
Prominent State
Games athletes include: Jeff Blatnick, Ralph Boston, Mike
Mussina, Tracy Caulkins, Calbert Cheaney, Curt Clausen, Diane Dixon, Tom Dolan,
Suzy Favor-Hamilton, Dan Gable, Rowdy Gaines, Harvey Glance,
Nicole Hislett, Nancy Hogshead, Roy Jones, Adonis Jordan, Kobe
Bryant, Nancy
Kerrigan, Mike Richter, Rusty LaRue, Danny Manning, Henry Marsh, Eric Montross,
Rick Hamilton, Chris Mullin, Tab Ramos, Glenn Robinson, Alberto Salazaar, Doug
Smith, Rex Walters, Lones Wigger, Jr. and Paul Wylie.