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By John Robinson john @ emporia . com

Riders of all ages took to the Lyon County fairgrounds Monday night to compete in the “ Mutton Bustin ’” and “ Buck , Rumble & Roll ” competitions .

While the latter contest features the more traditional bull riding , “ Mutton Bustin ’” showcases the talents of the younger age group . With riders age 6 and younger attempting to stay on a bucking , woolly sheep .

According to T . J . Mullen , age 3 , of Emporia , it was a good time .

“ Riding the sheep ,” T . J . said when asked what the purple ribbon he was proudly displaying represented .

Asked if he would return to the competition in 2017 , there was no

Please see Fair , Page 3

P H O T O S B Y K E N D R A J O H N S O N / S P E C I A L T O T H E G A Z E T T E

There were 23 men from Kansas and Oklahoma who competed in the bull riding competition on Monday .

By Mary Ann Redeker maryann @ emporia . com

For those hoping to know who the Democratic candidate for 76th District House would be yesterday , there is still no winner .

Kelly Atherton and Teresa Briggs are deadlocked in a 397-397 tie .

In last Tuesday ’ s primary race , Atherton led Briggs by six votes and the race was too close to call , leading to the provisional ballot count from the three counties representing the 76th District .

The 76th District includes southeast Emporia and south Lyon County , all of Coffey County , and southern parts of Osage County including Osage City , Melvern and Quenemo .

Lyon County Clerk Tammy Vopat performed the count for the provisionals in Lyon County .

“ I can certify the numbers to you for Lyon County ,” she said . “ In Lyon County , Kelly Atherton led Teresa Briggs 198-126 . I have certified these numbers to the Secretary of State ’ s office . The other counties , Coffey and Osage will do that as well .”

After Coffey and Osage Counties performed their vote canvasses , Briggs gained eight more votes and Atherton gained two . Briggs also picked up the only two provisionals in Coffey County in order to tie up Atherton .

Vopat said the tie won ’ t be official until the state does its canvasses on Sept . 1 .

“ If they certify a tie , then the next step is at the state level ,” she said . “ It could be a recount or they could flip a coin . It will be their decision .”

The winner will go on to face Republican Eric Smith of Burlington , who filed to fill the vacancy of Peggy Mast , in the Nov . 8 general election .

“ This is a really good example of the importance of voting ,” Vopat said . “ Everyone ’ s vote matters . Yes , one vote can make all the difference .”

Special to The Gazette

The 2016 disc golf World Championships in Emporia , KS will bring the best names in both Men ’ s and Women ’ s divisions . The defending champion , Paul McBeth , will attempt to defend his title against all comers in the Open Men ’ s . Paul has had a busy summer enjoying top finishes in three tournaments ( 28th Memorial Championship , La Mirada Open , European Open ), five 2nd place finishes ( Nick Hyde Memorial , Glass Blown Open , Konopiste Open , “ Steady ” Ed Memorial , European Masters ), a

VOL . 125 , NO . 33 third place finish ( Beaver State Fling ), and a lonely 12th place finish ( Vibram Open ). Despite only three wins , the four time defending champion will look to be the first Men ’ s Open competitor to win 5 consecutive World titles since the Champ himself Ken Climo notched 9 straight from 1990-98 .

Ricky Wysocki

Ricky ‘ Sockibomb ’ Wysocki has been on fire this summer . Ten wins in tournament play thus far in 2016 alone . He also supplemented those with four 2nd place ( La Mirada Open , GBO , European Open , and Delaware DGC ), a single 4th place ( Vibram Open ) and one 6th place finish ( 28th Memorial ). Wysocki has been so busy all summer in hopes of finally eclipsing McBeth for the Worlds win after coming up 2nd in three of the last four championships . T h e t o p t w o ranked men ’ s playe r s in the world will be bringing their best throws to the table come August .

Will Schusterick

Will Schusterick has felt similar success having

Special to The Gazette

The competition in the Women ’ s Open division for the 2016 PDGA P r o Disc Golf Worlds this year will not be lacking .

Of the top 5 ranked women in the world ( registered for 2016 ), four have graced the top spot already . Paige Pierce looks to repeat as the title holder for her first time . She has leapfrog wins in 2011 , 2013 and 2015 .

Her dominant summer resulted in six 2nd place finishes and three wins ( Texas Women ’ s , Nick Hyde Memorial , Vibram Open ).

Catrina Allen

Like Wysocki in the Men ’ s , Catrina Allen has been torching competition all season long . She marked 10 wins ( 28th Memorial , Mishawaka Meltdown , Jacksonville Open , The Rumble , GBO , KC Wide Open , “ Steady ” Ed Memorial , Beaver State Fling , Great Lakes Open , Estonian Open ), and a lone 2nd place at the Vibram Open . She also has the 2014 World Championship in her name .

Sarah Hokom was the other player to keep Pierce from consecutive titles

Her summer has also netted some success with 3 wins ( Texas State DGC , Delaware DGC , Legacy Discs Silver Cup ), and a pair of 2nd place finishes ( St . Patrick ’ s Classic , Texas Women ’ s Championship ). Hokom supplemented those with two other top 5s , and a 7th at the 28th Memorial Championship .

Valarie Jenkins had a similar season with six top 5 finishes , and a win at the St . Jude Charity Invitational . More important than her season so far are her trifecta of Pro Worlds wins in 2007-09 . Not only is Valarie a past winner , but she ’ s been runner up to both Pierce (‘ 13 ) and Hokom (‘ 12 ). Jessica Weese has seen top 10 finishes in

Please see Men ’ s , Page 5 with a 2012 Worlds win . Please see Women ’ s , Page 5