YOUR AD HERE »

David Pressgrove: Maverick, my trusty steed

David Pressgrove

Getting paid to sit at Stocker Stadium in Grand Junction with scattered clouds and 70-degree weather on Friday is why I love my job.

It also helps that this is one of my favorite times of the year to work. In the span of three weeks, I will cover three state championships and four regional competitions.

To some, that’s hectic.



To a single guy who would rather be working than sitting at home, it’s heaven.

My affection for the final weeks of the school year is directly related to my coverage of track.



On Friday, I stood on the infield of Stocker watching and remembering.

In high school, I never really thought about what it would be like just to sit and watch a meet instead of run. The answer for me now is that it’s bittersweet. There are times when I wish I could be out there. Then I remember what it feels like when I try to train with the Moffat County team. They smoke me, and I don’t feel too chipper afterward. It’s probably best that I stand on the infield.

The only thing that gets worked harder (than me attempting to run with the team) is my car.

Last year, I put 1,200 miles on my car during this span, and this year, it will be close to the same.

I’ve put 35,000 miles on my car since I purchased it 15 months ago. I’m not sure how that compares to most, but I do know that I’ve driven to every part of Colorado except the southwest to cover something.

In all that time, I have never come up with a name for my wheels.

My goal during one of my trips this spring is to come up with a name for my trusty steed — a crimson1997 Mercury Mountaineer.

The desire to name my car should have left me the day after I earned my college diploma. It should have left along with my affinity for being immature. Well, I still want to name my car, and I’ve had high schoolers tell me they’re more mature than I am.

In my defense, I’ve seen tractor-trailer trucks with names, and those guys are older than me. I see no reason why can’t I name my wheels.

First, I need to characterize my car so I can come up with a fitting name. It’s red, it guzzles gas, and it has never broken down on me.

How about “Snapper?”

That’s the brand of an old riding lawn mower that I used when I was little. It was red and it guzzled gas, but it wasn’t always the most reliable.

Maybe I should just come up with a name like Billy or Lisa. Hmmm … what kind of name fits a red SUV. Famous red heads might work; Orphan Annie, Lucy, or Angie Everhart are the first to come to mind. None of those work for me, though.

Connected to the track in Junction is Suplizio Field, where Mesa State College plays its baseball games. As I write this, MSC is playing New Mexico Highlands in the conference tournament.

MSC’s mascot is the Maverick. The school colors are crimson and white.

Eureka! My car’s name is Maverick. I like it. There’s the connection with “Top Gun,” one of the best movies ever, and it sounds adventurous.

Wow, I just spent 300 words trying to name my car. Maybe I should spend more time coming up with better column ideas.

At least now when I talk to my car (I do that often on long trips) I’ll be able to address it as a proper noun. Instead of “thanks for scaring that deer away, car,” I can congratulate Maverick for saving my life. He’ll appreciate me more. Just like when you call your girlfriend by her name instead of “hey woman.”

Wow, I just used 50 words to tell readers that I talk to my car.

I need a vacation.

Oh wait, I get paid to cover sporting events. That’s like a vacation everyday.

Until next time: Hi ho Maverick, away!

David Pressgrove can be reached at 824-7031 or dpressgrove@craigdailypress.com.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Craig and Moffat County make the Craig Press’ work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.