WNC’s Reach for the Stars gala Aug. 12

Step back in time and immerse yourself in the glitz and glamour of the Roaring '20s at the Reach for the Stars Gala, hosted by the Western Nevada College Foundation at the Joe Dini Library on Aug. 12.

The spirit of the 1920s will help honor the 20th anniversary of the Jack C. Davis Observatory. Mingle with fellow community members dressed to the nines in flapper dresses, pinstripes, feathers and pearls.

Enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a catered dinner by Chef John Hurzel, gifts, live and silent auctions and dancing to the music provided by local DJ Steve Nichols.

The gala will also feature Thomas Herring, director of the Jack C. Davis Observatory.

Event sponsorships are available by calling 775-445-3239.

Tickets are $200 per person, $380 per couple and $1,500 per table of eight. Seating is limited. Purchase tickets by calling WNC Foundation Office at 775-445-3240 or by visiting wnc.edu/reach.

Electrician Level I skills certificate earners honored

Western Nevada College’s first cohort of the Northern Nevada Independent Electrical Contractors training program was celebrated for earning their Electrician Level 1 skills certificate recently.

Graduates included Chris Thompson, Gabriel Kinkead, Paris Peabody and Jeren Gaytan. These students are employed by companies that are members of the NNVIEC. They were honored in a ceremony attended by WNC representatives, including President J. Kyle Dalpe; Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs Dana Ryan; WNC Prison Education & Apprenticeship Program Director Deb Conrad; Jesse Olson, The Happy Outlet owner, NNVIEC member and program instructor; and Jennifer Estrada, co-owner of Jolt Electric and NNVIEC director.

Skills certificate recipients needed to pass 11 credits associated with the Independent Electrical Contractors program as well as the IEC first-year exam. The students are employed by The Happy Outlet, Jolt Electric, A.M. Smith Electric Inc. and Hettrick Electric.

For information, phone 775-445-3302.

Former WWE star to speak at WNC on Aug. 8

Zach Gowen experienced painful losses early in his life and nearly succumbed to drugs as a young adult.

Gowen persevered and became an inspirational sensation as a professional wrestler, building a following on social media and in the WWE ring.

When his flame burned out in wrestling, Gowen turned to sharing his message with children and young adults nationwide.

Gowen will visit Western Nevada College on Aug. 8, for a motivational and interactive presentation to the College Education for Students in Transition program. The 9 to 11 a.m. event titled “Don’t Quit Your Daydream” in Carson Nugget Hall is presented by WNC Disability Support Services and the Diversion, Equity and Inclusion Committee.

Attendees are advised to RSVP, as seating will be limited. RSVP by Aug. 4 to Susan Trist at 775-445-4459 or susan.trist@wnc.edu. Light refreshments will be served.

Student Services open until 7 p.m. on Wednesdays in August

Student Services at Western Nevada College will remain open after regular business hours every Wednesday in August to help students prepare for the fall semester.

On the Carson City campus, representatives from Admissions and Records, Academic Advising and Access and the Financial Aid Office will be available until 7 p.m. on Wednesdays, Aug. 2, Aug. 9, Aug. 16, Aug. 23 and Aug. 30.

Fall semester opens Aug. 28.

For information about becoming a student at WNC, phone 775-445-3277 or visit wnc.edu/starthere.

High marks for new ultrarun venue

For the first time in the 22-year history of the 100-mile, 50-mile and 55-kilometer Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Runs, competitors finished their endurance tests inside the John L. Harvey baseball facility at Western Nevada College. The previous two years, the event started and finished in the parking lot behind the Cedar Building.

“The participants were so blown away and impressed with the baseball stadium for a venue,” said TRT Endurance Runs Race Director George Ruiz. “It was so nice to operate there. It's by far the best venue we've operated out of and the runners raved about it. It will be very difficult to top this!”

Dubbed the “Ultra Lounge,” the start-finish area at John L. Harvey Field gave competitors a pleasant respite from extreme heat and a tent-covered recovery and relaxation area after their grueling races.

Nickademus De La Rosa of Sedona, Ariz., won the 100-mile race in 20 hours, 35 minutes, 8 seconds, finishing more than 33 minutes ahead of his nearest competitor. It was De La Rosa’s 10th career ultra win and first since 2017.

Claire Walton of Wirral, England, was ninth overall and the top woman in 25:17:49.

Robert Montgomery of Carson City followed Josh Kivi (Reno), Ben Tedore (Reno) and Christopher Thomas (Reno) as the top local finishers. Montgomery completed the course in 25:41:59 to finish 12th overall. Carson City’s Andrew Ruthenbeck also conquered the course, finishing 93rd.

The 50-mile race was tightly contested with Brady Poskin of Kansas City finishing first in 10:03:12, less than 4 minutes faster than runner-up Quinn Brussel of San Luis Obispo, Calif. Sydney Lambert of Austin, Texas, was the top female in 11:42:28. Carson City’s Briana Jaskot was second at 12:21:21. Joselio Ramirez of Minden (24th), Gehrig Tucker of Carson City (43rd), Larry McDonald of Carson City (53rd), Gina Session of Carson City (81st) also completed the 50-mile race.

The top 55K finisher was dual winner Jade Belzberg of San Luis Obispo. She was the top female as well, winning in 6:48:28, about 25 minutes ahead of runner-up Zac Marion of Morrison, Colo.

Andrea Bayer of Carson City was the women’s runner-up and third overall at 7:32:13. Carson City’s Marissa Wat was 11th, Carson City’s Jason Hataway 20th, Minden’s Douglas Carr 29th, Gardnerville’s John Parks 30th, Carson City’s Alisha Clark 32nd, Carson City’s Adam Sullivan 34th, Gardnerville’s Tammy Degiovanni 63rd, Carson City’s Carmen Delatorre 69th, Dayton’s Catherine Council 92nd and Carson City’s Jose Banuelos 93rd.

For additional results, visit trter.com.