Eric Bean

United States, Yankton

Assistant Sports Editor at Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan

Sports Reporter @IdahoMTExpress | CU Boulder '22 JRNL Graduate | Formerly @pressanddakotan, @CUBuffsSID, Sports Broadcast Journal, @CUISports, @unafraidshow

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Articles

Wolverines honored at Bob Shay awards

3 weeks ago | mtexpress.com | Eric Bean

Wood River High School seniors Sydney Nickum and Matt Wilde earned Athlete of the Year honors as the school honored standout students in both athletics and activities at the Bob Shay Most Inspirational Awards in Hailey’s Community Campus on Monday. The late Shay coached Blaine County athletics, including football, wrestling, track and cross-country, for 33 years before retiring in 1988.
Girls on the Run race season-ending 5K

3 weeks ago | mtexpress.com | Eric Bean

Girls on the Run Executive Director Teressa Johnson said she could see the excitement of many of the 172 participants at the organization’s annual end-of-season Color Me Fearless 5k at Hailey Elementary School on Saturday. “I saw a lot of girls bursting with confidence when they crossed the finish line,” she said. “It was a great turnout. The girls are smiling and [doing] a good job.
Wood River Gun Club talks importance of conservation at weekend shoot

3 weeks ago | mtexpress.com | Eric Bean

Although things might not get overly competitive, Bellevue resident Matt Thornton, who has been part of the Wood River Gun Club for over 35 years, said that competition can be spirited, especially at the 23rd annual Ducks Unlimited Shoot at the WRGC in Bellevue on Saturday and Sunday. “It’s everybody having fun, getting together, talking and having a great time,” he said of the event, which included 90 participants.
Sela named WRHS boys basketball coach

4 weeks ago | mtexpress.com | Eric Bean

Wood River High School athletic director Kevin Stilling announced Kyle Sela as the new head coach of the Wolverines boys basketball program on Wednesday. Sela was the head coach of the Wood River Middle School eighth-grade boys basketball team in 2024-25. The Wolverines high school team went 1-21 in 2024-25. Greg Edwards served as the Wolverines' head coach for the rest of the season after the previous coach departed in December.
'The paraglider's pilot'

4 weeks ago | mtexpress.com | Eric Bean

Growing up in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Chuck Smith had to travel to the White Mountains in New Hampshire to enjoy one of his favorite activities, rock climbing. “It’s tough to be a climber living on Cape Cod,” he said. “It’s like being a surfer and living in Nevada or Iowa. We had to travel a lot to get to the mountains.”With a hang-gliding launch site near his home, Smith began to dream of how wonderful it would be to simply fly above the mountains.
Ketchum Run Club looks to bring community closer

1 month ago | mtexpress.com | Eric Bean

Ketchum local Madison Hendrix, now 30, moved to the Wood River Valley when she was 10 years old and is a Wood River High School graduate. She was in and out of the valley throughout her life and moved back to the area in 2021. The community has always felt like home to her. “It’s such a globally minded community, but everyone acts local,” she said.
'We glide in each other’s tracks'

1 month ago | mtexpress.com | Eric Bean

Christin Cooper, who earned a silver medal in the giant slalom at the 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympic Games as well as the World Cup giant slalom race at Lake Placid the same year, credits the “culture of skiing and outdoor living” in the Wood River Valley as one of the reasons for her international success. “Growing up in a small town where everybody knows and supports you is a huge benefit,” Cooper, who grew up skiing in Ketchum, said.
'The secret beauty of the sport'

1 month ago | mtexpress.com | Eric Bean

Stephen Helfenbein, director of the area’s largest ski school, said he wants skiers and snowboarders to enjoy the Wood River Valley’s slopes. With that fun, however, comes responsibility. “If my fun is helping to create a positive vibe and environment, then that’s probably the right choice,” he said. Will Brandenburg, a valley Alpine skiing coach, added that skiers and snowboarders on the mountain need to know their limits.
Wolverines softball, baseball all-conference teams announced

1 month ago | mtexpress.com | Eric Bean

Wood River Wolverines senior softball player Makinzie Nelson was named the co-player of the year as the Great Basin Conference All-Conference Team selections were announced Wednesday. Nelson, a pitcher and outfielder, earned the honor along with Molly Hodge of Twin Falls. The Wolverines senior registered 19 home runs in 2025, a school record. Senior outfielder Becca Atienza garnered first-team all-conference honors.
Club lacrosse teams wrap up spring seasons

1 month ago | mtexpress.com | Eric Bean

The Sun Valley boys club high school lacrosse team went 0-3 at the Idaho High School Lacrosse League state tournament in Spokane, Washington, on Friday and Saturday, May 16 and 17. The team lost to Mead 16-6, Teton Valley 15-13 and Spokane Valley 9-7. “While we did not win any of our games, the tournament was great for us,” Sun Valley head coach Raines Shamburger wrote to the Express. “We’re a predominately freshman team.