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Wyoming Loses Starting Cornerback to Transfer Portal

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Wyoming Loses Starting Cornerback to Transfer Portal


LARAMIE — Jay Sawvel said last Saturday it’s a miserable time to be a head coach at a non-power conference level.

Why?

Two words: Transfer Portal.

Starting cornerback Keany Parks, just three days before the spring window is set to slam shut, entered college football’s version of free agency on Wednesday, becoming the seventh Wyoming player to bolt this spring.

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Quarterback Deyon Batiste is also on the open market. So is running back Harrison Waylee, nickel Wrook Brown and cornerback Charles Williams. Edge rusher Sabastian Harsh has already committed to North Carolina State. Fellow defensive end Dawan Martin is also in search of a new home.

Parks is expected to sign with the University of Houston, according to two sources familiar with the situation.

He has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

“I think we got some capabilities to be good,” Sawvel said, referring to the cornerback room. “We have a lot of work to do and we have some development to do, but there’s no weeping or gnashing of teeth, as they would say in the Bible.

“So, we’re OK. We’re going to move on.”

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Parks tallied 41 tackles — 34 solo stops — and broke up seven passes during his first full year in the Cowboys’ secondary. He also added a fumble recovery. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Wisconsin product was moved to cornerback during the 2023 campaign after signing as a running back the year prior.

The former three-star recruit was tabbed the No. 2 prospect in the state, per Rivals.com, rushing for more than 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns over his final two seasons at Bradford High School. That damage came in just 19 games and included a 193-yard performance against Racine Case High School.

Parks was also recruited by Power-4 programs Arizona State, SMU, Iowa State and Wisconsin. Washington State, Louisiana Tech and Tulane also showed interest.

“I loved it from the start,” Parks said back in August of 2023 when asked why he eventually chose Wyoming. “Coach (Tim) Polasek and coach (Craig) Bohl, we just clicked from the start. I felt like this is the place I wanted to go to be great. I plan on putting my head down, just working and showing them what kind of worker they got.

“I feel like I belong in Wyoming. This is my home.”

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Not anymore.

 

MORE UW FOOTBALL NEWS VIA 7220SPORTS:

Wyoming’s Dante Drake has been a menace in the trenches

Cowboys plan to add another QB after Batiste departure

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Wyoming’s rookie corner is turning heads this spring

Double or nothing: Pokes’ makeshift front five falters late

Wyoming’s Adrian Onyeigo learning the pass-rushing ropes

Wyoming looking to add to roster with spring portal looming

Can Wyoming’s Gary Rutherford snag a starting gig?: ‘No doubt’

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Wyoming cornerback to enter NCAA Transfer Portal

Caleb Robinson: ‘He was missed last year, for sure’

Sawvel: It’s a ‘wide open’ battle for back-up QB spot

Cowboy football enters third week of spring camp

Hendricks on edge rushers: ‘Production pays the bills’

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Gary Harrell named running backs coach at Wyoming

Pokes working on hurry-up offense, focus on ‘middle eight’

 

Sawvel said Wednesday Parks was the third-best corner in last Saturday’s scrimmage, behind rookie Tyson Deen and Snow College transfer BJ Inmon. He also went on to say he will “address the specifics” of Parks’ move following Saturday’s annual spring game.

“We may have a little state of the state type of thing on that, and we’ll talk about some of those things,” the second-year head coach reiterated, adding that he has “supreme confidence” in a couple of young corners on this current roster.

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Deen and Inmon could be opening-day options. Ian Bell, a junior with double-digit appearances under his belt, could also be an option. He has dealt with foot and hamstring issues over the last couple of seasons.

This staff is also high on redshirt freshmen Markie Grant and Tyrese Boss. Same can be said for Incoming transfers like Brooklyn Cheek and Justin Taylor, who could also make the transition from the safety spot.

“I think there are possibilities there if we chose to do that,” Sawvel said. “I don’t know that that’s necessarily what we need to choose to do right now.”

Sawvel said he was already in the market for a defensive back or two himself before Parks’ departure. That’s easier said than done, though, he added.

Cornerbacks are a hot commodity.

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“Well, No. 1, they’re really hard to find right now,” he said. “Look, there’s a reason (Parks leaving) just happened.”

The portal is set to close April 25, less than 24 hours prior to the Cowboys’ exhibition inside War Memorial Stadium. Players have to enter free agency before that date. They can sign with a new program at any time.

Kickoff is slated for noon.

University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players

The rules are simple: What was the player’s impact while in Laramie? That means NFL stats, draft status or any other accolade earned outside of UW is irrelevant when it comes to this list.

This isn’t a one-man job. This task called for a panel of experts. Joining 7220’s Cody Tucker are Robert GagliardiJared NewlandRyan Thorburn, and Kevin McKinney.

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We all compiled our own list of 50 and let computer averages do the work. Think BCS — only we hope this catalog is fairer.

Don’t agree with a selection? Feel free to sound off on our Twitter: @7220sports – #Top50UWFB

Gallery Credit: 7220Sports.com

– University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players





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(PHOTOS) Casper Holistic Expo packs the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds

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(PHOTOS) Casper Holistic Expo packs the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds


CASPER, Wyo. — There was magic, or something like it, in the air on Saturday as the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds presented the 2026 Casper Holistic Expo, Casper’s longest running holistic expo and a hallmark of the beginning of spring in Natrona County.

Countless vendors from Casper and beyond gathered with their goodies to present them to eager customers searching for something a little different.

The holistic expo featured crystal and metaphysical shops, tattoo and body piercing studios, henna and glitter tattoo studios, holistic shops, tarot readings, fortune tellers, magic and so much more. There was truly something for everyone, and Christina Kuhn, the lead organizer, said that nobody who came to the expo would leave disappointed.

“This actually started over 20 years ago,” Kuhn said. “I’ve been doing it for years. My mom did it for seven years before me. And Judy Ick, who actually does our photography, she did it before that. So it’s been a very long, very longstanding and growing event.”

Kuhn said that the Holistic Expo has grown exponentially over the years.

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“When Judy passed it down to mom, there were 38 booths,” she said. “After mom passed it down to me, there were 78. Now I think we’re up to, like, 98.”

The booths are as eclectic as the people who run them. There’s magic, mysticism and moonlight; storytellers and palm readers; conversationalists and creators. There are CBD products, organic teas, energy testing, and even fudge.

“Some of this is kind of a special niche,” Kuhn shared, “but some of it is not. We’ve got a chiropractor. We’ve got people that are working with healing modalities. Some of it’s spiritual stuff. We’ve got crafts, too.”

There’s a wide variety of vendors and customers as the Holistic Expo, and Kuhn said she wouldn’t want it any other way. The most important thing they do, Kuhn said, is donate to local nonprofits.

“People can either pay the $5 door fee — anybody that’s 13 or over — or they can donate five nonperishable goods,” Kuhn said. “We started donating that to poverty resistance, and then we did City Park Church. This year we’re donating to the Wyoming Food for Thought Project.”

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Kuhn said this was just a simple way to give back to the community, a community she and her business have been a part of for years. Kuhn owns a store in downtown Casper called A Place for Passion, and the Holistic Expo also allows her to bring some merch from her store and put in on display with a variety of other items. It’s a fun way to spend a weekend, she said, and she’s proud to be a part of it.

“Good lord, I’ve been doing this for a long time,” she said. “I helped my mom with it for ages and she wanted somebody that would carry on and keep expanding and doing well with it. Before I was helping run the show and managing it, I was a booth. I started sharing a booth with my mom because I only had a few things and I wasn’t sure how well they’d sell. But then it just expanded and took off, and now here I am.”

Kuhn said it means a lot that she’s able to continue the Holistic Expo for her mother.

“It’s nice to keep expanding something, especially something that contributes so much to the community,” she said. “There are so many people that come out and enjoy everything that they get here. And it’s a big opportunity for them to connect with others, to connect with people that have stuff they want to offer them.”

That, Kuhn said, is her favorite part of the Holistic Expo — meeting people.

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“It’s just nice connecting with people and helping them out in any way that you can,” she said. “Everybody’s got their own knowledge, gifts, products that they’re putting out — services, whatever it is. So being able to share that with others is awesome. You’ve got to come check it out. It’s an awesome experience. There’s a little something for everyone.”

The Casper Holistic Expo is happening Saturday until 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Industrial Building at the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds.

Photos from the Holistic Expo can be seen below:





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Wyoming teen discovers rare and ancient megalodon shark tooth off Florida coast

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Wyoming teen discovers rare and ancient megalodon shark tooth off Florida coast


A 6-inch megalodon shark tooth was found by a Wyoming teen during a dive trip off Manasota Key, Florida earlier this week.

Sixteen-year-old Aiden Andrews and his father Brian were on a guided dive with Fossil Junkies, a local fossil-hunting tour company.

Captain John Kreatsoulas told FOX 13 Tampa Bay reporter Kimberly Kuizon that while finding small megalodon teeth isn’t uncommon, finding one that size is quite rare.

Video captured the moments when Aiden and his father celebrated underwater after making the remarkable discovery.

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Popularized by Hollywood monster movies, the Carcharocles megalodon was the largest shark to have ever lived, according to the Smithsonian Institution. 

A 6-inch megalodon shark tooth was found by a Wyoming teen during a dive trip off Manasota Key, Florida. Fossil Junkies

Diver wearing an orange mask holding a large fossilized shark tooth.
Aiden Andrews, 16, celebrated with his father after making the remarkable discovery. Fossil Junkies

Scientists believe the largest megalodon reached up to 60 feet in length and weighed up to 50 tons.

And as Andrews can attest — they possessed teeth the size of a human hand.

According to the Smithsonian, megalodon lived between 23 and 3.6 million years ago across all of Earth’s oceans.



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Outdoor Fun Awaits At Local Parks With Izaak Walton League’s Hiking Series From April To September

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Outdoor Fun Awaits At Local Parks With Izaak Walton League’s Hiking Series From April To September


Hiking can be an activity that you enjoy doing on your own, but sometimes you need a little extra inspiration, and a group hike is exactly what you need. If you’re looking for a group to explore the outdoors with, the Charles E. Piersall chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America hiking group may be what you’re looking for.

The mission of the IWLA:

To engage the community in the conservation, restoration, and promotion of environmental protection, we focus on the sustainable use and enjoyment of our natural resources, including soil, air, woods, waters, and wildlife. This commitment is essential for a sustainable future, and activities like hiking help foster a connection with nature

The group is open to all ages, and even your pup can join in on the fun if they’re on a leash. There is a series of hikes planned beginning on April 1. Nope, this isn’t a prank; it is a real chance to meet other outdoor lovers and take in some of the area’s best hiking trails. The hikes are scheduled on the odd Wednesdays from April to September, weather permitting.

Join us to connect with others who appreciate the beauty of outdoor hiking and environmental advocacy hiking. Remember to bring drinking water, snacks, good walking shoes or boots, and a jacket. A walking stick or hiking poles can also be helpful.

Here are the hikes they have planned for this summer.

April 2026

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  • Wednesday, April 1, 6 pm, Morad Park to Paradise Valley:
  • Wednesday, April 15, 6 pm, Edness K. Wilkins State Park:
  • Wednesday, April 29, 6 pm, Tate Pumphouse, Golf Course loop:

May 2026

June 2026

July 2026

  • Wednesday, July 1, 6 pm, Muddy Mountain, North Face:
  • Wednesday, July 15, 6 pm, Muddy Mountain, Beaver Ponds:
  • Wednesday, July 29, 6 pm, Casper Mountain, Biathlon:

August 2026

September 2026

16 Types Of Hikes Explained

7 Trails To Hike In Central Wyoming

There’s no doubt about it, the entire state of Wyoming is covered in amazing hiking trails. If you’re visiting central Wyoming here are 7 trails that you should check out. I’ve organized them from easier to harder, ending with Laramie Peak.

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