fbpx

Best of Preps – Spring 2010

By Beacon Staff

The Flathead Valley produced a bevy of state champions, high finishers and all-state selections in track, tennis and softball this spring. Choosing the top performers from this multitude of standouts is an impossible task, but the Beacon managed to pick a sampling of the best. We asked them to come into our office so we could get to know them better. Now we introduce them to you.

TRACK

Keenan Evans (Sr., Bigfork) – Class B state champion in 100 meters, 200 meters and 400-meter relay

Evans is arguably the fastest sprinter in Bigfork High School history. He broke the school record in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.82 seconds and narrowly missed out on the 200-meter record of 22.2 seconds, finishing in 22.3. He capped off his remarkable senior season by winning three first-place medals at the Class B state meet. Evans has garnered interest from multiple colleges.

Evans on speed: “Being the fastest person – I think that’s the coolest title to have.”

Jesse Bennett (Sr., Flathead) – Class AA champion in 800 meters and 1,600 meters

Bennett started running long distance on a whim his junior year. That year, he won the 800-meter title at the Class AA track meet. Then in his senior year, he repeated as 800-meter champion and added a 1,600-meter crown to his resume. He has a scholarship to run track and cross country at the University of Mary, alongside Bigfork runner Kayla Carlson.

Bennett on going out for track as a junior: “I wanted to try something new, so I decided to try track out and it clicked, I guess.”

Lexy Boschee (So., Glacier) – Class AA champion in high jump and triple jump, runner-up in 100-meter hurdles and third in long jump

Boschee is halfway through what figures to be an impressive high school track career. As a freshman, she won the Class AA high jump title with a leap of 5 feet 7 inches, and then repeated as champion this year by jumping 5-4. Her state-winning distance in the triple jump was 35-11. Expect Boschee to be in the hunt for at least four titles next spring.

Boschee on the comforting presence of her father, Jerry Boschee, Glacier’s girls track coach: “It’s just knowing that he’s always going to be there, no matter what my decisions are or what I do, he’s always backing me up.”

Taylor Martinson (So., Columbia Falls) – Class A champion 100 meters

Martinson didn’t participate in track his freshman year, opting to take driver’s education instead. But the track coach must be pleased that he decided to come out his sophomore year. In Martinson’s first year of track, he took home the honor of being the fastest kid in Class A. He should contend in the 100 and long jump again as a junior.

Martinson on the track coach approaching him as a freshman: “He said, ‘You’ve got to do it next year because I know you’re fast.’”

Anto Daoud (Sr., Whitefish) – Class A champion in 400 meters and 400-meter relay, second in 200 meters, fifth in 100 meters

Throughout the season, Daoud was without a doubt the top 400-meter runner in the state, counting classes AA through C. His time of 49.53 seconds at the state meet was more than a full second faster than the runner-up. Like Evans, Daoud was somewhat of a late bloomer in his high school career and is waiting to see what his college options are.

Daoud on the grueling nature of the 400-meter dash: “It’s a tough race to like. It’s a guts race – that’s what my coach tells me.”

SOFTBALL

Kendra Bouley (Jr., Glacier) – Class AA all-state pitcher

Bouley was the ace pitcher on a Glacier Wolfpack team that finished 19-5 and had four players named Class AA all-state. Bouley was unhittable at times this season, and when teams did get some hits, they were few and far between. Just take a look at her season statistics: 12-3 record, 124 strikeouts, five shutouts, 2.12 E.R.A., two saves.

Bouley on her teammates: “We have a lot of fun when we play together and we feel comfortable with each other, so we play better together.”

Shaun Rowe (So., Columbia Falls) – Class A all-state third baseman

Rowe was the only Columbia Falls player named to the Class A all-state team. She showed off her defensive skills at third base throughout the season and at the plate she was a terror for opposing pitchers. Rowe batted .479 on the season with three home runs, including two grand slams. She is also honing her pitching skills.

Rowe on why softball is her favorite sport: “It’s just the intensity. It’s more intense and more fun than other sports.”

TENNIS

Kellen Bates (Fr., Glacier) – Class AA singles champion

In his first year of high school tennis, Bates blew through the competition, twice defeating two-time Class AA champion Eric Braun of Missoula Hellgate and finishing undefeated. Bates never even lost a set. The southpaw is also ranked in his region for the U.S. Tennis Association. He appears to be in the driver’s seat for a rare achievement: four high school singles titles.

Bates on how often he practices: “I’ll go a couple of months without taking a day off. So, I’d say I hit six-and-a-half days a week.”

Jade Bosic (Sr., Bigfork) – Class B/C singles runner-up

Bosic lost only three league matches all year, including two to Morgan McDivitt of Cut Bank. One of those losses occurred in the Class B/C state title match where McDivitt defeated Bosic 6-1, 6-4. Bosic will attend Flathead Valley Community College in the fall, but said she may pursue tennis when she transfers to the University of Montana in two years.

Bosic on the thinking aspects of tennis: “It’s all strategy – where you want to place the ball, where you want to be when they’re hitting the ball.”