While some of the best track athletes in Western Montana gathered in Kalispell for the Archie Roe Invitational last weekend, Bigfork freshman Makena Morley was on her way to Spokane for the 36th annual Bloomsday Run.

She has to be happy with the result.

On Sunday, Makena finished the 12-kilometer (7.46-mile) race in 45 minutes, 24 seconds and placed 167th out of 47,841 runners. She averaged 6:05 per mile. The average pace for all 15-year-olds was 14:22.

In more perspective, she placed first out of all 959 15-year-olds and was 22nd out of 28,636 women.

The rest of Makena's family raced remarkably well, too. Her father, Steve, placed 56th overall, clocking 40:51. He averaged 5:28 per mile and finished 51st out of 19,205 men.

The Bloomsday race is the latest chapter in Makena's exciting running career. It's only her first year in high school and she's already broken the Class B cross country record and turned in some of the fastest times on the track this spring. She currently has the third-fastest 800 (2:16.77), trailing Billings' Dani Aragon by two seconds; the second-fastest 1,600 (5:01.3), five seconds behind Aragon; and tied for the best 3,200 (10:44.5) with Missoula's Paige Gilchrist.

The final weeks of the season should be just as exciting to see how Makena will follow up this latest performance.

 

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It's down to the final casts.

There's only 10 days remaining in this year's Spring Mack Days fishing event on Flathead Lake. Beginning May 11, anglers will have 10 straight days to land as many lake trout as they can, including the $10,000 tagged fish and other prized catches. There are still five fish swimming around worth $5,000,10 worth $1,000 and over 4,000 worth between $100-$500.

As event officials described it, anglers have been tirelessly competing this spring. Depending on the weather many boats are leaving the docks around five in the morning. Several don’t return until the deadline at 9 p.m.

From the sounds of it, this event has become a true labor of love for some.

Here's a helpful tip that was passed along: fish are still reported to be in the deeper waters, around 220 to 260 feet below. Jigging or casting out and jigging back has produced the best results.

Last weekend, anglers caught 3,570 lake trout, raising the eight-week total to 25,533. This year's event is on pace to break the record for most catches set in 2010. That year anglers had landed 24,339 through eight weeks and ended with an event total of 34,350.

Don Beville from Lakeside has the most catches so far with 994. Mike Benson from Lonepine is runner-up with 874. Tracy Powers from Missoula leads all women with 290. Tanner Murry from Columbia Falls leads the 13-17 year old division with 231. Charlo's Garett Vaughan is in first for the 12 and under division with 178.

The top 10 anglers will be placed by their 18-day average at the end of the event. Up to $150,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to anglers at the conclusion of the event, featuring a finale fish fry and awards at Blue Bay on May 20.

For more information, visit the Mack Days website or call 406-883-2888 (ex. 7294.)

Spring Mack Days Leaderboard
Through Eight Weeks
Men
Don Beville, Lakeside, 994
Mike Benson, Lonepine, 874
Craig Morigeau, Polson, 805
Jason Mahlen, Kalispell, 791
Steve Benson, Four Lakes, Wash., 732
Scott Bombard, Missoula, 703
Jerry Benson, Plains, 697
Danny Smith, Hot Springs, 665
Larry Schmill, Missoula, 577
David McDaniel, Polson, 575

Women
Tracy Powers, Missoula, 290
Susan Martin, Polson, 241
Nicole Peters, Missoula, 134
Deana Knipe, Polson, 113
Debbie O'Hara, St. Ignatius, 49

Youth 13-17
Tanner Murry, Columbia Falls, 231
Connor Kowalski, Florence, 225
Garrett Beville, Kalispell, 119
Kobe Cox, Charlo, 89
Roger Guillory, Kalispell, 65

Youth 12 and Under
Garett Vaughan, Charlo, 178
Danner Shima, Kalispell, 65
Dylan Hodgson, Kalispell, 44
Alex Moran, Arlee, 30
Carson McDaniel, Polson, 24

 

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Reality is still sinking in for Brock Osweiler, who three years after graduating from Flathead High School is now a quarterback for a storied NFL franchise and working alongside two of the greatest signal callers ever.

"It's all pretty surreal," he said in a conference call Thursday, less than a week after being drafted by the Denver Broncos. "I'm so fortunate to be going to a great situation."

Osweiler, 22, is fulfilling a dream he's had ever since growing up in the Flathead Valley, standing in knee-deep snow tossing a football at a target, focused on playing professional football.

"My entire life, my soul vision, since I was 7-8 years old, was to be a quarterback in the NFL," he said.

Today, he's playing for one of his home state's favorite franchises.

"I could not be any happier with the situation I'm going to and the city I'm going to," he said. "It's such a special opportunity."

The Broncos, under the guidance of former NFL great John Elway, the team's executive vice president of football operations, had their eye on Osweiler. After Osweiler announced he would forego his senior year at Arizona State University, Denver was one of the first teams to contact him. Elway and head coach John Fox talked extensively with Osweiler at the NFL Combine. By draft time the Broncos were trading around picks and positioning themselves to be able to take Osweiler with the 57th overall pick.

He said he wasn't very surprised to get a phone call from Denver last Friday night. Immediately after the pick was announced, Elway expressed his excitement about landing the 6-foot-7 quarterback.

"Mr. Elway's been great," Osweiler said. "He has full confidence in me and that's why he said he drafted me. He sees a very bright future for me."

Osweiler said the former Bronco great shared some lasting advice in one of their first conversations since the NFL Draft.

"He basically just told me 'embrace the situation, have fun with it but work your tail off. If you continue the work ethic you showed at ASU, you'll be just fine,'" Osweiler said. "I can only thank him for putting me in the situation I'm in, to be able to sit behind a future Hall of Fame quarterback and pick his brain every day."

Osweiler said he looks forward to learning from one of the game's best – Peyton Manning. Manning joined the Broncos this offseason, making the team an immediate contender. Denver has one other quarterback on the depth chart, 26-year-old Caleb Hanie.

Osweiler said the challenges he faces right away will be learning Denver's complex offense, which centers around a quarterback like Manning who constantly reads defenses at the line of scrimmage and makes changes accordingly. Nevertheless, Osweiler is relishing the challenge ahead.

"My job sitting behind Peyton is not only to push him and get him prepared for each game each week, but also to learn from him on a daily basis," Osweiler said. "It's not his job to babysit me or pass the torch. It's my job to be looking over his shoulder and learn from him and find out why he's so great."

Osweiler said he's been working on his throwing motion and training in preparation for the upcoming rookie mini camp.

And as he arrives on the big stage of the NFL, he doesn't seem to forget where he came from.

"Kalispell is truly the place that shaped me into the person I am today," he said. "Kalispell taught me my work ethic and my determination. A lot of that credit goes to my parents, but also the good old Flathead Valley."

RELATED: Brock Arrives on the Big Stage

RELATED: Brock Outtakes: Interviews with McCarvel, Bennett and Erickson

 

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Local professional boxer Jesse Uhde will be back in the ring this week at the latest installment of Burton Boxing's "Friday Night Fights" inside the Trade Center at the Flathead County Fairgrounds.

There are two sanctioned pro fights and five semi-pro fights scheduled for the May 4 event. Doors open at 6 p.m. and fights begin at 8 p.m.

Uhde, a local fighter who recently achieved his dream of fighting professionally, is scheduled to take on Chris Asher from Bozeman. In the second pro bout, John Jay Mount from Elmo squares off against David Otis from Belgrade.

Presale tickets can be purchased at Burton Boxing, FattBoys Bar and Grille and at the fairgrounds. The event will be family friendly. For more information, call 406-393-2247.

 

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Straight Blast Gym of Montana sent its first ever team to the Northwest Submission Challenge in Boise, Idaho. With just 11 competitors, the team won 14 medals – six gold, five silver and three bronze.

“The best complement we can get is one we heard over and over – other teams are bummed when they see the SBG Gorillas show up to a tournament. Our competitors train hard because they love the sport, they love the team, and they love the experience,” said Travis Davison, owner and head coach of Straight Blast Gym of Montana.

“Standing on the podium is just icing on the cake."

Youth Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Yellow Belt (by Weight Class)
Joe Davison – 3rd place
Ricky Davison – 2nd place
Stella Davison – 3rd place
Ted Davison – 1st place

Adult Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Blue Belt (by Weight Class)
Dakota Tackett – 1st place

Adult Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Blue Belt (Absolute Division – Open Weight Class)
Dan Di Stefano – 2nd place

Youth Submission Wrestling (No-Gi)
Advanced (by Weight Class)
Joe Davison – 1st place
Stella Davison – 2nd place
Ricky Davison – 3rd place
Bridger Wareham – 1st place
Payton Reisinger – 2nd place

Teen Submission Wrestling (No-Gi)
Advanced (by Weight Class)
Matthew Gash-Gilder – 2nd place

Adult Submission Wrestling (No-Gi)
Intermediate (by Weight Class)
Dakota Tackett – 1st place
Dan Di Stefano – 1st place

 

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Anglers keep lugging in lake trout on Flathead Lake. Another 2,899 were caught over the seventh weekend of Spring Mack Days, hiking the total to 21,963.

Entering the final weeks of the event, the $10,000 tagged lake trout remains shifty along with five $5,000 catches, 10 fish worth $1,000 and a ton more worth between $100 and $500.

Susan Martin of Polson with a large lake trout weighing over 14 pounds caught last Saturday.

Don Beville from Lakeside continues to lead all anglers for total catches with 824. Mike Benson from Lonepine is runner-up with 760. Missoula's Tracy Powers leads all women with 242 followed by Susan Martin from Polson with 188.

Youth anglers have turned in 1,020 fish.

Mack Days continues until Sunday, May 20. The final 10 days straight are open to fishing starting March 11. The conclusion of the event is at Blue Bay. A fish fry for the anglers will begin at 4 p.m. and awards and lottery drawing will begin at 5 p.m. All fish are to be turned in by 4 p.m.

Ryan Shima still has the largest entry with his 42.5-inch, 24.5-pound entry. Jason Mahlen has the smallest at 6.5 inches.

For more information visit the Spring Mack Days website, or call 406-883-2888 (ex. 7294).

Spring Mack Days Leaderboard
Through Seven Weeks
Men
Don Beville, Lakeside, 824
Mike Benson, Lonepine, 760
Craig Morigeau, Polson, 714
Steven Benson, Four Lakes, Wash., 634
Scott Bombard, Missoula, 627
Danny Smith, Hot Springs, 616
Jason Mahlen, Kalispell, 616
Jerry Benson, Plains, 613
David McDaniel, Polson, 496
Larry Schmill, Missoula, 480

Women
Tracy Powers, Missoula, 242
Susan Martin, Polson, 188
Nicole Peters, Missoula, 91
Deana Knipe, Polson, 83
Debra O’Hara, St. Ignatius, 43

Youth 13-17
Connor Kowalski, Florence, 187
Tanner Murry, Columbia Falls, 183
Garett Beville, Lakeside, 113
Kobe Cox, Charlo, 81
Roger Guillory, Kalispell, 62
Brady Wieble, 24

Youth 12 and Under
Garett Vaughan, Charlo, 167
Dylan Hodgson, 37
Danner Shima, Kalispell, 34
Carson McDaniel, 23
Autumn Powers, 18
Alex Moran, 15
Kailey Schrader, 13
Adam Schrader, 13

 

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The local “Bad Dogs” team won the championship at the 26th annual Big Wheels wheelchair basketball tournament after recently defeating the Kalispell Firefighters Association, 24 to 20.

The “Bad Dogs” team included Matt Sather, Josh Sather, George Young, Terry Henderson, Kayman Henderson and Captain Marie Moddrell.

In this year's tournament, over 75 players competed in 22 games at Edgerton School on April 21. The teams are composed of players with disabilities who use wheelchairs in their daily lives as well as those who don’t. This year's tournament featured 12 teams from Kalispell and other cities, including Billings, Great Falls and Cascade. The tournament weekend is the largest fundraiser for the Special Friends Advocacy Program, which provides local services and advocacy for adults with developmental disabilities.

Congratulations to all the participants and organizers of this great event.

RELATED: Big Wheels Wheelchair Basketball Tournament on April 21

 

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Sometimes the best quotes never make it into a story. They either don't fit into a narrative, or they detour the train of thought. Or, as is often the case with me, the story's already three pages too long.

For this week's Beacon, I profiled Kalispell's Brock Osweiler on the eve of the NFL Draft. Much has been written about Brock over the years and for good reason. To reflect on his journey to the world of professional football I spoke with three of his former coaches who all praised Brock and gave some great perspective about his story. Unfortunately most of what they had to say didn't make it into the newspaper for reasons listed above. But I just couldn't hog all the good stuff for myself.

The first round of the NFL Draft begins tonight in New York City and continues through Saturday. When exactly a team will snatch up Brock will soon be seen. Obviously local folks would love to see him drafted high, but maybe even more so, they'd probably like a regional team to add Brock to the roster, making it feasible to watch him play in the future. As a Denver Broncos fan you don't have to guess which team I'm lobbying for.

Russell McCarvel, former assistant coach on the national championship Carroll College football team, became Flathead's head football coach in 2007, Brock's junior year:

"When I first showed up I already knew who he was. I think the thing that impressed me so much right away was his maturity. And obviously physically you don't see guys like that."

"I remember after his sophomore year, he wanted to send out tapes to colleges. I started getting calls right away. There were tons of big time schools all over the nation that were showing interest. I remember one night Jim Harbaugh called me at my home ... Most of the time, people were saying 'is he really a sophomore?'"

McCarvel visited Brock a few days before the Pro Day on March 30. Brock had wrapped up filming with Jon Gruden for the ESPN Series Gruden's QB Camp, which first aired April 9.

"I watched two days of everything that he was going to do (at his Pro Day in front of NFL coaches and scouts). The two days I saw, he looked pretty darn smooth."

"He'd been throwing with (San Diego Chargers QB) Philip Rivers also. He had (Brock) widen his stance and his throwing to try and quicken it up."

McCarvel on what Brock's success means back home in Kalispell:

"It certainly should give young kids the ability to believe their dreams can come true."

On Flathead High potentially having three professional football players - Brock, Minnesota Vikings' Lex Hilliard and the CFL's Mike Reilly:

"That's pretty amazing. Kids can certainly look and say 'hey the Flathead Braves have three guys from their program who are right now making a living playing pro football."

Grady Bennett was a standout quarterback at Flathead before becoming an All American at the University of Montana in the early 1990s. He had a short stint in the CFL and returned home, where he coached the Braves football team, including Brock his freshman and sophomore year. He took over the new Glacier High football program in 2007-08.

Bennett remembers a conversation he had with Brock when playing college basketball at Gonzaga was still the plan:

"I said to him, 'when you just look at what's in the NBA and the number of guys your size, do you see yourself one day playing in the NBA? He was pretty honest. He could see it would be a stretch. Then I said, 'honestly do you see yourself playing on Sundays?' He said, 'you know what yeah.' I said 'Brock, I absolutely agree. That is legitimately within your reach.'"

"I'll never forget the speech he gave before our Butte playoff game when he was a sophomore. Very rarely do you see a sophomore kid stand up and take over a room. And then we went out and won on the road. Everybody just looked at each other and said 'wow.' He just had some special qualities that made you realize that this kid is not only physically gifted, but he has the whole package that will take him far."

"What always impressed me about Brock was he could have scored 60 every game, but he always had a way with his teammates. He always wanted them involved and to feel good about themselves. He's a fiery guy and he's a leader. People just tend to follow him."

On Brock entering the NFL:

"I would tell him just stay humble and stay true to your roots. That's an advantage of being a Montana kid. I think Montana people are just salt of the earth and are good people; you just understand where you came from and you have that humility built in. In the NFL, you can be a hero one day and the next day 80,000 people are booing. You can never get too high or never get to low. You have to just stay humble and consider it a blessing."

Dennis Erickson considers his time in Montana to be life changing. It's where the roots of his long career lie. He was born near Seattle and earned a chance to play quarterback at Montana State in the late 1960s. He got his coaching start at Billings Central High School and then MSU as a graduate assistant. He went on from there to win national championships at Miami and coach in the NFL.

He's had a remarkable career in football, and honestly when I first reached out to him for an interview I considered it a long shot. But low and behold, about an hour after taking a shot in the dark, my phone rang and there was Dennis Erickson, more than happy to talk to someone in Montana about Brock Osweiler.

Erickson still talks about our state like it's a home-away-from-home. His wife is from Big Sky Country. He said most of his best longtime friends live here and he still tries to return often.

Out of high school he didn't get a scholarship offer from Montana State and had to earn his spot on the roster. He did, and as it turned out, "That's the greatest thing that ever happened to me, without a question."

"There's no state like it. It's like no place that I've ever been."

As the head coach at Arizona State, Erickson heard about a Montana kid who towered over everyone on the football field, and it was a no-brainer to visit. When he first saw Brock, he recognized the toughness and leadership he had seen before from Montanans.

"Brock's a Montana guy through and through."

"He was a very smart competitor. He wanted to be the best and he had his goals."

"I watched his Pro Day, he's really improved from last fall. He's improved a lot in his throwing mechanics since he was (at Arizona State). He's learned a lot too. That's why he'll be good at the next level."

RELATED: Great Expectations for Flathead Quarterback

 

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