A blog about sports in Montana, with an emphasis on Flathead Valley High Schools.
One of the largest annual women’s hockey tournaments in the West is this weekend at Stumptown Ice Den in Whitefish.
The Whitefish Women’s Winter Face-off is Friday through Sunday with 20 games slated and championships on Sunday. This year’s tournament features 12 teams from across the state as well as from Alberta and British Columbia. There’s also two local teams playing, the Whitefish Mud Puppies in the Rec division and the Whitefish Wailers in the Upper division.
Games will be played from 5-11 p.m. on Friday; 7 a.m.-11:30 p.m. on Saturday; and 8-11 a.m. on Sunday.
Sounds like another great tournament is lined up this year, and a great chance to catch some hockey action.
The Whitefish Women’s Winter Face-off is Friday through Sunday with 20 games slated and championships on Sunday. This year’s tournament features 12 teams from across the state as well as from Alberta and British Columbia. There’s also two local teams playing, the Whitefish Mud Puppies in the Rec division and the Whitefish Wailers in the Upper division.
Games will be played from 5-11 p.m. on Friday; 7 a.m.-11:30 p.m. on Saturday; and 8-11 a.m. on Sunday.
Sounds like another great tournament is lined up this year, and a great chance to catch some hockey action.
Comments (0) TotalLast time we saw Craig Moore, he was getting excited about the upcoming ski season, a time of year when he doesn’t have to tirelessly search for snow across the valley. Because winter, spring or summer, it doesn’t matter: Craig is out skiing.
That’s one of the reasons his friends talked him into entering a contest searching for the “Ultimate Ski Bum”. So Craig decided to give it a shot and signed up along with about 300 others.
Well, the 32-year-old Whitefish resident, who has skied at least once a month for the last four years straight, is one of the 10 finalists in the contest being held by The Powder Highway in British Columbia.
An outpouring of support via social media came to Craig’s aid and vaulted him into the final 10. Now it’s up to him to seal the victory. He submitted a 90-second video (see above) campaigning for the top prize, which includes eight season passes, four days of helicopter skiing and 90 days of hotel accommodations. All told, the grand prize is estimated to be worth $30,000.
The judging period goes from Dec. 1-14 and the winner will be announced Dec. 15.
Win or lose, Craig's an inspiration for outdoor enthusiasts. In my dreams I’d be out taking advantage of our vast backyard the way he does. And as a member of the Flathead Nordic Ski Patrol he’s a big advocate of avalanche safety and awareness, and sets a good example by walking the talk when he goes out.
So either way, cheers Craig. But here’s to the pursuit of the ski bum crown.
Comments (0) TotalThe local Disabled Recreation and Environmental Access Movement (DREAM) is looking for volunteers to help children and adults with disabilities enjoy the ski slopes on Big Mountain this winter.
Volunteers will act as instructors and ski buddies and help someone else experience the thrill of skiing.
The DREAM is a great program and a very rewarding one for everyone involved. I always love seeing that flicker in someone’s eyes as they start becoming comfortable on the mountain and pretty soon are zipping around unabashedly. It’s a sight to see.
Whitefish Mountain Resort is offering free daily lift tickets to those who volunteer for the DREAM program. Volunteers should have an intermediate skill level on skis and new volunteers need to go through orientation. Those dates are listed below along with more information.
Definitely consider volunteering for the DREAM program. It’s an opportunity that could really make someone else’s day unforgettable, along with your own.
Volunteers will act as instructors and ski buddies and help someone else experience the thrill of skiing.
The DREAM is a great program and a very rewarding one for everyone involved. I always love seeing that flicker in someone’s eyes as they start becoming comfortable on the mountain and pretty soon are zipping around unabashedly. It’s a sight to see.
Whitefish Mountain Resort is offering free daily lift tickets to those who volunteer for the DREAM program. Volunteers should have an intermediate skill level on skis and new volunteers need to go through orientation. Those dates are listed below along with more information.
Definitely consider volunteering for the DREAM program. It’s an opportunity that could really make someone else’s day unforgettable, along with your own.
Join DREAM (Disabled Recreation and Environmental Access Movement) for our 25th season on the snow working with people with disabilities. DREAM Adaptive Recreation Inc., is a non-profit volunteer program dedicated to sharing the joy of skiing with people challenged by physical and mental disabilities. Each winter, DREAM volunteers use their skills and expertise to help children and adults with disabilities reach new heights of confidence as they improve their ability and conquer new challenges. Lifelong friends, hugs, smiles, and tears of joy are just some of the rewards that the DREAM family of volunteers experience.
Becoming a volunteer with DREAM is a wonderful opportunity to meet new people, face exciting challenges, learn and improve new skiing skills, contribute to your community, and have fun! We will train intermediate to advanced skiers to teach adaptive snow sports. No experience with ski instruction or with disabilities is necessary. Volunteers range in age from 18 to 80 and include people from all walks of life. The success of DREAM is due to volunteers who generously contribute more than 3,000 hours each year.
A free all-lift ticket, courtesy of Whitefish Mountain Resort, is provided on the days you volunteer as an instructor or ski buddy with DREAM.
DREAM has scheduled orientation and training clinics for people interested in volunteering as ski buddies and instructors. Orientation is required for new volunteers and those volunteers not attending an orientation in the last three years.
All volunteers are required to attend our on-snow clinic to learn more about the DREAM program, learn about adaptive skiing equipment and practice techniques. Ski volunteers should be at least intermediate level skiers.
Together, the Orientation and Training Clinics are designed to answer questions and prepare volunteers to work with a child or adult with a physical or mental disability; guiding the skiing process or assisting in improving skiing skills.
Becoming a DREAM volunteer is a great opportunity for people wanting to get involved with an organization that values its volunteers and provides an enriching environment to give back to the community.
Call 862-1817 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for more information
DREAM Orientation and Training Clinics
Please plan on attending an Evening Orientation AND the Training Clinics, Whitefish Mountain Resort will provide (through DREAM) a free lift ticket on the Saturday clinic day and on the days you volunteer as an instructor or ski buddy.
Volunteer Orientations: Attend One (required for new volunteers and others not attending an orientation in the last tree years)
November 29 (Tuesday) at 7:00 pm; The Wave (Whitefish) –Board Room (upstairs) 7:00pm
December 1 (Thursday) at 7:00pm; Room AT139 in the Arts and Technology Building at FVCC – Kalispell
Volunteer Training: Dec. 8 and Dec. 10 - Required for All Volunteers (new and returning)
Adaptive Training: December 8 (Thursday) at 6:30 pm – FVCC AT Building Room 139
On-Snow Training: December 10 (Saturday) Meet at the Base Lodge by 9:00 am with ski gear
Optional: sit-ski training Dec 11 (Sunday) Meet at the Base Lodge by 9:00 am with ski gear
For More Information: 862-1817 (leave message) or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Comments (0) TotalIndividual honors are being handed out now that the volleyball season has wrapped up, and a few standout local players are receiving their due recognition.
Flathead senior Hannah Sackett and junior Kwyn Johnson earned first team all-conference honors in Class AA. Playing at the state tourney for the sixth straight season, the Bravettes won their first game last weekend but were eliminated in the two after that, ending their season record at 19-10. Senior Alison Lunde and sophomore Timi Severson made second team all-conference. Senior Kylie Schlegel and junior Emily Russell earned honorable mention.
Glacier senior Lexy Boschee was named first team all-conference. The Wolfpack lost out in two games and finished 15-12. Senior Emily Gilbertson, sophomore Cassi Hashley and freshman Hannah Liss earned second team all-conference. Senior Amy Snipstead earned honorable mention.
All-state honors for Class AA will be handed out next week.
Helena defended its state title with a win over Billings Senior in five sets — 21-25, 25-21, 15-25, 25-21, 15-12, to clinch its second-straight AA state championship in Bozeman on Nov. 12.
In Class A, Polson senior Riley Kenney and junior Shailana Duford were named all-state. The two-time Northwestern A champs lost out at state after going 1-2. They finish the season 14-4. Senior Kenzie Clay was named to second team all-conference for Northwestern A. Senior Ashley Johnson and juniors Heidi Rausch and MacKenzie Banner earned honorable mention.
Whitefish senior Abby Strellnauer was named all-state. The Lady Bulldogs were eliminated from the state tourney in two games. Whitefish sophomore Marlow Schulz made first team all-conference. Freshman Emily Sullivan earned second team all-conference. Junior Kelsey McFadden was named honorable mention.
Libby senior Selinna Maefau also made the all-state list. Junior Lauren Wapprecht was named second team all-conference.
Columbia Falls senior Shaun Rowe made the first team all-conference list. Senior Gabrielle Stenger and junior Taylor Peterson were second team all-conference.
Fergus (Lewistown) defeated Billings Central 25-12, 25-15, 25-23 to win their fourth Class A state title in five years and second straight.
Flathead senior Hannah Sackett and junior Kwyn Johnson earned first team all-conference honors in Class AA. Playing at the state tourney for the sixth straight season, the Bravettes won their first game last weekend but were eliminated in the two after that, ending their season record at 19-10. Senior Alison Lunde and sophomore Timi Severson made second team all-conference. Senior Kylie Schlegel and junior Emily Russell earned honorable mention.
Glacier senior Lexy Boschee was named first team all-conference. The Wolfpack lost out in two games and finished 15-12. Senior Emily Gilbertson, sophomore Cassi Hashley and freshman Hannah Liss earned second team all-conference. Senior Amy Snipstead earned honorable mention.
All-state honors for Class AA will be handed out next week.
Helena defended its state title with a win over Billings Senior in five sets — 21-25, 25-21, 15-25, 25-21, 15-12, to clinch its second-straight AA state championship in Bozeman on Nov. 12.
In Class A, Polson senior Riley Kenney and junior Shailana Duford were named all-state. The two-time Northwestern A champs lost out at state after going 1-2. They finish the season 14-4. Senior Kenzie Clay was named to second team all-conference for Northwestern A. Senior Ashley Johnson and juniors Heidi Rausch and MacKenzie Banner earned honorable mention.
Whitefish senior Abby Strellnauer was named all-state. The Lady Bulldogs were eliminated from the state tourney in two games. Whitefish sophomore Marlow Schulz made first team all-conference. Freshman Emily Sullivan earned second team all-conference. Junior Kelsey McFadden was named honorable mention.
Libby senior Selinna Maefau also made the all-state list. Junior Lauren Wapprecht was named second team all-conference.
Columbia Falls senior Shaun Rowe made the first team all-conference list. Senior Gabrielle Stenger and junior Taylor Peterson were second team all-conference.
Fergus (Lewistown) defeated Billings Central 25-12, 25-15, 25-23 to win their fourth Class A state title in five years and second straight.
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| Shelley Burton. - Courtesy photo |
Five years to the day after she fought Laila Ali in Madison Square Garden in New York City, Shelley Burton is back in the boxing ring in Kalispell.
The famous former professional boxer has started a new gym in her hometown and will step into the ring for the first time since she took on Ali for the WBC and WIBF Super Middleweight belts in 2006.
Burton has organized an event for Nov. 11 at the fairgrounds with six fights scheduled. Doors open at 7 p.m. and fights start at 8 p.m. inside the Expo Building at the fairgrounds. Burton hopes to make Friday night fights a regular occasion.
“I want to get people excited about boxing,” Burton said. “I want to give back to the community. They gave to me when I was trying to become professional. I needed help to do it. The whole county, everybody pitched in and helped. That’s what I’m trying to do now.”
The current fight card features five men fights and a main event bout between Burton and six-year pro DJ Morrison, who has fought Burton in the past. Morrison could win $1,000 with a win. Win or lose, Burton will donate $700 to the local food bank. Burton is asking attendees to bring a can of food for the local food bank.
A press conference gathering is at the Scoreboard Pub on Nov. 8 at 8 p.m. For more information, call 871-4131.
Burton has a storied career that took her across the country fighting professionally for years. Her success culminated in 2006 when she fought Muhammad Ali’s daughter Laila. Ali TKO’d Burton in the fourth round and Burton retired afterward with an 8-3-1 (2 KO’s) professional record.
The famous former professional boxer has started a new gym in her hometown and will step into the ring for the first time since she took on Ali for the WBC and WIBF Super Middleweight belts in 2006.
Burton has organized an event for Nov. 11 at the fairgrounds with six fights scheduled. Doors open at 7 p.m. and fights start at 8 p.m. inside the Expo Building at the fairgrounds. Burton hopes to make Friday night fights a regular occasion.
“I want to get people excited about boxing,” Burton said. “I want to give back to the community. They gave to me when I was trying to become professional. I needed help to do it. The whole county, everybody pitched in and helped. That’s what I’m trying to do now.”
The current fight card features five men fights and a main event bout between Burton and six-year pro DJ Morrison, who has fought Burton in the past. Morrison could win $1,000 with a win. Win or lose, Burton will donate $700 to the local food bank. Burton is asking attendees to bring a can of food for the local food bank.
A press conference gathering is at the Scoreboard Pub on Nov. 8 at 8 p.m. For more information, call 871-4131.
Burton has a storied career that took her across the country fighting professionally for years. Her success culminated in 2006 when she fought Muhammad Ali’s daughter Laila. Ali TKO’d Burton in the fourth round and Burton retired afterward with an 8-3-1 (2 KO’s) professional record.
Comments (0) TotalHaving grown up in Missoula, I’ve attended more Griz football games than I can remember. When my mom was a student, she would take me and either my younger brother or sister to games and we’d sit in the north endzone when it was just open grass. Since I didn’t really know anything about football — I was more into basketball — I usually wasn’t paying attention to what happened on the field.
But I do remember one of my favorite parts of Griz gamedays, and that was watching the skydivers float into the stadium from high above. Watching the skydivers come flying in was both spectacular and awe-inspiring.
The news that one of the skydivers entering last weekend’s Griz game — Whitefish resident Blaine Wright — was critically injured saddened me and reminded me how much I’ve appreciated their exciting entrances for years.
It sounds like Mr. Wright is recovering from surgeries, and hopefully more good news will follow. He has more fans rooting for him right now than can fit inside Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
Joel Carlson with the University of Montana wrote a nice piece about the Silvertip Skydivers and passed it along. Here it is below:
In 1957 a group of students who were smokejumpers on the side – or maybe they viewed themselves as smokejumpers first, students second – started a skydiving club at The University of Montana. That club would eventually evolve into the Silvertip Skydivers, today giving the group more than half a century of tradition with UM.
The group’s affiliation with the University strengthened in the early ‘70s when members started landing at midfield at Dornblaser Stadium to signal the start of home football games. The Silvertip Skydivers followed the Grizzlies when the team moved into Washington-Grizzly Stadium in 1986.
They have made jumps every season since their long-ago debut, with the exception of 2001, when the 9/11 terrorist attacks grounded the skydivers for the fall.
After nearly four decades of safe jumping, the practice was brought under the microscope Saturday when Blaine Wright, a veteran skydiver from Whitefish, came up short on his descent into the stadium and had a violent landing outside the stadium’s southeast corner.
His selfless, split-second decision to avoid landing in the crowd and causing perhaps dozens of additional injuries came at a heavy personal cost. The impact onto concrete left Wright with serious injuries, including a fractured pelvis.
He was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where he is currently undergoing a series of surgeries.
Though the skydivers’ insurance indemnifies the University, the incident led to discussion this week among campus leaders about the future of the popular pregame jumps.
At a regularly scheduled meeting of the President’s Cabinet, the group, in a unified voice, cleared the way for the Silvertip Skydivers to continue.
“We performed a strictly internal review, and it was unanimous that people wanted to let the Silvertip Skydivers go forward,” said Jim Foley, UM Vice President for External Relations. “We want to continue the tradition.”
The ultimate decision was still the Silvertip Skydivers’ to make, so Scott Spraycar, who has more than 60 jumps into Washington-Grizzly Stadium and was one of the three skydivers performing Saturday, and Don Rakow, a former jumper who is now the onsite weather evaluator on game days, were called in for consultation.
“We weren’t sure how the University was going to feel about going forward,” Spraycar said, “but (the six skydivers who are qualified to make stadium jumps) all talked about it, and it was pretty clear we would still like to do it.”
With the two sides in agreement and weather permitting, Spraycar, Brett Wold and Tim Hanson will skydive into the stadium at the Western Oregon game Saturday.
With it coming just seven days after Wright’s accident, Spraycar and Rakow were asked to answer for Wright the question: Should the jumps go on?
“If I know Blaine, he’s probably planning his next jump right now,” Rakow said, tapping into an insider’s knowledge of the typical skydiver’s mindset.
If there was any positive to be found in the unfortunate events Saturday, it’s this: Skydiving – man against gravity, with all hopes of survival linked to a few pounds of packed gear strapped to the back – is inherently dangerous, and that’s easy to forget when game after game, season after season, the Silvertip Skydivers make perfect midfield landings look as easy as navigating the crowded stadium steps on the way to your seat.
“It’s a long-standing tradition, one that’s been very popular with the fans,” UM Director of Athletics Jim O’Day said. “They are always disappointed when the skydivers can’t jump.
“If anything, what happened last Saturday is only going to lead to more of an appreciation for what the skydivers do. They are so good and make it look so routine, that it’s easy to take for granted that it has its risks.”
Saturday the jumping will start anew, but things will feel different. There will be a new perspective on what it means to take a risk for the enjoyment of thousands and what we take for granted. There will be new appreciation for perfect midfield landings and even for those that are not perfect.
And Saturday will start the countdown clock for the heroic return of Blaine Wright, whether by air or by foot. An appreciative Griz Nation awaits.
But I do remember one of my favorite parts of Griz gamedays, and that was watching the skydivers float into the stadium from high above. Watching the skydivers come flying in was both spectacular and awe-inspiring.
The news that one of the skydivers entering last weekend’s Griz game — Whitefish resident Blaine Wright — was critically injured saddened me and reminded me how much I’ve appreciated their exciting entrances for years.
It sounds like Mr. Wright is recovering from surgeries, and hopefully more good news will follow. He has more fans rooting for him right now than can fit inside Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
Joel Carlson with the University of Montana wrote a nice piece about the Silvertip Skydivers and passed it along. Here it is below:
In 1957 a group of students who were smokejumpers on the side – or maybe they viewed themselves as smokejumpers first, students second – started a skydiving club at The University of Montana. That club would eventually evolve into the Silvertip Skydivers, today giving the group more than half a century of tradition with UM.
The group’s affiliation with the University strengthened in the early ‘70s when members started landing at midfield at Dornblaser Stadium to signal the start of home football games. The Silvertip Skydivers followed the Grizzlies when the team moved into Washington-Grizzly Stadium in 1986.
They have made jumps every season since their long-ago debut, with the exception of 2001, when the 9/11 terrorist attacks grounded the skydivers for the fall.
After nearly four decades of safe jumping, the practice was brought under the microscope Saturday when Blaine Wright, a veteran skydiver from Whitefish, came up short on his descent into the stadium and had a violent landing outside the stadium’s southeast corner.
His selfless, split-second decision to avoid landing in the crowd and causing perhaps dozens of additional injuries came at a heavy personal cost. The impact onto concrete left Wright with serious injuries, including a fractured pelvis.
He was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where he is currently undergoing a series of surgeries.
Though the skydivers’ insurance indemnifies the University, the incident led to discussion this week among campus leaders about the future of the popular pregame jumps.
At a regularly scheduled meeting of the President’s Cabinet, the group, in a unified voice, cleared the way for the Silvertip Skydivers to continue.
“We performed a strictly internal review, and it was unanimous that people wanted to let the Silvertip Skydivers go forward,” said Jim Foley, UM Vice President for External Relations. “We want to continue the tradition.”
The ultimate decision was still the Silvertip Skydivers’ to make, so Scott Spraycar, who has more than 60 jumps into Washington-Grizzly Stadium and was one of the three skydivers performing Saturday, and Don Rakow, a former jumper who is now the onsite weather evaluator on game days, were called in for consultation.
“We weren’t sure how the University was going to feel about going forward,” Spraycar said, “but (the six skydivers who are qualified to make stadium jumps) all talked about it, and it was pretty clear we would still like to do it.”
With the two sides in agreement and weather permitting, Spraycar, Brett Wold and Tim Hanson will skydive into the stadium at the Western Oregon game Saturday.
With it coming just seven days after Wright’s accident, Spraycar and Rakow were asked to answer for Wright the question: Should the jumps go on?
“If I know Blaine, he’s probably planning his next jump right now,” Rakow said, tapping into an insider’s knowledge of the typical skydiver’s mindset.
If there was any positive to be found in the unfortunate events Saturday, it’s this: Skydiving – man against gravity, with all hopes of survival linked to a few pounds of packed gear strapped to the back – is inherently dangerous, and that’s easy to forget when game after game, season after season, the Silvertip Skydivers make perfect midfield landings look as easy as navigating the crowded stadium steps on the way to your seat.
“It’s a long-standing tradition, one that’s been very popular with the fans,” UM Director of Athletics Jim O’Day said. “They are always disappointed when the skydivers can’t jump.
“If anything, what happened last Saturday is only going to lead to more of an appreciation for what the skydivers do. They are so good and make it look so routine, that it’s easy to take for granted that it has its risks.”
Saturday the jumping will start anew, but things will feel different. There will be a new perspective on what it means to take a risk for the enjoyment of thousands and what we take for granted. There will be new appreciation for perfect midfield landings and even for those that are not perfect.
And Saturday will start the countdown clock for the heroic return of Blaine Wright, whether by air or by foot. An appreciative Griz Nation awaits.
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| Columbia Falls' Nick Emerson, center, celebrates with teammates after the Wildcats' Class A state championship win over Dillon in Bozeman last season. File photo - Lido Vizzutti/Flathead Beacon |
It’s never too early to start talking basketball.
The first practices are still more than three weeks away but I’m already excited for this upcoming prep season. As usual, there appears to be a lot of great storylines involving our local teams.
A cool website was brought to my attention recently called FiveStarBasketball.com. The site is associated with the national Five Star Basketball academy and camps that started in 1986 and featured youth players like Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
The new website is filled with great content about youth and high school basketball, including a short video documentary about Michael Jordan’s high school playing days. (Did you know Jordan didn’t play varsity until his junior year?)
Anyhow, the website recently ran a “50 States in 50 Days” section, and when it came to Montana, writer Timothy Lockwood pointed out: “There’s no shortage of talent in Big Sky Country.”
The feature highlighted five teams to watch and five players to watch. Atop the teams to watch list was Columbia Falls, the Class A boys defending state champion. Here's what they had to say:
When it came to players, Barth, who has committed to play football at Montana State next fall, was spotlighted along with Flathead senior George Sherwood in the "Five Players to Watch" section. Here's what they had to say about the local players:
The first practices are still more than three weeks away but I’m already excited for this upcoming prep season. As usual, there appears to be a lot of great storylines involving our local teams.
A cool website was brought to my attention recently called FiveStarBasketball.com. The site is associated with the national Five Star Basketball academy and camps that started in 1986 and featured youth players like Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
The new website is filled with great content about youth and high school basketball, including a short video documentary about Michael Jordan’s high school playing days. (Did you know Jordan didn’t play varsity until his junior year?)
Anyhow, the website recently ran a “50 States in 50 Days” section, and when it came to Montana, writer Timothy Lockwood pointed out: “There’s no shortage of talent in Big Sky Country.”
The feature highlighted five teams to watch and five players to watch. Atop the teams to watch list was Columbia Falls, the Class A boys defending state champion. Here's what they had to say:
Columbia Falls – Coach Cary Finberg’s defending Class A champs are poised for a return to dominance. Senior forward Austin Barth leads a seasoned group that includes returning senior standouts Parker Johnson and Anthony Correa. This is a team that knows what it takes to cut down the nets in March
When it came to players, Barth, who has committed to play football at Montana State next fall, was spotlighted along with Flathead senior George Sherwood in the "Five Players to Watch" section. Here's what they had to say about the local players:
Austin Barth (Columbia Falls) – At 6-7 and 200 pounds, it’s easy to see why Barth is getting Division 1 attention for both football and basketball. The senior forward moonlights as the Wildcats starting quarterback during the fall so he is no stranger to contact. After leading the Northwest A Conference in blocks a season ago, teams know they need to respect the paint when they play Columbia Falls.
George Sherwood (Flathead) – The senior forward, who also stars as a wide receiver on the gridiron, brings athleticism to the low post that teams won’t be able to stop with just a game plan. At 6-4, Sherwood was Flathead’s leading rebounder a year ago, and with the departure of scoring leader and Chicago White Sox draft choice Joe Pistorese, he will become the new focal point of the Braves’ offense.
Comments (0) TotalIt’s a rare opportunity to end the season with a victory. But the Whitefish boys soccer team did just that last weekend, winning the Class A boys state championship.
Sam Donaldson, the state’s leading scorer, and Sean Janni each had a goal and assist and the Bulldogs shut out Polson 3-0 at Smith Fields to earn the program’s fourth state title since 2002, the most of any Class A boys team.
Goalie Thomas Clark made five saves, Nathan Boone had a goal and Curran Edland added an assist for the Bulldogs (13-2-0).
The win was Whitefish’s 12th-straight and the culmination of a season’s worth of high expectations. I’m glad it turned out well for this Bulldogs squad. I remember covering the team two years ago when they fought their way in similar fashion to the title game, but fell short against Billings Central. I remember seeing that team’s seniors who were ending an impressive prep career take the loss hard. But I’m sure head coach O’Brien Byrd would agree, this year’s championship is rooted in previous years’ teams and what they’ve built — a powerhouse.
Whitefish remains the soccer powerhouse in Class A.
Sam Donaldson, the state’s leading scorer, and Sean Janni each had a goal and assist and the Bulldogs shut out Polson 3-0 at Smith Fields to earn the program’s fourth state title since 2002, the most of any Class A boys team.
Goalie Thomas Clark made five saves, Nathan Boone had a goal and Curran Edland added an assist for the Bulldogs (13-2-0).
The win was Whitefish’s 12th-straight and the culmination of a season’s worth of high expectations. I’m glad it turned out well for this Bulldogs squad. I remember covering the team two years ago when they fought their way in similar fashion to the title game, but fell short against Billings Central. I remember seeing that team’s seniors who were ending an impressive prep career take the loss hard. But I’m sure head coach O’Brien Byrd would agree, this year’s championship is rooted in previous years’ teams and what they’ve built — a powerhouse.
Whitefish remains the soccer powerhouse in Class A.
Comments (0) TotalRead More Montana Sidelines
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