Running enthusiasts have a lot of great race options throughout the year, and there's a new one joining the mix this summer.

The first-ever Herron Half Marathon and 10K is June 9 at Herron Park west of Kalispell. The event will benefit Foys to Blacktail Trails.

Online registration is open through June 6. Applications through mail must be postmarked by June 1. The first 100 registered racers are guaranteed a Herron training beanie.

Packet pick-up will be at 7:30 a.m. on race day. Last-minute registration will be available the morning of the race —half marathon registration will be open until 8:30 a.m. and 10K until 9:30 a.m.

Race organizers are still in need of volunteers to run aid stations, sweep the course and help with other aspects. Volunteers should arrive no later than 8:15 a.m. and be prepared for all weather conditions. To volunteer, contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

For more information, visit RunFlathead.com.

For a good listing of races across the state, visit RunMT.com.

 

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Bigfork senior Colter Mahlum capped an impressive prep career with an undefeated run at the Class B/C state tennis tournament.

Mahlum defeated Ronan's Hunter Shima 7-6 (5), 6-1 to win his first singles championship on Thursday in Missoula. Mahlum's first-place finish helped Bigfork place third as a team.

Mahlum was the state runner-up in 2010, when the Vikings won the team title, and was eliminated in quarterfinals last year.

Another Bigfork senior, Sara Keenan, wrapped up her final prep golf tourney with a seventh place finish this week. Keenan shot 85-80 at the Class B state tournament at Eaglerock Golf Course (par 72) in Billings. Keenan tied for fifth last year.

On the boys side, Bigfork's Lars Gittings placed 12th, carding 84-77 at Pryor Creek Golf Club (par 71) in Huntley.

 

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The Kalispell Lakers are hosting 10 other legion baseball teams in this week's annual Canadian Day Tournament beginning Friday.

The AA Lakers play their first game Friday against Sherwood Park in the 8 p.m. nightcap. The Glacier Twins play Trail at 5:30 p.m.

The A Lakers play Sherwood Park at 6 p.m. Friday at Archie Roe. The Glacier Twins play Cranbrook at 3:30 p.m.

All games will be seven innings with the 10-run rule in effect after five complete innings. Also no new innings will begin after two hours from the game's start.

Canadian Days Tournament
AA Teams: Calgary Redbirds, Edmonton Cardinals, Glacier Twins, Kalispell Lakers, Sherwood Park A’s, Trail Jays
A Teams: Calgary Redbirds, Cranbrook Rocky Mountain Bandits, Edmonton Cardinals, Glacier Twins, Kalispell Lakers, Sherwood Park A’s

FRIDAY
Griffin Field
3 p.m. Calgary AA vs. Edmonton AA
5:30 p.m. Trail vs. Glacier AA
8 p.m. Kalispell AA vs. Sherwood Park AA

Archie Roe
1 p.m. Edmonton A vs. Calgary A
3:30 p.m. Glacier A vs. Cranbrook
6 p.m. Kalispell A vs. Sherwood Park A

SATURDAY
Griffin Field
9 a.m. Edmonton A A vs. Glacier A A
11:30 p.m. Kalispell AA vs. Trail
2 p.m. Trail vs. Sherwood Park AA
4:30 p.m. Calgary AA vs. Glacier AA
7 p.m. Edmonton AA vs. Kalispell AA

Archie Roe
9 a.m. Cranbrook vs. Kalispell A
11:30 p.m. Sherwood Park A vs Calgary A
2 p.m. Glacier A vs. Calgary A
4:30 p.m. Edmonton A vs. Glacier A

Kidsports Complex (West Field)
10 a.m. Calgary AA vs. Sherwood Park AA
12:30 p.m. Kalispell A vs. Edmonton A
3 p.m. Cranbrook vs. Sherwood Park A

SUNDAY
Griffin Field
10 a.m. #5 AA vs. #6 AA
12:30 p.m. #3 AA vs. #4 AA
3 p.m. #1 AA vs. #2 AA

Archie Roe
10 a.m. #5 A vs. #6 A
12:30 p.m. #3 A vs. #4 A
3 p.m. #1 A vs. #2 A

 

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Three Flathead Valley natives are leading the University of Montana men's athletic program in its pursuit of a second-straight President's Cup.

UM football players Derek Crittenden, Shay Smithwick-Hann and Josh Harris have been excelling in the classroom during their time in college, and that success isn't being overlooked.

Crittenden and Smithwick-Hann were two of this year's five President's Award winners for having the highest grade-point-averages for all UM student-athletes for spring 2011 and fall 2011 semesters. Both men have 4.0 cumulative GPAs.

Crittenden, a redshirt freshman from Whitefish, was also awarded the Ralph and Joan Fessenden Outstanding Male Student in Organic Chemistry Award for 2012-13. The 6-foot-3, 260-pound defensive end was recently named the Grizzlies' most improved player on defense for spring practices and was recognized for his effort during winter conditioning drills.

Smithwick-Hann, a redshirt sophomore from Kalispell, won the "Moose" Miller Football Scholarship and had a good spring quarterbacking on the practice field as well.

Harris, a redshirt senior from Kalispell, has held a 3.5 or higher cumulative GPA at UM, and recently was honored by the Michael R. Jorgensen Endowment Fund. Expect Harris to play a big role on defense next spring as one of the Grizzlies' strong veterans.

The three local standouts also helped the University of Montana win its first Big Sky Conference Men's All-Sports Trophy since 1970-71, the league announced Tuesday.

The award annually distinguishes the best collection of men and women athletic programs in the conference and is based on a point system that tallies regular-season finishes.

This is just time the second time Montana's men have won since the inauguration of the Big Sky Conference in 1963.

Football and men’s basketball are the two sports weighted the most, and both Griz teams had exceptional seasons this year. The football team shared last fall’s regular-season title and the basketball team won last winter’s championship outright.

The All-Sports Trophy also means the Grizzlies are leading the athletics portion of the annual Presidents Cup. The winner of the President's Cup, which also factors in academic performance, such as graduation rates and team grade-point averages, will be announced in July. Montana won its second Cup last July thanks to second-place finishes in both athletics and academics.

Montana also won this spring’s men’s tennis championship. The three top finishes were enough to offset a fourth-place cross country finish and seventh-place finishes during both the Big Sky indoor and outdoor championships.

The Montana State men and Weber State tied for second.

Sacramento State won the Women’s All-Sports Trophy for the fourth time in five years. Montana, which won its first All-Sports trophy last year, finished fourth.

 

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Midsummer weather is accompanying anglers on the final stretch of this year's Spring Mack Days event.

The competition is down to its final six days and anglers are allowed to fish everyday until Sunday, May 20.

Through last weekend, a total of 29,855 lake trout have been reeled in. But there's a few notable fish still swimming around — primarily the grand prize $10,000 tagged lake trout. Also remaining are five fish worth $5,000, and 10 worth $1,000, event officials say.

The event concludes Sunday with a fish fry and awards ceremony beginning at 4 p.m. at the Blue Bay campground for the anglers, friends, and family. Award will be handed out beginning at 5 p.m. The top 10 anglers will receive sweatshirts and cash prizes beginning at $700-$200. The top angler will receive a Mack Days jacket.

Food banks from Whitefish to Missoula and beyond are receiving fish from the event. They have processed 90 percent of the lake trout entered in the event, according to event officials.

Information about the event, bull trout identification and fishing tips can be found online.

Spring Mack Days Leaderboard
Through Nine Weeks
Men
Don Beville, Lakeside, 1,173
Mike Benson, Lonepine, 1,018
Jason Mahlen, Kalispell, 969
Craig Morigeau, Polson, 944
Scott Bombard, Missoula, 851
Steve Benson, Four Lakes Wash., 839
Danny Smith, Hot Springs, 765
Jerry Benson, Plains, 760
Larry Schmill, Missoula, 649
David McDaniel, Polson, 635

Women
Tracy Powers, Missoula, 301
Susan Martin, Polson, 282
Nicole Peters, Missoula, 183
Deana Knipe, Polson, 132
Debbie O’Hara, St. Ignatius, 49

Youth 13-17
Tanner Murry, Columbia Falls, 284
Connor Kowalski, Florence, 249
Garrett Beville, Lakeside, 130
Kobe Cox, Charlo, 123
Roger Guillory, Kalispell, 72

Youth 12 & Under
Garett Vaughan, Charlo, 216
Danner Shima, Kalispell, 86
Dylan Hodgson, Kalispell, 58
Alex Moran, Arlee, 31
Carson McDaniel, Polson, 24

 

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The 2012 racing season kicks off Saturday night at Montana Raceway Park.

Local classes, including the Super Stocks, Hobby Stocks, Bombers, and Hornets, will take to the track for over 100 laps of main event racing.

Time trials start at 6 p.m. and the action begins at 7 p.m. on May 12.

“We are looking forward to kicking the 2012 season off. Our focus this season is on the hometown racers and fans.” Track Manager Marie AuClaire said in a statement. "This season the Super Stocks, Hobby Stocks and Bombers will all feature three larger races that will pay the highest purses that these divisions have ever seen."

Brandon Sickler returns to the high banks as the defending champion of the Lucas Oil Super Stocks. Sickler will be challenged this year by a number of new comers to the division. Tyler Corpron, Casey Brandt and Cory Reum will be making their debuts in the series. Previous Limited Sportsmen driver Zack Mongan will make the change to the Super Stocks and return to racing after a two-year hiatus.

Dustin Martel returns to the Don K Hobby Stock division as reigning champion and looks to stand his ground. Martel will have some tough competition from Ed Linn, Josh Davis, and Mike Rowe. Fans will also want to keep an eye on the Young brothers, Jason and Ray, as they both plan to challenge Martel for the crown.

In the Flathead Beacon Bomber division 2011 rookie, driver and champion of the year Kyle Koehler is eager to defend his titles. Strong competition from Chris Warburton, Josh Norris and Bill McCallum will be what Koehler has to look out for on his way to a second championship. Two lady drivers will be making their debut in the Bomber series. Jessica Berglund and Lisa Hartman are both looking to have some fun with the boys and fight for wins this season.

A battle for the Hornet Division Championship is already brewing as Kyle Basler, Josh Brinton and Ryan Krause return to the track. Basler, the reigning champion, looks to keep his title in 2012. Krause had his eye on the championship last season, but a mid-season accident spoiled his run. Look for Krause to give Basler a run for his money.

New changes have taken place over the winter. This season fans will be able to take advantage of knowing where their favorite driver is on the new 10 position scoreboard and get more in-depth information on timing and scoring by purchasing and downloading the “Race Monitor” mobile app on their smart phone.

For more information and tickets, go online or call (406) 257-RACE (7223), or log onto the park's Facebook page.

 

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Concussions are on a lot of sporting minds these days, and rightfully so.

There's an emerging awareness of concussions and the repercussions in all sports, from youth athletics up to the professionals. New scientific studies have really brought this issue to light, but unfortunately so have recent tragedies.

I came across this article in the New York Times today about new research showing young women are at a greater risk of sustaining a concussion and are also more susceptible to its after effects.

The research found that younger athletes and those who are female show more symptoms and take longer to recover from a concussion than athletes who are male or older. More than 1.6 million Americans suffer a sports-related concussion every year, and a growing number occur among high school and college athletes.

According to federal statistics, more than 150,000 teenage athletes sustained concussions on the playing field from 2001 to 2005, though that figure accounts for only those who were taken to emergency rooms, so the true number, experts say, is likely to be much higher.

In Montana, high schools are being told to keep a close eye on possible concussed players. In 2010, the MHSA added new rules regarding the treatment of athletes suspected of suffering a concussion during competition. Essentially the new motto is, "When in doubt, sit them out."

Missoula County Public Schools is implementing a standardized protocol for dealing with concussions, and highlighted the recent changes at a seminar titled “How to Deal With Concussion and Return to Play" on May 7, at the Big Sky High School auditorium.

Organizers said in a news release they hoped the seminar would help perpetuate concussion awareness and advocate the new protocol. Casey Fitzsimmons, a former N.A.I.A. All-American at Carroll College Athlete and seven-year player NFL veteran, shared his experiences with concussions at the seminar. A panel of health care professionals discussed the use of the protocol they employ in some scenarios, and answered questions from the audience.

This sounds like a great — and important — event. Hopefully more will follow.

 

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What does it take to be the best logger sports team in the nation?

The Flathead Valley Community College Logger Sports Team, which finished the season undefeated and won its second consecutive national championship, will showcase this year's talent at a demonstration on Saturday.

The team will conclude its season May 12 by performing free demonstrations for the community at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the Family Forestry Expo in Columbia Falls.

This group has developed a tradition of excellence and a reputation of integrity. The team won the Top Sportsmanship Award at the national competition.

We should be proud to call them our own.

FVCC has another group competing this week as well. A team of FVCC students will play against a team of FVCC employees in the first Annual Softball Smash. The event is Thursday, May 10, at 4 p.m. at Conrad Complex, field five, in Kalispell. The game will raise funds for the college’s Emergency Giving Fund, which was established in 1995 to help students stay in school by assisting them through a temporary situation that makes it difficult for them to concentrate on college. The fund provides students with grants of up to $200.

 

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