The start of summer is graduation season. I’ve got a pair of grads who marched across the stage at Glacier High School. They’re twins, and they’re all I’ve got. As we used to joke, they were our first and last.

Families with twins understand how the pair passes through life’s milestones together. The first day of kindergarten. The first soccer practice (I was the coach for that one). The first day of high school. I got a lucky break there. For the twins’ first two years I had a job at Glacier High.

 

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The Flathead Valley is on the cusp of summer and a great spot to enjoy the warm days is Somers Beach.

What makes this place great is that it’s right along U.S. Highway 93, just south of Somers.

There is plenty of parking and when the sun is out, plenty of rays to soak in.

 

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Golf is usually a relaxing game for me, not a contest. Unfortunately, this golf season has started out for me about the same as a two-inch snowfall in October when you think you can ski early.

A week of good weather brought out lots of people from everywhere and someone took the golf cart I had reserved before I got there on a bright and sunny morning. The young owner of the golf course brought one out that had been on the charger.

 

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Being luminaries of exploration in Glacier National Park leads to a common question: What’s the best way to experience the park’s vast interior?

Jake and Blake have the answers.

Jake Bramante and Blake Passmore, a pair of outdoor enthusiasts from Kalispell who’ve bagged the towering summits and vast trails of Glacier, published separate guides this spring that help adventure seekers follow their lead.

 

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Scot Davis has resigned as the head wrestling coach at Flathead High School after one season.

Davis, the all-time wins leader in the nation, recently submitted his letter of resignation to Flathead Activities Director Bryce Wilson.

"Scot was an amazing coach who did a great job building numbers, enthusiasm and creating a structure for further wrestling success," Wilson said. "He was a mentor to many of our coaches during his brief time here at Flathead High School."

Davis is reportedly returning to Minnesota where he coached for more than 25 years and compiled a dual meet record of 984-149-4, the most ever, according to Wrestling USA Magazine. Davis accepted the wrestling job at Eden Prairie near Minneapolis, according to the Owatonna People's Press. Davis told the Owatonna newspaper that his statewide suspension for recruiting violations had been cleared up by the Minnesota State High School League. The MSHSL leveled a two-year suspension on Davis in 2011.

Davis came out of retirement and took over the Braves' program a year ago. The team went 12-11 in meets and placed 13th at state.

Here's an excerpt from his resignation letter:

This is one of the hardest letters I've ever had to send. You are such an outstanding administrator and person, as well as friend. I will never forget all that you have done for me in trying to rebuild the wrestling program at Flathead High School. You gave me all I needed, and I do think the next few years will be highly successful in the sport of wrestling. The kids we have coming up from the middle school have strong talent and are highly motivated. I wish I could have seen their continued progress and success at the high school level. They are great kids!

Words cannot express the gratitude I have for you and everyone that made my stay in Kalispell so rewarding and comfortable. I hope you do understand my position and why I must vacate my coaching position there. It certainly has nothing to do with Flathead High School and the great people there, like you. I will always be a Flathead Fan! I look forward to following the future success of the wrestling team.

RELATED: Return to Glory

 

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LOGAN PASS – The end is in sight for plow crews on the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park. This week, plows from the west had rounded the final bend before Logan Pass and are expected to reach the summit parking lot before Friday. The east side plow crew is also near the summit, but first must clear a massive drift just below the pass.

June 21 is the earliest the entire route from West Glacier to St. Mary will open. Currently, vehicles can drive as far as Avalanche Creek on the west side and Jackson Glacier Overlook on the east side. Hikers and bikers can also travel on the closed section of the road in the evening and on weekends, depending on roadwork. Besides plowing snow, road crews must remove debris and install guardrails along the alpine section of the road.

 

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Flathead High School announced on Wednesday the hiring of Lisa Hendrickson as the new girls basketball coach, pending approval by the school board of trustees.

Hendrickson has served as the assistant women's basketball coach at Saint Martin's University in Lacey, Wash., since 2006. She replaces Karli Tait, who recently stepped down as the Bravettes head coach after four seasons.

"Talking with her and the head coach at St. Martin’s, Lisa is ready to make a program her own by working with athletes to create a solid basketball program," Flathead Activities Director Bryce Wilson said in a statement. "Lisa’s passion for winning along with her communication skills will be great assets in building the Bravette basketball program."

Hendrickson will also serve as a physical education teacher at the high school.

The Bravettes were 31-52 the past four seasons. The team qualified for the Class AA state tournament this season for the first time since 2008.

Hendrickson attended Saint Martin's and was the school's starting point guard from 2002-03.

 

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Out on the wet track inside an empty Legends Stadium last week, under gray rainclouds, one of the best teenage runners in America hit stride one final time.

His long, bleach-blond hair hid beneath a knitted winter hat, but there was no mistaking Zach Perrin.

Two coaching legends, Paul Jorgensen and Dan Hodge, looked on as the slender 6-foot-1 18-year-old propelled around the track — a common sight the last four years — running his last laps as a Flathead Brave.

 

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