2024
PREVIEW SPORTS
Featuring
BELGRADE
MANHATTAN
MANHATTAN CHRISTIAN THREE FORKS
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Belgrade Panthers
• 6-7 ... Football
• 8-9 ... Volleyball
• 10-11 ... Boys Soccer
• 12-13 ... Girls Soccer
• 14-15 ... Cross Country
• 16-17 ... Golf
Manhattan Tigers
• 20-21 ... Football
• 22-23 ... Volleyball
• 24-25 ... Cross Country
Manhattan Christian Eagles
• 28-29 ... Football
• 30-31 ... Volleyball
• 32-33 ... Cross Country
Three Forks Wolves
• 36-37 ... Football
• 38-39 ... Volleyball
• 40-41 ... Cross Country
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Belgrade seeking to reverse fortune under new coach
From the day Jeremy Curry accepted the position as head coach of Belgrade’s football team, he’s been on a mission to change the culture of the program.
So far, so good.
There are nearly 90 athletes participating in fall camp — the largest number since Belgrade moved up to Class AA in 2019 — with renewed optimism.
football, which is a great thing.”
“We feel very, very happy about the aspect of getting more kids out,” said Curry. “Obviously, the kids are excited about being a part of Belgrade
The Panthers have won just three games since moving up to the state’s highest classification and endured their second winless season a year ago. They enter this season having lost 10 straight games dating back to 2022, but Curry is less concerned about the win-loss record to start and more focused on building a positive experience for everyone.
While Belgrade lost about a dozen players to graduation, including second team all-
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conference defensive end Daniel Marinko, several athletes return in skill positions. Among them is junior quarterback Hudson Rask, who threw for 470 yards and rushed for 270 last year.
“Hudson Rask is going to be a very talented versatile dual threat quarterback,” said Curry. “I really think that when it’s all said and done as he continues to polish himself as a young quarterback that he’s going to be a 1,000yard passer and rusher with the offense that he’s in now. So we are very excited about him.”
Curry also noted that sophomore Brody Dooley could also see time under center for the varsity. He’s been sharing reps with Rask during fall practice.
“He’s a bigger longer quarterback. Brings a bit of a different dynamic to the pocket and backfield setting and has a
big-time arm,” said Curry. “So we’re very excited about both those guys and what they have to offer to our offense. It’s a competition as of right now, but each one of them can be a vital piece to our success this season.”
Seniors Jacob Morales and Brandt Dejongh are expected to see plenty of action in the backfield, and the team returns several veteran receivers. Curry noted the receiving corps is a strength of the team led by senior Ryder Tolley.
“He’s had a phenomenal offseason as far as changing his body, getting a little bigger, a little stronger, a little faster,” said Curry. “And he’s put in a lot of time with his leadership qualities and his character.”
Curry added that Noah Shugart is a threat at any position and fellow junior Wesley Ehret is primed for a breakout year. Ehret
led the team with 14 receptions for 204 yards and a pair of touchdowns last year.
There are several other key returners defensively and in the trenches. And, Curry noted that there are a handful of athletes from the freshmen class — there are about 35 overall — who could be contributors for the varsity. Among them include Lewis Shaw (RB/LB), Justin Spangler and Cade Thomas (QB).
“Our freshmen incoming group, they are so talented,” said Curry. “You know you’re talking about a team that hasn’t lost a game in two years between seventh and eighth grade ... We’re trying to make sure that we keep them way. Obviously, we want them to bring that mindset to us and to this level.”
Belgrade kicks off the season Aug. 30 at Missoula Big Sky.
A Belgrade
veterans, newcomers in 2024
fter coming up one victory shy of reaching the state Class AA tournament in each of the past two seasons, it’s a bit of a reset for Belgrade’s volleyball team in 2024.
The Panthers have a new head coach in Hali Ehresmann and a new look team following the departure of five seniors, including three who are now playing college ball. Thus, it will be a different vibe for the team as this season commences.
Billings, replaces Brit Murphy, who resigned after four seasons at the helm. The Panthers posted a 14-13 record this past season and won a game at the divisional tournament.
“I’m just so happy to be here,” said Ehresmann. “I never thought I would be coaching, but life has changed so much and just everything fell together perfectly, and here I am and it’s just an awesome opportunity. I’m doing my best, I have a ton of fun with the girls, it’s great.”
Ehresmann, a Washington native and former player at Montana State University-
Gone from last year’s team continued on next page
are outside hitter Josie Blazina, setter Jenna Garvert and libero Chloe Conatser. Blazina earned second team All-State honors last year, while Garvert and Conatser were second team and honorable mention all-conference selections, respectively.
They leave big shoes to fill — Blazina and Garvert are playing at Division I schools — but Ehresmann is focused on the players and team she took over after being hired in February.
“I’ve heard so much about the other girls (from last year) and I think it’s great that I have nothing to compare it to,” she said. “To me, I see these girls for their raw potential and I’m not comparing them to last year.”
Returning varsity players are seniors Fiona Collister and Julianna McFarland and junior Nora Elliot. Senior Isabelle
Blossom and juniors Carlee Atkinson, Krissy Carrillo, and Teagan Bowler also saw action on the varsity a year ago.
Moving up from JV are seniors Dylan Robertson and Stella Parks; juniors Hayli Milliron and Audrey Thelan, and sophomore Hadley Secora. Overall, there are more than 45 players in the program and Belgrade will field five teams.
Elliot, a three-year varsity player, and Blossom are expected to split the setting duties.
“I see Nora being a true 6-2 player,” Ehresmann said. “Hitting when she’s front row and setting when she’s back row. I feel like I can just rely on her. When the ball comes to her and know it’s going to be great, which is really awesome to have.”
Blossom was the starting setter on JV last year and Ehresmann noted her work ethic.
“Izzy is one of the hardest workers ever. She just smiles and runs, and says, ‘Yes coach,’” said Ehresmann. “It’s so nice to have someone when it’s a frantic, like 24-24 (score), any tight situation, I know the girls and just look to Izzy or just feel her presence. She’s cool, calm and collected. You can’t put a price on that.”
McFarland will anchor the front row at outside hitter, while Collister and Milliron are the team’s middle hitters. Atkinson and Secora will see action on the outside and Carrillo on the right side.
“Hadley and Carlee are super reliable right now and Julianna has just awesome potential too. She could be a true beast on the court,” said Ehresmann.
Belgrade opens the season Aug. 31 with matches at Missoula Big Sky and Missoula Hellgate.
Belgrade Volleyball
Belgrade once again eyeing a playoff berth
Belgrade has not had a winning season since making the jump to Class AA five years ago. But the program has qualified for the postseason in each of those seasons and fourth-year head coach Dr. Robert Lemley hopes to keep that streak going in 2024.
Billings Senior, which went unbeaten in the regular season play a year ago.
The Panthers have a mix of returning veterans and newcomers who will be called upon to step up their play in the highly competitive Eastern AA. The league features defending state champion Bozeman, state runner up Billings West, and
“We know there’s going to be some strong competition out there,” said Lemley. “West, Senior, Gallatin and Bozeman, we hope to be competitive with them and catch them by surprise. Our goal is definitely to get to the playoffs again.”
Belgrade finished with a 4-101 record last year and lost to Gallatin in the first round of the playoffs. But Wilson Goodhue
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and Johnny Foster, who combined for 15 goals and 9 assists, have graduated.
The duo accounted for more than half of the team’s scoring last year.
“We’re going to have to play better soccer this year to develop more of an attack,” said Lemley. “The fortunate thing is that we have a strong class of incoming freshmen and sophomores who are able to fill some voids left over from graduating seniors. I think that will help us lock down the midfield and with a strong defensive line we hope to use some speed in the form of counter attacks.”
Key varsity returners include seniors Michael Galvan and Julian Seely, juniors Luke Crooks, Dillon Robertson and Caleb Sprague, and sophomore Cooper Cates. Cates, Galvan and Seely
combined for seven goals last year, while Robertson returns as a second-year starter at keeper.
“We fashion him as probably being one of the best keepers in the conference as a junior,” said Lemley. “So we’re going to be relying on Dillon to come up big and be bigger than he ever has before.”
Newcomers expected to have an immediate impact include Leonardo Angel, a transfer from Columbia. Lemley touted the abilities he’s displayed.
“He’s really good on the ball and a very good attacker with some high skills, and we’re kind of putting a lot of faith into him for filling those voids,” he said.
Freshman Matthew Terazus will also play a key role in the midfield.
“He’s got wonderful accolades at the club level and now he’s a
freshman,” said Lemley. “He’ll be one of our attacking midfielders and he’ll be able to set up lots of plays and probably garner quite a few assists, and we’re hoping he’s going to be scoring goals too as a freshman. He’s a player to watch.”
Lemley added that the play of his midfielders and wings will be a strength this season along with Robertson in goal.
“We have good speed and good endurance. Some people are incredibly fit,” he said. “There’s a newcomer, whose name is Theodore Hicks … He has amazing fitness. He broke our records for conditioning this year and we’re counting on him to also add strength to our winger and outside back positions.”
Overall, there are just over 30 players on the team.
Belgrade begins the season Aug. 29 hosting Gallatin.
match Schedule
Panthers seeking to be competitive in ‘24
It’s been a rough go for Belgrade since the school moved up to Class AA in 2019. The program has enjoyed just six victories at the state’s highest classification, but first-year head coach Clay Bost is hoping to reverse the team’s struggles.
The Panthers scored just one goal a year ago, endured a winless season in 2022, and lost 28 consecutive matches between 2021 and 2023. While the team enters this season having lost 12 straight, Bost feels they’ll be much more competitive.
“I think we’re going to surprise a lot of people; I really do, I think we’re going to surprise a lot of people,” he said. “We have a good senior class that we can rely on, a couple strong juniors and sophomores that are going to step up this year. Of course there’s going to be hard games, Gallatin and Bozeman are looking formidable again, but the rest of the conference, I really do think we can surprise some people this year.”
Bozeman is the defending
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state champion, and Gallatin reached the semifinals a year ago after winning state in 2022. Five teams in the Eastern AA tallied at least seven wins last year.
“My personal goal is four wins. Five and we’re in the hunt for the playoffs. But four wins would be a great benchmark,” said Bost. “I’d like to try and get a goal every match, maybe it happens, maybe it doesn’t.
“The two big fundamentals that we’re trying to build into the style of play this year is to concede less goals on a game-by-game basis and to increase our scoring on a game-by-game basis.”
Belgrade does not have a returning player who has scored a varsity goal. Adalynn Render had the team’s lone goal a year ago but graduated.
The Panthers do have plenty of
however, including seniors Laryssa Matter, Amari Meuchel, Abby Weber, Sarah Reichert, Bekah Vidmar, and Avery Hickok. Matter has been the team’s starting keeper the past two years but is coming off a knee injury.
“We are still on the road to recovery,” said Bost. “She’s playing in a compression sleeve and a brace. She’s doing as much as she can, but she’s not quite at full game fitness yet. The goal is to get her up to full game fitness.”
Junior Jordyn Adams will serve as the team’s backup keeper.
“Depending on fitness and other aspects, there might be the possibility of some split time there,” said Bost. “Of course, we want to keep Laryssa healthy. So if her fitness only allows one half, we’ll only play her one half.”
Sophomores Mae Menuez and
be key contributors.
Overall, Belgrade had less than two-dozen players show up for the first day of tryouts. But Bost said that number has grown and he hopes to have around 30 when the season starts.
“We had to do some legwork as a program, but it’s looking up that we’ll have the numbers that we want,” he said. “Initially, we had 23 players the first day of tryouts. But we’ve had a couple girls coming back to the program. I’ve reached out to former players to get them to come back and it’s looking like we’re going to pull it off.”
Belgrade begins the season Aug. 29 hosting Gallatin.
“I’m excited, it’s finally here,” said Bost. “It was a longtime coming waiting in summer for tryouts to come and now we can get to work and turn the program
Good Luck to All the Fall Sports Teams.
Returners ready to step up for Belgrade cross country
Numbers are down slightly from a year ago for Belgrade’s cross country team. That’s due in part to a senior class of 10 that departed from a year ago.
With 20 athletes out for this year’s team — 10 boys and 10 girls during preseason practices — the Panthers have a nice balance of talent. But, they don’t have quite the experience that has been enjoyed over the past couple of years.
we’re pretty young this year.”
Still, there are eight returning runners on the boys’ side. Leading the way is junior Wilson Schmidt, who placed 21st at state a year ago after earning All-State honors as a freshman.
Schmidt has shined in both cross country and track over the past two years and is expected to be among the top contenders this season in Class AA.
“We lost a lot of our seniors from last year,” Belgrade head coach Matt Hommel noted. “So
“He’s definitely figuring out where he fits in the whole
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said Hommel. “So
said Hommel. “Aidan Brown graduated, and Brodie graduated, but we have some boys coming up from behind them to help kind of fill in some of those holes. I think we have a pretty good team this year.”
The Panthers placed seventh at state last year led by Aidan Brown, who just missed earning All-State honors after placing 18th. He graduated along with Brodie Tirrell and Kaden Lookhart, who were also members of the state team.
Ethan Bellcock is back, however, along with fellow junior Noel Pierson. Bellcock set a personal best by 50 seconds at last year’s state meet en route to finishing 73rd.
“We have a lot of boys coming back, which is great,”
On the girls’ side, Belgrade lost two of its top three runners to graduation in Justine Pommerville and Grace Stewart. Pommerville placed 27th at state to help the team finish 10th, while Stewart was 49th.
In addition, veterans Hannah Giese and Lily Stewart also departed.
“They definitely left an awesome legacy. They were helping us out right until they had to leave for college. They definitely showed the younger kids what you can achieve when you stay dedicated, work hard, the sky’s the limit,” said Hommel.
“And I think it’s really shown with those girls that are coming back. Been putting in a lot of hard work this summer and the girls we have coming back are setting a great example for our freshmen.”
The team’s No. 2 runner at state last year, Breeana Helfrich, returns along with fellow seniors Gwen Clingan and Piper Bell, and junior Amelia Brown. Brown and Bell set personal bests at state last year.
“For the girls that are coming back, there’s a lot of room for growth,” Hommel said of their potential.
Overall, there are just three seniors on this year’s team — Bell, Clingan and Helfrich — and seven seniors in the program.
Belgrade begins the season Aug. 30 at a meet in Billings. The team’s home meet is slated for Sept. 6 in Bozeman.
Belgrade golf fielding full teams for ‘24 campaign
n five years as head coach of Belgrade’s golf team, Mike Deming has not entered a season with two full squads. That’s no longer the case as year six commences.
There are 10 boys and 10 girls participating for the Panthers with a solid mix of veterans and newcomers. Thus, Deming and assistant coach Joe Rossman are giddy about this year’s team.
have been together, 10 girls. We actually had 11 girls come out. We have 10 girls and 10 guys, so it’s good.”
Belgrade has typically fielded a full boys’ team, but the turnout on the girls’ side has always been lower. Led four returning seniors, including three returning varsity players, there is a welcomed mix of veteran leadership and youth.
“We’re excited about that,” said Deming. “That’s the first time that we’ve ever had, as long as coach Rossman and I
The three returning seniors who competed for the varsity last year are Nataly Durham,
Teagan McMahon and Whitney Maierle. Durham and McMahon helped the Panthers place sixth at last year’s State AA tournament.
“They’ve been playing for us for three, four years now,” noted Deming. “So this will be the fourth year for Nataly and the fourth year for Whitney, and then Teagan came out her sophomore year, so this is her third year back. We’re real excited about our seniors and for them to come back and have an exciting senior year.”
The other returning varsity member is Lilia Troxel. The junior placed 25th at state last year.
Belgrade’s No. 1 gofer, Leila Mamangun (18th at state in 2023) graduated. But with four of the team’s five varsity players back, Deming likes their chances of qualifying and placing higher at the state tournament.
“I think we have a good group.
Belgrade
They work hard and they have a lot of fun,” he said. “They’re solid, we’re going to have to improve in some areas, but I like their chances to be a competitive group of girls.
“We just need to find a fifth girl to help round us out just in case one of the other four girls has a bad day, which happens in golf. We’re really looking at trying to get one of the girls to be developed and we have some other girls out of 10 that we like and hopefully we can get to improve by tournament time.”
On the boys’ side, Belgrade returns three players with varsity experience in seniors Connor Kelley and Owen Plagmann and sophomore Brayton VanDyken. Kelley finished 39th at state last year.
“Connor is a solid player. I think Brayton’s going to be a
solid player,” said Deming. “But teamwise we’re going to have to get some contribution by some other guys and there’s some that have performed well. Just inconsistent play is what’s holding them back. So they’re just going to have to get more consistent hole to hole, week to week, for us to be in any type of mix.”
The other returning junior is Oliver Lacey, but like the rest of the team, he does not have varsity experience. The coaching staff is eager to see who earns a spot with the varsity during the first couple of regular season tournaments.
“We have three of our five guys back, but other than that we don’t have a lot of experience,” said Deming. “So it’s going to be one of the growing things for the guys just to get some experience and competition play is a big thing for them.”
Cruddy. Gross.
Holes to fill, but Tigers reload for run at title
Ayear ago, Manhattan advanced to the state Class B championship game for the third time in five years. It didn’t end the way coaches and players had hoped in a 21-14 overtime loss to Florence-Carlton.
While the Tigers have reloaded this fall and are hoping to make another deep postseason run, third-year head coach Wes Kragt noted players and coaching staff have turned the page on last year’s success.
“The way that we look at it is, new year, new team, we’re just trying to make sure that
we put in the work that we need and go about it and try to get better each week. With the holes that we have to fill, I think we’ll definitely have to improve throughout the year to make another run at it,” he said. “But I know that the kids that have played in years past, and the kids that are getting their first shot, they’re excited. We put a lot of work in to be a great program in the summer and these kids put a lot of work in to have that chance to make another run at it. So I think we’ll
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be very competitive and you just never know. When you get to the playoffs, it’s just one game at a time.”
Manhattan posted an 11-2 record last year, including a 5-0 mark in the Southern B. But there are numerous holes to fill along the lines as well as in the defensive secondary following the departure of a talented senior class in 2023.
“We got to kind of fill the rest of our O-line and D-line, our offense and defense, with some younger inexperienced kids and see how we do,” said Kragt.
The good news is that several key starters are back, including seniors George Stenberg (RB/LB) and Luke Randall (OL/DL). Both earned All-State honors a year ago along with receiver/defensive back Callin Fenno (R/DB), who graduated.
Stenberg rushed for 849 yards and 15 touchdowns and had another 205 yards receiving. Defensively, he led the team with 62 tackles (11 for loss) and had three sacks.
Randall also finished with 62 tackles and four sacks.
In addition, seniors Michael Stewart (WB), Brady Toner (DE) and Landon Benson (TE) also return. Stewart is a three-year starter at quarterback and earned first team all-conference honors last year, while Toner was a firstteam selection at defensive end.
Stewart threw for 1,682 yards with 25 touchdowns and rushed for 420 yards with six scores.
The Tigers also picked up a key transfer in senior Kaysen Konkol. He spent the past three seasons playing at Belgrade.
While Manhattan returns many of its skill players,
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particularly on the offensive side of the ball, Kragt again noted the team’s success will depend on younger players stepping up in the trenches.
“Both our O-line and D-line, we got to fill some holes. And we actually lost our entire DB crew, Michael was like a sub-in for us, but we lost four seniors in that spot,” said Kragt. “Our strongest crew is our linebacking crew and then Brady on the D-line and then we’re gonna hopefully get better each week with the rest of our crew.”
Overall, there were a little over 40 athletes out for the team during preseason practices. Some of those returning seniors will become first-time varsity starters, Kragt noted, and a lot of sophomores will be expected to fill key roles.
Manhattan kicks off the season Aug. 30 at Huntley Project.
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Tigers have big goals led by veteran team
With a veteran squad returning this fall, expectations are high for Manhattan’s volleyball team.
The Tigers are coming off a second straight losing season after finishing 7-13 a year ago but there was a strong turnout for tryouts and the team has seven seniors. Thus, there is plenty of optimism amongst players and coaches.
“They’re a true veteran squad and they are 110 percent committed,” Dinah Sime, who is beginning her fourth year as head coach, said. “They’re
committed to this program; they’re committed to this team, and they have set high expectations to show that leadership throughout the program and show that they are capable of playing at a high level and competing with everybody else.”
The senior class consists of Madilynn Casebolt, Riley Cestnik, Ryley Gault, Hadley Jones, Morgan Pavlik, Zohy O’Rourke, and Abby Samuel. Casebolt did not compete the past two years due to an injury,
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but the other six are returners.
“We got a really strong (senior) crew,” said Sime.
There are three juniors who are expected to be key contributors for the varsity in Avery Eckert, Haylee Hamblin and Sierra Searles. Savannah Droge will see time as well.
“She’s (Droge) a sophomore who was on our postseason roster last year,” noted Sime. “She will run in the middle with Morgan this season. She’s also a very dynamic middle and we expect big things from her.”
There are a few holes to fill, especially on the outside with the departure Emma Kabalin and Esther Halverson.
“Ryley Gault and Zohy O’Rourke are stepping into those leadership roles and really taking command on that outside,” said Sime. “And I think they’ll both do
a fabulous job.”
Manhattan also lost the services of senior Camdyn Holgate, who was the team’s starting setter the past three years. Samuel will take over that position.
“Camdyn decided to focus her talents on basketball and softball, so she decided not to come out for volleyball this fall,” said Sime.
Samuel will have plenty of options in which to distribute the ball along the front row, including Pavlik in the middle. Sime feels that she’s going to be a force at the net.
“Morgan Pavlik is our returning captain from last year,” Sime said. “She is bound and determined to lead this squad and has really set the bar high for them, and she will be a dominant middle this season. So I’m really
excited to see her grow and play.”
Cestnik and Jones, a pair of defensive specialists, will serve as anchors in the back row.
The Tigers finished 2-2 at last year’s District 5B Tournament and are seeking to return to divisional for the first time since 2021. That was also the last time the team had a winning record.
Manhattan begins the season Aug. 30-31 at the annual Choteau Invitational. The two-day event features program from Class B and C.
“It’ll be a good season,” said Sime. “We’re excited, we’re excited to get going, and we kick off the season with Choteau, so it will be fun.”
The Tigers open conference play Sept. 3 at Three Forks.
Manhattan will again host the two-day district tournament Oct. 31-Nov. 1.
Manhattan’s harriers seeking gold in ‘24
or the first time since 2018, the girls cross country team at Manhattan stood atop the podium at last year’s state Class B meet. The boys also earned hardware and with both squads returning plenty of talent this fall, expectations are even higher.
Tigers head coach Sarah Jambor acknowledged that there have been conversations of pursuing gold on both sides, and the girls have set their sights on a repeat after returning all but one runner.
“I’d be lying if I didn’t say
Have a Great Fall Season Manhattan T
that we had conversations of hey can we do this again, let’s do it again, let’s make plans to,” Jambor said. “But at the same time we’ve had those conversations, we’re going to let those rest, and now we’re really focusing on the small things every single day. And I truly believe the results will take care of themselves in October.”
The girls brought home hardware from state for the ninth time in the past 10 years a year ago and won state after placing four runners in the
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top 25. Six of those runners are back, including Ella Miller and Ruthanne Bowen. They earned All-State honors after placing sixth and 12th, respectively.
The team’s No. 3 runner was Della Sebring, who placed 20th. Led by Miller, Bowen and Sebring, Manhattan finished 10 points better than Glasgow.
“She (Miller) had a really great track season and so did Della and Ruthanne,” said Jambor. “So I’m really expecting that those three will kind of lead the charge in that top part of our team, kind of that one through three.”
While Zoe Axtman, the team’s No. 4 runner, graduated, Grace Johnson, Ryleigh Goodman and Jennie Rolando each return. All three were on the state team last year.
Jambor noted that freshman Ainsley Mattick, who trained with the team last year as an eighth grader, could fill the void left by Axtman.
“She’s been working out with our varsity girls for a year, so we’re really excited for her to come in. I think she’s going to be in our top seven,” she said.
While expectations are sky high for the team, Jambor added nothing will come easy.
“I’d be lying if we didn’t talk about it (winning state), but at the same time it is not a given, especially looking at the other teams that finished behind us last year, Huntley Project, Glasgow and Columbus,” said Jambor. “Focusing on the small things is our big piece right now.”
On the boys’ side, Manhattan returns all of its runners from a year ago. The boys earned a third-place finish at state last year after placing fourth in 2022.
“We were so happy with a third last year. We were missing
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our second-best runner and they came out third. So they are so hungry,” said Jambor.
“These boys, it’s so fun to have got to watch them over the past 12 months, kind of get a taste of it last year. They had these conversations in the offseason and started talking about what can we do.”
The lone returning All-State runner is Luke Halverson, who placed 8th at state. Also back from the state team are Bryce Anderson, Lukas Goodman, Teddy Simser and Hank Strasser.
Ethan Sullivan also returns, but did not compete at state last year due to injury.
“He’s incredibly talented and ran in our number two spot last year the whole season,” said Jambor.
Manhattan begins the season Aug. 30 with a meet in Boulder.
It’s fair to say that Manhattan Christian was the surprise team of 8-man football a year ago. As a first-year program, the Eagles won six games and narrowly missed out on qualifying for the postseason.
With the majority of those players back this fall, as well as more than half a dozen new athletes, expectations are high for Manhattan Christian entering year two.
“Nobody expected us to be as good as we were,” Eagles head coach Ben Holst said. “I don’t think even we expected
to be as good as we turned out last year, so it was kind of that mix of wow, this has been super exciting, but also, we’re hungry and want more. So I think the guys come in with high expectations and also high goals.”
Christian finished with a 6-3 record (6-3 South-Central) and will play an 8-game conference schedule this fall. Leagues were reconfigured by the Montana High School Association during the offseason and the south now features Ennis, Flint Creek
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(Drummond-Phillipsburg), Lodge Grass, Lone Peak, Park City, Sheridan, St. Labre, and Twin Bridges in addition to the Eagles.
Christian’s numbers have increased to 31 from 24 a year ago due in part to a big freshman class and some first-time players.
“I don’t think I was expecting that big of a jump just because we had three seniors last year and we knew we had big incoming freshman class,” said Holst. “But we had several new guys come out from our junior and senior class that we didn’t expect. Guys that watched us play last year and said, ‘I think I want to be part of the football team,’ and so joined up with no football experience.”
The Eagles will likely rely on a strong senior class — there are 12 returners among 13 seniors — and the majority of them are two-way players.
“And we had a lot of juniors that played last year, so we’re coming back with a ton of experience,” said Holst. “We just got back from our senior retreat with our 13 seniors and was talking about the importance of them plugging in the younger guys and really setting the tone for the program going forward.”
Among the key returners are seniors Christian Triemstra (QB), Dominic Holst (TE/DL), Jack Scott (R/RB/DB), Rance Hamilton (R/TE/DE), and Shaphan Hubner (WR). Holst earned All-State honors last year, while Hamilton was a second team all-conference selection.
Coach Holst added that Isaac Hoekema (R), Carson Heidema (OL) and Wyatt Donaldson (OL) will be big contributors too.
The Eagles do have a couple of holes to fill following the
departure of receiver/defensive back Mason Venema. He earned All-State honors after tallying 42 catches for 704 yards and 12 TDs a year ago.
“I’ve got three senior wide receivers plus Jack Scott who kind of plays that back wide receiver, so I got four wide receivers that are ready to fill that hole,” coach Holst said.
Christian will also be without the services of running back Johnny Venhuizen. The senior suffered an ACL injury in June.
“So that’s another hole that we’ll have to fill is that starting running back and middle linebacker, kind of both sides of the ball,” said coach Holst. “He’ll be a big hole.”
Christian kicks off the season Aug. 31 hosting Twin Bridges and will have four home games during the regular season.
New look Eagles have same high goals
After winning a third consecutive state championship, and fourth in five years in 2023, Manhattan Christian is going to look much different this season.
Gone are the powerhouse hitters of Katelyn Van Kirk and Miranda Wyatt, and veteran setter Jacie Burley. All three are now playing college ball and the program returns just three players with significant varsity experience.
But don’t count out the Eagles heading into this season. Fifth-year head coach Hanna
VanDyk noted expectations remain the same and feels that her team will be a contender once again by season’s end.
“We always want that state title. We are aware that we’re gonna have a lot of work and I think it’s going to be a big growing season. However, I wouldn’t write us off,” VanDyk said. “I think there’s a lot of girls who want it a lot and a lot of heart, and I think this program has been a strong program … I think we’re going to be competitive, and because we’re
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so young you’re going to see a lot of growth from us.”
The current coaching staff, as well as former head coach Jill Ayers, have been adept at producing state championship caliber teams. Christian has also been fortunate enough to boast talented athletes who have come up through the school’s elementary and junior high programs.
This will be the biggest test yet for VanDyk, however, following the departure of three All-State performers from a team that posted a 26-2 record a year ago. Needless to say, they left big shoes to fill.
“I think that there’s a lot of girls eager to fill those roles, however, we’re just not going to have the power that we had in the last couple years,” VanDyk said. “We don’t have a Katelyn, we don’t
have a Miranda, but with what we do have I think we’ll be able to spread it out a little bit more.”
Returning for the varsity are seniors Bella Triemstra (MH) and Sam Veltkamp (L), and sophomore outside hitter Karissa Van Kirk. Triemstra earned second team all-conference honors last year.
“Really we’re only returning those three that had significant playing time with Sam, Bella and Karissa,” said VanDyk. “So it’s going to look very, very different for us this year. We’re not going to be able to rely on our big hitters as much, but I’m excited to see the growth that this team has.”
VanDyk added that seniors Bailey Roberts and Sierra Stewart will have key roles for the varsity along with junior Aubrey Hoffman.
“She’s (Hoffman) been playing
very well for us. So hopefully she’s able to step up and help,” said VanDyk. “Bailey Roberts is going to be able to do good things for us and then we have a couple freshmen that have to play some bigger roles, which we’ll see how that fits.”
One of those freshmen is Alexa Van Kley, who is expected to fill the void left by Burley.
“At this point we’re looking at running a 5-1 with her, which is a lot of pressure to put on a freshman. However, I think she’ll handle it very well,” said VanDyk. “She put in a time of time this offseason … It’s going to be tough for her switching to that varsity level, but I’m excited to see what she can do because she is a very good setter.”
Overall, Christian had just under 19 athletes participating in fall practice.
Manhattan Christian reloads for run at No. 9
It’s been quite a ride for the boys’ cross country team at Manhattan Christian, and they’re is hoping to keep it going this fall.
The Eagles won their eighth consecutive Class C championship a year ago (10th in program history) and all but one runner returns. However, the lone departure left big shoes to fill.
Oren Arthun won his third straight individual championship last year as a senior and set a classification record with a time 15:55.29 in leading the team to the title. But
his impact will have a lasting effect.
“Honestly, Oren was so selfless,” Christian head coach Nate TeSlaa said. “He was all about the team. He always pushed the kids.”
Arthun’s willingness to go the extra mile in practice with teammates paid off last year as the Eagles narrowly won state without a key runner.
Christian edged Drummond in a tiebreaker after the team’s No. 4 runner, Wyatt Miller, beat Drummond’s No. 4 runner.
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“The great thing about cross country is it’s not about where your first-place finisher finishes, well for us, it’s where your number four finishes,” said TeSlaa. “Because I think that’s who won us state last year was our number four, so it’s kind of cool that the top people realize that they have to make everybody better on the team.”
The Eagles placed two runners in the top five and three in the top 30. Now the returners are ready to carve out their own path with Arthun competing at the collegiate level.
Seniors Cavan Visser and Shaphan Hubner return along with freshman Joshua Kimm and Miller, a sophomore. Visser was fourth at state last year, while Hubner did not compete due to a concussion. As a sophomore, Hubner finished as the individual
state runner up.
“Basically, everyone who was out for the boys last year is out again this year,” said TeSlaa. “They’re looking good again, they’re looking strong, so I’m excited. We’ll see what happens.”
Hubner will once again be doing double duty as a member of the cross country and football teams but is expected, along with Visser, to fill the leadership role vacated by Arthun.
“I’ve just been so blessed that when somebody graduates there’s leaders to step right in and Shaphan and Cavan are those guys,” said TeSlaa. “I’m excited to see what happens with their leadership this year.”
The boys squad also include Joshua Kimm, another returner.
“I think we’re going to be strong. I don’t know how strong, but I think we’re going
to be strong,” TeSlaa of the boys team. “Shaphan and Cavan are competitors, so they’re going to go out there and compete. It’s up to my young guys to step up and so far it looks like they are … I think they’re ready to go. They’re itching to get after it.”
On the girls’ side, sophomore Lydia Visser and freshman Nora Hope return from last year, while senior Emma Bos and junior Bria Ohs are new the program. Ohs, a transfer from Harrison, has a younger sister, Harper, that TeSlaa said might join the team as well.
“They’re looking strong,” he said. “The girls that I had from last year are looking stronger than they were last year and these girls coming in, I think they’re going to be a huge asset to the team.”
Christian opens the season Aug. 30 with a meet in Livingston.
Missoula
OCTOBER
at Three Forks
at Helena
at State (Missoula)
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Bar has been raised for TF gridders in ‘24
Led by a talented crew of upperclassmen, Three Forks enjoyed a historic season a year ago. The Wolves posted their first winning season in 14 years, reached the postseason for the first time since 2018, and won a playoff game for the first time in three decades.
Needless to say, it was a memorable campaign for an up and coming program in the Southern B conference. And sixth-year head coach Connor Sullivan hopes the team will keep that momentum going now that the bar has been raised.
“Last year we kind of had a motto, we called it the great reset. Forget about what’s happened in the past, this is now, and that team took great pride in that,” Sullivan said.
“So this year our motto’s kind of leave your mark. How do you want to be remembered? How do you want to go out? And these guys have really answered the call this offseason to that. They had a standard, but you can tell they’re raising that standard a bit.”
The Wolves finished with a
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CIERRA MYERS, NP CRYSTAL MARX, NP LAUREN McKAY, NP JEN KAMPS, LCPC 16 RAILWAY AVENUE THREE FORKS • 285-3251
Monday-Thursday 7:30-5:00 Friday 7:30-12:00 (noon)
7-4 record last year and defeated Malta in a first-round game of the Class B playoffs before losing to Red Lodge in the quarterfinals. Colten Hayder, Tallyn McCauley, Shane Williams and Caleb VanVleet were key to the team’s success.
“Those seniors and juniors from last year, they kind of laid out the blueprint for us going forward,” said Sullivan. “We saw that, we saw what we got to do moving forward, and now we got to continue to build off of that.”
Hayder (WR/DB) and Williams (QB/LB) earned All-State honors, while McCauley (WR) and Van Vleet (DB) were second team selections. All four, however, have graduated. Still, Three Forks returns seven starters on offense and six on defense.
The biggest hole to fill will be at quarterback where
Williams shined as an explosive runner and accurate passer. A sophomore, Kanon Reichman, is expected to take the reins under center.
“Shane was a tremendous leader for us last year, but we’re excited about the younger kids we have coming up,” said Sullivan. “I think we got a pretty good guy that’s going to fill his spot, Kanon Reichman.”
Reichman started at tight end and on defense for the Wolves as a freshman but does have previous experience at quarterback.
Other notable returning starters include seniors Dillon Anderson (TE), Dylan Swenson (WR) and Sawyer Anderson (RB), and sophomore Marcus Pestel, who is expected to fill the void left by Hayder. Sullivan noted Swenson “is going to be a big-
time playmaker” and that the offense is going to lean a little move on Anderson this year.
Overall, there are more than 35 athletes out for the team, which Sullivan said is on par from previous years.
“Offensively we’ll be pretty junior-senior heavy except Kanon and Marcus, they’re sophomores,” he said. “And then on the defensive side of the ball we’ll have a couple younger kids that will have to fill some spots, but like I said we’re excited about those kids and can’t wait to see what they can do this year.”
Three Forks kicks off the season Aug. 30 against Missoula Loyola. The contest will be held at Bobcat Stadium, home of Montana State University. Last year the teams played at Washington Grizzly Stadium at the University of Montana.
Sampson takes over reins of Three Forks volleyball
For the second time in as many years, Three Forks’ volleyball team has a new head coach. Jodi Sampson was hired about two months ago to replace Tiffany Lynch and brings a wealth of knowledge to the program.
Sampson has been tasked with turning around a program that has not had a winning season since 2017 and has not advanced out of the District 5B Tournament since 2018.
The Wolves were 4-12 a year ago, including a pair of losses at district. It was the second straight year the team failed to
win a match in the tournament.
While Sampson had yet to talk with the team about season goals following tryouts, being a more competitive team will certainly be atop the list.
“Definitely, a goal would be to end up as one of the top teams, one of the top teams in the league, win a lot of games and make the playoffs,” Sampson said. “Just bring out the potential in the girls and help them to really become a strong team.”
There are a little over 30 athletes out for the program
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this fall, including four seniors, six juniors and two sophomores on the varsity.
Sampson noted she didn’t know much about the players before becoming head coach.
“I kind of purposely did not find out a lot of information about last year because my understanding is there were lots of freshmen, lots of people on different teams,” she said. “So I kind of really wanted a fresh look and decide on what I thought instead of based on the past.”
Ellie Fighting Bear (OH/OPP), Natalee Hayder (OH/OPP), Kylee Reichman (MH) and Kennedy Rogers (L/DS) are the team’s four seniors. The junior class consists of Cherish Allen (OH/OPP), Sadie Dell (MH), Nova Ervin (S/MH), Ciel Gayle (OH/OPP), Mikayla Lear (OH/OPP) and Maddie Tesoro (S). The two sophomores
Three
on the varsity are Arabella McCauley (MH/S) and Hailey Williams (DS/L).
“I was pleasantly surprised with the talent that’s there, and I think we’re going to be really strong on the outside, on the pins, outside and right side,” said Sampson. “I think we have a very good libero, which is Kennedy Rogers. She seems really strong to me. But yeah, I think our game is going to be really good on the outside.”
Gayle, Hayder and Lear are a trio of outside/opposite hitters that Sampson feels will have a big impact at the net.
“I think that I have three excellent outside pin hitters that I think are all going to be doing big things … I think they’re going to be turning some heads,” she said.
Tesoro was the team’s starting libero last year but has moved to
setter. Sampson feels she’s a good fit for the position.
“I saw Maddie, really liked her,” Sampson said. “She’s got speed and I liked her understanding of the game and I’ve been trying her out as a setter and I’m really liking it, and she’s got great defense.”
Three Forks begins the season Aug. 30-31 at the Choteau Invitational.
“The experience is going to be great. We’re going to kind of see where we’re weak and what we need to improve on and I’m just excited to see where we’re at,” Sampson said of the tournament. “I really have never watched much or have been involved in any of the athletics around here and I don’t know what to expect to be honest. So it’s going to be really good for me to see where we’re at and what we need to be.”
Three Forks girls eyeing hardware at state meet
Heading into the 2024 cross country season, numbers are down for the boys at Three Forks. But, there is an increase for the girls, who hope to be in contention for hardware at the state Class B meet in October.
Thus, there is plenty of optimism for the Wolves, especially on the girls’ side, following a fourth place finish a year ago.
“I would love to see the girls get a team trophy,” Three Forks head coach Tara Forsberg said. “Keep everybody healthy and keep their heads in a good
positive spot, and I think they should do just fine.”
The girls return the majority of their team from last year, including a pair of All-State runners in freshman Teegan Gifford and senior Bella Jones. As an eighth-grader, Gifford placed fifth at state while Jones was 15th.
“She (Gifford) should just be right back in there. She’ll do the Junior Olympics again. She’s just very active,” said Forsberg. “She didn’t do a ton of running over the summer, but she plays
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Three Forks Cross Country hockey, and her family is just always at a gym and they’re on the go all the time. So she’s in great shape, she’ll do just fine.”
Seniors Grace Kluin and Devynn Judd also return, along with Pailey Lampers, Isabella Meehan and Dawson Petersen. Overall, there were 13 girls participating in preseason practices.
“We’ll have a strong girls team I feel like,” said Forsberg.
The boys had one All-State runner last year in Bryon Fanning, who placed third at state and broke his own school record with a time of 16:07.68. However, Fanning graduated, and several other athletes decided not to return or moved away.
“With the boys specifically, when I talk to the wrestlers, they just think that cross country is a billion miles,” she said. “And I try to get those wrestlers in shape for wrestling, and the basketball boys that don’t do football, and they all just have a stigma about cross country no matter what I say to them.”
A veteran who did return is
obviously we’re not going to have a (full) team for the boys.”
Junior Brady Olson returns after not competing a year ago, and overall, there were just four boys participating in preseason practices.
3RD 0 Publishes in the Belgrade Thursday, September 30th Publishes in the Bozeman Sunday, October 3rd
in the Belgrade News on Thursday, September 26th
in the Bozeman Chronicle on Friday, September 27th
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