Sports Star Awards 2018

SPORTS STARS

AWARDS HONORING THE AREA’S BEST HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT-ATHLETES A S P E C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E B O Z E M A N D A I LY C H R O N I C L E

STAY ON THE BALL!

Bozeman Health Pediatrics Make sure your child is ready for summer and school-year sports! Sports physicals are available in Bozeman and Belgrade.

Call 406-414-4900 today to schedule your child’s sports physical.

2

M A Y 1 3 , 2 018 • S P O R T S S T A R S AWA R D S

Bozeman 937 Highland Blvd., Suite 5320 Entrance 5, parking lots C or H Belgrade 206 Alaska Frontage Road Meet our team at bozemanhealth.org/pediatrics

Cheering you on… almost embarrassingly loud.

We’re right behind you for an eight hour bus ride for eight minutes of playing time.

Week after week—it’s you and together.

Find out more at firstinterstate.com

S P O R T S S T A R S AWA R D S • M A Y 1 3 , 2 018

3

Female Student-Athlete of the Year: Heather Wilson, Three Forks “It’s good to sit down and relax every once in a while, but I feel like I’m not getting everything out of a day that I could if I just sit there.”

— Heather Wilson

H

eather Wilson wakes up no later than 6:30 each morning.

If she gets up a half-hour earlier, maybe she’ll go for a run. Either way, she’s at Three Forks High by 7:15 preparing for her government class during the school’s “Zero Hour,” which many seniors opt out of.

Wilson isn’t one to idle, however.

She’s taken every Advanced Placement class Three Forks offers. She’s played volleyball, basketball and ran track each year. She’s served the community by coaching softball, working at blood drives and contributing with the Sidekick program as a mentor for elementary students.

4

M A Y 1 3 , 2 018 • S P O R T S S T A R S AWA R D S

And until this school year, she never used a planner.

“I don’t really know how I do it. People ask me how I do it and I guess it just works itself out,” Wilson quipped.

“I just do it. I just take it day by day. I try and plan as much as I can. I might be a little unorganized.”

Wilson, who has never earned worse than an ‘A’ since eighth grade, captained the Wolves’ undefeated Class B championship basketball team.

Her commitment to others and willingness to sacrifice free time stems from her parents. While Wilson sometimes wishes she got more sleep,

she also makes sure she’s maximizing each day.

It’s a mindset Wilson’s focused on since the end of seventh grade when her mother, Brandi Bernhart, died. Bernhart coached Wilson in softball growing up and volunteered as an emergency medical technician.

She occasionally missed her daughter’s games while on calls. It didn’t bother Wilson, though.

She understood why Bernhart wasn’t there and learned from her example.

Wilson “floated through” eighth grade, she said, but recognized the opportunities she’d have in high school and didn’t want to pass them up.

“After that, I just really pushed myself to be

the best person I could be, like her,” Wilson said.

“She really inspired me.”

While Three Forks doesn’t have a varsity softball team, Wilson continued with a Belgrade travel team. After surpassing the age limit three years ago, she stayed on to help the program as a coach, the role Bernhart filled.

Wilson’s father, Jay, works in construction. He typically wakes up around 3:30 a.m. and when he returns home at night, usually goes straight to bed. In between, though, he’d attend her games as often as possible.

Her parents helped cultivate a routine of keeping busy that Wilson has followed.

“I think when she lost her mom a couple years ago, the community kind of took her under their wing a little bit,” Three Forks girls basketball head coach Mike Sauvageau said.

“She just has been a No. 1 great student, great athlete, great teammate. Everybody in the school loves her, whatever she does.”

As her classes intensified this year, Wilson began writing down tasks in a notebook. If she accidentally leaves it somewhere, she immediately traces back her steps to find it.

“Senior year’s crazy, I got to have that thing,” Wilson said.

When Wilson feels stressed, she’ll go for a run, hang out with friends, or do both at the same time at track practice. In her rare free time, she’s in bed petting her dog because she has to “shut my brain off for a little while.”

Throughout the basketball season, Wilson hit several key shots late in games. She knocked down a crucial 3-pointer with about 10 seconds remaining to take down Broadwater County in the regular season as well as another late 3 in a state semifinal victory against Bigfork.

Sauvageau rarely had to tell Wilson anything twice and attributed her retention to her coachability and intelligence.

Wilson will play volleyball and run track and cross-country at Rocky Mountain College next year and plans on double majoring in biology and chemistry. She admits it’ll be like “a fulltime job,” but that’s what she’s accustomed to.

“It’s good to sit down and relax every once in a while,” Wilson said, “but I feel like I’m not getting everything out of a day that I could if I just sit there.”

S P O R T S S T A R S AWA R D S • M A Y 1 3 , 2 018

5

Male Student-Athlete of the Year: Dawson Fowler, Belgrade “That’s something I’ve always kind of hung my hat on is wanting kids to look up to me and have a good role model. Obviously, I want them to do their own things, and take their own paths as well, but lay down a foundation for them to follow.”

— Dawson Fowler

T

here has never been a superiority complex.

Dawson Fowler is just like any other student walking the halls of Belgrade High. It just so happens that he’s also one of best basketball players to wear the green and white.

But that’s only part of the legacy he’ll leave behind after graduating in June. Fowler will also be revered for his ability to connect with other students and embracing his status a role model.

“A lot of people just gravitate to him because

6

M A Y 1 3 , 2 018 • S P O R T S S T A R S AWA R D S

he doesn’t seem like he’s unapproachable at all,” Belgrade activities director Rick Phillips said.

“He’s very easy to talk to. He’ll genuinely listen to you, carry on a conversation with you. He’s just a very down-to-Earth, genuine kid that cares about other people.”

Fowler often carves out time to speak with youngsters and special needs students, and thanks them for their support following games. He credited his grandparents, as well as other family members, for instilling a positive attitude both on

and off the court.

“That’s something I’ve always kind of hung my hat on is wanting kids to look up to me and have a good role model,” he said. “Obviously, I want them to do their own things, and take their own paths as well, but lay down a foundation for them to follow.”

Fowler’s path has been both direct and calculated, and led to slew of accolades at Belgrade. He’s been among the best shooting guards in the state, earning All-State honors and finishing with 1,184

career points.

Fowler led the Panthers in assists this past season, while averaging 16.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.

He helped Belgrade reach the state tournament in three of the past four years and place fourth to cap the 201617 campaign.

The son of Sarah (Flock) Fowler, a former standout for Belgrade as well as at Montana State, basketball is in his genes. It’s behind the scenes where Phillips noted Fowler earned his stripes, however.

“We know that he’s lived in the gym all his life, so we know that the shots come. The time that we don’t see is all the time that he’s been really working on trying to improve his vertical leap and just his athletic ability,” Phillips said.

“He just does that all pretty much on his own. He just works. He finds the time to make it happen.”

That extra effort outside of scheduled practices and games led to a scholarship offer from Montana Western, where his sister, Dylan, is a record-breaking libero for the volleyball team. A couple of months after signing a Letter of Intent, though, Fowler had to make a tough decision.

Head coach Steve Keller left the program to take the same position at Providence in Great Falls, and Fowler opted to follow.

“It was really a very difficult decision because I have a lot of friends over at Western and my sister,” he said. “I was close with a lot of those players over there, so it just made the decision really tough. But in the end I decided to go to Providence and Coach gave me a good offer. He was the main reason I was going to Western in the first place.”

Fowler, who also competes in track and field, excels in the classroom as well and has a 3.733 cumulative GPA. He has earned academic All-State honors throughout high school and plans to study physical therapy.

It’s a field that Fowler has gained intimate knowledge of following a failed physical in fifth grade for football. He was diagnosed with scoliosis.

After seeing a back specialist to determine the severity, surgery has not been required. As Fowler continues to grow — he was generously listed as 6-foot in the basketball program this past season — he sees a chiropractor monthly to have his hips realigned and back adjusted.

“The interaction with all the patients and everything that I saw my physical therapist go through really opened my eyes,” Fowler said. “I really enjoyed what he did and how interactive he was with not only his patients but all his coworkers, as well.”

Fowler hasn’t let the ailment deter his athletic prowess.

He often dunked during his senior basketball season and is among the top jumpers in track.

A year ago, Fowler placed third in the high jump at state, and he recently competed in that event, as well as the triple jump, at the Midland Roundtable Top 10 Meet in Laurel.

Athletic accomplishments not withstanding, what Fowler will miss most about high school is the relationships he’s built.

“All my buddies and everything, they were great friends of mine and also great teammates, as well,” Fowler said. “I don’t think we’ll ever be able to break that bond.”

S P O R T S S T A R S AWA R D S • M A Y 1 3 , 2 018

7

Female Basketball Player of the Year: Kyle Olson, Three Forks “Probably the best thing I like about her is she comes to practice every day and works as hard as she does in a game. Once the ball’s thrown up she’s ready to go no matter what the situation, whether it’s at practice on a Monday night or it’s Saturday night at the state championship game.” — Mike Sauvageau, Three Forks head coach

W

hether grabbing a rebound, delivering a perfect pass or creating a turnover, Kyle Olson has an uncanny knack for always being in the right place.

She’s a prolific scorer, too.

The point guard averaged 18.8 points per game during the regular season and then starred in the postseason to help Three Forks win its first Class B championship since 1979.

“She’s got a very high basketball IQ,” Three Forks coach Mike Sauvageau said. “Somebody shoots a shot or she shoots a shot, she knows where it’s going. Most of the time she’s there getting the rebound from when she misses the shot. She just has a nose for the ball and knows where it’s going.”

The 5-foot-6 Olson led District 5B in 3-pointers and free-throw percentage and was among the league leaders in rebounds and assists.

Teammate Shainy Mack equaled Olson’s scoring output in the regular season, but Olson carried the offense for stretches at state and averaged 21.3 in three contests, which included a career-high 34 in a first-round win against Poplar.

“Probably the best thing I like about her is she comes to practice every day and works as hard as she does in a game,” Sauvageau said. “Once the ball’s thrown up she’s ready to go no matter what the situation, whether it’s at practice on a Monday night or it’s Saturday night at the state championship game.

That’s what she brings every time. I never have to worry about anything.”

As important to the team as she was offensively, the Wolves fed off of her defensive intensity. That was no more evident than in the state championship victory against Colstrip when she amassed 11 steals.

“On her defense, she always somehow gets a piece of the ball, gets a deflection,” Sauvageau said. “She’s just half a step ahead of what the other people are thinking a lot of the time and that’s something that you can’t coach.”

Olson earned All-State and first-team All-Conference honors. She also was selected as the MVP of the state tournament.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

■ Shainy Mack, Three Forks: First-team All-District 5B and All-State guard. … Led the district in scoring with 18.8 points per game and ranked third in 3-pointers.

■ Alex Carey, Bozeman: All-State and first-team Eastern AA All-Conference guard. … Paced the Hawks with 11.2 points per game, which was seventhbest in the classification. … Top 10 in Class AA in field goals made (fourth, 80), steals (seventh, 45) and assists (ninth, 47).

■ Ayla Embry, Bozeman: All-State and first-team Eastern AA All-Conference point guard. … Averaged 10 points and three assists per game.

■ Gabby Weber, Belgrade: First-team All-Conference and All-State guard as a sophomore.

■ Alex Veltkamp, Manhattan Christian: First-team All-District and All-State forward in Class C. 8

M A Y 1 3 , 2 018 • S P O R T S S T A R S AWA R D S

Male Basketball Player of the Year: Mack Anderson, Bozeman “He’s grown so much offensively this year. He’s special” — Wes Holmquist, Bozeman head coach

M

ack Anderson felt pressure at the start of the season.

He attracted attention as a Division I signee and was the centerpiece of a program coming off back-to-back state championship appearances. When opponents planned to defend Bozeman, Anderson was the one they focused on most.

That lasted all season through the Class AA tournament. In the semifinals against Billings Senior, Anderson scored Bozeman’s most important basket of the season with 10 seconds remaining. Ryan Lonergan missed a layup and there was Anderson, like he had been all year.

The 6-foot-9 forward split between two Broncs defenders, leapt up to grab the ball and slammed it. The Hawks regained the lead by one and never trailed again. Anderson finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds.

“Big-time players make big-time plays,” Bozeman head coach Wes Holmquist said. “You can’t make a much bigger play than that follow-up. ... That was pretty fun. That was a pretty exciting moment.”

Anderson received All-State honors and averaged 15.9 points (fifth in Class AA), 11 rebounds (first) and three blocks (first). He was the only player in the classification to average a double-double. After Bozeman struggled late in the regular season with four losses in five games, the Montana signee led the Hawks to its third consecutive state championship game.

He faced double- and triple-teams throughout most of the season and was forced to adjust.

Holmquist moved Anderson into different spots on the floor to find where he fits best to open up the most space.

During a timeout in a 75-51 win against Billings West on Jan. 9, Holmquist asked his team, “Why is (Anderson) not touching the ball every possession?

They can’t stop him right now.” The senior ended up scoring 26 points and grabbing 23 boards.

In a dominant senior-night win against Butte on Feb. 20, Anderson dunked on consecutive possessions. Bozeman’s lead quickly ballooned to 18 and remained firmly in control.

“It was definitely that feeling of we’re confident, like we’re back in the game,” Anderson said of his dunks that altered the contest.

The turning point, however, didn’t arrive until the second-to-last weekend of the season in the divisional tournament. Bozeman won its first two games

to reach the final and Anderson scored 16, 11 and 18 points in the three contests, respectively.

In six postseason games, Anderson led the Hawks in scoring five times.

“He’s grown so much offensively this year. He’s special,” Holmquist said after the state semifinal. “He’s 6-9, can run the floor, he’s athletic like that and what I’ve really liked seeing out of him down the stretch here is he wants the ball now. That’s a big deal. I think even earlier on this year, I’m not saying he didn’t want it, but he wasn’t demanding the ball.”

HONORABLE MENTIONS: ■ Caleb Bellach, Manhattan Christian: All-State and first-team All-District 11C selection.

■ Dawson Fowler, Belgrade: All-State and firstteam Central A selection.

■ Ryan Lonergan, Bozeman: All-State and firstteam Eastern AA selection. … Averaged 12.2 points and 4.7 rebounds.

■ Colter Miller, Three Forks: All-State and firstteam All-District 5B selection.

■ Jakim Ricketts, Park: First-team Central A selection.

S P O R T S S T A R S AWA R D S • M A Y 1 3 , 2 018

9

Football Player of the Year: Tanner Wood, Ennis “What Tanner did this year was something I’ve never seen as a player or coach.”

— Chris Hess, Ennis head coach

T

he points piled up, so Ennis’ Chris Hess did what most head coaches would.

He took his stars out of the lineup and let junior varsity and substitutes play for most of the second halves of the first two games last fall. Absarokee and Broadview-Lavina could not match the powerful Mustangs offense, which was somewhat rebuilding after winning the 8-Man state title a year ago.

Hess still possessed his two most seasoned and talented weapons in Tanner and Corbin Wood, however.

They scored so often and effortlessly that the coach tried to take the ball out of their hands.

“We’re actually really not using those two very much on offense in the hopes of getting chemistry with other guys,” Hess said in the fall.

But however hard he tried, the twins, and Tanner in particular, would always be central in the Mustangs’ hopes for another title. They powered Ennis to the semifinals, but Forsyth ended the Mustangs’ run, 50-38.

The defeat concluded Tanner’s season, which was one of the most impressive in 8-Man history.

The quarterback gained 3,385 yards of total offense (1,768 rushing, 1,617 passing), which is a Montana High School Association single-season record by 614. His 51 total touchdowns (29 rushing, 22 passing) is second in the record book, and he scored 10 on Sept. 16 against Denton-GeyserStanford, which tied for the most in a single game.

In addition, the linebacker led Ennis in tackles with 72.5, including 10 tackles for loss and 14 pass breakups. Tanner also logged two interceptions, recovered two fumbles and forced another.

If not for a strained hamstring that held Corbin out for two games, he most likely would have produced a similar season to his brother’s.

“What Tanner did this year was something I’ve never seen as a player or coach,” Hess said. “You would be hard pressed to find better players than (Tanner and Corbin) in the state in any class.”

Montana and former head coach Bob Stitt thought so, too, according to Hess. Hess added that the Grizzlies staff was sending hand-written notes to the brothers until Stitt was fired. The communication ceased afterward, and they signed to play at NAIA school Dickinson State.

“I think those two are the biggest misses in the Big Sky Conference,” Hess said. “I fully believe

10

M A Y 1 3 , 2 018 • S P O R T S S T A R S AWA R D S

they will be All-Americans at Dickinson in a short amount of time.”

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

■ Cal Holgate, Manhattan: The senior wideout established school records in receptions (71), including a program-best 15 in a single game, and receiving yards (1,114) for the 7-3 Tigers.

He also hauled in 16 touchdowns. … Class B All-State and first-team All-Conference selection on offense and defense.

■ Easton Page, Belgrade: First-team All-State

wide receiver as a junior.

■ Jory Choate, Bozeman: The defensive lineman led the Hawks defense with 113 tackles and 11 sacks. … First-team All-State selection.

■ Corbin Wood, Ennis: Hampered by a knee injury, the senior linebacker was third for the Mustangs in tackles (52) and second in touchdowns (15). … First-team All-Conference on defense and offense.

■ Martin Grube, West Yellowstone: All-State and All-Conference quarterback/cornerback for the 9-2 Wolverines.

Female Cross-Country Runner of the Year: Camila Noe, Bozeman “I stayed focused and concentrated and I kept repeating to myself, ‘You can do this’ and ‘I got this.’”

— Camila Noe

A

humble Camila Noe laughed off bold declarations from her head coach on a sunny fall afternoon.

Bozeman coach Casey Jermyn had lofty expectations for his star pupil, Noe, and her teammates. While pundits were skeptical of the team’s capabilities, Jermyn was confident it could turn heads with Noe at the forefront.

“Casey is pretty ambitious with his goals,” Noe said after the first meet of the season at Bridger Creek Golf Course.

“We’ll see how the season goes.”

The senior may have been a bit coy that day after she won the seasonopener in 17 minutes, 51.6 seconds, which was a personal best for a 5-kilometer race. She would win five of eight races the rest of the year, including becoming the first Hawks girls runner to claim the Nike Cross Regional title in 17:13.5.

Noe’s been Bozeman’s top distance runner for two years after joining cross-country as a sophomore. Her shy demeanor hides a fierce competitiveness, Jermyn said, and one that relishes hard work.

“There may be days where she’s just a little sick or tired and she will just push herself to the next level,” the coach said last year.

That drive has resulted in becoming the state’s best. When she began three years ago, Kalispell Glacier sophomore Annie Hill won the Class AA meet with Noe in 10th. This past fall, Noe bested Hill by more than 40 seconds.

In fact, she was 37 seconds faster than runner-up Tiahna Vladic (Billings Senior) in one of the most dominant performances in recent memory.

“I stayed focused and concentrated

and I kept repeating to myself, ‘You can do this’ and ‘I got this,’” said Noe, who was named Gatorade Runner of the Year and is bound for University of Portland.

Following her triumph at the regional, a top 10 finish at the Nike Cross Nationals seemed possible. She was tripped early in the race and fell, however, and slipped to 51st. Noe was still instrumental in a programbest fifth at the national meet, and she serves as an example for a couple

young phenoms.

“We put Bozeman on the map in this realm, which is exciting,” Jermyn said. “Fifth place, that’s pretty exciting stuff from a small Montana school. We’re looking forward to the future and keeping that momentum going and keep building what we have going in the last couple years.”

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

■ Alex Moore, Bozeman: Fifth, Class AA meet (18:42.6).

■ Terra Trom, Bozeman: Ninth, Class AA meet (19:05.1).

■ Averi Parker, West Yellowstone: Class C champion (20:02.2).

■ Hannah Boyd, Manhattan: Third, Class B meet (20:20.3).

■ Hannah Madsen, Manhattan: Fifth, Class B meet (20:30.7).

(19:33.4). 143rd, Nike Cross Nationals (20:07).

S P O R T S S T A R S AWA R D S • M A Y 1 3 , 2 018

11

Male Cross-Country Runner of the Year: Duncan Hamilton, Bozeman “I surprised myself with that finish. The whole race just went perfect and everything went how I envisioned in my mind — even better, even.” — Duncan Hamilton

D

uncan Hamilton, following a day where he was shuttled around Portland, Oregon, with runners from across the country, admitted that he missed his teammates.

The Bozeman star could not contain his excitement, however, after achieving what was believed to be the top finish for a Hawks boys runner at the Nike Cross Nationals. Hamilton raced as an individual and was 11th in 15 minutes, 29 seconds.

“I was not really expecting that,” Hamilton admitted afterward.

“I’m usually trying to hold on and people catch me and I get passed.

I think everybody else’s legs were a little more shot than mine.”

The four-year varsity member ended his career on a high note, and it may have marked an end of an era for the Bozeman boys.

Hamilton and his classmates along with last year’s graduates took the program to new heights by winning the Nike Cross Nationals in 2016.

Five of the Hawks’ top six runners are seniors, including Hamilton, who will run at Montana State next fall and study engineering.

With Hamilton among the state’s best, the boys won their 10th straight state title. They did not qualify as a team for the national meet, but Hamilton did as an individual by virtue of his runner-up finish in the regional in a personal-best 15:16.9.

Head coach Casey Jermyn surmised before nationals that Hamilton was prepared to add his name to the country’s elite.

“I’ll say this, he has been overlooked all year,” the coach said. “I don’t think he’s ranked in the top 25 in the country even though he was a couple seconds behind some of the top kids. He’s been running really well. I think he will surprise a lot of people.”

Hamilton did, including himself when he unleashed a finalstretch kick that allowed him to overtake a pair of competitors.

“I still can’t even believe it,” Hamilton said. “I surprised myself with that finish. The whole race just went perfect and everything went how I envisioned in my mind — even better, even.”

The finish earned him Montana’s Gatorade Runner of the Year, which the Hawks secured for the second straight year.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: ■ Leonard McComas, Bozeman: Third, Class AA meet (15:52.2).

■ Dylan Humberger, Bozeman: Seventh, Class AA meet (16:26.0). … 38th, Nike Cross Regional (16:00.0).

■ Renn Meuwissen, Bozeman: 14th, Class AA meet (16:50.8).

■ Zak Meeker, Manhattan: Class B champion (17:03.8).

■ Sam Leep, Manhattan Christian: Second, Class C meet (17:28.8).

12

M A Y 1 3 , 2 018 • S P O R T S S T A R S AWA R D S

Coach of the Year: Ric Plante, Belgrade “I’ve always said if you give me good players I’ll look like a good coach. And I think I’ve been very fortunate over the last four or five years to have some very, very good players come through the program.” — Ric Plante

H

e’s not exactly a spectator, but on game days Ric Plante admitted there’s little he can do. The outcome belongs in the hands of his players.

Leading up to those contests is where the longtime soccer coach makes his biggest impact.

“What I have control over is the preparation,” Plante said. “So we try to be prepared on game day and if we are hopefully good things will happen.”

Over the past 14 years, that’s exactly what has happened. Plante shaped a fledgling program into a powerhouse in Class A, and it culminated with a second straight state championship in October to cap an unbeaten season.

It was an unfathomable finish, yet very much expected.

Belgrade advanced to the championship match for a fourth straight season and shut out Whitefish, 4-0, in the championship.

Still, not even Plante could have envisioned just how good his team would be following up the first title in program history. The Panthers shut out nine of their opponents while allowing just nine goals during a 14-0 campaign.

“I thought we would be competitive. Our goal was to get to the final again. I thought we could do that again,” Plante said. “But if you were to say at the beginning of the season, ‘Ric, you’re going to go undefeated,’ I would have bet against you every day. You just don’t think — at least I don’t as a coach — you don’t ever think about going undefeated.”

In the fall of 2003, Belgrade added boys soccer.

Plante knew a difficult road was ahead. There were no elementary or middle school teams, so the high school talent was raw.

“Fourteen years ago we couldn’t string three passes together if our life depended on it,” Plante joked. “So the early years we had to focus a lot on the defensive side of the ball just to stay in the games.”

Gradually, expectations rose from simple fundamentals to scoring goals. Many victories followed.

“There’s a saying in soccer that you can only play tactically within your technical ability,” Plante said. “As the players coming into the program improved technically we were able to do more things tactically in our games. That just made for us to be a better program.”

By 2010 a veteran squad shined on the pitch. Plante guided Belgrade to its second winning season and a somewhat surprising berth in the final.

While the Panthers lost to Libby, the foundation of the program had been set in stone. What followed were offensive standouts such as Chris Brayton — he graduated as the program’s all-time leading scorer — and Jordan Schlauch.

Those All-State forwards were integral in Belgrade reaching the state semifinals from 2013 to 2017

and reaching the past four championship matches.

Schlauch scored 17 goals in 2016 and then tallied 20 last fall.

While Plante is quick to dole out the credit to players and assistant coaches, he’s been the one constant since the program began. And, he’s the first coach in Class A to guide a team to the championship match four straight seasons.

“I remember when we got to the final two years in a row, somebody said, ‘Wow that’s amazing. Back to back, well done.’ And I agreed, yeah it’s great,” Plante said. “And then you go three and then you go four, and you go, ‘Holy mackerel, what the heck’s going on?’”

Over the past four years Belgrade has boasted a 52-6-1 record, which includes three league championships in the competitive Eastern A. The program totaled 40 wins in the previous 11 seasons.

“I’m a pretty competitive coach. I’m pretty optimistic,” Plante said. “The first year, kind of, I was hoping to score a goal and I think we won one game.

Probably 10 years ago I thought we were coming along pretty good.”

That first modest winning season in 2009 is when the program began to turn the corner, and that’s when Plante started to benefit from the development of players from the junior varsity team as well as at the club level.

“I’ve always said if you give me good players I’ll look like a good coach,” Plante said. “And I think I’ve been very fortunate over the last four or five years to have some very, very good players come through the program.”

HONORABLE MENTIONS: ■ Mike Sauvageau, Three Forks girls basketball: The long-time coach, but in his second with the Wolves girls, orchestrated an undefeated season and won the first state title for Three Forks in nearly 40 years.

■ Betty Klein, Ennis volleyball: The Mustangs won their second state title in school history.

Ennis fell in the title game to Belt in 2016, but dropped just one set during 2017’s tournament.

■ Matt Clark, Bozeman girls golf: The Hawks won every regular season tournament and the Class AA crown for the second straight year.

■ Casey Jermyn, Bozeman cross-country: Bozeman continued its dominance over the state, as the girls won the state title for the 11th straight time and the boys notched their 10th consecutive.

■ Jeff Bellach, Manhattan Christian boys basketball: The Eagles returned to the Class C championship, but fell for the second straight year to Arlee.

S P O R T S S T A R S AWA R D S • M A Y 1 3 , 2 018

13

Female Golfers of the Year: Kameryn Basye & Annika Danenhauer, Bozeman “We’re all very close and I think that helps to have somebody to push you so you’re not conforming to lower standards. You’re actually pushing yourself to get better.” — Kameryn Basye

M

att Clark knows how fortunate he is.

Unlike most sports when regular season practices become monotonous, the Bozeman head coach doesn’t need to motivate his girls golfers. They compete with each other in practice rounds and don’t require much encouragement to improve.

Kameryn Basye and Annika Danenhauer are two who have helped establish the Hawks as the premier program in the state. For the third straight year Bozeman won all regular season tournaments in the fall and then clinched its second consecutive state crown.

“We’re all very close and I think that helps to have somebody to push you so you’re not conforming to lower standards,” Basye said a week before finishing third at the state tournament. “You’re actually pushing yourself to get better.”

Basye and Danenhauer, who was runner-up at state, each won three tournaments apiece before their teammate stole the spotlight in Kalispell. Laurel Ward fired a tworound total 155 to best Danenhauer by six and Basye eight.

Ward may have played her best rounds of golf in her career that weekend, but Basye and Danenhauer were unmatched for two months in addition to tournaments in the summer.

Basye qualified for a national tournament in Madison, Mississippi.

Danenhauer won the local Wheat Montana Junior Golf Tour title and retained her Bridger Creek Golf Course club title in August.

Both are multi-sport athletes who committed to golf recently. Basye, a senior, formerly played softball and basketball and Danenhauer was a soccer player.

“When you put athletic talent with the drive to be the best, that’s a great combination, and Annika has both,” Clark said. “(Basye’s) unbelievably driven and competitive and she puts

14

M A Y 1 3 , 2 018 • S P O R T S S T A R S AWA R D S

in a lot of work. She works at her craft all the time.”

Basye, daughter of Montana State golf head coach Brittany Basye, won the first two tournaments of the high school season before yielding the next three to Danenhauer. Basye, who will play at Weber State next fall, shot an even-par 71 in the regular season finale at Bridger Creek to win by three over Danenhauer.

“I have that advantage and that natural ability within my swing,” Basye said. “I don’t have to think about my swing all that much. ... It’s helpful to have that support system and I can practice at the (MSU) indoors facility in the winter and that’s helpful to have that resource.”

Danenhauer, a junior, has played for just two years and already has a swing that is the envy of many.

“It took a lot of time,” Danenhauer said. “I don’t go out once a week — I’m out there every day trying. Obviously, some days are really bad and some days are a little bit better. Those better days keep me coming back trying for more.”

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

■ Laurel Ward, Bozeman: Consistent top-five finisher in the regular season until generating a surprise victory at the Class AA tournament.

■ Cora Rosanova, Bozeman: Tied for fifth at the Class AA tournament.

■ Jillian Frye, Manhattan Christian: Led the Eagles to the Class C title last year and this spring won the season-opening Big Timber Tournament.

■ Shainy Mack, Three Forks: The senior helped the Wolves to a Class B championship last season and is working on another strong campaign.

Male Golfer of the Year: Winston Oppelt, Park “There were a lot of kids that couldn’t hit it as far, but they would whip me on the greens. It just inspired me.”

— Winston Oppelt

W

inston Oppelt knew what it would take to elevate his game.

He could crush drives off the tee and find greens with relative ease.

But occasional struggles to finish holes with effective putting held him back.

Last summer, Oppelt worked with Rocky Mountain College’s head coach Aaron Pohle as his personal instructor. They crafted a plan for Oppelt to improve. Shortly after, Oppelt carded a 70 — the best round of his life — at the Rocky Mountain Section PGA Championship at Bridger Creek Golf Course and finished eighth.

The success carried into the varsity season when Oppelt won three tournaments, placed sixth at state and earned All-State honors for the third straight season. The work he put in resulted in his successful senior campaign. In the winter, he signed to join RMC next season, team up with his older brother Colton and reunite with Pohle.

“There were a lot of kids that couldn’t hit it as far, but they would whip me on the greens,” Oppelt said.

“It just inspired me.”

In the fall, Oppelt often hit the driving range before school for about an hour in addition to afternoon team practices. The chilly mornings and frosted grass didn’t deter him.

He enjoys practicing with teammates, but practicing alone allows him to focus solely on himself without distractions.

Oppelt began dedicating about 75 percent of his time toward putting to overcome his biggest downfall. In previous seasons, Oppelt had won one or two tournaments a year, but

never experienced the success he had as a senior.

“This year I knew that if I could keep my full swing in check and hit the greens as accurately as I can, if I can putt, my game would be a lot better,” Oppelt said.

To train, Oppelt placed two sets of tees on a putting green, and the gap between the tees was the length of his putter. Oppelt then had to swing between the two sets. The drill was designed to keep his putter square as he moved it backward and forward.

The setup allowed him to easily detect if his stroke wasn’t correct and forced him to straighten it.

At the start of the season, Oppelt experienced a few rounds where he “blew up,” he said. His focus wasn’t fully on golf as classes began in the fall. But once he settled in, Oppelt found a groove.

“Golf ’s such a mental game, that was a huge part, too, that I wanted to work on, being able to come back from a couple bad holes or something like that,” Oppelt said. “I

improved on that a lot this year and had a lot of fun.”

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

■ JR Small, Bozeman: Placed 12th at Class AA tournament.

■ Jack Thorsen, Bozeman: Tied for 15th at Class AA tournament.

■ Blake Brock, Belgrade: Tied for 21st at Class A tournament.

■ Josh Neth, Manhattan: Tied for 18th at Class B tournament last season and is generating another solid season this spring.

S P O R T S S T A R S AWA R D S • M A Y 1 3 , 2 018

15

Wrestler of the Year: Leif Schroeder, Bozeman “He shines under the lights. When it’s time for something big to happen, he’s the guy you want out there.”

— Nate Laslovich, Bozeman head coach

L

eif Schroeder approached Nate Laslovich with the Class AA duals on the line and his confidence never wavered.

“Can you believe I get to be the last match and win this title for us?” Schroeder eagerly told Bozeman’s head coach.

Kalispell Flathead led, 29-28, and only the 126-pound bout was left to decide the championship. Schroeder, who lost just three matches this season, pinned his opponent. He pinched the straps of his singlet and lifted the part that says “Bozeman” off his chest to celebrate.

“He shines under the lights,” Laslovich said.

“When it’s time for something big to happen, he’s the guy you want out there.”

Schroeder’s stellar season concluded by winning the AA title at 126. He pinned his first three opponents and won 11-1 in the state final. Afterward, Laslovich described him as “head and shoulders” above the competition.

The title was the sophomore’s second in as many years as he won at 113 as a freshman.

“That’s last year. Nobody cares about that

16

M A Y 1 3 , 2 018 • S P O R T S S T A R S AWA R D S

anymore,” Schroeder proclaimed before this past season began.

At the CMR Holiday Classic in mid-December, Schroeder finished as one of the Hawks’ two title winners. He dominated the first day of the tournament, recording three pins. He advanced to the championship with a 16-0 triumph.

In the final, though, Schroeder faced a rare deficit. After falling behind, 2-1, he ended the match with a pin.

“He wrestled as well as anybody,” Laslovich said.

“What I liked was it was nice to see him get taken down in the finals match and not get flustered by it.”

About a month later, at the Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic in Missoula, Schroeder again dominated. He took first and racked up four pins, which earned him an award for the most pins in the least amount of time.

“Leif hammered everybody,” Laslovich said.

Schroeder became accustomed to wrestling aggressively since he was young. He’d often attend matches growing up and the ones who’d score

most caught his attention.

He wrestled that way for the entirety of the season, often dictating the pace on the mat and not holding back.

“I just want to get out there, push the pace and make it like, ‘Oh this guy’s going really hard down there. He’s going to tech this guy or pin this guy.

His pace is crazy,’” Schroeder said. “Mainly for the fans and so I’m not leaving anything out there.”

HONORABLE MENTIONS: ■ Chance McLane, Bozeman: Class AA’s

145-pound champion.

■ John Mears, Belgrade: Class A’s 132-pound

champion.

■ Sterling Quinn, Bozeman: 120-pound

champion.

■ Keegan Mulhill, Bozeman: Runner-up at 152 pounds.

■ Jared Rockwell, Belgrade: Class A state qualifier at 126 pounds.

Female Swimmer of the Year: Sara Guillen, Bozeman “To be honest, I think I had no idea what Sara was fully capable of because she downplays her talent. I would see her working so hard in practice and really being able to sprint those last legs, she was one of those swimmers, who in distance sets, she would get better as kids wind down.” — Siobhan Gilmartin, Bozeman head coach

T

he 500-yard freestyle isn’t really a distance race, Bozeman head coach Siobhan Gilmartin contends.

That distinction should be saved for the 1,000 or mile, she added. In high school swimming, however, where the longest event is the 500, coaches treat it as a race that requires pacing and poise.

Hawks freshman Sara Guillen displayed the latter, but not the former at February’s state meet. She sped through the first 50 yards in a blistering 27 seconds, Gilmartin remarked that day, and then didn’t relent en route to the only event win for either the Bozeman girls or boys teams.

It was a surprise victory for Guillen, who wasn’t even seeded in the top five entering the meet. She dropped 13 seconds off her top time in the preliminaries, however, and then won in 5 minutes, 18.42 seconds.

“To be honest, I think I had no idea what Sara was fully capable of because she downplays her talent,” Gilmartin said. “I would see her working so hard in practice and really being able to sprint those last legs, she was one of those swimmers, who in distance sets, she would get better as kids wind down.”

Guillen was one of a handful of young swimmers whom Bozeman will count on to perhaps contend for a state title in the future. She, along with sophomores Elizabeth Lee and Erin McKinney, produced the bulk of the points for a runner-up finish at this winter’s state meet to five-time champion Missoula Hellgate.

“I don’t think that (Guillen) has necessarily had the opportunity to shine like she was given on our team, and she was put immediately in our fastest lane and I think that helped build her confidence a lot,” said Gilmartin, who added that Guillen is a long-time swimmer for the Bozeman Barracudas. “Being able to race our fastest boys, her eyes were open to how fast she is in high school swimming.”

Guillen also took third in the 200 freestyle, which was impressive because she swam the 100 butterfly throughout the season up until the final meet.

“I think the possibilities are endless for Sara,” Gilmartin said. “I think she will be important to not put too much pressure on herself, necessarily. It’s important for Sara to have fun while she’s racing and she really thrives in the team atmosphere. Having all of those girls around her is really key.”

S P O R T S S T A R S AWA R D S • M A Y 1 3 , 2 018

17

Male Swimmer of the Year: Nathan Peters, Bozeman “He’s a natural athlete. He’s one of those people who will get out of the pool for a few years and then come back and be able to swim with the best of them.” — Siobhan Gilmartin, Bozeman head coach

N

athan Peters was never shy about his lofty goals.

Nor was he dishonest with Bozeman head coach Siobhan Gilmartin about his future. The junior wanted to break the 100yard breaststroke record and then retire.

That could be shocking and disappointing to some, but not to Gilmartin, who understood how swimming can take its toll. The repetitive, grueling nature of the sport, which demands year-round participation for those who seek wins at the highest stages, can push out even the best talents.

So it’s actually with pride that Gilmartin said goodbye to Peters after he broke Bozeman’s record in the preliminary rounds at the state meet and then lowered it to 57.97 seconds in the final, where he finished second.

“I think that he’s gotten out of swimming what he can get out of it,” she said. “I told him I wasn’t going to try to convince him otherwise. He showed up every day and was a great leader.”

Peters, who also was sixth in the 200 freestyle in 1:50.14, led Bozeman to a runner-up team finish to five-time champion Missoula Hellgate. For his final swim, he led off the 400 freestyle relay in a blistering 49.43.

On a team with a few multisport athletes, Peters, who swam exclusively, was perhaps the strongest even out of the pool. Gilmartin said that during a pull-ups competition late in the year, Peters causally produced 50.

“He’s a natural athlete,” Gilmar-

18

M A Y 1 3 , 2 018 • S P O R T S S T A R S AWA R D S

tin said. “He’s one of those people who will get out of the pool for a few years and then come back and be able to swim with the best of them.”

The coach added that Peters’ breaststroke is a perfect blend of tempo and strength, which is much like the stroke of his older sister’s, who swims at Gardner-Webb.

“I think for a lot of people it’s a hard stroke,” Gilmartin said. “You have to have a balance between legs and the arms and sometimes in freestyle you can get by with strong shoulders. “(He accomplished) so much more than the record. This whole senior class, and Nathan was really

part of that, really helped further what every coach wants in the program — they had integrity and worked hard. Swimming isn’t the most well-known or appreciated sport, and I think they always held their heads high and competed with pride. Nathan definitely did what he needed to do.”

Female Soccer Player of the Year: Keely Kempt, Bozeman “She’s a really creative player. For the most part, she’s a really fun player to watch.” — Erika Cannon, Bozeman head coach

E

ntering the season, Keely Kempt knew what her team needed from her.

Twelve seniors carried Bozeman’s 2016 title-winning squad and a year later, the Hawks’ roster consisted of just six, including Kempt.

Chemistry didn’t click immediately and Bozeman opened the season with a loss and three ties. A team accustomed to deep playoff runs experienced unfamiliar territory.

“They were good because they had a lot of people feeding them good balls and creating,” Hawks head coach Erika Cannon said in late August. “We have those players, but they’re young. They have to step up and take those leadership roles that they haven’t had in the past. It will be possible, but they have to figure it out quick.”

Kempt, Bozeman’s top returning scorer, answered her coach’s call. She finished the year with 12 goals and 12 assists, team highs in both categories. After the winless first four games, the Hawks won 12 straight until a loss in the Class AA championship.

The captain was named a Class AA All-State selection and helped lead the resurgence as 11 of her 12 goals were generated during the win streak. The highlight was a hat trick Sept. 15 against Great Falls.

“She’s a really creative player,” Cannon said afterward. “For the most part, she’s a really fun player to watch.”

Several times each game, Kempt created opportunities with skills that often fooled defenders.

Once she and her teammates found a rhythm, the goals piled up.

During a four-game stretch, Bozeman outscored its opponents, 24-0.

Kempt led the charge distributing, scoring and causing problems for opposing defenses.

“You have to learn how other people play and you have to learn how to play to those strong suits.

We have that now,” Kempt said in mid-September. “We don’t have huge legs, but we have a lot of those sneaky players who can get in there.

It’s a little different, but it works.”

Two weeks later, the Hawks were locked in a tie with Billings Skyview.

Intensity grew as the second half wore on and Kempt briefly subbed out. She moved around between forward and midfield positions throughout the contest and Cannon asked her where she might fit best.

“I had so much adrenaline,” Kempt said, “I was like, ‘Just put me anywhere, Coach.’”

Cannon wanted combination plays to set up outside shots and was confident one would eventually crack the Falcons’ defense. She shifted Kempt to right forward and the move paid off. With six minutes left, Kempt slipped behind the defense, received a pass and buried the decisive shot.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

■ Katie Hayes, Bozeman: Scored five goals, recorded 10 assists … Eastern AA All-Conference selection.

■ Olivia Kaiser, Bozeman: Scored 10 goals, notched seven assists … Class AA All-State selection … Voted Eastern AA MVP. ■ Mariah Morgan, Belgrade: Eastern A All-Conference selection.

■ Maia Reddington, Park: Class A All-State selection.

■ Carlie Smith, Belgrade: Class A All-State selection.

S P O R T S S T A R S AWA R D S • M A Y 1 3 , 2 018

19

Male Soccer Player of the Year: Jordan Schlauch, Belgrade “Obviously, Jordan was a team leader not only through his play but as a captain. It was great to see him as a senior reach his full potential, something that we had been waiting for.” — Ric Plante, Belgrade head coach

F

inding the back of the net has become second nature for Jordan Schlauch, and no one has done it more over the past two years at Belgrade.

Schlauch followed up a stellar junior campaign by leading the undefeated Panthers in scoring with 20 goals and five assists this past fall. It was an impressive feat considering Belgrade’s in the highly competitive Eastern A Conference.

“It’s hard to lead the state when you have teams in the south that can just score like crazy against their opponent, and we have to play in our conference,” Belgrade head coach Ric Plante said. “We’re winning games 2-1, 1-0, 3-2 and they’re winning games 8-0. It’s really had for us to lead in that category.”

Still, Schlauch was among the state’s most dangerous strikers and scored twice in the state championship. He generated both in the second half as the Panthers shut out Whitefish, 4-0, to win their second straight title.

After scoring six goals as an underclassman, Schlauch erupted for 17 as a junior and then topped that as a senior.

“Obviously, Jordan was a team leader not only through his play but as a captain,” Plante said. “It was great to see him as a senior reach his full potential, something that we had been waiting for. He came through this year and made it happen.”

A fierce competitor on the field, Schlauch never allowed his teammates to lose focus. He led by example as well as vocally and helped the Panthers (14-0) post the first unbeaten season in program history.

“We’ve had some strong leaders come through the program over the past few years and I think it’s a culture that we have at Belgrade,” Plante said. “These guys go through the program and they see their upperclassmen be team leaders and when it’s time for them they follow in their footsteps.

“Jordan, having been there for four years, having seen other kids, when it was his time to step up he knew what was expected of him.

He filled the role brilliantly.”

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

■ Larkin Lane, Bozeman: Class AA All-State forward. … Led Bozeman to a third straight third-place trophy at the state tournament.

■ Ben Taylor, Bozeman: Class AA All-State selection.

■ Henry Cornwall, Park: First-team Eastern A All-Conference and All-State selection.

■ Javan Chisholm, Belgrade: First-team Eastern A and All-State defender as a senior. ... Helped anchor a defense that allowed just nine goals.

■ Dominick Portnell, Belgrade: The senior was a first-team Eastern A and All-State midfielder. … Scored three goals and assisted on four others.

20

M A Y 1 3 , 2 018 • S P O R T S S T A R S AWA R D S

Female Tennis Player of the Year: Heather Sikoski, Bozeman “She’s a seasoned enough player to throw (different serves) in there. She was successful with it last year just doing (underhand) exclusively. I’m encouraging her to serve overhand, but when she feels like she can pull the trigger with the underhand serve, it keeps her opponents on her heels.”

— Clayton Harris, Bozeman head coach

H

eather Sikoski’s abnormal serve was never a disadvantage.

The Bozeman star last year utilized an underhand delivery to claim her first state title as a sophomore after being runner-up her freshman season. Now that her shoulder has healed enough to serve overhand again, she not only remains the state’s best high school player, but is more dangerous.

Sikoski aims to retain the individual title at state later this week to become just the 21st player in Montana High School Association history to claim the crown twice.

“I’m really working on the overhand serve, but I don’t want to re-injure my shoulder,” said Sikoski, who had surgery to repair a torn labrum before the start of last season. “I like to throw in the underhand serve to keep them guessing. It’s kind of difficult to

return. I’m just really trying to fine-tune this year, but I almost have to restart with my serve.”

She began delivering overhand in January and admitted she still experiences pain. It doesn’t affect her play much, as she overpowers opponents with ground strokes, anyway. “(My shoulder is) probably never going to be all the way back,” Sikoski said. “My biggest goal is to not re-injure it. It’s my main priority this year.”

New Hawks head coach Clayton Harris was impressed with Sikoski after the team’s first match on April 10. After watching his pupil serve both ways he decided to get out of her way.

“She’s a seasoned enough player to throw (different serves) in there,” he said. “She was successful with it last year just doing it exclusively. I’m encouraging her to serve overhand, but when she feels like

she can pull the trigger with the underhand serve, it keeps her opponents on her heels. I’ll let her make that decision.”

Sikoski’s lost just three times in her career — twice to teammate and state champion Madison Shea two years ago and once early last year when she was adjusting to her new game. She’s working on an undefeated season this spring.

“For myself I just want to play as best as I can, but really the title is what I’m shooting for, but I just want to make this season fun and I just want it to be positive,” Sikoski said. “I’m happy with what I got last year, but I’m ready to win it again.

“I’m definitely just fine-tuning all of my strokes. I want to be consistent, I want to come out and I just want to basically hit winners off these girls almost every point.”

S P O R T S S T A R S AWA R D S • M A Y 1 3 , 2 018

21

Male Tennis Player of the Year: Jackson Pedersen, Bozeman “It showed a lot of ... willingness to take the spotlight off of himself and see the team be as strong as it can. That showed a lot of character to be able to make that move and embrace that idea.” — Clayton Harris, Bozeman head coach

J

ackson Pedersen won a doubles title last year, but he was excited to play by himself again.

The Bozeman senior spoke about his return to singles on April 14 after a dominant effort in the season opener.

Pedersen shook off a slow start and coupled his strong serve with powerful groundstrokes in a 6-2, 6-2 triumph over an opponent from Butte.

Short-spoken but not afraid to show some emotion on the court, he did not hide what competing at the top singles position meant.

“It felt good to finally play No. 1,” Pedersen said with a smile. “I’m just excited for what’s to come.”

What he had in mind was a trip to the state tournament, which he earned as a sophomore in singles but fell in the second round. After some mixed results in the opening weeks this spring, Pedersen had finally hit his stride.

Then he volunteered to give up his coveted position.

In what Bozeman head coach Clayton Harris said took a great deal of character, Pedersen willingly moved back to doubles after a pair of surprise departures. Two Hawks doubles players quit in late April, and Pedersen approached Harris to ask what he could do for the program.

“He was one of the first to say, ‘Hey, coach, I’m willing to do whatever I need for the team to be successful,” Harris said. “We had the idea and he was like, ‘Let’s do it.’

“It showed a lot of ... willingness to take the spotlight off of himself and see the team be as strong as it can. That showed a lot of character to be able to make that move and embrace that idea.

I just think it helped create a lot of excitement and was a boost to the team.”

Pedersen and partner Andrija Martinovic, a transfer from Serbia, teamed for April 27-28’s Great Falls Invitational for their first matches and won all five in straight sets. Harris praised the duo that weekend, saying that have complementary skills.

“Jackson is a pretty explosive player, so he can provide a lot of power and speed and Andrija is explosive, as well, but he also provides a good amount of touch and finesse to his game,” the coach added. “They are both tall, fast and quick.

They offer up a lot of the important skills you need to be successful.”

22

M A Y 1 3 , 2 018 • S P O R T S S T A R S AWA R D S

Volleyball Player of the Year: Bailey Christensen, Belgrade “The one thing that I would say about Bailey — over and above any other player I’ve coached — is her ability to see the court. She just has a very natural ability in the air to see the defense, see the block, and to hit around.”

— Jade Schmidt, Belgrade head coach

I

t’s been a heavy load to carry.

Since stepping on the court as a freshman, Bailey Christensen has been Belgrade’s go-to hitter. As a perennial state tournament participant there are high expectations for the Panthers and Christensen has shined from Day 1.

The 5-foot-10 junior became the first freshman in program history to earn All-State honors and then did it again as a sophomore and junior in record-breaking fashion.

“For her to shoulder that and carry that with pride the way she has the last couple years has just been a huge compliment to her,” Belgrade coach Jade Schmidt said. “It’s been great to see her grow as a player and grow into that role and be more comfortable with that.”

Christensen broke Belgrade’s single-season kills record for a second straight year and set new marks in two other categories. She tallied 547 kills (505 as a sophomore) and broke the single-match record with 30 during a victory

at the Class A state tournament.

In addition, Christensen became the program’s all-time kills leader during a three-set sweep of Fergus in November. She’ll enter the 2018 campaign with 1,326.

“I don’t keep that close track of records … so I didn’t even realize that she was on track to break it this year,” Schmidt said. “But for her to accomplish that as a junior just shows how reliant we’ve been on her for three years and how big of a player she’s been for our program.”

Christensen has cemented herself as one of the state’s best hitters, helping the Panthers post a 26-6 record and finish as the state runner-up this past season.

“The one thing that I would say about Bailey — over and above any other player I’ve coached — is her ability to see the court,” Schmidt said.

“She just has a very natural ability in the air to see the defense, see the block, and to hit around.

That’s the biggest part of her game that will be able to take her on to the next level.”

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

■ Taylor Christensen, Belgrade: First-team All-Conference and All-State libero in Class A as just a sophomore. … Led Central A in digs with 638, which was one shy of her own school record.

■ Danyel Martin, Ennis: All-State for Class C champion Mustangs. … Amassed 472 kills, 121 blocks and 113 digs.

■ Jourdain Klein, Ennis: All-State. … Tallied 379 kills, 148 digs and 111 blocks.

■ Matilda Dietz, Manhattan: First-team All-District libero. … Led District 5B in digs with 558, which is also a school record. …

The junior’s 51 digs in a match set a school and MHSA record.

■ Sutton Vargo, Bozeman: First-team AllConference and second-team All-State. …

Generated a team-best 229 kills and also logged 45 aces.

S P O R T S S T A R S AWA R D S • M A Y 1 3 , 2 018

23

Female Track Athlete of the Year: Delaney Bahn, Bozeman “You just don’t see jumping like that very often.”

— Eric Fisher, Bozeman head coach

E

ach time Delaney Bahn stepped up to the runway and prepared for a long jump this spring, she’s been relaxed.

As a freshman, Bahn strived to jump 15 feet before the season began. She later developed strength and power in her legs and occasionally hit 18 as a sophomore. But sometimes she’d jump 18 and sometimes 16 and never had a feel of how far she would go until it happened.

This year’s been different.

The junior consistently eclipses 18, a distance she once only could hope for. Even if a jump isn’t as far as she’d like, Bahn can count on the distance being at least very solid.

“If I’m consistent, I know where I am. I know what I’m expecting. I think that helps me mentally,” Bahn said. “So if I’m jumping 16 and then 19 and I’m all over the place, I don’t know what I’m going to do the next meet, but if I’m consistently at 18, it kind of puts me at ease knowing where I am consistently.”

On April 20 at the Optimist Invite, Bahn recorded the third-best long jump in Montana High School Association history by reaching 19-2. Each of her five other jumps that day were longer than 18.

“You just don’t see jumping like that very often,”

24

M A Y 1 3 , 2 018 • S P O R T S S T A R S AWA R D S

Bozeman head coach Eric Fisher said.

In addition to long jump, Bahn ranks second in the state in the 200 meters as of May 3 with a time of 25.85 seconds and her Hawks’ 4x100 team is fifth.

Bahn also competes in high jump and has routinely cleared 5-1.

“Delaney’s been having a great year,” Fisher said.

“She’s really become a versatile athlete for us that we know we can depend on for points. … We just know she’s a consistent performer with great marks that continue to impress us.”

Bahn topped out with an 18-7.5 long jump last year. She trained more seriously in the offseason and focused on strength, agility, conditioning and technique.

When Bahn reached 19-2, it initially felt like a normal jump, she said. What’s become normal for Bahn would be most other competitors’ best. She’s jumped at least 18 in four of the season’s first six meets and has been “shocked” at the improvement.

“She surprises me every meet,” Bozeman jump coach Travis Monroe said. “Her first jump in practice this year was a 17-footer and it was effortless. I don’t know what (her ceiling is). We’re just going to keep pushing it.”

“Never would I have thought I would be jumping over 19 and I’m hoping that I can get even higher,” Bahn said. “I still have this year and next year so now I don’t really have any limits. I’m just going to try and go as far as I can.”

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

■ Camila Noe, Bozeman: Leads the state with a 10:18.99 in the 3,200 set on April 7 in California and ranks second in the 1,600.

■ Lucy Corbett, Bozeman: Tied for fifth nationally in high jump with a 5-10 jump on April 28 and ranks in the top 10 in the state in 400 and 300 hurdles.

■ Alex Veltkamp, Manhattan Christian: Ranks seventh in the state in the 400 with a time of 1:00.33 and should be a force in multiple events at the Class C meet.

■ Alysa Henry, Belgrade: Top 10 in the state in pole vault (11-0) and long jump (17-0.25) ■ Morgan Allen, Three Forks: Placed first in 100 hurdles at three meets and in high jump at two meets.

Male Track Athlete of the Year: Duncan Hamilton, Bozeman “It just helps to know I’m in good shape and I’ve put a lot of work in. After the first couple races, that preseason work just kind of started to show.” — Duncan Hamilton

D

uncan Hamilton had never trained on a treadmill before this winter.

He needed to workout, though, and snowy weather and icy sidewalks forced him inside. A trying track season as a junior motivated him to prepare for the spring unlike he ever had before.

Hamilton, who considers himself more of a cross-country runner, upped his mileage more closely resembling workouts in the fall. The future Montana State runner immediately felt a difference and is delivering the best track season of his career.

He ranked first in the state in the mile (4 minutes, 15.51 second), second in the 3,200 meters (9:10.34) and fourth in the 800 (1:58.94) as of May 4.

“It’s super exciting. Just to be up there with other guys in the track and running fast times,” Hamilton said. “Usually, I’ve always thought of myself as faster for longer distances, so like cross-country, but it’s really refreshing to be doing well in the mile and being able to stick with the top guys in the state.”

Throughout last season, Hamilton dealt with a lingering sickness that limited his practice time and hampered his performances.

After placing second in the state crosscountry meet, he prioritized in the winter tempo training, in which he would run the fastest pace he could hold for a significant amount of time. Pushing himself to run hard — but not too hard — helped build endurance.

“It just helps to know I’m in good shape and I’ve put a lot of work in,” Hamilton said. “After the first couple races, that preseason work just kind of started to show.”

Hamilton set a personal record in the mile May 1 at the Midland Roundtable Top 10. The time was two seconds from a school record and he described the race as a breakthrough.

He was “super aggressive from the start of the race,” Bozeman head coach Eric Fisher said. The start was even faster than Hamilton hoped for and he sped up on the third lap, which is usually his slowest.

“It’s in my sights,” Hamilton said of the 4:13 school record. “It feels really good to be there.

I think that was probably my best race so far

this year was yesterday.”

At the Swede Dahlberg Invitational, which featured all Class AA teams, the Hawks boys finished in second by only one point. As Hamilton now gears up for the postseason, he hopes to help lead Bozeman, which has won three A titles, to its first boys AA championship “I’m looking forward to see if I can get as many points for the team as I can at state,” Hamilton said.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

■ Latrell McCutcheon, Bozeman: Recorded a 21-foot, 10.5-inch long jump, which ranked fifth in the state, at the Bozeman Triangular on April 10.

■ Logan Kleinhans, Bozeman: Ranks seventh in state in triple jump with a 43-3, which he produced on May 1, and will be among the contenders in high jump.

■ Lincoln Young, Manhattan Christian: Ranks third in state in pole vault with 15-0.

■ Corbin Wood, Ennis: Has competed in 100 meters, 200, shot put, high jump, long jump, triple jump and 4x100 for the defending Class C champions.

■ Dawson Fowler, Belgrade: Recorded a 43-7 triple jump on May 1 to rank sixth in the state as well as a 6-4 high jump on April 21 for seventh.

S P O R T S S T A R S AWA R D S • M A Y 1 3 , 2 018

25

Softball Player of the Year: Ty Atwood, Belgrade “She’s just been a phenomenal player. Understands the game and has for a long time. Just every facet of the game — base running, defense, hitting, bunting.” — Mike Neubauer, Belgrade head coach

M

ike Neubauer was misinformed.

When asked how centerfielder Ty Atwood earned the nickname Rudy, Belgrade’s head coach believed it was in reference to a movie of the same name that was released in 1993, which chronicled the story about Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, a tenacious but undersized defensive lineman for Notre Dame in the late ‘60’s.

The comparison made sense, as Atwood plays recklessly for the Panthers. She’s often made acrobatic catches in the outfield, has a strong arm, and dives head first into the bag for steals.

But that’s not how Atwood received her nickname.

It’s actually after a character, specifically a kangaroo, from the Winnie the Pooh movies.

“I thought it was different,” Neubauer said with a chuckle.

Regardless, that’s the only name Neubauer uses when addressing his All-State senior, and he’s been doing it for quite some time.

26

M A Y 1 3 , 2 018 • S P O R T S S T A R S AWA R D S

“I think I’ve been coaching Rudy for about eight or nine years,” he said. “Early in her career in travel ball, fences meant nothing to her. It was ball first, fence later. She used to run into a lot of fences and then she started realizing that that hurt a little bit, so she doesn’t hit fences as much.”

That doesn’t mean Atwood shies away from a tough catch. She made a diving grab in last year’s Class A championship game against Frenchtown, and nearly brought back a home run against Hamilton at a tournament on April 28.

“She turned and got on it, and it went above the fence, and it hit the top of her glove and went out,” Neubauer explained.

Atwood also shines at the plate. She became the program’s all-time home run leader a year ago — she had 23 career homers entering this season — and is tied for the single-season record after hitting nine as a sophomore.

At the midpoint of this season, Atwood was tied

for the team-lead with four and is one of the most dangerous clean-up hitters in the state.

“She’s just been a phenomenal player. Understands the game and has for a long time. Just every facet of the game — base running, defense, hitting, bunting,” Neubauer said. “She just understands it, so for the most part she’s been really easy to coach.”

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

■ Erin Elgas, Belgrade: First-team All-Central A in 2017.

■ Haylee Curry, Belgrade: Second-team All-Central A in 2017.

■ Katie Hoppe, Belgrade: Second-team All-Central A in 2017.

■ Paige Gavne, Park: All-State and first-team All-Central A in 2017.

Male Athlete of the Year: Tanner Wood, Ennis “What’s driving him is something else. If he’s not doing something perfect he works that much harder to get it right.” — Chris Hess, Ennis football coach

T

anner Wood claims there’s an “Ennis Curse.”

Despite all of the Mustangs’ success in the three-sport athlete’s career, some defeats occurred in the biggest games.

Wood was a freshman when Ennis lost in the Class C 8-Man semifinals by two points to Wibaux, which wound up winning the title. The next year, the Mustangs fell in the quarterfinals to Chinook, and then the Sugarbeeters won the championship two games later.

As a junior, Wood’s basketball team fell in the divisional to Arlee by six in the winner’s bracket, and then lost to Manhattan Christian in a challenge game by one point. The Eagles and Warriors played for the state title a week later.

Whether cursed or not, the losses nonetheless pushed Wood into the weight room.

He wanted to win titles. He knew they were in reach.

Wood steadily grew stronger and developed into one of the best all-around athletes in Mustangs history.

The three-year starting quarterback helped Ennis win a championship in 2016, and as a sprinter was a key contributor for a track title in the spring of 2017.

The championships may just be footnotes to those fortunate enough to watch Tanner and his twin brother, Corbin, overcome injuries and accomplish the things they did. Tanner, though, always will stand out for how he performed last fall.

It takes just moments watching his highlight film on his Hudl profile to gasp, raise eyebrows and then just laugh as the 5-foot-11, 195-pounder barrels into defenders and then emerges from a scrum to sprint down the field.

Wood amassed 3,385 yards of total offense for a new single-season Montana High School Association record by more than 600. He reached the end zone 51 times and scored 10 touchdowns in one contest to tie a singlegame record.

“What’s driving him is something else,” Ennis head coach Chris Hess said. “If he’s not doing something perfect he works that much harder to get it right.”

A native of Silverton, Oregon, he and his family moved to Montana when Wood was 8 and began flag football in third grade. He played basketball and wrestled in middle school, but football was always his favorite.

“I wasn’t a big fan of wrestling,” quipped Wood, who added that he quickly dropped that to focus more on basketball and the gridiron.

He and Corbin naturally pushed each other athletically. Upon entering high school, they immediately saw time on varsity when Ennis comfortably led late in games. When playoffs started, Corbin was already starting, and then injuries to other players forced Tanner into the lineup.

That could be intimidating for a freshman, and Tan-

ner was no exception.

“For freshman year I wasn’t huge,” he said. “I was like 150 or 160 and those kids were like 190 or 200 pounds.

I thought, ‘Gosh, these guys are monsters.’”

The size disparity convinced Tanner to put copious amounts of time into weight lifting, but he maintained his quickness through participating in basketball and track. In the summer, Tanner admitted that Corbin often roused him out of their home to lift weights.

“Corbin works out a bunch so whenever I’m feeling lazy he tells me to come work out and don’t be lazy,” Tanner said. “A lot of people ask me and Corbin if we get mad at each other. We never get mad at each other, really. We’re always pushing each other to get better.

People say it’s a lot easier when you have someone to be on your ass about working out.”

Hess began his tenure at Ennis just before the start of the Woods’ sophomore year. Before he even arrived at the school, he had heard there was a pair of twins who were impressive athletes.

“We went to Montana Western’s football camp that summer and right off the bat (Tanner) popped out and he was making throws and picking up the offense,” Hess said. “Tanner already had a certain style and he’s real smooth and has a spin move and hits like a truck.”

“Every year I got a little better,” Tanner said. “This year, being how big I was … I was trucking kids like I had never before, which was pretty sweet. I had never done that. I’m not trying to be cocky, but I just had a lot of fun.”

The brothers verbally committed to Dickinson State this past fall, but waited to sign because Montana expressed interest throughout the season. When Blue Hawks coaches Jace and Shann Schillinger both left for the Grizzlies, Tanner said he thought an offer would be extended to follow them to Missoula.

None arrived.

“I’m happy to be playing at Dickinson,” said Tanner, who added that he and Corbin both hope to start immediately at safety and linebacker, respectively, and then possibly transfer to a Division I school after two years.

“If bigger DI schools start wanting us then definitely I want to do that.”

In the meantime, he’s recovering from surgery for a torn meniscus that he actually suffered his junior year in basketball. Tanner’s been playing on it ever since and only received surgery in early April.

His goal is to run in the state meet at the end of May. “I don’t know (how he played on it),” Hess said. “We’ll be telling legends of these twins my whole life. They are just kind of something I’ve never seen before. Corbin was the same way. He tore an MCL and ACL and month and a half later he reversed dunked a basketball.

Most guys can’t get out of bed.”

HONORABLE MENTIONS: ■ Duncan Hamilton, Bozeman: The senior crosscountry and track star was second in the Class AA cross-country meet, second at the Nike Cross Northwest Regional and then a program-best 11th in the national meet in Portland, Oregon. This spring, he’s dominating the mile and 3,200-meter events.

■ Mack Anderson, Bozeman: A late-bloomer, the Montana signee averaged a double-double per game to help the Hawks to a third-consecutive Class AA title game.

■ Dawson Fowler, Belgrade: Fowler finished with 1,184 career points and led the Panthers in assists and rebounds.

■ Caleb Bellach, Manhattan Christian: Bellach, a forward, powered the Eagles to a second consecutive Class C championship appearance.

■ Leif Schroeder, Bozeman: The sophomore wrestler was unmatched throughout the winter and clinched his second straight state title.

S P O R T S S T A R S AWA R D S • M A Y 1 3 , 2 018

27

Female Athlete of the Year: Alex Veltkamp, Manhattan Christian “She’s always been a cornerstone of our team ever since her freshman year.” — Nate TeSlaa, Manhattan Christian track coach

N

early every week last summer, Scott Wolf gave Alex Veltkamp a new drill to work on.

Manhattan Christian’s former basketball head coach tasked Veltkamp with learning a new position. The 6-foot rising senior was accustomed to playing in the post as a forward or center, but based on the makeup of the Eagles’ roster, she planned on transitioning to point guard.

At the time, Veltkamp hadn’t developed an outside jump shot and lacked the ball-handling skills most guards possessed. So she went to work on what Wolf outlined for her and worked with a shooting gun to refine her jumper.

“I was forced to kind of take the ball up the court quite a bit when in pressing situations and stuff so I think that’s where I improved the most,” Veltkamp said.

The position change didn’t faze her.

Veltkamp recorded a double-double in at least nine games and earned All-State honors for the second straight year. In November, she signed to run track at Montana State. To prepare for her college career, Veltkamp joined the Manhattan Christian cross-country team instead of playing volleyball like she had in the previous falls.

This spring, Veltkamp has contributed in five events for the Eagles (200 meters, 400, 800, long jump and 4x400) and qualified for state in the 400, 800 and long jump as of May 2. She’s the defending Class C champion in all three.

At the Manhattan Christian Invitational on April 28, Veltkamp waited nearly the entire meet to run in the final three events. She won the 200 and 800 and the Eagles’ 4x400 team finished second.

“Just mental strength. Today, she’s running backto-back-to-back,” track coach Erika Kimm said.

“She’s tired but she’s just digging deep and pulling out everything she has and just focusing not only on herself but also the team.”

Due to the schedule of events, Veltkamp spent most of the meet lounging in a hammock and even snuck in a nap. She usually isn’t that relaxed, instead often stressing before races. She takes deep breaths and reminds herself races will only last a couple minutes.

Performing in five events keeps her busy, though, and forces her to not overthink any individual one. It also poses a challenge as Veltkamp must decide how much energy to exert and how much to save.

In the past few years, she seems to have figured that out.

“She’s always been a cornerstone of our team ever since her freshman year,” track coach Nate TeSlaa said when Veltkamp signed to MSU. While Veltkamp prepared to play on the perimeter

28

M A Y 1 3 , 2 018 • S P O R T S S T A R S AWA R D S

in basketball, she remained a threat to score near the basket and led the Eagles to fourth at divisionals.

In Manhattan Christian’s regular-season 11C opener, she scored 21 points and grabbed 19 rebounds in a 58-35 win against Lone Peak.

“Alex is versatile enough that she can play inside and out depending on what we need,” Wolf said afterward. “That’s what we’re looking for.”

That versatility is what Veltkamp has built her high school career on, competing in four varsity sports and never shying away.

Though she faced challenging decisions about which sport to focus on each day in the summer, the variety helped Veltkamp avoid monotonous repetition.

“I think it’s really good to do three sports just so you’re not constantly pounding the track, you’re not constantly on the court,” Veltkamp said. “It disperses stuff a little. So you’re not so hard on your body.”

Staying healthy has eluded Veltkamp as she’s dealt with multiple stress fractures in her right foot. It hasn’t significantly held her back, though, remaining the go-to athlete she established herself as.

“Alex is super coachable. She’ll do anything you tell her to,” Kimm said. “She’s willing to learn dif-

ferent things and kind of go out and give her all in any event.”

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

■ Camila Noe, Bozeman: Became first Hawks runner to win the Nike Cross Regional title in the fall with a time of 17:13.5. ... Ranks first in the state this spring in 3,200 meters (10:18.99).

■ Shainy Mack, Three Forks: All-State and firstteam All-District 5B guard in basketball. … Led the district in scoring with 18.8 points per game and ranked third in 3-pointers.

■ Kyle Olson, Three Forks: All-State and firstteam All-District 5B guard in basketball. ...

Averaged 21.3 points in three state tournament games.

■ Jourdain Klein, Ennis: Class C All-State selection in volleyball and helped lead Ennis to state title. ... First-team All-District 12C in basketball. ... Ranks second in state in high jump.

■ Morgan Allen, Three Forks: Earned All-District 5B honors for basketball. ... Ranks second in Class B in high jump and fifth in 100 hurdles.

2018 SPORTS STARS AWARDS

FOUNDING SPONSOR

RIDGE ATHLETIC CLUBS At the Ridge Athletic Clubs, our mission is to recognize the unique desires of individuals and help them lead better lives. It is a goal we strive to attain daily and we are proud to have served the health and fitness needs of the Gallatin Valley community for over 20 years. This year, in order to best meet the needs of our growing community, the Ridge will begin an expansion and renovation to our facility, to include a new basketball complex, suspended walking/jogging track, and expanded group exercise, cycling, and functional fitness areas, as well as a new, comfortable lobby area with internet cafe. We are confident that these changes will be welcomed as we continue to serve the fitness needs of our community for years to come.

HONOREES OF THE

SPORTS STARS AWARDS THE 2018 AWARD RECIPIENTS ARE:

ALEX VELTKAMP

SARA GUILLEN

Female Athlete of the Year, Manhattan Christian

Girls Swimmer of the Year, Bozeman

TANNER WOOD Male Athlete of the Year, Ennis

HEATHER WILSON Female Student-Athlete, Three Forks

DAWSON FOWLER

FIRST INTERSTATE BANK First Interstate Bank in Bozeman, MT offers a comprehensive suite of personal and business products to take care of all of your diverse financial needs. Whether you’re a first time home buyer looking for a mortgage, an established business looking to streamline your payment methods, or someone who is ready to plan for your financial future, our local banking experts at First Interstate Bank will help you reach your goals.

BAILEY CHRISTENSEN

KYLE OLSON

JORDAN SCHLAUCH

From its beginnings as a single hospital, Bozeman Health now covers a service area that extends throughout southwestern Montana. Our health system is comprised of two hospitals, several specialty treatment centers, a network of physician and urgent care clinics, outpatient treatment facilities and retirement and assisted living facilities, all staffed by hundreds of doctors, nurses, medical assistants, technologists, specialists, experts of many varieties and dedicated professionals.

Girls Basketball Player of the Year, Three Forks

TY ATWOOD

Boys Soccer Player of the Year, Belgrade

Softball Player of the Year, Belgrade

KEELY KEMPT

DELANEY BAHN

Girls Soccer Player of the Year, Bozeman

DUNCAN HAMILTON

CAMILA NOE

BOZEMAN HEALTH

MACK ANDERSON

Male Student-Athlete, Belgrade

Boys Cross-Country Runner of the Year, Bozeman

PRESENTING SPONSORS

LEIF SCHROEDER Wrestler of the Year, Bozeman

Boys Basketball Player of the Year, Bozeman

Volleyball Player of the Year, Belgrade

PRESENTING SPONSORS

NATHAN PETERS Boys Swimmer of the Year, Bozeman

Girls Track Athlete of the Year, Bozeman

DUNCAN HAMILTON Boys Track Athlete of the Year, Bozeman

HEATHER SIKOSKI

Girls Cross-Country Runner of the Year, Bozeman

Girls Tennis Player of the Year, Bozeman

WINSTON OPPELT

JACKSON PEDERSEN

Boys Golfer of the Year, Park

ANNIKA DANENHAUER, KAMERYN BASYE Girls Golfers of the Year, Bozeman

TANNER WOOD Football Player of the Year, Ennis

Boys Tennis Player of the Year, Bozeman

THREE FORKS GIRLS BASKETBALL Team of the Year

RIC PLANTE Coach of the Year, Belgrade boys soccer

S P O R T S S T A R S AWA R D S • M A Y 1 3 , 2 018

29

Team of the Year: Three Forks Girls Basketball “They just all backed each other, made each other better, just what you would hope for as a coach and the kind of team that they were. If I was to do the season again there is nothing that I would change.”

— Mike Sauvageau, Three Forks head coach

O

nce the school year concludes, and there’s plenty of time to reflect, Kyle Olson can begin to fully appreciate the magnitude of the accomplishments achieved during the basketball season.

Folks in Three Forks are still buzzing about a perfect season and state championship. But, the junior had to quickly shift her focus to track and field and helping the Wolves defend their surprising District 5B triumph from a year ago.

“However, it was a huge accomplishment that I’ll remember forever,” Olson said.

Simply put, they lived up to the lofty expectations.

Three Forks was tabbed the preseason favorite long before the season began after placing third at state in 2017. The Wolves didn’t succumb to pressure, and delivered a 26-0 record en route to winning the program’s first state championship in nearly 40 years.

“I guess when we got third at state that put the onus on us that we were the team to beat.

I knew there was two other teams around the state that had a lot of people back, as well,” veteran Three Forks head coach Mike Sauvageau said. “So I never really looked at the total picture at the end of the year. We just kind of went week by week.”

Four years prior, the program endured a one-win season. But the seed had been planted for Three Forks’ resurgence in Class B. Ten victories were followed by 14 the next, and then Sauvageau guided the Wolves to 22 and third at state in his coaching return.

He had retired following a health scare in 2015 while coaching the boys, but returned rejuvenated and eager help the girls reach the pinnacle.

“When I took this over two years ago, the situation that was at hand, I just thought it was a good chance to help these girls out because they’re a good bunch of kids,” Sauvageau said. “I wasn’t sick anymore, I felt pretty good and I had my energy back, so I kind of jumped into it. I’m glad I did.”

Olson played a major role in elevating Three Forks. She averaged 18.6 points per

game to compliment 18.8 by senior Shainy Mack during the regular season.

Olson stepped it up even further, averaging 22.2 in the postseason. That included a career-high 34 to rally the Wolves past Poplar in a quarterfinal at the state tournament.

“She makes some great passes. She’s very unselfish,” Sauvageau said. “I think she was our team’s leading rebounder and her and Shainy are top-two assists people.”

While the duo received much of the accolades, the rest of the lineup was formidable.

Seniors Morgan Allen and Heather Wilson made key contributions throughout the season, as did Sydney Lane and Sinclair Oliver.

The frontcourt stepped up after Talyn Pitcher was lost for the season after suffering an ACL injury late in the volleyball campaign.

“We had her all summer,” Sauvageau said.

“We never lost a game. We beat some AA and A teams, so I knew we were going to be pretty solid. We had the inside game and the outside game, but once we lost Talyn in November that really made me worry because I didn’t know if we could defend the post against other people.”

But with Olson and Mack running as focal points, the Wolves overcame Pitcher’s absence by running an up-tempo offense and pressing more defensively. The tactics paid off for a determined unit.

“I just think they stayed really focused,” Sauvageau said. “We didn’t think about winning state until the night of the state tournament. That one game mentality, you hear it all the time, but I really think these girls did that.”

While Colstrip managed to keep things close for much of the state championship game, the Wolves never seriously were threatened. Olson generated 21 points in the 57-48 victory and was later named the tournament’s most valuable player.

“You could just feel the power in the locker room how confident they were going on the floor Saturday night against Colstrip,” Sauvageau said. “I felt really good that night that we had a good shot.”

Afterward, players spent the night reminiscing about the season. Then they drove home from Missoula the next day to a hero’s welcome as the community lined the streets in celebration as the team bus was escorted into town by fire trucks.

“It was great to see all the support from our community when they came to celebrate with us,” Olson said. “We realized what team truly means at the state tournament where everyone stepped up when needed, and it truly meant a lot to us.”

“They just all backed each other, made each other better, just what you would hope for as a coach and the kind of team that they were,” Savaugeau added. “If I was to do the season again there is nothing that I would change.”

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

■ Belgrade boys soccer: Completed a second straight undefeated season and captured another Class A crown.

■ Bozeman boys and girls cross-country: The Hawks girls won their 11th straight Class AA title while the boys notched their 10th consecutive. … Girls star Camila Noe won the individual championship in a dominant performance.

■ Bozeman girls golf: Won a second straight Class AA title and generated a second consecutive undefeated regular season. … Produced what was believed to be the lowest single-round team score in team history during the regular season with a 301.

■ Ennis volleyball: The Class C champions dropped just one set during the state tournament to earn their second title in school history. … Possessed two of the most dominant hitters in the state in Danyel Martin and Jourdain Klein.

■ Manhattan Christian boys basketball: The Eagles were the Class C runners-up to Arlee for a second straight year. … Finished 24-4 and star forward Caleb Bellach will return next year.

S P O R T S S T A R S AWA R D S • M A Y 1 3 , 2 018

31

CONGRATULATIONS

to all the great athletes, teams and coaches in Southwest Montana for their amazing accomplishments!

At the Ridge, our goal is to recognize the unique desires of individuals and help them lead better lives. Stop by or contact us to learn about our exciting expansion and renovations beginning this summer!

Ridge Athletic Clubs 4181 Fallon St., Bozeman • (406) 586-1737 111 E. Mendenhall St., Bozeman • (406) 586-0077 ridgeathletic.com