Fall Sports Highlights: Scotties and More

As the fall sports season transitions into the winter sports season, the Courier looks back at the successes of our Valley County athletes.

As August came to an end, the GHS Student Council sponsored their second annual color run, which drew 165 participants. The color run benefitted the Wounded Warrior Project. This year, the approximate $4000 raised was earmarked for the Montana Warriors on the Water program.

Another relatively new event, the Laser Regatta, was also held the end of August with several area residents participating.

The Fort Peck Triathlon was held Aug. 27 with Bode Barnett, Amelia Scott, Krista Scott, Jason Wolfe and Team "We Tri" all claiming wins in their categories.

Scottie sports got underway following the traditional Red and White night held Aug. 20.

The cross country runners launched their season with a trip to Williston. Ten weeks later, they traveled west to Kalispell for the 2016 state meet.

In addition to all of the time spent in the cruiser on their way to meets, the runners logged some serious time on cross country courses around the state. From times reported to the Courier for the season, here are the total times the Scottie runners logged in competition:

Boys:

Ellis McKean: 171:14

Merlin McKean: 174.44

Gabe Hallock: 98.99

Wilson Overby: 180.13

Ike Braaten: 123.27

Jacob Meiers: 188.53

Kaden Zimmerman: 158.52

Colton Pewitt: 121.12

Shane Sinclair: 62.31

Colin Jamba: 170.74

Kasey Seyfert: 94.51

Tanner Overby: 106.81

John Cremer: 173.44

Trevor Johnson: 148.67

Taylor Fitzimmons: 45.7

Nathanael Lippert: 90.06

Jordan Billingsley: 192.74

Tony Kaiser: 180.92

Presly Hallock: 154.06

Jayson Turner: 186.41

Girls:

Morgan Guttenberg: 228.91

Emily Kolstad: 174.16

Alaina Sallee: 226.05

Tyisha Begs His Own: 215.53

Brinlie Nielsen: 235.41

Brooke Westby: 199.96

Ali Cunningham: 213.64

Katie Kaiser: 238.16

Nicole Williams: 210.04

Mattea Piersak: 224.36

Alexus Nistler: 272.26

Faith Sallee: 204.55

Nataliya Melnyk: 113.63

Overall, the Scottie runners dominated meets on the Hi-Line, sweeping Malta, Frazer, Culbertson, Glasgow and Plentywood with dual wins. The Scotties had good results in the Havre and Miles City meets also, with the boys and girls both placing in the top three for each.

Coach Rod Karst sent eight boys and eight girls to the state meet in Kalispell: Emily Kolstad, Brooke Westby, Morgan Guttenberg, Ali Cunningham, Brinlie Nielsen, Alaina Sallee, Tyisha Begs His Own, Katie Kaiser, Ellis McKean, Merlin McKean, Ike Braaten, Wilson Overby, Jacob Meiers, Colin Jamba, Kasey Seyfert, and Colton Pewitt.

Sophomore Ellis McKean earned All-State recognition for the season.

The Scottie football team began with a loss to the Colstrip Colts, but steadily improved throughout the short season and finished with an overall record of 6-2 in the regular season. For four consecutive weeks, the Scotties defeated their opponents with shut-outs (Big Timber 36-0; Wolf Point 46-0; Harlem 62-0; Poplar 49-0). A definite highlight to the season was a nail-biting win against the Malta Mustangs to clinch the conference championship.

Just as impressive, the Scotties nabbed 23 of the 54 spots (42 percent) reserved for all-conference selections: All-Conference 1st Team offense: Darrin Wersal, Benji Phillips, Luke Breigenzer, Trent Herbert, Grant Morken, Alex Fransen, Jaden Hughes; defense: Alex Fransen, Grant Morken, Benji Phillips, Cache Younkin, Luke Breigenzer, Trent Herbert; special teams: Cache Younkin.

All-Conference 2nd Team offense: Cade Myrick, Nolan Viste, Kevin McDonald; special teams: Cache Younkin, Luke Breigenzer; defense: Cade Myrick, Jaden Hughes, John McColly, Kaden Fossum. Class B All-State Selections: Luke Breigenzer, Benji Phillips.

Fransen was awarded the Norm Thompson Award, while Herbert was given the Dale Vegge Award for the season.

The volleyball squad put in some work as well, facing 23 different opponents throughout the season. On their journey to the 2B district championship, the Lady Scotties served up a total of 2543 points compared to the 2279 points earned by their opponents.

One of the most notable events for the girls was their back-door win at the district tournament to take the championship, as they were forced to defeat Wolf Point twice for the crown.

Five of the Scottie squad received all-conference and all-state honors: 1st Team All-Conference: Teagan Fossum, Khloe Krumwiede; 2nd Team All-Conference: Kiauna Barstad, Baylie Chappell, Hannah Mickelson; All-State Selections: Teagan Fossum, Khloe Krumwiede.

Other newsworthy events from the fall season include the second-place win for Kyler Hallock at the Monster Match in Denver, Colo., and the 2016 Monster Mash with Tim Phillips, Sheilda Flaten, Colter Barnett, Stevie Hartwell, Tyrus Hartwell and Haleigh Huntsman earning the top spots in each of their divisions.

Davyn Mrick dominated the local and sectional competitions of Punt, Pass, Kick, possibly earning her a trip to Denver for some advanced competition. Rance Rhoads grabbed first place in his age group at the local level and finished second at the sectional competition held in Miles City.

Moving into the winter sports season, the Glasgow Ice Dawgs have already hit the ice for games, while the Scotties are gearing up to begin practice Nov. 17. The speech and drama kids will be in Hardin Nov. 19.