Girls blank Polson, Bonners Ferry

By CHRIS PETERSON

Hungry Horse News

The Columbia Falls girls soccer team extended its record out to 6-2-1 after beating Polson and Bonners Ferry last week, 3-0 and 11-0, respectively.

In a driving rain Thursday, the Kats outshot Polson, 18-5. Lindsey Henning scored in the first half off a corner kick at the 15-minute mark and Elena Potter and Kassi Hebert scored in the second half. Kate Anderson got the assist on Hebert's goal.

Keeper Colyne Hislop recorded the shutout.

Against Bonners Ferry, the goals came early and often, as Hebert scored five goals and even goalie Colyne Hislop got to play some offense, scoring a goal late in the game.

Jamie Valov had two goals. Jylisa Fields, who normally plays defense, had a goal, as did Kate Anderson and Henning.

All told the Kats had 27 shots on goal to Bonners Ferry's five. Backup goalie Niesha Thompson also saw some time in he net for the Kats.

Coach Greg Trenerry said the focus is now on Libby. The Kats tied them earlier in the year and they need a win this time around if they want a shot at the conference title. Libby beat Whitefish over the weekend, which opens the door for the Kats.

The strategy against the Loggers is simple.

"We need to win balls," Trenerry said.

The Kats will want to slow the game down a bit, find the forwards and wings and clear the middle.

"Once the forwards get the ball, they finish," Trenerry said.

He said the goal now is to win out the season.

The Kats added Bonners Ferry to their schedule in a slot that would have traditionally included Flathead High School.

The Libby game at home on Saturday is at 1 p.m. The Kats, 3-1-1 in the Northwest A, then wrap up their regular season against Whitefish on Oct. 4 at home and at Polson on Oct. 6. The top three teams in the conference advance to the playoffs.

CFHS golfers tune up for Divisional tourney

The Columbia Falls High School golf teams wrapped up their regular season competition with back-to-back invitationals last Thursday at Bigfork and Friday at Polson.

Fast greens and rough weather at Eagle Bend in Bigfork challenged 11 area teams with Polson capturing both the boys and girls titles. Senior Micah Jam paced the Wildcats with an 85, followed by Tanner Lineberry at 90, Nick Ross at 94, Jordan Mueller at 103 and Nate Holt at 111. Frenchtown's Casey Moen shot a two-under par 70 to take top individual honors. The Wildcats' team score of 372 landed them in seventh place.

On the girls side of the tournament, freshman Courtney Tamburelli shot 125 to lead the Kats, one stroke better than Kelsey DeWit at 126. Olivia Williams and Jordanna Weimer shot 137's to round out CFHS scoring.

Julie DiGiallonardo of Polson posted an 87 for medalist honors. Only five schools fielded full girls teams with Polson's 374 leading the way followed by Whitefish (438), Browning (441), Glacier (506) and Columbia Falls (525).

"Micah continues to have a great senior season," CFHS coach Gene Marcille said. "He faced some diversity including the weather and an equipment problem, but he stayed focused and landed in the top-10 again. It's a treat to see his hard work paying off."

On Friday in Polson, the Cats posted a team score of 384 — finishing in eighth place — while Hamilton scorched the course for a 303 and a solid first place. Senior Brad Narducci shot an 88 for the Cats, six strokes behind team leader Jam at 82. Taylor Hopkins saw his first varsity competition of the year and shot a respectable 103, followed by freshmen Ryan Watkins and Zac Gardner with 111's. Sam Krause of Whitefish and Jim Mee of Libby shared medallist honors with 71's.

Representing the Kats in Polson were Courtney Tamburelli (127) and Olivia Williams (137).

"Having these two tournaments in a row gave us a chance to play more of our boys and to solidify the group we'll be taking to the divisional tournament this week in Whitefish," Marcille said. "It's been a great year for competition among our younger players for spots on the varsity five. I think we're stronger as a team because of it."

The Northwest A Divisional golf tournament is part of the two-day Flat-Fish tourney this Friday and Saturday (Sept. 28-29) in Whitefish and Kalispell. Though the tournament is two days, the round at Whitefish determines which teams and individuals advance to state next week in Anaconda.

DeWit, Weimer, Tamburelli and Williams compete for CFHS in Whitefish on Friday, while Jam, Narducci, Ross, Mueller and Hopkins shoot for state on Saturday. The top three teams and the top 15 individuals qualify for state.

Thirteen thinclads turn in top times at Missoula

By CHRIS PETERSON

Hungry Horse News

Shawn Whitman and Patric Jessat both broke the 17-minute mark at the Missoula Mountain West Classic cross country meet last Saturday.

Whitman finished in 53rd place with a time of 16:41.06 and Jessat took 60th with a 16:44.04. There were 308 varsity boys in the race.

On the girls varsity side, Nicole Mickelson had her career fastest race — finishing in 155th place with a time of 21:13.73. Anna Downen was 186th with a 21:44.35. Addie Houle ran a 22: 49.98 for 232nd. Chelsey Marjerrison also had her season best, placing 246th in a time of 23:12.31. There were 287 varsity girl runners.

"We had an amazing day in Missoula. Thirteen athletes ran their season or career best times," coach Steve Gasche said.

He was also pleased with the team's JV performances.

In JV boys action, Michael Kruse — in his first high school cross country race — ran the third fastest time of the day. Kruse placed 72nd in a time of 18:33.25. Pascal Jessat ran his season fastest time, placing 79th with a time of 18: 39.54. Tim Chopper had his career best race, finishing in 100th place with a time of 18:59.38. This was the first time of the season the team had placed five boys under 19 minutes.

Other JV boys were Michael Pachnik in 134th with his season best 19: 32.13 and Tony Bowers in his first high school race finishing in 175th place with a time of 20:12.8. Also competing were Jacob Silva in 20:16.88 (183rd), Bruce Bennett in 20:20:30.71 (197th) and Devin Iverson in 21:34.87 (240th). There were 347 JV runners.

The boys JV team placed 17th out of 50 complete teams.

On the girls JV side, Nicki Moser and Tessa Cowan became the first two girls of the season to break the 21-minute mark. Moser placed 18th in a time of 20: 54.69. Cowan was 20th in a time of 20:56.41.

Madison Stolte ran her season best, finishing in 44th place with a time of 21:59.14. Alexas Young also had a season best effort, placing 57th in 22:17.52. Other runners were Laura Burgess with a season best 26:47.9 (257th), Laura Burgi in 27:02.43 (263rd), Whitney Chivers in her first high school race with a time of 27: 27.24 (267th) and Tori Houle in 32:43.18 (297th).