Bigfork is back and proud of it

The trophy cases at Bigfork High School are filling up with some new hardware this year and the glow of the awards sure does look good on the students.

First the football team took the first place in the district. Then the volleyball team earned the district champions spot and took first in the tournament.This week they are working to add to that at divisionals and maybe state the following week.

Over the last year or so, I have enjoyed poking a little fun at Bigfork High School Principal Matt Jensen for his constant vigil of positivity in regards to the school.

But now, I, like so many others, have to get in line behind him. That's not to say I, or the rest of the community, wasn't pulling for the Vikings and Valkyries all along. But I think it is safe to say that this year is already leaps and bounds ahead of last year.

Jensen helped show the community, heck the rest of the state, that despite the many speed bumps that the school went through last fall, that Bigfork was a good little school and that it would persevere and its athletic programs would come around, too.

During some of what I kindly referred to as tough losses, I have to say I had my doubts.

But I am not a fair-weather fan or reporter, so I stood next to Jensen in the vigil of positivity hoping that there would be a change of tide.

I'll be honest, attending game after game of struggling teams is tough and writing about them is tougher, but seeing the kids filled with disappointment is far worse.

I don't have kids of my own, and I'm really not too much older than a lot of the varsity athletes at Bigfork, but anyone that knows me has seen that the students hold a special place in my heart.

I can only imagine what it was like to be a parent of one of the Vikings football players over the past few years. To have your son come home feeling so defeated after a game, or even worse, having him feel like losing wasn't bad because it was expected. I know we all say that winning isn't everything, but everyone knows that it is still something.

Those that spend time at BHS will tell you that winning is important because they see it on the faces of the students and feel it in the energy of the hallways this year. Bigfork is back and they are proud of it, as they should be.

Parents who don't have student athletes can be quick to point out that sports aren't the only things going on. I strongly agree that a well-rounded education is very important, and I obviously use my non-athletic school activity – journalism – more than my athletic ones. However, whether you are looking at a high school, college or even a professional organization, town pride is often rooted in the home team.

This year's BHS fall sports participants all deserve a big pat on the back for breathing some life back into their school and the community.

They were the first ones to step up and take on the new challenges of Class B and they did so with the eagerness of anyone that has been given a clean slate.

New coaches brought a refreshing perspective this fall, and parents, teachers and administrators seemed happy with that.

Todd Emslie and his coaching staff gave the boys of Bigfork a revived interest in football and more importantly taught them to believe in themselves again and see that winning is an option.

Tammi McDaniel and returning assistant coach Tracy Wicklund had the girls volleyball team smiling again and perhaps reminded them why they love to play the game other than just to win.

The change was seen in the teams and in the records, but it was also seen in the stands. Parents, student fans and community members believe in the athletes of Bigfork again, and not just because they should say they do.

It is evident that it isn't just Jensen encouraging the community to see the school in a positive light. BHS looks as though they have entered a new era and the community is following.

While things like sportsmanship and fundraising have remained important, it was not the only thing that all the teams had in common to hang their hats on this fall sports season. Every single team won multiple games this year. To some schools that may seem like a silly thing to get excited about, but those small victories are pretty important in turning things around for a school that has struggled as much Bigfork has.

While we can all have our own jokes about the positive view we try to maintain in this town, it looks like it has become the reality among the athletic department at BHS once again.