Bigfork athletes selected for All-State, All-Conference honors

All-Conference and All-State selections have been announced for the high school football, boys soccer and girls soccer teams and Bigfork had many athletes make the lists.

Coaches for each sport meet at the end of the regular season to discuss the athletes on each team in the conference.

Every coach is given the opportunity to talk about who on their team they feel should make the cut, and afterwards the coaches vote for the most deserving players.

Teams that have had more successful seasons often receive more spots on the lists.

From the Valkyries soccer team, Quinci Paine, Danielle Morris, Kaitlyn Shults, and McKinze Shults were named to the first team All-Conference. Caitlin Charlebois was voted on to the All-State team in addition to being on the first team All-Conference.

"I am really happy for all of the girls," said Hauna Trenerry, Bigfork High School head girls soccer coach. "They all had a good season and I am glad that they were recognized by the other coaches in our conference. As a whole, our team had some ups and downs, but we always came together and played hard and performed as team. I am happy that three of the players that were selected for awards (Paine, Charlebois and McKinze Shults' will be returning next year and they will help lead the team."

Bigfork's boys soccer team had three players make first team All-Conference — Alec MacCallum, Lael Richmond and Skyler Doak.

"While not putting themselves above the rest of the team, they carried the team on their backs when they needed to," said Keith Koslosky, BHS head boys soccer coach. "I'm proud of them. They are all very deserving of the award and I am very happy for them."

MacCallum was also selected for All-State honors.

"Considering our record, we did well," Koslosky said of the team's showing on the lists. "I would consider all three of the recipients All-State quality. Unfortunately, our record didn't allow for that to be the way it went."

The Vikings football team had several players that received awards, and many that earned the honors for multiple positions.

First team All-Conference honors were given to Kenny Patrick for his playing time in the offensive guard position, Brandon McDonald for offensive tackle and defensive end, Derek Minemyer at punter, James Vale for defensive tackle and Travis Knoll at running back.

"That's a tough position to get the first team in," said Todd Emslie, BHS head football coach, about Knoll's award for running back. "There is a lot of good competition for that one. The coaches thought a lot of him."

McDonald was the only Viking to also earn All-State honors, for which a position is not designated.

"I think it was right on the mark," Emslie said of McDonald earning a spot on the All-State list. "He is very deserving of that honor. He's a good football player and he was recognized for that."

Second team All-Conference awards were given to Cody Dopps for offensive line, Ian Lorang for defensive back and Conner Coleman for tight end.

Honorable mentions were given to Jerry Rose for his efforts at center, Anthony Curtis at offensive tackle, Lorang for wide receiver, Christian Ker at quarterback, Dopps in fullback and Minemyer at kicker.

"I'm happy with how we did in the selections," Emslie said. "I thought it was a real good showing. We got lots of respect from the other coaches in the district."

In addition to the awards, McDonald and Patrick were also chosen to play in the Class B All-Star game June 12 in Dillon at which the northern schools in the state play the southern schools. Minemyer has been selected to be an alternate for the game at kicker.

"I've coached that game in the past," Emslie said. "It's a real fun one to be in attendance for. Also, about half of the kids that play in it go on to play college ball."