Fall sports season arrives

It may feel like summer just began in Bigfork, but for the about 130 Bigfork High School students who started fall sports Monday, it is apparent that the season is coming to an end.

"The first day went well and I'm really looking forward to this year," said Matt Porrovecchio, who is serving as the school's activities director for the second year. "Even before the first week of practices the coaches have been working on preparing for the start of the season. The start of the season goes so well because of the time they put in before it starts."

Over the past couple of months, Porrovecchio and the Bigfork coaching staff has worked on fine tuning the schedule, making adjustments and going through coaching seminars online. They also attended a coaches clinic in Great Falls earlier this month.

"The state asks a lot of the coaches and so does the school and they do a really good job of completing everything that's asked of them," Porrovecchio said.

Porrovecchio noted that one thing that has helped the transition into the start of the fall 2010 season is that all of the coaches are 'seasoned staff." Girls soccer coach Charlie Appleby and volleyball coach Tracy Wicklund are the only new head coaches this year, but both previously served as assistant coaches for those programs.

The community will have an opportunity to become more familiar with these coaches, as well as all of the coaches and participants in this year's fall sports and activities, at the annual Meet the Vikes and Vals event at 6 p.m. next Thursday, Aug. 26. A barbecue dinner will be offered for a cost of $5 per person or $20 for a family of four or more. Dinner will include a hamburger, chips, drink and dessert.

Those interested in becoming more involved in Bigfork athletics are invited to signup with the Bigfork Booster Club, which will hosting its membership drive at the barbecue.

At 6:30 p.m. all of the fall sports teams and activity groups will be introduced. A scrimmage put on by the BHS football team will follow. Families, friends and community members are invited to attend and see who will be representing BHS this fall.

Bigfork will host its first game of the 2010 season at 4 p.m. Aug. 31 when the Valkyries volleyball team will take on Stillwater Christian.

Complete schedules for all Bigfork sporting events are available at www.highschoolsports.net.

For more information on Bigfork sports and activities, contact Porrovecchio at 837-7420 or call the appropriate coach directly.