Class of '17 one of the most successful student-athlete classes ever

A host of Columbia Falls student athletes have signed with colleges this winter, making this one of the most successful student-athlete classes ever.

On the football side, seven athletes have signed with various schools or plan to walk-on to try to get a spot on the roster.

Trevor Hoerner has signed with the University of Montana Grizzlies and teammate Braxton Reiten will walk-on, hoping to get a spot on the roster as a slot receiver. Reiten had 1,303 yards receiving last season, a new record in class A and 74 receptions, which is a new Class A record and fifth overall. He had 22 touchdown receptions this season, a new all-class record and he had five touchdown receptions in a game, which is a new class A record and ties the all-class record.

Quarterback Dakota Bridwell has signed with University of Montana Western in Dillon. Bridwell also set a host of records as a Wildcat, throwing for 4,055 yards last season, while he averaged 337.92 yards per game — a new Class A record. For his career, he threw for 7,982 yards over three seasons. He also set a record for touchdowns passes in a season with 49 and in a game with eight. Over his career, he had 93 touchdown passes, second best in Class A and second among all classes.

Lineman Zak Carlin has signed with Montana Tech in Butte, receiver and cornerback Sean Miller has signed with Rocky Mountain College in Billings, lineman Colten Bonny signed with MSU Northern in Havre and lineman Zach Baker has signed with Western.

The players said signing has been bittersweet.

“I’m going to miss these guys,” Bridwell said. “It will be fun coming home in the summer.”

The senior helped lead the team to the state A championship, falling just short to rival Dillon.

“I think we truly did make history,” Miller said.

But it’s not just football players that have signed with colleges. Cross-country standout Sage Wanner has committed to the University of Great Falls and three volleyball players signed with colleges earlier this season. Morgan Stenger will play at Western, Cydney Finberg at UGF and Kaitlyn Casazza has signed with Montana Tech. The seniors helped lead the team to its second consecutive state A title.

Record setting swimmer Colton Babcock will continue his swimming career at California Baptist University.

Three other notable seniors have not committed to colleges just yet.

Kiara Burlage, Sydney Hovde and Peyton Kehr have yet to sign with a school.