Tennis competes at Bitterroot Invitational

The Columbia Falls tennis squads competed at the Bitterroot Invitational over the weekend. Columbia Falls’ No. 1 singles Molly Schmit had a tough go of it, losing to Allie Brown of Troy 3-6 3-6 and Mariah McClure of Dillon 3-6 1-6.

But Anna Pickard, who moved up to No. 2 singles had better luck. She beat Ashley Eyre of Stevensville 6-4 7-5, but lost to Maggie Magee of Dillon 2-6 1-6.

At No. 3 singles Katie Garate beat Kaylee Evans of Corvallis 8-3, but lost to Brianna Bartshi of Stevi 5-8. In No. 4 singles, Mariah Lingle beat Monica de los Rio 8-2 and lost to Lauren Kimzey 3-8.

In doubles, Kayla Nicol and Meghan McCallum picked up wins against Stevi but lost to their Dillon opponents. Names were not available for the opponents.

“Kayla and Meaghan had a nice come from behind win against Stevi’s best doubles team, and Anna Pickard stepped up to our No. 2 slot in singles and really competed against some older, more experienced players,” girls coach Gene Marcille said.

In boys scores, Wildcat John Gilk, dropped Caleb Thompson of Anaconda 6-3, 6-1, but lost to Alex Raymond of Hamilton 6-1, 6-1.

In doubles, Patrick Tillman and Caleb Fleury beat Ben Hale and Tom Trangmoe of Stevi 6-1, 6-2, but lost to Sam Johnson and Aidan Petritz of Butte Central 6-4, 6-2.

In No. 2 doubles, Justin Catanach and Alec Sangster, no school available, dropped Wildcats Camryn Lingle and Tristan Grein 6-1, 6-2, but they came back to beat Gharrett Diehl and Jaden Job of Loyola Sacred Heart 6-3, 7-6(5).

The teams face Whitefish Thursday at Flathead Valley Community College, and Corvallis and Hamilton Saturday, also at FVCC. Whitefish starts at 11:30 a.m.