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    PREVIEWSPRING

    SPORTS20

    14APUB

    LICATIONO

    F

    THELIVING

    STONENTE

    RPRISE

    ANDTHEB

    IGTIMBERP

    IONEER

    INSIDE:

    PARK&SW

    EETGRAS

    SCOUNTI

    ES

    RangerSoftball-

    Page3

    RangerTrack-Pa

    ge5

    RangerTennis-Page

    7

    BravesBaseball-

    Page8

    BruinGolf-Page

    11

    BruinTrack-Pag

    e12

    RebelTrack-Page

    15

    HerderGolf-Page

    17

    HerderTrack

    -Page18

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    3Spring SpOrTS preview THUrSDAY, MArCH 27, 2014

    By Natalie StoreyEnterprise Staff Writer

    The Park High girls softballteam is on track for anotherwinning season, according totheir coach.

    Coach Jamie Isaly said thatalthough the team lost five seniors,many strong players are returning thisyear.

    We lost quite a few girls, but Imfeeling pretty positive about the team,

    he said.The team lost Haley Dowdell, who

    was a Class A All-State and First-TeamCentral A Division selection. She wasalso the team leader and the best pitch-er, Isaly said.

    The team will look to Sierra Higgs, asophomore, and Ariel Howieson, ajunior, to fill her shoes at the mound.Isaly described Howieson as a finessepitcher, while Higgs is a hard throw-er.

    Both Ariel and Sierra together willbe a nice combination, Isaly said.

    Park High was the runner-up at divi-

    sionals.The Rangers lost in the first game of

    the state tournament to Laurel, a teamthey beat twice during the regular sea-son.

    Still, the 2013 season was the best inschool history.

    The Rangers are hoping to improveon last years success, and with a stronggroup of core girls who have playedtogether for many years returning, Isa-ly said theyve got a good chance athaving another stellar season.

    Seniors Jacy Schleicher, Haley Ver-sland and Vanessa Davaz are all strong

    players, Isaly said. Versland, the teamsfirst basewoman, and Schleicher, the

    center fielder, are both strong batters.Versland is a power hitter, the girl

    you put a little later in the lineup todrive some other girls in, andSchliecher consistently gets on base,Isaly said.

    Cassie Versland returns as catcher,Meghan Gibson as shortstop and Mead-ow Ingram as outfielder.

    I think they are a pretty unifiedgroup, Isaly said. Softball is verymuch a team sport. They understandthat, and they understand that if you

    dont have some type of unification,things break down.

    Rangers pitching for stellar season

    Ranger Softball

    Park High Rangers shortstop Meghan Gibsonslides into third base safely against Fergus Highat Miles Softball Complex in Livingston last sea-son. Local sports photographer Dean Hendricksonis seen shooting from behind the third base line.

    Enterprise file photo by Shawn Raecke

    Softball is very much a

    team sport. They under-stand that, and theyunderstand that if youdont have some type ofunification, things breakdown.

    Head Coach Jamie Isaly

    Apr. 4 vs. ColumbusApr. 5 @ Butte CentralApr. 8 vs. LaurelApr. 11-12 @ Belgrade TourneyApr. 21 vs. Fergus

    Apr. 22 @ LaurelApr. 26 vs. BrowningMay 2 @ FergusMay 6 @ BelgradeMay 10 @ HavreMay 12 vs. BelgradeMay 16-17 Butte Central TourneyMay 23-24 Divisiona ls Tournament @ BelgradeMay 29-31 State Tournament @ Polson

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    1106 West Park St. Suite # 1

    Livingston, MT 59047

    (406)-222-0202

    www.montanaacehardware.com

    Good LuckTo All

    Area

    Athletes!

    Dont Let a sports injury

    keep you out of the action

    any longer than necesssary.TREATMENT

    AVAILABLE FOR:

    Sports injuries

    Post- surgical

    All orthopedic

    conditions including

    back/neck pain and

    instability

    Good Luck

    Park County

    Teams!

    KJ Schretenthaler, PT, CSCS

    Tori Moffett, DPT

    Nikki Kimball, MSPT

    1201 US Hwy 10 W,Unit E (Point Del Mar)

    222-5519www.yel lowstonephysical therapy.com

    ProudoftheParkHighRange

    rsRemember to look for theReclaim MT recycling bins

    on & off the field!

    223-5939 www.reclaimmt.com

    Wishing all golfers a

    great season

    on the links!

    44 View Vista Dr Livingston (406) 222-1100

    Well see

    you at

    LARRYS FOREIGN CAR REPAIR1317 E. Callender Ph. 222-6855

    DONT GETLEFT BEHIND!

    Make sure your vehicle is in top shape so you

    can follow your favorite teams to all the

    exciting sports action this spring.

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    5Spring SpOrTS preview THUrSDAY, MArCH 27, 2014

    By Justin PostEnterprise Staff Writer

    C

    oach Jim Johnson hashigh hopes for thisyears Park HighSchool track team.

    With returning lead-

    ers like Chris Emter andMegan Hawkins, its easy forthe coach to anticipate a suc-cessful season.

    Those two have been prettysuccessful and being seniorsthis year, Im hoping they havea great year and place high atstate, Johnson said.

    Johnson said quite a few stu-dents roughly 60 turned

    out for track and field thisyear. Thats up from about 55students the year before.

    This is about the highest weve hadin the last three or four years, John-son said.

    Roughly 20 of the students, orabout a third, coming out this year

    are freshman, he said.We have quite a few younger kids,

    and thats a good foundation for the

    program, he said.This is the teams second year on

    the new track at Park High School,and students are still getting used tohaving their own infrastructure to

    call home.We get quality workouts now with

    our own equipment, Johnson said.

    We have enough room for people todo stuff.

    During construction of the field,students were bused to Belgradetwice per week for practice.

    Johnson said hes happy the workis complete and the team can focuson improving.

    Its great for the athletes to

    have a place they can call home,he said. Our goal is to continue toimprove.

    He hopes that focus translates tosuccess during the state tourna-ment, May 30-31 at Butte.

    Last year, five students went on tostate, including Hawkins and IsisCovington, and Brandon Toney,

    Emter and Ladan Ricketts.Hopefully well have more this

    year, Johnson said.The teams first meet is April 5 in

    Lewistown, followed by home meets

    on April 22 and May 13.Well have two at home, which is

    kind of nice, Johnson said.

    Big turnout for Ranger track and field

    Apr. 5 @ FergusApr. 8 @ Billings SkyviewApr. 12 @ BozemanApr. 15 @ Billings

    Apr.22 Ranger InviteApr. 26 @ BelgradeApr. 29 @ LaurelMay 3 @ Butte Central

    May 6 @ LaurelMay 10 @ AnacondaMay 13 Ranger InviteMay 17 @ Dillon

    May 23-24 Divisionals @ HavreMay 30-31 State @ Butte

    Home games in bold

    Ranger Track and Field

    Park High School Rangers seniorMegan Hawkins, center, runs in the100-yard dash in a Park Invitational

    meet last season.Enterprise file photo by Shawn Raecke

    We get qualityworkouts nowwith our own

    equipment. Wehave enough

    room for people

    to do stuff. Head Coach Jim Johnson

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    1017 W. Park222-2076

    GOOD LUCK AREA SPORTS TEAMS

    Stop in for a

    DQ treat after

    the action is over!

    6 Spring SpOrTS preview THUrSDAY, MArCH 27, 2014

    301 North Main St. Livingston, MT 59047

    406-222-1211

    Athletes are some of our

    favorite people!We wish all Park & Sweet Grass County

    athletes much success this spring.

    We hope you accomplish all your goals

    during the season.

    THEATRESFrom all of us at

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    By Justin PostEnterprise Staff Writer

    K

    andy Chain brings a teachersperspective to her job coachingPark High Schools boys andgirls tennis teams.

    When I go out to coach, I getinto my teaching mode and I expect thekids to go out there and put out there besteffort, Chain said. Each day is a new les-son for them and when we get to competi-tion I hope they are prepared with whatweve been doing in practice.

    In her second year coaching the boys andgirls teams, Chain hopes her coaching stylewill help prepare the Park players foranother shot at the state tournament. Lastyear, John Potenburg qualified for thestate tournament after taking fourth in thedistrict. Potenburg, who returns to the

    team this year as a senior, is the teamsnumber one, followed by Noble Vance inthe number two spot.

    He should be a strong contender thisyear, Chain said of Potenburg.

    At the same time, Vance is expected tobe a strong contender on the team, shesaid.

    His consistency and competitive spiritwill give his opponents a tough battle,Chain said.

    Vance qualified for the state tournamentlast year in doubles and will likely play sin-gles this year, Coach Chain said.

    On the girls team, sophomore EmilyColeman is the teams number one, Chainsaid.

    Her tenacity and skill will prove athreat to her Central District opponents,she said.

    Mariel Kelley, Chelsea Wood and sistersTegan and Lindsay Lane also are expectedto have a strong influence on the teamsoverall success.

    The number one doubles team is Kellyand Wood, who are playing together for thefirst time this year as juniors, she said.

    The girls team won the central districtlast year, and Chain has high expectationsthe team will have another solid perfor-mance during this season.

    I expect it to be a close competition thisyear as well, she said.

    Early in this years season, Chain saidshes working to improve consistency withher players.

    Sometimes kids want to come out andhit with a lot of power, but we want to

    make sure they are consistent first, shesaid.

    Chain said tennis is a lifelong sport, andshe believes its important that playerslearn good habits early in their playingcareers.

    Winning will take care of itself. I justwant to build a strong foundation, shesaid. It is my goal as a coach to teach theskills and fundamental knowledge of thegame. I want my players to strive for mas-tery of the game and compete with poise,control and grace. Success is when the stu-dents perform at their best and love the

    battle.The teams take to the court for their

    first scrimmage in April in Bozeman.

    Tennis squads focus on consistency

    RANGER BOYS RANGER GIRLS

    Apr. 1 vs Fergus, BozemanApr. 11 at HardinApr. 12 at AnacondaApr. 22 at DillonApr. 26 at LewistownMay 3 at BillingsMay 6 vs. Butte CentralMay 9-10 at Helena Invit.May 16-17 Divisional at BozemanMay 22-24 State at Billings

    Home matches in bold

    Apr. 1 vs. Bozeman,Lewistown

    Apr. 3 vs. Townsend,Whitehall

    Apr. 12 at Butte CentralApr. 22 at DillonApr. 26 at LewistownMay 3 at BillingsMay 6 vs. Butte CentralMay 9-10 at Helena Invit.May 16-17 Divisional at Bozeman

    May 22-24 State at Billings

    Above:Park HighSchool Rangers seniorJohn Potenburg prac-tices with the team atSacajawea Park in ear-ly March.

    Left:Rangers sopho-more Emily Colemanreturns the ball duringa practice in earlyMarch.

    Enterprise photos byShawn Raecke

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    By Natalie StoreyEnterprise Staff Writer

    The Livingston Braveshave a new, old coach,high hopes and a youngteam this year, accord-ing to Doug Birg.

    Birg returns as the Braves

    coach this year after a three-year hiatus.He previously coached the

    team from 2008 to 2010. Hecalls his break a layoff andsaid hes happy to be returningthis year.

    Im excited and looking for-ward to it, Birg said. Ive gota pretty good group of kids.

    The Braves are returning only four

    players from last season, Birg said.The team has one senior, a couplejuniors and several eighth graders.

    I wouldnt say its a weakness, butwe are going to be young, Birg said.

    The sole returning senior is ColtonGavne, who Birg said he expects to bethe team leader. Gavne plays catcher.

    Freshmen and Sophomores will haveto step up, Birg said.

    Luckily two of the returning sopho-

    mores look promising: Buck Spalloneand Sterling Lay.

    I expect them to be two of our bet-ter players, Birg said.

    The team will rely on both Spalloneand Lay to pitch.

    The league has a number of goodteams that are returning experienced

    players, including Belgrade and Dil-lion, Birg said.

    Weve got our work cut out for us,he said. Its just a matter of commit-ment.

    Birg said the team so far has 12 or13 players, but hes hoping more willjoin.

    Birg back to coach Livingston Braves

    Apr. 26 vs Laurel DodgersApr. 27 at Billings CardinalsMay 3 vs ButteMay 4 at Laurel DodgersMay 10 at Billings BluejaysMay 11 vs Anaconda AsMay 17 vs Helena RepsMay 18 at Billings HalosMay 26 vs Butte Miners

    May 31 vs GVOJune 6 at Bozeman Spikes

    June 7 at GVOJune 8 vs Billings HalosJune 10 at Dillon CubsJune 17 at Belgrade BanditsJune 19 at Lewistown TourneyJune 24 vs Belgrade BanditsJune 25 vs Bozeman SpikesJune 28 vs Billings BluejaysJune 29 at Anaconda As

    July 1 at Deer Lodge WranglersJuly 3 at Polson

    July 9 vs Dillon CubsJuly 12 at Helena RepsJuly 13 vs Deer Lodge WranglersJuly 17 at Butte MinersJuly 19 vs Billings Cardinals

    Home games in bold

    EDITORS NOTE: The above listed scheduleis subject to change as the American

    Legion season progresses.

    Braves Baseball Schedule

    Enterprise file photo by Shawn Raecke

    The Livingston Braves legion baseball team returns to the dugout during a game at Belgrade last season.

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    At

    Town & Country Foodsyoure always a winner!

    Youll find your

    favorite foods,

    including organic and

    natural items, at low

    prices every day of

    the week.

    Best of luck to the Bruins, Rangers,Rebels and Sheepherders!

    1217 West Park St. 222-0559

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    Strong senior class looks to lead Bruins

    Were not what Iwould call a powerthis year, but wehave some good

    returning seniors. Head Coach Dave Hayes

    By Justin PostEnterprise Staff Writer

    Fifteen studentsturned out asthrowers for thisyears GardinerBruins track andfield team, and

    Coach Dave Hayes also hasa solid base of runnersreturning to the team.

    Those facts leave Hayeshopeful for the state tourna-ment.

    Were not what I wouldcall a power this year, butwe have some good return-ing seniors, Hayes said. Right nowour best shots of going on and get-ting to state are our boys distancerunners and probably our boysthrowers. Ive seen some realimprovement in the kids who arecoming back. Theyve reallyimproved from the past year or twoalmost across the board.

    Cara Cunningham, a sophomorethrower returning to the team, saidonly four students threw last year.

    This year, 15 students turned out tothrow for the team.

    Everyone just sort of decided todo throwing, Cunningham said.

    Were hoping to get more to statethis year as many as we can.

    In all, 30 students came outfor this years track and fieldteam, which Coach Hayes saysis about average.

    Standouts include seniorpole vaulter Kelly Harbach.

    Shes probably one of thetop five Class C pole vaultersin the state, Hayes said.

    Senior Jessie Hafer is run-ning 300 hurdles and polevaulting for the team, he said.

    She has a really good shotof making it out of Divisionalsthis year, Hayes said.

    Another standout, WyattWilkinson, returns to the teamas a junior and as the Divi-

    sional 3,200-meter champion. Hellalso run the 1,600m, and possiblythe 800m this season.

    Senior Austin Dreyer returns as asenior, running the 3,200m and1,600m this year and recentlysigned with Rocky Mountain Collegeto run cross country and track nextyear.

    Another returning senior, RobertWickham, is running the 1,600m and3,200m this year.

    We expect some good perfor-mances out of him this year, Hayessaid.

    Meanwhile, Hayes says the fieldof throwers hes coaching this yearlook promising in early practices.

    Half our team is throwers thisyear, so hopefully well do some-thing with that, he said.

    Last year, two players went tostate from the Bruins teams, Wyattand Forrest Rienhart, who graduat-ed. Hayes believes sophomoreEmma Burke is a strong bet to reachstate this year.

    Burke went to an indoor meet inBozeman recently and won the highjump against a field of Double Agirls, even without training inrecent months, Hayes said.

    She jumped the highest she hasever jumped, he said.

    Chris Lewis is serving as assistantcoach this season.

    Bruin Track and Field

    Apr. 5 Sheridan @DillonApr. 19 at ManhattanApr. 22 Ranger Invite @ LivingstonApr. 25 @ JolietMay 3 Manhattan Christian @ Bozeman

    May 15-17 District @ BozemanMay 22-24 Divisional @ MissoulaMay 29-31 State @ Great Falls

    Gardiner Bruins Wyatt Wilkinsonclears the high bar during a meet

    in Bozeman last season. Wilkinsonwill also run the 1,600 and 3,200

    meter for the Bruins this year.Enterprise file photo by Shawn Raecke

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    Need another copy of the

    Spring Sports Section?

    ENTERPRISE

    t h e l i v i n g s t o n

    It's a handy section to have

    because it has the schedules for

    all the spring prep sports in Park

    and Sweet Grass counties.

    It is available, free, for a limited

    time at major retail outlets in Park

    and Sweet Grass counties.

    The sports section will also be

    available in its entirety on the

    Enterprise's website:

    livingstonenterprise.com

    Once you pick up a copy, don't let go!

    You'll want to have one handy

    throughout the spring sports season.

    Rangersoftball-Pag

    e3

    Rangertrack-Page5

    Rangerboystennis-

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    Legionbaseball-Pag

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    PREVIEWSPRING

    SPORTS

    20 13

    A PUBLIC

    ATION OF

    THELIVI

    N GSTON E

    NTERPRIS

    E AND TH

    E BI GTIMB

    ER PIONE

    ER

    INSIDE

    PARK&SWE

    ETGRASSCO

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    PREVIEW

    SPRIN

    GSPOR

    TS2014

    APUBLI

    CATION

    OF

    THELIV

    INGSTO

    NENTE

    RPRISE

    ANDTH

    EBIGT

    IMBERP

    IONEER

    INSIDE:

    PARK&

    SWEET

    GRASS

    COUNT

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    RangerSoft

    ball-Page3

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    RangerTenn

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    BravesBase

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    RebelTrack

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    HerderGolf

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    Tires, batteries and oil changesavailable

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    Big Valley gates and wire panels

    GOOD LUCK

    REBELS

    Park Farmers Co-opWilsall 578-2543

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    Proud of the Rebels!Cindy & Jerry Good

    P.O. Box 18Clyde Park, Montana 59018406.686.4471

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    achieve all of your goals.

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    By Rose BrownEnterprise Staff Writer

    T

    he Shields Valley High Schooltrack team will have to workharder to stay competitivethis year, due to a smaller

    team than usual.Only 20 athletes signed up thisyear usually there are about 27, saidShields Valley Coach Jim Rose.

    Its the smallest team Shields Valleyhas had in 20 years, Rose said.

    Over the last several years,the Shields Valley team hasscored well at State, partlybecause of the balance of hav-ing an athlete in almost everyevent, Rose said.

    Unfortunately, this yearwere not going to have that lux-

    ury, he said.Rose said he expects successthis year from sophomore KylieKerkaert, who was the statechampion in the 400-meter raceas well as the anchor leg on thestate champion short relay teamlast year.

    Were kind of excited to seewhat she can do this year, hesaid.

    Senior girls Jessica Gagen,who races distance, and CaseyMcInerney, who races mid-dis-

    tance, could both place thisyear, Rose said.Senior sprinter Matt Huff

    should also have a good season, he said.Another team member to keep an eye

    on this year is jumper Cole Fairchild,Rose said.

    This years team will have its bestshot competing in short and longrelays, but weights and jumps might belacking, he said.

    The team started practicing as earlyas possible this year Monday March17 and its first meet will be April 5in Lewistown.

    Rebels andKerkaert lookingfor more titles

    REBELS TRACK

    AND FIELD

    Enterprise file photos by Shawn RaeckeRebels Kylie Kerkaert will be in the hunt for another State Class C 400-metertitle as well as helping anchor the 400-meter relay team this year.

    Apr. 5 Central Montana Invite @ Lewistown

    Apr. 12 Manhattan @ BozemanApr. 17 Huntley Project Invite @ SkyviewApr. 22 Park Invite @ Park HighApr. 25 Joliet Invitation @ LaurelApr. 26 Belgrade Invitational @ BelgradeMay 1 Mile High Invite @ White SulphurMay 3 Manhattan Christian @ BozemanMay 6 Midland Top 10 @ LaurelMay 8 Top 8 @ TownsendMay 17 District Track @ BozemanMay 23, 24 Divisional @ MissoulaMay 30, 31 State Track @ Great Falls

    Home games in bold

    Shields Valley Rebels high jumper Cole Fairchild clearsthe bar as he competes in a Bozeman Invitational Trackand Field event last season.

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    By Laura NelsonPioneer Staff Writer

    Tough competition can onlymake them stronger.

    The Sweet Grass CountyHigh School golf teams willreturn their top athletes this

    spring, but many of their foes in thetough-as-irons Southern B Division will,too.

    In 2013, the Herder girls finishedfifth overall in the state, the best anygirls squad has ever done at the seasonfinale. Taryn Campbell earned Class BAll-State honors with a fifth-place over-all finish as a junior, and Cole Groshensfired a personal-best 84 on one of themost difficult courses in Montana inthe State Class B tournaments finalround.

    The two leading seniors are back andready to drive their teams back to thestate contest.

    On the ladies side, seniors MeganEmter and Rainy OConnell will alsoreturn, along with sophomore ChessaParker, to complete the team that coachDan Campbell said shows big promise.

    Townsend was the state champs lastyear and they have all four of their topstarters back again, so theyll bestrong, Dan Campbell said.

    Add Missoula-Layola and ThreeForks in the division mix, and the Herd-ers have their work cut out for them.

    Campbell picked Townsend to againlead the division, but noted that histeam would be back with more experi-ence and better games after a summerof dedicated improvements. Theyllhave freshmen Tanna Campbell andKate Walker to bring up new talent and

    keep the competition fresh in the yearsto come, too.Townsend is just really, really tough.

    We did the best we had ever done atstate last year, and they were still leapsand bounds ahead of us, he said. So wejust want to close that gap.

    Between Taryn Campbell andOConnells long games (Taryn hits theball as good as anyone in the state, hesaid, and Rainy, with her frame andsize, she has a height power advantageto really hit the ball long) and Emterand Parkers short games (Both their

    chipping and putting have continued toimprove, theyre really strong, thecoach noted), the team has a dynamicthat could give them an edge in the divi-sional mix.

    Well pull for second, third or fourthin our division. We do expect our girls tobe in the top four, Dan Campbell said.

    And if you do something at divison-als, youll have a good chance at state,assistant coach Sheri Campbell added.

    Thats the ultimate goal a state tro-phy. It may be a lofty goal, but placingthere is within reach, Dan Campbell

    said. We just want to start at a level andmake step up, get better every week.The boys also face tough division

    competition, the coaches said, buttheyll also be pushing one anotherwith a team of 18 vying for the topfour team slots.

    Its going to be really competitivethis year to be on the varsity squad. Itllbe a race Cole will be No. 1, but afterthat, well have some younger kids thatwill really push them, Dan Campbell

    said.

    Senior Loren Alexander and juniorChad Lager will each return with somevarsity experience and promise forteam play, and sophomore WestonLavoy dedicated a large amount oftime on the course improving over thesummer, the coaches said.

    If we had a kid that has improvedthe most since last year, its Weston,

    Dan Campbell said. That improves the

    whole team.Groshens will be focused on break-

    ing into a game that consistently hits a70s scoring range, and vying for a shotat all-state honors.

    He really improved between hissophomore and junior year, and hellhave another big jump like that thisyear, so hell be good, Dan Campbell

    said. Hes got a good control game,keeps the ball in play.The next three varsity slots will be

    open for the taking between four orfive Herder boys, a competition thecoaches say they look forward to see-ing improve the entire team. The sameis true throughout the 14-team south-ern B division.

    In our division, the top four or fiveare usually at least in the top ten ofthe state, so you know if you can makeit past divisionals, youll do well atstate, Sheri Campbell said. That just

    makes us better, too. Thats the com-petition we need to continue toimprove.

    Herders ready to take on tough field

    Apr. 5 at Overland Golf CourseApr. 10 at Big ForkApr. 15 at ColumbusApr. 17 at Pryor CreekApr. 22 at Bridger CreekApr. 26 at Columbus

    Apr. 29 at Cottonwood

    May 3 at EnnisMay 8 at Three ForksMay 10 at HarlowtonMay 13 Divisional at Eagle Bend

    May 19,21 State at Fairmont Hot Springs

    Home matches in bold

    Herder Golf

    Photo by Laura Nelson

    Sweet Grass golfers Taryn Campbell, left, and Cole Groshens, center, hit on the driving range during a practice in earlyMarch at Overland Golf Course.

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    By Laura NelsonBig Timber Pioneer Staff Writer

    Finally, the years of being ayoung team will start to payoff the for the Sweet GrassCounty High School Herdertrack team.

    We have a lot of seniors this year,and some really strong leadership,assistant coach Kim Finn said. Thecoaching staff will look to those olderathletes to guide the large squad. With37 names on the roster this spring, itsthe deepest the track and field pool hasbeen for at least a decade, Finn noted.

    We have some really good experi-ence, a solid core of boys, assistantcoach Karl Wessel added. So we havea really good blend of experiencedthrowers and a number of good ones inthe younger ones. That bodes well forthe future.

    Four boys return to the squad with atleast one trip to the state meet undertheir belts, and half of the 2013 statesilver medal girls 1,600-meter relayteam will be back in action this spring.

    Im excited to see how our relaysmight shape up this year, first-year

    head coach Paula Berry said. SeniorBrit Todd and sophomore HannahWheeler will return to their two legs ofthe mile relay; the other quarter-milestretches will be picked up by youngerrunners who will be asked to step up inthe absence of two leading ladies Carly Rech and Haley Moen whograduated in 2013.

    We should have a couple to step upand replace them to keep that relayteam strong, Finn said.

    Senior Darren Heck swept the South-ern B Divisions mens distance compe-titions in 2013, and he placed in the topsix at state in his three races the800m, 1,600m and 3,200m. Hell be backin each of those events, and plans tocontinue to bring home a trio of medalsthroughout the year.

    Were expecting big things from himthis year, Finn said.

    Gabe McCauley qualified for state infour events last year the 300m hur-dles, 110m hurdles, high jump and longjump which adds depth to the boysmedaling potential in 2014. Mack Coynewasnt far behind him in the 300m hur-dles at the state qualifying match.Junior Walker LaVoy will also be backthis year to add to the Herders sprint-ing talents.

    We have a few return sprinters,especially in the boys who are comingback stronger, older, Finn said. Ayear can make a big difference at thisage in their strength and abilities.

    Sophomore Ashley Gunnlickson stud-ied under hurdling standout Moen lastyear; 2014 will be her year to shine,Finn said.

    Were really looking for her to stepup in the hurdles.The talent is deep in the throwing

    circle, too.Tanner Engle, Colton Jones and Liz

    Arlian are all ready to throw in theirfinal year of competition and 2013 state

    discus qualifier Chance Wessel will beback in his junior year. Coach Wesselsaid he expects at least those four to

    make it as far as the divisional meet

    this year, with the potential to movebeyond. The older boys are working tomaintain a 120-foot distance range inthe discus, which should open solidopportunities for medaling throughoutthe year, while training up youngerthrowers on the male and female sideto keep the team strong in years tocome.

    Carrie Lehman, Mesa King and DrewPike are working on their first years inthe SGHS throwers ring, but theyrecatching on fast, Wessel said. Theyreshowing good potential early in the sea-son.

    More youngsters will get the chanceto stretch their legs in the sprinting andfield events, Finn said, with solidupperclassmen to watch yet ampleroom to grow in their own talents, too.

    I think some of the freshman willsurprise us this year, Finn said.

    The coaching staff mirrors the teamsmix Finn and Wessel bring around adecade of experience each in theirroles as assistants Berry brings afresh perspective to the head coachingposition, and Evelyn Halverson wasadded to the mix this year to focus ondistance running and cross-training.

    With a team this deep in numbers, the

    coaches added, its not just the medalwinners who provide the leadership theHerders will need to succeed this year,either.

    Finn pointed to senior Edgar Suarez.He doesnt place a lot, but hes one of

    the key component of the team, shesaid. Hes a real leader and a role mod-el for us.

    Senior brothers Ben and John Turneralso chip in on the mens distance side,and add to the camaraderie of the team.

    All the kids just love them, they lovehaving them on the team, Wessel said.Overall, we just have a good team all the kids who are here really want tobe here.

    Finn added that many of the new fac-es on the track arent strangers to theblue and white uniforms; basketball,football or volleyball players joinedthis year looking to stay in shape andbuild their skills off their regular play-ing fields.

    So they are athletes, competitors; wehave a lot of kids that have real goalsand are all-around athletes, Finn said.

    They are hard workers, all of them,Berry added. And they are close they mesh well. Itll be a good year.

    Strong leadership for Herder track

    HERDER TRACK

    AND FIELD

    Apr. 4 at ColumbusApr. 12 at BozemanApr. 17 at ColumbusApr. 22 at LivingstonApr. 26 at BelgradeMay 3 at BozemanMay 6 at LaurelMay 10 at LaurelMay 13 at LivingstonMay 17 District at BozemanMay 22 B-C Divisional at LaurelMay 30,31 A-B State at Butte

    Enterprise photo by Shawn Raecke

    Herder first-year head coach Paula Berry, right, works with her team during a few practice drills at the Sweet GrassCounty High School track in early March.

    19S g S O S

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