Kvelve's Comments: Performances to remember

It was quite a year, and I couldn’t hang ‘em up without acknowledging the student-athletes who made this, my last season of covering local sports, a memorable one indeed.

If I missed anyone or any accomplishment by the fine high school athletes in Sanders and Mineral counties, it was not intentional. 

So many great performances, so little space. 

As if the local sports world saved the best for last, it would be almost impossible to top the amazing Class B track and field performance by Superior’s Trizten Avila. 

All this senior did was sweep the three sprint races at the Class B state championships in Missoula, winning the 100-meter, 200-meter and 400-meter sprints. 

Along the way he set a new Class B state record in the 200-meter event, giving him an unforgettable sprint trifecta. 

Also in Missoula, at the state C championships, Noxon’s Ricky Williams, now bound for Montana Tech, set a new state record in the high jump, clearing 6-9 ½. 

And, for the third year in a row, Plains senior Alexis Deming was the winner of the women’s discus throw. 

That trio “repped” well for the local track contingent. 

In what was a team effort, the Hot Springs foursome seniors Nick McAllister, David Chapman, Weston Slonaker and John Waterbury, helped the Savage Heat be among the best in Class C sports with solid performances in football, basketball and track.  The Heat took eventual champion Box Elder to the limit in the 6-player football playoffs and had notable performances, as expected, for the class of 2025. 

In the world of fastpitch softball, the Thompson Falls Lady Hawks were led by one of the best players in school history, catcher/pitcher Sarah Koskela, who earned a softball scholarship to Mile City Community College this coming spring.  She and fellow senior Olivia Fitchett were a solid pitching and hitting duo for the Lady Hawks, who once again made the state championship tournament. 

Plains sophomore Aubree Butcher also had an outstanding season on the mound and at the plate as part of what promises to be a tough team to beat in the coming years. 

The year got off to a championship start this past Fall when Trotters sophomore Marina Tulloch dominated the Class B cross country finals on her way to what could be more to come. 

And perhaps best of all for these athletes and all the rest who represented their schools so well, they did it with sportsmanship and pride in what they were doing. 

The crop of student-athletes returning for next season is promising to say the least. 

I will miss covering them, they have all been polite and respectful toward me. 

Work hard dudes and dudettes, your best is yet to come!