Local stars take talents to the next level

The youth movement among local high schools has made an impact on the list of those who have received athletic scholarships to continue their sports careers in college. 

And further reducing those lists are some student-athletes who are apparently following a growing trend to skip college and join the workforce. 

Among the most notable seniors opting for going from high school to work is Hot Springs multi-sport standout David Chapman, who won a state title in the 110-meter hurdles event last month. A mainstay of the school’s football team and a state placer in wrestling as a member of the Plains-Hot Springs co-op team, Chapman decided joining the workforce and making some money was the way to go. 

“David wants to work,” is how Hot Springs football coach put it. 

But three other Hot Springs seniors are taking their skills to the next level, led by football players Nick McAllister and John Waterbury, who signed scholarships to attend MSU-Northern in Havre, where both will play football. The Lights, as Northern is known, also attracted several standouts from the 6-player state champion Box Elder, including stars Trace Jilot and Taurie Stiffarm-Rosette. 

One other recruit from Hot Springs, running back Weston Slonaker, was recruited by the College of Idaho in Caldwell, Idaho and will play football for the Yotes. 

Also receiving multiple sports scholarships were members of the Thompson Falls sports programs, led by senior softball standout Sarah Koskela, who accepted a scholarship to Miles City Community College, where she will no doubt take on her high school duties as one of the state’s best catchers.  Koskela also saw considerable time on the mound for the Lady Hawks over the past three years. 

T Falls football and basketball standout Bryson LeCoure will be joining several local players who signed with UM Western in the last few years.  LeCoure received a scholarship to play football for the Frontier League Bulldogs, who two years ago recruited Hot Springs wide receiver Kyle Lawson, among others. 

The Blue Hawks Braedon Ferris, who qualified for several state championship track events this past season, will be heading to Billings where he will become a MSU-Billings Yellowjacket. 

And a fourth Blue Hawks, Bryson McCormick signed a baseball scholarship offer with Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton, Oregon. 

Noxon's Ricky Williams, who won the State C high jump championship with a new Class C state record of 6-9 ½ , is headed to Montana Tech on a track scholarship. Williams, who was a standout in several sports for Noxon during his high school career, is also a state placer in the long jump, triple jump and 110-meter hurdles.

Several outstanding athletes who have not accepted an athletic scholarship or have chosen not to announce it include Plains High’s three-time Class B state discus champion Alexis Deming. 

Another Plains athlete in the recruiting mix is senior Darren Standeford, who has yet to decide on a college.  He has received an offer from Rocky Mountain College (Billings), and has a visit planned for June 24 with Western.  Standeford is also considering a walk-on offer from Montana State for decathlon.

And Superior triple-event state champion Trizten Avila, who swept the sprints at the recent state championships and set a new Class B state record in the 200-meter final, another who has not announced signing.  

As other signings become known, the Valley Press will do its best to publish them. 

    Thompson Falls standout basketball and football player Bryson LeCoure signed to play football this fall at UM-Western in Dillon. (File Photo)