Big heroes

Sports Briefs

Hula meets the Olympics

Ka Waikahe Hula School will be taking approximately 40 students and family members to Hilo, Hawaii March 29 thru April 5, to attend the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival. This prestigious festival is known as the "Olympics of Hula," and is attended by hula enthusiasts from around the world.

Ka Waikahe Hula School has been sharing hula and the Hawaiian culture in the Flathead since 1993, and is formerly known as Paradise Productions. Under direction of Hawaiian native, Macy Massey, and Hula Master, Blaine Kamalani Kia, the school transitioned to a non-profit entity with a focus on authentic cultural education. Kia is a world renowned hula expert and Hawaiian recording artist who has competed in the Merrie Monarch festival and will be a featured musician. Call 862-0829 for more information.

Kalfell and Blackburn Earn All Conference Honors

5'8" senior guard Tessa Kalfell earned First Team All conference and First Team All State honors. Kirsten Blackburn a 5'3" sophomore earned honorable mention for the Northern Conference.

Kalfell led the team in scoring with 258 points a 13.2 average, she lead the team in assists 99 and steals 62.

Blackburn averages 5.8 points per game and had 44 steals. Blackburn known for her tenacious defense always drew the toughest offender. The Lady Bulldogs wrapped up the season 12-p finishing second in the conference and third at divisionals.

Shredders try new slopes

On March 5, 6 the team entered the Montana State Snowboard Championships at Great Divide in Helena, Mont. Awards were given for combined results in boarder-cross, slopestyle and big air. The coaches were very impressed with Great Divide's terrain park, which featured a 16 ft tall multi-colored wall-ride. The boarder-cross course's stand-out feature was a pool of water at the bottom of the course which riders skimmed over to cross the finish line. The overall results for Big Mountain Snowboard Team were as follows:

Amateur 13 and Under: First - Hayden Eaton, fifth - Charles Lundberg

Amateur 14-17: Seventh Max Curtis

Pro Men: Third Danny Thomas

Youngest Competitor: Monica Holmes (8 yrs old)

Other Big Mountain Snowboard Team members participating were Rhett Kalfell, TeJay Holmes, and Chris Holmes.

Slopestyle contests are judged events in which riders take runs through a course that has jumps, rails and other obstacles. The judges give scores based on difficulty of tricks, style, smooth flow from feature to feature and landings.

Big Air contests should really be called "best trick" contests. In this event riders all hit the same jump one at a time and are given scores by judges on difficulty of trick, style and landing.

Anybody interested in joining the Big Mountain Snowboard Team for next season's fun please contact Aaron Guzman at 862-2945 or e-mail snowboard@bigmtn.com

Whitefish Wrestlers Succeed Again

Some of our wrestlers were on the move again this last weekend. We went to Billings for the (2005 AAU Folkstyle Montana State Championships). All together 964 wrestlers competed in the contest. The Whitefish wrestlers that made the trip were Cody Morris, (cadet 112 lb.), Brad Watterud (elite 152 lb.), Tim Lehner (elite 171 lb.) and Kyle Burns (elite 215 lb). All the boys wrestled very tough matches and came out great. Cody Morris took fifth place, Brad Watterud took second place, Tim Lehner took fourth place, and Kyle Burns took third place. Watterud was also able to pick out another exhibition mat with Josh Beamon, (the AA state high school champion in his weight class) and beat him 6-2. The coaches reported that the trip was long but well worth it.

Local boarder wins big at Idaho Winter Games

Whitefish's Steven McCullough proved he is an athlete for all season's when he won the Men's Open Boardercross in Silver Valley. McCullough brought the gold home from the Kellogg, Idaho competition the weekend of February 26. Boardercross is an exciting, head to head match-up in the style of a motocross race, in which multiple riders are on a race course that has jumps and obstacles.

McCullough is also a professionally sponsored mountain bike rider.

Wrestlers awarded

The Bulldog wrestling's award banquet was last Thursday. The following wrestlers received awards: Most improved - Phillip Murphy; Take Down King - Tim Lehner; Travis Wartnow Memorial "Kingpin" Award - Brad Watterud; John Blodgett Memorial Award (a leadership award) - Pete Starr/David Lautaret; Most Valuable - Brad Watterud.

Whitefish Figure Skating Club hosts "Shamrock Skate"

If you have ever wanted to be a part of an ice show, compete against other skaters at your level, learn how to do that amazing jump or spin or just have more fun on your blades, come see what Figure Skating is all about at "Shamrock Skate 2005."

The event will be held on Thursday, March 17, 2005 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Stumptown Ice Den (Mountain Trails Park Ice Rink), on Wisconsin Avenue in Whitefish. In addition to a fun-filled afternoon of games, food and green punch, coaches from the Whitefish Club will be providing group lessons and private tips to skaters.

This free clinic is open to any and all skaters interested in the multi-faceted sport of figure skating and learning how becoming a member of the Whitefish Figure Skating Club can offer more time on the ice and better instruction.

Skaters of all abilities, levels and interests are welcome to attend. Skate rental will be available from the Stumptown Ice Den for .75 cents during the event. Remember to wear your best green outfit!

For more information about this event or the Whitefish Figure Skating Club, please contact coaches Kathy Ruggles, 892-0638, or Jennifer Boye, 862-6524, or WFSC President, Dave Grady, 862-8905. For information about the Whitefish Parks and Recreation rink at Stumptown Ice Den, or the Learn to Skate program, call 863-2477.

Last chance to join Girls Softball team

Whitefish Junior Lady Bulldog Softball kicks off its spring league Saturday, March 19, at the Smith Field Complex. All girls, ages 5 through 14, either participating, or interested in participating, must be present.

Player registration and skill level evaluations will take place from 12:30 until 3 p.m. This will be the last chance to register. Any parents interested in coaching or assisting in other activities are encouraged to attend.

Bring your gloves and other equipment and be prepared to "play ball!" Food and beverages will be provided. Any inquiries can be directed to Lance and Kelly Mortensen at 892-2785 or 261-3559 or Craig and Lori Goble at 862-7453 or 253-7453.

Spring Soccer

Boys and girls ages 5 through fourth grade participate in this six week program which runs April 27 through June 3. Games are played Wednesday and Friday evenings; You will only play on one of the two days. Games days have two parts: an instructional period and a scrimmage period. All games will be played outside at the Youth Sports Complex across the highway from Flathead Valley Community College. Coaches are needed. Registration deadline is April 1. For information call 758-7848.