Thurman, Pewe take top awards
Bigfork High School handed out their annual end of the year sports awards that are voted on by the school's head coaches at an assembly last Wednesday.
The Viking of the Year award, which is given to an outstanding male senior athlete, was presented to Garrett Pewe. He was a standout on the school's football, basketball and track teams this year. Pewe was co-MVP for the BHS football team and was an honorable mention to the All-conference list. He rushed for 407 yards on 93 carries this season, had 114 yards in nine punt returns and 75 yards in five kick off returns. In basketball he averaged 2.56 steals — the second most in the conference — 4.06 assists and .05 blocks per game. In track, Pewe tied the school record in the high jump during the divisional and state meets, at 6-04. He placed third at the Class A State Track Meet.
The Valkyrie of the Year award went to Roxy Thurman, who signed to play basketball at the University of Montana-Western next year. During her final season on the Vals basketball team Thurman set two new school records; one for most points in a season, 346, and one for most steals, 99. Thurman had the best success rate in the conference during the regular season for 2-point field goals, 52.34 percent, and she led the conference in steals during the regular season, with 70. She also had the third-best scoring average in the conference during the regular season and the fourth best for combined field goals and for blocks. Thurman was also a leader on the volleyball team, holding the second highest average in the conference for blocks per game with 33 in 45 games. She received All-state and All-conference honors for both volleyball and basketball. Last year she qualified for state in doubles tennis, but after three years she decided to switch spring sports and give track a try. Ever the successful athlete, Thurman was part of the girls 400-meter relay and 1,600-meter relay teams which both placed sixth at state last weekend.
This year's Coach of the Year award was shared by Mark Hansen and Keith Koslosky. Hansen coached the girls basketball team for his first time. The team finished their regular season 15-9, 6-4 and went on to place second at the divisional tournament and advanced to state where they lost out in two games. Koslosky coached the boys soccer team to a 3-7-2 record. The team finished the season strong and made it all the way to the semifinals in the state playoffs.
Awards were given to the student fan and the community member/family fan who best supported the school's teams this year. Junior Bridger Mahlum won the student award and Denise and Joseph Hamilton won the community fan award.
In addition to acknowledging all of the sports teams and activities groups and their accomplishments this year, BHS Assistant Principal and Activities Director Matt Jensen also listed the six students who qualified to join the Wall of Fame in the entry way of BHS. Thurman will be honored for earning All-state awards in volleyball and basketball. Senior Caitlann O'Dell, who is the valedictorian of the graduating class, is being honored for her achievement as a National Merit Scholar. Senior Jerry Gaiser and sophomore Jacob Sefcak will each have their pictures on the wall after winning the state championship in the Humorous Duo category in speech and drama. Junior Kayla Carlson also earned a state championship in speech and drama in the Memorized Public Address Category and won the state title in track for the 3,200-meter. Sophomore Caitlin Charlebois is being memorialized on the wall for receiving All-state honors in soccer.