BHS athletes earn school recognition

Bigfork High School concluded its sports season with the annual awards assembly last Thursday, June 3.

All of the awards are voted on by the school's coaches each year, including the coveted Viking and Valkyrie of the Year awards.

Those honors are given to a boy and a girl athlete who are seniors.

Nominees are chosen based on the number of sports they participated in, their coachability, work ethic, moral character and success and achievements in athletics.

This year's honors went to Kenny Patrick and Kayla Carlson.

Patrick was a leader on the football team and helped the cheerleaders with stunting as they became one of the most accomplished squads in the state. He was also a strong participant on the track team and the speech, debate and drama team this year.

Carlson was also a cheerleader this year, in addition to being a standout on the cross-country team and track team.

Todd Emslie, who returned this year to his post as head football coach at Bigfork after a five year absence, took the honor of Coach of the Year.

The Community Fan of the Year award went to Kelly and Marcus Balgos, who are the mother and step-father of senior Keenan Evans.

Student Fan of the Year went to Bridger Mahlum, who served as this year's student body president and was credited with leading the revival of school spirit at BHS.

Academic awards and scholarships were also given out at this assembly, which was followed by a community barbecue.

A list of those honors and awards will appear in next week's Bigfork Eagle.