Bigfork athletes receive All-State, All-Conference honors, Putman named Coach of the Year

As winter sports loom, fall All-State and All-Conference picks have been released, with Bigfork’s players claiming several titles.  

Volleyball

The Bigfork Valkyries volleyball team was honored for a hard-fought season with three All-Conference picks, along with coach Ariel Putman being named Coach of the Year.  

Junior Taylor Howlett was selected for All-State and first team All-Conference honors. As setter, she led the team in assists and also contributed heavily on the net with her blocking stats.   

Freshman Maddie Hayes Corona and senior Piper Lee were picked for second team All-Conference. Hayes Corona was a force this season as outside hitter, leading the Vals in kills. Lee, a middle blocker, has been a steady contributor for the Vals in swings and serves.  

Putman took the Vals to state this season in her second year as head coach, sixth coaching at Bigfork. She played volleyball herself at Bigfork High School.  

Football

Standout player for Vikings football was 6’6” senior lineman Henry Carlson, All-State pick and first team All-Conference player for both offense and defense.  

Juniors Austin Savik, tight end, and Treker Hickey, running back, were also honored with All-State selections. Hickey was selected for first team offense, with Austin Savik joined by junior wide receiver Tamret Savik for second team offense.  

Vikings Trent Scherfenberg, senior lineman, Lincoln Ledingham, sophomore lineman, and Tamret Savik, defensive back, were picked for second team defense. Honorable mentions for defense were junior defensive back Dane Carlsen and linebacker Austin Savik. 

Girls soccer

Girls soccer had three All-State selections; senior Braeden Gunlock, junior Paeten Gunlock and junior Irelynd Vigil. Sophomore Ione Plummer was chosen for second team All-Conference, with juniors Peyton Benson and Taylor Johnson as honorable mentions.  

Paeten led the conference this season with 36 goals, 2.77 per match. Add in 17 assists, and the junior was responsible for 6.85 points a match. Sister Braeden, who recently signed with Brigham Young University’s basketball program, averaged 3 points per match. Vigil, the Vals’ goalkeeper, is one of the top in the conference. 

Boys soccer

In boys soccer, senior defensive player Corban Benson was selected for All-State while sophomore Quinn Kerr and junior Robert Merchant were chosen for second team All-Conference. Kerr averaged 2.64 points per match this season, with Merchant contributing 5 assists for the Vikes this year.