:The Laurel Outlook:Big Story

The local sports world was filled with excitement in 2007. Here is a recap of the sports news that filled the pages of the Laurel Outlook for the past 12 months.

January

2007 began with the local high school winter sports teams in full swing.

The Laurel High School wrestling team kept busy with tournaments in Bozeman, Miles City, Belgrade and Hardin. At Bozeman, senior Sean Parkinson was the lone Locomotive to place. Parkinson was sixth in the heavyweight class. At Miles City, junior Bill Olson was Laurel's only placer. Olson took fourth at 140 pounds. The tournament in Belgrade was the Central A Duals. The Trainmen took eighth after posting wins over Miles City, Dillon and Butte Central. The Locomotives sustained losses from Havre, Corvallis, Hamilton, Libby and Hardin. The Hardin meet was a round-robin tournament with five Laurel grapplers earning winning records. Sophomore Easton Padden was 3-1 at 119 pounds, senior Spencer Fox was 3-0 at 130 pounds, senior Ryan Adams was 2-1 at 135 pounds, Olson was 2-1 at 140 pounds and Parkinson was 2-1 at heavyweight.

January was an up and down month for the area basketball teams. The Laurel High School girls started 2008 by splitting a couple sets of games. The Lady Locomotives defeated Columbus and Glendive but lost to Billings Skyview and Sidney. Laurel then went on a three game winning streak with victories over Billings Central, Billings West and Hardin. However, Miles City ended the Locomotives' streak by cruising past Laurel 48-41.

The Laurel boys basketball team compiled a 5-3 record during January. The Trainmen recorded wins over Columbus, Sidney, Billings Central, Hardin and Miles City. The Locomotives' sweetest victory was its 47-43 win over the arch-rival Rams. That victory gave Laurel the season sweep over Billings Central. Senior Scot McKinney led Laurel with nine points and seven rebounds.

The Park City boys basketball team flip-flopped wins and losses for three straight weeks before they ran off four straight victories. The Panthers' winning streak included triumphs over Joliet (twice), Plenty Coups and Absarokee. Park City's biggest win of the month was a 80-22 drubbing over Belfry. Senior Joe Darkenwald led the Panthers with 21 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks.

The Lady Panthers also had a winning record in January. The Park City girls went 5-4 for the month with wins over Roberts, Belfry, Bridger, Joliet and Plenty Coups.

The Joliet boys basketball team started strong in 2007 with back-to-back wins over Belfry and Fromberg. However, the J-Hawks could not continue their winning ways and dropped their next seven games in January.

The Lady J-Hawks had a much more pleasant month. The Joliet girls produced a 7-3 mark in January. The Lady J-Hawks beat Belfry, Roberts (twice), Bridger (twice), Melstone and Plenty Coups. Joliet's three losses came from Fromberg, Absarokee and Park City. The Panthers knocked off the J-Hawks 44-43. Sophomore Holli Michael led Park City with 11 points while Joliet junior Jessie Konoske had a game high 15 points.

February

The Valentine's Day month included a couple heartbreakers as the Laurel High School boys and girls basketball teams each lost challenge games to go to State.

The Laurel boys basketball team played its way into the Eastern A Divisional championship game by knocking off Miles City and Billings Central in the first two rounds. The Trainmen then lost to Glendive in the title matchup. That loss set up a challenge game between the Locomotives and Hardin, who had won the third place game. The Bulldogs snatched Laurel's ticket to the State Tournament by beating the Trainmen 77-60. Senior Scot McKinney scored 14 points in the loss.

The Lady Locomotives also had a chance to go to the Class A State Tournament stolen from them. Laurel began the tournament with a bye in the first round and a victory over Billings Central in the semifinals. In the Divisional championship game, Miles City turned back Laurel. The Lady Locomotives then had to face Glendive in the challenge game. Unfortunately, Laurel had a down offensive night and the Red Devils came away victorious 46-32. Senior Brittney Ceaser dropped in 12 points for the Locomotives.

In Class C basketball, neither Park City nor Joliet made it out of the District 6C Tournament. The Panthers placed fourth at the tournament but only the top two placing teams moved on to the Divisional tourney. Park City opened with a 59-33 win over Absarokee but was tripped up by Bridger in the second round, 68-57. The Panthers then eliminated Joliet from the tournament with a 59-55 win. Park City's season ended when Roberts dealt the Panthers a 62-44 loss in the third place game.

The Joliet boys went 1-2 at the District Tournament. The J-Hawks dropped their first game, 61-44, to Roberts. Joliet stayed alive for another round by beating Belfry 66-31. However, Park City knocked out the J-Hawks in the next round with a 59-55 win.

The Park City High School girls basketball team earned itself an extra week of games by placing second at the District 6C Tournament at the Shrine Auditorium in Billings. The Panthers rolled past Plenty Coups 56-38 in the first round and then upset top seeded Absarokee 45-40. In the championship game, Park City could not get its offense going and lost 30-23.

The Joliet girls basketball team recorded a 38-16 victory over Roberts in the first round of the District 6C Tournament. The Lady J-Hawks then sustained back-to-back losses from Fromberg and Plenty Coups and were eliminated. The Falcons beat Joliet 40-26 and the Warriors pulled out a 34-32 nailbiter over the J-Hawks.

The Laurel High School wrestling team also competed in its final tournament of the 2007 season in February. Four LHS grapplers placed in the top six of their respective weight classes at the State Tournament at MetraPark in Billings. Junior Bill Olson placed third at 140 pounds. Senior Ryan Adams was fourth at 135 pounds. Senior Spencer Fox was fifth at 130 pound, and senior Sean Parkinson was sixth in the heavyweight class. Overall, the Locomotives placed 15th with 62.5 points.

March

High School basketball all-star games were the main ticket at the beginning of March.

The Lady Locomotives basketball team had four players chosen to participate in the Treasure State Classic in Billings. LHS seniors Brittney Ceaser, Sam Ewalt, Kirby Myers and Tiffany Thomas were picked to play in the event. Laurel coach Wendy Bekkedahl was also selected to guide the East A Team. Thomas was also chosen to play in the Rocky Mountain Shootout at Rocky Mountain College in Billings.

In boys basketball, Laurel seniors Zach Condon and Chris Oistad and Park City senior Joe Darkenwald were chosen to play in the Crowne Senior Classic at Billings Senior High School. Laurel head coach Pat Hansen coached the East A Team that Condon and Oistad played for.

Many area hoopsters were recognized for their play by being selected to All-Conference teams. The Laurel High School boys basketball team had three players chosen to the Easter A All-Conference list. Oistad, senior Scot McKinney and junior Josh Barta made the list.

Three members of the Laurel High School girls team were picked for the All-Conference list. Ceaser, Myers and Thomas each made the Eastern A All-Conference team.

In Class C boys basketball, two Park City players and one Joliet player earned All-Conference status. For the Panthers, Darkenwald and junior Lane Diercks were picked. For the J-Hawks, freshman Jordan Luoma was the lone player to be named All-Conference.

The Joliet and Park City girls basketball teams each had multiple players achieve the All-Conference list. For Joliet, juniors Cindy Kern, Jessie Konoske and Michaela O'Dore were named All-Conference. For Park City, junior Kaci Popp and sophomore Holli Michael received the postseason honor.

High school weight lifters met at the Park City gymnasium for the annual Gussicks-Laurel Ford Power Meet. The event drew 140 lifters. Laurel and Park City each had one lifter claim a championship in their respective weight classes. LHS senior Nate Ewalt placed first in the cruiserweight class (175-200 pounds). Ewalt's combined weight lifted in the three events of squat, bench press and deadlift was 1,190.

Park City senior Michael Cunningham also placed first at the Power Meet. Cunningham won the middleweight division (150-175 pounds) with a total weight of 1,055.

In late March, the Laurel High School softball team opened the 2007 season. The Locomotives began the season by sweeping Butte Central in a doubleheader. Laurel won the first game 2-1 and the second game 8-0. The Locomotives then piled up victories over Missoula Hellgate, Missoula Big Sky and Helena at the Class AA Jamboree. Laurel dropped an 8-3 contest to Kalispell at the jamboree.

Bob Schafer hit a hole-in-one at the Laurel Golf Course in March. Schafer used a nine iron to ace the par three eighth hole. Erv Metzger and Jim Stevenson witnessed the shot.

April

Local area track teams had several meets on tap for April. However, mother nature was not too cooperative as the Locomotives had meets at Hardin and Powell canceled because of adverse weather. The Park City and Joliet High School track teams also missed two meets - the Absarokee Invitational and the Joliet Invite.

Once the weather became cooperative, the Laurel thinclads competed in the Billings Invitational, the Sheridan Invitational, the Huntley Project Invitational and the Butte Central Invitational. Both the Laurel boys and girls teams placed in the top five at the Sheridan, Huntley and Butte Central meets. The Trainmen also earned a top five finish at the highly competitive Billings Invite. The Locomotive boys placed fifth at that meet.

After a couple canceled meets, the Park City and Joliet track teams were finally able to get in a competition with the Belfry Invitational at MetraPark. The Panthers went on to compete in the Huntley Project Invitational and the Park City-Harlowton Invite at MetraPark. The J-Hawks participated in the Park City-Harlowton Meet but did not make it to the Huntley meet. Park City senior Keaton McGee had a good day throwing shot put at the Huntley event. McGee won the shot put with a throw of 34-10. She also placed sixth in the discus.

The Laurel High School softball team was able to fight through the spring rain storms and played several games. The Locomotives racked up wins over Belgrade, Billings Central (twice), Hardin, Glendive (twice), Sidney and Livingston. Laurel's only loss of the month was a 3-2 defeat to Sidney.

Senior pitcher Kirby Myers was stellar in several starts throughout April, but her most impressive outing was the no-hitter that she threw against Glendive. Myers allowed only two walks in the Locomotives' 3-0 win over the Red Devils. Senior Tiffany Thomas smacked a pair of doubles and junior Brittany Sterna hit a home run in the victory.

The Stillwater Renegades softball team had a strong start to the 2007 season. The Renegades, a cooperative team made up of girls from Park City, Columbus and Absarokee, went 5-1 during its first week of play. Stillwater recorded victories over Poplar (twice), Huntley Project, Glasgow and Colstrip. Park City junior Kaci Popp and sophomore Holli Michael played big roles in the Renegades' hot start. The duo produced several multi-hit games and played strong defense as the second baseman-short stop combo.

The Park City High School golf team also braved the rain and cold to compete in a few tournaments. The Panthers played in the Manhatten Christian Invitational, Forsyth Invitational, Shepherd Invitational, Big Timber Invitational, Huntley Project Invitational and Roundup Invitational.

The Laurel Dodgers American Legion baseball team played its first games of 2007 in April. The Dodgers split a doubleheader with the visiting Billings Cardinals. Laurel won the first game 7-4 but dropped the second contest to 14-7. In the Dodgers' win, Joe Binstock and Chris Mjelstad each had two hits. Mjelstad also scored three runs and pitcher Jade Giovetti threw five strong innings, allowing just three runs while striking out four batters.

May

When May rolls around, the high school State track meets and softball tournaments are at the top of the list of the most exciting sports events.

The Joliet High School boys track team won its first Class C State Championship in Missoula by scoring 44 points and edging Big Sandy, which finished with 42 points. The J-Hawks received all 44 of their points from two athletes - sophomore Ryan Ketterling and freshman Jess Graber. Ketterling ran to three first place finishes. He won the 800-meter run, 1600-meter run and the 3200-meter run. Graber tacked on a second place finish in the 100-meter dash and a third in the 200-meter dash. Other team members on the State Championship squad included Casey Schenk, K.W. Lloyd, Adam Roller and John Songstad. Brice Turk coached the J-Hawks.

The Laurel High School boys track and field team fell just short of winning the Class A State Championship. The Trainmen placed second at the State Meet in Missoula with 60 points. Libby took home the title with 61 points. Senior Zach Condon and junior Patrick Casey led the Locomotive charge by each winning two events. Condon took home the first place medals in the 400-meters and the 800-meters. Casey swept the 1-mile and 2-mile runs. Casey and Condon also team with senior Chris Oistad and sophomore Kole Olsen to win first place in the 1600-meter relay. Senior teammate Scot McKinney added a third place finish in the javelin and Casey was fourth in the 800-meters.

The Laurel boys earned another trophy the week before State at the Eastern A Divisional Tournament. The Locomotives placed first with 165.5 points. Hardin was next with 116 points.

The Laurel girls track team placed 13th overall at the State Meet. Juniors Ashley Cooper and Justine Simons each placed in two events. Cooper was second in the 100-meter hurdles and sixth in the 300-meter hurdles. Simons was fourth in the 400-meter dash and sixth in the 100-meter dash.

In the softball world, a group of Park City girls played a big part in the Stillwater Renegades' Class B-C State Championship run. The Renegades, who are a cooperative team of girls from Park City, Columbus and Absarokee, defeated Florence 9-7 in the State title game.

The Renegades were seeded fifth entering the tournament but came through with wins over Simms, 11-1, Missoula Loyola, 5-4, Florence, 3-1, and Glasgow, 3-2, before facing Florence again in the championship. The Falcons beat Stillwater in the first title game 8-5 but the Renegades responded with a 9-7 victory in the second title matchup.

A total of six Park City girls played for the Renegades - junior Kaci Popp, sophomores Holli Michael, Annie Crawford and Lindsey Fox and freshmen Hollie Deis and Alex Stenger. Michael earned Class B-C All-State status for her play as a shortstop.

The Laurel High School softball team had an opportunity to defend its 2006 Class A State Championship at the 2007 State Tournament in Polson. Unfortunately, the Lady Locomotives' efforts fell short as they went 1-2. Laurel was handed a 3-1 loss from Libby in the opening round of the tournament. The Locomotives bounced back with a 23-2 rout over Havre in the consolation bracket. Laurel's tournament then ended when Corvallis defeated the Locomotives 6-1 in the consolation quarterfinals. Laurel's final record was 18-6.

Five Laurel players received postseason honors. Seniors Kirby Myers, Tiffany Thomas and junior Brittany Sterna were all named All-State and All-Conference First Team picks. Seniors Brittney Ceaser and Caitlyn Caron were chosen as All-Conference First Team players.

Six golfers on the Park City High School golf team qualified for the Class C State Meet in Lewistown. Boys team members that played at State were juniors Ryan Mohr and Josh Anthony and sophomore Ben West. Mohr had the Panthers' top score with a two-day total of 203. The Lady Panthers who competed at State were sophomores Nikki Peterson and Megan Westman and freshman Leah Sticka. Peterson had the top score for Park City with a 250.

The Laurel Dodgers American Legion baseball team began May in a rocky way by dropping two games of a doubleheader to Livingston. The Dodgers then lost the first game of a doubleheader with the Billings Blue Jays. Laurel did not stay down, however. The Dodgers fired back with a big 16-5 victory over the Blue Jays in the second game. Joe Binstock hit an inside-the-park home run in the win and had three runs batted in. Clay Graber provided five hits including a triple and a double.

June

Baseball fever was running high in June as the Laurel Dodgers American Legion baseball team competed in several tournaments and doubleheaders. The Dodgers went 4-0 as they went on to place first at the Eddie Gallo Memorial Tournament in Whitefish. Laurel defeated Libby, Kalispell and Mead, WA, to earn a chance to play for the tournament championship. The Dodgers triumphed over the Glacier Twins 7-0. Pitcher Jade Stricker struck out seven batters in the shutout. Stricker along with Chris Mjelstad and Joe Binstock each had two base hits in the championship victory.

The Outlook featured a story on the Field of Dreams action committee and its plan to renovate the Laurel High School football field and track. The plan calls for recrowning the football field, building stands for 2,000 people, adding an all-weather track surface, constructing a warming hut for players and officials, building new toilet facilities and improved landscaping. The projected cost of the project is just over $3 million dollars.

Several sports conducted summer camps in June. Over 100 kids participated in the Little Locomotive Football Camp for kids between kindergarten and sixth grade. The Little Locomotive Soccer Camp was also successful with 57 kids attending. The Laurel basketball and wrestling camps also had good turnouts.

Joliet head boys track coach Brice Turk was selected by the Montana Coaches Association as the Class C Boys Track and Field Coach of the Year. Turk coached the J-Hawks to the Class C State Championship in May.

Stillwater Renegades softball coach John Smith also received a Coach of the Year award from the MCA after he guided the Renegades to the Class B-C State Championship in May. Girls from Park City, Columbus and Absarokee make the Stillwater squad.

Gary McVay and son Michael competed in the Mile High Natural Body-Building Competition in Denver. Michael McVay placed second in the Teenage Division and second in the Novice Division. Gary McVay was second in the Masters Division. Michael McVay also placed third in the Open Middle Weight Division, while his dad Gary placed fourth.

The Montana Sharpshooters of Laurel participated in the International BB Gun Championship Match in Bowling Green, KY. The team was made up of six members of the Laurel Shooting Education Program that placed first at the Montana State BB Gun Match. The Montana Sharpshooters placed 16th out of 33 teams. Members of the squad were Steven Baumgartner, Amanda Edwards, Aaron Riemann, Heather Schreiner, Jarred Simons and Casey Wheeler. Travis Riemann, Jim Simons and Kathleen Baumgartner coached the team.

Laurel's Easton Padden placed first in the greco division of the Grand Nationals Wrestling Tournament in Butte. Padden also finished fourth in the freestyle division before sustaining a concussion.

There were three holes-in-one at the Laurel Golf Course in June. Jay Edwards shot a hole-in-one on the eighth hole using a nine-iron. Scott Crawford witnessed the shot.

Ken Kallem also hit a hole-in-one. Kallem aced hole number 17 from 178 yards using a seven iron. Steve Willis and Jayson Fouts each witnessed the shot.

Jim Ouren also aced a hole at the Laurel Golf Course. Ouren nailed a hole-in-one on the sixth hole using a 5-wood from 179-yards out. Bob, Dan, Richard and Chris Ouren witnessed Jim Ouren's shot.

July

The Laurel Dodgers American Legion baseball team had the pedal to the metal during July as it competed in a full slate of games. The Dodgers rode a seven game winning streak into the beginning of the month that included a doubleheader sweep over the Billings Blue Jays. Laurel went on to place second at its annual Fred Feuerbacher Memorial Tournament at Thomson Park. The Dodgers went 1-1 in pool play with a victory over the Billings Big League team and a loss to Sidney. Laurel defeated Miles City 8-2 in the semifinal game. Chris Mjelstad led the Dodgers with three base hits, including an RBI double. Laurel dropped the championship game to Sidney 6-5.

Later in the month, the Dodgers overcame a first-round loss to Sidney at the Eastern A District Tournament in Colstrip by reeling off four straight victories. Laurel defeated Colstrip, 21-2, the Billings Blue Jays, 10-2, Glasgow, 7-1 and the Billings Cardinals, 8-6, to earn a spot in the championship game against Sidney. The Patriots scored a pair of late inning runs to edge Laurel, 6-5, for the District title. Laurel's second place finish earned the team a berth at the Class A State Tournament in Libby in August.

The Laurel Fourth of July Chief Joseph Run had a record number of participants with 221 runners and walkers taking part in the 10th annual event. Patrick Casey and Sara Graries were winners of the 8-mile run. Zach Condon and Michaela O'Dore won first place in the 4-mile run. Kyle Stakly and Angela Hughes placed first in the 2-mile run. In the 4-mile walk, Carl McCoeen and Becky Wagner placed first. David Guethner and Jodi Wombolt were the top finishers in the 2-mile walk.

The 22nd annual Big Sky State Games were in July in Billings. Casey, a standout long distance runner at LHS, placed second in the Montana Mile at the Big Sky State Games Opening Ceremonies in Billings. Casey crossed the finish line in 4:27.40. Only Jon Ricardi, a graduate from Gardiner High School and current Idaho State athlete, placed ahead of Casey. Ricardi's winning time was 4:19.60.

The State Game events took place around Billings and Laurel with athletes from all around the state participating. Over 10,500 athletes from over 250 communities competed in the 36 different sporting events.

The Laurel Kara-Ho Kempo martial arts school won four Grand Champion trophies and 17 medals from the karate competitions of the Big Sky State Games. Guided by sensei Shane Thompson, six martial arts students grabbed medals from the State Games. Students include sensei Nic Tikalsky, Perry Bell, Zeb Bell, Zach Crone, Forrest Crowl and Cody Hubman.

The Laurel Golf Course hosted the 90th annual Montana State Men's Amateur Golf Tournament. Billings' Josh Hedge claimed his third straight State Am title by posting the lowest score out of the field of 192 competitors. His scores were 72-68-69-71 for a total of 280. Josh Gold of Kalispell was second with 283.

The Laurel Wood's Powr-Grip Junior Little League baseball team won the District 1 Tournament of Champions. Team members included Briant York, Garson Packard, Matt Heidinger, Dylan Kramer, Bobby Anderson, Davin Betts, Gentry Bailey, Brian Flotkoetter, Avery Bailey, Jemser Ambros, Justin Linse, Cole Dooper and coaches Dave York, Josh York and Craig Bailey.

The Park City Deis Construction baseball team won the Laurel Little League Minors Championship. Team members included Austin Arnold, Grant McNeil, Jesse Gee, Ty Robbie, Bryson England, Darian Miller, Tanis Ayers, Cole Branstetter, Ty Zuhoski, Cody Welborn, Michael Marchand, Dakota Westman, Zack Mill and coach Jim Peterson.

The Laurel Golf Course had two golfers sink holes-in-one during July. Sue Matson aced the eighth hole using an eight iron. Karl Matson, Randy Michael and Ralph Wetzel witnessed the shot.

Brad Fox also hit a hole-in-one. Fox used an eight iron to ace the par 3 eighth hole. Marcus Vuletich witnessed the shot.

August

Fall sports teams began tuning up for the 2007 season with two-a-day practices in August. A couple of teams even competed in their first competitions of the year.

The Laurel High School football team lost its home-opener to Cody, WY, 27-20. The Locomotives possessed a 20-13 lead at halftime after junior quarterback Zale Kaupish connected with senior Jordan Giles for touchdown passes of 80 and 32 yards. Kaupish also plunged into the end zone for a one-yard touchdown run. However, the Broncs outscored Laurel 14-0 in the second half and came away with the seven-point victory.

The LHS soccer teams also played their first matches of 2007 in August. The Laurel girls team opened with a 5-2 loss to Hamilton but rebounded with a 6-0 victory over Corvallis. Sisters Lexie and Katie Day combined for five goals and an assist in the victory. Freshman Alicia Elsenpeter accounted for the other Locomotive score.

The Locomotive boys soccer team had a rough first weekend as it dropped its first two games. Laurel first lost to Hamilton 7-2 and then Corvallis 2-1. Juniors Keith McGlothlin and Tony Bureau scored the Trainmen's two goals in the loss to Hamilton. McGlothlin kicked in the only goal against Corvallis.

The Laurel High School golf team also got out and swinging when it started the season at the Lewistown Invitational. The boys team placed fourth overall with junior John Michunovich leading the way with a 10th place finish. The Laurel girls were also fourth. Senior Emilee Herman had the Lady Locomotives top score as she placed 10th.

The Laurel Dodgers American Legion baseball team's season ended in early August after it was ousted from the Class A State Tournament in Libby. The Dodgers were eliminated from the tournament after suffering a 9-3 loss to Vauxhall, Alberta, Canada and a 2-1 loss to Gallatin Valley. Laurel finished with its best record in the last few seasons. The Dodgers were 33-21 overall.

Two teams of long distance runners from Laurel competed in the third annual Wild West Relay in Colorado. The relay race spanned 195 miles from Fort Collins, CO, to Steamboat Springs, CO. Laurel runners that participated in the event included Jill Havert, Chelsie Kerns, Taylor Condon, Amy Caldeira, Pat Highlander, Cody Englert, Robbin Nauman, Krayton Kerns, Zach Condon, Lisa Condon, Patrick Casey, Russ Nauman, Kathy Berger, Diane Jenkins, Druann Kerns, Whitney Nauman, Jessie Englert, Chad Nauman, Cory Jassen, Tyler Kerns, Rob Condon, Yvette Olson and Lee Diede.

For the fifth straight year, Sue Matson won the Ladies Club Championship at the Laurel Golf Course. Matson easily won the competition with rounds of 81 and 76. Her total score of 157 was 15 shots better than the second place finisher.

Jason Kelly and Kelly McLean were winners of the Laurel Golf Course's Mens Club Championship and the Senior Mens Club Championship. Kelly won the Mens Club Championship with a two-round total of 148. McLean took home top prizes in the Senior Mens Club Championship with 149.

A couple of hole-in-ones were scored in August. Mike Dantic smacked a hole-in-one on the par 3 third hole at Briarwoood. Dantic used an eight iron for the 157-yard shot. Robert “Fabio” Dantic, Gary McDaniels and Paul Matovich witnessed the shot.

Kris Jones hit a hole-in-one at the Laurel Golf Course. Jones used a six iron to ace the par 3 number six hole. Sue Matson, Karen Maddaus and Sandy Pratt witnessed the shot.

September

Local football, volleyball, cross country, soccer and golf teams had busy schedules throughout September.

Laurel High School senior Patrick Casey was perfect for the month by winning cross country meets at Joliet, Billings (twice), Hardin, Lewistown, Colstrip, Missoula and Huntley. Casey's efforts helped the LHS boys win the Huntley Invite and place third at Joliet and Hardin.

The Laurel girls cross country team put together second place finishes at the Hardin, Colstrip and Huntley Invitationals. Junior Jessie Englert led the Lady Locomotives by placing second at meets in Joliet, Hardin, Colstrip and Huntley.

The Laurel High School football team snatched two victories in September. The Locomotives first dumped Livingston 44-0. Junior quarterback Zale Kaupish threw three touchdown passes and ran for two more scores. Junior Kole Olsen grabbed two touchdowns and ran in another while junior Clay Graber also snagged a touchdown catch. Sophomore Jake Miller capped the scoring with a 27-yard touchdown run.

Laurel's other victory was a 14-0 shutout over Glendive. Following a forced fumble by sophomore middle linebacker Sean Condon, senior outside linebacker Josh Barta recovered the ball and returned it 95-yards for the Locomotives' first score. Barta also hauled in a 5-yard touchdown catch from Kaupish for Laurel's other score.

The Park City football team dropped its season opener to Winifred, 36-26. However, the Panthers bounced back strongly with wins over Shields Valley, Grass Range, Joliet and Bridger. Park City easily won each of those contests by posting an average margin of victory of 52.5 points. The Panthers biggest win was a 66-6 drubbing over Joliet. Senior tailback Josh Spainhower had three touchdown runs and senior quarterback Lane Diercks added two scores. Senior Ben Southworth ran in one touchdown and returned an interception for another score. Junior Seth Sedgwick and freshman Collin Hanson tacked on a pair of late touchdown scampers.

The Joliet High School football team went 2-2 during September. The J-Hawks' wins came against White Sulphur Springs and Gardiner. Joliet barely edged the Bruins in a 68-60 shootout. The J-Hawks scored 10 touchdowns in the win. Sophomore quarterback Zach Wogamon ran for four touchdowns and passed for three. Sophomore Jess Graber ran in three scores and Jordan Luoma caught two touchdown passes. Senior Tyler Murphy also grabbed a touchdown pass.

The Locomotive volleyball team kicked off its season by placing fourth in the Eastern A Showcase Tournament in Hardin. Laurel went 2-3 in pool play with victories over Sidney and Billings Central. In bracket play, the Locomotives lost to Sidney, 25-21, 24-26, 15-9, in the match for third place.

The Park City volleyball team placed in its own tournament that was played at the Laurel High School gymnasium. The Panthers went 3-1 in pool play with wins over Harlowton, Reed Point-Rapelje and Stanford. In the third place match, Park City fell to Ennis 26-24, 25-20.

The LHS golf team played in its own tournament at the Laurel Golf Course. Junior Justin Arney led the Locomotive boys team with an 88 while senior Emilee Herman led the Lady Locomotives by also shooting an 88. Herman cracked the top 10 and finished tied for seventh overall.

The Locomotive girls soccer team posted a big 9-1 win over Bigfork. Junior Lexie Day had the best game of her prep career as she scored six goals and two assists. Junior Katy Raisl, sophomore Alicia Simms and freshman Katie Day also had goals in the victory.

October

Several local high school fall sports teams wrapped up their seasons in October.

LHS senior Patrick Casey finished his prep cross country career with an exclamation point by taking first at the Class A State Meet in Helena. Casey won the meet in 15:38 and was 27 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Logan Torgison of Polson.

Two members of the Laurel girls cross country team also earned medals at the State Meet. Junior Jessie Englert was seventh overall and freshman Taylor Condon placed 15th.

Joliet had some big success at the State cross country meet. The J-Hawks boys and girls teams both took home the second place hardware from State. Leading the Joliet boys was junior Ryan Ketterling, who claimed the Class C boys title by winning the race in 16:09. He was almost a full minute ahead of the second place finisher. Fellow Joliet junior John Songstad placed ninth overall.

For the Lady J-Hawks, senior Michaela O'Dore led the team by placing fourth overall. Freshman sister Mackenzie O'Dore followed in eighth place and senior Stacy Rieb was 11th.

The Laurel golf team had home-course advantage for the Eastern A Divisional Tournament, which was played at the Laurel Golf Club. Three Locomotives prospered from playing on their home course and earned top 15 placement to qualify for the Class A State Tournament at Old Works Golf Course in Anaconda. Seniors Emilee Herman and Rachel Black and junior John Michunovich made the cut for State. Herman was seventh at Divisionals while Black finished 10th. Michunovich was ninth in the boys competition. At State, none of the Locomotive golfers placed in the top 10 but all three improved on their first-round totals and show lower rounds on the second day of competition.

The Laurel High School football team fell one win short of making the Class A playoffs. The Locomotives set themselves up for a playoff berth by dispatching Miles City 27-15. Junior quarterback Zale Kaupish scored two rushing touchdowns and one passing touchdown in the victory. Senior Jordan Giles added another score to go with 179 yards rushing. Laurel lost its bid for the playoffs the following week when it fell to Hardin 14-7.

The Park City football team earned a spot in the playoffs by posting a 6-2 regular season mark. The Panthers traveled to Winifred and battled to a 0-0 tie at halftime. In the second half, the Red Raiders took over and won 30-0.

The Joliet High School football team also played its final game of the season in October. The J-Hawks finished the season with a 3-5 record. One of the J-Hawks' victories was a 28-24 decision over Shields Valley. Sophomore quarterback Zach Wogamon ran for one touchdown and threw for another two. Sophomore Jess Graber also ran for a touchdown and sophomore Jordan Luoma hauled in a pass for a score.

Both the Laurel High School boys and girls soccer teams missed out on making the Class A playoffs. The Trainmen went 4-7-1 overall and the Lady Locomotives were 6-6. The Locomotive boys finished the season with a 5-2 victory over Belgrade. Senior Jeff Dionne paced Laurel with two goals and two assists. Junior Tim Simonich added a goal and an assist and classmates Keith McGlothlin and Juan Melendez each scored one goal.

The Laurel girls team recorded a 1-0 victory over Livingston in the final week of the season. The Locomotives' lone goal came off the foot of junior Lexie Day. Senior Emilee Schessler made four saves at goalie in the shutout victory.

November

Two local prep volleyball teams highlighted November by making the State Tournament in Bozeman. The Park City High School volleyball team earned its third straight trip to State while the Laurel High School volleyball team pulled off a set of upsets at Divisionals and made its first State Tournament since 2001.

The Locomotives entered the Eastern A Divisional Tournament as the fifth seed but pulled off wins over Glendive, Hardin, Billings Central and Sidney to make it to the championship match. The Locomotives lost in the title match to Miles City. At State, the Locomotives went 0-2 with their losses coming from Libby and Anaconda.

Park City qualified for State by placing second at its District 4C Tournament and second at the Southern C Divisional Tournament. At State, the Panthers could not find a victory and went 0-2. Park City's losses at State came from Shields Valley and Highwood.

The Joliet High School volleyball team's season ended in early November at the Southern C Divisional Tournament in Joliet. The J-Hawks earned a Divisional berth by placing fourth at the District 4C Tournament in Absarokee. At Divisionals, the J-Hawks defeated Denton but lost to Tri-City and Bridger.

Several local athletes earned selection to All-Conference lists. The Laurel High School football team had seven players make the Eastern A All-Conference list. Seniors Josh Barta Jordan Giles and Derek Morris, juniors Zale Kaupish and Clay Graber and sophomores Sean Condon and Jake Miller each achieved All-Conference status.

The Park City football team had eight players on the Southern C South subdivision All-Conference list. Seniors Lane Diercks, Josh Spainhower, Josh Anthony, Matt Kaizer, Ben Southworth, Ryan Mohr, junior Thomas White and sophomore Boe Robbie were selected to the list.

The Joliet football team had three players chosen to the Southern C South subdivision All-Conference team. Seniors Rob Newton and Ty Wilson and junior Jordan Unger were the All-Conference selections for the J-Hawks.

For the Laurel High School boys soccer team, five players earned Eastern A All-Conference honors. Senior Jeff Dionne, juniors Keith McGlothlin, Tim Simonich and Tony Bureau and sophomore Alex Gappa received the post season honor. McGlothlin was also selected as an All-State player.

The LHS girls soccer team had four players on the Eastern A All-Conference list. Senior Rena Woodard, juniors Lexie Day and Sara Ford and sophomore Alicia Simms were picked for the list. Woodard also received All-State honors.

Four Lady Locomotives from the LHS volleyball team earned All-Conference recognition. Seniors Jessica Gallagher, Ashley Cooper, Kacie Sanderson and Justine Simons each received All-Conference nods. Gallagher was also one of four players from the Eastern A to be named All-State.

For the District 4C volleyball league, Park City had four players and Joliet had two players who earned All-Conference honors. The Lady Panthers picked to the list were seniors Kaci Popp and Alissa Sallee and junior Holli Michael and Annie Crawford. The Lady J-Hawks chosen were senior Michaela O'Dore and junior Demi Suko.

The Laurel Middle School wrestling team won the Laurel Invitational. Nine Locomotive grapplers took first place in their weight classes - Tyson Adams, Austin Boucher, Michael Cellmer, Tommy Cooper, Dylan Kramer, Karson Kukes, Kolter Kukes, Morgan Thurman and Misa Vasquez.

December

In December, the Laurel High School wrestling team started its season with the Billings Invitational at Billings West High School. The Trainmen placed 10th overall at that tournament. Sophomore Ryan Salacinski was Laurel's top placer as he finished second in the 105-pound weight class.

The Locomotives also competed in tournaments at Forsyth and Great Falls. At Forsyth, junior Easton Padden (140 pounds) and senior Bill Olson (145 pounds) each placed first. At Great Falls, Olson was the lone Locomotive to place. He finished sixth.

In the basketball world, the Laurel High School boys team had a rough start as it lost its first three games. However, the Trainmen got on track by claiming four straight victories over Billings Central, Miles City, Hardin and Lewistown. In the 60-48 win over the arch-rival Rams, sophomore Sean Condon had 17 points and seven rebounds. Senior Josh Barta added 14 points.

The Laurel High School girls basketball team also took to the courts in December. Laurel got off to a rough start by compiling a 1-6 record. The Locomotives' lone victory came over Browning, 44-34. Senior Kacie Sanderson scored a team high in that win with 14 points. She also reeled in 10 rebounds while sophomore Kaitlyn O'Rourke tacked on 11 points.

The local Class C basketball teams were also in action. The Joliet High School girls team got off to a good start by earning a 4-2 mark. The Lady J-Hawks wins were over Custer, Park City, Bridger-Fromberg and Plenty Coups. Joliet's two losses were both close contests as the J-Hawks fell to Plevna 44-37 and Roundup 49-48. In the Roundup loss, senior Cindy Kern nailed a 3-pointer with just under a minute remaining to give Joliet a one-point lead. However, Roundup pulled off the one-point victory by sinking a pair of free throws in the final moments of the game.

The Park City High School girls basketball team also had a strong beginning in the 2007-08 season. The Panthers fired out of the gates by winning their first three games against the Billings Skyview JV, Hobson and Reed Point-Rapelje. Joliet then handed Park City its first loss but the Panthers bounced back quickly with a 61-42 victory over Plenty Coups. Senior Kaci Popp scored a game-high 17 points in that win. The Panthers lost their final game of 2007 to Absarokee, 53-47.

After defeating Belfry 58-43 in its season opener, the Park City High School boys basketball team faced a pair of tough junior varsity teams from Billings. The Panthers sustained an 82-58 loss to Billings Senior and a 96-59 loss from Billings West. Park City was then dealt a loss by Reed Point-Rapelje but rebounded with a 73-58 win over Joliet. Senior Josh Anthony went for 16 points in that victory and senior Matt Kaizer tagged on 15 points. The Panthers finished 2007 with a loss to Plenty Coups and a win over Absarokee.

The Joliet High School boys basketball team earned one victory in its first six tries. The J-Hawks crushed Custer 36-29 at the Joliet Tip-Off Tournament. Junior Beau Berumen led the J-Hawks with 12 points in the victory. Freshman Will Crawford chipped in nine points. The J-Hawks five losses are from Plevna, Roundup, Park City, Bridger and Plenty Coups.

LHS senior cross country runner Patrick Casey competed at the national level by running in the High School Foot Locker Cross Country West Regional Meet in Walnut, CA, and also the Junior Olympic Championship in Lawrence, KS. Casey placed 14th at the Foot Locker meet and then ran to victory at the Junior Olympic meet. Casey clocked a 15:59 winning time in the 5K Young Men's Division.