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Refereeing hurt just part of the game
The second I heard Paul McCarthy’s Achilles tendon snap in two, I decided it was time to retire from playing softball.
I was coaching third base, and Paul was playing the hot corner. One of my teammates smashed a ball that went between Paul’s legs. From the sound of it, I thought the ball hit him in the shin, but it continued on a straight light to left field.
Paul crumbled to the ground, clearly agonizing in pain.
“Did the ball hit your leg?” I asked.
“No. I snapped my Achilles,” Paul said.
Since Paul was not and never has been a doctor, I wondered how he could diagnose his own injury so quickly. The reason, it turns out, is because Paul snapped the Achilles tendon on his other leg a couple years earlier.
So, not only did Paul know the severity of his injury, he knew the long road to recovery he was facing — right at the beginning of summer, too.
I was in my mid-30s, and Paul was a few years older. We were playing a game where you stand around and do nothing forever. Then, you go all out for a short burst. It is a muscle- and tendon-killing sport.
It is really a silly thing for someone older than 30 to do.
That is what I realized as Paul’s teammates helped him to the dugout. I decided right then that my days of playing softball were over. I finished out the season, and never played again.
I gave up playing pickup basketball games for the same reason. I don’t want to tear an ACL or snap a tendon trying to relive the glory days that weren’t so glorious in the first place.
It just isn’t worth it. There is no reward in it.
Refereeing basketball, however, is different. It is worth the injury risk. Or, more likely, it is worth the injury certainty.
At 48 ½, I was much too old to start running up and down the court with high school athletes. Yet, that is what I started doing last season.
After years of encouraging others to referee or take it easy on referees, Jon Kinzle called to encourage me to join the Butte pool. He knew that I was no longer covering the sports as a writer, so I had no reason to not do what I had long been telling others to do.
Living with labrum tears in both hips — as a lot of people my age deal with — was not an excuse as long as I could make it up and down the court.
Players play in pain quite a bit. Referees do it all the time.
That was one of the biggest eye openers when I joined the Montana Officials Association. Seeing what the men and women go through in the locker room to get ready for the games is a true testament to the dedication the officials give to their craft.
Some of those referee suitcases look like a medical closet. They bathe their legs with Bengay to try to ease their aching muscles. Others have to hit all those muscles with a massage gun for 20 minutes or more before they get dressed.
Getting dressed is another story. Putting on all the braces, compression pants and sleeves is very time consuming.
Physical therapy is also no stranger to a lot of referees. I know one official who went through weekly dry needling sessions just so he could get through one more season.
Grey and white hair is nothing out of the ordinary, either. I will be 50 in a couple of months, and I look around our weekly study club meetings to see that there are more officials older than me than there are younger.
I know that very few of them are feeling close to 100 percent. Most are dealing with at least one injury or soreness as we work our way into the crunch time portion of the schedule.
A few weeks ago, I suffered the dreaded calf strain that so many of my fellow officials have battled. Refereeing a freshman boys’ game in Butte High’s old gym, I took a step back as I watched the action from the “trail position” outside the 3-point line.
I had to look back to make sure there really wasn’t a guy behind me with a knife because it felt like I was stabbed. It wasn’t a snapped Achilles like Paul suffered, but it hurt.
While I was visibly limping the rest of the game, I was able to finish. Then I went to the study club and got some great advice from a handful of officials who knew exactly what I was talking about.
I iced and stretched for eight days before my next game, and I felt pretty good. So, I took two games each day on Tuesday and Thursday the next week.
That was a mistake.
By the end of the first half of the first game, I could hardly walk because the injury flared up. Butte High football coach Arie Grey lent me one of his calf sleeves, and that helped a ton when walking or laying around off of the court.
It didn’t help during those games, but I made it through. I had no idea how I was supposed to do it again two days later. But I had no choice.
Our pool leaders were practically begging people to try to fill some games. So, there was no way I could back out.
So, a tube of Bengay, my son’s massage gun and a ton of stretching got me through. The injury is feeling a lot better, and it probably won’t make me miss any games. But it takes a whole lot of extra time to get ready for each game.
For about an hour before I even leave my house, I am loading up on ibuprofen, Bengay, massaging and stretching.
When it comes to aches and pains, though, I take a back seat to so many other officials around the state. Some men and women have been doing this for decades. They know how to play hurt.
We have so few officials that they have no choice but to play through injuries. Otherwise, our young athletes would not be able to play games at all.
That is why we officiate. We don’t do it so we can pick which team will win. We do it so the boys and girls get the chance to play the games like we did.
When you tell an official that he or she is a cheater, or awful, or pathetic because you don’t like a call, you are only reducing those dwindling numbers. You might think you are helping your son or daughter, but you are doing the exact opposite.
Not only are you looking like a fool while setting a poor example for the future generations, you are pushing officials out the door. You are pushing us one step closer to the days of canceled games or even canceled seasons.
There is no doubt that officials get some calls wrong. But they have studied the rules, and they make a lot more correct calls than you probably care to notice.
Plus, those officials out there are playing through pain and the threat of a snapped Achilles tendon just so your son or daughter can play the game.
Hopefully, you will think about that the next time you yell at them.
— Bill Foley, who will never get the smell of Bengay out of his nose, can be reached at foles74@gmail.com. Follow him at twitter.com/Foles74. Listen to him on the ButteCast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you find your favorite podcasts.
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Bulldog wrestling fans set to kick off State with social in Billings
The annual Butte High wrestling fan social is set for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Big Horn Resort Conference Room (1801 Majestic Lane) in Billings
The purpose of the social is to fire up fans to cheer on the Bulldogs at the State wrestling tournament at the Metra. The event will feature a drink bar attached to the room, and no outside food or beverages will be allowed.
It will also feature a guest speaker and Bulldog wrestling trivia. Appetizers will be provided, and prizes will be given out during the evening.
Butte High is the only school in the state that hosts such an event, which is put on by the fans for the fans. Bring your families and get ready to cheer on the Bulldog boys’ and girls’ wrestlers.
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Leskovar Honda Athletes of the Week: Nevaeh Grunhuvd and Jack Keeley
Butte High wrestler Nevaeh Grunhuvd and Butte Central basketball player Jack Keeley are this week’s Leskovar Honda Athletes of the Week.
Grunhuvd, a sophomore, takes home the girls’ honor after winning the Western AA Divisional title at 132 pounds over the weekend in Helena.
After moving on with a pair of byes, Grunhuvd defeated Kalispell Flathead’s Autumn Thompson in a 15-6 major decision in the semifinals. She then pinned Flathead’s Kiera Lackey in 1 minute, 45 seconds in the championship match.
Grunhuvd, whose sister Sophie won the 126-pound title, will be the No. 1 seed from the Western AA in her weight class at the State tournament this week in Billings.
Keeley, a senior, takes home the boys’ honor after an incredible eight-day run.
The future Montana Tech football player scored on a put back as time expired to lift BC to a 64-63 win over previously unbeaten Hamilton Jan. 27 in Hamilton. Then he poured in a career-high 29 points to lead BC to a 63-57 home win over Frenchtown Thursday at the Maroon Activities Center.
On Saturday, Keeley scored 10 points as the Maroons dropped a hard-fought 55-53 decision to Hamilton at the MAC.
“He’s been unreal,” BC coach Brodie Kelly said of Keeley’s strong senior season.
For the second year, Leskovar Honda, home of the 20-year, 200,000-mile warranty, is teaming up with the ButteCast to honor the finest athletes from the Mining City in an effort to encourage more children to get up, get out and try all kinds of sports and activities.
Photo of Grunhuvd is courtesy Alycia Holland Photography.
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KC basketball schedule
Following is the Knights of Columbus Athletic Club’s four-man basketball schedule for the week of Feb. 5. The season-ending double-loss tournament will begin next week. This week’s winning teams should text the results to Dan Boyle.
Monday
7 p.m. — Poi Time vs. Cook
8 p.m. — Parish vs. PulaskiTuesday
7 p.m. — Jellyfam vs. Gremlins
8 p.m. — Washington Generals vs. Alley OopsiesWednesday
7 p.m. — ButteSports vs. Baer
8 p.m. — City Bois vs. Hoopin Heathens
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Butte Sports Hall of Fame announcement set for Tuesday
The Butte Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2024 will be announced during a press conference at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the lobby of the Butte Civic Center.
The conference will be broadcast live during KBOW Partyline (550 AM, 101.5 FM, kbow550.net or on the KBOW app).
The public is invited to attend the announcement, and the individuals elected to the Class of 2024 have already been notified of their selection.
The Green Jacket Ceremony and induction banquet will be held July 19-20 at the Civic Center. This year will mark the 19th class of the Butte Sports Hall of Fame, which was founded by Don Peoples Sr. and the late Pat Kearney in 1987.
The next class will be inducted in 2026.
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Podcast No. 166: Brandon Scown
When I played Little League Baseball, we all felt like we were big leaguers.
That is because Northwest Little League president Jim Scown made us feel that way. He announced all of our games, which were played in full uniform, like we were all superstars.
Mr. Scown would announce the players when they came to bat. He would then narrate their trips around the bases. Even though we were literally playing on mine tailings, it felt like we were playing in Fenway Park or Yankee Stadium.
In 1988, two years after I finished my career, the tailings were removed (or covered), and the field now has a grass outfield and infield. It was dedicated for the league president who put in countless hours of volunteer time so we could play ball.
Today, Mr. Scown’s grandson, Brandon Scown, is the president of Northwest Little League, and he is striving to return that big-time atmosphere to games played at the stadium that is now named Jim Scown Field.
It is the best Little League field in the city, and it was once regarded as one of the best in the Northwest. Brandon wants to bring that back.
That is why the old bleachers at Scown Field were tore down this week. They will be replaced with temporary bleachers for at least this season before new bleachers are constructed.
It will take some time, patience and money. Some of that will be grant money. Other funds will come from local businesses and local donors.
If you would like to donate to the cause, contact Brandon at buttelittleleague@gmail.com.
Earlier today, I met with Brandon, a longtime friend and former rival Little League coach, at the Coaches Corner at the Metals Sports Bar & Grill for a fun conversation.
Listen in as Brandon talks about playing and coaching in the league his grandfather ran for so long. Listen in to hear about the plans he has for Scown Field and the Northwest Little League.
Listen in to hear that he is doing all this for the right reason. Also listen in to hear us veer of topic a few times, as old friends tend to do when they catch up.
Today’s podcast is presented by Casagranda’s Steakhouse. Eat where the locals eat.
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Podcast No. 165: Dr. Neil Rogers
Even before I ever met him, Dr. Neil Rogers was a part of my life.
For decades, I would hear him on the radio giving great advice on health and wellness in his 30-second ads. The ads were never telling the listeners to visit his office or to promote his own practice.
He just gave some good advice and closed the commentary by saying “a message from Dr. Neil Rogers.”
It was almost 20 years ago when I met Dr. Rogers for the first time. It was before I gave up drinking alcohol for good. I had too much one night and decided to fight my brother. It ended with my nose being moved the side of my face.
So, I went to Dr. Rogers. He packed my nose and then moved it back into place by using a highly-technical piece of medical equipment. His thumb and index finger.
After that, I got to know Dr. Rogers as he treated my son for his food allergies. We learned so much from those visits, and the treatment made life so much better for my boy. Thousands of Dr. Rogers’ patients over the past 50 years would tell you the same thing.
Dr. Rogers retired a little more than a year ago. He is 77 years old, but he acts more like he is 37. You can find him many days playing noon ball or working out at the Knights of Columbus.
Yesterday, I met with Dr. Rogers at the Coaches Corner at the Metals Sports Bar & Grill for a great conversation. Listen in as Dr. Rogers talks about growing up in a small mining town in Pennsylvania.
Listen as he talks about going to medical school in Upstate New York and meeting his best friend over a cadaver. Listen as he talks about moving to Butte, his years as a doctor and his lifetime of work as a photographer.
Listen to hear how he and his wife, Dr. Linda Rogers, are still very active. His retired life is still very, very busy.
Today’s podcast is brought to you by Leskovar Honda, home of the 20-year, 200,000-mile warrantee.
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Butte High girls’ subvarsity report
Following are the subvarsity reports, as provided by Butte High coaches, of the girls’ basketball teams games against Missoula Big Sky, Kalispell Flathead, Helena Capital and Helena High.
Missoula Big Sky sophomores 27, Butte High sophomores 16
MISSOULA —Tanna Kirolovich’s 12 points led the way as the Eagles knocked off the Bulldogs Jan. 19. Lilly Johnson added eight points in the win.Gracie Jonart netted six points to pace the Bulldogs. Reese Johnson scored four, and Morgan Collins tossed in three.
BUTTE HIGH — Gracie Jonart 6, Reese Johnson 4, Morgan Collins 3, Kyra Sullivan 1, Kendallyn Schad 2.
MISSOULA BIG SKY — Kennean Reesman 1, Gretchen Luderman 2, Tanna Kirolovich 12, Lilly Johnson 8, Avery Larson 2, Ellie Haskins 4.Butte High freshmen 32, Missoula Big Sky freshmen 14
MISSOULA — Allie Becker poured in 12 points as the Bulldogs picked up a convincing win over the Eagles Jan. 19.Becker knocked down shots from all over the court in the win. Kate DeShaw scored seven points, while Millee Guay knocked down some deep shots and scored five points.
Brittyn Klima took home Junkyard Dog honors for her aggressive rebounding.
BUTTE HIGH — Ellie Yates 2, Allie Becker 12, Kate DeShaw 7, Amelia Pearston 4, Kendallyn Schad 2, Millee Guay 5.
MISSOULA BIG SKY — Gretchen Lunderman 4, Grace Anderson 4, Ellie Haskins 6.Butte High JV 39, Kalispell Flathead JV 35
The Bulldogs improved to 4-3 with the gutsy victory over the Bravettes Jan. 23 in Butte.Gracie Ferriter shot 6 for 6 from the free throw line and scored 12 points to lead the Bulldogs, who saw eight players dent the scorebook.
Jaycee Cleveland and Autumn Clary each scored six points, and Emma Johnson tossed in five. Addie Hiatt, who scored four points, was also cited for great defense.
Clary took home Junkyard Dog honors. Caitlin Converse scored 10 points to lead Flathead.
FLATHEAD — Full names not available for all Flathead players.
BUTTE HIGH — Sidney Whitaker 3, Murphy Sullivan 1, Jaycee Cleveland 6, Autumn Clary 6, Addie Hiatt 4, Franki Salusso 2, Gracie Ferriter 12, Emma Johnson 5.
Butte High sophomores 31, Kalispell Flathead sophomores 26
Gracie Jonart’s 10 points led the way as the Bulldogs fought past the Bravettes Jan. 23 at the in Butte.Butte High also got eight points form Reece Johnson and six from Allie Becker.
FLATHEAD — Full names not available for all Flathead players.
BUTTE HIGH — Avery Barsness 2, Allie Becker 6, Gracie Jonart 10, Reese Johnson 8, Kate DeShaw 1, Amelia Pearston 2, Allie Ballensky 2.Butte High freshmen 51, Kalispell Flathead freshmen 7
The entire Bulldog team shared the Junkyard Dog honors for a team defense that held the Bravettes scoreless in the first and third quarters.Allie Becker’s 20-point performance passed Butte High’s stellar offensive performance. Reese Johnson scored 11 points, while Kate DeShaw knocked down eight. Kyra Sullivan scored five.
FLATHEAD — Aubrey Lindsey 3, Olivia Nymon 2, Jaspen Egsteel 2.
BUTTE HIGH — Avery Barsness 2, Allie Becker 20, Reese Johnson 11, Kate DeShaw 8, Kyra Sullivan 5, Kendallyn Schad 3, Brittyn Klima 2.Helena Capital JV 45, Butte High JV 18
Jaycee Cleveland scored 11 points to lead the Bulldogs as they fell to the Bruins Jan. 25 in Butte.Gracie Ferriter scored five points for Butte, whiel Addie Hiatt tossed in two.
Cleveland took home Junkyard Dog honors. Full names for the Capital players were not provided.
CAPITAL — Full names not available for all Capital players.
BUTTE HIGH — Jaycee Cleveland 11, Addie Hiatt 2, Gracie Ferriter 5.Helena Capital sophomores 38, Butte High sophomores 18
The Bruins ran away for the victory in the sophomore game.Ellie Yates and Gracie Jonart scored six points to lead the Bulldogs in the loss.
Names for the Capital players were not provided.
CAPITAL — Full names not available for all Capital players.
BUTTE HIGH — Ellie Yates 6, Gracie Jonart 6, Reese Johnson 1, Kate DeShaw 1, Amelia Pearston 2, Morgan Collins 2.Butte High freshmen 42, Helena Capital freshmen 27
Reese Johnson poured in 10 points, and Butte High’s defense continued to stymie opponents in the victory Jan. 25 in Butte.Allie Becker scored seven points in the win. Brittyn Klima and Kate DeShaw followed with seven. Kendallyn Schad and Kyra Sullivan great in the hi-low post game.
Avery Barsness took home Junkyard Dog honors for her relentless pursuit on the defensive side of the court.
CAPITAL — Full names not available for all Capital players.
BUTTE HIGH — Avery Barsness 3, Allie Becker 9, Reese Johnson 10, Kate DeShaw 6, Kyra Sullivan 4, Kendallyn Schad 3, Brittyn Klima 7.Butte High JV 38, Helena High JV 35
The Bulldogs overcame a 27-9 halftime deficit for the thrilling victory Jan. 27 in Butte.Gracie Ferriter sank two 3-pointers and scored 14 points to lead Butte High, which improved its record to 6-3. Autumn Clary scored nine points for Butte, which also got four from Shelbie Byrnes and Addie Hiatt.
Cassidy Smith’s 12 points paced the Bengals.
HELENA HIGH — McKenna Pipinich 7, Emmie Bermingham 2, Brooklyn Smith 2, Dakota Lieberg 5, Lullia Keller 4, Cassidy Smith 12, Nelly Clevenger 3.
BUTTE HIGH — Shelbie Byrnes 4, Sidney Whitaker 2, Jaycee Cleveland 3, Autumn Clary 9, Addie Hiatt 4, Gracie Ferriter 14, Emma Johnson 14.Helena High froshmores 36, Butte High freshmen 23
Kortney McKay scored 13 points, and Stella Hilton tossed in 12 as an older Helena High team held off the Butte High freshman for the win Jan. 27 in Butte.
Brittyn Klima scored 12 points to lead the Bulldogs. She also took home Junkyard Dog honors for her rebounding and aggressive play in the post.
Kate DeShaw and Kendallyn Schad each scored four points for Butte High.
HELENA HIGH — Stella Hilton 12, Kortney McKay 13, Alexa Lundstrum 6, Emmie Bermingham 3, Brooklyn Smith 2.
BUTTE HIGH — Ellie Yates 2, Kate DeShaw 4, Reese Johnson 1, Kendallyn Schad 4, Brittyn Klima 12. -
Now there is no choice but to cheer for the Tigers and Crimson Tide
Over the last two decades, there has been no college football team I have despised more than Louisiana State University.
I would say about 99 percent of that is because my good friend Paul Panisko was a longtime LSU fan. His LSU fandom came with a huge dose of smugness and a smidge of snobbishness.
That snootiness carried over to the rest of the overrated Southeastern Conference, and Paul even defended the college football powers who gave us rematches of the SEC Championship Game as “National Championship Games.”
We argued about that live on KBOW many times over the years.
Paul is easily the No. 1 reason I cheer against LSU. Now that I think of it, I’m pretty sure he is the reason I root against every team in the SEC.
Likewise, I’m pretty sure his intense hatred of Notre Dame was fueled, in large part, by my smugness and snobbishness about the Fighting Irish.
Up above, I wrote that that Paul “was” a huge LSU fan. I don’t believe he is much into the purple and yellow anymore. I am pretty sure that he gave up on the Tigers when LSU hired Brian Kelly away from Notre Dame after the 2021 season.
While I have never met the man personally, I have heard that Kelly just might be the biggest jerk in the history of college football. It seems like every coach knows every coach in the small fraternity of college football coaches. I have talked to multiple coaches about Kelly, and they all told me the same thing.
The guy is a boob.
I watched about a half of an episode of “A Season With Notre Dame Football” on Showtime and came to the conclusion Kelly is not my kind of guy.
He seems like a real-life David Simms. That is to say that he hates old people, children and dogs like Don Johnson’s character in the movie “Tin Cup.”
In postgame interviews, Kelly takes credit for wins and blames his players for losses. After a closer-than-expected win over Florida State in 2021, Kelly said that he wanted to execute his entire team.
He was trying to make a play on the great line by John McKay when he coached the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Many were offended because Kelly made a joke about killing students after being named liable for the death of a student videographer, who died after a hydraulic lift fell over while filming practice in gusty winds. That is not a good look.
More than anything, though, his botching of the joke so badly showed the world that Kelly is severely lacking in the personality and sense of humor departments.
Don’t even get me started Kelly’s creepy dancing video that he recorded shortly after taking over LSU. Or Kelly’s sudden southern accent after moving from South Bend, Indiana to Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
He made Hillary Clinton seem authentic when it appeared she was doing a Martin Luther King Jr. impersonation while speaking at a southern church.
Even though I had no choice but to be a Notre Dame fan growing up, I struggled to root for the Irish when Kelly was coaching.
There was just absolutely no way I could cheer for LSU if Kelly is the coach.
Until now, that is. Now I have no other choice.
Recently, 1989 Butte Central graduate Kevin Peoples left Missouri to coach the edge rushers at LSU. Peoples, the brother of Butte Central coaches Doug and Don Peoples Jr., followed new LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker after the two helped lead the Missouri Tigers to an 11-2 record and a win 14-3 win over Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl.
I can no longer cheer against LSU because Kevin is just one heck of a good guy. I first got to know him when he was a teammate of my older brother in junior high football and basketball in the early 1980s.
Kevin was always nice to me back in the days when I was the dorky little brother of his teammate. So, I always liked Kevin. I even wrote a column to try to get him to apply for the Montana State head coaching job a few years ago.
I closely followed Kevin’s coaching career through his many stops over the last three decades. That includes the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Tulane and Indiana.
When the Chicago Bears drafted Tulane receiver Darnell Mooney, Kevin called to tell me that I would love having him on my favorite team. Kevin recruited Mooney to Tulane and raved about the person the young man was.
Of course, Coach Peoples’ father is former Butte-Silver Bow Chief Executive Don Peoples Sr., who just might be the most important Butte person over the last half century. As the mines were closing in Butte and our economy was collapsing in the 1980s, Don Peoples Sr. reminded us all that Butte is the Can-Do City.
His steady hand of leadership led the Mining City through perhaps its roughest time.
So, unless he gets a job with the Green Bay Packers, I will cheer for Kevin Peoples’ team — even if his new boss is hating on old people, children and dogs.
Who knows? Maybe Kevin will convince me that I am wrong about Kelly.
That just leaves me with one team to cheer against: Alabama.
The Crimson Tide are the only team that even rivals LSU in the despise department over the last 20 years.
I never met him, but I would bet anything that Nick Saban hates old people, children and dogs, too. Saban was asked about the presidential election the day after Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton, and he said he didn’t know there was even an election.
He was too wrapped up in his team’s next game to notice. Does that sound like someone who is going to stop and pet your dog?
Saban almost makes Brian Kelly look like he has a personality. Almost.
Even after Saban retired as head coach of Alabama following the Rose Bowl, there is no way I could cheer for Alabama. I don’t even like to say “Roll Diggs” when cheering for the Montana Tech Orediggers because they are stealing from Alabama’s “Roll Tide.”
Then Kalen DeBoer was hired as head coach of Alabama.
I have never met DeBoer, but I know former Montana Tech football coach Chuck Morrell pretty well, and he would lay down on the street for DeBoer. The two have been best friends for decades.
Chuck, who likes old people, children and dogs, said he wanted to stay in Butte and coach the Orediggers. There was only one person he would leave for, and DeBoer came calling when he was hired as head coach of Fresno State following the 2019 season.
DeBoer took Chuck to Washington with him as the defensive coordinator, and the two coached in the national championship game.
If Chuck says he’s a good guy, then he is a good guy. Plus, odds are that Chuck will join DeBoer on the Alabama coaching staff.
Just like with Kevin Peoples, there is just no way I could ever cheer against Chuck Morrell.
So, here I am stuck not knowing which college football teams to hate.
We live in such confusing times.
— Bill Foley, who will always have the Packers to cheer against, can be reached at foles74@gmail.com. Follow him at twitter.com/Foles74. Listen to him on the ButteCast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you find your favorite podcasts.
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Leskovar Honda Athletes of the Week: Lily Jaksha and Nathan Stone
Butte High swimmers Lily Jaksha and Nathan Stone are this week’s Leskovar Honda Athletes of the Week.
The honors come as the Bulldogs gear up for the State swimming meet in Great Falls.
Jaksha, a senior, takes home the girls’ honors after posting her best times this week. She is a captain of the Bulldog team.
“She has been taking time off every meet, and she places in the top 10 every meet,” Bulldog coach Lynn Shrader said.
Stone, a sophomore, receives the boys’ award after placing in the top 10 every meet.
“He leads our boys’ team,” Shrader said. “He has also had best times every week.”
The Bulldog swimmers will compete at State Feb. 8-10.
For the second year, Leskovar Honda, home of the 20-year, 200,000-mile warranty, is teaming up with the ButteCast to honor the finest athletes from the Mining City in an effort to encourage more children to get up, get out and try all kinds of sports and activities.
