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  • Podcast No. 293: Brian Gilman

    Podcast No. 293: Brian Gilman

    Brian Gilman is a 1988 graduate of Butte High School.

    A black belt in Taekwondo, Brian played football at Butte High before walking on the football team at Montana Tech. He was part of the Bulldog squad that fell 14-12 to Helena Capital in the Class AA State championship game, and that loss still hurts today.

    After graduating with a degree in environmental engineering from Montana Tech, Brian joined the Marines. After many jobs and deployments, he earned the rank of colonel before retiring after nearly 27 years of service.

    Today, Brian lives in Bozeman, where he is the chief executive officer for Warriors & Quiet Waters. There, Brian works to empower post-9/11 veterans to thrive.

    Warriors & Quiet Waters is a purpose-driven veteran service organization that offers nature-based experiences, a sense of community and belonging, and guided personal growth designed to restore minds, bodies and spirits of post-9/11 combat veterans and their loved ones.

    The organization has had a huge success rate.

    Listen in to this episode of the ButteCast as Brian talks about growing up in Butte and playing football for Butte High and Montana Tech. Listen in as he talks about the influence former Oredigger coach Bob Green had on his life.

    Listen in to hear why he joined the Marines after college and how he feels about the work he is doing today.

    Today’s podcast is presented by Thriftway Super Stops. Download the TLC app and start saving today. Click here for more on Warriors & Quiet Waters.

    This episode is also available on YouTube (without video):

  • Leskovar Honda Athletes of the Week: Will, Beau and Mya McGree

    Leskovar Honda Athletes of the Week: Will, Beau and Mya McGree

    Butte Central golfers Will, Beau and Mya McGree are this week’s Leskovar Honda Athletes of the Week.

    The honors come after the three McGree siblings qualified for the Class A State tournament. This is believed to be the first time three players from the same Butte family will compete in a State high school golf tournament.

    All three qualified for the trip to the State A tournament in Sidney at Friday’s Western A Divisional tournament in Hamilton. State will be played on the par-72 Sidney Country Club Friday and Saturday.

    Will is a senior, Beau is a sophomore, and Mya is an eighth grader. Will and Beau tied for seventh place in the boys’ tournament. Each fired a 7-over-par 79 at the Hamilton Golf Club. Mya qualified on the girls’ side by shooting a 105.

    The 2025 high school golf season saw at least one of the McGrees — sometimes all three — place in the top 10 of tournaments week after week.

    For the third year, Leskovar Honda, home of the 20-year, 200,000-mile warranty, is teaming up with the ButteCast to honor the finest student-athletes from the Mining City to encourage more children to get up, get out and try all kinds of sports and activities.

    In the photo above, from left to right, Beau, Mya and Will McGree.

  • KC basketball schedule

    KC basketball schedule

    Following is the Knights of Columbus Athletic Club’s four-man basketball schedule for the week of Sept. 29.

    Monday 
    7 p.m. — Hoopballas vs. Kenworthy
    8 p.m. — Poi Time vs. Jellyfam 
    9 p.m. — Ranchmens vs. Washington Generals 

    Tuesday 
    7 p.m. — Everett-Cook Law vs. Poi Time 
    8 p.m. — Everett-Cook Law vs. Someday Starters 
    9 p.m. — Hoopballas vs. Rosary Rattlers 

    Wednesday 
    7 p.m. — Parish vs. Jellyfam 
    8 p.m. — Parish vs. Someday Starters 

    Thursday
    7 p.m. — Rosary Rattlers vs. Ranchmens 
    8 p.m. — Kenworthy vs. Washington Generals

  • Sentinel-Butte High stat sheet

    Sentinel-Butte High stat sheet

    Blaise Olson booted a 36-yard field goal as time expired Friday night at Naranche Stadium to give the Missoula Sentinel a 10-7 Western AA win over Butte High.

    Rudy Hess tossed a 33-yard touchdown pass to Jayce Eby on Sentinel’s first possession of the game. The play came on fourth down.

    Raeder Grey scored on a 4-yard quarterback keeper late in the third quarter to tie the game.

    In his first start at quarterback, Grey passed for 141 yards. He hit Kaleb Celli five times for 61 yards. Hudson Luedtke caught four passes for 77 yards.

    Mitch Verlanic had a monster game again to lead the Bulldog defense. He registered 16 total tackles, 10 of which were solo. Luedtke and Fin Wortham each got in on 13 tackles, while Jaeger Hanson collected.

    Butte also got nine tackles from Gunner Bushman and six apiece from Grady Foley and Bradey Doyle.

    Butte High will play host to Helena High next Friday night. The game will start at 7:30 p.m. as Butte High celebrates Silver B’s Night.

  • Choquette, DeShaw, Johnston move on to State with top-10 showings

    Choquette, DeShaw, Johnston move on to State with top-10 showings

    Bulldogs Lisac, Leber also qualify

    KALISPELL — Five Butte High golfers will represent the Bulldogs at the Class AA State tournament next Thursday and Friday at the Butte Country Club.

    That comes after three of those Bulldogs placed in the top 10 at the Western AA Divisional tournament at the Northern Pines Golf Course. The two-day tournament concluded on Friday. (Results)

    Choquette, a senior, tied for sixth place on the boys’ leaderboard with Helena High’s Austin Kaufman with a 3-over-par 147 two-day total. Choquette followed a 71 with a 76 on the par-72 course. Kaufman hit a final round 78 after an opening 69.

    Luke Nelson of Glacier followed a 68 with a 70 for medalist honors at 138. Hudson Goroski of Missoula Sentinel took second at 140, shooting a final-round 71. Torren Murry of Glacier took third at 142.

    Sentinel won the team title at 587. The Spartans shot a 299 after opening with an even-par 288. Glacier was second at 590, followed by Helena Capital at 616 and Missoula Big Sky at 651. Butte High placed sixth at 681, following a 339 with a 342.

    The top four teams and next eight individuals, including ties, move on to State.

    Eighth grader Land Lisac made the cut for the Bulldogs. Lisac followed an 86 with an 88 for a 174 total.

    Also for the Bulldogs, Braden Donnelly finished at 179 after shooting 87 and 92. Beckham Kinsey improved 12 shots for an 86 and a 184 total, and Miles Choquette finished at 197 after a 95 and a 102.

    On the girls’ side, DeShaw tied with Abbi Townsend of Glacier for seventh place at 186. The Bulldog junior improved two shots for a 92 on the final round.

    Keeley Johnston, a senior, tied for 10th place at 190. She improved eight shots for a 91 on Friday.

    Sage Leber, a sophomore, made a big jump on Day 2, improving 16 shots for a 104 and a 224 to make the cut.

    Baely Norris hit a 245 total for the Bulldogs, while Julia DeShaw finished at 277.

    The Bulldogs tied for fifth place with Helena Capital at 845. Butte High slipped from the fourth spot after Day 1, even though they improved 17 shots for a 414 on Friday.

    Glacier won the team title at 718. The Wolfpack was followed by Helena High at 760, Missoula Big Sky at 802 and Kalispell Flathead at 820.

  • McGrees, Kachmarik qualify for State

    McGrees, Kachmarik qualify for State

    HAMILTON — Four Butte Central golfers — three with the last name McGree — qualified for the Class A State tournament Friday.

    Siblings Will, Beau and Mya McGree will play at the State tournament, which is next Friday and Saturday in Sidney, along with teammate Connor Kachmarik. The four BC golfers qualified to move on at the Western A Divisional meet at the Hamilton Golf Club. (Results)

    Will McGree is a senior, Beau McGree and Kachmarik are sophomores, and Mya McGree is an eighth grader. The top four teams and the next eight individuals, including ties, move on.

    Butte Central placed sixth in boys’ team standings at 335. Corvallis won at 296. The Blue Devils were followed by Frenchtown at 323, Polson at 329 and Dillon at 331. Whitefish placed fifth at 332.

    Will and Beau McGree tied for seventh place in the boys’ team standings with a 7-over-par 79. Brady Powell of Corvallis fired a 3-under 69 to take medalist honors. He was followed by teammate Tag Jessop at 72 and Polson’s Max Milton at 73.

    Kachmarik qualified with an 84. Drew Kachmarik fired a 93 for the Maroons, while Kelton Berger shot a 95.

    Mya McGree fired a 105 to qualify on the girls’ side. She is the only girl playing for the Maroons.

    Cameron Burnett of Hamilton took home medalist honors at 76. Ryhlee Scott of Whitefish took second at 83, while Skylar LaPierre and Briley Alberi followed at 86.

    Hamilton won the team total at 372. Whitefish took second at 377, Dillon placed third at 386, and Frenchtown placed fourth at 431.

  • Choquette tied for fifth, DeShaw eighth at Western AA golf

    Choquette tied for fifth, DeShaw eighth at Western AA golf

    KALISPELL — Some Butte High golfers took a big first step toward qualifying for next week’s Class AA State tournament at the Butte Country Club Thursday.

    Butte High senior Chase Choquette is tied for fifth place on the boys’ side of the Western AA Divisional tournament. Bulldog junior Kate DeShaw is tied for eighth place on the girls’ side.

    Choquette fired a 1-under-par 71 on the Northern Pines Golf Course. He is tied with Glacier’s Torren Murray.

    Luke Nelson of Glacier tops the leaderboard after firing a 4-under 68 on the first round. Hudson Goroski of Missoula Sentinel and Austin Kaufman of Helena High are tied for second at 69. Jack Schaefer of Sentinel sits at fourth at 70.

    As a team, the Sentinel boys matched par for a 288 to take control of the team race. Glacier is second at 294. Helena Capital is a distant third at 319. Missoula Big Sky is fourth at 320, one shot ahead of Flathead.

    Butte High sits in sixth place at 339.

    The top four teams advance to the State meet. The next eight individuals, including ties, also move on.

    Lane Lisac shot an 86 for the Bulldogs, beating teammate Braden Donnelly by one shot. Miles Choquette carded a 95 for the Dogs, and teammate Beckham Kinsey hit a 98.

    DeShaw shot a 94 to jump into the top 10. Maggie Milton of Glacier is leading the way at 86. She is one shot better than teammate Kendall Tkachyk and Capital’s Harlow Anderson.

    Glacier leads the team race at 359. Helena High is second at 381, followed by Missoula Big Sky at 406. At 431, Butte High holds onto the fourth spot. The Bulldogs are two shots better than fifth-place Capital.

    Butte’s Keeley Johnston is just outside the top 10. She is tied for 12th at 99. Baely Norris hit 118, while Sage Leber shot 120, and Julia DeShaw hit a 137.

    The final round begins at 10 a.m. Friday. Follow along live on the Golf Genius app with the passcode “25WAADIV.”

  • Houchin, Wiltsie, Houchin lead Bulldogs at Butte High Invite

    Houchin, Wiltsie, Houchin lead Bulldogs at Butte High Invite

    Camden Houchin, Levi Wiltsie and Sophia Houchin posted top-20 finishes to lead the Butte High Cross Country team Thursday at the Butte High Invitational cross country meet. (Results)

    Camden Houchin paced the Butte High boys. He placed seventh out of 124 runners, competing the 5-kilometer race at Stodden Park in 16 minutes, 30 seconds. Wiltsie, a fellow Bulldog senior, placed 13th, coming within 4 seconds of his personal best with a time of 16:42.

    Milo Kauffman of Helena High won the race in 15:41. Kyle McBee of Billings West took second in 16:13, and Miles Miller of Hellgate placed third in 16:19.

    Helena won the boys’ team title with 70 points. Hellgate was second at 93, followed by Flathead with 119. Butte High placed ninth out of 17 teams at 207.

    Senior Lincoln Zell placed 51st with an impressive time of 17:46 For Butte High. Junior Bridger Luebke finished in 18:13, one second ahead of Bulldog sophomore teammate Isaac Zell. Also for Butte High, junior Charles Killebrew crossed in 18:23, and senior Ryan Hanson finished in 19:43.

    Four Butte Central boys ran in the varsity race. Junior Jack Holmes led the way in 22:39. Eighth grader Roman Terry (24:38.30), junior Joe Bradshaw (24:30.40) and junior Conan Holmes (27:29) also ran for BC.

    On the girls’ side, Sophia Houchin placed 20th in a field of 118 with a time of 20:34.

    Ada Thiel of Kalispell Glacier won with a time of 18:52, which was 3 seconds better than Tula Higman of Bozeman. Flathead’s Everett Holland took third in 19:12.

    Sophomore Penelope Luebke finished in 21:44 for Butte High. Classmate Adelaide Thompson crossed in 24:29, and senior Kellie Joe Carpenter posted a time of 24:54.

    Gallatin won the team title with 59 points. Helena High was second at 65, and Billings West took third in 106. Butte High did not have enough runners for a team score.

    The day included races for varsity, junior varsity, middle school and grade school.

    Butte High will be back in action next Friday at a meet in Three Forks. The Maroons will run again Saturday in Dillon.

  • Zimpel, Vicevich, Cassidy perfect to close out Fall League

    Zimpel, Vicevich, Cassidy perfect to close out Fall League

    Vicevich, Clark win ‘High Gun’

    Three shooters posted perfect scores in the final week of the Butte Track Club’s Fall League.

    Kevin Zimpel, Dave Vicevich and Tim Cassidy each broke all 50 targets to top individual standings. Dan Rademacher, Lane St. Clair, Matt Lockmer, Ryan Moodry, Jake Taverna, Al Petersen and Josh Bridgeman each shot a 49. Rich Long, Curtis Threser, Doug Rentz, Riley Rigby, Mark Moline, Ryan Bossard and Timmy Schrapps each broke 48 targets.

    Jen Hislop fired a 47 to top women’s standings. Kim McClafferty and Rayelynn Brandl each shot a 46, while Tammy Gordon and Gillian Clark each shot a 43.

    Bossard’s 47 topped wobble standings. Casidy and Dean Vesco shot a 46, and Stephen Frazee and Beau Powers shot 45.

    Vicevich won the Male High Gun award, breaking 297 out of 300 targets on the season. Mark Hislop and Ryan Moodry tied for runner up at 291. Clark’s 247 won the Female High Gun award. Amara Vicevich won the High Junior award.

    Wolverine Systems won the Class AA title with a score of 1,134. Arc Electric took second at 1,119. Members of the winning team Vicevich, Clark, Doug Rentz, Seth Duclos, and Josh Bridgeman.

    Butte Trap Club – 2025 Fall League – Week 6 Results
    Team Final Class Standings

    AA
    Wolverine Systems                          –           1134
    Arc Electric                                        –           1119
    Baker Auto                                       –           1114
    Triple S Construction                       –           1113
    WET 1                                                –           1105

    A
    Cooney’s Locksmith                         –           1108
    Burn                                                    –           1070
    Lost Art Builders                               –           1070
    Lockmer Plumbing                           –           1057
    S & S Plumbing                                –           1042

    B
    Northwest Clay Busters                  –           1076
    Archibald Co.                                    –           1047
    Poker Montana                                 –           1046
    Sundance Plumbing                        –           1042
    Clay Howery Construction              –           1003

    C
    PMS                                                   –           1026
    Shotgun Shenanigans                     –           1014
    Superior Title                                    –           1010
    WET 2                                                –           985
    Bar D-M Ranch                                –           964

    D
    Daddy’s Girls                                    –           944
    In Control Wildlife Services            –           922
    Maloney’s/Harrington’s Pepsi        –           904
    12 G Girls                                          –           853

    High Individual Scores
    Kevin Zimpel                         –           50×50
    Dave Vicevich                       –           50×50
    Tim Cassidy                          –           50×50
    Dan Rademacher                 –           49×50
    Lane St Clair                         –           49×50
    Matt Lockmer                        –           49×50
    Ryan Moodry                        –           49×50
    Jake Taverna                        –           49×50
    Al Petersen                           –           49×50
    Josh Bridgeman                   –           49×50
    Rich Long                              –           48×50
    Curtis Threser                       –           48×50
    Doug Rentz                           –           48×50
    Riley Rigby                            –           48×50
    Mark Moline                          –           48×50
    Ryan Bossard                       –           48×50
    Timmy Schrapps                  –           48×50

    High Lady Scores
    Jen Hislop                             –           47×50
    Kim McClafferty                    –           46×50
    Rayelynn Brandl                   –           46×50
    Tammy Gordon                    –           43×50
    Gillian Clark                          –           43×50

    High Wobble Trap Scores
    Ryan Bossard                       –           47×50
    Tim Cassidy                          –           46×50
    Dean Vesco                          –           46×50
    Stephen Frazee                   –           45×50
    Beau Powers                         –           45×50

    High Gun Male
    Champion      Dave Vicevich                       –           297×300
    R-U Tie          Mark Hislop                           –           291×300
    R-U Tie          Ryan Moodry                         –           291×300

    High Gun Female
    Champion      Gillian Clark                          –           274×300

    High Junior  –           Amara Vicevich

    Team Division Winners
    Class AA – Wolverine Systems – Doug Rentz, Seth Duclos, Josh Bridgeman, Gillian Clark, Dave Vicevich

    Class A – Cooney’s Locksmith – Mark Hislop, Billy Bob White, Scott White, Justin Lerum, Jon Lerum

    Class B – Northwest Clay Busters Ted Phillips, Wade Malyvac, Ian Smith, John McClernan, Will Davies

    Class C – PMS – Shawn Gleason, Randy Maynard, Dean Vesco, Tim Cassidy, Don Morrison

    Class D – Daddy’s Girls – Amber Henson, Lyla Klobucar, Tammy Gordon, Dawna Raiser, Mindy McClernan

    Annie Oakley Winners
    1st – Kevin Zimpel  2nd  – Billy Bob White 

  • Eighth grader Lane Lisac represents Bulldog colors at Pebble Beach

    Eighth grader Lane Lisac represents Bulldog colors at Pebble Beach

    If you looked at the results of the Butte High Invitational golf tournament last week, you might have noticed that Bulldog Lane Lisac was listed with a “WD” next to his name on Friday.

    That means “withdrew,” and it came after Lisac fired an 81 at Fairmont Hot Springs on Thursday. That was good for a tie for 13th place at the midway point.

    As it turns out, Lisac had a pretty good reason to be gone on Friday. He was on his way to Pebble Beach Golf Links in California to compete in the Regional Qualifier for the United States Golf Association’s Drive, Putt & Chip competition.

    Lisac, who is playing varsity golf even though he is an eighth grader at East Middle School, just might be the first Bulldog to ever compete at the legendary golf course while also competing for the Bulldogs, and he represented his school by bringing his Butte High golf bag.

    East Middle School eighth grader and member of the Butte High varsity golf team Lane Lisac shows off his Bulldog colors at Pebble Beach.

    Lisac qualified to represent Montana at Pebble Beach by winning the Subregional event Aug. 19 at Fairmont. He qualified for that event at a competition a month earlier, also at Fairmont.

    Lisac returned to the Mining City after placing 14th in the boys’ 14-15 age group at Pebble Beach. He still hasn’t reached his 14th birthday.

    He scored a 90 overall, carding a 37 on his driving, 30 on his putting and 23 on chipping. Points are awarded for the three different categories in the competition. (Results)

    Arno Wehle of San Jose won the title with a 173 total to qualify for the national competition, which will be held April 5, 2026 at Augusta National Golf Club.

    Lisac, who won his age group at the Butte Junior City Championships last month at the Highland View Golf Course, will be back comping for the Bulldogs this Thursday at the Western AA Divisional tournament in Kalispell.

    Wiltsie signs with Providence, Bulldogs run well at Mountain West

    Levi Wiltsie had himself a pretty good week.

    On Thursday, the Butte High senior signed an NAIA National Letter of Intent to run country team at the University of Providence in Great Falls. He put ink to paper during a ceremony that was well attended by family, friends, coaches and teammates in the lobby outside the Richardson Gym.

    Two days later, Wiltsie put on a big-time performance for the Bulldogs at the Mountain West Classic in Missoula. He finished the 5-kilometer course in 16 minutes, 54 seconds to place 65th out of 590 boys running in the varsity division. (Results)

    Levi Wiltsie is surrounded by teammates after signing to run at the University of Providence.

    Classmate Camden Houchin led the Bulldogs. He placed 18th in the race with a time of 16:12. He ranked 11th among Montana runners and eighth in Class AA competition.

    Miles Halvorsen of Bozeman won the race with a blistering time of 15:17. Teammate Taylor Neil was second at 15:30, and Grey Piseno of Billings Central took third at 15:38.

    Butte High’s times were impressive all around, with five runners breaking 19 minutes. Lincoln Zell finished 124th overall with a time of 17:28, while Bridger Luebke finished in 18:25 and Charles Killebrew crossed in 18:44.

    Bulldog Nathan Kopp nearly broke 19 minutes, crossing in 19:00.37. Jason Real finished in 19:32.

    Two boys from Butte Central competed. Jack Holmes finished in 22:39, and Joe Bradshaw crossed in 23:13.

    Mead, Idaho won the team title with 110 points, beating second-place Bozeman by one. Cheney, Washington took third at 277. Butte High placed 24th among the 79 teams with 665 points.

    On the girls’ side, freshman Sophia Houchin led the Bulldogs. She placed 74th out of 486 runners with a time of 20:45.

    Penelope Luebke followed at 21:37, while Elsa Theiszen crossed in 21:54. Also for Butte High, Adelaide Thomson finished in 24:10, one second ahead of teammate Kellie Jo Carpenter.

    Addison Kegel of Billings Central won the race in 17:33. Glacier’s Lauren Bissen was second at 18:07, followed by Phoebe Maixner of Bozeman at 18:33.

    Bozeman’s 67 points won the girls’ team title. Gallatin was second at 163, while Helena took third at 220. The Bulldogs finished 38th out of 67 teams with 977 points.

    The Bulldogs and Maroons will be back in action Thursday when Butte High hosts a meet at Stodden Park.

    Bulldogs, Maroons come home

    It’s Homecoming week in the Mining City with both Butte High and Butte Central gearing up for home football games on Friday night.

    Butte High (1-3 overall, 0-2 Western AA) will battle Missoula Sentinel (4-0, 2-0) at Naranche Stadium, while the Maroons (2-1) will take on Corvallis (0-3) at Montana Tech’s Alumni Coliseum. Both games start at 7 o’clock.

    Central was off last week, while Butte High suffered a 41-7 loss at Missoula Big Sky. (Boxscore)

    Eli Kasberg passed for 235 yards and three touchdowns, and Augustus Goebel returned an interception 62 yards for a score to lead the Eagles.

    Butte High has faced an incredibly difficult opening month of the season. Each of their losses was to a team that is still undefeated. While Sentinel comes to town with a perfect mark, their schedule has not been nearly as daunting.

    The Spartans opened with a 7-0 lightning-shortened win at Belgrade before struggling to a 6-0 win over Great Falls Russell in Missoula. After a 31-24 overtime win at home over Helena High, Sentinel downed Hellgate 28-7 last week.

    According to a Sentinel coach, there seems to be some dispute as to whether the shortened game against Belgrade counts on the record. So, depending on whom you ask, the Spartans are 4-0 or 3-0.

    Seven of the eight touchdowns scored by Sentinel this year have come by way of the ground. Senior quarterback Rudy Hess has run for five scores. He is averaging 105.3 yards passing. Junior Kaden Thennis is averaging 92.3 yards rushing per game.

    The lone Bulldog score last week came from their defense. Junior defensive back Bradey Doyle picked off a pass and returned it 67 yards for the touchdown.

    The Eagles held the Bulldogs to just 136 yards passing and 13 yards rushing. Junior Raeder Grey replaced senior Brooks Vincent at quarterback in the second half. It is unsure whom the Bulldogs will start this week.

    Senior Hudson Luedtke is coming off yet another big game for the Bulldogs. In addition to being a standout on defense, he caught eight passes for 70 yards last week. He is well on his way to his fourth All-State season.

    Classmate Kaleb Celli caught four passes for 48 yards.

    Junior Jaeger Hansen was once again a force to lead the Bulldog defense last week. He chalked up nine total tackles. Sophomore Koyde Kjersten had his best game to date, registering eight tackles, while seniors Mitch Verlanic and Gunner Bushman joined juniors Finn Wortham and Doyle with seven.

    Luedtke followed with six tackles, junior Reece Cunneen grabbed five, and junior Casen Snyder got in on five. Cunneen also forced a fumble, which was recovered by Bushman.

    The Maroons will be in action for the first time since their Sept. 11 smackdown of Ronan at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula.

    Senior quarterback Ryan Peoples tied a school record with five touchdown passes. He also ran for a score. All of those came in the first quarter. The game was called during a lighting with the Maroons leading 40-0 early in the second quarter.

    Seniors Jack Nagle and GG Fantini each caught a TD pass from peoples, as did sophomores Treigh Hollow and Jaxon Hiatt and freshman Henly Mansanti.

    Ronan has been outscored 123-6 on the season, with losses to Polson, Bigfork and Whitefish.

    Copper Sprockets impress at Clash

    Three riders from the Butte Copper Sprockets mountain bike team posted victories in their classifications Saturday at the Copper Kings Clash in the Big Butte open space area. (Results)

    Torsten Thieszen won the fifth-grade boys’ title, finishing the lap in 19 minutes, 22 seconds.

    Fellow Copper Sprocket Collette Stevens claimed the fifth-grade girls’ title. She rode the lap in 23:24.

    In the JV2 boys’ division, Butte’s Renzy LeProwse rode to victory, finishing three laps in 43:01.

    Four other Copper Sprockets placed in the top five of their groups. Preston Tippett took third in the fifth-grade girls’ race in 24:44, while teammate Cora Turner placed fourth in that division in 26:50.

    Copper Sprockets Samson Myers and Nolan Luebke placed third and fourth in the boys’ seventh- and eighth-grade division.

    Overall, the Copper Sprockets placed eighth out of 14 teams with 1,925 points. Bozeman won with 2,218, followed by Spokane Composite at 2,155 and Helena Cyclones at 2,122.

    Other riders who competed the Copper Sprockets Saturday are Conrad Luebke, Cason Franklin, Daegan Branam, Berlynn Bjorgum, Cade Irons, Knox Cramer, Luke Renouard, Ryan Byrne, Michael Anderson, Camden Franklin, Tyson Hildreth, Connell Walsh, David Schulte, Paisley Jaksha, Laney Stillwagon, Matthew Weldon, Caden Tippett, Kaspian Lutke, Andrew Toutman, Ryan Draper, Ian Troutman, Bo Bjorgum, Christopher Stodden and Milee Stillwagon.

    Bulldogs spike Wolfpack

    Butte High’s volleyball team went 1-1 on a road trip to Kalispell over the weekend.

    The Bulldogs swept Glacier Friday night to pick up their first win. Flathead swept Butte High on Saturday.

    Against Glacier, Butte High won 25-13, 25-23, 30-28. (Boxscore)

    Avery Barsness and Gracie Jonart each tallied 10 kills to lead Butte High’s attack. Ellison Graham and Stella Callaghan each killed five, and Audry McClafferty spiked four.

    Graham and Jonart each served three aces, and Graham set 26 assists.

    Cadence Graham led the Bulldog backcourt with 15 digs. Ellison Graham and Jonart followed with 10 and nine.

    Less than 24 hours later, the Bulldogs came up short on a 25-19, 25-19, 25-17 decision to Flathead. (Boxscore)

    Barsness and Callaghan each spiked nine kills in that match. Cadenc Graham collected 18 digs, and Ellison Graham set 22 assist.

    The Bulldogs are back in action this week with two more Western AA matches. Butte High will take on Helena Capital in its Homecoming match on Thursday. The Dogs hit the road to play Helena High on Saturday.

    Bulldog boys tie it up

    Butte High’s soccer teams are still looking for their first win of the season. The teams, though, continue to improve.

    This weekend, the boys picked up their first tie of the season as they traveled to Kalispell for a pair of Western AA matches. Butte bounced back from a 6-0 loss on Friday to battle Flathead to a scoreless tie.

    Goalkeeper Phil Russo pitched a shutout, thanks to a few impressive saves. Jackson Jonart, Ziggy Okrusch and Kellen Williams attacked the net and forced a few scoring chances. Aiden and Obie Breeton controlled the midfield, while Tim Revenaugh, Ben McAdams, Kato Kuusisto, James Pierson and Josh Liston led the defensive charge.

    Tuesday at Bulldog Memorial Stadium, Missoula Big Sky pulled away for a 6-0 win over the Bulldogs.

    Butte High’s girls fell 10-0 to Glacier and Flathead. Coach Geno Liva likes the improvement he is seeing in his team.

    Mattie Stepan played a game on Friday night,” Liva said. “She is getting better each week. Saturday we had some girls come off the bench and provide valuable time, including Made McGee and Adelie Grochowski. Kynley Williams had a good game from her striker position.”

    Big Sky topped Butte High 10-0 Tuesday. The Bulldogs will play their Homecoming match against Flathead on Saturday.

    Maroons drop two

    Butte Central’s volleyball team dropped a pair Southwestern A matches last week. The Maroons fell 3-0 Thursday at Stevensville before falling in a 3-1 battle with Corvallis Saturday at the Maroon Activities Center.

    Stevensville topped BC 25-16, 25-11 and 25-13. Corvallis won 25-16, 23-25, 25-13, 27-25. Statistics for the matches were not submitted.

    The Maroons will celebrate Homecoming Thursday when they take on Frenchtown at the MAC. BC will travel to Hamilton on Saturday.

    Bulldog girls back on gridiron

    Butte High’s flag football team went to Missoula Saturday for a pair of games. Butte High fell 18-16 to Boulder. The Dogs dropped an 18-6 decision to Sentinel.

    The Bulldogs played at Billings West Tuesday night., and the Bulldogs will play host to East Helena on Saturday.