INIWA » Sports

Cutting it close

Cantalope — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:43:01 +0000

Boy’s basketball etched out a win at Swarthout Fieldhouse against crosstown rivals CMR. The boys had a 10-0 defecit to overcome in the first quarter, but thanks to the late game heroics of Shyke Smalls and Dylan Tatarka, the boys were able to pull off a victory 48-44.

Check out the link below for coverage and highlights of the annual crosstown showdown.

Boys Crosstown

Bison Bring Thunder at Cross-Town Basketball

ADA — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:22:28 +0000

The school pride shown by Great Falls High and CMR was running rampant throughout the Swarthout Fieldhouse on Thursday, January 12.

CMR students sported camouflage and hunter orange colors while Great Falls High students showed up in blue, white, and all sorts of crazy outfits. The cheering started at the start of the game and didn’t cease until the final buzzer. With a 14 point lead by the middle of the second quarter, the CMR Rustlers were beating the Great Falls High Bison, but spirits stayed high for the Bison. When halftime rolled around Bison were within 5 points of tying the game. In the third quarter the Bison lead by 8, but not for long. With 6 seconds remaining, CMR was only 2 points away from equaling the score once again. The last 15 seconds of the game resulted in fouls, free throws, time-outs, and a boisterous crowd. Cheering between the rival schools was nonstop, and the Swarthout Fieldhouse was packed with local fans of both teams.

Crosstown may be considered in many locals’ point of view the most important game of the season. No matter what age, the rowdy, excited, loyal fans of each team came out to show their true school pride.

Swimmers set new goals as state championships draw near

Cantalope — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:35:22 +0000

“We all [the team] want to win state championships, and I want to be able to compete along side my teammates.” Sophomore Tiffany Denning explained GFH’s main goal for this years swim season. State Championships are set for February 10-11. The team has done incredibly well this season, and won their two most recent meets.

“We have improved a lot throughout the season. Our practices have gotten harder, but that is so the coaches can push us as we excel in our different events.” Freshman Kayla Rowton said. Her main goals this season are to get first in her event, 100 yard breastroke, and for the girls to take home the win for the state championship. “We are all working so hard, we are preparing ourselves. It is hard, especially the dry-land practices and the practices that were over break, but it will be worth it. Some of these girls work so hard, they practiced almost 3 or 4 hours a day over break.” Kayla explained the commitment of being in such a competitive sport.

Each girl has at least one person on the team that they aspire to be, and look for answers to their basic questions. For Denning, this was Sophomore Amy Mosher. Denning praised, “She is really good, and just last year she just started swimming. She has improved so much, it definitely payed off and this year she is on Varsity. She makes me think that I could be in that position sometime next year.”

Fundamental focus restores tradition

Shandon — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:32:42 +0000

The Great Falls High wrestling team has revamped their focus, attitude and leadership in hopes to advance in their 2011-12 wrestling season.
“Senior wrestlers have taken charge of the team this year by being more vocal in leading the underclassman with the mindset of every day, improving,” said senior, Josh Morin. With the wins so far this year against Bozeman and Havre, the wrestling team has displayed a change in focus. “the wrestling team this year have picked up a more serious leadership and focus in working towards the goals for state,” said Morin.
As for the underclassmen they have experienced, “harder practices, along with harder competition,” said freshman, Randy Keesler. The varsity line-up this year features eight rotating underclassman, which puts a expressive amount of pressure on the underclassman, however, the wrestling team has remained victorious with, “the underclassman, although not the most technical, giving it their all on the mat,” said Morin.
The wrestling program this year has added a new member to the coaching staff, 2007 Great Falls High Zach Gregiore. “We have added Gregoire to our coaching staff this year and I feel we have a great wrestling staff.” said head coach, Steve Komac.
“The coaches have guided the leadership in the wrestling room, nonetheless, the senior class has picked up on the change and set an example of etiquette in the room,” said senior, Bridger Wren. The change of discipline in the room have shown to be a positive effect in the performance in competition. “The win against Glacier last week at the Mining City Duels, proves our high chances for placing in the top three at state.” said Wren.
The improving wrestling team has a secret to their successful team, “high expectations and a significant amount of talent,” said freshman, Casey Dobson. Another reason for success is, ‘“coaches have held upperclassmen at a higher level and higher goals in changing the focus in the room,” said Steve Komac.
Along with the victorious varsity, the junior varsity stepped it up this year as well. “This years junior varsity team is one of the best we’ve had in a while, with placing third at the B-C class tournament, the Cascade Invitational,” said Steve Komac.
After the duel win against Bozeman, 2011 State Champions, the wrestling team is showing, “the team is in on the hunt for a trophy this year at state,” said freshman, Jarren Komac. The whole team is looking to win this year on varsity and junior varsity and hopefully, “to contribute a lot of points to the team at state,” said Dobson.
The winter sport, wrestling, follows school tradition by upholding a prosperous and successful wrestling team. “Great Falls High wrestling is all about tradition and I feel we are upholding that tradition,” said Morin.

Icing the Competition

ADA — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:26:25 +0000

Senior Robert Hubka skates with the puck during the Americans game vs. Missoula.

With the start of winter comes the beginning of the Hockey season for high school students everywhere.
This year, seniors Ryan Doran and Robert Hubka, juniors John Bedbury and Jordan Jernigan as well as sophomore Morgan Azarte represent Great Falls High on the Americans team. Americans coach Jason DiMatteo appears to be leading his team with passion and perseverance. So far this season, the Americans have won 5 out of the 6 games they have played, with the one loss going to the Missoula team. The season started on the second weekend of November and ends on the weekend of Mar. 2.
The enthusiastic GFH players hold high expectations for the already developing season. “I think we have a lot of strong players that hold up the team. We’ll probably win state,” said Doran. Bedbury, originally from Texas, moved to Great Falls at the beginning of the school year and has already noticed a significant difference between attitudes incorporated in the sport. “The speed of (hockey) here is a lot faster than in Texas,” said Bedbury.
The Americans consist of two sections, the high school division and the Junior A, which is for more experienced high school and college-age athletes. In addition to their commitment, most high school players receive the opportunity to practice with the Junior A division. A select bunch will make the much anticipated decision to advance to the major division no later than Dec. 31. Players who wish to continue with hockey in college may possibly want to receive scholarships. To qualify, one must be a part of the Junior A team- that’s a lot of work for one American.

Brawl of the Wild to take place for the 111th time November 19th

djstewart — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:57:53 +0000

The 9-1 Bobcats are set to face the 8-2 Grizzlies. Both teams have had very successful seasons and would love nothing more than to close out the regular season with a win over their in state rivals.

Grizzlies signal caller Joe Johnson looks to build of his co player of the week award and give coach Robin Phlugrad is first victory over the Bobcats, while Bozeman’s signal caller Denarius Mcgee looks to keep his unbeaten streak vs the Grizzlies alive. After an early season setback from D-1 Utah the Cats have won 9 straight games to lead the Big Sky conference. The Griz however are one game back and a win over their rivals would land them the top spot in the playoffs. Both teams are on a by week this week giving them each an extra week of preparation. This is set to be a good one. So, don’t miss it.

Football players and coaches weigh in on season

Cantalope — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 23:20:33 +0000

Recently, the Bison took a tough loss to Billings at home, 31-0.

After a mediocore finish to the season at 3-7, coaches weigh in on the loss in this video podcast.

Click the link below for video.

Football Podcast

Prevailing Bengals still come out on top

ADA — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:19:09 +0000

Friday night, September 30, the Bison nearly beat the unbeatable team 22-23. Helena High’s Nate Caldwell scored the winning touchdown in the last 49 seconds of the game. The Bison led 7-0, 14-10 and 22-16, but weren’t able to stop the Bengals from scoring those final 7 points. The Bison then had a record of 2-4 while the Bengals stuck to their undefeatable 6-0, continuing on with their prevailing wins.
Junior quarterback Colter Posey scored the first touchdown of the game in the first quarter. Senior Robert Hubka had two scores for the Bison running 48 yards and putting them in the lead with 7:41 minutes left in the game. “It was a really good game. Both teams came to play,” GFH coach Matt Krahe said. “I’m definitely pleased with the Bison. They played with a lot of heart and pride.”

The Ultimate Sport

Fri, 27 May 2011 15:45:20 +0000

Copy by Austin Mu

As Summer time draws near, a whole new array of seasonal activities arrive at our feet, to be used to our disposal.
Ultimate [Frisbee], a sport birthed in 1968, has taken the love of millions as of these recent years. The Frisbee is a disc-shaped glider typically made of plastic and originated from pie tins being thrown by college students in the late 1800’s. Today, the flying disc can be seen soaring through the air by the youth of the city at parks and on front lawns.
Essentially, Ultimate is the sport of Football, but incorporates a Frisbee. The idea is quite simple: two teams compete to get the disc to opposing goals (touchdown). The players may not run with the Frisbee, and if the Frisbee is not caught, the other team seizes the disc and attempts to score.
In Great Falls, mosquitoes and harsh winds plague the players with a disadvantage to the sport.

Trouble at the Skatepark

Shandon — Sun, 22 May 2011 14:00:16 +0000

A recent accident at the Riverside Railyard leaves the skatepark attendants in a dispute.

On May 19, a local male biker was reportedly seen riding his bike down the entrance of the skatepark. Around 8 p.m. reports indicated that the male was unconscious from falling face-first on the pavement to the entrance of the skatepark. The male biker was hospitalized late evening of Wednesday at the Benefis hospital.

The male biker broke the Great Falls City code of not wearing a helmet and riding a bike in the skatepark. The male biker could receive two citations for the City codes broken.

City officials declared that there will be an “Open Discussion” meeting at the skatepark to discuss the problems of graffiti, making the park available for BMX and skateboarders and other issue with park. The meeting will take place at the Riverside Railyard skatepark at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 26.