Pros and Preps

Here are the rest of the divisional wrestling results to go with the ones reported from western Montana in Sunday’s Missoulian.

Eastern AA Seeding Tournament
at Billings West
Saturday

State tournament qualifers — Billings Skyview 23, Bozeman 22, Billings Senior 18, Great Falls 18, Butte 15, Billings West 13, Great Falls Russell 11.

Championship Round
98 –Tayte Wegner, Senior, d. Jace Holman, Skyview, 3-2.
105 –Josh Smart, GFH, d. Zak Harney, Butte, 4-2.
112 — Justin Waterson, Skyview, d. Cree Minkoff, Senior, 4-3.
119 — Brock Miller, Skyview, d. Colin Rupert, Boz, 7-3.
125 — Clay Cathey, Skyview, d. Culley Buckley, Boz, 3-1.
130 –Cole Mendenhall, GFH, p. Markus Kolp, Boz, 2:37.
135 –Tanner Sprenkle, Senior, d. Josh Morin, GFH, 3-2.
140 –Sam Shelton, Skyview, p. Dan Gordon, West, 1:23.
145 — Dylan Mendenhall, GFH, m.d. Luke Paine, Senior, 12-3.
152 –Ben Sulser, Senior, d. Natty Lambert, Boz, 6-3.
160 — Jake Dallaserra, Butte, d. Jon Hagstrom, Senior, 6-2.
171 –Jake Leinwand, West, d. Wade Willis, Senior, 4-2.
189 –Ryan Otto, CMR, p. Thomas Walsh, Skyview, 1:04.
215 — Marc Evans, Boz, d. Phil Selin, CMR, 3-1.
Hwt. — Gage McCann, West, d. Harrison Gorman, Senior, 4-3 OT.

Third place
98 — Dylan Cline, Skyview, d. Bryan Armstrong, Butte, 9-5.
105 — C.J. Ness, Senior, d. Brett Ness, Senior, 8-6.
112 — Koby Reyes, West, d. Jarret Rowling, Butte, 6-0.
119 — Austin Shupe, GFH, d. Daniel Temme, West, 6-0.
125 — Anthony Zimmer, GFH, d. Landon Polkow, Skyview, 11-7.
130 — Lane Penrod, West, m.d. Taylor Anderson, Boz, 12-3.
135 — Riley Berry, Boz, d. Eric Gordon, Skyview, 8-6, OT.
140 — Adam Wollant, Boz, p. Tate Alexander, GFH, 4:09.
145 — Sean McCormack, Boz, won by injury default over Matt Dillon, Skyview.
152 — Deryk Mann, Skyview, d. Trey Dillon, Skyview, 7-3.
160 — Hunter Chandler, Boz, p. Ty West, Skyview, 4:22.
171 — Chris Yocum, Butte, d. Crew Johnston, Boz, 3-1.
189 — Nick Jackson, West, p. Jim Boswell, Boz, 1:25.
215 — Andres Geranios, GFH, d. John Kellems, GFH, 1-0.
Hwt. — Anthony Moritz, Butte, d. Giebink Kael, Senior, 5-1.

Fifth place
98 — Kenton Evans, GFH, won by injury default over Vito Degidio, Boz.
105 — Dano Pulver, Skyview, d. Kyle Taylor, Boz, 2-0.
112 — Seth Ehlang, Skyview, p. Shylo Rambin, West, 4:22.
119 — Spencer Heyneman, SKyview, d. Woody Buck, CMR, 7-6.
125 — Dakota McMann, GFH, p. Christian Duke, West, 4:32.
130 — Tate Morgan, Skyview, p. Seth Noyes, Skyview, 2:36.
135 — Tommy Challeen, Butte, d. Destin Wassmann, GFH, 7-2.
140 — Chase Costello, Boz, p. Tyller Cortez, Senior, 2:02.
145 — Blake Cotton, CMR, p. Connor Buckley, Skyview, 1:42.
152 — Derek McGrath, Butte, m.d. Keavon Buckley, Boz, 15-5.
160 — Tyler Weaver, GFH, p. Ryan Gallogly, West, 1:34.
171 — Dominik Propp, GFH, won by injury default over Keaton Andersen, Boz.
189 — Chris Douglas, GFH, d. Bryan evans, CMR, 5-3.
215 — Levi Nagel, boz, p. Jacob Berry, Skyview, 2:16.
Hwt. — Bridger Wren, GFH, won by injury default over Tyler Bloomstrom, Boz.

Seventh place
98 — Matt Schmidt, Senior, p. Nick Allison, CMR, 3:52.
105 — Brenton Buerkley, Skyview, d. Marvyn Burgos, Boz, 6-0.
112 — Greg Contrera, Senior, m.d. Riley Wavra, CMR, 16-4.
119 — Jesse Kuhn, GFH, p. Darien Briggs, West, 2:01.
125 — Ty Johnston, Boz, d. Josh Merrick, Butte, 12-6.
130 — Tyler Morales, Senior, d. Nick Challeen, Butte, 7-0.
135 — Jordan Buhl, Butte, d. Reef Johnston, Boz, 7-1.
140 — Hunter Gerth, West, m.d. Jake Marmon, CMR, 15-5.
145 — Zack Harris, West, d. Gerrit Bruhaug, Senior, 7-0.
152 — Logan Oswald, GFH, p. Justin LeBrun, CMR, 3:26.
160 — Clay Brozovich, Butte, p. Marcus Archulleta, CMR, :59.
171 — Reese Quade, Skyview, p. Gabe Kissell, Butte, 1:43.
189 — Kevin Ohlin, Senior, d. Blake Kraus, Butte, 9-2.
215 — Bryant Hansen, Butte, d. Trevan Sparboe, Senior, 8-7.
Hwt. — Peyron Anderson, Skyview, d. Conner Cappis, CMR, 3-1.

Semifinals
98 — Tayte Wegner, Senior, d. Bryan Armstrong, Butte, 3-1; Jace Halman, Skyview, won by default over Vito Degidio, Bozeman.
105 — Zake Harney, Butte, d. Dano Pulver, Skyview, 2-0; Josh Smart, GFH, d. Kyle Taylor, Boz, 7-0.
112 — Justin Waterson, Skyview, p. Shylo Rambin, West, 5:40; Cree Minkoff, Senior, d. Koby Reyes, West, 9-6.
119 — Colin Rupert, Boz, m.d. Daniel Temme, West, 11-3; Brock Miller, Skyview, d. Austin Shupe, GFH, 6-4.
125 — Clay Cathey, Skyview, p. Christian Duke, West, :44; Culley Buckley, Boz, p. Anthony Zimmer, 2:38.
130 –Cole Mendenhall, GFH, p. Taylor Anderson, Boz, 1:22; Markus Kolp, Boz, d. Tate Morgan, Skyview, 6-5.
135 –Tanner Sprenkle, Senior, m.d. Destin Wassmann, GFH, 21-7; Josh Morin, GFH, d. Eric Gordon, 9-2.
140 –Sam Shelton, Skyview, p. Tyller Cortez, Senior, 1:03; Dan Gordon, West, d. Adam Wollant, Boz, 4-2.
145 –Dylan Mendenhall, GFH, t.f. Sean MCCormack, Boz, 18-3; Luke Paine, Senior, d. Matt Dillon, Skyview, 5-1.
152 — Ben Sulser, Senior, d. Deryk Mann, Skyviwe, 7-4; Natty Lambert, boz, d. Trey Dillon, Skyview, 4-2.
160 –Jon Hagstrom, Senior, p. Hunter Chandler, Boz, 1:43; Jake Dallaserra, Butte, t.f. Tyler Weaver, GFH, 16-0.
171 –Wade Willis, Senior, d. Chris Yocum, Butte, 5-4; Jake Leinwand, West, d. Crew Johnston, Boz, 1-0.
189 –Ryan Otto, CMR, p. Nick Jackson, West, 3:04; Thomas Walsh, Skyview, p. Jim Boswell, Boz, 5:53.
215 –Phil Selin, CMR, p. Levi Nagel, Boz, 3:40; Marc Evans, Boz, d. Jacob Berry, Skview, 3-1.
Hwt. –Harrison Gorman, Senior, p. Anthony Moritz, Butte, 5:26; Gage McCann, West, won by injury default over Tyler Bloomstrom, Bozeman.

Eastern A

Team scores – Laurel 223 ½, Glendive 176, Miles City 171, Hardin 114 ½, Sidney 105, Billings Central 76.

Championships

98 — Karson Kukes, Lau, d. Bryan Dorn, Har, 6-0.
105 — Dillon Tennant, Gle, p. Tyler Forcella, Gle, 5:21.
112 — Tyler Kinn, Gle, p. Jon Verlanic, Lau, 2:54.
119 — Tyler Orchard, Gle, p. Travis Kaufman, Gle, 1:45.
125 — Kolter Kukes, Lau, d. Jordan Stevens, Sid, 3-0.
130 — Marty Etchemendy, MC, d. Jordan Delp, Har, 7-3.
135 — Brennan Gorder, Sid, d. Brandon Gifford, Har, 5-3.
140 — Tommy Cooper, Lau, d. Jayme Kelly, Sid, 6-4.
145 — David Preller, MC, d. Dillon Beeler, Gle, 7-2.
152 — Shane Cooley, MC, t.f. George Smith, BC, 16-1.
160 — Dylan Kramer, Lau, p. Cole Hirsch, MC, 1:01.
171 — Ryan Gosselin, Lau, d. Layne Johnson, MC, 3-2.
189 — Trevor Howe, Lau, d. Randy Green, Sid, 3-1.
215 — Trevor Conrad, Gle, d. Jess Padden, Lau, 6-1.
Hwt. — Allen Neulib, Sid, d. Chris Kurkowski, MC, 6-5.

Third place
98 — Zach Wall, BC, d. Tate Stortz, Gle, 5-4.
105 — Dalton Niedge, MC, won by default over Hunter Grover, Lau.
112 — Kyle Burch, MC, p. Joe Lemon, Har, 2:18.
119 — Cole Campbell, Har, m.d. John Lemon, Har, 11-2.
125 — Layne Lantis, Gle, d. Tucker White, BC, 6-1.
130 — Jesse Burman, MC, d. Joe Scheiffer, Gle, 5-2.
135 — Robert Nalewaja, MC, d. Austin Cannon, Lau, 10-7.
140 — Coel Bilbrey, Gle, d. Brock Miklovich, Har, 12-5.
145 — Levi Butkay, Har, p. Jesse Albrecht, Lau, 1:26.
152 — Auston Hergenrider, Lau, d. Derek LoPorto, Gle, 8-1.
160 — Steven Bohne-Keten, Har, d. Dace Fisher, Sid, 5-1.
171 — Forrest Mawyer, BC, p. Sean Getchell, BC, 1:50.
189 — Matt Getchell, BC, p. Trevor Tait, MC, 1:20.
215 — Austin Boucher, Lau, p. Jory Stevens, Sid, :58.
Hwt. — Cody Stone-Murphy, Lau, d. Jayme Hafemann, Har, 14-8.

Central A
Team scores
Havre 280½, Belgrade 263, Lewistown 200, Browning 70, Livingston 49, Butte Central 9
1st-2nd place
98—Andrew Olson, Lew, by forfeit; 105—Lyle Degen, Bel, dec. Nate Kennelly, Hav, 11-0; 112—Gilbert Bara, Hav, t-fall Trei Bulluck, Lew, 16-0; 119—Duell Stadel, Hav, dec. Bryce Weatherston, Bel, 8-4; 125—Tre Yeager, Lew, dec. Ethan Bristol, Bel, 4-3; 130—Jeremy Quinterro, Bel, dec. John Chamberlin, Lew, 6-4; 135—Dillon Seely, Hav, dec. Keaton Sterling, Bel, 13-6; 140—Jim Malone, Lew, dec. Ethan Sterling, Bel, 8-7; 145—Eli Hinebauch, Hav, dec. Rex Martin, Lew, 3-2; 152—Kameron Pribyl, Hav, pinned Colton Devers, Bel, 1:28; 160—Connor Malone, Lew, dec. Jordan Malarchick, Bel, 6-1; 171—Casey Schaub, Hav, pinned Justin Ricker, Bel, :54; 189—Levi Cade, Bel, pinned Skyler Carroll, Liv, 1:13; 215—Joshua Salapich, Hav, pinned Austin Reyher, Bel, 3:16; Hwt—Zac Rossman, Bel, pinned Dakota Rutherford, Brown, 1:38
3rd-4th place
98—no match; 105—no match; 112—Jake Kenison, BCentral, by forfeit; 119—Trey Rickett, Bel, by forfeit; 125—Thomas Gruber, Hav, pinned Alex McAdam, Brown, :40; 130—Zac Brady, Bel, dec. Zachary Smith, Hav, 8-3; 135—Jerime Granot, Lew, pinned Dylan Kelly, Lew, 2:54; 140—Kiin Salois, Brown, pinned Riley LaBuda, Hav, 1:48; 145—Bryce Akers, Bel, dec. Jacob Sanford, Lew, 9-3; 152—Jacob Williams, Hav, dec. Jordan Tillett, Liv, 6-2; 160—Grant Pattison, Hav, by t-fall Ethan Blythe, Lew, 18-2; 171—Dillon Wippert, Brown, pinned Bill Thompson, Lew, 1:51; 189—Jared Ruttkofsky, Hav, by forfeit Ethan Foote, Brown; 215—Dustin Odegard, Hav, pinned Sam Bennin, Liv, 1:33; Hwt—Tyler Adams, Hav, dec. Kolton Lodge, Hav, 6-3
5th-6th place
98—no match; 105—no match; 112—no match; 119—no match; 125—Dustin Seely, Hav, by t-fall Braden Fitzgerald, Liv, 20-5; 130—Braden Dieziger, Lew, by forfeit Jordan Gobert, Brown; 135—Justin Meeks, Liv, by forfeit; 140—no match; 145—no match; 152—Lucas Mears, Bel, pinned Mike Ollinger, Brown, :43; 160—Keevan Pickle, Bel, dec. Alex Grant, Brown, 11-1; 171—no match; 189—Jared Ferguson, Lew, by forfeit; 215—Jarret Guyer, Lew, by forfeit; Hwt—Jason Gervais, Brown, pinned Kyle Satre, Liv, 3:46

Northern B-C
Team scores
1. Harlem 151. 2. Conrad 146. 3. Malta 135. 4. Chinook 87. 5. Cut Bank 84. 6. Chester-Joplin/Inverness 75. 7. Big Sandy 53. 8. Shelby 25
1st-2nd place
98—Shay Snider HAR 16-4 maj. dec. Morgan Koenig CON; 105—Teague Jones HAR 6-0 dec. Kylan Berkram CTB; 112—Luke Schlosser CON pin Travis Vermulm CTB 1:50; 119—Chris Doney MAL pin Garrett Moritz CON 5:24; 125—Landon Shettel MAL 7-0 dec. Nolan Simanton MAL; 130—Neil Johnson CTB 11-2 maj. dec. Wyatt Brandel CHI; 135—Colton Dirden HAR 18-5 maj. dec. Colt Harris CON; 140—Chris Shupe HAR pin Erik Kelly CJI :46; 145—Leonard Pugsley CJI 4-2 dec. Ryan Miller BGS; 152—Johnny Schlosser CON 3-1 dec. Noah Harms MAL; 160—Ryan Smith MAL pin Ryan Orcutt CON 2:34; 171—Trent Jones HAR pin Robby Klingaman CHI 3:13; 189—Benjamin Stroh CHI pin Lucas Schultz CON :28; 215 – Brock Calvi CTB 3-1 OT dec. Jorell Jones CHI; 285—Ethan Wolery CJI pin Shalon Norick CJI 1:46
Quick pin award was won by Ethan Wolery (285) of C-J-I
3rd-4th place
98—Henry Ramirez MAL; 105—Joe Rappold MAL 9-8 dec. Gus Taylor HAR; 112—Rabe Whitford CTB pin Geoff Qualls CHI 4:27; 119—Angelo Flores CHI; 125—none; 130—Kasey Martin BGS pin Brandon Tuma 2:05; 135—Robert Jennings CTB 7-2 dec. Dusty Gasvoda BGS; 145—Nate Carlson MAL pin Graeme Giblette MAL :32; 152—Lane Martin BGS inj. def. Colter Knox CON; 160—Keane Stewart SHL pin Westin Brown BGS 1:50; 171—Song Stuker HAR 7-1 dec. Tyler Nelson CON; 189—Cord Anderson CHI 15-4 maj. dec. Seth Adams HAR; 215—Thomas LameBull HAR pin Justin Ratzburg CON 2:30; 285—Cody Nelson SHL pin Henry Oyler MAL 3:41
5th-6th place
None at 98, 105, 119, 125, 130, 140, 145; 112—Carter Eppeson MAL.135—Riley Martin MAL.152—Lucas Brauchle SHL; 160—Ramsey Offerdahl CON; 171—Matt Gullickson BGS pin Rocky Guardipee SHL :53; 189—Guy Hutton HAR pin David Atkinson CTB :11; 215—Jake King HAR pin Parker Score MAL 2:13; 285—Jace Johnson HAR pin Trent Noel HAR 3:38.

Eastern B-C Wrestling divisionals

Team scores — Glasgow 227, Forsyth 220.5, Colstrip 162.5, Baker 105.5, Shepherd 75, Huntley Project 60, Wolf Point 56, Circle 27, Poplar 20, Broadus 8.

Championships
98 — M. Martinez, WP, d. G. Currier, Gla, 16-7.
105 — T. Ramsey, Col, p. E. Helland, Gla, :31.
112 — C. Nile, For, d. J. Bethea, Gla, 8-0.
119 — S. Currier, Col, p. K. Frigon, Gla, 1:18.
125 — T. French, For, def. T. McDaniel, For.
130 — B. Weber, For, t.f. J. Rogers, Gla, 16-0.
135 — L. Zierger, Gla, p. G. Rath, For, 2:54.
140 — D. Brauer, For, p. B. Kountz, Gla, :39.
145 — M. Melby, Baker, p. A. Skogas, Shp, 1:35.
152 — D. Fulton, For, d. R. Bergtoll, Gla, 7-1.
160 — T. Holstein, Gla, d. K. Fulton, For, 8-1.
171 — F. Kulver, Col, d. S. Smith, Gla, 8-2.
189 — C. Lawson, For, p. K. Shaules, HP,1:26.
215 — D. Ard, HP, d. A. Burshia, Pop, 5-1.
HWT — C. Hopstad, Gla, d. R. Hensleigh, Col, 8-2.

Consolation Finals
98 — G. Nelson, For, recieved bye.
105 — open.
112 — J. Mann, Col, p. N. Pulver, For, 2:28.
119 — B. Hallock, Gla, p. R. Stormer, Cir, 2:28.
125 — J. Wiseman, Baker, d. T. Aukshun, HP, 6-3.
130 — F. Stormer, Cir, d. T. Koenig, Baker, 8-6.
135 — E. Taylor, Baker, p. D. Whitedirt, Col, :53.
140 — C. Beyer, Baker, p. B. Carpenter, Shp, 3:02.
145 — T. Austin, Gla, p. G. Pronto, WP, 4:40.
152 — B. Pickett, Baker, d. T. Kuehn, Shp,8-3.
160 — T. Yates, Col, d. C. Carpenter, Shp, 6-3.
171 — F. Marey, For, d. M. Welch, Shp, 12-9.
189 — D. Hopson, WP, d. J. Flaten, WP, 7-4.
215 — L. Knows His Gun, Col, p. K. Gregg, Gla, 1:24.
HWT — T. Yates, Col, p. M. Quiroz, Bro, 4:45.

Southern B-C
Team scores
Choteau 235½, Cascade-Simms 230½, Townsend 179, Fairfield 136½, Fort Benton 94, Belt 65, Jefferson 53½, Columbus 35, Whitehall 28
1st-2nd place
98—Cody Humphrey, Jeff, pinned Cache Giles, Fair, 3:04; 105—Clancy Livingston, C-S, pinned James Wall, Belt, :39; 112—Drew Floerchinger, C-S, pinned Jake Hall, Col, 1:10; 119—Jade Rauser, Town, pinned Riley DeBruycker, FB, :23; 125—Caylor Jacobsen, Fair, dec. Tanner Johnson, Town, 6-4; 130—Val Rauser, Town, pinned Nick Keen, C-S, 1:24; 135—Drake Lorance, C-S, pinned Levi Nelson, C-S, 4:43; 140—Jesse Werdal, Chot, pinned Layne Durfee, Chot, 5:36; 145—Lathan Crossland, C-S, by forfeit Tony Lightner, Chot; 152—Shay Christiansen, Town, pinned Michael Moore, Chot, 1:32; 160—Jake French, Chot, dec. Justin Smith, C-S, 7-6; 171—Adam DeBruycker, Chot, pinned Forrest Croff, Belt, :34; 189—Owen DeBruycker, Chot, dec. Taylor Buck, Chot, 8-6; 215—Jack Clark, Chot, dec. Rob Smartnick, Jeff, 13-3; Hwt—Blake Ereaux, FB, pinned Clancy Spurlock, Town, 1:39
Quick-pin award—Jade Rauser, 4 pins, 1:33
Ron Fuhrman Outstanding Wrestler—Jade Rauser
3rd-4th place
98—Robert Rhodes, Fair, dec. Jace Rogers, C-S, 6-0; 105—Steven Were, Chot, pinned Levi Yerkich, Col, 1:56; 112—Justin Hanson, Fair, pinned Isaiah Walston, Col, 2:02; 119—Logan Schwope, Town, dec. Kris Whitish, C-S, 7-6; 125—Christian Smith, C-S, dec. Perry Woodland, C-S, 6-1; 130—Hunter Croff, Belt, dec. Bucky Finley, C-S, 9-3; 135—Kyle Forbes, White, dec. Eli Folda, Fair, 15-3; 140—Dustin Stengrimson, Fair, dec. Boone Helm, Town, 3-2; 145—Joel Graf, Fair, pinned Alex Roberts, Town, 5:00; 152–Anders Andreasen, FB, dec. Matt McKenzie, Chot, 9-2; 160—Buddy Warren, Jeff, dec. Cole Werdal, Chot, 9-8; 171—Chauncei Saunders, Town, pinned Greg Hinojosa, Chot, 3:35; 189—Austin Reichelt, FB, pinned Dylan Reed, Fair, 2:17; 215—Drew Irvine, Belt, pinend Roman Schumacher, FB, :56; Hwt—Matt Orgega, Fair, pinned Eddy Ferguson, C-S, 1:37
5th-6th place
98—Jake Reinschmidt, White, def. Alex Johnson, White, NA; Logan Domino, Town, dec. Ryan Tuthill, White, NA; 112—Molly Trindle, FB, by forfeit; 119—Quinn Trindle, FB, def. Kyle Listoe, Jeff, NA; 125—Ryan Lesofski, Fair, by forfeit; 130—Justin Meier, Col, def. Dylan Boster, Town, NA; 135—Adam Lesofski, Fair, def. Colt Bessette, Town, NA; 140—Dustin Hicks, Belt, def. Brandon Ereaux, FB, NA; 145—Austin Mundaniohl, Jeff, def. Drew Liebers, White, NA; 152—Forrest Yocum, White, def. Thomas Davidson, White, NA; 160—Billy Baker, Col, by forfeit; 171—Ty Otness, Fair, def. Richard Jackson, Col, NA; 189—Spencer Shultz, White, def. Tyler Bennett, Town, NA; 215—Cullen Fitzgerald, White, by forfeit; Hwt—Ray Reiser, C-S, def. Pat Rouane, Col, NA

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I recently did a story on Alberton Superintendent Jim Baldwin, who is returning to coaching for one season as the Alberton girls’ head coach. He has been a lot of places in the Treasure State, most of them small towns, but he’s got a big heart for the teams he’s coached.

Enjoy one of my favorite Prep Extra stories.

- NL

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Missoula Hellgate golfer Colin Gunstream just signed a letter of intent to play collegiate golf for Santa Clara University in California, but his scoring days may be a ways away.

Gunstream, who set the course record at The Ranch Club in Missoula with a 63 in July, said he would love to crack the starting roster as a freshman, but he’ll have to wait and see.

“It all depends on what my scores are and how practice goes,” Gunstream said. “I have a good chance of playing, but nothing was ever guaranteed, until I get down there.”

The Broncos have just one senior on their roster for the upcoming season. The other eight SCU golfers are freshman-juniors.

- NL

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Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez on Thursday won his first Cy Young Award, which goes annually to the top pitchers in both the National League and American League.

Hernandez won the award despite his 13-12 overall record, which is the lowest win total by a Cy Young winner in the award’s history. Hernandez supporters point to his league-leading ERA (2.24), innings pitched (249 3/4) and second-best strikeout total (232) as major factors in their voting. That, and he pitched on one of the worst-hitting teams in MLB history.

His critics say that is all fine and dandy, but why vote for a guy like Hernandez when two pitchers like C.C. Sabathia of the Yankees and David Price of the Rays had dominant seasons and led their teams to the postseason. Sabathia had 21 wins/Price 19.

As for my perspective, why not give it to Felix?

Why does the best player, or MVP, have to come from one of the league’s most successful teams. Why can’t it simply be the best player to set foot on the court/field/diamond that season? Felix’s numbers are good enough to merit the award, it is people’s perceptions that he must not be that dominant if his team is a loser.

It’ll be interesting to see if this year’s Cy Young voting leads to other “greats” getting honored in similar ways in the future, because it’s been awhile since a “loser” has been so recognized.

In 1987, Chicago Cubs outfielder Andre Dawson won the NL MVP despite playing on a losing team. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this summer. In 1971, Dallas Cowboys linebacker Chuck Howley was named MVP of Super Bowl V, despite his team losing to the Baltimore Colts.

Those are just some of more well-known references to “losers” earning top player awards in sports. Locally, I like to draw people’s attention to UM basketball player Anthony Johnson, who should have won the Big Sky Conference MVP award his junior year.

In 2008-09, Johnson led the league in scoring and free-throw percentage and was fifth in assists. Alas, the Grizzlies lost to MSU in the first round of the Big Sky tournament and the award went to Kellen McCoy of regular-season champ Weber State.

McCoy was fourth in scoring and fifth in 3-point shooting – yawn – and his team lost to MSU in the Big Sky quarterfinals. But as we all found out, that was OK by Johnson, who used the MVP slight to motivate him in the Grizzlies’ win over the Wildcats the following year.

– NL

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The last 48 hours have given baseball fans in Missoula their first view of what the roster for the Missoula Osprey will look like when the team opens the Pioneer League season Monday evening in Helena against the Senators.

After Missoula’s parent club, the Arizona Diamondbacks, assigned four more players to the Osprey on Thursday, the current roster includes 28 players.

Here’s a link to Missoula’s most up-to-date roster, sent to media members late Thursday afternoon. Copy and paste the address below into your address bar:

https://acrobat.com/#d=MwVvxb8CgjbHYn4sT2yunA

- Michael Heinbach

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The Arizona Diamondbacks announced Wednesday the signing of 15 selections from this year’s Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft and six have been assigned to the Missoula Osprey, the team’s Pioneer League affiliate.

Two of the six were chosen in the top-20 rounds of last week’s MLB draft – 17th-round selection Derek Eitel, a 6-foot-4 200-pound right-handed pitcher from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and 19th-round pick Adam Eaton, a 5-9, 180-pound outfielder from Miami (Ohio) University.

Others who have inked contracts with the D-backs and will be sent to Missoula are catcher Andrew Whittington (33rd round), outfielder Christopher Jarrett (42nd), infielder Eric Groff (44th) and outfielder Javan Williams (45th).

That makes a total of 14 players who have been assigned to Missoula by the Diamondbacks organization. More details on the status of the Osprey roster will emerge before they’re slated to arrive in town Thursday evening.

– Michael Heinbach

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These are anxious times for Missoula Osprey baseball fans as the countdown to opening day stands at five.

Just a week after the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, the O’s parent club, the Arizona Diamondbacks, is slowly beginning to reveal who will make up Missoula’s opening day roster when the team begins the 2010 Pioneer League campaign Monday night in Helena.

In the next 48 hours, we should know a lot more about the team than the eight players who have currently been assigned to play for the Osprey. Most likely, that information will come Wednesday or early Thursday – the Osprey are slated to arrive in Missoula on Thursday evening and hope to work out at Ogren-Allegiance Park on Friday.

Since the draft was completed, I’ve kept a close eye on the transactions wire. But I’ve yet to see any indication that a single player from this year’s draft has signed a contract with the D-backs.

That makes me wonder if Missoula’s roster will see multiple changes over the course of the first month of the season as draftees begin to sign on the dotted line.

The Diamondbacks can’t evaluate new talent and assign freshly-signed players to a minor league team without working them out. That leads me to believe the Osprey will be heavy on players who have previously been in the D-backs’ system when the season begins.

And that’s good news for Osprey fans. Over the years I’ve noticed the division-rival Billings Mustangs, who always field a competitive club, tend to stock their team with players who have at least a year of professional experience.

It’s no secret the transition from the high school or college ranks to even the lowest level of pro ball isn’t easy and sometimes a titanic struggle. Most of the hitters have little experience with a wood bat, often making the first few weeks in the minors an adventure at the plate. And the pitchers have never faced lineups with professional-grade hitters in all nine spots in the order.

If as I suspect, the majority of the original Osprey roster will feature those with minor league experience, it’s quite possible Missoula will have and early upper hand in claiming the league’s first-half championship and guarantee the Osprey a spot in the PBL playoffs.

– Michael Heinbach

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There are few things in this world I enjoy more than feeling like a member of the Missoulian coverage area’s sporting community.

As a 16-year transplant to Missoula with no immediate family currently living west of Cleveland, I consider it an honor and a privilege to have forged myself a space among the area’s athletic family over the course of my nine years of writing sports for the Missoulian.

That’s where I’ve met some of the finest people I know and I’m now pleased to call many of these good folks my friends. Developing relationships with people like long-time Missoula soccer coach Geoff Birnbaum, Missoula Mavericks manager Brent Hathaway, Thompson Falls softball coach Randy Pirker, Hamilton activities director Darrell Holland and Whitefish volleyball coach Jackie Fuller, just to name a few, is what makes my job seem less like a job and more of a hobby.

But over the years it’s been the athletes themselves – high school, college and professional – whom I’ve had the most fun building relationships with.

It might come off as a simple pleasure, but I relish getting a chance to watch World Cup soccer matches with former Missoula Sentinel three-sport star and University of Montana soccer goalkeeper Grace Harris. Things like getting invited to a high school graduation party for athletes I’ve covered or going out for pizza with the parents of Maverick baseball players make me thankful to live in a community such as this.

I imagine I speak for the entire Missoulian sports staff when I say that it is with great pride that we strive to do our best to give these athletes and their coaches the recognition and credit they deserve.

So thank you athletes and coaches alike. Thanks for your dedication and thank you for making covering western Montana athletics for the Missoulian as enjoyable a job as I could possibly hold.

– Michael Heinbach

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Believe me, in the grand scheme of things I know I have very little pull when it comes to the fate of the universe. In short, I’m well aware it’s not all about me.

But sometimes I can’t help but think I have a bit of a curse on teams I cover for the Missoulian. You could ask former Loyola Sacred Heart girls’ basketball coach Cara Cocchiarella about her 2003-04 Breakers team that lost a total of four games, but that’s another story for another time.

Take for example last night’s Class AA Missoula Mavericks game at Lindborg-Cregg Field.

My previous post from yesterday afternoon on prosandpreps.com was a plea to the public to come watch watch a team I consider the best Missoula legion ballclub I’ve seen in my years covering the Mavericks for the Missoulian.

I explained how the Mavs were set to take the state by storm, starting with their conference opener against the Kalispell Lakers last night. There was little doubt in my mind the Mavericks would use Thursday evening to add to their 23-game winning streak and their stellar 31-1 record.

“Come out to support your local boys on the diamond this evening. You won’t be disappointed,” I wrote.

Then the Mavs’ “outstanding defense” uncharacteristically committed seven errors, their “intimidating” batting order managed six hits – all by the combination of second baseman Brody Miller and left fielder Matt McMann – and the Lakers dealt Missoula a 7-6 defeat.

Did my post lauding the Mavericks have anything to with last night’s sub-standard performance? I highly doubt it and I sure as heck hope not.

I agreed with Missoula manager Brent Hathaway and assistants Brian Moser and Conor Dwyer when we discussed before the game how the streak would have to end at some point. One day, the defense was bound to have a tough go, while the Missoula offense that came in hitting .389 as a team would go cold and the starting pitching would suffer.

That game came last night, and now the Mavs are pleased to have a chance to erase last night’s memory with two conference clashes in the next two days in Whitefish against the Glacier Twins. They’ll even get another shot at the Lakers in Kalispell next Tuesday.

So let’s make a deal. If you don’t write off the 2010 Mavericks after just one disappointing conference game, I’ll do my best to keep from putting the Heinbach Hex on them the rest of the season. I don’t think that should be a problem for any of us.
– Michael Heinbach

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With all the buzz surrounding the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft and the impending arrival of the 2010 Missoula Osprey to the Garden City in a week, many have overlooked some special baseball already being played here in town.
Tonight (Thursday) at 7 p.m., the Class AA Missoula Mavericks begin their Western Conference campaign with a nine-inning game against the Kalispell Lakers at Lindborg-Cregg Field.
Despite ominous weather reports calling for scattered showers this evening, tonight would be a perfect time to check out a ballclub that’s set the standard for legion ball in the state to this point of the season.
The Mavs have rolled to a 31-1 record, winning each of their last 23 ballgames. And local baseball fans are starting to take notice as evidenced by the Mavericks’ largest home attendance of the season Sunday, when Missoula scored 31 runs and smacked 27 base hits in a doubleheader sweep of the Bitterroot Red Sox.
Under the guidance of 18th-year AA manager Brent Hathaway, these Mavs are playing like the odds-on favorite to win the state tournament in late July, something Missoula hasn’t accomplished since 1998.
The Mavs feature outstanding defense combined with the most intimidating legion batting order I’ve seen in my time at the Missoulian. That has this Maverick team primed to break its state-championship drought.
So if you’re a baseball junkie (like myself) and don’t mind dodging raindrops, come out to support your local boys on the diamond this evening. You won’t be disappointed.
– Michael Heinbach

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