C-Falls loses both thinclad coaches

Beckwith, Knutson step down from Wildcat, Wildkat track and field helms

Mark Beckwith and Wes Knutson, two popular and successful long-time coaches at Columbia Falls High School, have resigned their head duties with the boys and girls track programs.

Beckwith was the head track coach of the boys for 17 seasons. The Columbia Falls boys finished second at the AA state meet in 2005.

"I've been at it for a long time," Beckwith said. "It's time to give someone else a chance."

Beckwith said he decided it was time to move after the first track meet last spring.

"It was the right thing to do," Beckwith said. "Some other opportunities (for me) are coming up."

Beckwith turned in his resignation earlier this month. At the same time, he also resigned his assistant boys basketball coaching duties as well.

The former head boys basketball coach at Columbia Falls from 1989 to 1993, Beckwith was an assistant the past six seasons at the junior varsity level. Prior to that, he was a volunteer assistant for a season with the freshman program.

Before arriving in Columbia Falls, Beckwith was the head boys basketball coach in Cut Bank (1986-1989) and he coached freshman track and basketball at Helena Capital in the 1970s.

"Great kids," said Beckwith of what he will remember the most from track. "The kids who have come through the program have been tremendous. That's the hardest part, leaving the kids in the program. It's all about the relationship you have with the kids in both sports. I want to thank all the great kids I've had for letting me be a part of it."

Beckwith hinted that he might help out in the future.

"It's not completely out of the picture," he said.

Knutson was the head coach of the girls program for 10 seasons and an assistant track coach for six years prior to that.

Under Knutson, the Wildkats won four divisional titles. His squad finished second at state in 2004 and third in 2005.

Knutson stepped down as the school's head wrestling coach the spring of 2005 after 18 seasons. The Wildcats won state in 1990.

"There is a chance I may come back as an assistant (track) coach," said Knutson.

"I really enjoy working with the kids."

Knutson coached the pole vaulters, hurdlers and relays in track.

/ "I have some great memories," said Knutson.

"I've got to meet some awesome people along the way."

Knutson and Beckwith had a great working relationship and both specialized in certain areas of track. Beckwith spent a lot of his time with the throwing events (shot put, discus and javelin) while Knutson devoted a lot of his attention to the pole vault and hurdlers.

"Mark was a great guy to work with," said Knutson.

"He really was. The boys program will really miss him."