Glacier's golfers to make school history

Wolfpack begin 2007-08 sports season, along with Flathead and Whitefish, today in Great Falls Invitational

It could very well become a local trivia question many years from now.

What sports team at Glacier High School had the honor of playing in the first Montana High School Athletic Association sanctioned event?

See page B4 for the answer.

No, just kidding.

If you said the boys' and girls' golf teams, you are correct. They will make Glacier sports history today at the Great Falls Invitational.

"We're proud to be the first ones," said Glacier coach Rob Logsdon.

"I think the kids and I have both thought of that."

The two-day, 36-hole event begins at 1 p.m. at Meadow Lark Country Club. Action resumes Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. at Eagle Falls Golf Course.

Glacier's football season begins Friday at home with Butte. Glacier volleyball also starts at home, but on Saturday versus Great Falls. Soccer and cross country competition for the Wolfpack starts the last week in August.

"We're real lucky this year," Logsdon said.

"I think we will have excellent squads that will compete for a trophy (at state). I think we're the first sport at Glacier that could win some state accolades as far as finishing in the top three on both sides. I think we have excellent potential."

Flathead High School, along with Whitefish, will also be in the Electric City for the golf opener. All the Class AA teams are in attendance plus Class A Havre.

Glacier and Flathead plan to travel to all their golf events on the same bus.

"The kids all know each other," Logsdon said.

"It will be good for both teams to travel together."

It also saves money.

"In Billings, all three schools come on a bus," FHS coach Tim Elliott said.

"We just won't let them (Flathead and Glacier) room together," he joked.

"It will be fun to get to know Rob (Logsdon)."

Logsdon, a state golf champ at Helena Capital in 1988, said the two Helena schools traveled to tournament together when he played.

Glacier's turnout for golf was much better than anticipated with 21 boys and nine girls on the roster.

"I got a lot more girls," Logsdon said.

"I felt I would be lucky to field a full squad for girls. I also got five or 10 more guys than I hoped."

Logsdon said a couple of his players, Larry Iverson III, a junior, Grahm Schmaltz, a sophomore, and Taran Brown, a junior, helped recruit players while local golf courses also did their part in encouraging youngsters to play.

"I think Alice (Ritzman, former FHS head coach) and everyone (associated with the sport) has laid a good foundation here," Logsdon said.

"We're (along with FHS head coach Kim Elliott) just carrying that forward. She (Ritzman) is still coaching and teaching the kids."

Logsdon said having two schools helped increase the numbers.

"The kids feel there is a better chance to learn more about the game, a better chance for them to play now," he said.

"There are 10 varsity starting spots in Kalispell now instead of five for boys and girls (like last year)."

Glacier's lineups for the invitational are: (boys) Iverson, Schmaltz, Trey Griffith, freshman, Tyson Howe, freshman, Justin Newton, a sophomore; and (girls) Karli Aurich, sophomore, Martha Obermiller, a junior, Brown, Elsie Satterfield, a sophomore, and Justine Klein, a sophomore.

Iverson, Schmaltz, Aurich, Brown and Obermiller all played varsity at Flathead a year ago.

Logsdon said juniors Aaron Young, Jake Miller and Cody Grosswiler will also contribute on the varsity level as the season goes along.

"We're deeper than I hoped," Logsdon said.

"Six guys who can go varsity and break 80 every day.

"Trey was a big surprise," Logsdon continued.

"He's just a freshman, but he looks very good."

Billing West, led by Jake Hedge, is the favorite in AA boys golf.

Elliott said he was pleased with the turnover at FHS - 29 boys and eight girls.

"It was an unknown, but I didn't worry about it," he said.

"You never know where the kids are going to live. Whoever shows up, that's the cards we've been given."

Elliott has two boys with varsity experience back - seniors Jaden Treece and Ben Piersall.

Joining them in Great Fall are Michael Reavis, junior, and sophomores Andrew Olson and Kyle Decker.

"They played extremely well to qualify," Elliott said of Olson and Decker.

"It will be an eye-opener for them."

The Bravettes will start the season with just four players - Betsy Engle, senior, and juniors Sarah Cunningham, Beth McNutt and Michelle Tanberg.

This will be Engle's fourth year at the varsity level.

"Beth and Sarah played strong JV last year," Elliott said.

"And have gotten a lot better. They worked hard this summer."

Elliott said the Bravettes should have no trouble fielding a full squad for the remainder of the season.

"It's a great way to start," Whitefish coach Terry Nelson said of the invitational.

"I think we're ready.

"Most of the kids have been playing this summer," he continued.

"They are ready to start some competition."

Nelson has 28 boys and 10 girls on his rosters this fall.

"About normal for the boys," he said.

"A little lower for the girls."

One player off the girls state championship team moved and another elected not to compete this season.

The top returners for the boys are senior Sam Krause, last year's Class A state champion, and senior Andre Groschupf. They will be in the lineup today along with junior Daniel Marcus and sophomores Joel Mallams and Ryan Zalecky.

"Sam Krause is probably one of the top players in the state (all classes)," Nelson said.

"Probably the best player we've ever had, which says a lot."

Nelson is expecting some younger kids - sophomores Zach Maassen and Tyler Schiff and freshmen Kyler Blades and Carl Talsma - along with junior Mikel Miller to push for varsity playing time.

"They have the ability," Nelson said.

"It's just a matter of believing in themselves."

Overall …

"I think strong would be a good word," Nelson said of describing his boys' squad.

"We won't be dominant (like in previous years)."

For the WHS girls, Chelsea Ray, senior, finished second at state last fall and will again anchor another talented Bulldog squad.

"They are (already) better this year than last year," Nelson said.

Joining Ray in Great Falls today are: Quinn Micklewright, junior; BreAnna Cameron, sophomore; Kiley McConnell, freshman; and Ellen Scheffer, junior.

Other to watch for are: Danielle McCully, a freshman; and sophomores Tara Sullivan, Taler Johnson and Lexi Day.

The WHS girls have won 15 state titles, 13 under Nelson. The WHS boys have won nine overall, six with Nelson.

"Being successful, obviously attracts kids," Nelson said.

"We have a lot of good athletes playing golf now. We have some of the best freshmen athletes out."

Competition for the other area schools will begin on Thursday with the Ronan Invitational.