Bigfork sends 12 to state tennis

Western B-C divisional singles tennis champion McKinze Shults of Bigfork will open state tournament play in Missoula today against Megan Drury of Superior/Alberton.

Divisional runner-up Kianna Wicklund of Bigfork has drawn Kayhlee Farris of Fort Benton in her first-round match.

The Bigfork girls will also have two doubles teams competing — Brook Bonner and Madison Fraley, and Alanis Stallknecht and Shelby Scoggins.

Bonner and Fraley face Mishai Huckaba and Carly Briggs of Whitehall in their first-round action. Stallknecht and Scoggins start with Alex Kraft and Duana Gobert of Cut Bank.

For Bigfork’s boys, Shane Parks, Colter Mahlum, Gunnar Boose and Avery Folkman will compete in state singles.

Parks faces Troy Bontrager of St. Ignatius in the first round.

Mahlum’s first opponent will be Chris Camel, also of St. Ignatius.

Boose has drawn Austin Zomer of Conrad in the opening round.

Folkman starts with Kurt Parker of Valier in a play-in match. That winner faces Matt Roberts of Loyola in the first round.

Dylan Fraley and Logan Lamm are playing doubles for the Vikings. Their first-round action is with RJ Blood and Zeeshaun Ali of St. Ignatius.

The tournament runs through Thursday. Play will take place at the University of Montana and Playfair Park courts.

The Cut Bank girls and Valley Christian boys are defending state champs. Bigfork finished four points behind Valley Christian last year.