TUESDAY BRIEFS: MHSA finals sites announced; youth softball season starts Saturday
HELENA — The Montana High School Association executive board finalized the state tournament schedule for the 2016-17 and most of the 2017-18 seasons at the group’s April meeting on Tuesday, with Kalispell set to host the Class AA state soccer tournament this fall and Class AA golf and tennis tournaments in the 2017-18 school year.
The Class AA state soccer tournament, set to be held on Oct. 27-29, will be one of two championships to be held in Kalispell this fall. The board previously approved for the all-class state cross country meet to be held at Rebecca Farm on Oct. 22. This is the first time Kalispell will host the soccer tournament since 2012.
The city will host the Class AA and B/C state softball tournaments this season on May 26-28.
Kalispell will host the Class AA state tennis meet on 2017 and 2018 at Flathead Valley Community College. The Class AA state golf tournament will be held in town on Sept. 25-30, 2017.
KYSA starts on Saturday
Kalispell Youth Softball Association kicks off the 2016 spring league season this Saturday with a pancake breakfast fundraiser and opening ceremonies. Join family, friends, and community members for breakfast and the opportunity to celebrate over 200 young ladies. Breakfast will be served from 8-9 a.m. at the Kidsports Complex fields with opening ceremonies beginning at 9:30 a.m. All teams will be presented, with the first games beginning at 10 a.m.
Polson skatepark to host competition
POLSON — The Polson Skatepark will hold its first Ankle Biters competition at noon on April 23 for skaters ages 13 and under. There is no fee to compete, with events including competition, a skateboard prize raffle and $1 hot dogs.
Prizes will be awarded for each event with 100 percent of proceeds and donations going directly to the Polson Skatepark expansion project. Signups begin at 11 a.m. on the day of competition. Skaters are asked to come early for sign in and ramp up.
Members of the Missoula-based Elements Board Shop team will also be making an appearance to share their tips on technique.
For more information contact Jayson Pichler at (406) 885-0637 or Jesse Vargas at (406) 858-0549. Information is also available at www.polsonskatepark.com or on the Polson Skatepark Facebook page.
Nolte earns BJJ black belt
ATHENS, Ga. — Allen “Gus” Nolte received his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black belt from owner and head coach at Straight Blast Gym of Montana Travis Davidson at a ceremony earlier this month.
Nolte endured a grueling tradition of grappling to submission with several of his teammates to earn the belt. Nolte started training with Davison in 2009 as one of the first students of SBG in Kalispell. In Jiu Jitsu, most athletes earn a black belt in an average of 8-10 years.
The ceremony was attended by more than 130 SBG members from all over the World celebrating two other belt promotions amidst SBG’s annual spring camp.
“Coach Gus” is now a Jiu Jitsu black belt, professional MMA fighter, coach and soon to be gym owner in Missoula.
“Gus has grown and changed throughout the years and embodies what SBG is all about,” Davison said. “I look forward to being there when he awards his first black belt.”