Brennan, Nikunen, Cephers land postseason Legion honors

The awards for the Montana/Alberta AA American Legion 2025 season have been announced, and a trio of Kalispell Lakers received recognition.

Catcher Ostyn Brennan and third baseman Luke Nikunen were both named All-State, while Andre Cephers made the all-conference team as a pitcher. 

Brennan hit .328, with an on base-plus-slugging percentage of .905. He shut down opponents’ run games and as the Lakers’ closer picked up his sixth save at the state tourney, in a 4-1 win over Great Falls. 

Nikunen hit .335 with 34 runs batted in, 31 stolen bases and 48 runs scored. 

Cephers threw 62 innings this season with a 2.36 earned-run average and 58 strikeouts. 

All three players are set to continue playing baseball in college – Nikunen at Whitworth University, Brennan at Lewis-Clark State and Cephers at Yakima Valley Community College. 

Two-time state champion Missoula four All-State picks: pitcher Easton Reimers, second baseman Colter Nicolarsen, outfielder Carter Taylor and utility man Stellan Ridley. 

The Mavericks also swept the awards from the recently completed State AA tournament, including MVP honors for Schuyler Fairchild. 

The Mavericks and host Billings Royals continued their season at the Northwest Regional that began Wednesday in Billings. 

American Legion  

2025 Montana-Alberta Postseason Awards 

AA All-State Team 

P: Easton Reimers, Missoula; Paxton Prill, Billings Scarlets; Tyler Beaver, Helena 

C: Ostyn Brennen, Kalispell 

1B: Carter Perlinski, Helena 

2B: Colter Nicolarsen, Missoula 

3B: Luke Nikkunen, Kalispell 

SS: Walker DesRosier, Helena 

OF: Cody Collis, Billings Scarlets; Carter Taylor, Missoula; Paxton Fitch, Billings Royals; Liam Sullivan, Great Falls 

Utility: Stellan Ridley, Missoula 

All-Conference Team 

P: Schuyler Fairchild, Missoula; Nick Martin, Billings Royals; Andre Cephers, Kalispell 

C: Rylan Davis, Missoula 

1B: Carson Jenkins-Antle, Billings Royals; Easton Reimers, Missoula 

2B: Jarrett Herz, Bozeman 

3B: Van Shockely, Bozeman; Owen Felton, Missoula 

SS: Chaise Tracey, Billings Royals 

OF: Aaron Fuzesy, Helena; Brady Randall, Billings Scarlets; Louis Musial, Bozeman; Connor Devine, Helena 

Utility: Kooper Beard, Billings Royals; Quinn Pershing, Bozeman 

State Tournament Awards 

MVP: Schuyler Fairchild, Missoula 

Batting Champ: Kaden Thennis, Missoula 

Coach of the Year: Brent Hathaway, Missoula 

    Lakers AA third baseman Luke Nikunen (12) holds on to a hard-hit line drive against the Helena Senators at Griffin Field on Saturday, July 26. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    Kalispell Lakers AA starting pitcher Andre Cephers (7) delivers in the first inning against Medicine Hat at Griffen Field on Saturday, July 6. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider