Full Count with Fritz Neighbor
Read Fritz Neighbor’s Full Count sports columns offering seasoned analysis of Montana athletics, high school sports, and college rivalries. With decades of experience, Neighbor delivers sharp commentary, storytelling, and context on teams, athletes, and major sports moments across Northwest Montana.
Full Count: Masters class in making a big comeback
Maria Phelps discovered her talent in the 800 meters too late to excel at it in high school — she was already chu…
Full Count: The history behind the hat from Hack
One day during the 2009 college football season Steve Hackney, in his final year as the University of Montana’s equipment manager, told a local reporter, “Hey, got something for you.”
Full Count: Merchant of Vikings has big goals
On May 25, 2024, Bigfork sophomore Robert Merchant clocked 11.23 seconds in the 100 meters, good for sixth place at the State A track and field championships.
Full Count: 'That one day' arrives for QB Schweikert
Cody Schweikert could be forgiven for getting down during his two-plus seasons with the University of Montana football program.
Tired? Just wait until next season
I have adapted about as well as any sports fan I know to the NIL Era, feeling it is better than anything the NCAA came up with previously in terms of how college athletes are treated.
Full Count: Have to ask, Will it play in Meridian?
When we sit back to watch the Big Sky Conference absorb another lopsided loss at the NCAA Tournament — Idaho's men play Houston at 8:10 p.m. local time Thursday on that channel we watch once a year, TRUTV — we can …
Full Count: Bulldog spirit exemplifies young squad
When we last checked in with Bob Bolam and the Whitefish girls basketball program, they were on the verge of breaking a state tournament drought in 2021.
Full Count: None of this should seem at all radical
Bobby Kennedy, the freshly-minted head football coach of the Montana Grizzlies, had some highlight moments during a Thursday press conference ahead of the star…
Full Count: Zip-lining to near glory off African coast
One of the coolest things about “Trainer Games” for Dan Holguin, the Kalispell resident who competed in the reality show competition, was what he was able to do after it wrapped last May.
Column: Fastest retirement I ever saw
Let me see if I have this right.
Full Count: O'Connell the Pioneer finds way home
Mike O’Connell’s first steps toward becoming coach of the Kalispell Lakers American Legion baseball team began in a roundabout way: He was asked for candidates.
Full Count: To sum that up, we need to borrow a word
Gorgeous in spots and dragging in others, Montana State’s 35-34 overtime win over Illinois State Monday in the NCAA Division I Football Championship was, once …
Full Count: Some regrets, but plenty of great highlights
As 2025 winds down, I have come to the uncomfortable conclusion that mistakes were made.
Full Count: Pretty much the same thing over and over
Most people would celebrate their team’s 13-2 season, as they should, but man did the Bobcats knock some shine off that record.
Full Count: Of Bobcats, Grizzlies and butterflies
The beautiful Great Divide Trophy is not at stake Saturday when the Grizzlies and Bobcats battle in what we’re now calling “The Super Brawl” in Bozeman.