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Welcome back to the Interlake Sports. Now I'm Josh Teagan. And thank you as always for taking the time to check out the show on this week's Sports. Now we'll start this thing out with the sports well spring Sports update, including some cat dog baseball and some crosstown tennis. Those rivalries here in the Valley and some local softball action that will go on in the college sports news, starting with some former Valley athletes who are making headlines at the next level as members of the and Cats track and field teams.

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So that's …

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Welcome back to the Interlake Sports. Now I'm Josh Teagan. And thank you as always for taking the time to check out the show on this week's Sports. Now we'll start this thing out with the sports well spring Sports update, including some cat dog baseball and some crosstown tennis. Those rivalries here in the Valley and some local softball action that will go on in the college sports news, starting with some former Valley athletes who are making headlines at the next level as members of the and Cats track and field teams.

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So that's always a good time. Then we'll take a look at the Griz football spring game that took place Friday night. Missoula. And wrap this thing up with two more college football headlines. One is very specific and the other relates to both the Grizz, the cats and the whole entire FCS football subdivision as a whole, including the big Sky.

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All that fun stuff. Quick reminder today's episode is brought to you by Nomad, one of the flatheads best manufacturing nomad. As a long time supporter of our local community and sports scene, celebrating 20 years of building great careers and mission focused custom vehicles. Nomad, a Montana based company making a global impact. Visit Nomad gcs.com for more info. That's Nomad gcs.com for more information.

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All right. Thank you as always to Nomad GCS for the support. It's always much appreciated. All right. Let's serve you up some tennis action to start this thing out. Since crosstown tennis went down last Thursday at the Flathead Valley Community College, the place Wolfpack boys and girls did pull off the crosstown sweep over Flathead. Well, Ruud Borg and Sam Eagle not led the way with a double sweep for the Glacier Boys, and Leilani Landers picked up a big win for the girls to help lead the way for the Wolfpack girls.

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Gavin Rodriguez picked up the lone victory of the day for the Flathead boys and Sara Lauren grab the Bravehearts lone victory on the day. Always fun to cover a little crosstown rivalry whether it's tennis, softball, whatever sports, there's always a little extra intensity there with the cross town action. So shout out all our crosstown competitors who left it all out there on the court.

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All right, moving along to some more rivalry action that took place in the Flathead Valley last week. Cat. Dog baseball. Always fun. Columbia Falls and Whitefish went at it Thursday at saber Don Von Brood field. Excuse me. Super drawn roots field in Sioux Falls with the Bulldogs coming out on top to grab cat dog bragging rights for the time being with a 7 to 5 win, Michael Miller had a standout performance for the Bulldogs, with two home runs at the plate and a strong day on the mound, Miller allowed three runs across five innings to add a win to a staff, seeing Logan Stewart closing out for the save for the Bulldogs, C-j threw had

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a two RBI double for the Bulldogs, while Tate Orme and Ryan Conklin each had two hits apiece. Cody Schweiger was the Wildcats standout performer on the loss. He had three hits and an RBI on to the local softball scene, where both Flathead and Glacier made the trip to Helena Saturday and both Kalispell schools picked up a split on the road with versus the Helena teams.

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The Bravehearts beat Helena high 5 to 3 and fell the capital ten to nothing, while the Wolfpack beat Helena 10 to 0 and fell to capital 9 to 6. Emma Cook had a homer each game for the Wolfpack. Ella Farrell and Zoe Allen both homered in the pack's win over Helena High. Speaking of the Wolfpack softball team, let's take a moment to shout out our Hagedorn Media Montana Poster Player of the week from last Sunday's daily Interlake class.

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Wolfpack softball slugger Kennedy Gaudet, who smacked a solo home run in the Wolfpack win over Columbia, Falls in the battle of reigning state champions that we recapped on last week. Sports now. So they're also on a sac fly and driving another run in that game. And that was it, she contributor on last year's state championship Wolfpack squad, and should play a big role in the Wolfpack quest to go back to back this year and win another state title.

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All right. That'll do it for our Hagedorn Montana Poster Player of the week. Best of luck to good dad and the Wolfpack softball team this season. As softball season hits its stride and the pack are chasing another state title, looking to go back to back. That's always tough to do in any sport, but they have a strong core group of key returners from last year's state title team.

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So hey, there's definitely a chance. And college track and field news. Two former Valley athletes made headlines last week. We'll start out with former Flathead high track star Ben Parent, who has had a strong career for the Montana State Bobcats. Parent made headlines for finishing fourth in the men's 5000m event in Long Beach, California. Parent finished just 2/100 of a second behind the all time Montana State record in the event set by parents former teammate Duncan Hamilton, who was a record setter of his own in quite a few games and still competing.

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I believe after college, professionally, I could be wrong, but last time I checked it was that being said, parents performance was good for the ninth fastest time in the country so far this year. So shout out to former Flathead brave and current Montana State Bobcat Ben Parent. Every time we have a parent highlight, it feels like his shadow and records are coming very close to it.

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So heck of an athlete in the track and field realm. All right. Moving along and sticking with the track and field action. Another former Valley product, this time a glacier high product and current rays athlete Evan Todd set a new PR in the javelin throw, the throw that traveled 70.78m and fell just inches shy of setting a new Montana school record throw, was a top 25 mark in the nation this year and landed in the top 11 in the West region and met the minimum standards for Olympic qualifying.

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So overall, a big time accomplishment by the former Glacier Wolfpack athlete, who continues to reach new heights at the college level and was named the big Sky Field Athlete of the week for the third time in his career this Monday. So shout out to Todd and Parent, both for their accomplishments on the track and field scene. One of those sports that just pushes your athleticism and all those kind of things.

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So kudos to those guys. Let's move along to some Griz football action. It is spring but got the Griz football spring game. So you know we had to dive into that just a little I always say Griz football the gift that keeps on giving always something Chris football related in the headlines. It feels like I'm going to go through four things that stood out to me, including some strong spring game showings from some area products, including a former Glacier High QB.

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All right, first off, number one, what stood out to me looking through the stats, looking through the headlines, those kind of names. The Grizzlies depth at running back heading into next year looks like a major, major strength after what we saw during the spring game. You already have Eli Gilman, Nick Osnos back. You have a guy like Xavier Harris, Isaiah Childs.

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There's all kinds of talent in that room already. And now they add Arizona transfer Stevie Rocker, and they had an emerging star, possibly a guy who was playing linebacker previously for Roy Bozeman High product. I believe you also went to Huntley Project before that Troy made some noise during the spring game at running back, switched back from linebacker to running back where he was starting in high school, and rocker's name was trending on Twitter among resignation for his play at running back.

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So Troy and Rocker really add some depth to that running back room that's already very deep. quality made headlines and kind of like I said, I saw him trend on Twitter bit for his hard running style. He was a linebacker previously and it's a big kid for a running back. I believe he's 225 pounds. He had 11 carries for 54 yards.

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The Bozeman High product. So a power back who is hard to bring down could be a guy who, when Nick Osman moves on after next season, could fill those shoes as a downhill runner. Power back gets up field one cut kind of guy. Get him in the open space and he's hard to tackle. That's what Troy brings to the table.

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As for rocker, he rushed for two touchdowns in a game high 74 yards on 11 carries. Look for him to work his way into some playing time this upcoming season. And the running back room that, like I said, already includes FCS freshman of the year. Last year, Eli Gilman got Nick Osmo, who is one of those guys who's moving his way up the record books.

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He's been had a great longevity type of career. Osmo should cap it off with a strong final season, you'd imagine, and Xavier Harris had an impact down the stretch in the playoffs. And big moments like these in the passing game. And like I said, Isaiah Childs, we have seen him make an impact at time for the Grinch. So overall rocker joins that group.

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Is someone probably ready to make an impact immediately? And Kroy looks like he has a bright future at running back. So that really just hammered home the point to me that the Grizz running back room is absolutely loaded. They have a strong offensive line heading into next year, so look for them early with kind of a new face going to be taken over at quarterback to really dominate teams in the running game heading into next season.

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All right. Number two speaking of that quarterback battle in that quarterback room. It's going to be a new face starting to float to McDaniel left. You know got got to fill the big shoes to fill. He was a heck of a player. And it's one year for the Grizz helped lead them to that FCS title game. Who takes that job.

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Number two things that stood out to me. This guy has a chance to fight for that job and that is Helena product Caden Hewitt. He made noise at QB during the spring game, highlighted by a big time connection with Aaron Font on a 41 yard strike down the field. Hewitt is a redshirt sophomore, and prior to his time with the grass, he was a three time All-State selection at Helena High and considered the top player in the state coming out of high school, I believe he was a three star recruit, had some interest from some FBS schools, so, so legit.

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QB prospect Hewitt is six four, 215. That prototype build of a pocket passer. He does have some athleticism, ability to get out of the pocket a bit. The great starting QB job is wide open heading into next season after McDowell's departure, so I wouldn't rule out Hewitt as a real candidate to land that starting job. But prior to the spring game, I was kind of leaning towards Pioli a lot.

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Fresno State transfer Logan five. Those look like the guys probably gunning for the starting job. Boise State transfer Sam LeBlanc. They're all gonna be fine for that job, but now you could really add Hewitt's name to that list as a Montana product. 642 15 you can't teach sys. He has that prototype build for a pocket passer. Big time QB can take hits, can play in the cold games of Montana.

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You know that he did in high school. And that size will translate to the college level. So just a name to add to the mix where when it starts getting to August and that QB battles really heating up in early August late July. Hewitt is a name to remember, no doubt. Number three on the list here. Another Grizz QB with Valley ties had a strong spring game, landing him.

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Like I said, number three on my things that stood out former Glacier High gunslinger Gage Slider, who was a ton of fun to cover in high school. Prolific passer in high school for Glacier Kid, a solid spring game performance by completing all three of his past attempts, he went three for three for 34 total yards passing, highlighted by a 22 yard back shoulder touchdown pass to Drew Klump.

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The Grizz posted that video on their Twitter. You can go check it out on the Grizz football Twitter slider. Made a heck of a pass. One of those guys who's accurate gets rid of the ball quick. I had a lot of fun covering him in high school, and he's somebody who is a redshirt freshman. Bears are loaded with depth at quarterback right now, is probably not competing for a starting job and playing time, but it's great to see him get those reps and somebody with a bright future.

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When that's play, the opportunity for playing time does come, so we'll definitely be keeping an eye out with what Gage Slider does down the road. One of those guys who just makes great throws a heck of a passer, no doubt about that. A natural facilitator at the quarterback position, but made the most of his reps a really crisp touchdown pass to Drew Klump.

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Gotta love that. If you're a glacial Wolfpack football fan or just rooting for Valley athletes at the next level. All right, number four. Speaking of another area athlete who had a very strong spring game performance, that was Libby Product C Stevenson. He racked up four tackles and 1.5 sacks on the day. Stevenson is also a redshirt freshman in the same class of slider.

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He's a player who has the potential to be an impact player in the near future. For the grades. I saw him play in high school for living versus Whitefish his senior year. In that game, he racked up 337 rushing yards on 18 carries at running back. One of those rare guys, he was the biggest dude on the field and the fastest dude on the field.

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When you watched him in high school, you don't see that every day. Just a standout athlete, very physical player, and he has a great chance to make some noise at linebacker for the Grizz as soon as I'd say next season. As far as special teams make an impact, starting to get some playing time. So if I had to guess, it's only a matter of time before Stevenson works his way into the mix at linebacker for the Grizz on Saturdays.

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And like I said, I wouldn't be surprised to see him very soon make an impact, at least on special teams. But a very strong spring day capped off by a 1.5 sacks. Kyle Love that. All right. That'll do it for our spring game talk. You know a little throw a little astrakhan there. You know you got to take everything with a grain of salt this time of year.

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It's spring football a lot of it's just getting the reps getting your guys on film, those kind of things, seeing what you have in certain players. So you know you can't look too much into it. But guys like rock or a few, it gets lighter side Stevens and all the names that we mentioned mentioned who have strong performances, that translates down the road.

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Coaches don't forget about that. So it can only help their stock, and it only helps the program to just know that much more what you have in your depth. And that right now is a major strength for the Grizzlies at multiple positions. They are very deep roster. All right. Another piece of great football news. And then we'll wrap this thing up with one more piece called Football News.

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But former Grizz QB who helped lead them to that FCS title game I mentioned him earlier. Clifton McDowell announced on Twitter he's no longer transferring to temple of the FBS. Instead, he'll be making the move to McNeese state. They're an FCS school. They went 1 in 10 in the Southland Conference last year. The Cowboys did not have the strongest season, but a guy like McDowell should provide a major spark to their football program.

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And, you know, it would have been great to see him come back. And the Grizz have that continuity at quarterback. A returning star who, you know can get it done in big moments. That being said, it is what it is. That's the nature of college football today. I'll definitely be rooting for McDowell to finish up his college career on a high note with McNeese state.

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Sometimes it's all about fit, opportunity, whatever it may be. He saw fit there and hey, hopefully he goes and does great there and gets the opportunity to start and continues a college career because you know, McDowell had a lot of success. He's a lot of fun to cover. Don't win the championship, but he definitely helped get you there.

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So I'm going to be rooting for him moving forward. But he will be with the McNeese State Cowboys next season. Last up, some exciting FCS football news. This relates to the Grizzlies, relates to the cats of the big Sky as a whole. But the FCS, the NCAA, AA, ESPN, all the people making the decisions. They decided they're going to move the NCAA championship game into Monday night after the game was played on Sunday.

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The last few years, which led to a lot, a lot of criticism from college football fans and FCS football fans alike. Because including myself, because first, you never associate college football with Sundays. That's the NFL day. And secondly, speaking of the NFL, the FCS championship game the last few years has was forced to go up against NFL Sunday, and it was the final NFL Sunday of the season, the day the Grizz had the opportunity to play in the Championship game felt like the game never really got the exposure and recognition it deserved with the national audience.

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It's the Division one championship football game deserves a lot of hype and having that Monday night slot, there's no NFL. That night they pushed back the playoffs because of the expansion and all that. So there won't be a game Monday night. It'll be a standalone event, the FCS football game or football championship Monday night. They'll have their own timeslot.

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There won't be any other football to compete with. And that time of year football fans are very hungry to watch the sport. So I think it's great for the FCS and potentially the Grizz or the cats. If either of them makes the title game, it's just that much more exposure for your program and overall the opportunity for these athletes to compete in front of a national audience at what the stakes the highest in the championship game.

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So I gotta love that move. I think most college football fans would agree nothing you associate Monday with college football, but you definitely don't think of Sunday in January college football. You think of the NFL season wrapping up, getting ready for NFL playoffs. So separate in that it's going to be great for the FCS subdivision in the long run.

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Hopefully they continue that moving forward. All right. That's going to do it for this week's Interlake Sports. Now thinking, as always for taking the time to check out the show. Thank you, as always to our friends at Nomad Geeks for the support. Shout out Hagedorn Media Group Montana. On that note, I'm Josh Stevens and I'm out.