Celebrating Area Senior Spring Athletes

This week, the Northern Plains Independent continues highlighting the seniors who would have competed in spring sports at area high schools if the COVID-19 pandemic had not shuttered schools across the country.

Three seniors would have participated in the Poplar High School tennis program. They are Betty Bear, Chloe Belton and Kwyn Colgan. Two Poplar seniors would have competed in golf: Coy Azure and Samuel Mix. Poplar High School seniors who would have competed in track are Riley MacDonald, Kody Stump, Sasha Youngman, Samantha Brunelle, Shilow McKay, Celeste Shields, Trey Pribbernow, Michael Main and Jacora Youngman.

Betty Bear

Bear participated in tennis (three years), wrestling (two years), volleyball (four years) and served as a manager for the basketball program (one year). As a wrestler, she earned an athletic scholarship to the University of Providence in Great Falls where she will major in psychology. Bear’s career goal is to become a counselor working with children.

Chloe Belton

Belton participated in tennis, basketball, cross country and volleyball. Belton said she plans to remain in Poplar and attend Fort Peck Community College.

Kwyn Colgan

Colgan played tennis, was a manager for the volleyball team and a cheerleader. She plans to attend Montana State University - Billings and major in history.

Coy Azure

Azure played golf his freshman, sophomore and junior year and would have this year as a senior. He also played basketball his freshman and sophomore years and was in band. Azure plays the guitar. He hasn’t decided on what college to attend.

Samuel Mix

Mix played golf three years, basketball three years, was in speech and drama one year and wrested one year. He plans to attend Montana State University.

Riley MacDonald

MacDonald participated in track and field for three years, two years in cross country, played volleyball two years and played golf one year. Her overall athletic achievements was placing eighth at state for cross country during her freshman year. MacDonald plans to attend Montana State University Billings and major in radiology technician.

Kody Stump

Stump participated in track and field for three years, volleyball for four years, cheer leading for four years and band for four years. She was in National Honor Society and student council for one year. Stump plans to attend Fort Peck Community College for has general education requirements and then transfer to MSU Billings for criminal justice.

Sasha Youngman

Youngman has been a four-year basketball and volleyball athlete. She participated in track and field three years and tennis. She was also in National Honor Society three years and served three years on the Student Council. Youngman plans to attend MSU Billings.

Samantha Brunelle

Brunelle participated in track and field, golf, volleyball, basketball and wrestling. She is her graduating class valedictorian, president of Student Council, vice president of National Honor Society, secretary/treasurer of BPA. She plans to attend Minot State University to pursue a career in physical therapy. She will also throw for the Beavers’ track and field team.

Shilow McKay

McKay participated in track and field. He also was on the wrestling team for two years.

Celeste Shields

Shields participated in track and field three years, volleyball four years, basketball one year, golf one year and cheerleading one year. She also participated in three years of history club, three years of speech and drama, four years of band, two years drum line, two years girls’ group and one year of Student Council.

Trey Pribbernow, Michael Main and Jacora Youngman participated in track and field, but did not respond to our interview request and no further information was provided by the Poplar School.