County Enjoyed Many Sports Highlights During 2021
By Bill Vander Weele
Many standout performances by individuals highlighted the 2021 sports year in Roosevelt County.
Wolf Point’s Zander Ackerman and Jewel Olson captured state titles during the track season. Ackerman, who won the Class B state championship in cross country during the fall of 2020, finished first in the 1600 and 3200 meter runs at the Class B state track meet. In addition, he placed second in the 800. Ackerman ended his high school career with school records in the 800, 1600 and 3200.
Olson finished first in both the 200 and 400 at the state track meet. Both were school record times. She also earned a sixth-place medal in the 100.
Lustre Christian’s Jasiah Hambira cleared 6-3 for top honors in the high jump at the Class C state track meet.
Jazmin Gorder had a great year for the Poplar Indians. Gorder earned the title at 113 pounds at the first ever girls’ all-state wrestling championship. She won her last two matches on pins. She continued her success in track as Gorder earned second in the 800 and sixth in the 1600 in the Class B state track meet. She finished 11th at the Class C state cross country meet.
Wolf Point’s Joli Beston placed second at the girls’ state wrestling meet. Samantha Reed won two of her four matches at the state meet.
Wolf Point’s boys’ team placed seventh in the team standings at the state cross country meet. Peyton Summers, a sophomore, earned All-State status by placing fifth at the meet. Kholby Spotted Wolf took 21st and Ethan Blount finished 25th.
At the Class B state wrestling meet, Poplar’s Jase Frederick placed fifth at 120 pounds and Jacob Berger placed sixth at heavyweight. Frederick is a three-time state placer and Berger is a two-time state placer.
Wolf Point’s Mason Garfield earned sixth place at 182 pounds during the state wrestling meet.
Poplar’s Jazmin Gorder and Wolf Point’s Angelina Escarcega each earned national honors during the Disney Duals’ wrestling showcase held in Orlando, Fla. Gorder posted an 11-2 record and received a bronze medal. Escarcega earend a cooper medal with a 10-3 record. Amiya Kirn won a bronze medal with an 11-2 record. Team Montana placed sixth as a team in the gold division.
Wolf Point’s Katelyn Mac-Donald placed fourth in the javelin with a best of 115-06 at the Class B state track meet.
Poplar’s Tyler Pribbernow placed sixth in the javelin with a mark of 151-07 at the state track meet.
Culbertson’s Abbey Granbois and Froid/Lake’s Carolyne Christoffersen each placed at the Class C state track meet. Granbois cleared 5-3 to earn second place in the high jump. Christoffersen placed fifth place in the shot put with a best of 35-05. Best performances for Bainville came from senior Kaden Hansen with an eighth in the shot put and a ninth in the discus.
As far as team accomplishments, the Froid/Lake Red Hawks topped the list by repeating as state champions in six-man football. The Red Hawks ran over Power/Dutton/ Brady, 43-0, in the state championship game. “We just brought the energy,” Froid/ Lake coach Michael Reiter said. “It was easy for me to call our plays on offense when our defense was being so great.” Senior linebacker Brett Stentoft explained, “We just came out and brought the energy and played Red Hawk football.” Assistant coach Jalen Hendrickson, who directs the defense, noted, “They showed up today. They brought it. I thought we were capable of that every week. We were determined. We came through at the biggest game of the year.”
The Culbertson/Bainville girls’ cross-country team earned second place at the Class C state meet. Culbertson /Bainville earned second with 59 points. Manhattan Christian won the team title with 47 points. Park City placed third with 66 points. Culbertson /Bainville coach Dave Solem said this was the first time that the girls earned a team trophy from the state meet since a second-place showing in Missoula during 2008. Leading the way was Emma Poser with a time of 21:33.32 for sixth place. Kayli Olson finished in 19th place at 23:04.52. Autumn Bergum placed 34th at 24:33.12. Destiny Thompson earned 41st at 25:06.19. Megan Granbois took 42nd at 25:06.80.
The Froid/Lake’s boys’ basketball team placed second at the Eastern C divisional tournament and then won one game at the state tournament.
Froid/Lake’s volleyball team made its first appearance at the Class C state tournament after placing second at the divisional tourney. The Red Hawks defeated Bridger at the state tournament and placed fifth at the tourney.
Culbertson enjoyed a great rebound season in football with victories over Scobey and Fairview highlighting the year. The Cowboys fell to Belt, 36-15, in the first round of the playoffs.
The Culbertson Cowgirls qualified for the divisional volleyball tournament for the first time in 10 years. The Cowgirls defeated Savage to earn a divisional berth.
The Wolf Point Yellow Jackets won the northeastern Montana softball championship for high school girls. The Yellow Jackets downed Plentywood, 9-5, in the title contest. Bainville placed third in the tournament.
Wolf Point’s track season included winning the District 2B track championship and placing second in the team standings at the divisional meet.
Wolf Point’s improved football program included victories at Colstrip and home against Conrad.
(Photo submitted)
