By Tiffany L. Rehbein
Extremely competitive described both the girls cross country and boys football team at the annual Havre High School awards night held Monday evening at the high school cafeteria.
For the first time ever, the cross country team brought home a divisional trophy. At the meet in Livingston, held Oct. 16, the girls brought home a first-place trophy with 39 team points.
At state in Helena one week later, Havre placed fourth; its best finish in eight years.
Junior Jennie Peterson placed fifth at the meet with a time of 19:10. She was only one of three Havre harriers to finish in the top 15 at the meet in more than a decade.
Peterson was awarded the Most Valuable Runner on the cross country team. During the course of the season, Peterson finished first four times, clocking a career-best time of 18:35 at Lewistown on Oct. 2.
Freshman Jenna Baltrusch placed 17th at state. Baltrusch was awarded the Most Consistent Runner.
Senior Cara Holmquist, who chopped off more than four minutes from her time during the course of the season, was awarded Most Improved runner.
Junior Erin Lynch, who set a personal-best time of 21:02 at state, was awarded Most Inspirational Athlete for the cross country team.
The Coaches Award went to senior Jen Dibblee.
When I first got the job, said first-year head coach Kim Ray, Jen called me up and introduced herself, and made sure throughout the season that I knew what was coming up.
Peterson, Baltrusch, Holmquist, Alicia Rundquist, Jillian Brough and manager Megan Ricci were also given Academic All-State awards. An athlete must maintain a grade-point average of 3.5 or above while involved in athletics to receive this award.
We did leaps and bounds over what we thought we would, Ray said. Were really looking forward to next year.
The football team, who finished the season with a 5-3 overall record, missed the playoffs for the first time in six years.
However, knowing they were out of contention for a state title, the Blue Ponies went on to win five-straight games to close out their season.
There was great character and heart in this group of people, said second-year head coach Dan Olson. I dont think youre ever going to find in a bunch of kids with this much heart anywhere.
Scout Team Player of the Year, an award given to a Blue Pony who is not a starter, but gives 100 percent at every practice and works to make the starters better, was given to Jacob Szudera.
Nick Newell was awarded the Sportsmanship Award for his great attitude during a time when players were changing to new positions on the field.
Willie Hulett was awarded the Spirit of Competition Award for doing what it takes to get the job done, Olson said.
Tyler Bebee was awarded the Defensive Most Valuable Player Award.
Bebee notched 87 tackles on the season, one of the highest totals in school history.
Nate Baltrusch and Ricky Brown were awarded co-offensive MVP awards.
Jesse Suek, who played on offense, defense, and special teams was given the Team MVP award for his work for the team as a whole.
This team showed more heart, more hard work, more respect, than just about any team Ive ever seen, Olson said.
Cross country certificates of participation Jen Gorder, Maureen Porter, Stacey Siebrasse, Jenna Baltrusch, Megan Ricci, Alicia Rundquist, Jillian Brough, Nikki Grant, Erin Lynch, Jennie Peterson, Carly Toldness, Nancy Cline, Jen Dibblee (four-year letter winner), Cara Holmquist.
Football certificates of participation Dave Reitan, Matt Springer, Matt Welch, Brian Childree, Trevor NImmick, Buck Christofferson, Ben Nader, Chris Chandler, Justin Kegel (Ironman Award), Curt Leeds (Ironman Award), Tyler Thompson, Levi Briese (Ironman Award), Nathan Graves, Mario Pizzini, Tyler Abdallah, Lance Sapp, Joey Howland, Garrett Drake, Steve Heberly, Brett Southward, Bobby Bricker, Brett Patrick, Peter Spangelo, Josh Knutson, John Johnstone, Ryan Lucine, Tyson Roe (Ironman Award), Eric Ward, Logan Detmer, Caleb Young, Nick Johnson, Todd Sharp, Chad Zuellke, Joel Spackman.
Football varsity and junior varsity Jacob Lorang, Chris Anderson, Seth Maristuen, Andrew Edwards, Garrett Hanson, Chad Hedges, J.R. Morse, Kyle Lammerding, David Campbell, Troy Toner, Josh Klobofski, Chris Jackson, Garrett Watson, Jacob Szudera, Dan Wirtzberger, Kevin Harada, Cliff Springer, Brandon Crawford, Tyler Sheppard, Joey Roman, Chad Maney, Chad Finneman, David Heberly, Nick Newell, Ryan McIntosh, Ricky Brown, Nate Baltrusch, Ryan Fink, Grant Roman, David Knight, Kris Myers, Jesse Suek, Tyler Bebee, Jay Rucinsky, Doug Kallenberger, Landon Grant, Willie Hulett, Brent Finneman, Matt Sasaki, Charles Kolczak, Chris Klobofski, Michael Holden, Trampus Conaster, Drew Bracken, Troy Worden, Derek Barnekoff.
