News 09-16-09

Opponents stood up at Tester bill Field Hearing

Wilderness advocates no show

By Barbara Bauerle

Dillon Tribune staff

A Field Hearing billed as "Montana's Wilderness Hearing" held at the University of Montana Ballroom in Missoula on Friday, Sept. 11, did not draw any proponents of Sen. Jon Tester's "Forest Jobs and Recreation Act of 2009."

Sen. Debby Barrett (R-Dist. 36) set up the hearing to gather comments from Montanans but the major players in Sen. Tester's bill didn't show.

According to Beaverhead County Commissioner Mike McGinley, the hearing was set up to gather Montanans' comments to send back to Washington D.C. on the bill.

Sen. Barrett said her constituents from Beaverhead and Madison counties are "frustrated" about "Tester's Wilderness bill," so the hearing was set up with a format to include four proponents and four opponents to the bill who were to take questions and collect written comments, but only the opponents showed up.

According to McGinley, there were approximately 60 people at the hearing. Both Sherm Anderson, president of Sun Lumber, and Trout Unlimited representatives called at around 2 p.m. on Friday and said due to the fact the hearing was on Sept. 11, they would not be attending as it was "inappropriate."

Sept. 11 is named Patriot Day to remember the tragic terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

Both Tim Baker, executive director of the Montana Wilderness Association, and Sen. Jon Tester were absent as well as anyone from the senator's Montana office.

Sen. Barrett thought holding the hearing in Missoula would make it convenient for environmentalists in Montana to weigh in on the bill, but not one appeared.

"It seems odd to me that no one showed up for the pro-wilderness contingent." McGinley said.

Barrett said prior to the hearing that she was working with other legislators, elected officials and multiple-use groups throughout Montana, not just the southwest corner of Montana she represents. "If Sen. Tester won't hear the people, we will...," she said.

McGinley said Monday that his concerns about Sen. Tester's bill are essentially the same as his concerns about the Alternative Six Forest Plan for the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest that the county is appealing. "The Partnership Strategy was used almost exclusively to set it up to the detriment of other groups," he said.

The Partnership is a group of several lumber companies, the Montana Wilderness Association and Trout Unlimited that proposed their own alternative to the forest plan as well as their own wilderness bill that sets aside wilderness as well as some areas for timber harvest.

In Sen. Tester's bill, there are several mentions of "local collaborative forest groups" that will manage the wilderness and handle appeals, McGinley said.

Beaverhead County's appeal on the forest plan has been consolidated with 55 other appeals. "All the appeals address violations of NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) one way or another," he said.

The county is to get an answer regarding their appeal by the end of October, McGinley said.

BCHS one of only three A districts to reach Adequate Yearly Progress goals

By Barbara Bauerle

Dillon Tribune staff

The Beaverhead County High School District is one of only three Class A high school districts in the state of Montana to reach the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) goals set by the federal "No Child Left Behind Act."

According to a AYP summary for 2009, BCHS in Dillon made their AYP, along with Laurel High School in Laurel and Dawson High School in Glendive. Corvallis K-12 Schools in Corvallis were listed as holding at Improvement Year 1, while all other high schools in Class A were listed as not meeting AYP.

Superintendent Fred Chouinard had let the Beaverhead County High School Board of Trustees know the high school had met their goals at a recent board meeting; however, he was surprised when the Dillon Tribune informed him BCHS was one of only three schools in Montana to do so.

"The goal of Beaverhead County High School is to prepare students to succeed in school and in life," Supt. Chouinard said on Monday. "NCLB measurements such as AYP are one tool among the many that help us achieve that goal."

Under the federal "No Child Left Behind Act," schools are expected to meet state-set goals for AYP based on student achievement data collected from the annual CRT test that is administered to select grades (10th grade at the high school level).

Based on data from the latest 2009 CRT tests administered to the Beaverhead County High School 10th grade, BCHS students demonstrated AYP proficiency in both reading and mathematics. In reading, 89 percent of BCHS students were proficient as compared to a statewide average of 79 percent, Supt. Chouinard explained. In math, 76 percent of BCHS students were proficient as compared to a statewide average of 55 percent.

School district that receive Title I funding face sanctions if they don't make AYP for two or more consecutive years. Sanction severity increases for each year a school does not meet AYP and could ultimately lead to the state restructuring a school if targets are not met.

"Beaverhead County High School is proud of the efforts of its staff for implementing initiatives to maintain and improve student achievement, and wishes to thank the entire community for supporting us in meeting the needs of our students and school," Supt. Chouinard concluded.

Dillon elementary schools eye plan to achieve AYP

By J.P. Plutt

Dillon Tribune staff

School District #10, the Dillon elementary system that includes kindergarten through eighth grade, did not achieve the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) benchmarks required of “No Child Left Behind.” School Board members and the administration are committed to rectifying deficiencies and making the grade this year.

SD #10 passed the reading requirement district-wide with flying colors. “Our reading scores are high, well over the standards, but our math proficiency is a little lower so we're looking at our curriculum,” said School District #10 Superintendent Glen Johnson.

In analyzing the data that graded the district for the 2008-09 school year, officials have noted that enrollment size relates directly to whether or not a district passed AYP.

Johnson noted that State Superintendent of Instruction Denise Juneau reported to the media that 75 percent of school districts in Montana met the AYP goals.

"Indeed they did, but if you look at the statistics, 61 percent of the kids in Montana didn't because the 'A' and "AA' school districts, where most of the kids are, only 18 percent of those districts made AYP," pointed out Johnson.

According to data available at the Office of Public Instruction website, none of the class "AA" school districts made AYP and only three "A" high school districts, three "A" elementary districts and one "A" K-12 district passed AYP. In all, the enrollment of "AA" and "A" districts that failed AYP is 86,565 or 61 percent of Montana's total enrollment of 142,078.

"I think it is certainly the district's goal to pass AYP and it is a concern anytime we don't meet that. It is something we would like to pass this year and in the future," said SD #10 Board of Trustees Chairman Mike Basile."I guess to me, not being professionally trained in education, I bring more of a layman's perspective to this. In my mind it is important to look at schools similarly structured to yours in size when doing comparisons."

The stumbling block with bigger schools comes with the treatment of subgroups within the student population. Those eight groups include economically disadvantaged students, various ethnic groups and disabled students. among others. If a subgroup fails to achieve the AYP standards, the school fails AYP, and if one school in a district fails AYP, the whole district fails AYP.

"The bigger schools with AYP, the subgroups come into play and if there are more than 30 students in the different categories that 'No Child Left Behind" has, each of those categories has to pass at a proficient level in order for the school or district to pass," explained Basile.

For SD #10, that subgroup the district needs to focus attention on is the economically disadvantaged group. Students on the free or reduced school lunch program are in the economically disadvantaged category. According to Johnson, 35 percent of the students district wide fall in the economically disadvantaged subgroup.

While SD #10 passed AYP district-wide when all students are included in the testing, the fifth grade subgroup and the sixth grade subgroup in the economically disadvantaged area failed to achieve the AYP standards. That comes with a bitter taste as both groups increased their scores from a year ago or did indeed show progress – the fifth grade by two percent and the sixth grade by five percent –but failed to meet the statewide standards.

"Our economically disadvantaged scores did come up and they call it Adequate Yearly Progress so I see that as if you're making progress you're doing good things," reasoned Johnson. The philosophy of the program is to lift all students to standards and SD #10 is ready to take on the challenge. "We are working very hard this year to beat these benchmarks," said Johnson. "We're going to target those kids that are struggling in math and we'll do our best to get them up there. We need help from parents in doing that and hopefully they’ll take advantage of the programs we’re offering out there.”

This is the second year SD #10 did not meet AYP kicking in a few minor penalties. The District has to dedicate 10 percent of their Title I monies to staff development and the district must offer after school tutoring for kids that are below the benchmark.

SD #10 held a meeting last week for Title I students from after school and before school tutoring. Only one parent took advantage and opted into the program.

Among the subgroups is the disabled student or “special education” students that must meet the same standards as the “regular” students according to Johnson.

As has been the case since “No Child Left Behind” became enacted, the standards are going progressively higher. After next year, the proficiency level for reading goes from 83 percent to 92 percent and the proficiency in math goes from 68 percent to 84 percent. In 2014 the standards for both reading and math go to 100 percent proficiency. Science joins the AYP mix in 2011.

“Statistically speaking nothing is perfect, but that is the goal of the federal government,” said Johnson. “I still think we’re doing a good job in the DIllon elementary school district. All of our scores except fifth grade math were above the state average.

Johnson is leary about teaching the test and focusing on math. He feels that type of focus invariably takes away from other subjects.

“That has bee the downfall, they say pretty soon all we’re going to be doing is teaching math and reading and we’re not going to be teaching the arts and music and all of that stuff is going to go out the window,” said Johnson. “In fact, that is already happening in some parts of the country.”

Obituaries 09-16-09

Beatrice "Bee" Boileau Bergh

1922-2009

Beatrice "Bee" Boileau Bergh passed away peacefully on Sept. 3 at Barrett Memorial Hospital.

Born April 30, 1922, in Tacoma, Wash., she grew up in Seattle. She married Navy pilot Quentin Bergh on March 27, 1943, in Seattle.

After WWII, they returned to Eastern Montana where they raised three children on a small farm located near Redstone. She also worked as a nurse at the hospital and for the town doctor in Plentywood for years.

Bee and Quent moved to Dillon three years ago to the Parkview Acres Nursing Home.

Bee is survived by her devoted husband, Quentin; two sons, Ramon (Lorrene) Bergh in Havre, and Lyle (Padgett) Bergh in Belgrade; daughter, Lauranne Bergh (Dennis Hatfield) in Dillon; three grandsons; two step-grandsons; and four great-grandchildren.

Services will be at a later date in Helena.

Memorials may be sent to National and Montana Alzheimer's Association, Box 96011, Washington, D.C. 20090-6011; or to Parkview Acres in Dillon.

Gary Lee Rogers

1939-2009

Gary Lee Rogers, 69, passed away peacefully In his sleep on July 10, at his residence in Lima, due to cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Gary was born in Sacramento, California on Sept. 16, 1939, to Richard Sheridan Rogers and Viola Smittcamp Rogers. He attended high school and college in Sacramento and served in the U.S. Navy from 1957 to 1963.

Gary was in the vending/music/gaming machine business for 40 years and headed up companies in Sacramento, Chico, Redding, and Stockton, Calif. He was also a commercial fisherman out of Bodega Bay, Calif., for nearly 20 years. His business enterprises also included owning a bowling alley in West Sacramento, Calif., and two cocktail lounges in Sacramento, Calif.

Gary had many interests and hobbies, loved the outdoors, and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also loved baseball and was president and coach of the Arden Park Little League in the 1960s in Sacramento, Calif.; his team won every game. His interest in baseball began at an early age; he even played in the minor leagues for the Pittsburg Pirates.

Gary cherished his beloved Montana since he first saw the state in 1960. Fifteen years ago he built a ranchette at Redrock; two years ago he moved to Lima.

Gary is survived by his wife, Lynda; daughter, Deborah Rogers of Sacramento; son, Jerald Rogers of Sacramento; and daughter, Theresa Rogers of Sacramento; four grandchildren of Sacramento; seven great-grandchildren of Sacramento; sister, Ora Jane Riddle of Sacramento; brother, Gerald Rogers of Placerville, Calif.; and sister, Patricia Turney of Georgetown, Calif.

Gary is predeceased by his father, Richard Sheridan Rogers; and mother, Viola Smittcamp Rogers.

A memorial service for Gary will be held on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 10 a.m. at Brundage Funeral Home, 300 South Atlantic Street, Dillon.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association or to the American Heart Association.

George M. Stewart

1920-2009

George M. Stewart was born Sept. 16, 1920, at the family homestead in Jackson, to Walter Stewart and Pearl (Neidt) Stewart, and passed away on Sept. 13, at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospice with his children by his side.

George was raised on the family ranch in Wisdom, where he received his early education. His high school years were spent in Dillon where he attended Beaverhead County High School. He participated in track and football and was student body and B Club president, graduating in 1940. During high school, George was president of the state F.F.A. and earned national honors in livestock judging.

George attended Montana State College. He was a cadet officer in the advanced ROTC program, ag club, on the livestock judging team, wrestling team, and in the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, until entering the U.S. Army where he served in World War II with the 103rd infantry division.

After his discharge, George returned to the family ranch in Wisdom. He moved in 1947 to a ranch in the Skalkaho drainage in the Bitterroot Valley. In 1960, he joined Ravalli County Bank as a loan officer. Later he was president of First State Bank of Eureka until his retirement when he returned to the Bitterroot Valley.

George married Marian Hork Sept. 20, 1947, and they had three children, Margie Stewart Madison, Walt and Tom. After Marian passed away in 1972, George married Elizabeth Kautz, who also preceded him in death.

George was very active in Future Farmers of America from an early age, where he received state and national honors. He was extremely civic oriented, serving not only as a member, but also as president, in the Jaycees, Kiwanis, Elks, Eagles, American Legion and Darby Stockgrowers Association. George also served on various chamber of commerce boards, the Ravalli County Fair Board, Ravalli County Improvement Association, Grantsdale School Board, and served as a Hamilton volunteer fireman.

George was an avid golfer, becoming a life member of the Hamilton Golf Club. He loved to fish, hunt, dance and socialize. He was an excellent cattleman, running cattle for many years, and always willing to help others.

George was preceded in death by his parents; his wives, Marian and Elizabeth; sisters, Evelyn Golay and Bessie Rassmusen.

Survivors: Margie Madison, Enumceaw, Wash.; Walt (Vickie) and Tom (Cindy), both of Corvallis; and grandchildren, Mari & Hank Madison, Dru, Derk Stewart and Ericka Stewart.

The family would like to thank Marcus Daly Memorial Hospice, the special waitresses who not only served him, but became his friends and watched over him, and Roberta Fite for her special care over the past year.

The memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Daly-Leach Chapel, 1010 W. Main Street. Internment with military honors will take place at Riverview Cemetery. After the services, a reception will be held at the Hamilton Elks Lodge.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be sent to Marcus Daly Hospice Center, or to any of the organizations listed above or to a charity of your choice. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.

Class C Sports 09-16-09

#7 Twin Bridges, #9 Sheridan win to set battle of unbeatens

Sheridan blanks Shields Valley Rebs

By Tim Hansen

Dillon Tribune sports

As if the battle of the Ruby Valley needed anymore fire, the Sheridan Panthers and Twin Bridges Falcon football teams will face each other with first place in the South on the line Friday night in Twin Bridges at 7:00 p.m. As most fans know, the boys from both schools are well coached and have had a lot of success over the past five years. That success looks to continue for both teams; as both are making a pretty good statement as to who will be the top seeds come playoff time in the Southern C.

Sheridan took care of business on Friday night as they travelled down the road to Wilsall to face the Shields Valley Rebels. The Rebels had some fire as they had just come off a double overtime loss to Broadview Lavina and were looking to get into the win column. The Panthers left no doubt early and often that the Rebels would not cut their teeth on the Panther team in the 2009 season.

The Rebels were the first to have the ball in the game, but it didn’t take long for them to find out the reason Sheridan is ranked ninth in the latest power poll. Shileds Valley quarterback Mike Speck was running for his life all night from the swarming Panther defense, beginning with the first play, a five yard loss from scrimmage as Pat Clark and Casey Crippen met him in the backfield to make it second and 15. Two plays later and the Rebels were punting from their own 12. The Punt sailed to mid field where it was received by Casey Crippen; who in short order, made the score 6-0 as he ran past the Rebel defenders for a 40 yard return.

The next possession for the Rebels was not much better, as once again Sheridan forced them to punt to Crippen inside their own 15. Although this punt was muffed by Crippen initially, he picked the ball up and proceeded to gallop 60 yards to pay dirt and a 12-0 Panther lead with only 4:35 gone in the first quarter. The two-point conversion was good as Crippen pitched to fullback Tyler Rowberry while falling down. Rowberry took it into the right corner of the end zone for the conversion and a 14-0 Panther lead.

Tyler Rowberry, Mike Buyan and Crippen would all three find the end zone once again in the first half, and, along with two, two-point conversions, go into the half with a 36-0 lead. The second half would see the Sheridan J.V play most of the way and score eight points while holding the Rebels scoreless. The Panthers would up winning the contest 44-0 and headed back to the Ruby Valley at 2-0.

Twin Falcons double Hornets on road

After a slow start, down 12-8, the Twin Bridges Falcons gained control and went on to defeat the White Sulphur Springs Hornets by a score of 63-34. The win sets up the battle of unbeatens as the Falcons will take on the Panthers of Sheridan High School on Friday night in Twin Bridges. Both teams are ranked in the latest Class C power poll, the Falcons at No. 7 and Panthers at No. 9.

Sophomore Quarterback Tyler Lott passed for two touchdowns apiece to Robert Walsh and Ethan Nordquist, while Jake Schmidt ran back two kicks and rushed for two more as the Falcons spread the wealth in defeating the Hornets. Junior Tyler DiGiovanna rushed for a touchdown in the final quarter to finish up the Falcon scoring and extend their record to 2-0.

Bears crushed by league favorite Dubois

Clark County of Dubois, Idaho cruised to an easy victory over the home standing Lima Bears on Friday afternoon in Lima by a score of 71-6. The Clark County team, along with the Wolverines of West Yellowstone, are picked as two of the league favorites going into the season.

Dubois handed the Bears their second loss of the season, sealing the deal early on as the Bobcats from Clark County scored on their first play from scrimmage. The running clock rule took effect from the first snap of the third quarter.

The Bears were able to get on the scoreboard in the second quarter on a Bump to Sutton 10 yard scoring pass. Kacey Crafton had a good game on defense as he had 6 solo tackles along with an assist and a blocked extra point.

The Bears will be on the road in Leodore next Friday where they hope to pick up their first win against a more evenly matched, 0-2 squad.

Class C volleyball recap

By Tim Hansen

Dillon Tribune sports

Twin volleyball takes two of three

The Twin Bridges Volleyball team was able to pick up two wins on Friday night from the Willow Creek Broncs, while dropping a tough one on the road on Saturday to the Hornets of White Sulphur Springs. Although not blow outs, the Broncs of Willow Creek were unable to pick up a single match as the Lady Falcons downed them in game one; 25-21, 25-22 and 25-20 and in the second game; 25-15, 25-22 and 25-13. Katie Ashcraft had a good night for the Falcons as she had 12 kills and 4 blocks in the two contests. Peyton Ferris led the team in kills with 14 while picking up 3 blocks.

Saturday’s game saw the Hornets of White Sulphur Springs down the visiting Falcons 3-1. Peyton Ferris led the Falcon charge as she had 6 kills, 14 digs and 3 blocks in the contest. Stephanie DiGiovanni had 13 assists to lead the Falcons on the night.

Lady Panthers swept by hornets

The Hornets of White Sulphur Springs swept the Sheridan Panthers in volleyball action over the weekend. The Hornets won 25-19, 25-13 and 25-12. Sydnee Burke led the Panthers in assists with 12 of 13, while Jennie Jensen and Emily Baril combined for 8 kills.

Lady Bears drop three

The Lima Lady Bears were beated 3-0 by the Bruins of Gardiner High School. Although no scores were reported for the match, individual efforts in the match were Cimber Clarno with 3 kills, Jordyn Rogers with 3 assists and Hayley Jeckel with 5 aces.

Sports 09-16-09

Lady Beavs net fourth at NW/SW Tipoff

By J.P. Plutt

Dillon Tribune staff

The Dillon Lady Beavers opened last week with a loss to Livingston at home on Tuesday night, but rebounded with a strong showing at the Southwestern “A” versus Northwestern “A” Tipoff tournament at Anaconda.

Against Livingston, Dillon faced the obstacle of a height disadvantage and the Lady Rangers took full advantage in a 3-1 nonconference victory.

“Livingston is probably the biggest offensive team we’ve seen all season so it was a good opportunity to match up against big hitters,” said Dillon coach Megan Conrow. “Our defense was learning very quickly that you need to transition a lot quicker than we had been so it took us a little while to get into the rhythm. They’ve got two hitters that swing hard with the ability to hit almost anywhere on the court.”

At Anaconda, the Northwestern “A” showed they were a stronger league at this point in the season than their Southwestern “A” counterparts, but Conrow felt her team needed the experience against talented teams. The format pitted each team from the North against each team from the South in two game matches. Standings were by the total of game wins and losses. Dillon placed second to Anaconda on the South side and in their final match played Libby for third place, losing 25-23, 25-11.

“For us it is about consistency,” said Conrow. “We put together some really nice moments throughout the matches, and then we’d lose our focus. We’ve got to establish consistency from the beginning of matches to the end.”

The Lady Beavers take to the road Thursday at Belgrade for a nonconference match and then visit Corvallis on Saturday for a league battle.

DFL ALERT...DFL ALERT...DFL Alert

If you’re wondering about the Dillon Football League, Kids’ Flag Football the big thing right now is DON'T PANIC. The coaches’ meeting is set for Thursday night at 7 p.m. at B.W. Lodge Gym. That is the first time anyone will see a roster of any kind. I will try to get the meeting over by 8 p.m. so coaches can start contacting players, but it could be Friday before coaches are contacting their players.

Yes, we do play this Saturday. Games start at 9 a.m. and the last one concludes at 1 p.m. This first week is always hectic but then things smooth out and run pretty good through the end of the six-week season. Don’t panic, a coach will call you.

If you or your child are curious, rosters and schedules will be posted at Mary Innes School, Parkview Elementary, Dillon Middle School and in the window of the Dillon Tribune. The rosters and schedules will be up as soon as possible on Thursday. The rosters will have the coach’s name and phone number.

No it is not to late to register a player for the DFL. The league office is located at the Dillon Tribune and is the best place at this time to pick up a registration form and turn it in.

If you have any questions, call J.P. Plutt (W 683-2331 or H 683-5411).

Beaverhead Invite tees it up Friday

By J.P. Plutt

Dillon Tribune staff

The Dillon golf teams enjoyed two meets last week and will host the Beaverhead Invitational this Friday with a 9 a.m. tee time. The Dillon meet will be an eight-team affair.

Last Tuesday Dillon played Bozeman’s Riverside Country Club in the Belgrade Invitational. On the girls’ side, Dillon freshman Randi Lewis fired a score of 90 to place seventh on the individual board. Shelby Lake, 108, and Kassade Lemhouse, 111, turned in good scores for the difficulty of the course. No team scores were kept.

Brett Creger continues to lead the Dillon boys team. At Bozeman he fired an 18-hole total of 82 for fifth place and Thursday at the Anaconda Country Club, despite greens that were plugged and sanded, scored 77 for third place. Lewis broke 90 for the first time as a Lady Beaver with an 87 for third.

#5 Locos upend #4 Beavs, 38-20

By J.P. Plutt

Dillon Tribune staff

Speed kills and Laurel had the ingredient across the board Friday night and mixed in a healthy dose of experienced players to defeat the Dillon Beavers 38-20 in a nonconference matchup of playoff contenders.

“I thought that for most of the game our kids executed well,” said Dillon coach Terry Thomas. “It just seemed that whenever we made a mistake Laurel was able to take advantage of it and turn it into something big, be it either offensively or defensively.”

Statistically, Dillon held their own against the Locomotives of the Eastern “A.” The Locos have a number of seniors who have paid their dues in the rough Eastern A, starting since they were sophomores. Laurel played with the full confidence of a title contender while Dillon still needs to find that traditional swagger. Despite the score, Dillon totaled 233 yards of total offense to 279 yards for the opponent.

The difference in the game came in the momentum Laurel drew from a pair of third quarter interceptions returned for touchdowns. In between, the Locos added a field goal for a 17 point spurt that turned a 14-14 game at the half to a 31-14 lead.

Dillon answered late in the quarter with an 11 play, 69 yard scoring drive capped by a sweet Pete Walde to Makenzie McGrath touch pass. The ball floated over a defender into McGrath’s hands as the speedy wideout headed to the corner of the end zone on a flag pattern.

Dillon missed the point after kick and didn’t threaten the red zone again.

The Beavers opened the scoring with an eight-play, 74-yard drive capped by Walde’s one yard scoring dive. Laurel answered with a pair of scoring drives fueled by the running game which contributed most of their offensive output.

Dillon countered with the passing game but the two picks for scores and a number of dropped passes denied Dillon an opportunity to win the game.

Dillon visits Columbia Falls Friday.

Homestanding Western Bulldogs fall to Eastern Oregon, 45-24

By Gary Oram

Dillon Tribune sports

The University of Montana Western Bulldogs lost a Conference football game, at home, against the Eastern Oregon Mountaineers, this past weekend--final score 45-24.

Tied at 17, with 4:14 left on the clock in the second quarter, the Mountaineers moved down the field on a offensive barrage. After a Chris Ware quarterback scramble for fifteen yards, the Bulldogs quickly called a timeout. Once play resumed, Ware hooked up to Kevin Samson, with thirty seconds on the clock, leading the Mountaineers into the locker room up by seven, at the half.

Early in the third quarter, on Montana Western's first possession of the second half, starting quarterback Micah Mamiya took a rough shot, sacked for a loss, and was eventually put out of the game with a shoulder injury.

"They think it's a slight strain, so I don't think he'll be out for that long," commented Montana Western head coach Rich Ferris.

After a quick exchange of possessions, and a Bulldog punt return out over the 40 yard line, a miscue between center and quarterback caused a Western turnover. Then, on their next possession, Western's backup, true freshman, Jeff Logan led the Bulldogs into the end zone, hooking up with Kahai Sevilla from 55 yards out. It was all Eastern Oregon from there, after Ware scrambled in with 7:34 left in the fourth, then he hooked up to Jordyn Jackson with 5:50 remaining.

In all, Western rushed for 140 yards on 37 carries, and threw for 273. While Eastern Oregon ran for 122 in 41 carries, and threw for another 338 yards.

Western punted six times while the Mountaineers punted 5; yet, with 140 yards returned after interceptions, the Mountaineers ran away from the Bulldogs.

Saturday, Sept. 19, the Bulldogs travel to Harve, where they face MSU-Northern.

"We were able to run the ball a little more, we're hopefully trying to make it a point of emphasis to pound the ball a little more than we have," said Ferris.

Western hosts golf triangular

By Gary Oram

Dillon Tribune sports

The University of Montana Western golf team hosted an 18-hole triangular tournament this past Friday at Beaverhead Golf Course, hosting Montana Tech and the University of Great Falls.

The Western men’s team shot cold at 321 and received second place, behind Montana Tech, who shot an almost clean 308. Great Falls rounded out the triangular, receiving third with a score of 339. Wes Southard of Tech, topped this category with his solo score of 73.

On the women’s side of the event, Montana Tech again topped the competition, scoring a team total of 372. Western was close on Tech’s heals however, and with a difference of seven points, the Lady Bulldogs came in at second scoring 379. Great Falls took third with a team total of 394. Nevertheless, Great Falls Argonaut, Chelsea Kenner, won the singles event with a personal score of 77 points.

There were five players on each team, but tournament directors only score the four best to calculate team totals.

“The reason we have these these little triangulars is because some schools can’t travel to some places at certain times, and it was really cheap,” commented Western coach Mike Crosser.

Next week, Western travels to Helena, where the team will compete against every team in the Frontier, during a two-day, 54-hole tournamentat Green Meadows, Sept. 21-22.

Montana Western women take early Big Sky Region lead

By Gary Oram

Dillon Tribune sports

The Bulldog rodeo team traveled to Cody, Wy, to compete in two different Big Sky Region College rodeos, hosted by Northwest College out of Powell, Wy. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 11-12, at the Cody Stampede Fairgrounds.

In the first rodeo both teams, from the University of Montana Western, took second, out of the competing schools, with the boys scoring 496 points, while the girls scored 333.

The College rodeo circuit is sort of fickle in its team scoring. All Big Sky region schools can bring as many contestants as they want. These contestants can compete for individual scoring potential in the National standings. However, it is a gambol in College rodeo, because team coaches have to pick 6 boys, and 4 women, preferably their top contestants, to compete at the event for team scoring totals, and this decision has got to be made before rodeo action begins. In other words, as Olie Else stated, "When you enter the rodeo you enter your team, 4 girls and 6 boys, and you can't change them up." So if a cowboy or cowgirl has an off day it severely affects the team's total. Because, even though Else took 54 cowboys and cowgirls to the Cody Stampede Fairgrounds, she could only use the scores of 10 of them to tally Montana Western rodeo team totals.

The top three in each event, from each region, get invited to the CNFR at the end of the year, and the top two teams get an automatic entry. Yet, with the potential of off days, or rank stock this makes it a topsy-turvy battle for College cowboys and cowgirls as rodeo teams.

As for the second rodeo, Sept, 12, in Cody. Montana Western girls downed the competition, winning the event with a team total of 303. As for the Montana Western boys, they again placed second with a score of 601.1.

Next week, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Montana Western cowboys and cowgirls travel to Harve, Mt, to compete in the MSU Northern College Rodeo, Sept. 18-21.

Dillon distance runners get ready for flatlands transition

By Dick Crockford

Dillon Tribune staff

It’s out of the hills and onto the flatlands this Saturday for the runners from Beaverhead County High.

Heading into their third weekend of competition – this time on the relatively flat course at Corvallis – the young Beavers are working this week on skills aimed at getting them from start to finish efficiently and effectively.

Cross country coach Betty Iverson says last Saturday’s Belgrade Invitational at the Bohart Ranch, high above Bozeman, gave her teams a tough workout over beautiful – but up and down – trails. She described the course, which in winter plays host to cross country skiers, as “a nice place to run,” and said the team performed well.

For the Corvallis run, Katie Hawkins, Abbi Morgan, Morgan Peterson, Emily Gary, Janet Moore, Ellen Hollifield and Alex Brammer will represent Dillon’s varsity girls.

Hawkins, a freshman, was Dillon’s top runner at the Belgrade meet, finished in 22nd place with a time of 23:38.55. The race was won by Lewistown’s Brook Rodgers, who crossed the line in 20:57.33.

From the boys’ roster, those who will run varsity at Corvallis include Tyler Kelly, Morgan Larson, Jamie Schumacher, JW Henningsen, Gabe Cleverley, Neal Jenne and Michael Wiggins.

Kicking through the finish with a time of 20.10.25, Larson, also a freshman, was lead runner for the BCHS boys at Belgrade, with Dan Osborne, Helena High, winning the event with a speedy 16.06.13. Helena High and Helena Capital tied fir first in points, with the outcome decided by the No. 6 runner for each team. Helena High prevailed.

The first runner from a Class A school to finish was Joey Vaughn of Belgrade, in 17.12.70.

The Beavers have been handicapped by sickness in the opening weeks of the season. This Saturday, Hollifield, who had an excellent season as a freshman in 2008, returns to varsity. She finished as the third runner for the girls’ junior varsity team at the Belgrade meet.

Iverson said in an interview Monday that she is pleased with the enthusiasm of her team, which features a big stable of freshmen and talented senior leadership for both the girls’ and the boys’ squads.

She said that by comparison with the Bohart course, she expects times at Corvallis to come down by virtue of the relatively level terrain there. The real key to success, she added, will be getting the runners healthy and keeping them that way.

“We have to try to get everybody healed up,” she said. With only five meets remaining in the Beavers’ schedule, another challenge for Iverson is making sure her runners focus on continual improvement with each outing.

“Everybody’s got to learn to be patient,” she said.

Lady Bulldogs drop conference home openers

By Gary Oram

Dillon Tribune sports

The Lady Bulldog volleyball squad squared off against defending Conference Champions Lewis-Clark State College, Friday, Sept. 11, then turned around Sept. 12, and faced Westminster College. Losing this pair of Conference confrontations, “You know, I think technically we can do everything that we need to do, it’s just in terms of putting it together at the right time,” commented University of Montana Western head coach Katie Howells.

Western came out against Lewis-Clark State fired up, and played tough after losing the first game. Yet, after defeating LCSC in the third, LC came out with vengeance. “We definitely had moments of great things happening, and if we could have just put it together a little bit more...” said Howells.

Coming off the near miss with LC, the Lady Bulldogs moved on to Westminster the next evening. With an initial crushing defeat, Western seemed to lose momentum, in the second game. Then in the third, behind one team captain Theresa Bennett, and team assist leader Maria Peterson, the Ladies nearly toppled Westminster. “Whenever a match, or a set, or a game is on the line, then we seem to play really well,” Howells stated, “but when we get ahead we don’t know how to play yet.”

This pair of conference matches will be followed by another conference match against Carroll College, in Helena, next Friday, Sept. 18, then a non-conference match against Rocky Mountain College, in Billings, the following day.

City of Dillon Primary Election results

The City of Dillon primary election results:

Mayor (top two advance to General Election)
Martin R. Malesich 312
Thomas W. Straugh 254
Michael Klakken 238
Lynn B. Giles 210
Paul N. Pilgrim 157

Alderman Ward I
Harvey Lake, Jr. 319

Alderman Ward II (top two advance to General Election)
Lynn Westad 135
Robert R. Castro 93
Bob W. Peavler 68

Alderman Ward III both advance to General Election)
Tom Wagenknecht 125
Thomas B. Forseth 77

Alderman Ward IV (botrh advance to General Election)
Randy Gustine 171
Michael Collins Riley 66

City Judge (both advance to General Election)
Virginia Cook Compton 595
John F. Gutcheck 569

Kiwanis KornyKopia promises $1,500 cash, many other prizes

Promising an evening of fun while generating dollars for its charitable work in the community, the Kiwanis Club of Dillon is planning its second annual fall social and benefit event for Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Lewis and Clark Room at University of Montana Western.

The Kiwanis KornyKopia, a “fun raiser”, features dinner for two and the opportunity to win as much as $1,500 in cash, or any one of a large number of prizes, which will be awarded through the drawing of all 100 tickets during the course of the evening. Besides the big cash award, ticket holders will have the chance to win such things as $500 cash, a day of fishing, a grocery shopping spree, rounds of golf or even a cord of firewood.

A limited number of tickets for the event are still available from members of the Dillon Kiwanis Club and at the Dillon Tribune. For more information, persons may contact Hilton at 683-4992 or Crockford at 683-2331 or 683-2143.

Some of the programs supported by the event are the Key Club at Beaverhead County High School, BUG (Bring Up Grades) at the Dillon elementary schools, the Court-Appointed Special Advocates program, emergency backpacks for children and “trauma dolls” for children in medical emergencies.