Ekalaka Public Schools honor student-athletes

Due to postponements caused by weather and scheduling conflicts, there was no separate sports awards program for Ekalaka Public Schools student-athletes this year. Instead, awards were given in conjunction with the academic awards program and eighth grade promotion last Friday at CCHS.

Junior high volleyball players receiving recognition were: 5th grade - Oakley Spring, Lily Schallenberger, Allie Shepherd, Holland Lovec, Ella Wright, Kira Kratzer; 6th grade - Alivia Foxley, Keli Melton, Ayla Yates, Samantha DeFord; 7th grade - Sadie Poppema, Sarah Enos; 8th grade - Bella Jensen, Adlen Yates, Corlan Laughery, Nasya O'Connor, Ella Strangford, Delilah Connell. The team was coached this year by Ms. Victoria Boyette.

CCHS Volleyball had five returning letterwomen this year. They were Zoie Rost, Heidi LaBree, Codi Melton, Katie Tooke and Tyra O'Connor. New letterwomen were Brynn Loehding, Kendall Shepherd, Carly Aho, Greta Barrett, Kendall Kittelmann and Kendra Tooke. Participation certificates went to Nicole O'Connell, Tracy Wilson, Barbara Rose Elmore, Sage DeFord, Natalie Foxley and Tegan Williams. Manager pins went to Kenzie Tooke and Emily O'Connell.

Heidi LaBree received second team All-Conference recognition. Team members who received Academic All-State honors included: Carly Aho, Greta Barrett, Natalie Foxley, Kendall Kittelmann, Heidi LaBree, Brynn Loehding, Codi Melton, Nicole O'Connell, Tyra O'Connor, Kendall Shepherd, Kendra Tooke, Kenzie Tooke and Tracy Wilson. To receive this honor, these student athletes maintained a 3.5 or higher grade point average throughout the season.

This year's CCHS Volleyball most valuable player (MVP) was given to two players, Codi Melton and Heidi LaBree. The most inspirational player was Tegan Williams and Kendall Shepherd was most improved.

First-year Head Junior High Football Coach Jamie Walker had eighteen players this year. Fifth graders who participated were Jaxen Walker, Trent Poppema and Quinton Kalstrom. Sixth graders were Waylon Wilson, Kasyn Buckley, Tiernan O'Connor, Tristan Reynolds, Kinch Rost and Gage Stieg. Colyn Higgins, Roger Beach Rylan Carroll and Weston Strub were the seventh graders who competed. Eighth graders were Kaleb Frye, Chace Loehding, Wyatt Melton, Jace Pardee and Clay Rost. Rusty Spencer served as this year's junior high assistant football coach.

Returning lettermen on the CCHS football team this year included Turner Tooke, Tucker Tooke, J.W. Elmore, Jaden Pardee, Sean Wolenetz, Caiden Chavarria, Royce Tooke, Ethan Frye, Christian Ashbrook, Cole Rost and Avory Matthews. New letterman were Brayden Bucholz, Zander Ashbrook, James Enos and Preston Jensen.

Darin Schallenberger served the team as trusty manager for his fourth and final time.

Student athletes who made the Academic All-State list included Brayden Bucholz, Jaden Pardee, Darin Schallenberger, Turner Tooke and Sean Wolenetz.

Turner Tooke was a first team All-Conference quarterback again this year. A second team All-Conference nod was given to center Jaden Pardee. Turner Tooke was also first team All-Conference on defense as a defensive back and Tucker Tooke received a second team All-Conference nod at the linebacker position.

Mr. Offense this year went to Jaden Pardee and Mr. Defense was Ethan Frye. Turner Tooke was elected as this year's CCHS Football MVP for the second straight year. He also made the All-State list and will be playing in the Bob Cleverly 8-Man All-Star Game this summer.

Competing in junior high girls basketball for coaches Carol Spencer and Jalyn Klauzer at Ekalaka Public Schools this year were: 5th grade - Oakley Spring, Lily Schallenberger, Allie Shepherd, Holland Lovec, Ella Wright, Kira Kratzer; 6th grade - Alivia Foxley, Keli Melton, Ayla Yates; 7th grade - Elizabeth Hall, Sarah Enos; 8th grade - Bella Jensen, Corlan Laughery, Nasya O'Connor, Delilah Connell.

Fifth graders competing in junior high boys basketball for coaches Jalyn Klauzer and Kylee Kennedy included Jaxen Walker, Quinton Kalstrom and Trent Poppema. Sixth graders participating were Kasyn Buckley, Colt Jesperson, Tiernan O'Connor, Tristan Reynolds, Kinch Rost and Gage Stieg. Weston Strub, Roger Beach and Rylan Carroll represented the seventh grade class. Eighth graders Kaleb Frye, Chace Loehding, Wyatt Melton, Jace Pardee, Owen Poppema, Clay Rost and Maxton Williams rounded out the team. The junior high boys' 'A' team went undefeated on the year, a feat both coaches and players were very proud of. They finished the season with a championship trophy at their year-end tournament in Miles City.

Returning letterwomen on the CCHS girls basketball team for coach Kayla Olsen this year were Kenzie Tooke, Zoie Rost, Heidi LaBree, Codi Melton, Tyra O'Connor, Kendall Kittelmann, Brynn Loehding and Kendra Tooke. Kendall Shepherd, Nasya O'Connor and Corlan Laughery were new letterwomen. Natalie Foxley, Nicole O'Connell and Bella Jensen received participation certificates. Tegan Williams served as manager.

Heidi LaBree, Codi Melton and Tyra O'Connor made the All-Conference team. LaBree and Melton also received All-State honors. The CCHS Lady Bulldogs fell one game short of reaching the consolation game at the 2022 State Class C Girls' Basketball Tournament this year.

All-State Academias for girls high school basketball included Corlan Laughery, Nasya O'Connor, Natalie Foxley, Kendall Kittelmann, Heidi LaBree, Brynn Loehding, Codi Melton, Nicole O'Connell, Tyra O'Connor, Kendra Tooke and Kenzie Tooke.

Miss Offense this year went to Heidi LaBree; Miss Defense went to Codi Melton; Miss Hustle went to Tyra O'Connor; Nicole O'Connell won the Most Improved award; and this year's MVP was Heidi LaBree.

Boys high school basketball players who returned as lettermen this year included Turner Tooke, Jaden Pardee, J.W. Elmore, Sean Wolenetz, Tucker Tooke, Ethan Frye, Ryker Carroll and Brayden Bucholz. Chace Loehding Wyatt Melton, Kaleb Frye, Zander Ashbrook, Christian Ashbrook, Jace Pardee and James Enos were new lettermen. Participation certificates went to Cole Rost, Travis challenberger, Owen Poppema, Clay Rost, Tucker DeFord and Preston Jensen. Darin Schallenberger and Tracy Wilson served as managers.

Members of All-State Academics were: Darin Schallenberger, Jaden Pardee, Ryker Carroll, Chace Loehding and Wyatt Melton.

Turner Tooke was selected to the All-Conference team. He was also awarded Mr. Offense, Mr. Defense and MVP for the season. Ryker Carroll won the award for the most improved player.

There were eight girls and two boys competing in junior high track and field for Coach Dana Eshelman this year. Competing fifth graders were Kira Kratzer, Lily Schallenberger, Oakley Spring, Maggie Eshelman, Ella Wright, Holland Lovec, Amelie Bruce and Quinton Kalstrom. Eighth graders were Aden Bruce and Nasya O'Connor.

Returning lettermen and letterwomen on the CCHS Track and Field Team this year were Ethan Frye, Ryker Carroll, Brynn Loehding, Brayden Bucholz and Katie Tooke. New lettermen were Turner Tooke, J.W. Elmore and Jaden Pardee. Participation certificates went to Avory Matthews, Zander Ashbrook and Tracy Wilson.

Team members who received Academic All-State honors included: Jaden Pardee Tracy Wilson, Ryker Carroll and Brynn Loehding.

Ethan Frye, Brynn Loehding, Brayden Bucholz, Katie Tooke, Turner Tooke, Jaden Pardee, J.W. Elmore and Ryker Carroll all made the All-Conference team. Six athletes, all of whom will be competing at the Montana State Class C Track and Field Meet in Great Falls this weekend, also received All-State honors. Those student-athletes are Katie Tooke, Ethan Frye, J.W. Elmore, Ryker Carroll, Turner Tooke and Jaden Pardee.

This year coach Adam Miller gave out six awards. The sprinter award went to Turner Tooke, the distance award went to Brayden Bucholz, the hurdler award went to Ethan Frye and the thrower award went to Jaden Pardee. The boys' track and field MVP was awarded to Turner Tooke and the girls' MVP was awarded to Katie Tooke.