Development

six swimmers in A-B competing actual goals and chances to place

for six places in the finals in in the state meet.”
individual events, relay events will   Bigfork swimmers such as
be combined AA and A-B schools Ritchie and Anderson now have

Within MHSA Lines

MHSA recently agreed to change the scoring of the 2019 swim
and be scored to 12 places; AA
and A/B schools will be scored
separately.”
  This recently enacted scoring
method will provide Bigfork
state meet comparatively to previous years swimmers with the chance to
compete with athletes who are
The Bigfork High School swim team medley relay awaits the ‘take your mark’ signal, with relays members of swim teams with a
of Glacier and Flathead in neighboring lanes. Due to the recent decision of the Montana High similar population and skill level
School Association, Bigfork will no longer be competing against AA schools in individual events in individual events.
for the 2019 state meet.   Coach Ball says, “last year, if
A/B class times were separated,
I would have had six swimmers
place at state, whereas before that
was never an option.”
  Competition for relays is staying
the same is due “Last year if A/B
to the fact that
class times were
there are only
six class B and A separated, I would
schools with swim have had six
teams, so all six swimmers place at
relays would place state, where as before
if scoring was that was never an
separated from
AA.   
option.”
  BHS sophomore
swimmer Hanna Ritchie says, “I
BY AHNA FOX a higher population, therefore became a popular joke amongst
think this change will be really
hope for the possibility that
they too could fill a step on the
podium, like all other swimmers
they have watched do so in past
seasons.
  “The fact that we are now
competing against schools that
are closer to our competition is
just huge for us. We finally have
a goal, whereas before the idea of
being able to beat out swimmers
who are swimming year round
and also competing at a national
level was just not as attainable
for us,” said Ball. “Now that we
actually have a chance to place
and earn medals,
what we are
focused on is
looking at our
competition.
Before, we
were always
just competing
against ourselves
and trying to
push ourselves
to get the fastest times for us,
which is still what we are doing,

T
have a larger number of higher Bigfork swimmers and the entire
he Bigfork swim team was beneficial for our team and it will but now that we have gone from
performance athletes, who can school.
first added to the high give our best swimmers a chance competing against 22 schools
contribute talent to a sport and its    The discussion of adjusting
school as a competitive sport six to prove their worth among down to 6, we have a much better
success.   the scoring method for the
years ago, when coach Charlotte other swimmers who are in opportunity to place. Looking at
  Bigfork High School swim Montana state swim meet has
Ball introduced the program in similar levels of swim and school those other A schools that we are
coach, Charlotte Ball says, “when been debated over for the past
2012. Over the years of Bigfork population. In upcoming meets, in competition with and reviewing
you have a class AA school, you two years by coaches, athletes,
swimming, the teams population I hope to really narrow down their times has become a lot more
have more students to draw from. and recently, the Montana High
and athleticism has continued events that I would like to make it of my focus as a coach, along
The previous state meets, our School Association. The executive
to improve, but being the only to the podium at state with.” with what I can do to push my
times were not separated, and we decision to change the scoring
class B high school swim team in   Another member of the BHS swimmers so that we are in those
were competing just as an entire method for the 2019 state swim
Montana, success is limited. swim team, junior Ashley top six times”
sport.” meet came out of the MHSA
  High schools are ranked based Anderson says, “I would like   The Montana state swim meet
  Bigfork sports such as meeting on November 19, 2018.
on population of students to place in the 500 freestyle at will take place in Bozeman on the
basketball, track, football, and so MHSA stated, “AA and A Schools
attending the school; different least, even if I’m standing on the 8th and 9th of February, where
on are only in competition with shall compete together during
classification letters are assigned ground. I hope that everyone will the recent scoring changes will be
other class B schools; therefore, the preliminary races with top 12
depending on ranking. Class A have a better time enjoyment carried out.
the phrase “the Bigfork swim swimmers in AA competing for
and AA high schools, who have wise, because this year we have
team wins state every year” 12 places in the finals and the top

January Athletes of the Month

Ahna Fox
BY JOSEPHINE HOWLETT are amazing and have each
encouraged and pushed me to be

A hna Fox, the lovable,

hardworking senior who
everyone enjoys getting to know,
the athlete I am today,” she said.
  Her swim coach, Charlie Ball,
said Fox “has shown so much
is also one of the most athletic growth since her freshman
Valkyries at BHS.

100 Wins for Sam Tudor

year. [Fox] is always the best
  Fox has participated in cheerleader for her teammates, as
volleyball, swim, and tennis all she shows such dedication to the
four years of high school, on sport.”
Head Coach Sam Tudor recently gained top of maintaining a prestigious   “I know her other coaches and
Senior Ahna Fox starting off
4.0 GPA, which is completed by teachers would agree when I say
his 100th career win, and his Vikings “staying up till unreasonable she is such an absolute joy to have
the 2018-2019 swim season at
times to finish homework,” the Kalispell Invitational. After
look to continue their impressive season enclosed Fox.
on the team.”
“[Fox] does not give up.”
four years of hard work,  Fox
  Despite the school struggles, Fox   In her last year of Bigfork is finally acknowledged for
has always found her place on a Athlete of the Month. (Picture
athletics, Fox has been recognized
BY TREY CHRISTIAENS me as a coach are my father, sports team, even as she prepares as varsity volleyball captain as credit to Kylie McMullen).
my high school track coach to graduate in June of 2019.

W
well as swim team captain, and
hen Sam Tudor became John Cheek, my college football   “Sports have really caused me Fox gushed that “I do not know
definitely has a soft spot for her
the head coach of the coach Hank Biesiot, and Fisher to develop leadership skills and how she deals with [the swim
teammates.
Bigfork Vikings Basketball DeBerry” reflected Tudor. “I a positive attitude on or off the girls], but I owe so much thanks
  “Every individual that I have
program in 2014, all eyes were on modeled my coaching styles court,” Fox admitted. “I have and gratitude to her for she has
ever competed in a sport with has
him and the team after coming from those guys. I like to get to learned to be patient, a good done for me throughout the
impacted me greatly,” Fox said, “I
off of a 2013-2014 Montana Class know my players on a different sport, and realize that I can only years.”
love my swim team this year and
B State Championship, which level, like Biesiot. It makes it be as good as the amount of effort it is just filled with sweet girls, and   “[Her] infectious personality
brought some pressure and a little easier when you are a I put in.” makes her enjoyable to be
each of us push each other but
various nervous jitters. Tudor teacher, because I get to see my Fox has even found that her around, and she will truly be
could not be more encouraging
had been a part of the basketball players in the classroom and on coaches have made a lot of missed next year, not only on the
towards each other.”
program for three years before he the court, which gives me a good difference in her life: “my coaches   In regards to her swim coach, swim team, but within the halls of
finally took on the role as head pulse on the players.” this school as well.”
coach. It is very easy to see the
“I inherited a very talented chemistry between the players
team, and I just wanted to be the and the coaches on the Colton Reichenbach
C
guy that could keep the program basketball court, whether you
going and to continue to help olton Reichenbach, an asset and what he provides for his
seem them around school, at
them be successful” said Tudor. on the football field and teammates.
practice, or during a game.
“I was not very confident that I champion on both the basketball   “He does most of his work [near
Chemistry is one thing that sets
could be that guy, but I would and tennis courts, is now a Bigfork the hoop],” said Tudor, “but he
the Bigfork Vikings basketball
like to thank the school and the Viking Athlete of the Month. can shoot the [three-point shot] as
team from any other team.
community that helped me gain   Despite helping lead the Bigfork well.” Specifically, Reichenbach
There is a difference between a
some confidence, especially Mrs. team with chemistry between Viking basketball team to the can be found defending the ball,
Shanks.” state championships in 2018, or “whatever is needed out of me,”
only players, and a team with
This is Tudor’s 5th season Reichenbach still found himself conceded Reichenbach, implying
chemistry between players and
as Head Coach of the Bigfork “honored,” as sports have “had that he really enjoys playing for
coaches. Senior Colton Reichenbach
Vikings, and has had a very a very big impact on my life,” he his team.
“Coach Tudor understands
impressive career record, with admitted. “[They] have helped   “Since this is my last year, I feel preparing to shoot during
every single player, and is closer
100 wins and 14 losses. Over the shape me into the person I am like I have been trying to help out a Viking basketball game.
to his players than any other
years, the team and Tudor have today.” younger players more than usual,” Reichenbach has put so much
coach that I have ever played
made many great memories. One for,” said Senior Randy Stultz.   His high school basketball he said. work into his athletics over
of Tudor’s favorite memories coach, Sam Tudor, explained that   As a student-athlete, it can be the years. (Picture credit to
The Vikings look to continue
includes winning the State Reichenbach is “a determined challenging to balance practices BHS Yearbook).
on a successful season and a
Championship in the 2017-2018 player with a winning mentality.” and games with homework, but
State Championship from last
season, but the memories that   With only half of a season under Reichenbach found that he tries Reichenbach has put his effort
year. Tudor achieved his 100th
top them all is off the court. One win on January 18, 2019 against his belt, “[Reichenbach] has had to finish his homework at school into everything, and the memories
memory includes buying swords the Mission Bulldogs as the a tremendous start to the season,” so that he can “just go home and from his sport seasons will live
and armory at the 50,000 Dollar Vikings won 72-49. 100 wins in Tudor said. On top of that, Tudor relax” after practice. long after he leaves Bigfork High.
Bar in Haugan, Montana; as the disclosed that Reichenbach “is   “School definitely comes before   “For my team, they should know
five seasons is a milestone that
team prepared for their next the unofficial supplier of ‘Chips sports because without good that I tried my best and gave it
many coaches dream of when
game by wearing it in an attempt they fufill the job of a head Ahoy!’” grades, we aren’t allowed to play.” everything I had,” the senior
to intimidate their opponents.   In all seriousness, Reichenbach   When it comes to his last year disclosed. “It has been a long and
coach.
“A few people who influenced is known for his consistent effort of sports, it is easy to see that fun ride.”