By Jean Schurman
The boys and girls of summer have given way to the boys and girls of fall. The players have taken to the soccer pitch and the football fields, the volleyball courts and the golf courses. In spite of the smoke, cross country racers are putting in their time running laps in the gym and getting ready for the first meet. It may be smokey but the athletes are doing their best to get in shape mentally and physically for the first competitions in two weeks. Well, except for golf, those Class A tournaments began on Monday.
A couple of football teams will have new coaches. Travis Blome of Hamilton has stepped down as head coach to take over as the activities director for Hamilton since Darrell Holland retired last spring. He has some large shoes to fill but he also has had a good teacher and mentor.
Taking over as head coach for the Broncs is Bryce Carver. Carver has been the offensive coordinator for Hamilton for the last three years. In high school at Dillon, he was the Beavers’ quarterback. After graduation he attended the University of Montana where he was a receiver on the Grizzly football team. Although the Broncs lost some key players, they have several young guns who are ready to step up. Carson Rostad who stepped into the quarterback position as a freshman has another year under his belt and should be tough to contain. Hunter Omlid, Tyler Chouinard and Cam Rothie bring athleticism and speed.
Florence will also have a new coach at the helm of the Falcons. Pat Duchien has stepped into Tyler Gilder’s spot. Duchien has been an assistant at Florence for a few years. His wife, Christy, is the volleyball coach at Florence. I predict lots of take out in their fall dinner plans.
Stevensville will have a new volleyball coach. Yvette Larson takes over from Julie Hinson. Larson brings fire and a strong competitive spirit. She has been the junior varsity coach for the Yellowjackets. With a strong junior class that saw quite a bit of action as sophomores, the Yellowjackets could be a team to reckon with this season.
Hamilton will have a new volleyball coach also. D’Ette Monson has stepped down and Jodi Bush has taken up the clipboard. Bush has been the coach at Darby and most recently at Victor. She is a team-oriented coach that believes in all for one and one for all. She is very competitive and expects the same out of her players. Only three seniors graduated last year so most of the team has had varsity experience. Watch for Tristy Searle, Caitlin Dillon and Kelsie Meis to make waves for the Lady Broncs.
Victor will have a couple of familiar faces as volleyball coaches. Nikki Casale who was the varsity coach a couple of years ago will step back into that role. Joining her will be Victor alum Skye Mitcham as the junior varsity coach. Although the Lady Pirates lost several key players to graduation, there are a few ready to step up. Shelby Harberts brings a lot of height to the net and Madison Allred and Sophie Pearson are strong players on the floor and very competitive.
Darby lost several players to graduation on both the volleyball and football teams. Casey Ehmann, Kylie Fisher and TeaAnna Rouse could be tough for the volleyball team. Dylan Parks, Lean Kayser and Dylan Schlapman are some names to watch for on the Tiger football roster.
The $64 question concerning Corvallis boys soccer is how are the Blue Devils going to do with the loss of 12 seniors including All-State Cayden Ayers, Ives Fershee, Justin Catanach, and Emmett Semple. The program is strong and I suspect they will reload but it may take a few matches for them to mesh. Look for Grant Martin, Dante Venema and Gabe DeLeo to step up.
The Corvallis girls soccer team also lost quite a few to graduation. Gone are the duo of Wychespeedster Penny Jessop and tough-as-nails Corinne Sanderson. Look fro Connie Watt, Ashlynn Nixon, and Whitney Wyche to make a difference.
The Corvallis volleyball team lost four to graduation but like the machine they have become, there are more to move up and fill in. Kate Hurlbert will be setting and use her experience to find the best play. Kaitlin Irwin has the hops and a strong net play to move the other team back. Maureen Jessop, Ashley Hornaday, Casey Fison and Charlotte Powell all saw playing time last year and, if I know the Corvallis program, have been working hard all spring and summer.
The Hamilton boys soccer team was young last year and they still are young. Coach Randy Lint saw great improvements last season and will work to continue to improve. Rio Hammond made some nice plays last year and will be one to watch this year.
The Hamilton girls soccer team lost only two players last year, Elise Striebel and Reilly Rostad. Those are difficult shoes to fill but there are a few coming up. Tessa Della Silva, Kara Nye Alivia Drake and Olivia Zepeda all made great plays last year and are very competitive. Maddy Martin and Kody Moran at the keeper position will be stronger this year too.
It’s time to bring out the lawn chairs, or bleacher seats, get some blankets ready because we know it will be cold soon, and get ready to enjoy the fall. Play ball.
If you should happen to take an outstanding photo of a local game or athlete and want to share it, please email it to bitterrootstarads@gmail.com and we’ll try to fit it in. Thank you!