The Corvallis Tennis Program is alive and growing. This year the Blue Devils boys field 21 players, up a sizeable amount from the 10 players of seven years ago when head coach Chris Maul-Smith first began coaching. He says the numbers have increased each year since then but even more exciting this year is the fact there are eight returning players from last years' conference champion team.

It is this core group that is leading the way for the Blue Devils. With senior Geoff Fehr taking the top seed in the singles, and Jake Sangster and Levi Pauley the top in the doubles, the Blue Devils bring an enthusiastic and passionate team to the court. That enthusiasm is spilling over to the younger players said Maul-Smith. Many of the players worked hard in

the off season, practicing all winter at the Canyons Athletic Club and even playing in a few tournaments around the region.

"We've got potential to do well at divisionals," said Maul-Smith. "Maybe we can take it again this year but you never count that until it's over."

One team not to be overlooked is Hamilton. Although they have a slew of new players, they have a good first single and doubles team. Although Corvallis defeated them on Thursday, Maul-Smith said the Broncs will only improve.

Corvallis' girls team numbers have also increased in the last few years. This year they have 24 girls out according to coach Rory Christiaens. It is a good mixture of new players and experienced players. There are only two seniors in the group but they are both experienced. Senior Kirstin Bull is now paired up with Callie Ward in the doubles and Kayla Gingerich is the No. 2 seed in the singles.

"We haven't played a ton of matches," said Christiaens. "We're off to a slow start but we're picking it up."

The No. 1 single is junior Megin Madruga. Christiaens says she brings a lot of experience and comes from a good tennis background. "She's a little pit bull out there."

Christiaens said Dillon will, as always, be tough. "You're going to have to beat Dillon to win at divisionals. But other programs are strong and will spread the points. It gives everyone a better shot."

The weather hasn't been very cooperative for any tennis in the valley. Thursday's match was an exception and both Hamilton and Corvallis took full advantage of the nice weather.

Although Corvallis defeated Hamilton in both the girls and boys match, the Hamilton tennis team is also doing well according to coach Luis Olmedo.

"They are having fun, that's the most important part," he said. Olmedo went on to say that although the weather hasn't cooperated much this spring, "that's the way it is here in Montana."

Hamilton has a team young in experience but with several seniors playing for the first time. With several boys on the court for the first time, Hamilton may have some early troubles but Olmedo is excited for the group.

Olmedo is also the girls coach for Hamilton. The only senior on the team is the No. 1 seed, Katie Andre. Although they are young, Olmedo is confident his team will get stronger as the season progresses.

Corvallis topped Hamilton in the boys matches, 6-1. The Blue Devils blanked the Hamilton girls in that match.

BOYS

Corvallis 6, Hamilton

Singles - Geoff Fehr, C, def. Evan Hansen, 6-1, 6-0; Spencer Fehr, C, def. Jason Jessop, 6-2, 6-2; Bob Huppert, H, def. Tyler Roberts, 6-3. 6-4; Dillon Murray, C, def. Jeremy Powell, 6-0, 6-2

Doubles - Jake Sangster/Levi Pauley, C, def. Ben Endicott/Neil Sauer, 6-3, 6-4; Ben Kerner/Delane Jessop, C, def. Josh Peterson/Tyler Beightel, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3; Luke Allsop/David Spencer, C, def. Cody Lewis/Justin Wallace, 6-0, 6-0

GIRLS

Corvallis 7, Hamilton

Singles - Megin Madruga, C, def. Katie Andre, 6-2, 6-0; Kayla Gingerich, C, def. Rebecca Hankel, 7-5, 7-5; Jordynn Cheeney, C, def. Jenny Schreckendgust, 6-1, 6-0; Jesseca Gerig, C, def. Kelsey Della Silva, 6-3, 6-2

Doubles - Kirstin Bull/Callie Ward, C, def. Kelsey Jura/Allyssa Smith, 6-2, 7-5; Anna Adolphson/Katie Kerner, C, def. Laura Cornelisse/Stella Quinlan, 6-4, 6-3; Ali Bierer/Lairen Phinney, C, def. Varsha Rao/Alycia Burt, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4

The Darby tennis team defeated Loyola, 5-1 in a Class B match. Hannah Honey led her team with a 6-1, 6-3, defeat of Ashley Wegener.

GIRLS

Darby 5, Loyola 1

Singles - Hannah Honey, D def. Ashley Wegener 6-1, 6-3; Shelby Rogala, D def. Whitney Bennett 6-0, 6-0; Miriam Bender, D def. Libby Kosena 6-2, 6-3; Sierra Gandy, D def. Brittany Todd 6-0, 4-6, 10-3.

Doubles - Ali Hege/Hannah Bigelow, LSH def. Ashley Peltier/Christy Kostick, 3-6, 6-2, 10-6; Tara Sullivan/Natalie Krosch, D def. Kassie Tripp/Maggi Cassidy, 6-3, 6-1.

Dragon Brigade wins big

The Bitterroot Dragon Brigade attended the 5th annual Frenchtown Karate Invitational which was held at the high school last Saturday. Teams in attendance came from Missoula, the Bitterroot, Helena, Kalispell, Bozeman, and Superior. The Dragon Brigade had a great

showing, and brought home several division sweeps as well as many individual wins.

Among those placing were Michael Whippie of Corvallis who placed first in the 11-12 year old advanced forms division. Teammates Katie Exner and Zach Brower finished second and third behind him. In the 13-14 year old girls sparring division the Brigade enjoyed another sweep. Becca Lyons of Hamilton was first, Colleen McGibben of Darby second and Maggie Reynolds, also of Hamilton, third.

The team is off to a great beginning this season. They brought home 40 trophies in all from Frenchtown.

Individual results are as follows: Zach Brower, 3rd in forms, Emma Decker, 2nd in Forms, Joey Devine, 1st in forms and 3rd in sparring, Jessie Vogel, 1st in forms and 2nd in sparring, Carson Bain, 3rd in sparring, Madison Richards, 1st in sparring and 3rd in forms, Michael Whippie, 1st in forms and 3rd in sparring, Colleen McGibben, 2nd in sparring, George Mullen, 3rd in sparring, Madison Lark, 2nd in forms and sparring, Grant Bess, 1st in forms, Alisha Bennett, 1st in forms and 3rd in sparring, Becca Lyons, 3rd in forms and 1st in sparring, Kayla Fields, 1st in forms and 2nd in sparring, Katie Exner, 2nd in forms, Colter Hartless, 2nd in forms, Maggie Reynolds 2nd in forms and 3rd in sparring, Doug Wissenbach, 1st in sparring, Will Wissenbach, 2nd in forms and 1st in sparring, Rachel Wissenbach, 1st in forms and 2nd in sparring, Caleb Hill, 3rd in sparring, Trevor Richie, 1st in forms and 2nd in sparring, Cecilia Ponce, 3rd in sparring, Hailey Ussery, 1st in forms, Roman Martushev, 2nd in sparring, Bryson Bain, 1st in forms and 3rd in sparring, Tyson Bain, 1st in sparring , Ethan Nechanicky, 3rd in forms.

The Dragon Brigade will be on the road next weekend. The team is going to attend a charity tournament in Spokane, Washington to benefit the Candlelighters, a group helping kids and their families fighting cancer.

Hamilton Girls win Seeley Invitational

The weather held off long enough for the Hamilton Broncs to take the top spot in the girls team scoring at the Seeley Swan Invitational track meet in Missoula on Saturday. With clouds looming ever closer, it was a race to finish before the snow hit.

Michelle Jones took first in both the 200 and the 300 hurdles. She clocked a 27.37 in the 200, besting teammate Alicia Toews by three tenths of a second.

Misha Trotter won the 800 and was second in the 1,600 for Hamilton.

Missy DeWalt of Darby had a good day as well. She claimed both the long jump and the triple jump events. Mariah Cress didn't take first in any event but the Darby thrower was consistent and picked up third in the discus and second in the javelin.

Chris Mai of Victor was the only valley athlete to win an event in the boys competition at the Seeley meet. Mai clocked a 4:42.55 to top Darby's Paul Abrahamsen in the 1,600. Mai finished second in the 800.

Hamilton’s Ryan Turley finished third in the 100 and second in the 400. Alan McCarty of Hamilton was second in the high jump and the 300 hurdles. Danny Lombardo of Florence tied for second in the long jump, and finished sixth in the javelin.

GIRLS

Team scores: Hamilton 70, Townsend 59, Darby 51, Frenchtown 47, Seeley-Swan 38; Ennis 27, Thompson Falls 26, Loyola Sacred Heart 26, Ronan-St. Ignatius 24, Charlo 24, Superior 22, Florence 16, Philipsburg 10, Deer Lodge 8, Drummond 7, Lincoln 4, Arlee 3,

Victor 1, Alberton 1.

100 - 1. Jessica Sperry, Sup, 13.09; 2. Carrie Myers, Twn, 13.10; 4. Alicia Toews, Ham, 13.69; 4. Brandy Crews, Flo, 13.70; 5. Emily Gregg, Enn, 13.80; 6. Jaycee Keaster, Lin, 13.90

200 - 1. Michelle Jones, Ham, 27.37; 2. Alicia Toews, Ham, 27.63; 3. Jessica Sperry, Sup, 27.93; 4. Sadie McMillan, RSI, 28.52; 5. Tahne Menard, Lin, 29.95; 6. Hana Literova, SS,

400 - 1. Carrie Myers, Twn, 62.15; 2. Kayla Schallenberger, Dar, 65.52; 3. Nikki Porch, LSH, 66.03; 4. Alex Anderson, LSH, 66.72; 5. Kelsey Wickens, Twn, 66.78; 6. Hannah Fields, Lin, 67.02.

800 - 1. Misha Trotter, Ham, 2:25.73; 2. Ashley Holmes, SS, 2:36.65; 3. Beca Gundrson, TF, 2:37.79; 4. Kendra Wabaunsee, Ftn, 2:39.46; 5. Jordan Scolatti, LSH, 2:42.07; 6. Shanna Burke, Ftn,2:42.21.

1,600 - 1. Caitlin Stone, SS, 5:22.1; 2. Misha Trotter, Ham, 5:34.0; 3. Heather Demorest, Dar, 5:41.4; 4. Jordan Audet, Twn, 5:44.7; 5. Beca Gunderson, TF, 5:49.4; 6. Shanna Burke, Ftn, 5:50.8.

100 hurdles - 1. Angela Scheffer, Ftn, 17.00; 2. Sadie McMillan, RSI, 17.17; 3. Schaelyn Fell, Cha, 17.25; 4. Rheanna Padden, TF, 17.71; 5. Jaris Kelley, Cha, 17.77; 6. Odessa Conley, Flo, 17.98.

300 hurdles - 1. Michelle Jones, Ham, 48.5; 2. Sadie McMillan, RSI, 50.93; 3. Catalina Parcell, SS, 52.68; 4. Angela Scheffer, Ftn, 52.89; 5. Mandy Webb, Dru, 55.25; 6. Britany Mitcham, Vic, 55.39.

400 relay - 1. Florence (Brittany Heinz, Katie Niemeir, Brandy Crews, Cortney Reynolds) 52.18; 2. Townsend 52.59; 3. Hamilton 53.87; 4. Loyola Sacred Heart 54.94; 5. Ronan-St. Ignatius 55.86; 6. Alberton 56.01.

Discus - 1. Taylor McNally, Enn, 123-3; 2. Jennifer Brown, Ftn, 115-2; 3. Maria Cress, Dar, 101-1; 4. Patti Brown, Dru, 100-6; 5. Christina Medeiros, LSH, 99-5; 6. Emily Gregg, Enn, 99-5

Javelin - 1. Addie Lepley, Phi. 115-11; 2. Mariah Cress, Dar, 110-9; 3. Rheanna Padden, TF, 110-7fi; 4. Courtney Severeid, Enn, 102-11; 5. Veronica Nelson, Arl, 100-9; 6. rekkan Green, Dar, 98-8.

Long jump - 1. Missy DeWalt, Dar, 15-4fi; 2. Delaware Hansen, Twn, 14-8; 3. Haley Jacobson, Sup, 14-7; 4. Lynsie Williams, Twn, 14-4; 5. Kayla Schallenberger, Dar, 14-3 1/4/; 6. Alyson Heare, Ftn, 14-2.

Triple jump - 1. Missy DeWalt, Dar, 33-3; 2. Megan Baker, Ham, 32-2; 3. Lynsie Williams, Twn, 31-7; 4. Delaware Hansen, Twn, 31-6; 5. Alyson Heare, Ftn, 31-; 6. Mariah Mitman, Flo, 30-6.

Pole vault - 1. Jaris Kelley, Cha, 8-6; 2. Mandi Kukal, DL, 8-6; 3. Rheanna Padden, TF, 8-0; 4. Megan Baker, Ham, 8-00; 5. Delcie Peterson TF, 7-6; 6. Cassandra Kline, Arl, 6-6.

BOYS

Team scores: Frenchtown 64, Hamilton 60, Thompson Falls 54, Seeley-Swan 50, Ennis 44, Alberton 36, Victor 24, Ronan-St. Ignatius 23, Deer Lodge 23, Townsend 16, Loyola Sacred Heart 16, Charlo 13, Lincoln 11, Florence 8, Arlee 8, Darby 8, Drummond 7fi, Philipsburg 4.

100 - 1. Bryce Shows, Enn, 11.50; 2. Jonny Dilworth, Ftn, 11.80; 3. Ryan Turley, Ham, 11.81; 4. Zach Evans, SS, 11.82; 5. David Cahoon, SS, 11.89; 6. Tel Menard, Lin, 11.90.

200 - 1. Tel Menard, Lin, 24.05; 2. Makenzy Kelch, RSI, 24.29; 3. David Cahoon, SS, 24.58; 4. Blaine Myrstol, Alb, 25.02; 5. Stephen Green, Ham, 25.14; 5. Chico Stipe, Cha, 25.83.

400 - 1. Bryce Shows, Enn, 51.18; 2. Ryan Turley, Ham, 52.64; 3. Cody Harris, Twn, 52.93; 4. Eric Bissett, Vic, 55.06; 5. Charlie McDonald, Phi, 55.18; 6. Guillermo Collins, Ftn, 56.24.

800 - 1. Bryce Shows, Enn, 2:03.27; 2. Chris Mai, Vic, 2:04.03; 3. Wyatt Lawrence, Ham, 2:04.84; 4. Ben Jessop, Ham, 2:05.17; 5. Jeff Bucholz, Cha, 2:05.32; 6. Mike Morris, TF, 2:08.00.

1,600 - 1. Chris Mai, Vic, 4:42.55; 2. Paul Abrahamsen, Dar, 4:45.50; 3. Shane Donaldson, TF, 4:46.05; 4. Mike Evans, LSH, 4:47.36; 5. Ben Jessop, Ham, 4:47.58; 6. Ian Curtiss, Ham, 4:47.

110 hurdles - 1. Brian Schenavar, TF, 16.6; 2. Jamie Engeldrum, RSI, 16.9; 3. Ben Kirkendall, Ham, 17.0; 4. Taylor Hersom, Ham, 17.1; 5. Guillermo Collins, Ftn, 17.3; 6. Matt Block, Ftn, 17.4.

300 hurdles - 1. Matt Block, Ftn, 42.94; 2. Allen McCarty, Ham, 43.59; 3. Jamie Engeldrum, RSI, 44.24; 4. Taylor Hersom, Ham, 44.67; 5. Cody Burdett, Vic, 45.75; 6. Scott Fisher, Arl, 45.82.

Shot put - 1. Jason Shawn, TF, 49-2; 2. Zach Balcom, LSH, 49-1; 3. David Phillips, DL, 48-4; 4. Kyland Santos, Twn, 45-0; 5. Cody Sellers, Ham, 43-1.

Javelin - 1. Canyon Parcell, SS, 169-0; 2. Jason Flemmer, TF, 160-2; 3. Kyland Santos, Twn, 152-6; 4. Phillip Brovold, Alb, 146-6; 5. Terry Nau, Ftn, 145-1; 6. Danny Lombardo, Flo, 144-2.

High jump - 1. Matt Block, Ftn, 6-0; 2. Allen McCarty, Ham, 5-8; 3. Zach Evans, SS, 5-8; 3. Kolby Leishman, Ftn, 5-8; 4. Charlie McDonald, Phi, 5-8; 5 (tie). Neil Mannix, Dru, and Brandon Pope, Cha, 5-6.

Long jump - 1. James Wemple, Alb, 19-11; 2 (tie), Tyler Wilde, Ftn, and Danny Lombardo, Flo, 18-10fi;&#8232.

Triple jump - 1. Canyon Parcell, SS, 42-4; 2. Tyler Wilde, Ftn, 42-1; 3. James Wemple, Alb, 41-5; 4. Ethan Willoughby, Arl, 39-8; 5, Kyle Felsman, Arl, 39-1; 6. Devin Leonardi, Ham, 38-7fi.

Pole vault - 1. Brian Schenavar, TF, 13-6; 2 (tie) Neil Mannix, Dru, and J.P. Toussaint, Cha, 12-6; 4. Alex Martin, Ham, 12-0.

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