KSEN Names Post-Season Athlete’s of the Week

LOCAL SPORTS – “ATHLETE OF THE WEEK”

(UNDATED) – KSEN/ K96 – Bozeman Trophy athletes of the week were up against stiff competition this week as football and volleyball teams hit the playoffs and even though there were some great performances, the athletes chosen play exceptionally well and held dramatic roles in their teams' victories

Female Athlete of the Week honors go to Choteau junior, Megan Krone. Megan is a solid atlete with skills that always seem to put her in the right place for a big play. As the Bulldogs played 14 straight sets to take the 1B District Championship Saturday, it was an awesome team effort, but it was Krone that led the team in kills in four of five matches and in the one she didn't, she shared blocking honors with Hannah King. Megan's biggest matches included the 15 blasts she had against Fairgield in a grueling five set match. Then, in teh final championship match against Shelby, 15 more. Among the pressure points, Megan served four straight points when Shelby had the Bulldogs down 14-10 in  the fifth set of the first championship match. She also put down a giant kill to pu away game three for Choteau.

Also nominated this week, Shelby sophomore, Maddy Hellinger, who racked up 47 kills and 13 blocks in the four match tournament.

In the selection process for male Athlete of the Week, I changed my mind three times before finally naming senior Tristan O'Neal of Valier for the second time this season. Tristan played a huge role in Valier's comeback playoff win over Terry. He carried the ball 16 times for 187 yards and two touchdowns. He caught five passes for 53  yards including a critical fourth down catch off a fake punt late in the game. And that was just on offense! Tristan recorded 19 tackles on defense and blocked what would have been a game tying field goal at a pivotal point in the game. Valier coach Eric Watson says "between his stats, his leadership, his heart and his teammates, we are a tough team to get past" They'll get another shot Friday night at Hot Springs.

Also nominated this week - Fairfield quarterback Tanner Mayer who has had an outstandign season leading the Fairfield Eagles to a 9-0 record and Fairfield runningback Cade Heckman, also an outstanding defender as the Eagles shutout Anaconda in the first round of the Class B Playoffs.

And, finally, CJI tightend and kicker Troy Harmon, who according to Coach Jim Vinson has played so amazingly well all season. In the Hawks route of Broadus, Harman had four catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns, one sack and one tackle for a loss. He was also 8-8 kicking PATs and one final interesting stat, Vinson says when Harmon kicks off, opponents average just 8.6 yards in returns.

Congratulations to our KSEN/K96 Bozeman Trophy Athletes of the Week, junior Megan Krone of choteau and senior Tristan O'Neal of Valier. The Athlete of the week is sponsored locally by McDonalds of Cut Bank...McDonalds honors our athletes with two free value meals each.