A successful little cowboy takes in his applause from the crowd (with a little help from spotter Shawn Penrod) after he rode in the Mutton Bustin' event Friday night at the Bucking Horse Sale. Young cowboys and cowgirlsget a thrilling experience riding a sheep out of a chute. Star photo by Steve Allison

 

Tuesday, June 30

(No local news)

Monday, June 29

Terry hosts Badlands Run

By Amanda Breitbach
The inaugural Terry Badlands Trail Run on June 27 attracted 35 runners, from competitive athletes to beginners and several families. Due to rainy weather the day before, the race could not be run on the original course, but runners and supporters alike enjoyed the opportunity to get out and enjoy the beautiful Terry badlands.
Glendive runner Nocona Frame won the 5K race in a time of 21:30. Terry’s Ben Pehl was second in 21:57 and Jason Rittal of Miles City was third in 22:44.
Patrick Judge of Helena won the 10K in a time of 37:51, Lane Lantis of Terry was second and Tyler Rinn of Glendive was third. Jack Austin was the top Miles City finisher in sixth with a time of 46:21. Diana Stanley was the top female finisher from Miles City in 52:19.
Race organizers Ryan Ragsdale and Amanda Breitbach said they were very pleased with the turnout and wanted to thank everyone who came out for the day. They hope the run will become an annual event showcasing the area.
Race sponsors included Brewster’s Deli, Blue Rock Distributing, Dairy Queen of Miles City, the Dizzy Diner, Glendive Medical Center,  Kafé Ütza, KATL, KIKC, Mid Rivers Telephone Cooperative, the Miles City Star, Murdoch’s Ranch and Home Supply, Pizza Hut of Glendive, Prairie Unique, the Glendive Ranger-Review, Reynolds Warehouse Grocery of Glendive,  Roy Rogers Saloon, Runnings Farm and Fleet, Stockman Bank of Terry, Taco John’s of Glendive and Miles City, the Terry Tribune and Wal-Mart of Miles City.
5 K
Nocona Frame 21:30 Glendive
Ben Pehl 21:57 Terry
Jason Rittal 22:44 Miles City
Sabrina Temple 24:21 Glendive
Joel Biggers 24:22 Miles City
Susan Massar 25:18 Circle
Kenan Hart 26:38 Circle
Tyler Forcella 26:47 Terry
Claire McMillan 27:22 Fallon
Erin Pehl 28:08 Terry
Elizabeth Smith 29:44 Terry
Sheila Hart 30:50 Circle
Kevin Layton 32:30 Miles City
Byron Holton 33:49 Vail, AZ
Christy Wert 41:00 Glendive
Jen Nagy 44:23 Miles City
10K
Patrick Judge 37:51 Helena
Lane Lantis 42:47 Terry
Tyler Rinn 43:49 Glendive
Steve Curry 44:20 Omaha , NE
Jerome Rusdal 45:12 Forsyth
Jack Austin 46:21 Miles City
Butch Hart 46:56 Circle
Elaine Dahl 50:18 Helena
Tim Brown 51:17 Glendive
Diana Stanley 52:19 Miles City
Jessica Beacom 53:02 Glendive
Mark Petersen 53:35 Miles City
Gerald Reichert 55:32 Glendive
Chris Brandt 57:37 Glendive
Peggy Stanley 60:45 Miles City
Fun Run
Brendan James 7:50 Glendive
Jaxson Brandt 12:10 Glendive
Sam Layton 32:30 Miles City
Jack Layton 32:40 Miles City

Friday, June 26

Posse U16 girls battle hard for state title, but come up just short

By Chad Sutter, Posse Coach
The 2009 competitive soccer season came to a conclusion June 7 in Butte, Montana at the State Cup.  The girls of the Miles City Posse U16G had a long season with every game on the road, often more than a half day’s drive from home.  The team was challenged this season with a short roster, injured players, and players that have been away from soccer for a few years.  
Two players, Savanah Leidholt and Beth Sutter, were brought up from younger age groups and injuries were cared for throughout the season to keep the team on track for the State Cup. 
The main rivalry of the season turned out to be against Belgrade Soccer Royal.  The Posse won the first match April 18 4-0, tied May 9 and May 16 at 3-3, and lost 0-8 on May 30 the week before the Cup.
 The Posse U16 Girls headed to the state tournament in Butte on June 6 & 7 with the knowledge that they would be starting the weekend going up against the Polson Tsunami who they had not come into contact with during regular season play.  The Posse also had only one substitute player to Polson’s seven. 
The first game was played in rainy cold weather that eventually turned to snow and wind.  Polson came out strong making an early shot on goalie Clarissa Ferguson that did not connect. 
Polson came back and put one past the keeper giving them the first goal in the game.  Tess Blaquiere came back with a shot on goal and Ashley Sutter had a nice defensive save when a Polson forward had a run on the goal. 
Ferguson had another three saves as Polson continued to pound at the net and succeeded in getting a second goal 22 minutes into the game.  Miles City turned up the heat with Stephanie Stevenson making a shot on goal before Blaquiere took a nice shot from the right that got the Posse their first goal of the tournament.  Ferguson had two more saves going into the half with the score 2-1, Polson leading.
In the second half, Scarlett Raymond had a shot on goal and Posse center defender Macy Rink had a beautiful volley and then two major defensive saves to hold the Polson offense at bay. 
Ferguson had a goalie save that involved a tackle and came out on top.  Caroline Brooke and Beth Sutter continued to challenge the Polson defense to gain control of the ball.  Christina Warn, Ashley Sutter and Rink played awesome defense with Anna Claypool and Savanah Leidholt keeping the ball moving offensively.  Erika Baldry, Blaquiere and Raymond each had two more shots and Ferguson had seven more goalie saves that ended the game with the score 1-2.
In their second game of the day the Posse faced FC Missoula Blue in overcast cold and windy weather.  Blaquiere had a shot on goal and Ferguson had three goalie saves as Missoula began to rally.  Stevenson and Brooke each took shots on goal against Missoula.  Christina Warn had a defensive save under pressure from the Blue.  Rink had a volley up to the offense ending the half without a score.
The Posse started the second half with Beth Sutter as goalkeeper making two saves and Rink making a defensive save. 
Nine minutes into the half, Ferguson had a cross to Scarlett Raymond who slammed the ball into the goal from the left side. 
Missoula came back and scored on the Posse tying the game at 1-1.  Erika Baldry gave the Posse their second and final goal from a corner kick Blaquiere took from the right side that Baldry tapped in. 
The victorious Posse were pumped up with the final score 2-1,
And ready to face their season rivals, Belgrade, the next morning. 
Because of the tournament win loss records the Posse went into the game against Belgrade Sunday morning knowing if they won they would be in championship game.  Excitement ran rampant and the Posse were focused going into their third game, despite bitter cold, light snow, and a lack of substitutes. 
Tess Blaquiere started the Posse off to a great start with a goal from the right side following a beautiful throw-in from Erika Baldry only seconds into the game.   Scarlett Raymond had a close shot on goal and Macy Rink executed a defensive save. 
Anna Claypool had a shot on goal and Clarissa Ferguson had a goalie save right before Belgrade would get a goal and tie the game 1-1. 
Blaquiere and Savanah Leidholt took a shot each and Beth Sutter took two shots on goal ending the half tied at 1-1.
The Posse came into the second half on the attack.  Caroline Brooke had two runs on the goal but it was Scarlett Raymond who managed to lure the Belgrade goalie out on a boot that rolled right on by and into the goal.  
Macy Rink, Christina Warn and Ashley Sutter had a great defensive line that was impenetrable by the Belgrade offense. 
Erika Baldry had three shots on goal, while Blaquiere and Beth Sutter each had two before Blaquiere took a corner kick from the right that bent the ball in toward the goalie who tried unsuccessfully to block the shot. 
The score was Posse 3, Belgrade 1. 
Savanah Leidholt was instrumental in shutting down one of Belgrade’s key players and helping to keep the ball in the Posse’s control.  Anna Claypool and Stephanie Stevenson kept the Posse on the attack with their quick timing and ball handling accuracy. Baldry and Raymond each got another shot on goal before ending the game and giving the Posse their ticket into the championship!  
Sunday afternoon it was Championship time for the Miles City Posse and the Polson Tsunami. 
For the first time all weekend the weather broke and the sun came out intermittently. 
The teams warmed up on opposite halves of the field and then assembled for a group entry procession led by the four referees for the game. 
It was a good photo opportunity for spectators and parents and a new experience for most of the girls.
The Posse met Polson in the championship game with two great positives:  better weather and the return of teammate, Jacy Kittelmann.  This gave the Posse two subs to Polson’s seven.  The Posse were pumped and prepared to do anything it took to bring the championship title home to Miles City. 
Posse coaches, Ben Blaquiere and Chad Sutter put two players, Savannah Leidholt and Caroline Brooke, man to man on Polson’s key offensive players (players that had scored 90% of Polson’s goals this season); this was very effective and kept them from scoring throughout the game. 
Clarissa Ferguson was started as keeper in the goal and she defended the net making an awesome save early in the game.  Posse defender, Christina Warn had a defensive save against a Polson Tsunami forward that really brought home the fact that Polson was fighting too.   Macy Rink had a defensive save then Ferguson had a dive and captured the ball while Polson continued to try and kick it out of her hands.  Posse forward, Erika Baldry had two attempts on goal and midfielder, Tess Blaquiere took a powerful shot as well.  
Posse goalie Jacy Kittelmann subbed in right before Blaquiere took a corner kick from the right side that Stephanie Stevenson knocked in putting the Posse in the lead 1-0.  Kittelmann then had a remarkable save as Polson retaliated but had a bad punt that Polson tried to take advantage of.  Rink charged in and punted the ball to safety.  Kittelmann had another save off a defensive corner kick and Ferguson had a shot on goal going into the half with a the score 1-0 Posse.
The Posse came into the second half, with Erika Baldry making a play up the field and sending the ball in past the Polson goalie in the first minute of play giving the Posse a 2-0 lead.  Kittelmann had three more saves before Polson chipped the ball way over her head for their first goal of the game making it 2-1 Posse. 
Baldry got a run on the goal and just missed on the right side.  Polson got a yellow card for dangerous play and Blaquiere took the direct kick.  Christina Warn had two defensive saves and managed to get the ball up to the Posse offense.  Scarlett Raymond took a shot and Macy Rink had a defensive save that she volleyed up to the offense.  Polson tied the game on a corner kick and the Posse really came alive with Baldry and Blaquiere both taking shots. 
Caroline Brooke got a defensive save as did Ashley Sutter, then Anna Claypool took a shot from the half that just missed the mark.  Kittelmann had two more saves as 80 minutes of regulation play ended with the score tied at 2-2.
The tie score had to be settled for the championship.  A sudden death fifteen minute overtime started after a five minute break.  The Posse really took advantage of the fifteen minutes with Kittelmann in the goal and Rink gaining control of the ball right away and moving it up to the offense.  Scarlett took a shot that resulted in a corner kick. 
Blaquiere took the kick, Baldry had two shots and Raymond had another shot before Polson gained control and Kittelmann had another save.  Rink had another save and Kittelmann three more goalie saves before the end of the overtime with score still 2-2.
A second fifteen minute overtime was started following another brief five minute break.  Blaquiere took a shot at the goal during the kick off and then Kittelmann would have another save, Blaquiere a shot and Kittelmann a save. 
Leidholt had a beautiful volley and Ashley Sutter put up an awesome defense. Blaquiere had another shot on goal, then Kittelmann a save.  Rink had a beautiful stop when a Polson player tried to make a break for the goal.  Kittelmann had three more saves and then Blaquiere took two corner kicks that resulted in one shot on goal for Christina Warn.  The second fifteen minute overtime ended with the score still 2-2 after 110 minutes of regulation and overtime play.  Both teams were tired, but both were determined to fight to the end.
Following the tie and two overtime periods the match went into a best of five, Penalty Shootout.   Each team selected five players and they took turns taking shots on the goal from the penalty mark, 36 feet in front of the goal. 
Kicking order was determined by a coin toss, with Polson getting first kick against Posse goalie, Jacy Kittelmann- their first shot was successful. 
Macy Rink came up against the Polson goalie and went too high.  Polson came back and scored their second shot.  Christina Warn was up and did not connect. 
Polson brought their third player up and missed the shot.  Tess Blaquiere was up for the Posse and scored and Polson came back and scored with their fourth player.  Erika Baldry scored on her penalty kick and Kittelmann caught Polson’s fifth players shot.  Anna Claypool came up and scored her penalty shot, tying the shootout, and the game again.
 The winner of the game and of the 2009 Montana Cup Championship went into a head to head shootout.  One shot for one shot by each team, with the team making a shot taking the win.  A Polson player came out against keeper Kittelmann and placed a quick shot low and to Kittlemann’s left; it was a hard shot for any keeper to defend and it went in off the her fingertips.  
Scarlett Raymond lined up for the Posse and her turn to keep the game even.  Her shot was deflected and the 2009 season came to a bittersweet end with Polson taking the Cup.
Coaches Ben Blaquiere and Chad Sutter, as well as manager Theresa Baldry, felt that the girls played their hearts out and felt the only thing that may have had a difference would have been having more players to sub in.  With only two subs and Polson having seven, it really put the Posse at a disadvantage. 
The word from the state officials was that this game was THE game of the tournament and really reflected the best aspects of soccer. 
Both teams had great moments, showed great sportsmanship, and the Championship could have gone either way.  Both teams were deserving of this title and the Posse really showed amazing determination and strength.   The girls are already planning for a re-match next year!

Thursday, June 25

Mavs fall big in first game, hang tough with Royals in second

By Josh Samuelson
It may be a bit early to say that the Miles City Mavericks have turned a corner in the 2009 season, but they certainly are playing at a more competitive level than earlier in the season.
The Mavs hosted the Billings Royals at Denton Field last night, and lost both games, but showed definite signs of improvement.
After seeing losses to Helena of 31-1 and the Billings Scarlets 29-1, the Mavs have played much better over the last week.
They did lose both games last night, 13-2 and 12-10, but combined with their weekend effort in Casper, Wyo., the Mavs are playing competitive baseball.
The Mavericks finished second at the Casper Wood Bat Tournament last weekend, beating the host team and Torrington, Wyo., before falling to a team from Denver, Colo.
“I hope we’ve turned a corner,” Mavs Head Coach Kyle Pryor said. “We went down there (Casper) and played teams we’ve never played before and we competed hard. That Denver team is pretty solid. It was good to see that we competed. Things are turning around, I think.”
The first game against the Royals last night was a well-played game, for all but two innings.
The Mavs looked sharp to start the game, as starter Kasey Tharp got two quick outs on three pitches. But an error, followed by two hits, gave the Royals a 1-0 lead.
The wheels fell off for the Mavs in the second and third innings. The Royals scored 11 runs, on 11 hits, in the two innings to break the game open.
The Maverick bats finally awoke in the fifth inning, when Trey Shipman and Conner Brown each had RBI doubles, but it was too little, too late.
But the late offense did propel the Mavs into the second game.
After holding the Royals scoreless in the first inning, the Mavs went to work right away in the bottom of the inning.
Jordan Bryant led off with a single and Shipman followed with a double. Garrett Askin also singled in the inning, as both Bryant and Shipman scored to give the Mavs a quick 2-0 lead.
The lead was short-lived, as the Royals scored four runs on four hits in the top of the second.
But a back-and-forth theme had started, and the Mavs continued that theme in the bottom of the second.
After two quick outs to start the inning, six straight Mavericks reached base safely. Three runs were scored in the inning, giving the Mavs a 5-4 lead.
That lead held until the fourth, when the Royals tied the score, only to have the Mavs take the lead back 6-5 in the bottom of the inning.
Things looked to get ugly for the Mavs in the fifth and sixth innings.
The Royals scored three in the top of the fifth to take an 8-6 lead, and then scored four more in the top of the sixth to push the lead to 12-6.
The Mavs could have very easily packed the game in, and called it a ‘close loss.’ But that wouldn’t be the case.
After an out to start the bottom of the sixth, six Mavericks reached base safely, with Bryant, Shipman and Tyler Harris coming around to score. That cut the lead to 12-9.
In the bottom of the seventh, Tate Wickham walked to start the inning and moved to third on a double from Shipman. Tyler Harris then hit a sacrifice fly to score Wickham.
But the rally ended with runners on first and third.
“I thought we came out and had good intensity,” Pryor said. “We really expected to win. We gave ourselves a chance to win in the final few innings.”
Shipman and Garrett Askin each had two hits to lead the Mavs offense. Askin and Harris each had two RBIs.
“We got a little taste of a close game, and the energy and excitement that come with it,” Pryor said. “It’s fun to be around it, win or lose. There was a good turnout at Denton Field, and it was a lot of fun for our guys.”
Billings Royals 13, Miles City 2
Royals 1 5 6 0 1 - 13 13 0
Miles City 0 0 0 0 2 - 2 6 4
Kasey Tharp, Conner Brown and Trey Shipman. Evan Bower and Tony LaGaly.
Miles City - Jordan Bryant 2-3, Trey Shipman 1-3, Tyler Harris 1-1, Conner Brown 1-2, Garrett Askin 0-3, Jonah Bergman 1-1, Shawn Elliott 0-2, Michael Poppert 0-2, Tate Wickham 0-2. 2B: Bergman, Shipman. RBI: Harris, Brown.
Billings Royals - Jerry Schmaing 2-3, Matt Edwards 3-4, Dillon Ness 1-4, Blake Loran 1-3, Tony LaGaly 3-3, Devin Scott 0-4, Casey Stark 1-3, Josh Benjamin 0-3, Adam Feralio 2-3. 2B: Edwards, Ness, Feralio. HR: Schaming, LaGaly 2.RBI: LaGaly 3, Edwards 3, Schmaing 2, Ness, Feralio.
Billings Royals 12, Miles City 10
Royals 0 4 0 1 3 4 0 - 12 13 4
Miles City 2 3 0 1 0 3 1 - 10 6 4
Chance Kale, Wickham, Askin, Bryant, Bergman and Shipman. Blake Beaudoin, Matt Eames, Schmaing, Danny Wicker and Ryan Gratwohl, Loran.
Miles City - Bryant 1-4, Shipman 2-3, Harris 0-2, Brown 1-3, Tharp 0-0, Askin 2-5, Bergman 0-2, Kale 0-3, Elliott 0-4, Wickham 0-3. 2B: Shipman. RBI: Harris 2, Askin 2, Bergman, Brown.
Billings Royals - Feralio 0-4, Edwards 1-2, Ness 0-2, Scott 4-4, LaGaly 0-3, Stark 1-3, Evan Bower 0-2, Benjamin 1-5, Eames 0-1, Schmaing 0-2, Wicker 1-1, Jordan Kern 3-4, Gratwohl 0-2, Loran 2-2. 2B: Loran, Wicker. RBI: Edwards 3, Scott 3, Feralio, Ness, Loran.