Postseason runs highlight strong 2017 for Whitehall

An undefeated regular season and Southern B Conference Championship from the Whitehall/Harrison High School football team, and a fourth-place finish at the state from the boys basketball led the way for another great 2017 for the Trojans sports programs.

FOOTBALL

The Trojans football team wrapped up their undefeated regular season October 20 with a thrilling 19-14 win over Manhattan. The win gave them the outright conference championship and a one seed in the Class B Playoffs.

"This feels so good. This is the first time the seniors have beaten them in a varsity game," senior Kayden Howser said following the game.

Whitehall opened the playoffs with another dramatic game, this time a 26-18 win over fourth seeded Shepherd.

"It took everybody to win. We had to win all three phases," head coach Dan Lacey said.

The Trojans season came to an end November 4 after a heartbreaking 16-13 home quarterfinal loss to Shelby.

""You never want this day to happen because of the seniors you are going to lose. The legacy they are going to leave and the mark they set on the school with Trojans football is exciting, Lacey said.

It was the last game for Whitehall seniors Dawson Hoerauf, Lane Buus, Garrison Shaw, Braden Smith, Wyatt Alexander and Howser.

Alexander, Hoerauf, and Smith, and junior Max Feight were all named to the All-State and All-Conference team.

Sawyer Keener, Shaw, and Howser also earned all-conference honors.

BASKETBALL

The Whitehall High School boys basketball team won the 5B League Regular season title in February. The Trojans finished the regular season with a 14-4 record and placed first in the conference after a 54-46 home win over Townsend.

The Trojans would advance to divisionals after winning a challenge game at the District Tournament in Belgrade. Whitehall would win their semifinal matchup 54-34 over Jefferson before falling 57-55 to Townsend in the championship game. Whitehall was challenged for a spot at Divisionals by third place Three Forks. The Trojans came out strong and advanced to the Divisional Tournament after a 62-33 win over the Wolves at the Belgrade Events Center.

Whitehall would have to fight and claw their way to advance to the state tournament after losing a 55-46 game to Roundup in the first round of the Divisional Tournament in Billings. The Trojans would qualify for state after a 62-50 win over Shepherd, a 51-46 triumph over Joliet, and 52-34 win in a rematch with Roundup.

After dropping their first game at the state tournament 69-55 to Anaconda, Whitehall would pick up a 71-56 win over Lodge Grass and a 64-62 win over Missoula Loyola. They would finish fourth at state after a 52-42 loss to Shelby.

Braden Larsen and Max Feight were both named to the all-state team. Andrew Simon was named all conference for the basketball team. Kaya Welch and Isabel Evans were both named all conference for the Lady Trojans.

WRESTLING

At the Southern B Divisional Wrestling Tournament in early March, Whitehall shined with Connor Johnson and Braxton Armstrong both winning titles in their respective weight classes.

Clancy Russell (103), Riley Forcella (132), and Dawson Hoerauf (285) all finished in second place for Whitehall.

The Trojans finished third as a team.

"The Whitehall boys wrestled well. We had a goal of being in the top three teams and taking most of the boys to state. Being the smallest of the top five teams meant that everyone had to work that much harder," assistant coach Steve Sacry said.

Johnson finished fifth at the state tournament and a total of seven Trojans wrestlers winning matches at the two-day meet.

HALL OF FAME

A total of 11 individuals and four teams were inducted March 25 to the Whitehall High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Among the teams that were honored at the second annual ceremony in front of a packed house at the high school was the 1997 state runner up volleyball team.

The 1940 Whitehall High School "Red Raiders" football team was also inducted into the hall. Chairman Mike Hedegaard said they were one of only two teams in Whitehall history to finish a season undefeated.

Longtime basketball coach Hiney P. Lund was inducted by former player Gene Lutey, who played on the final team he coached. Lutey said Lund was not only a great coach, but was a great educator that did a lot for the community. His 1950 boys basketball team and 1940 football team are both members of the Whitehall Hall of Fame. His 1950 basketball team finished second at state.

A three sport star and 1997 graduate, Trenna Loomis was inducted by her brother Jim Loomis. She was a state champion in the long jump, a five-time state medal winner, and had a total of 14 district, and 13 divisional medals.

Erv Hedegaard was inducted to the hall by his son Mike. Erv served as a longtime photographer of many of the high school teams, and has given generous amounts of his time to both the athletic programs and Whitehall community.

Rick Shaw was posthumously inducted into the hall by former coach Chuck Ansley. Shaw averaged over 21.5 point per game during his career. He was the leading scorer in the district for his junior and senior seasons.

The 1976 girls basketball team was inducted by "team mom" Ginny Kelly. The Lady Trojans went 14-0 during the conference season, and after losing in the first round up of the state tournament to Outlook, would bounce back to finish in third place.

Peggy Patacini was a member of the 1976 girls basketball team, and was also inducted as an individual member by her son Michael Eggen. She was the first Lady Trojan to earn four letters in basketball. She was first team all state and all-conference during her senior year in basketball, and also had an amazing track career where she would finish third at state in two hurdles events and later qualify for the junior Olympics.

Assistant coach John Stratton inducted the 1980 wrestling team. The team finished second at state, just losing out to Thompson Falls. Frank Sholey and T.J. Nelson both won state titles for the team coached by hall of fame member Jim Loomis.

One of the most dominant wrestlers in Whitehall history, T.J. Nelson was inducted into the hall by Shane Shaw. Nelson was a two time state champion, a four time state medalist, and pinned all four of his opponents at state during his senior year. He would later go on to wrestle at the University of Montana.

A 10-time sports letterman, Mike Hedegaard was inducted by his father Erv. Mike was a two time state champion, and also finished one year in third place. He finished his career with a 99-17-1 record. He was named "outstanding athlete" during his senior year. He also competed in football, track, and baseball.

A 1986 graduate and one of the best track athletes in Whitehall history, Darby Jones was inducted into the hall by Shane Shaw. He still holds a district, divisional, and a state record. During his senior year, he recorded the 11th best high jump in the nation and won the state title. He won eight district medals, six divisional medals, and two state medals. He also starred in basketball and football.

The 1984 state runner up wrestling team was inducted by head Coach Tom Wheeler. The team had a 10-1 dual record, and won the divisional championship. They had six divisional champions. Roger Sacry won the state title at 145 pounds for the team who finished second at state to Cut Bank.

A member of the 1984 team, Roger Sacry was inducted to the hall by Wheeler. Sacry was a 10-time letterman, won two state wrestling titles, and three divisional titles.

He placed three years at state, and was also a key contributor to the football and track teams. He was also member of the 1982 hall of fame football team.

Mark Joy was inducted into the hall by his father John Joy. He was a ten-time letterman, and wrestled for the state title three times.

He won the title his senor season with a perfect record. He was also a four-time letterman in cross-country and a key member of the track team.

A 1995 graduate, Nathan Reiff was a 12-time letterman and won the state title in wrestling his junior and senior seasons.

He went undefeated his senior season. He was all conference in football and qualified for state track.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

The Whitehall High School track team finished third at the district track meet.

It was quite the weekend at the state meet for Whitehall's Ann Russell. One day before graduating, the senior made it to the podium at the MHSA State Track Meet in Butte, finishing fifth in the 200 meters with a time of 27.16.

"I as so proud to see Ann finally get to the podium," head coach Dan Lacey said. "She has worked so hard for the opportunity to have that feeling and it was awesome to see her achieve that."

Russell also finished 11th in the 100 meters, 15th in the 400 meters, and 20th in the long jump. Trojan sophomore Max Feight had a strong meet, making it to the finals in the 110 meters. He qualified in eighth place in action Friday with a time of 15.92. He placed tenth in the finals with a time of 16.20.

Kelly Nieskens was hired as the head coach of Lady Trojans basketball team in June. He won a state title as a boys coach in Wolf Point.

Senior Monica Sepulveda advanced to the state tennis tournament after a fouth place finish at the Southern B-C Divisional Tournament in Big Sky.