Year in review: Sports highlights of 2025

Throughout 2025, The Lake County Leader provided 336 stories of Lake County athletes fighting hard and battling for championships and divisional and state titles.   

January  

Ronan boys ranked No. 4, two Ronan girls ranked No. 1 in state 

In the Class A Montana Boys Wrestling Poll, Ronan ranked fourth as a team in the state, with eight wrestlers ranked: Luc Cheff and Koda King at No. 2 in their weight divisions; Jayden Krause and Jackson Davis at No. 3 and Ridge Cote at No. 4.  

Ranked at No. 5 were Dominique McKay and Cooper Wyman; and Justus Orman-Begman was ranked No. 6.  

Polson’s Daniel O’Roake took No. 3 in his weight division. 

In the girls’ wrestling poll, Ronan’s Tirza TwoTeeth ranked No. 1, as did River Cote, while teammates Haven Houle ranked No. 5 and Seattle Adams and Leona Dodson-Howe ranked No. 8 in their divisions for Ronan.  

Alree’s Anola Naugle was ranked No. 2, and Polson’s Abighail Sorrell took No. 6. 

Taylor-Jefferson pulls second-highest scoring night of her career 

In only the second game of the Polson girls' basketball season, Rylee Taylor-Jefferson achieved the second-highest scoring night of her career with 19 points in a Class A foe against Hamilton.  

Polson took Hamilton 42-38 by outpacing them by four points in the fourth quarter. Sam Rensvold scored 14 points, which was also the third-highest scoring night of her career.  

Mission girls defeat No. 2 team in state 

Mission girls' basketball took down Loyola, the No. 2 ranked team in state on Thursday, Jan. 21 with a 49-46 score, which was won by Kieran Incashola’s three-pointer bucket.  

February  

Ronan boys place ninth at state 

Ronan boys wrestling team placed ninth at the MHSA Class A State Championship in Billings, with a bevy of podium trips for its wrestlers.  

Ridge Cote placed second at 132 pounds, making a charge through the Class A bracket. Cote advanced to the championship match with a 4-2 win over Dawson County’s Tristan Swanson in the semifinals.  

Koda King placed second at 165 pounds, taking three victories, and Jairyn Krause took sixth in the 157-pound bracket.  

Polson boys place third at State A-B Swim Meet 

The Polson Pirates boys' swim team fought hard for third place, and the girls earned seventh in a competitive field at the A-B State Swim Meet in Great Falls.  

Leading the charge was Polson junior Teague McElwee, who claimed two state titles. He dominated the 100-yard backstroke. Following him was Lachlan Sloan, taking third place in the 50-yard freestyle. Sloan, McElwee, Truman Sawyer, and Boden Sloan earned a podium finish, placing third in the 200-yard freestyle.  

Senior Amelia Stene led the Lady Pirates with two top six finishes. Stene placed sixth in the 50-yard freestyle and fourth in the 100-yard butterfly. The Lady Pirates also took fourth in the 200-yard freestyle relay.  

Tirza TwoTeeth earns third place wrestling title 

The Ronan girls placed third as a team at the MHSA Girls State Championships in Billings, led by state champion Tirza TwoTeeth.  

The 235-pound champion scored three wins, one of which was an 18-second pin. River Cote was third at 105 pounds, taking four victories and Saellah Nomee and Leona Dodson Howe each took fourth in their weight classes. 

Ronan’s Haven Houle placed sixth at 235 pounds, and Polson’s Abighail Sorrell placed fourth at 190 pounds. 

March  

Ronan Chiefs boys' basketball claimed fourth at State 

Ronan Chiefs took home a trophy win this year by placing fourth in the 2025 State A Boys Basketball Tournament – a grueling three-day event held March 13-15.  

The scores were: Billings Central 45, Ronan 40; Ronan 76, Browning 63; Ronan 73, East Helena 67; and Billings Central 65, Ronan 50, as an opening loss.  

Ronan, Polson athletes recognized in Northwest A All-Conference 

Polson’s Lady Pirate Rylee Taylor-Jefferson made a significant impact this season as a sophomore, earning a spot on the First Team All-Conference. Ronan also had strong representation with senior Arianna Zepeda and sophomore Kayln Marengo earning Second Team All-Conference honors.  

On the boys’ side, Ronan junior Kolby Finley was named to the All-State and First Team All-Conference, and senior Wade Qualtier earned a spot on the Second Team All-Conference. 

Polson also had a standout player in sophomore Malakai Curley, who earned First Team All-Conference honors. 

Astin Brown beats Polson’s 1971 shot put record 

In the first meet of the season, Polson senior Astin Brown beat the oldest standing record in Polson High School track.  

Bob Morigeau had held a shot-put record of 57 feet and 6 inches since 1971. Brown over shot that record with a distance of 58 feet and 9 inches, on March 29, during the Frenchtown Invite.  

State titles taken at Class A Track Championships 

Polson and Ronan athletes capped their seasons with standout performances at the 2025 Class A State Track and Field Championships held May 22-24 at Legends Stadium in Kalispell.  

Polson’s boys' squad was powered by senior thrower Astin Brown, who won the state title in shot put and added a third-place finish in discus. Morgan Delaney claimed the state title in 3,200 meters. David DiGiallonardo also delivered a strong performance for the Pirates, with a sixth-place finish in the 1,600 meters and fourth-place finish in the 3,200 meters.  

The Ronan boys' efforts were highlighted by Tayen Edmo’s sixth-place finish in the 800 meters. He was also part of Ronan’s 4x400-meter relay team, which was a sixth-place finish overall. The team also included Will Normandeau, Jacob Piapot, and Wade Qualtier, who contributed a fifth-place finish in the long jump.   

Ronan and Polson athletes made several other placements and personal bests during the state meet.  

Polson softball takes second at State 

The Polson Lady Pirates softball team battled through five challenging games, including a blowout win, a pair of tight victories, and two losses to the eventual state champion Frenchtown. The 2025 campaign ended with a second-place finish at the State A Softball Tournament in Columbia Falls.  

June 

Softball standouts earn All-State and All-Conference honors 

Several Polson and Ronan softball players earned postseason honors following standout performances during the 2025 Montana Class A season. 

Polson seniors Samantha Rensvold, Olivia Jore, and Liz Cunningham were named to the prestigious All-State team. Ronan junior Naveah Perez also earned All-State recognition. 

Polson senior Sierra Perez earned First Team honors for her consistent presence in the Northwest A Conference awards. Junior Emma Smith, senior Jaja Nichols, and sophomore Natalie Nash were named the All-Conference Second Team.  

Ronan’s Kailynn Marengo also earned a Second Team nod for her contributions throughout the year. Adrian Crockett and Polson’s Ahri Rushing received Honorable Mention recognition.  

The Mission-Arlee-Charlo softball program was also well-represented on the 2025 Western B-C All-State and All-Conference lists, with six players earning postseason awards. 

Junior Maia Christopher, junior Jada Domebo and sophomore GG Hawk were named All-State and concurrent All-Conference first-team selections. Seniors Amelia Cronk and Madisyn Hanken and sophomore Avia Lee were named to the All-Conference second team.  

Hawk earned another All-State honor after another productive season as the team’s centerfielder. Christopher, who played left field, also earned her first All-State honor. 

Lake County seniors selected for Montana Shrine Baseball Classic 

Three standout seniors from Lake County high school baseball programs suited up for the West in the inaugural Montana Shrine All-Star Baseball Classic on Aug. 16 at Three Legends Stadium in Butte. 

Polson’s Landon Shoemake and Mission-Arlee-Charlo’s Justin Evans and Brody Smith were named to the West roster for the first-ever all-star event. This event raised funds for the Spokane Shriners Hospital and was modeled after the long-running East-West Shrine football game.  

July  

Readers choose Koda King as Athlete of the Year 

Ronan’s Koda King was selected as the recipient of the inaugural Lake County Athlete of the Year award with a total of 246 votes. 

King was one of four candidates selected by athletic directors and voted on by Leader readers. Other nominees also included: Ryan Sharbono, St. Ignatius, with 104 votes; Samantha Rensvold, Polson, with 93 votes; and GG Hawk, Charlo, with 87 votes. 

King’s resume goes beyond the mat and includes leading his team to the 2025 Divisional Championship. In the 2024-2025 season, he also competed in track, where he took sixth in the javelin at the Western A Divisional, ran cross country and competed in tennis. 

Lake County athletes shine at state fastpitch tournament 

The 10U C-Town Rebels, featuring a mix of Polson, Arlee, and Columbia Falls players, earned a third-place finish at the 2025 Montana Junior Olympic Fastpitch State Tournament, held July 11–13 at the Bozeman and Belgrade softball complexes. 

Two Avalanche squads took home state titles in the 18U and 12U divisions, with the 18U Avalanche-Goudette achieving an undefeated championship. Polson’s Sam Rensvold and Olivia Jore, along with Jada Domebo from Mission, were key contributors for the Avalanche-Goudette championship team. 

October  

Milton, Rowe lead Lake County golfers at state 

Lake County golfers closed out the fall golf season in style at the Class A State Tournament in Sidney, with four local players earning All-State honors and the Polson boys securing a third-place team finish. 

Polson’s Max Milton led the Pirates with a blistering 69 on opening day. Milton finished the two-day event at 145, a tie for a third-place bronze medal. 

His teammate Cash Brown followed behind him with 151 for eighth place and joined Milton on the All-State list. Behind them was Carson Emerson in 20th place, while Soren Lund and Everett Hendrickson were in 40th and 54th place, respectively. The Pirates’ team totaled 637, placing third.  

Ronan’s junior Oliver Rowe also made noise in Sidney, placing sixth at 149. Sophomore Kolby Finley joined him in the top 15 with 164. Finley placed 15th, gaining All-State recognition for the first time.  

On the girls’ side, Polson’s Olivia Cottet finished 27th at 205 while her teammate Johanna Bieber took 30th at 207. Ronan’s LaRae Mays finished 48th at 233.  

Shootout win vaults Pirates into State A championship match 

For the first time in program history, the Polson Pirates hosted the Class A state boys soccer championship, advancing after a tense 2–1 semifinal victory over Columbia Falls on Saturday. 

The Pirates, with a 10-2-2, move on to their fourth-ever state title appearance. According to MHSA archives, Polson’s previous championship trips were in 2002, 2011 and 2018, each losing to Whitefish. 

Polson girls take third, Ronan boys crack top 10 at State Cross Country Meet 

Lake County runners made a strong showing at the 2025 MHSA Class A State Cross Country Championships at the University of Montana Golf Course with Polson girls taking third in the team standings and the Ronan boys finishing 10th in a highly competitive field. 

Polson’s Morgan Delaney finished third overall, earning All-State honors with a top five finish. Her teammates Quinn Delaney and Kimora Scott joined her in the top 10, placing sixth and ninth, respectively. 

Ronan’s girls placed 17th overall with Annie Adams at 66th place and Gracie Heiner at 80th place. Hayden Dusty Bull earned 83rd with a season best as a sophomore. 

On the boys’ side, Ronan finished 10th with 304 points, while Polson placed 12th with 361. Ronan’s Devon BigMedicine was 31st while Will Normandeau was 47th.  

Several Lake County athletes placed in State B and C meet 

St. Ignatius, Arlee and Two Eagle turned in a full slate of finishes at the MHSA state cross country championships at the University of Montana Golf Course.  

Mission placed three runners in the Class B girls' race, with Raileigh McDonald at 81st, Brooklyn Leishman at 121st and Quincey Jensen at 162nd. Justine Shelby paced Arlee’s girls at 146th, Kaidance Pierre at 159th and Izabella Knoll at 169th.  

November  

Polson captures first-ever state soccer championship  

The Pirates played with purpose, defeating Whitefish 4–0 in the Class A state championship, the school’s first-ever boys' soccer state title.  

Goalkeeper Maddox Bird recorded eight saves against nine on-frame shots. Defenders Brody Kline, Donovan Beeks, Archer Russell and Ruger Ellis were equally vital, along with midfielders Cruz Lies and Edgar Vejez-Pete, combining multiple crucial deflections that denied Whitefish’s best chances.  

Polson’s Cody Haggard selected for National Native All-American Football Game 

Polson’s senior Cody Haggard was selected for one of the most prestigious honors in Native American athletics — a spot in the 2025 Native All-American Football Game, hosted by the Native American Athletic Foundation in partnership with the NFL and Minnesota Vikings. 

Haggard, a class valedictorian and multi-sport varsity athlete, is one of only seven Native American high school football players in the nation chosen to participate. He was the only athlete from Montana to receive honors this year.  

Mission Mountain Mercury qualifies for nationals at Junior Olympic meet 

The Mission Mountain Mercury running club turned in a stellar performance at the USATF Montana Association Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships this past weekend, earning a trip to nationals.  

The team’s 15–18 girls squad dominated the 5,000-meter race, taking the top three individual spots and running away with the overall team title. 

Polson Soccer stars earn All-Conference, All-State Honors after standout season 

Following the state championship, several Polson High School soccer players were recognized among the best in the Southern A Conference with postseason honors that highlight both team and individual success. 

Senior Maddox Bird, along with teammates Cruz Lies, Edgar Vejez-Pete, and Jackson Bontadelli, all earned All-State recognition for their play. Junior Roman Sawyer was named First Team All-Conference, while Dion Lichtenberg and Ruger Ellis earned Second Team honors. 

Donovan Beeks received Honorable Mention for his work on defense. Bird, who also netted a goal this year, earned his third straight first-team all-conference selection. 

On the girls’ side, Kellyn Nelson earned First Team All-Conference honors. Goalkeeper Olivia Ramirez and defender Ciri Nice was named to the Second Team, while Amelia Stene received Honorable Mention in All-Conference honors.  

Lady Pirates earn fourth at state after gritty tournament run 

The Polson Lady Pirates capped a strong postseason with a fourth-place finish during the 2025 State A Volleyball Tournament at Montana State's Brick Breeden Fieldhouse.  

Polson opened the tournament with a 3-2 marathon victory over Havre. Polson met undefeated Frenchtown next and fell to the eventual Western A champions. Facing elimination Thursday, Polson responded with one of its most complete performances of the tournament, defeating Laurel. Polson’s postseason run ended Friday morning with a 3-0 loss to Havre.  

Polson Volleyball lands two on all-state, six on all-conference 

Polson volleyball produced one of the program’s biggest postseason hauls in recent memory, with six players receiving Northwestern A all-conference recognition and two earning all-state honors. 

Head coach Lizzy Cox was also named Northwestern A Coach of the Year. McKenna Corley and Polson’s Embree Bird were named on the all-state and first-team all-conference rosters, Aleysia Black on the second team, and Rylee Taylor-Jefferson, Eliza Todd and Zailee Hewankorn as honorable mentions. 

Ronan’s Sierra Blood was also named to the first team.  

December  

Ronan, Polson standouts earn All-Northwest A, All-State football honors 

Three Polson Pirates and two Ronan Chiefs earned All-Northwest A Conference nods — with Polson senior Holden Emerson also being selected for All-State. 

Emerson, along with his teammates Cody Haggard and Brody Bulette, was voted first-team all-conference. Ronan seniors Layton Burland and Cooper Wayman received honorable-mention recognition for their contributions to the Chiefs’ 2025 season.  

Mission Mountain Mercury earns national title, runner-up finish 

The Mission Mountain Mercury club delivered one of the nation's best performances at the USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships in Shelbyville, Ind, highlighted by a national title, a team runner-up finish, and six All-American honors. 

The Mercury 15–18 girls team placed second overall, led by Morgan Delaney, who became the first USATF national champion in club history.  

Capri Farmer placed ninth, Anna Lewis finished 11th and Kyla Meissner took 17th, all earning All-American honors. Quinn Delaney placed 24th, and Annie Adams finished 64th, also earning All-American recognition. Reese Adams rounded out the team with a 72nd-place finish. 

    Polson's Rylee Taylor-Jefferson, who crossed the 300-point career milestone during their Saturday game on Feb. 1, tries to evade a double attack of Ronan Maidens. (Bob Gunderson photo)

 Koda King looks on under the spotlight during a very successful wrestling season in 2025. (Christa Umphrey photo)

    Polson’s Morgan Delaney completes the MHSA State Cross Country race with a time of 18:57.9. Delaney took 3rd place in the race at the University of Montana Golf Course on Oct. 25. (Emily Messer/Leader)    Cody Haggard poses for his senior photo. Haggard was selected for a spot in the 2025 Native All-American Football Game, hosted by the Native American Athletic Foundation in partnership with the NFL and Minnesota Vikings. (Niki Graham Photo)  Senior Astin Brown launches the shot put at the State Track Meet. Brown beat Polson's 1971 shot put record during their first meet of the season and rushed the record again at the state championship. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)

 Polson's Max Milton watches his drive off the third tee at the Bigfork Invitational at Eagle Bend Golf Club on Thursday, Sept. 4. Milton and Ronan's Rowe helped Lake County golfers excel at state. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)