Heavy is the crown that the Whitefish boys bring into the 2026 tennis season.

The Bulldogs claimed the State A title in 2025 by a point over Stevensville and look in good position to make a run towards a repeat. In their way are stout Columbia Falls and Polson boys’ squads with talent to make their own runs at a championship. 

On the girls side, Whitefish brought home a third place trophy from state and Liesl Brust leads a plethora of state qualifiers. 

But Columbia Falls, Bigfork and Polson all return state qualifiers and look improved as 2026 begins. 

Whitefish 

The defending champions have been excited to be back on the court this spring according to coach Chris Schwaderer. 

“So many years we don’t get on the courts until April,” Schwaderer said of the nice weather as practices began. “We were indoors through the winter and the kids are in really great shape right now.” 

Leading the charge is senior Jack Oehlerich, who nabbed a second place at state this season. 

“Jack is a quiet modest kid all these years,” Schwaderer said. “He keeps working, he wants to be good and doesn’t take anything for granted.” 

In doubles, Cole Moses and Aaron Anderson are a pair of athletic and spirited kids who will lead the way. 

The Bulldog girls see their entire singles lineup from 2025 return. Brust is a junior and finished fifth at state last season. 

Emmy Hansen and Allie Shors also made the state tournament in singles a season ago. Senior Ainsley Grubb and freshman Daisy Lusko make five girls battling for four spots. 

As for doubles, Camry Kelch returns after another state appearance with a second partner. She and Maggie Mercer finished third in 2025 after suffering their only loss of the season in the semifinals. 

“I’m really impressed with the competitiveness of the team,” Dryden said. “It’s all positive. They compete in every drill, and I expect them to do the same when we start playing other people.” 

Columbia Falls 

Three of the Wildcats four state qualifiers graduated last year, but the one returner — Sol Masters — joins a retooled and deep squad under coach Michele Colliander. 

Joining Masters are William Oberholtzer and Jack Austin, who have put in the effort throughout the offseason. 

“Our goals are for a few kids to make it to state, we have definitely seen a lot of improvement from top players,” Colliander said. 

The Wildkats see Alanis Petersen return from a state appearance in doubles last year.  

Madi Yerian joins Petersen in doubles play this season after Aliyah Arends graduated. 

In singles, Bailey Windauer and Ella Hepner top the list in the early season. 

“This is probably the strongest team I have had yet as a coach, in terms of depth,” Colliander said. 

Former Wildkat Hannah Schweikert joined the coaching staff along with Kohl Deshazer. 

Polson 

The Pirates boys return a pair of state qualifiers to a squad featuring many seniors. 

In singles Ruger Ellis leads the way with Marcus Lucas joining a group of six seniors for Polson. Ellis nabbed the No. 4 spot in the Northwest last season. 

In doubles, Teague McElwee returns, though partner Branson Moss graduated. Coach Bob Hislop said that he is unsure of who McElwee’s partner will be. 

He added that both boys and girls squads will be chasing Whitefish. 

“We hope to be able to compete with them,” Hislop said. “Tough to beat them, they have good depth.” 

As for the Pirates girls, they also return a pair of state qualifiers in Hinkley Moss and Greta Lund. The juniors will lead the way for the Pirates doubles teams. 

In singles, Polson expects Vivian Grainey, Josie Henriksen, Baylee Lemm and Karley Smith to make up the core of the squad. 

Bigfork 

The Valkyries see the return of Taylor Howlett and Raegan Waller from a state run last season. 

The duo took the No. 2 spot in Northwest A and won their opening match at the state tournament a year ago before rallying for a sixth-place finish in the doubles competition. 

Libby 

Gone is two-time state champion Ryan Beagle, who helped the Loggers boys to a third-place finish at state in 2025. 

Stepping into 2026, Blaise Erickson took the No. 1 singles role for Libby in their opening dual with Polson. Claire Fantozzi led the singles in the girls opening matches.