With winter sports officially ended, it's time for the spring sports sprint to the end of the school year.

Lake County has no shortage of exciting teams and athletes, so here’s a preview of what each sport might bring as the spring sports season begins.

Track & Field: State champs return

Starting on the track, multiple individual state champs are returning as the track season starts up this weekend.

First, Polson junior Morgan Delaney returns to defend her Class A 3200-meter title that she won with an 11:28.82.

Polson senior Kellyn Nelson will try to move up the ranks as she finished third in the Class A pole vault.

The only other Polson state champion, shot put dynamo Astin Brown, has graduated. 

Polson will look to move up the standings this year after finishing 14th in the girls team standings at state and 10th in the boys standings.

Ronan had no individual state champions but has a couple returning state placers in Maddy Illig, Siouxpixm Qualtier, Jhett McDonald, Masyn Wayman and William Normandeau. The boys finished 17th in the team standings, while the girls did not have a listed placement in the state last year. 

Ronan will look for improved results across the board with many returners this year.

In Class B, Arlee is returning multiple state placers. Gracie Haynes, Karma Tibbetts, Trevor Van Maanen, Dustone Cyrus and Eli O’Neill made up seven of the eight placements for state last year. They all return with a chance at moving up the standings this season.

Mission has just two returners this year who placed at state. Ryan Sharbono is the reigning Class B discus throw champion with a 165-6, and returns to defend his state title. The only other state placer to return is Lex LaFrombois.

Finally, in Class C, Charlo returns multiple state placers as well. Leah Cahoon, Olivia Carnell, Jubilee Cole, Jaylynn Buxbaum and Karson Cox all come back to fight for some medals this year.

Two Eagle River had no listed track and field placers for the Class C state meet.

Tennis: Polson, Ronan aim to improve

The Lake County tennis teams will look to rebound this year with some improved results from each team.

In the Class A state championship, Polson and Ronan combined for only five points in total team points across both the boys and girls.

Polson senior Ruger Ellis earned a win in the consolation bracket last year at state and is the most successful boys singles returner. Polson senior Teague McElwee also returns as one half of the Pirates’ most successful boys double team.

For the girls, Polson’s most successful singles player has graduated in Summer Newman. However, the doubles duo of Hinkley Moss and Greta Lund return after winning one game in the consolation bracket at state.

The Ronan boys and girls had no athletes at state last year.

Mission is the only other listed tennis team and had no athletes who went to state.

Softball: Polson hopes for another stellar season

In the Mission Valley, softball is always a sport that sees the best compete against the best.

Starting in Class A, Polson softball is coming off a stellar season in which they were state runner-ups after losing 14-3 to Frenchtown.

They finished last year with a 19-7 listed record and were the best in Northwest A. The expectation this year will be to compete once again for a state title.

In Ronan, the girls will look to move up the standings after finishing with a 9-8 listed record. Despite that, they were ranked third in the Northwest A standings. A couple more wins this season could have them competing in the state championship.

In Class B/C, the Mission-Arlee-Charlo softball team comes off a state appearance last year. With this program continuously competing at the state level, MAC will continue to fight for a state championship this year.

Baseball: Lake County fields three teams

Finally, baseball season has been the highlight for many and this year will be another chance for the local squads to compete.

Polson missed out on the state tournament last season for the first time since baseball became a sanctioned high school sport in Montana.

Despite that, players from the 2023 state tournament champion team are still on this roster and are looking for a return to the state title game.

The Ronan baseball team finished just behind Polson at 5-9 in the North division. While they weren’t able to make it to state, they have a chance at jumping up the standings this season.

Finally, MAC baseball is also looking to rebound after a tough season. They dropped all but one game last year, finishing 1-14. Despite a tough path, they will try to find a way up the standings this year.

    Polson's Ari Rushing snags the ball to win the opening game against Dillon in last week's Class A State Softball Tournament. (Chris Peterson/Hungry Horse News)
  

    MAC baseball's Jason Leishman throws heat against Corvallis from the mound. (Kaleb Unger/Leader)
  

 

    Mission tennis player David Broughton works to return the ball against Anaconda during a Monday match. (Christa Umphrey photo)