Mission Valley golf teams feature talent, experience

POLSON

The Pirate boys graduated thrice all-state (4x a-c) Trey Kelley, who is now competing at the collegiate level for the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks.

Included among returnees with varsity experience is senior Michael Smith.

A quartet of incoming freshman who qualified for early tournament action include Hunter Emerson, Carson Hupka, Christian Lund and Torrin Ellis.

The Lady Pirate girls graduated twice all-state (4x a-c) Cali Cannon and all-conference Esme’ Yarbrough (13th). Cannon is now golfing for the Dickinson State Bluehawks.

But the current rendition of the Lady Pirates return all-state senior Ellie Thiel (t8th) along with junior Carly Garrick.

Fleshing out the remainder of the roster are a trio of freshman that include Clare Konen, Ashley Maki and Kylee Seifert.

Polson co-coaches Cameron Milton and John Kelley are optimistic about the upcoming season: “Polson Pirate golf looks to have an exciting year with young incoming talent balanced with some veteran upper class leadership.

“The athletes worked hard over the summer and have came into the season prepared and ready to compete.”

Polson began their season at West Glacier Tuesday, Aug. 18.

RONAN

Both Chiefs and Maidens return the full complement of their varsity roster last season. All-conference junior Ruben Couture (27th) spearheads the boys that include juniors Dillon PrettyOnTop along with Sage Coffman and sophomore Troy Alford.

All-conference Macao Jackson (12th) leads a roster of Maiden girl returnees that include senior Madyson RunningCrane, juniors Kylee Niemeyer along with Aaliyah Decker and sophomore Alyssa PrettyOnTop.

Ronan aims to move up a few rungs on the competition ladder. Coach Frank Ciez emphasized that Ronan is “determined to score better this year. Our goal is to be resilient and finish strong.”

Ronan’s first tournament of the 2020 season is stated to be the Whitefish Invitational on August 24.

accrued athletic

accolades

Trey Kelley (GLF 3x a-s: 10th 2019, t15th 2017, t11th 2016; 4x a-c; 8th,4th,9th,t10th); Cali Cannon

(GLF 2x a-s: 5th 2019; t11th 2018; 4x a-c: 8th 2019, t10th 2018, 7th 2017-16); Ellie Thiel (GLF a-s: t8th 2019; a-c: t10th 2018); Macao Jackson (SB a-s, a-c 1st-tm 2019; GLF a-c 2019).

2020 Polson Qualifier

Friday, August 14

Lady Pirate girls

Ellie Thiel 45

Clare Konen 54

Ashley Maki 55

Carly Garrick 63

Kylee Seifert 64

Pirate boys

Hunter Emerson 41

Carson Hupka 44

Christian Lund 44

Torrin Ellis 46

Michael Smith 47