Ronan, Polson athletes headed to next level

A trio of Lake County student athletes — Payton Cates and Haylie Webster of Ronan and Polson’s Alex Muzquiz — recently finalized commitments to compete at the college level.

Cates signed a letter of intent to compete in track and field for Montana Tech in Butte during a May 13 signing ceremony at the Ronan High School gymnasium. He was surrounded by family members, coaches and teammates as he put pen to paper.

Cates will get a half scholarship from the school for athletics. He’s held a 4.0-plus GPA throughout his senior year, and he plans to study electrical engineering. He said he chose Tech primarily because they offered his desired course of study.

His uncle, Matt Luedtke, coaches boys basketball at Butte High School, so he’ll have some family around when he enters college.

Cates will join an Orediggers track and field program that is just getting off the ground.

“I got in contact with (Montana Tech coaches) awhile ago,” Cates said. “They’re a new team. I didn’t see a high jumper on their roster, so I told them I was looking to high jump for them.”

Cates is among the state’s best high jumpers. He finished tied for second at state last season and is among the favorites to take this year’s title after posting a personal-best mark of 6 feet, 7 inches at the Western Divisional meet last weekend.

Muzquiz signs with Spokane Falls

Polson senior Alex Muzquiz signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Spokane Falls Community College next fall. Muzquiz is a standout player for the Mission Valley Mariners, who won the Canadian Days tournament in Kalispell last weekend and are sporting a 6-1 record. He had an RBI single and a solo home run in an 11-0 win over River City Thunder in the championship game.

Muzquiz signed his letter during a May 11 signing ceremony at Polson High School, while surrounded by family and coaches. He plans to study biology.

He said he also considered Miles City Community College, “but it was kind of far. … I liked (SFCC) and Spokane is a little closer.”

Muzquiz is a middle infielder and pitcher for the Mariners. He said he expects to play second base primarily at Spokane.

Webster headed to Minnesota

Ronan senior Hailey Webster has committed to play softball for Itasca Community College in Grand Rapids, Minn. She signed her letter of intent May 18 in the new practice facility at the Maidens’ home field. Several members of her family attended the signing ceremony, as well as the coaching staff and her teammates.

Webster played mostly first base for the Maidens, but she chose Itasca in part because the coaching staff is open to letting her play shortstop.

“I had other schools looking at me, but this one just seemed to stick out. I talked with the coach a couple of times and I really liked the way it sounds.”

Webster said Itasca head coach Kyle Erickson reached out to her to gauge her interest.

“He keeps a small roster, which I like. He said they do a lot of team-bonding stuff, and that’s great.”

She said she intends to study forestry, and Itasca has a solid forestry program.

“I’m excited for it.”