Titans, Lady Prospectors top state with Academic All Team Award

HELENA – One last set of accolades for a pair of local athletic teams rolled in from the MHSA and the Army National Guard this week.

The Granite Lady Prospectors Volleyball Team and The Flint Creek Titans 8-Man Football Team were named as winners of the Academic All Team award Monday. The award is cosponsored by the Montana High School Association and the Army National Guard. Winners are selected from all teams in their respective divisions that submit their academic records to their rosters for the fall season.

“This award celebrates the academic effort of our athletes. A dynamic to celebrate especially when both achieved so much on the field and court,” said Philipsburg Schools Superintendent Kevin St. John. “A wonderful balance of our educational programs achieving at a high level. Tip of the hat! Proud of both teams honored with this praiseworthy recognition.”

The Lady Prospectors finished a successful year by reaching the Divisional Tournament at Manhattan Christian before bowing out of this year’s playoff competition. They claimed second in the 12C District Tournament behind Ennis.

Granite won the award with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.971, highest among all Class C volleyball teams and the highest of any reporting sports team in Class C during the fall.

“It's impressive to be a part of these girls' lives,” said GHS Head Coach Jennifer Graham. “They have truly taken the importance of being student athletes seriously and it shows. I am proud of every single one of them for the seriousness with which they take their academics, being well rounded young ladies who will contribute far beyond this community. I am honored to be their coach and teacher.”

Members of the Granite Lady Prospectors 2019 Volleyball Team are: Audrey Radtke, Alexis Phillips, Serenity O'Donnell

Shelby Struna, Haddie Tallon, Amelia Hill, Asha Comings, Anna Belle Locke, Reece Pitcher, Lucia Lee, Rachel Ward, Gretchen Hill and Kayla Holland.

The Flint Creek Titans finished their season at 7-4 in the quarterfinals of the MHSA 8-Man State Football Tournament with a loss to Great Falls Central. The young titans featured a squad of only three seniors and finished the year with a GPA of 3.641.

Titans Head Coach Mike Cutler commented, "Great group of kids, I'm pretty fortunate to be able to coach them."

Members of the 2019 Flint Creek Titans 8-man Football Team are: Preston Metesh, Andrew Tallon, Kade Cutler, Tyler Burden, Colt Parsons, Ethan Parke, Daniel Brabender, Leyton Wagner, Conley Wagner, Douglas Anderson, Avery Metesh, Cooper Bradshaw, Cayhel White, Cordell Langton, Tucker Weaver, Destin Linn, Grady Radtke, Bradley Anderson, Aedan Dotson, Trevor Rouse, Ben Bradshaw, John Langton, Jacob Aaron, Reece Rigby and Wyatt Rigby.

"We are so proud of our student athletes for the latest accomplishment of receiving Academic All Team Award from the MHSA/Montana National Guard Program,” said Christina Barbachano, Superintendent for Drummond Schools. “With an average of 3.641 GPA, our Flint Creek Titans deserve to be celebrated and acknowledged for this achievement. Student athletes have to balance academics, athletics and personal lives - no easy feat for most of us! Congratulations to the Titan players, coaches, teachers and parents."

Seeley Swan won Boy’s Cross Country with a 3.750 and Darby captured Girl’s Cross Country at 3.762.