Glacier High School Activities Newsletter Volume 9, Page 1

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1 Volume 9, Page Theme: Tradition Never Graduates Foundation Returns to GHS-Abby, Ben, Conner, Jordan, Kramer, & Wiley The theme for the school year, Tradition Never Graduates, is certainly significant not only because it is Glacier High School s ten year anniversary but because it represents the mindset that embodies Glacier s perseverance, humility, and accomplishments of the first 10 years. Since the opening of Glacier in 2007, traditions originally developed from scratch with the guidance of our first student bodies, coaches, captains, and programs. have been developed and strengthened each and every year. These traditions, ranging from our school mascot Al (short for Alpha) to our unique school colors to the inspiring Creed of the Pack become more and more of who we are with each graduating class. The rich traditions that developed did not happen by accident. It was purposeful actions taken by coaches, students, staff, and community members that began to engrain these new ideas into the composition of our high school. It was attention to detail in everything that we did from practice, traveling to various competitions, and playing in post-season events that raised Glacier High School status from new kid on the block to a serious contender. And it was some outstanding young men and women who guided this original process, and now have come back to ensure that the ideals of being a member of the Wolfpack are upheld. The Pack is fortunate to welcome back past graduates of Kramer Wilson (2009), Ben Cutler (2009), Jordan Nelson (2009) Abby Connolly (2010), Connor Fuller (2010), and Wiley Fusaro (2010) as teachers and coaches. These young adults were the foundation of the Pack s beginning and look to continue to make a positive difference for the Pack today. From day one, it was Wiley Fusaro s toughness displayed on the football field when he was one of the smallest, but fiercest competitors that set him apart from the rest, and he joins our football coaching staff this year to instill this same sense of mental toughness in the team. Abby Connolly provides a keen understanding of what it takes to be one of the best and brightest in the classroom, and brings her competitive and coaching experience to our speech and debate and softball teams. Kramer Wilson brings consistency and grit to the Pack as he attended every open field, workout, and practice that was provided for football and track in high school; he now brings this same sense of commitment to his classroom at KMS and the football team as he enters his fourth year of coaching. In Glacier s inaugural year, Connor Fuller provided a focus and intensity that fostered success in multiple Wolfpack squads; this year, he returns to transfer this energy and dedication to the football and basketball coaching arenas and GHS classrooms. As one of the first state finalists in Wolfpack Wrestling, Jordan Nelson continues to be solid and brings this intensity and dedication to the wrestling program today, as he enters his fourth year of coaching the Pack. Finally, Ben Cutler has brought a level of excellence to Wolfpack athletics since the very beginning when he was our first individual state champion in boys track, and was also an All-State performer in basketball in which he earned a coveted scholarship in both sports to Carroll College (eventually he was a National Finalist in track and field). Returning for his second year coaching and first year teaching at Glacier, Ben Cutler continues to bring a special commitment to excellence and focused intensity to the basketball and track programs. There are many, many more outstanding students who have helped shape and guide the Pack in young existence and we believe that all should be celebrated throughout the school year. Our coaches, directors, faculty, and staff have also been key in the development of the Pack and we are incredibly grateful for their efforts.

2 Volume 9, Page 2 Academic Excellence Award Summary Glacier GPA is withy 346 Students The Pack has again achieved high marks academically by boasting an incredible GPA by the 346 studentathletes competing in activity programs during the , putting Glacier High School in a great position for once again winning the Academic Excellence Trophy presented by the Montana High School Association. This unique academically-focused activities award ranks all 14 AA high school GPAs including those of letter winners, state speech contestants, and district music participants. Students, parents, coaches, and directors continue to stress the importance of academics in all of our activity programs and this shows in our outstanding performances. This emphasis has continued to propel the Pack to the top of AA conference academically and competi- Year GPA AA Finish th st st nd rd st st nd nd Thank You Boosters! Glacier Booster Club-Donates $60,000 to Wolfpack Activities Through Glacier s first five years of existence, the Pack was assisted by a joint Booster Club between the two Kalispell high schools. In 2012 the Pack Booster Club charged off on their own and created their own identity, focus, and vision for success. The past four years have been an amazing testament to the Wolfpack community, Booster Board (currently led by President Julie Pisk), along with a host of spirited coaches, students, and adults alike. The Boosters have continued to increase their support of 20+ Wolfpack programs each and every year, topping out with this year s $60,000. The primary fundraising events for the Boosters are memberships and the $10,000 Raffle, which will be held on April 28 th, 2017, at the Hilton Garden Inn. Glacier High is incredibly thankful for everyone s support and belief in our programs. The funds are used primarily for meals for students when teams travel out of town, student travel to national events, and student financial hardships. Booster School Year Booster Contribution $ $ $ $60000 Wolfpack Summer-Busy! Wolfpack student-athletes and coaches have once again committed themselves to excellence by lifting and running on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 6:30 am-8:30 am. On a typical day, 150+ athletes work diligently as coaches lead them through lifting, running, and other fitness stations. Despite the wide variety of summer activities that are available to kids during a Northwest Montana summer, Wolfpack student-athletes worked diligently to improve their bodies and discipline through CORE, summer camps, as well as team and individual competitions. We would like to thank our coaches and athletes for their commitment to excellence while striving to make the Pack better!

3 Volume 9, Page 3 Wall of Fame ~ Class of 2016 Inducts 16 The Class of 2016 attained outstanding accomplishments with a number of individual and team state championships, and also featured an impressive list of students who excelled in music, theatre, and sports. The criteria established for entrance onto the Glacier High School Wall of Fame is stringent and also sets a high level of excellence that students strive to achieve. Leading the inductees are Alpha award winners and 4.0 students: Caleb Jones, Ali Williams, and Hailee Bennett. Other All-State inductees include: Tiegan Avery, Colton Becker, McKayle Dennehy, Thomas Trefney, Anika Fritz, Adam Habel, Aaron Robinson, Kyersten Siebenaler, Spencer Johnson, Nathan McGregor, Ryker McIntyre, Colin Cordell, and Abby Van Allen. These students will be recognized on Tuesday, December 20th, 2016, at approximately 6 pm when the Pack wrestle against Missoula Big Sky. The criteria for induction are: a student must earn 1st team All-State in a team sport, become a state champion in an individual sport or speech, place in the top 3 in golf or cross country, receive All Northwest in music, earn the Founders Degree in theatre, or letter 12 times in activities. They also must meet at least two other additional criteria that are listed on our website and described near the Wall of Fame s Fierce Female Foursome in Basketball, Track/XC, Golf, and Softball The Pack displayed some outstanding female athletes this past year, including: Hailee Bennett (volleyball and basketball), Teigan Avery (golf), Ali Williams (volleyball and softball), and Annie Hill (cross country and track). Bennett was a three-time First Team All-State selection point guard for the Pack and continually scored in double figures. She will take her talents to the hardwood at Seattle Pacific University. Avery, a Montana Grizzly recruit, earned 2 state championships and 2 runner-up states finishes in golf. Williams finished her stellar softball career by hitting 40+ home runs, pitching two perfect games, and earning four First Team All-State selections. Carroll College will have the good fortune of having Williams on their diamond and at the plate. The 13 other schools in the AA can rest a bit easier as three of these four gifted female athletes graduated this past spring, but Annie Hill will return as a formidable foe for her junior season. Over her brief time at Glacier High School, she has accumulated multiple state championships in cross-country and in track, blasted through records, and had an outstanding competitive summer winning two national events at the Brooks and Nike Invitationals. Her talent, grace, and humility all combine to set the stage for an amazing junior year.

4 Volume 9, Page 4 Softball to Play at Glacier in 2017 Coach Andy Fors: A Force for All Programs As Glacier celebrates 10 years in existence, it is putting on its finishing touches on originally planned softball fields on the west side of the campus at the intersection of Stillwater and Reserve. The process of building has been one of patience and perseverance for the Wolfpack. The two fields have been transformed over the past five years, growing from two large mounds of dirt created in 2011, to graded fields in 2013, to infield creation and sprinklers in the spring of 2016, and finally to the completion of dugout construction and backstops in the summer of Not only is current Softball Head Coach Andy Fors an outstanding coach that has brought home a state championship, state runner-up, and 3 rd place finishes in his first four years as a head coach, but he has been instrumental in the development of these fields, and saved on costs by using his talents and technical experience to establish drawings, set elevations and boundaries multiple times during each of the critical phases of completion. Andy s patience and skills have been crucial to the process. Donations of equipment and materials have also been key. The Kalispell Road Department and Triple W Equipment provided equipment and operators to assist in the grading process. In addition, LHC has provided sand for infield mix and gravel for final finish. Cenex assisted with reduced grass seed prices. A host of coaches and administrators have also lent their hand in landscape, concrete, and dugout construction. To finance this 10 year process, donations in kind, donations from football, soccer, softball, basketball, the Glacier Booster Club, facility rental fees over many years, hard work, and district funding have been used to construct the fields. The district s contribution came this summer when they committed $55,000 to complete the backstops, materials for dugouts, and bring electricity in close proximity to the fields. The Wolfpack community is incredibly thankful to all who have assisted in this process in taking Glacier one step closer to making GHS a campus community for all of its programs. We look forward to seeing you next spring when the Pack host their first home softball game on April 10 th, 2017, versus Columbia Falls. Montana Class AA Cup Glacier Finishes 6th in Trophies Inaugural Season In 2015, the AA activity directors and AA principals voted to award a trophy, the "AA Cup," to honor the school that receives the most points for all athletic and speech state placings. For each activity, the winning school earns 14 points, second receives 13, third earns 12, down to 14th place, which receives 1 point. The designated point system is very different from the Great Falls Tribune Academic Excellence Award, which emphasizes large sports and state championships whereas the new award ensures that all programs receive the same level of emphasis and each level of placing from 1 to 14 matters for scoring. The overall rankings provide a snapshot of how programs are doing relatively to others, and provide a competitive impetus for continued program growth and development. The winner of the first "AA Cup" went to Bozeman High School. Bozeman won an amazing eight state championships this year, achieving first place with a total of points. The Hawks outdistanced second-place Billings Senior who finished with a score of points. Third place went to Missoula Sentinel with 173 points, Helena High and Billings West tied for fourth with 169 points, and Glacier finished in sixth place with points. Boys and Girls Golf, Boys Tennis, Softball, Football, Boys Cross Country, Speech, Boys and Girls Track, and Girls Swimming all contributed to this honor by scoring at least 10 points each by earning a top five finish in their respective activities. Mark Dennehy stated, This is exciting for all of our programs and further emphasizes the need to be a well-rounded activities program.

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