Page 56 - Flathead Beacon // 3.23.16

BY DILLON TABISH
MONTANA SIDELINES
A ROUNDUP OF LOCAL SPORTS NEWS
Salonen Steps Down as Glacier Girls Basketball Coach
Kris Salonen has resigned as the head coach of the girls basketball team at Gla- cier High School, concluding a successful 25-year career devoted to leading high school athletes in Western Montana.
Salonen is stepping down after 6 1/2 years as head coach of the girls program at Glacier. Under Salonen, the Wolfpack were 93-58 with four state tournament appearances. The Wolfpack brought home the program’s rst trophy in the 2014-15 season by nishing third. Gla- cier nished last season 12-9 overall and missed out on the state tournament.
“Kris’s approach with her student-ath- letes will be missed,” Glacier Activities Director Mark Dennehy said. “She has spent countless hours coaching bas- ketball and has been one of our lead- ers within our strength and condition- ing summer program since Glacier has opened. The time she has committed to the Pack while being a mom is hard to imagine. We wish Kris happiness as she takes this next step in her life.”
Dennehy said the search to replace Salonen will begin immediately.
Salonen said the decision was hard to make but she wanted to spend more time with her family, while also preparing to regularly travel to Helena starting next winter to watch her daughter, Taylor, who will play basketball at Carroll College.
“For me to have the opportunity to coach Talyor and her friends and just be a part of these girls’ lives every day, it’s pretty special,” Salonen said. “It’s some- thing I will never forget.”
A Great Falls native, Kris Schmitt Salonen was a two-time all-state basket- ball player and a legendary track athlete. As a sprint hurdler, she set nine school records at Great Falls High and won mul- tiple individual state championships. She graduated high school in 1985 and went on to have a successful track career at the University of Montana, where she became the rst UM female to break 60 seconds in the 400-meter hurdles. A member of the so-called Golden Girls at UM in the late 1980s, she shares the school records in the two relay events and twice won the Big Sky Conference indoor championship in the 55-meter hurdles and 200-meter dash. She also captured two outdoor titles in the 100-meter hurdles and the title in the 400-meter hurdles.
She is a member of the Montana Hall of Fame and Grizzly Hall of Fame.
Sports Illustrated named Salonen one of the 50 greatest sports gures from Montana in 1999.
Before coaching at Glacier, Salonen coached volleyball, basketball and track and taught in Ronan for nine years. She was an assistant coach on the 1992 Ronan
High School girls basketball team that won the Class A state championship. Her and her husband Brad moved to the Flathead Valley, when she eventually led the girls basketball program at Colum- bia Falls High School for six years. She accepted a teaching and coaching job at Glacier High School in 2007 and became head coach midway through the 2010 sea- son after Doug Hashley stepped down.
Hendrickson Steps Down as Flathead Girls Basketball Coach
Lisa Hendrickson has stepped down as head coach of the girls basketball team at Flathead High School.
Hendrickson is resigning after three seasons. The Bravettes were 4-17 over- all last season and 11-52 overall the last threeyears.
“Lisa has worked hard, countless hours dedicating her time and energy to our students,” Flathead Activities Direc- tor Bryce Wilson said. “Lisa increased our participation numbers throughout the program over the past three years. Her dedication to the Flathead Bravette basketball program and Flathead High School has always been top notch.”
Wilson said the search for a new coach will begin immediately.
Sipe Named New Flathead Girls Soccer Coach
Jenni Sipe was chosen to be the next girls soccer coach at Flathead High School.
Flathead Activities Director Bryce Wil- son announced that Sipe emerged as the top candidate to replace Cory Wilson, who resignedafterfourseasonsasheadcoach.
The school board will nalize the hire.
“Jenni is passionate about develop- ing girls into leaders through sport, soc- cer, and has a strong desire to lead the Flathead Bravettes soccer program with positive energy and hard work,” Wilson stated. “She outlined her vision during the interview with details for leading the program with communication, fun and commitment. Jenni has seen the e ects of positive culture and climate in a ‘4A’ sports program in Washington and is excited to bring this synergy to the Bravettes soccer program.”
Flathead nished 3-7-2 overall last season.
Les Schwab Shootout at Flathead High on March 24
The 15th annual Les Schwab Shootout, featuring local basketball players from across the valley, is March 24 at Flathead High School.
The event starts at 6 p.m. as players from each school compete against each other in shooting and dunking contests.
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MARCH 23, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM