George Ferguson Column: Summer may be coming, but I won't forget the last year

It's hard to believe, but when this weekend is over, high school sports in Montana will come to an end. It's amazing that it's gone by this fast but that's the nature of the beast. It seems the older I get, the faster time ticks away.

And make no mistake, this high school sports season went by in a hurry.

First, to all of the spring sports, congratulations on a great season. Once again, the weather made it very difficult on all the players and coaches who take part in track and field, tennis, softball, golf and soccer in our area. We've sure had our share of nice days, but I can also attest to the fact that I only put the long johns away two weeks ago.

Let's face it, no one has to deal with more foul weather than those who take part in spring sports. So to all those who are headed to state track meets, state tennis tournaments, and golf meets this weekend, good luck. And to those who just wrapped up the spring sports season, well done.

And though it's not quite over yet, I have to reflect on an amazing year of high school sports. I can already remember everything like it happened just yesterday, and I can tell you, locally, myself, and Daniel Horton were there for almost all of it. And I can tell you, we've enjoyed every minute of.

We won't soon forget the nights at Blue Pony Stadium last fall, or the wintery day in Big Sandy when the Pioneers beat Valier in a dramatic Class C Six-Man playoff game. We won't forget all the football games and volleyball matches, the Havre Cross Country Invitational, and everything that went on this past fall. It was a great ride indeed.

And though I personally dislike winter very much, there's no way I'll forget all the nights spent in gymnasiums around the Hi-Line and beyond, watching the Havre High girls basketball team go all the way to the Class A state tournament, or watching great boys teams like Rocky Boy and Box Elder. I won't forget the District 9C tournament, or the Northern C, and Big Sandy's run to the Class C state tournament.

I certainly won't forget Havre High's return to the top of the Class A wrestling mountain, even though I wasn't in Billings to see it for myself.

George Ferguson

Sports Editor

But most of all, I won't forget all of you. I won't forget the athletes and coaches who have put their heart and souls into the past school year. I won't forget all you do to entertain all of us from August until May.

I won't forget how lucky I am to do what I do for a living. I won't forget what all of you have meant to high school sports in Havre, on the Hi-Line and around the state of Montana. It's because of all of you, that people like me enjoy their jobs so much. And I promise I won't forget any of you, or any of the amazing things I've seen, covered and written about over the last year.

And with the end of the school year comes summer. I'll be playing plenty of golf and tennis over the next couple of months, with a few trips and plenty of North Star baseball games thrown in. And while August is not that far off, and high school sports starts all over again, there's no way I'm going to forget the past 12 months.

So here's a special thanks to all of the athletes, all of the coaches, all of the volunteers for making 2012-13 another great year for everyone who loves sports as much as I do.

And we'll see all of you again real soon.