Chinook tennis strong again at B-C state

The Chinook girls tennis team has stood atop the Class B-C mountain top for a long time. But the Sugarbeeters' attempt at a fourth straight state championship came up just a little short.

This past weekend in Missoula, Chinook finished in fourth place at the 2017 State B-C tournament, scoring 18 points. Townsend won the girls state title with 26 points, followed by Baker and Lone Peak, each with 23 and Fairfield, which was third with 21. Chinook was tied with Bigfork and Conrad.

The Beeters also got on the podium for yet another year under head coach Thom MacLean. The doubles team of Sierra Swank and Megan Pruttis finished third overall. The duo lost a tough match to the eventual state champion from Conrad, but bounced back to win two straight to place third.

In singles, Jamie Roth and Nicole McCracken also scored points for the Beeters.

Chester-Joplin-Inverness scored two points in the tournament, while Harlem finished with none.

On the boys side, Libby won its second straight Class B-C title. The Loggers are moving back up to Class A next season.

"I was really happy with how the girls played this weekend," Chinook head coach Thom Maclean said "They all played with outstanding heart and determination. I couldn't be more proud of them."

STATE B-C GIRLS

Final team totals: Townsend 26, Baker 23, Lone Peak 23, Fairfield 21, Bigfork 18 , Chinook 18, Conrad 18, Loyola Sacred Heart 14, Choteau 10, Valley Christian 10, Fort Benton 9, St. Ignatius 8, Clark Fork 4, Philipsburg 4, Troy 4, Anaconda 3, Forsyth 3, Libby 3, Darby2 , Cut Bank 2, CJI 2.

Singles

Final: Ellen Widell, BK, def. Jesse Hamlen, TOW, 6-2, 6-1.

Consolation final: Ashley Lundstrom, LP, def. Cheyenne Jones, VCS, 6-3, 6-3.

Fifth-sixth: Ellie Berreth, BF, def. Elsa Kylen, SI, 6-2, 6-2.

Doubles

Final: Dania Jones/Dalayne Van Dyke, CON, def. Amelia Konen/Annie Townsend, FF, 6-3, 7-5.

Consolation final: Sierra Swank/Megan Pruttis, CHI, def. Kara Saltzman/Alexa Olsen, TOW, 6-4, 7-6.