Our Viewpoint

For a few years I lived in Texas, where high school football is a pretty big deal. On Friday nights, communities fill stadiums bigger than some college playing fields and coaches are treated like royalty.

Watching high school football at that level was fun, but you get even more intensity watching sports in rural Montana. Last week we got to see two undefeated teams battle it out on the court as Bigfork and Thompson Falls girls met for the first time this season. Then Saturday, Hot Springs and Charlo went back and forth until literally the last seconds of the game. It may not be stadiums of thousands of people, but the energy of hundreds of local fans is just as intense. The great thing about sports in rural areas such as Sanders County is you get to watch these kids compete from a young age, and the dedication they show is inspiring.

This weekend, wrestlers will gather at Thompson Falls High School for the annual Ted Kato Memorial. When the winners take the podium after a tough day of action, they will feel the energy of the supporters in the crowd.

Make a point to cheer on our local athletes and make them feel like the champions they are. — Annie Wooden