KSEN/K96 Athletes of the Week

         Due to the high-quality performances of local Athlete's, this time of the year, it's always difficult to choose an Athlete of the Week.   This year seems to be even more difficult with the number of record-setting performances that have occurred throughout the Track & Field season. In fact, with that said, we have selected Co-Athletes of the Week in the male category.

      Conrad Jr. Ledger Martin had another record-setting week for the Cowboys and a Sophomore at Power/Dutton/Brady Danny Blanchet had another amazing week in the Sprints and the relay events. Martin not only won the 400 m dash, but he also broke a record that had stood in the Northern B Divisional since 1986, 40 years ago. Ledger's time was 48.79, besting the record of 49.6, set by Troy Estell of Fort Benton. Martin went on to win the 800m, a race he just started running this year and then took a 3rd in the 200m, a 4th in the 100m and 2nd place while anchoring the Conrad 1600m relay team.

      The Titans running star, So. Danny Blanchet, has actually been doing this same thing for most of the year.  There were no records, but Blanchet won the 400m, had a 2nd in both the 100m & 200m, anchored the 400-relay team to a 4th place finish and the 1600m relay team to a 2nd place finish. Maybe, the story of the day, Titans Coach Darrell Laubach says when Danny took the baton, the team was in 6th place.  He promptly passed 4 runners to the Titans into 2nd, and a 2nd place Team finish, at the Northern C Divisional Meet.

      We also had a nomination for Shelby's Evan Clarke who qualified for State in 4 events including: the 110m, 200m, the Pole Vault and the 400m relay.

      We didn't have to think as much about our Female Athlete of the Week.  It's been an amazing season for Shelby Jr. Regan Torgerson.  Once again, she took our breath away winning all three sprints and anchored the winning Shelby relay team which broke a Shelby H.S. record in the 1600m with a time of 4:08.99.  The 400m relay team finished 3rd, and they will move on to State as well. But the biggest Story of the day was the record-setting performance in the 100m dash.  It was the record held by the iconic sprinter, Loni Perkins of Conrad.   A record that Loni set in 2003 at 12.4.  Regan's time.....12.27.    Regan already owns the best Class B time in the State in the 200 m and we're all looking forward to the upcoming State meet.

      There wasn't an official nomination, but certainly the need for recognition for Natalie Hodgskiss of Choteau who won three grueling races, the 800m, 1600m and the 3200m.  She also finished 5th in the 400m.  Natalie is the defending State Champion in the 1600m and also finished 2nd in the 800m in 2025.

      Congratulations to our KSEN/K96--Bozeman Trophy Athletes of the Week, Jr. Ledger Martin of Conrad, So. Danny Blanchet of Power/Dutton/Brady and Jr. Regan Torgerson of Shelby.  The Athlete of the Week is sponsored locally by McDonald's in Cut Bank.  McDonald's honors our Athlete's with two free value meals each. KSEN encourages all parents, fans and coaches to nominate an Athlete of the Week.  E-mail: markdaniels@townsquaremedia.com or call 434-5241.