Columbia Falls Invite kicks off spring sports seasons

| March 27, 2008 11:00 PM

Track and field kicks off the spring sports season as the Wildcat boys and Wildkat girls host the Columbia Falls Invitational on Saturday. Events begin at 10 a.m.

Jamie Heinz returns as Columbia Falls head coach. His Wildcat boys squad earned fourth place at the state meet last year. Libby is the defending class 1A state champion. Laurel was runner-up in 2007, and Belgrade was third.

Last year, the CFHS girls finished 11th at state. Belgrade took top honors. Whitefish was second, and Corvallis third.

Whitefish hosts the Divisional meet on May 16-17. The state meet is May 23 and 24 in Bozeman.

DAVE KEHR RETURNS as Columbia Falls softball head coach. The Kats begin the softball season next Thursday, April 3 with non-conference games at Whitefish. The junior varsity contest starts at 3 p.m., and the varsity game is set for 5 p.m. The Northwestern A Conference opener is Friday, April 4 at Libby. The first home games are Thursday, April 10 against Polson; the varsity game starts at 4 p.m. followed by the JV game at 6 p.m.

Last year, the Kats defeated Sidney in their opening game in the state tournament. But they lost to Hamilton in the quarterfinals, and were eliminated by Belgrade.

This year's state tournament is May 22-24.

TENNIS SEASON GETS under way for the Columbia Falls boys and girls teams next Friday, April 4 against Whitefish. The boys meet is scheduled for Columbia Falls, but could be moved to Whitefish since the city tennis courts do not have their new surface. Temperatures in the 50s for several days are needed to install the plastic court. The CFHS-Whitefish girls meet is set for Whitefish, also on April 4.

Gary Yee returns as head coach of the CFHS boys. Returnees Grant Getts and Cody Maynard won a doubles match at state last year. Butte Central is the defending state champion. Whitefish was second, and Fergus and Havre tied for third.

Jerry Smalley is back as girls head coach. Sarah Marcille played at state last year and returns for this season. Park County won the 2007 team state title. Butte Central was second, and Fergus and Havre tied for third.