Sunday’s regional sports briefs
Fan-player incident brings statement
MISSOULA – University of Montana Athletics has issued a statement concerning an incident involving a Grizzlies fan and a North Dakota State player in the aftermath of the Grizzlies’ 38-35 win over the Bison Saturday afternoon at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
According to the Missoulian, Bison running back Chase Morlock was approached on the field after the final whistle by a fan clad in a maroon shirt and jeans. The fan “grabbed Morlock by the facemask.” Morlock, a 6-1, 221-pound junior, then pushed the fan away and continued on to the NDSU locker room.
A video showing the scuffle has been uploaded to YouTube.
Earlier Sunday, North Dakota State released a statement stating: “Morlock did not throw a punch, but did push the individual away to continue exiting the field. Morlock will not face suspension or other punishment from NDSU for the incident.”
UM issued a statement of their own late Sunday, calling the incident ‘inexcusable’: “The Montana Grizzly Athletic Department has been made away (of the incident). Grizzly Athletics considers incidents involving spectators and players inexcusable, and is a matter that is taken very seriously. Grizzly Athletics would like to apologize to NDSU’s players, coaches and staff for this regrettable incident that puts a negative mark on an otherwise outstanding game.”
The incident remains under investigation.
Lady Argos go 3-1 in Helena tournament
HELENA – The University of Great Falls women’s volleyball squad needed a five-set victory over Dickinson State and swept Hope International Saturday to finish with three wins in four games at the Big Sky Challenge Tournament at the Carroll College PE Center.
Senior Kelsee Montagna had 17 kills while freshman Bree Fregeau added 12 kills and 11/2 blocks as the Lady Argos scored a 25-27, 25-10, 25-19, 24-26, 15-3 win over the Lady BlueHawks in the first match. Bree Davis and Dani Norling combined for 40 assists for Arunas Duda’s team.
In the match with Hope International University of California, Korie Milan led the Lady Argos with nine kills and two blocks in the 25-23, 25-19, 25-18 sweep. Davis and Norling again teamed up for 29 assists, and Tiffany Marks had 41/2 blocks.
Mustangs start league slate with Cascade
The Great Falls Central Catholic volleyball team will be home Monday afternoon to play host to the Cascade Badgers in a District 7C league match.
The Mustangs are currently undefeated (7-0) in nonconference play, going 6-0 in Saturday’s showcase tournament at Sunburst.
“The girls have worked hard in two-a-days, and it’s paying off,” Mustangs head coach Danielle Baeth said.
The ‘C’ (freshmen) match will be at 4:30 at the Wiegand Health and Wellness Center, with the JV match going at around 5:45 and the varsity match at about 7:30.
Football teams hope for clear air Monday
Three Montana high school football games that were postponed because of hazardous or unhealthy air conditions this past weekend will get a second chance to kickoff Monday night.
The Bigfork Vikings will host Florence-Carlton, Plains will make their Western C Eight-Man debut in Drummond against the Flint Creek Titans, and the Arlee Warriors are slated to host the Victor Pirates in a Western C matchup.
All three games kickoff at 6 p.m. A game between the Alberton Panthers and Lincoln Lynx was rescheduled to Sept. 29.
Five other nonconference games were canceled and will not be rescheduled: Browning at Polson, Columbia Falls at Corvallis, Libby at Missoula Loyola, Joliet at Shepherd, and Heart Butte at Tri-Cities in Moore.