Heritage Christian hosting state soccer, volleyball tourneys

published on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 10:32 PM MDT

By TIM DUMAS Chronicle Sports Editor

Heritage Christian School is jumping in with both talons.

In just its first year offering varsity sports in an official capacity, HCS is hosting two Montana Christian Athletic Association state tournaments beginning today. The volleyball tournament will be held at the school, located on Durston Road; and the Bronken athletic complex west of the school is hosting the boys soccer tourney.

Both tournaments, which begin at 10 a.m. today, consist of eight teams and will crown champions early Saturday afternoon. Schools will come from as far away as Kalispell, Great Falls and Billings.

HCS has only housed a gymnasium since 2003 and last year became a probationary member of the MCAA. The school is now eligible for state tournaments and was approached by the MCAA to become a host because of its central location within the state, which helps cut down on travel.

With up to 850 people n including players and parents - expected to be in town for the twin tourneys, HCS athletic director Ben Donahue has put in some overtime of late.

“I’ve been spending every day on it since the middle of August,” he said. “It’s been enjoyable, but I think I’m losing more and more hair every day.”

Heritage, founded in 1982, has quickly expanded its athletic program since adding ninth-grade students in 2003. Last year the school hosted the state seventh and eighth grade boys basketball tournament and also unveiled its Falcon mascot during an assembly that was attended by most of the student body.

While the HCS volleyball team didn’t qualify for the state tournament this year, the boys soccer team n a collection of Heritage, Petra Academy and Gallatin Valley Home School students coached by former pro soccer player Mark Terwilliger n will play Foothills Community Christian of Great Falls today at 11:45 a.m. in the school’s inaugural state playoff game.

In order to promote school spirit, Falcon fans will be waving “Talon Towels” this week. The cloths, along with concessions and tournament T-shirts, will be for sale during the tournaments.

“We first thought that maybe we’d do Heritage Hankies and then we thought Falcon Flags,” Donahue said. “Talon Towels just kind of stuck.”

The MCAA basketball tournaments, which are held at Carroll College in Helena, draw upwards of 3,000 fans. The crowd for volleyball won’t be quite as large, but Heritage should still see an overflow gathering.

The HCS gym seats 300 for volleyball and Donahue says temporary seats will also be added.

“It’s going to be a little cramped,” he said. “It will be cozy, but I think it will be enjoyable.”

The tournaments are not only serving as a way to drive up school spirit, but an opportunity to show the state that Heritage Christian can play a good host.

“We’re going to try and put on an A-plus tournament,” Donahue said. “We’re hoping to make everyone as happy as possible.”

---

• Printer friendly version
• Subscribe

Reader Comments