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Ruth Michel has been involved in all facets of Armwrestling for 30 years: as a competitor, referee, score keeper, and announcer. She has volunteered to help with Armwrestling at the Big Sky State Games for many years, and is now taking the reins. Ruth a former US National Wristwrestling champion, and Canadian National Armwrestling champion. She is employed as an accountant at Sibanye Stillwater.
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Dick is a graduate of MSU-Bozeman in Agricultural Business and Physical Education. He has been a basketball commissioner for BSSG for many years. He has also officiated high school and college football, and was a MOA Basketball Official for over 20 years. Zier is the owner of Dick Zier Brokerage.
Rodd has been playing basketball for 50 years, and has participated in the Men's Master's basketball division of the Games for over 20 years. He has served as basketball commissioner for BSSG for many years, and has also participated in the Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, Utah. Rodd is employed at Calton, Hamman and Wolff PC.
Kolten is a graduate of Carroll College with a degree in Civil Engineering. Kolten played football at Carroll College, and was a member of the 2007 NAIA National Championship Team. Kolten is a partner at Territorial Landworks, Inc., a Montana Engineering, Surveying, and Consulting Firm.
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Dick is a graduate of MSU-Bozeman in Agricultural Business and Physical Education. He has been a basketball commissioner for BSSG for many years. He has also officiated high school and college football, and was a MOA Basketball Official for over 20 years. Zier is the owner of Dick Zier Brokerage.
Rodd has been playing basketball for 50 years, and has participated in the Men's Master's basketball division of the Games for over 20 years. He has served as basketball commissioner for BSSG for many years, and has also participated in the Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, Utah. Rodd is employed at Calton, Hamman and Wolff PC.
Kolten is a graduate of Carroll College with a degree in Civil Engineering. This will be his first year serving as a basketball commissioner for the BSSG. Kolten played football at Carroll College, and was a member of the 2007 NAIA National Championship Team. Kolten is a partner at Territorial Landworks, Inc., a Montana Engineering, Surveying, and Consulting Firm.
Kevin grew up in Westby, Montana. He stayed active playing football, basketball, and golf in high school. He even participated in the Big Sky State games in high school for basketball and is now giving back to the Games. He then attended school at Montana State University and graduated with a Finance degree. Now, he works for the Office of the Comptroller of Currency, an agency of the US Treasury department. He also serves as a MOA referee for high school and junior high basketball games.
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Doug Asleson has a long history with the billiards community in Billings and Montana. He founded the Billings BCA Pool in 1998, at one time one of the largest pool leagues in North America. He ran that league for 18 years and it is still running strong today. He also was one of the organizers of The Montana State 8 Ball Tournament in 2001 and that is still one of the top tournaments in Montana. Doug retired as General Manager of Gainan's Flowers in 2017 and spends 6 month in Arizona with his wife, Linda, playing billiads, golf and softball, but Montana will always be home.
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Jacob Haan has been involved in the bowling community for over 15 years working with youth and adults alike, and actively volunteering on the Greater Yellowstone Valley USBC Board of Directors, both as Director and as a Youth Director. Jacob also oversees a mixed-league as President, serving in this capacity for the past 4 years. Professionally, Jacob works as the Fire Chief for the CHS Refinery in Laurel, MT. When not working or bowling, Jacob spends time enjoying all sports and outdoor activities with his wife Bethany, and 3 children, Henry, Liam, and Brooklyn.
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Chris was born in Warrenton, VA and grew up in the Virginia Beach area. After high school, Chris attended Virginia Tech where he studied and graduated with a B.S. in Geology. In March of 2005, Chris made the move to Montana with future wife Mary, to start work as a Wellsite Geologist for Sunburst Consulting. Chris is now a Vice President for Sunburst and has been the President of the Billings Curling Club since January of 2014. Outside of his time curling, Chris can be seen playing ice hockey, playing guitar, or just hanging out with his daughter Cece.
Sarah Lemon was first introduced to curling on a trip to Banff, Alberta, Canada with her husband Jay in 2014. Upon return she found a newly formed Billings Curling Club and immediately joined. She has been an active league member ever since and serves on the board of directors as treasurer. Sarah enjoys travelling around Montana and North Dakota with her fellow curling team members competing in bonspiels. When not curling, you can find her working at a bank or indulging her creative side with various fiber arts.
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Chris Cook has been involved in cycling for several years, and is a cycling instructor at the YMCA. He helps coordinate the St. Vincent Foundation Kohls Care Program and is involved with the Bike Pedestrian Advisory Committee, the Heart and Sole Committee, the Downtown Exchange Club, Alberta Bear Theatre Board, and the Billings Police Department Citizens Bike Patrol. In 2010, he received the Volunteer of the Year award from the Billings Chamber of Commerce. Chris loves to bike and share his enthusiasm for cycling with others.
Brenda Rose's love for cycling began with teaching cycling classes at the Billings YMCA. She enjoys riding for charities and ultra-distances. Brenda's experience in the past with organizing events has been as a track and cross country coach until 2012 when she was the race director for the YAK. When not on her bike, Brenda is a teacher at Billings West High.
Chad McNeese is a longtime Billings resident and cyclist. He participates in mountain biking, road cycling, and observed trials. Chad has competed in all cycling disciplines of the Big Sky State Games, and has volunteered for several of the mountain bike races over the years. He loves sharing the sport with new riders, particularly teaching cyclists advanced skills to improve their enjoyment of cycling.
Dean has been a Cyclist for over 30 years. He enjoys road and mountain biking. He is the owner of the Spoke Shop and member of Pedal United. He was the former owner of Chalet Market for over 30 years.
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Barrett Canning began cycling over 25 years ago on a mountain bike exploring the Billings rims and competing in local mountain bike races. Over the years Barrett has competed in mountain bike races, triathlon, road races, crit races, time trials and most recently gravel racing. Barrett's cycling highlights include being a multiple finisher of the Tour of Utah Ultimate Challenge, finisher of Triple Bypass Gran Fondo in Colorado, a 4th place finish in Dead Swede gravel race and a substantial collection of Big Sky State Games road race and Triathlon medals.
When Barrett is not cycling he is doing his best to bring the joy of cycling to his two young kids, Sydney and Jayson, 10 and 8 years old respectively. They both competed in their first Big Sky State Games cycling time trial road race in 2020. Barrett, wife Jamie and kids also spend their summers planning and producing the Billings Free Movies in the park program as the owners and originators of Firefly Outdoor Movie Company LLC.
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Ryan & Summer Duvall both have training as professional dance instructors through multiple associations including National Dance Council of America, American Country Dance Association, United Country Western Dance Counci, American International Dance Association (USISTD), & Dance Vision International Dance Association. They continue to seek out training from top coaches in the professional arena to stay current and bring the best instruction to their students and the dance community. Together, they have over 50 years of experience and knowledge in the DanceSport industry including: organizing competions, judging, scruitineering, coaching, consulting studios & non-profit dance groups, ownging & operating studios, professional & pro/am competition. Currently, Ryan & Summer own and operate Evolutions DanceSport in Billings, MT. They are looking forward to helping the Ballroom division of the Big Sky State Games grow and flurish througout the state of Montana and beyond! After all, they truely believe dance is a social sport with great benefits that should be shared with everyone
Alison Woodward grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, and started dancing in creative movement classes at the age of 2. Moving into company at age 5 she studied ballet, jazz, lyrical, and hip hop, but tap continued to be a passion and resulted in multiple solo routines throughout her competition career. Traveling and competing throughout Phoenix, Las Vegas, and areas of California allowed her to take classes with amazing choreographers such as Joe Tremaine, Doug Caldwell, and Michael Rooney.
In college, while studying to be a Science Educator, Alison continued to take dance classes on the side. Working with such wonderful instructors as Michael Williams and Melissa Lowe at the University of Arizona. A few weeks in to Michael Williams tap class and Alison was soon called out to be an assistant and by the end of her college career she was helping teach the tap classes, conducting private lessons, and assisting Michael Williams during the Jazz in AZ convention classes.
Alison has always had a knack for teaching and since the age of 11 she has assisted, led warm-ups, and taught dance classes. This continued with numerous studios in the Tucson, Arizona area and eventually expanded to working competition choreography. Life changing events took Alison, and her husband, to Jacksonville, Alabama. She found work at a competitive studio in Rainbow City, but started her own competitive team, Calhoun Academy of Dance, in 2013. This past October Alison officially took over as studio Director. Calhoun Academy of Dance offers jazz, tap, lyrical, ballet, tumbling, baton, and clogging. Her competitive team competes throughout Alabama.
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Andy Bottman is a small business owner, father, avid disc golfer and Secretary of local Disc Golf Billings Club.
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Melody Bilden grew up on a horse ranch in Colorado. She started showing horses and entering rodeos by the age of 10, and has served as a BSSG commissioner for many years. Melody currently resides in Roundup, MT. She has two sons and two grandchildren. She looks forward to helping gather horse people from all breeds to enjoy a full day of fun and great competition.
Emily Luoma-Brester has served as BSSG commissioner for multiple years. Originally from Virgina, MN, she moved to Montana for the Equestrian program at Rocky Mountain College. She is now a manager and trainer at White Aspen Ranch.
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Preston was born and raised in Billings, MT, and graduated from Skyview High School in 2010. He played football all four years and has been playing Flag Football in Big Sky State Games for the last 10 years. In 2014 he became the Executive Director for Yellowstone Youth Football running both the administration and football operations for the last 7 years. Preston started playing flag football in 2010. In 2018, there was not an adult league in Billings, and so he and a few friends decided to start Big Sky Flag Football. We went from 9 teams in year one, to 17 in year two. It has blown up and become a great season in the fall. Flag Football is loved and needed in our community and they love being able to fill that void. He is excited to get involved in Big Sky State Games and looks forward to the years to come!
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Preston was born and raised in Billings, MT, and graduated from Skyview High School in 2010. He played football all four years and has been playing Flag Football in Big Sky State Games for the last 10 years. In 2014 he became the Executive Director for Yellowstone Youth Football running both the administration and football operations for the last 7 years. Preston started playing flag football in 2010. In 2018, there was not an adult league in Billings, and so he and a few friends decided to start Big Sky Flag Football. We went from 9 teams in year one, to 17 in year two. It has blown up and become a great season in the fall. Flag Football is loved and needed in our community and they love being able to fill that void. He is excited to get involved in Big Sky State Games and looks forward to the years to come!
Barb Lawson has served as BSSG Golf Commissioner for over 10 years. She is a charter member of both of the Ladies Leagues at Yegen Golf Club and also serves on the board for the morning league. Barb works as the Tournament Coordinator and Pro Shop Attendant at Yegen Golf Club. In 2007 she was inducted into the Yellowstone County Ladies' Golf Hall of Fame.
Jackie was involved in Yellowstone County Junior Golf alongside her parents, Nels and Katie Christiansen and her sister Lea Ann Caudle for over 16 years. Became assistant director in 2003 with her sister and in 2013 became the sole director of the program. Her parents started the Yellowstone County junior program in 1983 and watched it grow from four courses and less than 100 golfers to all nine county courses and over 250 golfers.
Craig learned to play handball while attending college in the late 1970s. Since he began playing more than 35 years ago, Craig has made many friends and acquaintances throughout Montana. Craig considers handball is a "lifetime sport" which has allowed him remain active, healthy, and competitive. When unable to schedule a handball match, Craig is a Civil Engineer for KLJ Engineering specializing in airport engineering and planning.
Dawn has been involved with Richland Hockey since 1998. She has been a player, coach, parent, and board member. She is currently serving as the treasurer of RYH. She has two sons, ages 4 and 17, who are both playing for the Richland Rangers this year.
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Larry Seekins has played Pickleball for over 25 years, and has served as BSSG commissioner for more than 15 years. He has medaled at the World Senior Games five years in a row. Larry was the Great Plains Regional Pickelball ambassadors for USAPA. He currently teaches pickleball at the Billings YMCA. Larry is retired from the U.S. Forest Service.
Jill is a wife, mother of 3 grown children and has lived in Billings since 1999. She has Bachelor and Master's degree in Biology and Geology. She is passionate about pickleball, picking up the sport in January 2018. Other interests include gardening, sewing, dirt biking, hiking and spending time with her family.
Brian and Bev McHugh are enjoying being BSSG commissioners for pickleball. It feels like a natural progression for them as their family (they are parents of three grown sons) have participated in many aspects of the state games over the years including numerous BSSG sports activities and participating in the Shape Up Montana Family division. They have also volunteered to lead their children and their classmates in the Big Sky Fit Kids over the years.
Brian and Bev discovered pickleball several years ago and are currently involved in playing the game as well as coaching and mentoring new players. Brian is a professional geologist and Bev is a Registered Dietitian.
Ryan Weber has been playing racquetball for over 20 years, and has served as Racquetball commissioner for many years. Ryan enjoys going out of town and playing in tournaments. He also enjoys fishing, hunting, golfing, and working out.
Exel 'Ekkie' Wedul has served as Big Sky State Games Commissioner for over 20 years. Ekkie has participated in many Big Sky State Games Half Marathons, winning numerous medals along the way. Ekkie was named 1994 Big Sky State Games Athlete of the Year.
Bill Harrington is the owner of Laurel Hearing Aid and is a member of the Yellowstone Rim Runners. Bill has been participating in Road Racing for over 30 years. He has volunteered at the Big Sky State Games for more than 30 years. Bill has a great crew of volunteers who work with him each year. His wife, Kathy, handles the water stops.
Suzie owns 406 Race Series, a race company, and Q360 Health instructing CPR/AED classes and has been a AHA Instructor or for over 15 years and affiliated with the Billings Clinic Training Center.
Mike is the commissioner for Sporting Clays, Five Stand, Action Shooting Sports, and Skeet. He is a Montana native. Mike graduated from Sidney High School and Montana State University. He purchased the Blue Creek Sport Shooting Complex in 2014. Since then, he has been busy lining up all kinds of shooting competitions, including NRA 3Gun, Billings Top Shot, and various clay shooting events. Mike is the head coach of the Blue Creek Smokin' Guns youth shooting team, which competes in trap, skeet, sporting clays, and pistol. He was recently named the Montana Scholastic Clay Target Program Sporting Clay Commissioner.
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Andrew T. Lauckner, a Correctional Officer, is an avid outdoors-man and
hunter. He enjoys supporting community organizations and youth education
programs. Lauckner competed in the shooting sports through 4-H from the age
of seven, and participated in the Jr. Olympics of 2002. He now also owns Fire
Dragon Tactical Shooting, a private FFl/ Training Company, that focuses on
community education and self defense and LAUCKnLOAD IND. a security
consulting firm. His support of local programs includes: 4-H, Boy Scouts,
Hunters education, and NRA 3 gun. Lauckner currently is the Pistol and Rifle
coach of the Scholastic Action Shooting Program here in Billings. His
certifications include NRA Certified Pistol and Home Defense, Front Sight
Academy Distinguished Graduate in Pistol and Rifle, Active Shooter Community
Trainer, Montana Board CFI, and multiple techniques of martial arts.
Cowboy Action Shooting Commissioner Mike Radecki has been involved in this sport for several years. He quickly became involved with the local Single Action Shooting Sports (SASS) affiliate, the Montana Territory Peacemakers, and has worked to foster a relationship between this club and local 4-H shooting sports members. According to Mike, "Cowboy Action Shooting gives us an opportunity to keep the Old West alive through the use of period correct firearms, storytelling, and clothing. Besides, not many sports offer the opportunity to use your pistols, rifles, and shotguns at the same event!"
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Jim is the executive director of the Bullhook Bottoms Black Powder Club in Have. He is a charter member of the club formed in 1976. He has participate in the Big Sky State Games Muzzleloading event for over 25 years and has been the coordinator for the event for several of those years. He enjoys helping young people learn about and participate in the sport and has three generations of his family involved in muzzleloading. He is also an avid black powder hunter.
Born and raised in Montana, Will grew up hunting and shooting. His father let him go on his first hunting trips when he was old enough to get into the truck by himself. While Will's love of the shooting sports started when he was a kid, competing in the Big Sky State Games' Silhouette discipline, it has only grown over the years as he has become an NRA certified firearms instructor and has been certified hunter education instructor with the State of Montana since 2017. As a small business owner of Walton Arm & Shooting Products and the co-founder of PRO 106, Will is avidly dedicated to helping people get outside and into the shooting sports.
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Irv Wilke is the president of BRGC and LRGC, and has many NRA instructor certificates and a NASP instructor certificate. He is also a hunter education/bow hunter education instructor. He tries his best to introduce young people to the joys of shooting, and the tradition of hunting and the outdoors. He has been involved in the Big Sky State Games Silhouette competition for more than 8 years, first at Y.R.C. and now at Billing Rod and Gun Club.
Mike is the commissioner for Sporting Clays, Five Stand, Action Shooting Sports, and Skeet. He is a Montana native. Mike graduated from Sidney High School and Montana State University. He purchased the Blue Creek Sport Shooting Complex in 2014. Since then, he has been busy lining up all kinds of shooting competitions, including NRA 3Gun, Billings Top Shot, and various clay shooting events. Mike is the head coach of the Blue Creek Smokin' Guns youth shooting team, which competes in trap, skeet, sporting clays, and pistol. He was recently named the Montana Scholastic Clay Target Program Sporting Clay Commissioner.
Richard Cassady has been involved in shooting sports throughout his whole life. He enjoys archery and all shooting sports. Cassady comes from a military background and is currently attending MSU-Billings to pursue a degree in the Outdoor Leadership Program.
Mike is the commissioner for Sporting Clays, Five Stand, Action Shooting Sports, and Skeet. He is a Montana native. Mike graduated from Sidney High School and Montana State University. He purchased the Blue Creek Sport Shooting Complex in 2014. Since then, he has been busy lining up all kinds of shooting competitions, including NRA 3Gun, Billings Top Shot, and various clay shooting events. Mike is the head coach of the Blue Creek Smokin' Guns youth shooting team, which competes in trap, skeet, sporting clays, and pistol. He was recently named the Montana Scholastic Clay Target Program Sporting Clay Commissioner.
Richard Cassady has been involved in shooting sports throughout his whole life. He enjoys archery and all shooting sports. Cassady comes from a military background and is currently attending MSU-Billings to pursue a degree in the Outdoor Leadership Program.
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Heath starting his rock climbing adventures in Billings, Montana on the rims over 20 years ago. Since then climbing has taken him to some of the best climbing destinations around the United States and beyond to places like Mexico & Australia. Australia is the wildest climbing destination he has been, where kangaroos & koalas frequent the crags! To this day bouldering remains his favorite style. He is the co-owner at STEEPWORLD where he loves to share this lifelong sport with others.
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Sean Phelps returns as a BSSG sport commissioner with the inclusion of open water swimming to the competition program. Phelps was the Triathlon Commissioner from 1999-2005. He became enamored with open water swimming while living in New Zealand having competed in over 130 open water races ranging in distance from 1K to 4.6K. Phelps is an assistant coach with the Billings Aquatic Club and is the vice-president of Big Sky Montana masters swimming.
Arthur has participated and volunteered in the Table Tennis Event at the BSSG for many years. Art currently serves as President of the Yellowstone Table Tennis Association in Billings (We meet 3 times a week to play). Art is a retired Mechanical Engineer living in Billings. When not traveling the world he is attempting to play TT anywhere he can locate a table and someone to play with.
David started playing table tennis with the Big Sky State Games when he moved to Billings in 2014. When not playing, he's probably out skiing, camping, or on a motorcycle trip. David currently works as an electrical engineer in Billings.
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Leonard Harkless started playing tennis with his children and wife in 1992, and has served as BSSG commissioner for over 15 years. Prior to becoming the Tennis Commissioner, Leonard was the Big Sky State Games Armwrestling Commissioner for several years. Leonard is assisted by his wife Jo and their children Andrew and Lyndsey. In 2007, his family was honored with the Big Sky State Games Osborne Volunteer of the Year Award. Leonard is a United States Tennis Association Umpire and is certified to umpire in the Intermountain Region. Leonard owns Screen Printing by Design in Portland, OR.
Bob Hogemark has served as a volunteer at the Big Sky State Games track venue for several years in a variety of capacities. Bob is a mathematics teacher, coach, and activities director at Park City High School. He has been the head track coach at Park City for 29 years.
Greg Mohl has served the Big Sky State Games at the Pole Vault venue since 2004. An independent Geologist by vocation he represents USA Track and Field, Montana Association in several capacities, and has coached in Red Lodge for over 15 years.
Laurie Kelly has been coaching for over 40 years in Montana and served as the Battlin' Bear volleyball head coach for 14 years. She took the Batttlin Bears to record breaking heights. The former Roundup High School head coach let the RMC program to six NAIA National Tournaments, including two Elite 8 appearances. Kelly was inducted in the Montana Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2005.
Jenny Moodie has been involved in volleyball in the Billings community since 1985 where she played for Skyview High School and then on to RMC. She has been a past MHSA volleyball official and has officiated and played volleyball at the YMCA since 1990. She has coached volleyball for Shepherd High School, Huntley Project, and the Montana Jrs club volleyball team. For the past 20 years she has been coaching for the Rimrock Volleyball Club and 4 of those years as the Club Director. She also sits on the Board of Directors as the Assistant Director for Montana State AAU Volleyball.
Iona Stookey has 35 years of coaching volleyball experience, with the last 31 years as the head volleyball coach at Huntley Project. Her Lady Red Devils have won 17 District titles, 17 Divisional titles, and have won 12 State Championships. She has earned 866 wins in her career. Iona was selected the Montana Coaches Association Coach of the Year 12 times and has been a National Federation Coach of the Year nominee 4 times. She was also selected as the Big Sky State Games National Female Athlete of the year in 2010. Iona was inducted into the EMC/MSUB Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006 and inducted into the Montana Coaches Hall of Fame in 2017.
Laurie Kelly has been coaching for over 40 years in Montana and served as the Battlin' Bear volleyball head coach for 14 years. She took the Batttlin Bears to record breaking heights. The former Roundup High School head coach let the RMC program to six NAIA National Tournaments, including two Elite 8 appearances. Kelly was inducted in the Montana Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2005.
Iona Stookey has 35 years of coaching volleyball experience, with the last 31 years as the head volleyball coach at Huntley Project. Her Lady Red Devils have won 17 District titles, 17 Divisional titles, and have won 12 State Championships. She has earned 866 wins in her career. Iona was selected the Montana Coaches Association Coach of the Year 12 times and has been a National Federation Coach of the Year nominee 4 times. She was also selected as the Big Sky State Games National Female Athlete of the year in 2010. Iona was inducted into the EMC/MSUB Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006 and inducted into the Montana Coaches Hall of Fame in 2017.
Jenny Moodie has been involved in volleyball in the Billings community since 1985 where she played for Skyview High School and then on to RMC. She has been a past MHSA volleyball official and has officiated and played volleyball at the YMCA since 1990. She has coached volleyball for Shepherd High School, Huntley Project, and the Montana Jrs club volleyball team. For the past 20 years she has been coaching for the Rimrock Volleyball Club and 4 of those years as the Club Director. She also sits on the Board of Directors as the Assistant Director for Montana State AAU Volleyball.
Drake has been involved in Olympic Weightlifting for more than five years. He has competed in the Big Sky State Games for three years Drake is a coach and mentor at R4C also he works for Intermountain Distributing Company.
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