Sports

“They may be tiny, but they are FIERCE!” shared Lady Dragon volleyball Coach Camie Tripp with great pride as she spoke about her team following the 2A Idaho State Volleyball Championship tournament October 28 and 29. It could be easy to disregard the somewhat smaller MHS team compared to their opponents that demonstrate the typical height and size of a state championship team. But when the Lady Dragons take to the court and show their grit and determination, they prove just how fierce they truly are.

From the very first match, the Lady Dragons relied on that grit, intensity, fierceness and desire to help them through their tournament games. Malad’s first matchup was against their district counterpart, the West Side Pirates. This matchup brought many pros and cons for Malad. In essence, the Lady Dragons knew exactly what it would take to beat the Pirates, but they also knew just how tough it would be.

The MHS team came out ready to play and took it to the Pirates from the beginning, winning the first set, 25-19. To no one’s surprise, West Side answered back by stepping up their game and winning the second, 16-25. With the sets one to one, it was anyone’s game and Malad was there to fight to the end. The Lady Dragons battled back to win the third game, 25-17. The fourth game went to the Pirates again, 21-25.

With only one set of the match left to play, the Lady Dragons were determined to win. Playing such an intense and equally matched team required every player on the MHS volleyball team to step up and give their very best, and step up their did! Adley Kimberling not only led as the team’s captain and offense as setter, but also led the team in digs with 26, while also adding 3 kills and 7 blocks. Powerhouse hitter Hallie Horsley brought 23 kills and 22 digs. Outside hitter Riglee Peterson, with her intensity and consistency, had 3 aces, 13 kills and 22 digs.

With the Pirates bringing a strong attack, the Lady Dragons depended on their back row to pass up whatever they dished over to set up their own offense. Anistyn Tovey, Brylee Oglesbee, Journie Tovey, and Izzy Haycock worked together to dig up another 50 digs to put a stop to the Pirate’s play. Middle blockers Camie Bean and Abby Rosenquist covered the net well to direct and bring in 7 and 11 blocks respectively. This sort of big play not only kept the Lady Dragons in the game, but helped them defeat West Side in their final set, 17-15, and ultimately win the match.

Defeating West Side sent them on to face the undefeated and number one team of the tournament, the Melba Mustangs. In a game that could have been considered the championship match of the weekend, Malad and Melba went back and forth over a grueling five sets. Melba jumped out to win the first game of the match, 22-25. Malad learned from their play and took the second set, 25-19. The two teams fought long and hard through the third set, with Malad coming out on top, 2826. The Mustangs were far from being done and came back to win the final two games, 18-25 and 13-15.

The Lady Dragons MHS vs West Side at Districts, on the way to State

were next paired to play the Lumberjacks of St. Maries. Despite having already played two intense matches of five games already that day, the MHS volleyball team made quick work of their match against St. Maries, sweeping the games, 3-0.

Like some odd version of “Groundhog Day,” after their win over St. Maries, Malad was once again set to play West Side for the eighth time this season. Just as in past games, the two equally matched teams went back and forth leading on the scoreboard, having the momentum and winning games.

This mentally and physically tough game demanded a lot from the Lady Dragons. In those moments when their teammates needed an assist, new players stepped in to give some fresh energy. Coach Tripp was so proud of how her team jumped in wherever they were needed. “Katie Allen helped bring some big blocks against West Side. Kaitlyn Pickett jumped in there too and added a lot of spirit to the team. Every one of those girls rose to the occasion.”

Malad won the first set of the match, 2519. True to the existing trend, West Side won the second, 20-25. The victory swung in the Pirate’s favor again in the third game, 25-27. The Lady Dragons rallied to win the fourth set, 2523. The final set was a battle to the bitter end where the Pirates eventually pulled ahead to win, 18-16.

While it might not have been the ending they were hoping for, Coach Tripp had nothing but praise for her team. She shared, “Through all the ups and downs of the game, you just could never count us out. In that last game against West Side, we were down, 2-8. But they fought and battled back. Time and time again they bounced back. We played our very best volleyball of the season at State and that is the best way to end the season.”

The Knights wrestlers at the Bonneville Duals tournament in Idaho Falls

The Knights have had a packed week of wrestling. Wednesday they traveled to Bear Lake to dual Bear Lake and Soda Springs. The Knights won both the duals. Thursday they headed to Snake River were they defeated both Snake River and West Side in the team duals. Saturday the Knights competed in the Bonneville Duals in Idaho Falls. The tournament had 18 teams from schools in 2a, 3a and 4a divisions. Malad wrestled incredibly well and ended the tournament in 3rd place as a team. The tournament recognizes the undefeated wrestlers with medals. Malad had 5 varsity wrestlers go undefeated Parker Price, Ky Willie, Braun Nalder, Oakley Maddox and Drake Morrison. Four of the Knights wrestling in the JV tournament also went undefeated, Riggin Montgomery, Wade Clark, Braxden Kaufman and River Taylor.

“These boys are working hard and learning a lot every time they step out on the mat. Doing well at the tournaments this weekend is a great accomplishment for the team.”

Malad Knights at the Bonneville Duals

Ag Update—Russian-Ukraine War Fallout ON THIS DAY

By Allison Eliason

Nearly nine months after Russia began its attacks on the Ukraine, rippling effects of the conflict continue to bring fear and uncertainty around the globe. As the conflict first began, it was well anticipated that there would be food shortages, global inflation and volatile market fluctuations that could prove difficult, if not devastating. All had hoped the far reaching effects of war might have been curtailed in the United States but such hopes were highly unlikely. After months of promising negotiations to help mitigate some of the cascading global effects, progress has been stopped in its tracks and the echoes of its ramifications can be heard worldwide.

Mid-July brought the first looks of any headway for relief as Russia and Ukraine came to an agreement to allow grains to be exported from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports. Despite the conflict and the significantly reduced productions, Ukraine still had considerable stores of grain to be delivered around the world. As one of the world’s largest suppliers of wheat, soybean, and sunflower products, the news of the exports was a huge step towards food securities, stabilizing markets and economic recovery.

Although Russia agreed to the deal, its hesitancy and aversion to the arrangement didn’t go unnoticed. So it came as no surprise when Russia backed out of the agreement after claims of Ukrainian sea-bourne attack drones were recently found. The claims are largely unsubstantiated and clearly seen as the excuse Russia has been looking for to close down the ports and halt grain exports.

While the pull out was not unexpected, the effects will be devastating as the more than two millions of tons of grain had the capabilities to feed more than seven million people. Experts weigh in that in a good year of normal global growing conditions and stable world markets, the loss of Ukraine’s products would be a difficult loss. With drought across several nations, countries with falling markets and overwhelming inflation, the continued food shortages will have disastrous effects.

The news of the halted exports comes as farmers throughout the United States are coming to close of the 2022 harvest season. Most contracts have been drawn up, if not already fulfilled for farmers selling their products and as many are looking to the next season's crops. There is very little, if any, corn or wheat that the American agriculture industry can afford to export before creating food deficits on the homefront and there is the lingering concern of how the United States will respond if and when the crisis will come knocking at our door for aid.

These new circumstances we find ourselves in leaves many questioning what the next year will look like for both American producers and consumers alike. Will food costs continue to increase for families across the nation? Will costs rise for producers and make it difficult for the upcoming growing seasons? Will this bring a spike to the US grain markets that will help alleviate some of the financial burden both farmers and hungry families are facing or will it only bring more hardship?

As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to unfold, the rippling effects continue to lap upon our shores. Farmers across the country are trying to navigate the ups and downs they are facing locally as well as globally. Worldwide crisis have seemed to become par for the course for the ag industry after managing the effects of the pandemic, drought, and now war. All that can be done is to put our hope and faith in our farmers that they will continue to give their all to feed our families like they have done for generations.

1913 First modern elastic brassiere is patented by New York socialite Mary Phelps Jacob

1931 First commercially produced synthetic rubber manufactured

1952 Clarence Birdseye markets frozen peas

1987 Gordon Gould issued U.S. patent US2704583 for the laser, ending his 30-year battle to be credited as the inventor of the laser

Malad DRIVE-IN

Lunch Specials 11am – 2pm

Monday - Chicken Bagel & Fry $5.95 Tuesday - Hard Taco $2.00 Soft Taco $3.00 Taco Salad $4.00 Wednesday – Chicken Cheese Snack & Fry $5.95 Thursday – Double Deck & Fry $6.95

Brycen Talbot took 14th at state

State Cross Country

The final weekend of October marks the final meet for cross country runners across the state as they race in the Idaho State Cross Country Championship meet. This is the weekend Malad’s racers have been working towards far longer than the few months of the cross country season. This is the weekend they have kept in mind as they have pushed through injuries and upsets along the way. This is the weekend the MHS runners have prepared to showcase their very best mental and physical form and leave it all out on the course.

In preparation for this season and ultimately, this race, the MHS team has put their sport and their time at a high priority. Long before summer started, the team began their training to literally hit the ground running when the season officially began. As a team, they have logged more than a combined 1,000 miles of running before the season even began. Head Coach Tia Talbot says about her team and their dedication, “They know what it takes to win and they go out and do it!”

The 2022 State Cross Country meet was run in Lewiston, Idaho where 71 teams with 863 racers from the myriad of 1A to 5A schools gathered to see who would claim fame and glory for themselves and their team at the conclusion of this season. Coaches, parents and fans proudly joined the Dragon runners to cheer them on for their final race.

Malad’s racers were up to the challenge and ran their very best races of the season. The course historically has

Idaho State Cross Country Championship Saturday October, 29 Lewiston, Idaho

Mens 5,000 Meters Varsity 2A

96 racers 14. Brycen Talbot 17:02.28 PR

Womens 5,000 Meters Varsity 2A

3rd place of 9 teams, 78 racers 14. Cortlyn Coleman 19:44.73 PR 16. Cally Coleman 19:49.51 PR 17. Brooke Isaacson 19:51.22 PR 32. Brynlee Bastain 20:36.62 SR 33. Hadlee Summers 20:43.23 SR 35. Kaylee Nalder 20:47.48 PR 42. Oaklie Hebdon 21:08.59 PR

6th Grade Football

Eighteen of Malad’s finest football players competed in the 2022 South East Idaho Youth Football, 6th grade American Conference league to face off in the championship game against the Soda Springs Cardinals in the Holt Arena MiniDome October 26th.

The Dragons began the game in possession of the ball and were determined to score on that very first drive. They immediately began moving the ball down the field and scored the first touchdown of the game on that opening drive. Soda Springs was set to retaliate and answered the Malad touchdown in kind, scoring their first touchdown in the next series.

Those first scores set the pace of a true gridiron game for the duration of the night. The boys from Malad fought hard on every down of the game. The Cardinal’s defense forced Malad to largely play a running game to which Bronson Smith and Riggin Montgomery were happy to take the ball down the field, one yard at a time. The offensive line stepped up with big blocks, allowing Smith to run in and score two touchdowns. When the ground game slowed, Montgomery turned to the air, connecting on multiple passes with Bastian Miller, Tyce Thomas, Grayson Thomas, and Brecken Price.

Soda Springs brought their own hard-fought running game to which Malad’s defense held strong. The defensive line consistently made crucial stops at the line. Not to be outshined, the backfield stepped up to the challenge with good coverage across the field to put a stop to the Cardinal’s passing game. As in most football games, it only comes down to a The Cross Country and Volleyball teams take to the halls of MES for a pre-state run

been fast paced, giving all the runners a better footing for faster times. On top of the favorable circumstances, the Dragon runners were looking and feeling fresh and ready to race. “These runners have peaked at just the right time for this race,” shared Coach Talbot. Every MHS runner set a new personal record or season record as they crossed the finish line of the Lewiston Orchard course.

Prior to the 2A Women’s race, the coaches reminded their team to encourage each other, work together as a team, and ultimately run their own race. It was easy to see the team take these words to heart as moved around the course. As some runners fatigued or dealt with injuries, other racers picked up their pace to move up just a place or two. Despite anything that might have held the team back, every runner put on the gas and ran flat out.

One racer shared that in the midst of the race, in that moment when exhaustion had started to creep and they felt at their lowest, the thought that fueled her was that “we drove ten hours to compete and we would let nothing get in our way!” Another shared that there is nothing that beats the feeling of comThe MHS Womens Cross Country team cap a great season at the state tournament

ing across the finish line, seeing their progress from race to race, and especially the friendships they have established over the season.

Brycen Talbot, the only qualifying member of the MHS Men’s team to race at state, came out strong and held his own all throughout the way. Talbot medaled in 14th place and set a new personal record. Three members of the MHS Women’s team earned a place in the Top 20, including senior Cortlyn Coleman in 14th place, Cally Coleman in 16th place, and Brooke Isaacson in 17th place.

After a great race at the conclusion of a great season, Coach Talbot easily summarized, “All I can say is that I am so proud of them. That really doesn’t seem like enough but they have worked so hard for so long. They put in what it takes to win and they have proven it over and over.”

Malad's 6th grade team played in the 6th grade American Conference League Championship at Holt Arena over the weekend

few plays. Unfortunately, Soda was able to get a couple of those plays passed Malad's defense to have the lead at the end of the game for a final score of Malad 12 - Soda 20.

Despite the final score of the game, this Dragon football team has a lot to be proud of throughout the season, all of it culminating in a hard fought championship game. The coaches and parents spoke of how pleased they were with what the team was able to accomplish. “Many of the boys didn't know how to put a helmet on at the beginning of the season. By the end of the season, they were confident in their skills and knew their positions well, allowing us as coaches to have confidence in them when we needed to move them around and make changes.

“The team has grown really close this season as the boys supported and encouraged one another. We hope that they continue this and their love of football goes on into Jr. High and High School. “

Playing on the team this year was Brecken Price, Kallen Price, Hyrum Hanks, TreySean Clemons, Bridger Barnes, Beck Green, Grayson Thomas, Riggin Montgomery, Jace Nalder, Tyce Thomas, Kall VanBebber, Bronson Smith, Bastian Miller, Wyley Jeppsen, Kendon Ward, Hank Ward, Trustin Palmer and Liam Donnan

The team was coached by Hayden Montgomery, Brian Thomas, Joe Miller, Joey Barnes, Laren Nalder, and Kade Price.