Continued Montana Athletes

We started this Article in last week's issue of The Mountaineer, It continues here.

At the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, Missouri, they were set to play a three series match-up against an "all-star" team. The Fort Shaw women dominated the all-stars in two games at 24-2 and 17-6 and were crowned "world champions."

The case for: World Champs, a rare feat only few accomplish, international attention.

The case against: basketball in 1904 was not the game we know today

Josh Huestis

Josh Huestis started his basketball career as a standout at CMR High School in Great Falls. He went on to play college ball as a small forward at Stanford, averaging 7.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks over the course of four seasons. A two-time Pac-12 Defensive team selection, he finished his career with Stanford as the all-time leading shot blocker in the school's history. In 2014, he was the selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder as the 29th pick of the NBA Draft. Currently, he has been assigned to play for the Oklahoma City Blue of the NBA Development League.

The case for: First Montanan drafted in first round of the modern era of NBA Draft.

The case against: Has been stuck in the D-League since being drafted.

Larry Krystkowiak

Larry Krystkowiak played high school basketball for Big Sky High School. The 6'9" power forward signed with the University of Montana Grizzlies and set school records for career points (2,017) and rebounds (1,105). He was selected as the Big Sky Conference MVP three times and is the only person to have had this honor. In 1986, he was drafted by the Chicago Bulls as a 28th overall pick. He played nine seasons in the NBA for the Bulls, the Milwaukee Bucks, the San Antonio Spurs, the Utah Jazz, the Orlando Magic, and the L.A. Lakers. Overall, he averaged 8.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. After retirement, he went on to coach the University of Montana, Old Dominion, the Idaho Stampede (an NBA development team), the Milwaukee Bucks, the New Jersey Nets, and the University of Utah, where he still serves as head coach today.

The case for: The most successful NBA player in Montana history

The case against: Never reached full potential due to injuries.

Boxing

Todd Foster

Todd Foster was born and raised in Great Falls and was a standout athlete at CMR High School. He moved on to amateur boxing and in 1987, he won the National Golden Gloves Light welterweight championship. In 1988, he won the United States Amateur Light welterweight championship. That same year, he found himself on the U.S. Olympic Team for the 1988 games in Seoul. The 21 year old had a first round bye, knocked out his opponents in the second and third rounds, but suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Grahame Cheney of Australia in the quarterfinal round. Foster returned home to Great Falls a local hero. He had a brief stint as a pro boxer from 1991 to 1996 with a record of 17-3-0 and a WBC International Welterweight title. Today, Foster can be found in his hometown of Great Falls, running Kid Foster's Boxing Academy.

The case for: Olympian, folk hero

The case against: Good but not great pro career. Tough to compare boxing to other sports

Football: The Quarterbacks

Brock Osweiler

Brock Osweiler, the 6'8" was quarterback for the Denver Broncos, hails originally from Kalispell. He was a standout basketball and football player for Flathead High School, and after initially committing to play basketball at Gonzaga University, he ultimately decided to focus on football. He turned down scholarships from Stanford and Washington State to play for the Arizona State University Sun Devils. In the 2012 NFL Draft, he was selected by the Denver Broncos as the 57th overall draft pick. Brock started seven games for the Broncos in 2015 and had a record of 5-2. He was backing up Peyton Manning in Super Bowl 50 when the Broncos took on the Carolina Panthers.

The case for: NFL QB, winning record, John Elway loves him, handsome

The case against: Too young, benched mid game for Peyton Manning, gets sacked - a lot

Dave Dickenson

Dave Dickenson was born and raised in windy Great Falls. He was a standout football, basketball, and golf player for CMR High School as well as a 4.0 student. He led his football team to two state championships, and in return, CMR retired the #15 jersey in his honor. He went on to play for the University of Montana Grizzlies, and became one of the most successful Grizzly quarterbacks: by the time he graduated in 1995, he had made the NCAA D I-AA record books with the highest completion percentage, highest percentage of passes for a touchdown, and the fewest interceptions per pass. In 1995, he won the Walter Payton Award for most outstanding offensive player in Division I-AA. The University of Montana retired his #15 jersey; only one other Griz football player, Terry Dillon #22, has received this honor. "Super Dave" or "The Legend of the Fall" as he was known, was listed as the 12th best Montana athlete by Sports Illustrated and was voted the most popular athlete in 2004 by a SI poll. Dickenson started his career in the Canadian Football League with the Calgary Stampeders in 1997. After earning the CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award in 2000, he signed with the San Diego Chargers. After two disappointing seasons as third string QB, Dickenson returned to Canada to play with the BC Lions in 2003. After a string of successes and some unfortunate injury setbacks, he signed with Calgary again in 2008 and retired from a long and illustrious career in 2009.

The case for: 1995 National Champ, named best male athlete in Big Sky Conference history, Darling of Montana

The case against: Never made it in the NFL

Ryan Leaf

Ryan Leaf was born and raised in Great Falls. The 6'5" quarterback led his team at CMR High School to a state title in 1992. He went to Washington State University, and as a senior, led his team to the Rose Bowl, where they lost to the Michigan Wolverines. That same year, Leaf was voted the "most outstanding player" in college football by the media and former players. He was a finalist for the Heisman, but he finished third behind Charles Woodson of Michigan and Peyton Manning of Tennessee. Going into the draft, there was a legitimate debate whether the Indianapolis Colts should select Peyton Manning or Ryan Leaf with the number one pick overall. Leaf went #2 to the San Diego Chargers. It did not go well: his performance on the field was characterized by interceptions and sloppy play. Off the field, he was rude to his teammates and the media. After an injury and being bounced around between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Seattle Seahawks, he chose to retire. This has also not gone well: his life after football has been marred by substance abuse and legal trouble, including spending time in prison in Montana.

The case for: 2nd overall pick, Heisman finalist, incredible college career

The case against: just go google Ryan Leaf

Football: The non-quarterbacks

Colt Anderson

Colt Anderson was born and raised in Butte. He lettered in football, basketball, and track at Butte High School. He walked on as a redshirt for the Grizzlies in 2004, but he secured a scholarship as a safety. In 2008, he was team captain, played in all 16 games, was named All-Big Sky player, and was named team MVP. He was signed as an undrafted free agent to play in the Vikings' practice squad in September 2010. A few months later, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. His career was interrupted by a torn ACL in 2011, but he eventually signed with his current team, the Indianapolis Colts, in 2014.

The case for: 88 career tackles. Played meaningful role on good teams.

The case against: Not an

See Page 9: MT Athletes impact player. Was involved in the worst fake punt in NFL history: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrtzpdH_uPM

Dane Fletcher

A Bozeman native, 6'2" Dane Fletcher started his football career at Bozeman High School. He was an all-state linebacker and an honorable mention all-state tight end. In addition to football, he played baseball and hockey, and played for the Bozeman Icedogs junior hockey team in high school and college. Football was his focus, and he signed with Montana State University to play defensive end. He was team captain by his senior year, and he received All-Big Sky honors and was named the Big Sky Defensive MVP. He was undrafted in the 2010 NFL Draft but ended up signing with the New England Patriots to play linebacker, where he saw some field time and made some noteworthy plays: forcing a fumble against the San Diego Chargers and making a late fourth quarter sack against the Green Bay Packers. After a brief stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Fletcher signed back with the New England Patriots in 2015 for a one-year contract.

The case for: Absolute beast, Bill Belichick loves him.

The case against: Career numbers are behind others in this subgroup

Dwan Edwards

Edwards, 6'3 and 315 lbs., is a native of Columbus and now plays defensive tackle for the Carolina Panthers. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Oregon State. In college, he was a two-time All Pac-10 selection. In the pros, he's been an impact player throughout his long career.

The case for: Part of the monster Carolina Panther defense that is playing in Super Bowl 50, long career.

The case against: Low name recognition.

Kroy Biermann

Kroy Biermann was born and raised in Hardin. He was a standout athlete at Hardin High School, earning three letters in football, three in wrestling, and two in track. As a junior and senior, he was team captain and earned First-team All-State picks both years as a linebacker. He went on to play defensive end for the University of Montana Grizzlies in 2004. In 2007, he was named the Big Sky Conference Defensive MCO and became Montana's first ever recipient of the Buck Buchanan Award. In 2008, Biermann was the top performer in both the vertical jump and the 3-cone drill of the NFL Combine. He was drafted in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, and he quickly made a name for himself with his sacking ability. After a tearing an Achilles in 2013, he returned in 2014 and signed a new contract with the Falcons in 2015. Biermann is also known for his appearances in The Real Housewives of Atlanta.

The case for: Insane athlete, first Montanan to win Buck Buchanan Award (top FCS defensive player)

The case against: Appeared on the Real Housewives of Atlanta.

Dan Carpenter

Dan Carpenter's football career began at Helena High School. He was a two-time all-state kicker and punter, and set school records as a wide receiver. He went to the University of Montana as the placekicker for the Montana Grizzlies, where he finished a noteworthy career with a 72.8% field goal success rate, four straight All-Big Sky selections, and two straight All-American selections. After going undrafted in the 2008 NFL Draft, Carpenter signed with the Miami Dolphins and set the Dolphin's rookie record for most consecutive field goals that same year. He left the Dolphins in 2013, and signed with the Buffalo Bills, where he remains today.

The case for: Best fantasy football career for a Montanan. 12th most accurate kicker in NFL history. 2009 Pro Bowl.

The case against: Can we have a kicker on the list of best athletes? Might get cut from Buffalo.

The 'Other' category

Evel Knievel

Born in Butte in 1938, Evel Knievel is arguably the most famous daredevil and stunt performer. Leaving high school after his sophomore year, he started working for Anaconda Mining Company in the copper mines. After driving an earthmover into power line while attempting to pop a wheelie, Knievel was fired. He went on to seek thrills in rodeos, ski jumping, pole vaulting, ice hockey, wilderness outfitting, motor biking, and some law-breaking until starting his own daredevil show jumping his motorcycle. With his quintessential white leather jumpsuit, Knievel jumped over trucks, buses, live animals, and the Snake River Canyon. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Knievel suffered 433 bone fractures by 1975 from all his stunting.

The case for: Internationally known. Might be the most famous Montanan ever.

The case against: Was he really an athlete?

Laser (from American Gladiators)

"Laser" or Jim Starr as he known to his family, was born in Great Falls. He played linebacker for the Montana State University Bobcats, earning an All-American designation. He joined the American Gladiators show midway through their debut 1989/1990 season. A dominant force in Powerball and Pyramid, Laser was the only gladiator to appear in all seven seasons of the show. He is also rumored to be the most injured gladiator, after breaking his nose, breaking his ankle, injuring both of his shoulders, and herniating a disk in his back.

The case for: AMERICAN GLADIATOR WAS THE BEST!

The case against: Was American Gladiator really a sport?

Wrestling

Mike and Bill Zadick

The Zadick brothers were born in Great Falls and attended high school at Great Falls High School. Both brothers are only two of seventeen wrestlers to win four state high school championships, which they won in different weight classes each year. The brothers went on to wrestle for the University of Iowa and earned five All-American designations between the two of them. On the international level in freestyle wrestling, Bill won a bronze and silver in the World Cup, a bronze in the Pan American Championships, and gold in the World Championships, all in the 66 kg weight division. Mike won silver at the Pan-American Games in the 60 kg weight division. Today, both brothers are successful coaches: Bill for USA Wrestling and Mike at Virginia Tech.

The case for: Iowa wrestling, Olympics

The case against: Like boxing, tough to compare wrestling to other sports