1. Can you believe that after suffering a broken left ankle in late April, Helena steer wrestler Ty Erickson won the Calgary Stampede on July 14?
John Letasky: It is kind of mind-boggling, but then again Erickson was predicted to be back and after all, he is a world-champion cowboy!
Jeff Welsch: He’s a cowboy. ‘Nuf said.
Daniel Shepard: Dude is tough. Montana tough.
Jake Iverson: Even with two good ankles, I can’t imagine jumping off a horse like that. And that’s not even including wrestling a large, angry animal part.
Briar Napier: This wasn’t just the local county fair rodeo he won, but the freakin’ Calgary Stampede, something well over 1 million people attend yearly. Tough.
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2. Chris Peterson wrote about 10 Class AA football games he’s looking forward to. What fall sports event fits that bill for you?
John Letasky: I’m looking forward to fall, but before that there is state and regional Legion baseball, the hill climb and the fair rodeo among other events.
Jeff Welsch: 6-Man and the 83-72 defensive struggles fit the bill for me.
Daniel Shepard: I’m looking at the Montana Western-College of Idaho football game in Dillon on Sept. 14. Rematch of last season’s NAIA FCS Round of 16 game. Also, the AA Legion baseball state tournament is coming up in Helena.
Jake Iverson: The Pioneer League playoffs, especially since we know they’ll include at least Missoula and Glacier (hoping for Billings to recapture that second-half magic they had last season.)
Briar Napier: Easy, the Montana-Texas 6-Man football doubleheader at Rocky next month. I think we’re going to see some fireworks.
3. Who would you like to see one day be a torch lighter for the Big Sky State Games?
John Letasky: I’d like to see U.S. men’s freestyle wrestling coach Bill Zadick of Great Falls receive the honor.
Jeff Welsch: I’d go with Todd Riech of Hot Springs, one of the first few Native Americans to make the U.S. Olympic Team.
Daniel Shepard: I’ll echo John here and say Bill’s brother Mike. Maybe they could wrestle for it, I don’t know.
Jake Iverson: How about Billings’ own Brent Musburger, one of the most instantly recognizable voices in sports history.
Briar Napier: Sean O’Malley’s got to be somewhere among the next in line, right? I mean, he’s already flown the 37 flag at a Griz game.
John Letasky: Roller skating would be kind of cool and so would gymnastics.
Jeff Welsch: Dodgeball! With teams comprised of politicians!
Daniel Shepard: I feel like we need a car racing sport. Maybe go-karting? Set up a track in a parking lot somewhere. I need to organize some folks for a cornhole team, I know that.
Jake Iverson: Something I could do. Competitive walking around the neighborhood while listening to audiobooks, maybe?
Briar Napier: Screaming for rugby sevens from the rooftops. Check it out in the Olympics if you haven’t seen it/are craving a physical, fast-paced sport before football starts.
5. What is your favorite popsicle flavor?
John Letasky: Orange is a good flavor and while I don’t know what flavor the color blue is in popsicles, I usually like those too.
Jeff Welsch: Grape, of course, though if they ever figure out a way to make bubble gum popsicles I’m all in.
Daniel Shepard: Orange, for sure. Cherry is solid, too, and grape. Popsicles kept me alive in that 90-degree heat at the Mission Valley Super Oval last weekend.
Jake Iverson: Fourth of July may be over, but bomb pops should be a year-round treat.
Briar Napier: Lime! Very important it’s a lime juice type of popsicle, though, as that artificial lime makes me feel like my teeth are decaying in fast forward.
