AREA SPORTS In terms of Helena-area sports, 2024 was another year defined by championships. Whether it was the Capital Bruins winning another Class AA state football championship, the Helena High girls wrapping up a three-peat in track and field, or even the Helena Bighorns winning the NA3HL's Fraser Cup, there was an abundance of Helena-area sports teams that hoisted trophies. Picking out the top five stories from the Helena area over the past year wasn't easy, but here they are (ranked from first to last).
The Capital High football team lost its first game of the 2024 season but it wouldn't lose again on its way to an 11-1 record and a record-tying 13th Class AA state championship. During the 11-game winning streak, only twice did the Bruins win by fewer than 20 points. They clinched the Western AA with a 21-point win over Glacier, after spotting the Wolfpack 14 points.
That was the final time the Bruins trailed in the 2024 season, which includes not trailing once in a three-game playoff run. Capital stormed past Sentinel and beat West, a one-loss team, 35-6. Led by four touchdown passes from Merek Mihelish, the Bruins won the state championship game 34-21.
It's the second title in three years for CHS, which is 30-5 over the past three seasons under Kyle Mihelish. The Bruins' roster featured the Class AA Offensive (Merek Mihelish) and Defensive (Cole Graham) MVP's. Mihelish also set numerous program records on his way to winning Gatorade Player of the Year.
Capital averaged.