Small town University of Montana Grizzly athletes that contributed a lot to their respective teams will be getting some statewide recognition.

The Montana High School Association has announced its 2022 class of Montana High School Athletes' Hall of Fame, its 15th class of honorees. And the five new inductees include two players who left their marks on Grizzly football and basketball. Both are excellent illustrations of the level of talent that can found in smaller Montana high schools.

Big Griz congratulations to Mat Seidensticker, who moved to the "big city" of Shelby for the final two years of his high school career, and was an integral part of the Montana Grizzly basketball program. And to Spencer Frederick, one of Scobey High School's all-time greats, who played a big role in one of Montana's national championship football seasons.

Mat Seidensticker excelled in both basketball and track during his freshman and sophomore years at Kremlin-Gildford High. He transferred to Shelby for his junior and senior seasons, where his accomplishments included all-state Class B basketball honors.

Mat received a scholarship to play basketball at UM from 1995-1999. He played in 109 games, including their 1997 NCAA Tournament appearance against Kentucky. Mat was twice named the team’s outstanding defensive player of the year and once voted the team's  most inspirational player.

Spencer Frederick was a bit under the radar in his early career as a Montana Grizzly tight end, but lots of hard work and determination led to plenty of success his junior and senior years. Spencer was named 2nd team All-Big Sky Conference as a junior and 1st team All-Big Sky Conference as a senior. He played in two national championship games with the Grizzlies, winning the title with his team his senior year. Spencer was voted the team's captain that season. He was also voted the team’s most inspirational player in 2001.

We are proud of this pair of Griz stars who are now being recognized for all their accomplishments at the high school level during their prep playing days.

The Montana High School Association 2022 class of Montana High School Athletes' Hall of Fame (sponsored by Wendy's) also includes Christy Otte, Fred Paoli, and Gary Wagner. The Hall of Fame is in the Fortin Center on the campus of Rocky Mountain College in Billings. A plaque commemorating each inductee is on display in the school's gymnasium.

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