The alumni banquet in Twin Bridges paid tribute to the 2009 state basketball champions, longtime coach Weldon Amundsen, and the McAlear family’s extraordinary athletic legacy.
Honoring a Legacy of Athletic Excellence
The centerpiece of the evening was the celebration of the 2009 Falcons, a team that finished the season with a staggering 26‑1 record and a dramatic comeback that saw them erase an 18‑point deficit before clinching the title on a buzzer‑beating three‑pointer by Jake Schmidt.
Coach Weldon Amundsen, whose 173‑51 record and 77 % winning percentage still loom large over the program, was also recognized for his decades‑long impact, including a 1974 squad that set the state tournament scoring record with 110 points in a single game.
The banquet also shone a light on the McAlear family, whose seven siblings each earned all‑state honors across basketball, football, and track, establishing school records that still stand, from Erin’s high‑jump and javelin feats to Earl’s 45‑point basketball game and Emry’s distance‑running milestones.
Dean Naranche, a charter member of the school’s 1,000‑point club and a key figure on the 1956 championship football team, was honored for his pioneering achievements, while the legacy of coach Amundsen’s 1974 team remains a benchmark for future generations.
The event served not only as a nostalgic trip down memory lane but also as a reminder of the enduring values of teamwork, perseverance, and community pride that continue to inspire current athletes at Twin Bridges High School.