406 MT Sports Five on Five (2025)

1. Is Alex Ovechkin becoming the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer the best moment in pro sports thus far in 2025?

John Letasky: Yes, because many seemed to be talking about this moment and not just diehard sports fans. Plus, this was a record some thought was untouchable

Lindsay Rossmiller: It's certainly the most recent. But if we're even talking just hockey, I think the Four Nations Faceoff reached greater cultural saturation if we're talking specific moments, not just records.

Jake Iverson: Absolutely, and it's on the short list of the best moments of the decade. One of those records that was so unbreakable we didn't even dare to think this could happen.

Chris Peterson: Hard to disagree. Not a big hockey fan but that's mind-bottling (it literally bottles the mind). That's how insane it is that this actually happened.

Bria Manning: It's definitely up there, but for me personally being more of a college basketball fan, I was losing my mind over Houston's comeback win over Duke. (Since DI college sports are basically pro now, and departing over a century of amateurism.)

2. Speaking of professional sports records, what is one you believe will stand the test of time?

John Letasky: Yankee great Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak comes to mind. But who knows, Cal Ripken eventually passed Lou Gehrig's "unbreakable" consecutive games played streak.

Lindsay Rossmiller: Records are made to be broken and nothing lasts forever.

Jake Iverson: Cy Young's 511 wins is almost incomprehensible. Justin Verlander, who has been the best pitcher in baseball for the last two decades and is still at it at 42, has just 262.

Chris Peterson: I don't see another 56-game hit streak. There are some other baseball records like Cy Young's and Barry Bonds' that probably won't fall either.

Bria Manning: Standing the test of time is a big ask— but I think LeBron James' 50,000-plus points. It's hard to imagine another player being active in the NBA as long as LeBron has.

3. Should MHSA state track and field records be allowed to be set at other events than just the state track and field meets?

John Letasky: No. This has been a standard for too long and setting a state record is a true test at the state meet. Plus, all the others before had to do it that way.

Lindsay Rossmiller: A lot of things have to go right to be able to do it on that day in that place, but there are so many variable conditions throughout the state, that having a consistent mark to measure against is super difficult otherwise.

Jake Iverson: I'm with John. Let standards be standards.

Chris Peterson: It's the right way to do it. There are too many variables otherwise.

Bria Manning: I agree with John. State means state, and presumably if an athlete has achieved it before, they can do so again at state.

4. With the PBR in Billings this past weekend, what is the biggest daredevil sport out there?

John Letasky: I don't know if you can top bull riding. Just thinking locally, the ski racers at Rocky Mountain College and our area motorcycle hill climbers are also are daring athletes.

Lindsay Rossmiller: I agree with Bria. Free soloing. Trying to climb as high as you can without protection against falling just because?

Jake Iverson: The Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Chris Peterson: That rock climbing stuff sounds bonkers. I can't even watch videos of people doing stuff like that.

Bria Manning: Free solo rock climbing. Alex Honnold is one daredevil-y dude.

5. What's your favorite fruit to quench your thirst?

John Letasky: It's pretty hard to top a crisp, juicy apple when wanting to wet your tastebuds with something other than a refreshing drink.

Lindsay Rossmiller: An extra juicy orange.

Jake Iverson: A perfect, ice cold watermelon is an apex food.

Chris Peterson: Grapes, if they are actually good.

Bria Manning: A nice, ripe, juicy black plum.