Helena’s Michael Spotorno and Steve Maier of Missoula successfully defended their state open championship at the 2008 Montana Doubles Handball Tournament in Billings last weekend.

Spotorno and Maier defeated Justin Balkenbush and Nick Hofstad in the finals, 21-10, 17-21, 11-8.

Spotorno’s team was considered the underdogs going into the match. They produced a solid, all-around effort to surprise the favorites in the first game, and were leading 15-7 in the second game before their counterparts staged a comeback.

In the tense, back-and-forth tie-breaker, Spotorno’s kill shot sealed the victory.

This is Spotorno’s fifth state open doubles title. He previously won in 1998, 2001 and 2003, with his brother Ryan, and the past two years with Maier. He also owns six state open runner-up finishes nn four in singles and twice in doubles.

In 2006, Spotorno captured the 35-plus singles division at the World Handball Championships in Edmonton, Alberta.

There were also two local handballers who placed runner-up at state last weekend. John Larson took second place in the 50-plus division, while Don Hurd was second in the 60-plus category.

Spotorno was a three-sport athlete for Helena High from 1983-86. He earned six letters nn three in basketball, two in football and one in track. In roundball, he averaged 16.5 points and 10 rebounds and was selected second team all-state.

One of his best games was a 28-point effort in a crosstown win over Capital. On the gridiron, the 6-foot-5 Spotorno earned a 1985 all-conference selection for the Bengals.

“My senior year I was the tallest and the slowest wide receiver in the state,” he laughed.

Handball is a grueling, pounding game, and at 40 years old Spotorno has undergone four knee operations. In addition to religiously practicing handball, he works out three times a week with light weight training, riding a stationary bike and the elliptical machine.

Michael Spotorno now ranks second all-time among Helena handball players for state open doubles championships, trailing only the legendary Kirby Hoon by one. Hoon’s local record of six open doubles crowns between 1919-28 has stood for 80 years. Keith Sell holds the all-time Capital City mark, with 13 overall state doubles crowns in four different age-groups.

Q How did that tiebreaker play out down in Billings last weekend?

A Spotorno: We jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the third game, but they came right back and pulled ahead, 6-5. It was tied at 8-8, and then we went up 10-8. My partner made a great serve on the last point before my deciding kill shot.

Q Who has had the most influence on your handball?

A Spotorno: My dad (Mike Spotorno) was instrumental in teaching me the game. He was a fireman, and all the firemen played handball, so my brother and I hung out at the Civic Center a lot. Ryan and I took a lot of beatings from dad and guys like Josh Skinner, Dave Hull, Clyde Angove and John Larson, on the way to learning the game.

Q What are some of your hobbies?

A Spotorno: Spending time with my children, I have a strong passion for elk hunting, and snow-mobiling in the wintertime.

Q What keeps you participating in such a physically demanding sport?

A Spotorno: I enjoy the mental challenge of it, it motivates me to stay in shape, and it satisfies my competitive juices. And I like winning.

Q Any more goals in handball?

A Spotorno: I would like to win a national doubles or singles title in the next several years before I retire.

Reporter Curt Synness: 449-2150 or curt52s@bresnan.net