Spring Sports Preview

TOP RETURNEES: The Newport track team will be returning state champion Areille Walden, who is a senior this year. Walden has held the 100-meter high hurdle 1A title for the last two years. She was second in the triple jump. With a new jumps coach, Pat Stahl, she’s working out some technical flaws and hoping to go over 18 inches in the long jump and 40 in triple jump. Junior Braden Barranco took state gold in the pole vault last year, but he tore his shoulder in football this past fall and it’s questionable how he will do at vaulting. Coach Axel said he intends to vault if he’s cleared to do so, and he’s working hard. Senior distance runners Scott McMeen and Chris Nichols have been working in the off season. McMeen just missed making the regional in the 800 last year. His goal is to break two minutes.

TOP PROSPECTS: Senior Alex Brewster is another vaulter who went 12 feet last year. With Mick Ratcliff as coach, Brewster and the new vaulters are expected to do well. Junior Eric Cunningham threw 125 feet in javelin at the end of last season. With new throws coach Morgan Johnson, he’s be-come a student of javelin, Axel said, and he’s working toward a goal of 150 feet this year. Freshman Ty McDaniel is coming up from the junior high team in throws. Axel said he’s bigger than throws star Aaron Castle was as a freshman, and McDan-iel has been getting into shape in the off season and working on nuances of the throws. Senior Daisy Hester threw javelin as a freshman, but wasn’t out the last two years. “It’s fly-ing perfectly,” Axel said. She’s marking 100 feet and eyeing the school record of 138-09 feet from 2001. “This girl has innate, natural ability. She’s a person that’s going to burst on the scene this year,” Axel said. The Grizzlies picked up junior Josh Truitt from California, who is already placing high in sprints and hurdles. Senior Coltin Worley is back on the team after playing soccer last year. He’ll be doing triple jump and the four-by-100 relay. Three foreign exchange students are on the team and finding where they fit in: Carol Sper-ling and Johanna Lucas from Germany, and Phi Sricharoenrat from Thailand.

KEY LOSSES: Throws champ Aaron Castle graduated last spring after taking state titles in shot put and discus and break-ing state records. He now throws for the University of Arizona. Along with him, throws partner Don Burns Jr. graduated, as did Jake Wiley, after dominating the sprint events for one season. Amongst the other graduates were javelin thrower Kayora Bai-ley, pole vaulter Branden Cass, distance runner Jake Zickler and thrower Adrienne Seger. Chances in the Northeast A League: Lakeside, Riverside and Medical Lake all have strong distance programs because they have junior high cross country, something Axel is trying to start at Newport. “We’ve got to have it to compete. We’ve got to develop these younger distance runners,” he said. Lakeside and Riverside have been the top teams at districts,

but Newport and Freeman bypass them at state meets. “We do better at bigger meets because points are more diversified,” Axel said. Lakeside and Riverside have big teams that are tough to beat at dual meets. “Freeman and us will al-ways be scrappy,” Axel said.

STRENGTHS: For the girls team, Walden will be strong in her two hurdle races and the jumps, Hes-ter will do well at throws, Axel predicts. The sprint relay teams are young, but fast. They picked up Haley Braun from softball and Marissa Hofstee is returning,

which boosts the relay team. For the boys, Barranco has poten-tial to do well in pole vault if he recovers. Truitt in the sprint relays

TRACK AND FIELDSOCCER

Areille Walden Senior

Margarita Bolter Junior

Kamber Norris Junior

Marissa Hofstee Sophomore

Haley Braun Sophomore

Phi Sricharoenrat Junior

Kayla Warner Freshman

Carol Sperling Junior

Johanna Lucas Junior

Sara Tompkins Sophomore

Erin Rednour Junior

Kylee Brown Freshman

Hanna Seiler Junior

Melyssa Carlson Sophomore

Thursday, April 18 at Riverside 4 p.m.Tuesday, April 23 vs. Medical Lake 4 p.m.Thursday, April 25 vs. Lakeside 4 p.m.Monday, April 29 at Districts Round 1 TBA Wednesday, May 1 Northeast A League Boys Soccer at Districts TBA Saturday, May 4 Northeast A League at Bi-Districts Round 1 TBA Tuesday, May 7 Northeast A League at Bi-Districts Round 2 TBA Saturday, May 11 Northeast A League at Bi-Districts Round 3 TBA Monday, May 13 Northeast A League at Regionals TBA Tuesday, May 14 Northeast A League at Regionals TBA Wednesday, May 15 Northeast A League at Regionals TBA Thursday, May 16 Northeast A League at Regionals TBA Friday, May 17 Northeast A League at Regionals TBA Saturday, May 18 Northeast A League at Regionals TBA Friday, May 24 Washington State 1A Championships Sumner

TOP RETURNEES: Among the returning players is senior Erik Person, who was one of the team’s top scorers and was named to the all league team last year. Playing keeper for the Grizzlies, sophomore Matthew Solis is back, as is senior Jake Morse, who played keeper the year before. Alex Young, a junior sweeper will be back too. Other returnees include juniors: defenders Nathan Larson and Allan Thompson and midfield-ers Jordan Hoadley and Daniel Foust; and sophomores: midfielder Todd Balentine, defender Douglas Behrend, midfielder Erik Naccarato, midfielder/forward Josh Smith, defender David Quandt, forward Thomas Cass and defender Ben Simila. Junior Kade Barranco is on the roster, but will be out on injury for the season after breaking his collar-bone while snowboarding.

TOP PROSPECTS: Coach Person expects good things from some of the new players. Exchange students on the team include Ric-cardo Moro from Italy and Hamza Hassan from Pakistan. Other new faces include junior defender Tyler Ringgenberg, defender Aaron San-tee, a very athletic midfielder Cody Smith, and Greg Vaughn, who had played soccer since he was a kid. Person said he will add some strength to the team.

KEY LOSSES: A few seniors gradu-ated, including Philip Behrend, who was all-league last year, and Ryun Boyles, who was with the team from its beginning.

STRENGTHS: Coach Person said the team has good depth. The juniors have gained some experience, and this is the first year they’re returning some really good, skilled players. Person said they are all pulling in the same direction now, and he expects they will gel well as a team. “If that’s the case, then I think our chances are pretty good,” he said.

WEAKNESSES: The coach said they lag in skills a bit. Other teams can trap the ball and pass better, he said. But he feels the Grizzlies are good athletes, they’re quick and they listen well. He said their strat-egy is to play a strong defense and try to frustrate the other team. Chances in the Northeast A League: Lakeside had the league title last year, but they lost to 2B Manson already this season. Person is hop-ing that’s a sign the Eagles are a bit weaker this year. Colville was runner up in the league last year, but they have moved up to the 2A class and are no longer in

Newport’s league. Instead, Medical Lake moved down to 1A. Newport kept up with the Cardinals in their first game against them, but a pair of late goals put Newport at a 4-2 loss. Riverside has a small team this year after losing a lot of seniors. New-port has won two games against them so far this season. Lakeside dominated with a 7-1 win over Newport this past week.

HEAD COACH: Jerry Person

AGE: 56

COACHING EXPERIENCE: This is Person’s fourth year coaching the high school team, but he had more than 20 years experience coaching soccer and baseball. He was named the Northeast A League coach of

the year in 2011.

OCCUPATION: Electrical engineer

ATHLETIC EXPERIENCE: Snow ski-ing, waterskiing, windsurfing and adult soccer

ASSISTANT COACH: Person’s older son, Michael Person is assistant coach this year. He lives in Eng-land where he coaches a semi pro lacrosse team.

Riccardo Moro Senior #7

JakeMorse Senior #22

Andrew Thompson Senior #18

Erik Person Senior #10

Hamza Hassan Junior #12

Nathan Larson Junior #21

Tyler Ringgenberg Junior #16

Allan Thompson Junior #3

Jordan Hoadley Junior #8

Cody Smith Junior #16

Greg Vaughn Junior #11

Alex Young Junior #17

Todd Balentine Sophomore #22

Daniel Foust Junior #5

Aaron Santee Junior #14

Erik Naccarato Sophomore #20

Matthew Solis Sophomore #23

Josh Smith Sophomore #9

David Quandt Sophomore #4

Douglas Behrend Sophomore #13

Thomas Cass Sophomore #9

Ben Simila Sophomore

Kris Mitchell Freshman

Nicholas Graham Freshman #4

James Goodwin Freshman #15

Jerry Person Head Coach

Michael Person Assistant Coach

Emma Waterman Freshman

Emma Houck Freshman

Daisy Hester Senior

Jazmin Hester Sophomore

Coltin Worley Senior

Scott McMeen Senior

Alex Brewster Senior

Eric Cunningham Junior

Carter Shutz Junior

Rocky McDaniel Freshman

Jordan McGhee Sophomore

Braden Barranco Junior

Allen Walden Sophomore

Cole Morse Sophomore

Corey Wylie Freshman

Kaben Hastings Freshman

Chris Nichols Senior

Brendan Geary Freshman

Chris Stroup Junior

Curtis Phillips Sophomore

Levi Litowitz Freshman

Mick Ratcliff Pole Vaulting Coach

Pat Stahl Jumps Coach

Kaprina Goodwin Sprints, Hurdles Coach

Morgan Johnson Throws Coach

Ty McDaniel Sophomore

Rory Axel Head Coach

SEE TRACK, 7B

Wednesday, April 17 vs. Chewelah and Kettle Falls 3:30 p.m. - Colville Saturday, April 20 at Priest River Invite 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 24 vs. Riverside 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27 at Riverside Invitational 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 1 vs. Lakeside 3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 11 at Districts 11 a.m. - Newport Saturday, May 18 at Regionals TBA - Riverside Friday, May 24 Washington State Championships EWU, Cheney Saturday, May 25 Washington State Championships EWU, Cheney

2B | April 17, 2013 THE MINER

Zack Chantry Senior

JoeWeltzinSophomore

Not pictured: Josh Truitt, Junior

Meet Your GrizzliesMeet Your GrizzliesNEWPORT SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

TOP RETURNEES: Seniors Alex Ab-ercrombie and Maggie Abercrom-bie; junior Chaleigh Kirkwood; sophomore Bianca Sanchez

TOP PROSPECTS: Rylee Moss, Sammy Enyeart and Jensen Kirkwood

KEY LOSSES: Shanna Over, Mi-chelle Clark and Alex Douglas

Overall projection of the team’s chances in the Northeast A League: “The league is very strong, so for me with a young team, I hope they learn to win, become competitive, most of all have fun,” coach John Mullaley said.

STRENGTHS: Strong up the middle with Chaleigh Kirkwood behind the plate, Sanchez pitching, Alex Abercrombie at second and Mag-gie Abercrombie in centerfield.

WEAKNESSES: The team is very young with only two seniors, one junior and one sophomore returning.

HEAD COACH: John Mullaley

AGE: 56

COACHING EXPERIENCE: 18 years coaching fastpitch softball and 35 total years coaching other

sports, including baseball and football.

OCCUPATION: Mullaley has been in the construction business for 30 years.

ATHLETIC EXPERIENCE: 15 years

playing competitive fastpitch softball

ASSISTANT COACHES: Ivan Poisel and Angela Johnson are volun-teering this season.

TOP RETURNEES: Seniors Jacob Theirs, Tyler Hunt and Jeremiah DeVerna; juniors Seth Harvey, Kyle Jackson, Austin Krogh, Jacob Satterlee and Chase Slocomb; sophomores Bailey Brown, Dakota Volavka, Issac Peterson Tristen Miller and Jordan Battle; freshmen David Poisel and Braden Nichols

TOP PROSPECTS: Jacob Satterlee, Tyler Hunt and sophomore Bailey Brown

KEY LOSSES: Newport will miss the play of Spenser Douglas, Michael Rapp, Nick Odell, Travis Martin, Justin Reyes and Sam Medrano. The Grizzlies will especially miss the pitching of Spenser Douglas.

OVERALL PROJECTION OF TEAM’S CHANCES IN THE NEA LEAGUE: Coach Castro recognizes this will be a building year for Newport baseball. “We’re a very young team, we are a development team this year,” he said.

STRENGTHS: Castro cites commit-ment, team unity and a great spirit among Newport’s strengths. Weaknesses: Newport’s biggest weakness is not having enough pitching depth. “This will affect us during double header games,” Castro said.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Castro notes the players’ great level of enthusiasm, something essential

for a young team. Castro said the Grizzlies’ equip-ment is not certified and must be replaced. All equipment must meet the National Federation of High Schools criteria. He said the team needs updated helmets and catchers gear. “The change took affect two years ago,” he said. “Overcoming this challenge can be difficult.”

Castro notes that the baseball field is also out of regulation compli-ance. It lacks bathrooms and doesn’t drain properly, he said.

HEAD COACH: Sam Castro

AGE: 46

SEE NEWPORT BASEBALL, 7B

BASEBALL

W E S A L U T E O U R N E W P O R T G R I Z Z L I E S

SOFTBALL

NEWPORT GRIZZLIES

Jordan Battle Freshman

Bailey Brown Junior

Jeremiah DeVerna Senior

Seth Hervey Sophomore

Kyle Jackson Sophomore

Austin Krogh Sophomore

Tristent Miller Junior

Braden Nichols Freshman

Isaac Patterson Freshman

Jacob Satterlee Sophomore

Jacob Theirs Senior

Dakota Volavka Junior

Tyler Hunt Senior

David Poisel Freshman

AlexAbercrombieSenior

Maggie AbercrombieSenior

Rene PetersSenior

Sammy EnyeartJunior

CharlineMeyerJunior

McKinseyMadisonSophomore

RyleeMossSophomore

BiancaSanchezSophomore

StephanieThomsonSophomore

JensenKirkwoodFreshman

TiaraOliverFreshman

ToriPoiselFreshman

LyndaWalkerFreshman

ChaleighKirkwoodJunior

IsabelleKepnerFreshman

Thursday, April 18 at Bonners Ferry 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 23 vs. Freeman 4 p.m. Saturday, April 27 at Riverside 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 30 vs. Kettle Falls 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 1 at Lakeside 3 p.m. Saturday, May 11 Northeast A League Softball Districts TBASaturday, May 18 Northeast A League at Softball Bi-Districts TBAFriday, May 24 Washington 1A State Softball Championships, RichlandSaturday, May 25 Washington 1A State Softball Championships, Richland

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SamCastro Head Coach

Tuesday, April 23 vs. Freeman 4 p.m. Saturday, April 27 at Riverside 11 a.m.Tuesday, April 30 vs. Kettle Falls 4 p.m. Saturday, May 4 vs. Lakeside 11 a.m.Saturday, May 11 Northeast A League Baseball Districts TBASaturday, May 18 Northeast A League at Baseball Bi-Districts TBAFriday, May 24 Washington State 1A Baseball Championships: County Stadium, Yakima

JohnMullaleyHead Coach

NEWPORT GOLF

THE MINER APRIL 17, 2013 | 3B

KarleeChristoffersonJunior

TiffanyHuangSophomore

ZachariahWagarSenior

Isaiah BattleSophomore

JosephFitzmorrisFreshman

SavanaRiceFreshman

Gabriel BerbigSophomore

SpencerSiemsenSophomore

GageAndersonSenior

Kyle EdwardsSenior

DeanOwnbeyJunior

Isaiah CampbellSophomore

SydneyHearndenJunior

HadleyStrattonFreshman

Haley BasnawFreshman

DanielFitzmorrisFreshman

FynnPeckFreshman

Cora BerbigFreshman

ElaineGammaJunior

ZacharyRiceJunior

NicholasAllenSophomore

CourtneyWieseSenior

Michelle ContrerasFreshman

NathanWittFreshman

JimMurphyHead Coach

Friday, April 19 at Chewelah Invite 10 a.m. - ChewelahWednesday, April 24 vs. Chewelah and Medical Lake 2 p.m. - FairwaysFriday, April 26 Girls Golf at Chewelah Invite 10 a.m. - ChewelahWednesday, May 1 vs. Lakeside 2 p.m. - StoneRidgeMonday, May 6 at Sub Districts 10:30 a.m. - Liberty LakeWednesday, May 8 at Districts 10 a.m. - SundanceTuesday, May 14 at Bi-Districts 10 a.m. - ChewelahMonday, May 20 at Washington State Golf TBA - TacomaTuesday, May 21 at Washington State Golf TBA - TacomaWednesday, May 22 at Washington State Golf TBA - Tacoma

TOP RETURNEES: seniors Gage Anderson and Courtney Wiese return this year and are at the top of the league, according to coach Jim Murphy.

TOP PROSPECTS: Spencer Siemsen, Dean Ownbey, Nick Allen, Sydney Hearnden, Elaine Gamma and Tiffany Huang. The rest of the team are beginning golfers and are working hard, Murphy said.

OVERALL PROJECTION OF THE TEAM’S CHANCES IN THE NEA: Murphy said Anderson

and Wiese are at the top of the league, and the rest of the team is in the middle of the pack.

CHANGES IN THE LEAGUE: Kettle Falls and Medical Lake joined the Northeast A League this year.

HEAD COACH: Jim Murphy

AGE: 57

COACHING EXPERIENCE: 33 years of coaching football, including Eastern Washington University and Colville High

School. He coached Newport football for 15-plus years. This is his second year coaching golf.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE: Coach Murphy retired in 2011 after teaching for 31 years. He served as athletic director at Newport for 15 years.

ATHLETIC EXPERIENCE: Murphy was a star football and bas-ketball player for Newport and rounded out the year with baseball. He played football for Eastern Washington University on a scholarship.

Not pictured: Brandon Larson, Ashley Grew

Meet Your SpartanSTOP RETURNEES: The Spartans

will return a strong team of se-niors, including catcher Tyler Bar-ber and pitcher and infielder R.C. Akre, who were both named All Intermountain League. Other re-turning seniors include outfielder and pitcher Nick Farnham and Dalton Sommer, who can play in the infield and outfield as well as pitch. Senior first baseman Cody Edwards is also back.

JUNIORS: Experienced juniors in-clude Wyatt King, who can play in the infield and outfield, as well as pitch, Jake Perkins, another pitcher who can also play infield, Ashton Brooks, an infielder and pitcher, Jalen Griffin who can play in the infield as well as the outfield and catcher and outfielder Jesse Grif-fin. Eric Hass is a new player who will be called on to pitch and play in the outfield.

KEY LOSSES: The Spartans will be missing the play of Kole Akre, who graduated, as well as infielder Brian Fink, and third baseman Cameron Riley, and shortstop Cameron Krepcik.

OVERALL PROJECTION OF TEAM’S CHANCES IN THE IN-TERMOUNTAIN LEAGUE: Spar-tan coach Mark Schultz says he thinks the Intermountain League will be competitive, with no clear favorites. “I don’t see a team run-ning away with league,” Schultz said. “We continue to work hard in practice, I see us in the mix for league at the end of the year.”

STRENGTHS: “We have a lot of key returners, a good senior class with a good group of juniors,” Schultz said. “We have six returning pitchers who have varsity experience. Our seniors are showing great leadership and they all are working hard for this season.”

WEAKNESSES: Like all area teams, Schultz would have liked to have been able to play outside

earlier in the season. He said the team could also be-come more consistent at the plate and still need to work on defense.

HEAD COACH: Mark Schultz

AGE: 45

COACHING EXPERIENCE: Schultz has been coaching baseball for 12 years, the last five years as a varsity coach.

OCCUPATION: Schultz, a former mill worker, is pursuing his teaching degree, taking courses online at Lewis and Clark State College. He also works as a

detention aid at Priest River High school.

ATHLETIC EXPERIENCE: A 1985 Newport High School graduate, Schultz played varsity football, basketball and baseball for Newport.

ASSISTANT COACHES: Lou Mus-so, Rob Perkins, Hollis Stewart (JV head coach)

BASEBALL TRACK AND FIELD

W E S A L U T E O U R S P A R T A N S

W E S A L U T E O U R S P A R T A N S


R.C.AkreSenior #13

Tyler BarberSenior #12

Dalton SommerSenior #14

Nick FarnhamSenior #8

Wyatt KingJunior #10

Jake PerkinsJunior #21

Ashton BrooksJunior #34

Jalen GriffinJunior #6

Jesse GriffinJunior #30

Benson HuntleySophomore#22

Gregory FitzmorrisFreshmen#16

Rob PerkinsAssistant Coach

Jesse MillerSophomore#24

Stewart HollisAssistant Coach

Brad DrakeSophomore#32

Mark SchultzHead Coach

Cody EdwardsSenior #3

Eric HassJunior #9

Jacob BowdenSophomore#22

Saturday, April 20 at Timberlake 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 23 vs. Timberlake 4 p.m.Thursday, April 25 at Kettle Falls 4 p.m.Saturday, April 27 vs. Bonners Ferry 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 30 at Sandpoint 4 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. Thursday, May 2 vs. St. Maries 4 p.m.Friday, May 10 at Districts TBA - TimberlakeSaturday, May 11 at Districts TBA - TimberlakeFriday, May 17 Idaho State Baseball Tournament Ontario, Ore.Saturday, May 18 Idaho State Baseball Tournament Ontario, Ore.


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Saturday, April 20 Priest River Invite 10 a.m. - Priest River Friday, April 26 at Timberlake Invite 3 p.m. - Spirit Lake Thu May 2 at Meet of Champions 2 p.m. - Post Falls Friday, May 10 at Districts 4 p.m. Timberlake Saturday, May 11 at Districts 9 a.m. Timberlake Friday, May 17 at Idaho State Meet TBA - Middleton High School Saturday, May 18 at Idaho State Meet TBA - Middleton High School

Kourtney AldridgeSenior

Beth BykerkJunior

Allysa CareyFreshman

Angel ClarkSophomore

Mollie FrenchSophomore

Hannah KeinertFreshman

BreeAnna MarksSenior

Erika McCrackenSophomore

KinyaMorrison-SpanglerJunior

Brady NelsonSenior

Madelyn NordbyFreshman

Anna PaveyJunior

Steffie PaveySenior

Alishia EdmisonJunior

Rita SantiSenior

Amber TrantumJunior

Whitney UrmannSenior

Taylor WandlerFreshman

Elisabeth YoungFreshman

Ian BarnesFreshman

Nick BurnsFreshman

Kenny ChesnutFreshman

Tony De MentSenior

Marvin FreemanFreshman

Scott HeggeFreshman

Dallas HopkinsJunior

Jimmy KochJunior

Jill WeimerJunior

Bret FinkFreshman

Josh MalakoskiSophomore

Levi MaltbaSophomore

Josh MarksSophomore

Jacob McDonaldSenior

Cameron MurdockJunior

Blane NelsonFreshman

Jason OliverSenior

Jordan OteroJunior

Tyler PopkinSenior

Michael TaylorFreshman

Thomas WhiteSenior

Jared HughesHead Coach

Lance ClarkAssistant Coach

Andy MeyerJunior

Diamond RobinsonJunior

Not pictured: Anna Nelson, SophomoreErica Fuller

Melissa DallenbachAssistant Coach

TOP RETURNEES: For girls, seniors Steffie Pavey (distance), Brady Nelson (sprints, relays), and BreeAnna Marks, (hurdles); juniors Amber Trantum (jumps), Beth Bykerk (throws), and Jill Weimer (high jump/hurdles); sophomores Erika McCraken (distance), Katlyn Summers (sprints), Mollie French (sprints), Angel Clark (sprints), and Lily Lucky (sprints) For boys, senior Tyler Popkin (distance) and Tony De Ment (throws); juniors Diamond Rob-inson (distance), Dallas Hopkins (sprints/jumps), Andy Meyer (sprints), and Jacob MacDonald (pole vault); sophomores Gabe Davis (sprints) and Josh Marks (distance)

TOP PROSPECTS: Pavey has al-ready been winning her distance events against league schools. Weimer, Bykerk, Trantum and McCracken placed well in early season meets. For the boys, Hopkins joined with Kleber Leaf, Levi Maltba and Michael Taylor for a strong medley relay team.

KEY LOSSES: Andrew Hud-dleston (hurdles), Austin Glazier (sprints), Neal Johnson (throws/pole vault), Chris van der Hei-jden (sprints), Cassie Stagner (throws), Sabrina Aguayo (throws), Felisha Johnson (throws). Meyer, Marks and McDonald started well in their individual events.

CHANCES IN THE INTERMOUN-TAIN LEAGUE: Despite missing some athletes at the first meet, the Lady Spartans placed ahead of Bonners Ferry and St. Maries. Timberlake still has a strong program, but Priest River will be a contender. Timberlake and Bonners have strong boys teams.

STRENGTHS: The team returns a solid group of athletes, including nine out of 11 state qualifiers. The girls return Bykerk, Pavey, Nelson, Weimer, Summers and McCracken, who earned medals at state last year.

WEAKNESSES: The boys team lack depth.

HEAD COACH: Jared Hughes

AGE: 38

COACHING EXPERIENCE: Tenth year as head coach, 16th season with the track team

TEACHING EXPERIENCE: Has taught at Priest River Lamanna High School 14 years

ATHLETIC EXPERIENCE: In track and field, three years in high school at Priest River, and four years at the University of Idaho competing in shot put and ham-mer

ASSISTANT COACHES: Lance Clark and Melissa Dallenbach

Meet Your SpartanS PRIEST RIVER SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

Not pictured: Trent Slinger, Sophomore #18Lou Musso, Assistant Coach

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See more Spartan Sports on page 7B

TOP RETURNEES: Derrick Bluff, John Cutshall and Gavin Peter-son are experienced seniors that Cusick coach Tell Hamilton is counting on this year. Bluff and Sample pitch and Cutshall and Peterson play catcher.

Bluff and Peterson have been among the team’s best hitters in the young season among the returning players.

Other returning players include junior Michael Konkright, who has been hitting well.

TOP PROSPECTS: Senior Ryan Sample returned to baseball after a two-year absence. He has been a good hitter and also pitches. Tyson Shanholtzer, a sophomore, has also been active with the bat. Hamilton said sophomore Eli Peterson is an athletic player who shows promise. “He’s good in the outfield,” Hamilton said. Oth-ers who show promise include freshman Donnie Blevins, who plays in the outfield, and Ter-rance Gould, a sophomore with a good arm.

KEY LOSSES: The Panthers will miss the play of Aaron Sears, who graduated last year, as well as junior Jes Brazda, who stopped playing baseball in an-ticipation to joining the Navy.

OVERALL PROJECTION OF TEAM’S CHANCES IN THE NORTHEAST 1B LEAGUE: Ham-ilton says he figures that Cusick

will be battling with Wilbur-Creston for one of the last six spots for a playoff berth.

STRENGTHS: “It depends on the game,” Hamilton said. “We’re pretty good in all aspects of the game.” He said the Panthers are more athletic than most their opponents. They pitch and infield well. “We just haven’t been able to execute them all in one game.”

WEAKNESSES: Consistency has been a weakness for Cusick.

HEAD COACH: Tell Hamilton

AGE: 32

COACHING EXPERIENCE: Hamil-

TOP RETURNEES: Sophomore Jacob Tesdahl

TOP PROSPECTS: Marcus Sheridan, Zayne Arnell, Dakota Schubert and Alyssa Walrath

KEY LOSSES: Quenten Cole, Josh Mason and Johnny Mason

OVERALL PROJECTION OF TEAM’S CHANCES IN THE NORTHEAST 1B NORTH LEAGUE: Cusick doesn’t have enough participants to qualify a team.

STRENGTHS: Practice habits and a want to learn

WEAKNESSES: Lack of experience

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: “This is

a close group that get along well and want to help each other improve,” coach Sattleen said.

HEAD COACH: Jim Sattleen

AGE: 60

COACHING EXPERIENCE: 12 years coaching golf

OCCUPATION: Aquatic Manager at Camas Wellness Center

ATHLETIC EXPERIENCE: High School football, basketball, baseball, and golf and one year of college baseball

ASSISTANT COACHES: Bill Pickerel and Pat Adams

TOP RETURNEES: Seniors Shanelle Savage, Haley Ad-ams, Jessica Nelson, Lauren Nelson and Sarah Martin

TOP PROSPECTS: Three fresh-man that played as eighth graders: Reigan Allen, Brianna Balcom and Tiffany Yarber. Others include sophomores Jovahni Seymour and Angelia Fish, and freshmen Cassidy Hansen and Val Keogh.

OVERALL PROJECTION OF THE TEAM’S CHANCES IN THE NORTHEAST 1B NORTH LEAGUE: “We have a good balance of offense and de-fense. I think we can com-pete well with the rest of the league,” coach Savage said.

STRENGTHS: The Panthers have a good mix of upper and lower classmen that work well together and are always improving, Savage said.

HEAD COACH: Dan Savage

AGE: 45

COACHING EXPERIENCE: Four years as Cusick head softball coach, three years coaching in a fall softball league, and 10 years coaching Little League

OCCUPATION: Logger

ASSISTANT COACHES: Monica Allen, Shanda Savage and Candea Balcom


BASEBALL SOFTBALL

GOLF

TRACK AND FIELD

Donny BlevinsFreshman #22

Devlin SheridanSenior #8

Ryan SampleSenior #23

Cameron BauerJunior #10

John CutshallSenior #24

Michael KonkrightJunior #5

Dustin NewkirkJunior #6

Marcin NieznajGrade #2

ElijahPetersonSophomore#20

Franklin PopeFreshman #?

Tyson ShanholtzerFreshman #12

Vu Duy #15

Derrick BluffSenior #9

ShanelleSavageSenior

Haley AdamsSenior

Jessica NelsonSenior

Sarah MartinSenior

Angelia FishSophomore

Reigan Allen Freshman

Cassidy Hansen Freshman

Brianna BalcomFreshman

Val Keogh Freshman

Tiffany Yarber Freshman

Dan SavageHead Coach

NolanFinley Junior

WarrenPiengkhamSenior

DakotaSchubertJunior

JimSattleenHead Coach

MarcusSheridanSophomore

ZayneArnellSophomore

JacobTesdahlSophomore

QuintonMontgomery Junior

IrisStrange Owl Sophomore

Shae Kirtley Freshman

Rina Tokita Sophomore

DaruneeGunplemjan Junior

BaylieBrownFreshman

FranklinPope Head Coach

TrudyFountain Assistant Coach

W E S A L U T E O U R C U S I C K P A N T H E R S

Gavin PetersonSenior #1

TellHamilton Head Coach

Tuesday, April 23 vs. Wilbur-Creston: 2 p.m. Friday, April 26 vs. St. Michael’s: 2 p.m.Tuesday, April 30 at Northport: 2 p.m. Saturday, May 4 North B League Tiebreaker: TBATuesday, May 7 North B League Districts: TBASaturday, May 11 North B League District Baseball: TBASaturday, May 18 North B League Regional Baseball: TBAFriday, May 24 Washington State 1B and 2B Baseball Championships: EllensburgSaturday, May 25 Washington State 1B and 2B Baseball Championships: Ellensburg

SEE CUSICK BASEBALL, 7B

Saturday, April 20 at Columbia NoonTuesday, April 23 vs. Wilbur-Creston 2 p.m. Friday, April 26 vs. St. Michael’s 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 30 at Northport 2 p.m. Saturday, May 11 North B League District Softball TBASaturday, May 18 North B League Regional Softball TBAFriday, May 24 Washington State 1B and 2B Softball Championships: YakimaSaturday, May 25 Washington State 1B and 2B Softball Championships: Yakima

Not Pictured:Jovahni Seymour, SophomoreMonica Allen, Assistant CoachShanda Savage, Assistant CoachCandea Balcom, Assistant Coach

TOP RETURNEES: Back on the boys’ team this year is senior Warren Piengkham, and ju-niors Nolan Finley and Quinton Montgomery. Returning for the girls are sophomores Bridgett Fountain and Iris Strangeowl.

TOP PROSPECTS: New to the team this year, freshman Josh Keogh is coming up from the junior high team. Two foreign exchange students are on the team: Rina Tokita of Japan and Darunee Gunplemjan of Thailand. Also new is freshman Baylie Brown.

KEY LOSSES: Cusick lost its star thrower. Andrea Heinen graduated last year after taking the shot put title four years in a row at state. She won discus three years straight.

Also graduating were Sara Davis and Roma Chantry.

CHANCES IN THE NORTHEAST 1B NORTH LEAGUE: The Pan-thers have two invites under their belts, and the first league competition was April 6. Coach Pope is happy to have a full schedule with four league meets.

Without seeing the competi-tion in person, he expects Columbia-Hunters will be a good team with a big turnout. Curlew is usually pretty tough, he said, and Selkirk was young last year and will be getting stronger.

STRENGTHS: The Panthers have some experience this year.

“Quinton knows how to get to state now. He’s working hard,” Pope said.

Montgomery placed eighth at state in discus last year and broke 100 feet for the first time at districts.

Several other Panthers com-peted at districts but were just shy of the qualifying mark to move on to state. Piengkham was sixth in the 200, Mont-gomery was eighth in the 100 and sixth in shot put, Fountain was sixth in the 800, Strange-owl was seventh in the 800 and just missed qualifying by placing third with a personal best time in the 1,600, and Henry was ninth in discus.

Thursday, April 25 at League Meet 3:30 p.m. Hosted by St. George’s at North Central High SchoolTuesday, April 30 at League Meet 3:30 p.m. Valley Christian Saturday, May 11 at League Qualifier TBA Riverside Friday, May 17 at Districts TBA Riverside Friday, May 24 Washington State Championships EWU, Cheney Saturday, May 25 Washington State Championships EWU, Cheney



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Not pictured: Josh Keogh, FreshmanBridgett Fountain, Sophomore

SEE CUSICK TRACK, 7B

Not pictured: Alyssa Walrath, Senior

Monday, April 22 vs. Northwest Christian 2 p.m. - Deer ParkTuesday, April 30 vs. Odessa-Harrington 11 a.m. - Sundance Golf CourseMonday, May 6 at Sub Districts 10:30 a.m. - Meadowwoods in Liberty LakeMonday, May 13 at Districts 10:30 a.m. - Meadowwoods at Liberty LakeTuesday, May 21 at State TBAWednesday, May 22 at State TBA

Not pictured: Terrance Gould, Sophomore #18Tim Konkright, Assistant Coach

Meet Your PanthersMeet Your PanthersCUSICK SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

TOP RETURNEES: Seniors Kirbi Anderson, Jessika Reiber and Savanah Christman; juniors Katie Couch, Josie Miller and Abiona Carrasco; sophomores Anna Kotzian

TOP PROSPECTS: MacKenzie McAnerin, Nicole Espe, Ellie Grass, Abigail Christman and Hannah Rick

KEY LOSSES: The Rangers have four key losses from last year including two-time league MVP Courtney Holter, and three other outstanding starters, Annie Couch, RaeAnn McCollum and Cozza Curran. “All of these young ladies were great players as well as great leaders both on and off the field,” the coaches said.

OVERALL PROJECTION OF

TEAM’S CHANCES IN THE NORTHEAST 1B NORTH LEAGUE: “Not sure, many teams in our league have made improvement and it looks to be a very competitive league,” the coaches said.

STRENGTHS: Returning pitcher and catcher combination of Kirbi Anderson and Jessika Reiber give the Rangers a solid base to build on. Both are four-year starters in their respective positions and work hard to improve each day. “The experience and work ethic of Christman, Miller, Couch and Carrasco will give stabil-ity to our team and help our younger players develop,” the coaches said.

WEAKNESSES: Lack of team speed. Inexperience in some

key spots may be a weakness early on.

HEAD COACHING TEAM: Cathy Enyeart, Andrew Anderson, Craig Larson

COACHING EXPERIENCE: Between the three coaches they have more than 30 years of coaching experience. They have been coaching together for 15 years.

TOP RETURNEES: Back on the girls team is junior Georgie Shafer, who placed second at state in the 100-meter hurdles last year and also did well in sprints. Senior Aley Curran is looking strong in throws so far, and sophomore Erin Rumelhart is doing well at jumps. Other returning sophomores include thrower Kaci Nearing and Katisue George.

For the boys, junior Sean Hunts-man, a strong jumper is back.

TOP PROSPECTS: Selkirk has a few promising new faces on the team: freshmen Katie Dewey, Guyla Boyle and Lauren Mc-George.

KEY LOSSES: Graduating last spring, Emily Guthrie was a distance runner for Selkirk, Kath-leen Huntsman did throws, and Josh Ross threw disc.

CHANCE IN THE NORTHEAST 1B NORTH LEAGUE: Selkirk seeks its first league competi-tion after spring break. At the season opener in Colville, the girls placed ahead of Curlew, Inchelium and Republic. They were just ahead of Northport by two points.

“We have high expectations and believe we will be at or near the top in our league,” coach Boyle said.

STRENGTHS: Shafer will bring in a lot of points for the girls team. Her experience at state will be an asset, as will Curran’s four years in track.

“We have a team chocked full of hard working and enthusi-astic kids,” coach Boyle said.

“They are quick to support each other and give the strength each one needs to compete.”

Weaknesses: The Rangers have a small boys team without much track experience, but there are some strong athletes amongst them.

“We are young, but I consider this both a strength and weakness,” the coach added.

COMMENTS: “We are a young team with what I believe are a lot of up and comers. Because we are small and we have stiff competition from softball and baseball we do not have a junior high track team so we have three eighth graders rounding out our roster. We expect these young competitors to make their mark in the coming years,” coach Boyle said.

HEAD COACH: Rebekah Boyle

COACHING EXPERIENCE: This is Boyle’s first year leading the

Selkirk team. Susan Vermeulen coached the Rangers for five years before moving away last summer.

OCCUPATION: Stay at home mom

ATHLETIC EXPERIENCE: Boyle is a Selkirk High School graduate and moved back to the area in 2006. She loves to run and take part in local running events as much as possible. “My passion is for the health and well being of the kids and I am just excited to be a part of this team,” she said.

ASSISTANT COACHES: Daneen Green

TOP RETURNEES: Selkirk has an ex-perienced team returning includ-ing: Seniors Mikey Weiss, Emery Maupin and Ray Davis; juniors Avery Miller, Brandyn Ross, Warren Batiste and Nick Lane; sophomore Dominic Cain; freshmen: Brady Filler, Noah Bailey, Stephen Avey, Meric Merk-ley and Logan Miller

TOP PROSPECTS: Selkirk coach Pete Whittekiend says all the boys are working hard and contributing in different ways.

KEY LOSSES: “We lost a great cen-ter fielder in Matt Emerson but we expect that our depth will cover that loss,” Whittekiend said.

OVERALL PROJECTION OF TEAM’S CHANCES IN THE LEAGUE: “Our boys are hungry and desire to compete deep into the post sea-son,” Whittekiend said.

So far they have had mixed results, winning league games against Almira/Coulee-Hartline and Wil-bur-Creston but losing to Odessa-Harrington, which looks to be the team to beat in the Northeast 1B League. Eight games into the league season, Odessa-Harrington is undefeated.

STRENGTHS: Whittekiend says his team’s depth and flexibility and a deep pitching rotation should help them stay healthy. Team speed is more of a strength for the Rang-ers this season, he said, and the Rangers also have good infielders. “Our infield has solid experience,” he said.

WEAKNESSES: Whittekiend said experience in postseason play is one of the team’s weaknesses.

HEAD COACH: Pete Whittekiend

AGE: 39

COACHING EXPERI-ENCE: 16 years total, fifth year as head baseball coach. Has also coached Selkirk volley-ball.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE: Whit-tekiend has 14 years experience teaching mathematics at Selkirk.

ATHLETIC EXPERIENCE: He played baseball at Eastern Washington University, as well as high school sports.

ASSISTANT COACHES: Charlie Snow, Matt Emerson, Jess Hererra and Dennis Flanigan

“We have a very committed coach-ing staff and volunteer staff,” Whit-tekiend said.

Charlie Snow joined the staff as an assistant coach this season. “He

bring passions and energy to our squad,” Whittekiend said. “He has a solid understanding of the game. He also understands how to motivate and encourage boys to work.”

Former Ranger Matt Emerson is working with the outfielders. “He has done a solid job training his replacements,” Whittekiend said.

Jess Herrera also volunteers. “He is a great sounding board and is always willing to lend a hand.”

Dennis Flannigan is also volunteer-ing and giving input. “Our coaches all care for the boys and desire that they grow in strong young men along with them growing into solid ball players,” Whit-tekiend said.

SOFTBALL

BASEBALL TRACK AND FIELD

W E S A L U T E O U R R A N G E R S

LoganMillerFreshman #23

BradyFillerFreshman #36

StevenAveyFreshman #2

MericMerklyFreshman #3

DominicCainSophomore#24

BrandynRossJunior #12

AveryMillerJunior #32

NickLaneJunior #18

WarrenBatisteJunior #10

EJMaupinSenior #22

MikeyWeissSenior #20

PeteWhittekiendHead Coach

NoahBaileyFreshman #34

RayDavisSenior #13

TristanCarmenFreshman

SeanHuntsmanJunior

KatieDeweyFreshman

KaciNearingSophomore

ErinRumelhartSophomore

LaurenMcGeorgeFreshman

AleyCurranSenior

AmandaHiemFreshman

GeorgieShaferJunior

KaitisueGeorgeSophomore

AlexYarnellFreshman

KirbiAndersonSenior - #15

JessikaReiberSenior - #22

KatieCouchJunior - #4

BryannaSargentJunior - #16

JosieMillerJunior - #21

AnnaKotzianSophomore - #10

NicoleEspeFreshman - #1

HannahRickFreshman - #2

MacKenzieMcAnerinFreshman - #26

AndyAndersonCo-Coach

CathyEnyeartCo-Coach

CraigLarsonCo-Coach

AbionaCarrascoJunior - #12

EllieGrassFreshman - #9


Friday, April 19 vs. Northport 3 p.m.Tuesday, April 23 vs. St. Michaels 2 p.m.Tuesday, April 30 at Reardan 3 p.m.Saturday, May 4 at Curlew NoonSaturday, May 4 North B League Tiebreaker TBATuesday, May 7 North B League Districts TBASaturday, May 11 North B League District Baseball TBASaturday, May 18 North B League Regional Baseball TBAFriday, May 24 Washington State 1B and 2B Championships EllensburgSaturday, May 25 Washington State 1B and 2B Championships Ellensburg

Saturday, April 20 at Priest River Invite 10 a.m.Thursday, April 25 at League Meet 3:30 p.m. - Hosted by St. George’s at North Central High SchoolTuesday, April 30 at League Meet 3:30 p.m. - Valley Christian Saturday, May 11 at League Qualifier TBA - Riverside Friday, May 17 at Districts TBA - Riverside Friday, May 24 Washington State Championships EWU, Cheney Saturday, May 25 Washington State Championships EWU, Cheney

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Friday, April 19 vs. Northport: 3 p.m.Tuesday, April 23 vs. St. Michaels: 2 p.m.Tuesday, April 30 at Reardan: 3 p.m.Saturday, May 4 at Curlew: Noon Saturday, May 11 North B League Districts TBASaturday, May 18 North B League Regionals TBAFriday, May 24 Washington State 1B and 2B Championships, YakimaSaturday, May 25 Washington State 1B and 2B Championships, Yakima

Not pictured: Savanah Christman, Senior - #8Abigail Christman, Freshman - #25

Meet Your rangersMeet Your rangersSELKIRK SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

Not Pictured: Patricia Story, SeniorGuyla Boyle, FreshmanRebekah Boyle, Head CoachDaneen Green, Asst. Coach

and hurdles will be an asset. The distance guys will give the team strength, and in the jumps, Axel is expecting good things from Worley and McDaniel. The team got out on the field and the track much earlier than in recent years. A shovel crew cleared two lanes in the first week of practice, and the snow melted off quickly.

WEAKNESS: The team is relatively young without too many veterans. The coaches are excited about the potential.

HEAD COACH: Rory Axel

AGE: 56

COACHING EXPERIENCE: This is Axel’s second year as head coach

of the high school team. He has been assistant coach for the high school distance runners since 1995, working under Barry Sartz and Pat Stahl. He coached the junior high track and field team for 10 years and is working to revive a junior high cross country team at Newport after first start-ing one in 1993. In California, he was an assistant coach for a high school track team. After moving to the Newport area in 1979, he coached cross country as an as-sistant for Rogers High School in Spokane. He also teaches karate in Priest River.

OCCUPATION: Social worker with the Washington State Depart-ment of Social and Health Ser-vices

ATHLETIC EXPERIENCE: Axel grew up in California where he competed in track and field and

cross country in high school and went to community college on a running scholarship. He has completed 20 marathons. He is a black belt in karate.

ASSISTANT COACHES: Mick Ratcliff will be back working with the pole vaulters. Morgan John-son replaces Bill Burnett, who retired last year from coaching the throwers. Former Newport principal Pat Stahl is joining the team this year to work with the jumpers. Newport’s head volley-ball coach, Kaprina Goodwin will join the track team as a sprints and hurdles coach. She still holds the state records for 1B high and low hurdles, long and triple jump. She set two in 2007, then two in 2008 as a senior at Northport. “I’m surrounding myself with excellent coaches. I like their en-ergy and enthusiasm this year,” Axel said.

ton has been head baseball coach at Cusick High School for five years.

OCCUPATION: Hamilton works as facilities manager for the Kalispel Tribe’s Camas Center for Community Wellness.

ATHLETIC EXPERIENCE: Hamil-ton played college baseball at

Spokane Community College, spent two years playing for the Spokane Blue Devils in AAA American Legion and played four years of baseball, basket-ball and football at Cusick High School.

CUSICK TRACK |


Saturday, April 20 at Timberlake 11 a.m. TimberlakeTuesday, April 23 vs. Timberlake 4 p.m. Priest RiverThursday, April 25 at Kettle Falls 4 p.m. Kettle FallsSaturday, April 27 vs. Bonners Ferry 11 a.m. Priest RiverTuesday, April 30 at Sandpoint 4 p.m. SandpointThursday, May 2 at Districts TBA TimberlakeTuesday, May 7 Idaho District 4 p.m. TimberlakeSaturday, May 11 Idaho District 3 p.m. GrangevilleFriday, May 17 Idaho State Tournament Buhl High SchoolSaturday, May 18 Idaho State Tournament Buhl High School

PRIEST RIVER SOFTBALLPRIEST RIVER GOLFTOP RETURNEES: Seniors catcher

Ayonna Lents, second baseman Alyssa Deal, shortstop/pitcher Kelsie Fink, and centerfielder Erika Nelson; juniors pitcher Brittany Krampert; and sopho-more outfielder and first base-man Kaylee Fink

TOP PROSPECTS: first baseman Johnna Fitzmorris, third base-man Paige Broesch, and out-fielder/shortstop Destiny Day

KEY LOSSES: centerfielder Emma Reed and Kelsey Bradbury

OVERALL PROJECTION OF TEAM’S CHANCES IN THE INTERMOUNTAIN LEAGUE: “Timberlake is still the team to beat but they don’t have the pitching they have had in the past,” coach Kruse said. “We should be able to de-throne them this year.”

STRENGTHS: “Our pitching and catching can keep us in every game. We are strong defensively up the middle with seniors Kelsie Fink and Alyssa Deal. We hit very well up and down the lineup with both power and speed,” Kruse said.

WEAKNESSES: “We don’t have a lot of experience in the outfield – no returning starters – and we have a tough road schedule this year. Very few of our games are at home,” the coach said.

COMMENTS: “Kellogg and Wal-lace combined to form a Silver Valley team. They are a little stronger but it shouldn’t cause us any difficulties,” coach Kruse said. “St. Maries is no longer in

the league, they were always very competi-tive.”

HEAD COACH: Ron Kruse

AGE: 50

COACHING EXPERIENCE: 30 years from T-ball to Pony League baseball, assistant varsity softball coach for Priest River for two years and junior varsity coach last year. This is Kruse’s first year as the varsity head coach.

OCCUPATION: 21 years in U.S. Army as Korean linguist in military intelligence. Retired as a First Sergeant. Currently, Kruse is the deputy technology direc-tor for the West Bonner County School District.

ATHLETIC EXPERIENCE: Let-tered in football, basketball and track at Priest River High School, graduating 1980. Five years as Player Coach for Defense Lan-guage Institute’s Post Softball team.

ASSISTANT COACHES: Melissa Kruse, former Priest River stand-out and college softball player. JV coach is Dan Buttrey.

SabrinaBrandt Junior #18

DestinyDay Sophomore#3

AlyssaDealSenior #22

KayleeFinkSophomore#2

KelsieFink Senior #11

JohnnaFitzmorrisJunior #10

BrittanyKrampertJunior #28

AyonnaLentz Senior #25

DarciCarterJunior #6

AngieTaylorSophomore #1

AimeeWarrenSophomore

MichaelaDreyer Junior #4

ErikaNelsonSenior #12

Ron KruseHead Coach

CUSICK BASEBALLFROM PAGE 5B

NEWPORT BASEBALLCOACHING EXPERIENCE: This is

Castro’s first year coaching high school baseball at Newport, but he has quite a bit of coach-ing experience. “I’ve probably coached 12 years,” he said. When he lived on the West side

of the state, he coached Little League and Pony League base-ball. Pony League ball involved coaching high school players from big schools.

OCCUPATION: Castro works as Public Works Director for Pend Oreille County.

ATHLETIC EXPERIENCE: Castro played baseball, football and soccer for the Sunnyside High School Grizzlies in the Yakima Valley.

ASSISTANT COACH: Travis Feldner

FROM PAGE 3B

NEWPORT TRACKFROM PAGE 2B

Piengkham suffered a back injury in a car accident last year. Coach Pope said he’s amazed he’s out there running so hard, but said he’s a hard worker.

WEAKNESSES: The team still lacks distance runners, which will hurt them point-wise in the team standings. There’s also a lack of size in the boys, Pope said.

HEAD COACH: Franklin Pope

AGE: 47

COACHING EXPERIENCE: This is Pope’s seventh year as head track coach at Cusick. He also coaches the junior high team.

Pope coached girls’ basketball for two years at Cusick. He has about 20 years of coaching ex-perience in all. He was assistant track coach, then head coach for

Taholah Junior High. He’s also coached basketball at Wellpinit High School.

OCCUPATION: Pope works for the Kalispel tribal fish hatchery.

ATHLETIC EXPERIENCE: Pope played college football at Haskell Indian Nations University in Law-rence, Kan.

ASSISTANT COACH: Trudy Fountain

FROM PAGE 5B

Not pictured: Paige Broesch, Junior #23Vivian Reynolds, Sophomore #7

JeffDuley Senior

ColtonClark Junior

EricMortensenJunior

JeremyMacDonaldSophomore

SpencerJohnsonJunior

ColtonNunleyJunior

ScottSalesky Head Coach

MarcusDouglas Junior

TOP RETURNEES: All seven golfers on Priest River’s team return this year, and have sev-eral years experience golfing, including Jeff Duley, Colton Clark, Eric Mortensen, Marcus Doug-las, Jeremy MacDonald, Spencer Johnson and Colton Nunley.

TOP PROSPECTS: All of the golfers return this year, and are expected to do well.

KEY LOSSES: None

CHANCES IN THE INTER-MOUNTAIN LEAGUE: Coach Scott Salesky expects his team to be competitive this season.

They took second at their first Intermountain League match at Kellogg. He said this is significant because at the end of the regular season, the top two teams in league go to state.

STRENGTHS: Experience

HEAD COACH: Scott Salesky

AGE: 53

COACHING EXPERIENCE: 27 years of coaching

TEACHING EXPERIENCE: Teaching for 31 years; currently teaches at Priest River Junior High

Thursday, April 18 at Timberlake NoonTuesday, April 23 at Bonners Ferry 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 30 at Timberlake 2 p.m. Thursday, May 2 vs. Kellogg 2 p.m. - Ranch ClubMonday, May 6 at Districts 10 a.m. - Highlands, Post FallsMonday, May 13 at State TBATuesday, May 14 at State TBA

Spring Sports Preview

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