St. Maries Picks Gilkey, Bitterman

St. Maries High has promoted from within to fill its vacant girls and boys basketball coaching jobs.

Todd Gilkey will move up from assistant to head coach of the girls program. Gilkey, a University of Idaho graduate who has been at St. Maries three years, also is the head softball coach and JV volleyball coach. He was the lone applicant.

“Todd has put in his time and he has good rapport with the kids and the parents,” St. Maries principal Jerry Bayley said.

Todd Bitterman is the new boys coach after being the Lumberjacks’ JV coach last season. Bitterman is a Libby (Mont.) High and Whitworth College graduate.

Bitterman was selected over Craig Wicks, who was hired as an assistant for basketball and football. Wicks previously was head football and basketball coach at Salmon River High in Riggins, Idaho.

“Last year he (Bitterman) had a very good record with the JV, even with a couple of top JV (players) already were up on varsity,” Bayley said.

Gilkey replaces Jim Asher, who reportedly is exploring other teaching/coaching opportunities. Chris Herr, the C team coach last year, will be Gilkey’s assistant.

Bitterman succeeds Gary Krumheuer, who will remain at St. Maries and coach the track and field program.

Clark wins marathon

Coeur d’Alene Marathon champion Jennifer Clark won the Calgary (Alberta) Miracle Marathon on Sunday. The Coeur d’Alene resident timed 2 hours, 56 minutes and 9 seconds.

Two locals selected for BCI

Post Falls High’s Heidi Umthun and Lake City’s Lindsey Herbert have been selected to play for the Idaho BCI girls’ basketball team.

Umthun and Herbert played for the North team at the recent state BCI tourney. The North went 2-4.

The Idaho BCI team will compete at nationals July 20-22 in Lubbock, Texas.

Youth triathlon

The Coeur d’Alene Youth Triathlon will be Aug. 12, at 8 a.m. Competitors ages 7-9 will swim 100 yards, bike four miles and run half a mile. Those 10-14 will swim 200 yards, bike six miles and run 1.5 miles.

The race will start at Sta-Fit in Coeur d’Alene and the finish line is at Sherman Avenue and Lake Coeur d’Alene Drive.

Entry forms, which can be picked up at CdA and Spokane Sta-Fits and at area bike shops, must be postmarked by Aug. 3. Fee is $5.

Info: Contact Cynthia Taggart (208) 765-7128 days or 667-3046 evenings, or the triathlon office at 667-3589.

, DataTimes