Sports Awards Banquet 1995 Finalists
PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Chad Little - The Spokane native was second on NASCAR Busch Grand National Circuit last year, including a circuit-high six victories. He was voted the circuit’s most popular driver and won Series-record $529,056.
Dan O’Brien - University of Idaho product remained the world’s No. 1 decathlete after defending his U.S. Mobil title and World title, the latter with 8,695 points.
John Stockton - Spokane native and Utah Jazz point guard broke the NBA career assists record, his 12.3 average leading league for record-tying eighth straight year. Stockton also averaged 14.7 points and 2.4 steals per game.
Kirk Triplett - Pullman product had even better year on PGA golf tour, finishing among top 30 money winners again and qualifying for Tour Championship. His winnings approached $650,000.
AMATEUR MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Darin Blood - The Gonzaga University senior had a 13-3 win-loss record and set a league record with 10.97 strikeouts per game. He had 145 in 119 innings and a 2.57 ERA for Bulldogs. He also was 7-3 with 2.27 ERA and 84 Ks in 83-1/3 innings with Bellingham in Northwest League.
Mark Hendrickson - A WSU junior, Hendrickson finished among the team’s scoring and rebounding leaders with 16.1 points and nine rebounds per game for a team that reached the NIT semifinals.
Ryan Phillips - The Idaho Vandals defensive end was named Big Sky defensive player of the year following a season with 60 tackles, including 24 for losses, and 11 sacks. Phillips was named AP Division I-AA third-team All-American.
John Rillie - Gonzaga University guard was named most valuable player of WCC tournament with record 96 points in three games, sending Bulldogs into NCAA tournament for the first time in 37 years.
AMATEUR FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Stacy Clinesmith - Mead High junior was the GSL co-most valuable player and leading scorer for Mead’s state-placing basketball team. She she was named tourney MVP at state. Also was league MVP in soccer and leading scorer with 24 goals for third-place state-finishing team.
Sarah Schwald - Now running for Arkansas, this former Rogers High athlete and state champion won the NCAA indoor women’s 3,000-meter championship in 9:19.9 was ranked first nationally outdoors at 9:06.3 and fourth in the 1,500. Her 4:17.37 time narrowly missed the finals at the USA Mobil National Championships. She finished second in the event at the U.S. Olympic Festival.
Sarah Silvernail - WSU athlete was named second-team American Volleyball Coaches All-America, only the second Cougar so honored. Silvernail led the NCAA qualifying team with Pac-10-high 483 kills and 4.69 kills per game average. She was also second in kill percentage and blocks per game, and named to the All-Pac-10 and All-District 8 teams.
Jennifer Stinson - Davenport athlete completed her career as the all-time scoring leader in Washington state prep basketball history with 2,875 points. She was named basketball player of year by the Tacoma News Tribune and later selected to the All-Pac 10 freshman team as a WSU volleyball player.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Dan Fitzgerald - Fitzgerald has coached Gonzaga University to a 218-148 record during his tenure and last year guided the Bulldogs to an upset WCC tournament championship that earned them a spot in the NCAA tournament. The team finished with a 21-9 record, its third 20-win season in four years, giving Fitzgerald more than 80 wins during that time.
Cindy Fredrick - For the fifth straight year, WSU’s volleyball coach of seven seasons guided her Cougars into postseason play. Fredrick was named Pacific 10 and District 8 coach of the year as WSU finished 22-7 this season and was ranked much of the year among the nation’s top 10 to qualify for its third NCAA tournament.
Skip Pauls - Davenport Gorillas football coach guided his team to a 12-1 record en route to its first state title and highest finish, better than B-8 semifinal appearance 20 years ago. In 15 years of coaching, the last 12 at Davenport, his teams have compiled an 83-46 record.
Pat Tyson - The longtime successful Mead cross country coach won State AAA track title in his first year as head coach of the Panthers team. Last fall, he guided an inexperienced cross country squad to a GSL championship and, after loss in regionals, to its eighth straight state title.
TEAM OF THE YEAR
Davenport High football - The Gorillas compiled a 12-1 record, fulfilling preseason predictions by winning the State B-11 football championship 24-21 over previously unbeaten Tacoma Baptist. The team trailed 21-9 in the fourth quarter of title game.
Gonzaga University basketball - Bulldogs were the surprise winner of the WCC tournament championship after placing fourth in league. It led to school’s first NCAA tournament appearance in 37 years. Bulldogs were 21-9 for their third 20-win season in four years.
Mead boys track/cross country - Teams captured State AAA track championship last spring and in the fall were winners of State AAA cross country title for eighth straight time.
Washington State volleyball - Cougars qualified for fifth straight postseason tournament with 22-6 record, losing in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The Cougars were ranked in the top 10 nationally for much of the season and finished second in the Pacific-10 conference this year.
, DataTimes MEMO: See related story under the headline: Award finalists’ fetes transcended Northwest