Banquet Serves Up Large Talents Annual Gathering At Resort Will Honor Premier Athletes
Idaho athletes, coaches and teams will find out who is the best of the best tonight.
The annual Idaho Sports Banquet is set to honor the state’s athletic elite at 7:30 at the Coeur d’Alene Resort. A social hour precedes at 6:15.
Among the finalists for awards are several of the top area prep stars in recent history. They include: former Post Falls standout Ian Waltz - now at Washington State - a state champion last year in the shot and discus; Sandpoint’s Alli Nieman, who will play basketball and volleyball at the University of Idaho next year; and Jennifer Kerns, who helped Lake City to the A-1 state basketball title in 1994-95. She saw considerable playing time at WSU this season.
All the nominees for North Idaho female team of the year won state championships. The same goes for the coaching finalists.
In State of Idaho categories, UI’s Big Sky champion volleyball team is in the running for numerous awards, including team, coach (Tom Hilbert) and female athlete (Tzvetelina Yanchulova).
Former Vandal and current Seattle Seahawk John Friesz and Tracy Hanson, the ex-Lakeland High star who plays on the LPGA Tour, headline the list of finalists for professional athlete.
Also, the Idaho Hall of Fame will welcome four new members. They are: Earl Acuff, John Foruria, Ron Porter and Dick Stickle.
University of Idaho coach Chris Tormey will conduct a football clinic from 1:30-3:30 at the Resort. The event is open to all.
North Idaho Awards
Finalists
Female athlete: Jennifer Stone, Highland High track; Alli Nieman, Sandpoint volleyball and track; Dana Streeter, Wallace track; Jennifer Kerns, Lake City basketball; Alene Coulter, Clearwater Valley basketball.
Female team (all state champions): Clearwater Valley A-3 basketball; Sandpoint A-1 volleyball; Lake City A-1 basketball; Highland A-4 basketball; Troy A-4 volleyball.
Male athlete: Aaron Workman, Deary football; Ian Waltz, Post Falls track; Brett Lawrence, Sandpoint wrestling; Matt Elven, Nez Perce track; Jerod Cash, Highland track.
Male team: Deary football, A-4 eight-man champion; Sandpoint wrestling, A-1 champion; Lewiston golf, A-1 champion; Highland track, A-4 champion; Lapwai football, A-3 second place.
Coach: Darrah Eggers, Deary football; Dan Taylor, Sandpoint wrestling; Bobby Hazeltine, Troy volleyball and basketball; Jeff Hurst, Sandpoint volleyball; Dave Fealko, Lake City girls basketball; Dan Davis, Highland boys track; Dave Snodgrass, Clearwater Valley girls basketball.
State of Idaho awards
Team: College of Southern Idaho volleyball, junior college champion; University of Idaho volleyball, Big Sky champion; Centennial boys basketball, A-1 champion; Glenns Ferry football, A-3 champion; University of Idaho men’s track, Big Sky champion.
Female athlete: Mindy Rice, Idaho basketball, All-Big Sky; Tzvetelina Yanchulova, Idaho volleyball, Big Sky MVP; Becky Ward, Richfield High, state track and cross country champion; Picabo Street, Sun Valley, downhill ski champion.
Male athlete: Ryan Phillips, Idaho football, I-AA All-American; Ross Ferris, Glenns Ferry, all-state quarterback and state champion in track; Dan O’Brien, Moscow, world decathlon champion.
Coach: Tim Donne, Jerome High track, A-2 champion; Tom Hilbert, Idaho volleyball, Big Sky coach of the year; Rolly Williams, North Idaho College men’s basketball; Mike Keller, Idaho track, Big Sky champion.
Professional athlete: John Friesz, Idaho Vandals, Seattle Seahawks; Tracy Hanson, Lakeland High, LPGA golf; Jeff Robinson, Idaho Vandals, Denver Broncos; Doug Riesenberg, Moscow High, New York Giants; Mark Schlereth, Idaho Vandals, Denver Broncos.
, DataTimes