Fast Break

Figure Skating

Cohen registers for Spokane

Olympic silver medalist Sasha Cohen is planning to compete this season, although on a limited basis.

Cohen, world champion Kimmie Meissner, Johnny Weir and Evan Lysacek are among 11 Olympians who registered to compete at the 2007 national championships, U.S. Figure Skating said Thursday. They automatically get byes into the competition, which is Jan. 21-28 in Spokane.

Registration indicates a skater plans to compete, but it isn’t a guarantee. Skaters had to register for nationals by Sept. 1.

Cohen, the defending U.S. champion, has already said she plans to keep skating through the 2010 Games in Vancouver, British Columbia. But she is skipping the Grand Prix series, and was undecided about nationals and the world championships the last time she spoke with her coach, John Nicks.

“I told her two things. A year away from competitive skating might be good to recharge physically,” said Nicks, who spoke with Cohen last week. “But I also said the history of people taking a year off and coming back isn’t that strong.”

Also registered for nationals are Olympic ice dance silver medalists Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto; Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov (ice dance); and Rena Inoue and John Baldwin (pairs).

College football

Cashing in

Big Sky Conference teams are playing a total of 13 I-A opponents on the road this season for the challenge and experience but mostly for the money. Here are some of the paydays:

Eastern Washington

Oregon State…$300,000

West Virginia…$450,000

Montana

Iowa…$650,000

Montana State

Colorado…$275,000

Northern Arizona

Arizona State…$390,000

Utah…$240,000

Portland State

New Mexico…$200,000

California…$350,000

Oregon…$450,000

Blogwatch

When it’s OK to change schools

Student-athletes transferring between high schools is a hot-button topic in the area. Online sportswriter Vince Grippi offers his take on his blog SportsLink.