Fast Break
Cross country
Tyson ‘hovers’ in Spokane
Pat Tyson has been a spectator this fall at Greater Spokane League cross country meets.
The successful high school distance coach, who left Mead to coach cross country at the University of Kentucky in 2006, is back home.
“My hovering zone is in Spokane,” said Tyson, who last year broke metatarsal bones in both feet when hit by a car while crossing a street.
He subsequently chose to leave Kentucky.
“I decided to resign,” said Tyson, 57, while watching Mead, Mt. Spokane and Gonzaga Prep race on Wednesday. “It was a rough go. The kids were great, but when you’re not in charge … maybe I’m too old or too set in my ways.”
He said he was hoping for a position with Nike that didn’t materialize and could have filled a vacancy at Southern Oregon, but decided to weigh his options.
“I’m going to be more patient,” he said. “Something very, very good will happen.”
College athletics
Beware of the bronze Bulldog
Gonzaga University will unveil a 5-foot high bronze sculpture of a bulldog at the north entrance to the McCarthey Athletic Center on Oct. 6 at 11:30 a.m.
The sculpture, created by Spokane artist Vincent De Felice, was commissioned by the Class of 2006 as a gift to the university. The bulldog, according to a GU press release, will appear as if it broke its chain and is ready to protect its turf.
Hence the artwork’s title: “This is Our House.”
The university asks those who plan to attend the dedication to contact the university by Wednesday at 323-5970 or e-mail eventrsvp@gonzaga.edu.
College football
Wofford’s upset has local ties
There was a local connection in Wofford College’s upset win over Appalachian State, the top-ranked team in the Football Championship Subdivision that pulled off the upset of the year during the first week of the season at Michigan.
Former Lake City quarterback Ben Widmyer, a junior at Wofford, scored on a 7-yard touchdown while splitting quarterback duties. He rushed for 24 yards on six attempts and completed 2 of 3 passes for 21 yards.