Fast Break

Inside

Whitworth men reload again

The Whitworth men’s basketball team has finished first or second in the Northwest Conference six of the seven years that Jim Hayford has been the head coach.

There are plenty of reasons to believe the Pirates will battle for a top spot again, with help from senior point guard Ross Nakamura (above).

Check out staff writer Jim Meehan’s preview of the Whitworth basketball team, along with the Pirates’ roster and schedule, on page C3.

Rodeo

Cheney’s Gray wins CRC title

Ryan Gray of Cheney captured the bareback riding championship as the Columbia River Circuit finals finished up last weekend in Redmond, Ore.

Gray won just enough money to hold off former world champion Bobby Mote, who tied for the average lead at the three-day rodeo. Gray, headed for his fourth National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, finished with $26,321 in circuit winnings to Mote’s $22,655.

Two other NFR-bound cowboys, bull rider Zack Oakes of Elk and calf roper Tyson Durfey of Colbert, finished second on the circuit.

College football

Locker on panel to find UW coach

University of Washington president Mark Emmert announced Wednesday the formation of an advisory committee to help in the search for a new head coach.

The committee will be chaired by Pat Dobel, a professor in public affairs and Washington’s faculty athletic representative to the Pac-10 Conference. Among the committee members is quarterback Jake Locker.

The school said the committee will help define the desired qualities and characteristics for the next coach. It is expected to provide its recommendations by the first week of December to Emmert and athletic director Scott Woodward.

Cross country

Whitworth pair earn top honors

Whitworth University coach Toby Schwarz and sophomore Nick Gallagher are two of the 16 recipients of the 2008 NCAA Division III Men’s Cross Country Coaches and Athletes of the Year, as presented by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

Gallagher won the first regional title in Whitworth history while leading the Pirates to the team championship at the NCAA West Region meet in Salem, Ore., last Saturday.

Schwarz guided the 24th-ranked Pirates to their first regional title and team berth in the NCAA men’s championships. This is Schwarz’s 11th season as Whitworth’s coach. The championships are Saturday in Hanover, Ind.