Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Sports in brief: CdA’s Gomez earns top honor

Coeur d’Alene junior long-distance standout Kinsey Gomez has been named the 2009-10 Gatorade Idaho Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year.

Gomez captured her second 5A state championship in October, winning by 33 seconds (18 minutes, 8.41 seconds). Gomez surprised the field as a freshman when she won a state title. She finished second as a sophomore.

The award recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character. Gomez now is a finalist for the Gatorade National Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year award to be announced later this month.

Gomez was named the ESPN RISE West Athlete of the Week for Nov. 5. She took 11th at the Foot Locker West Regional championships (18:39), narrowly missing qualifying for the national championships.

She has maintained a 4.18 grade-point average while enrolled in a full schedule of advanced honors classes.

“Kinsey’s passion and dedication to the sport is unmatched,” CdA cross country coach Cathy Compton said.

Tokarski gets call from NHL

Hockey: Former Spokane Chief goaltender Dustin Tokarski has been recalled by the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League.

Tokarski is in his first professional season after finishing a three-year junior career last season with the Chiefs. He has played in 25 games with the Norfolk Admirals. The rookie has a 2.68 goals-against average, a .911 save percentage and a 12-13-0 record.

The 20-year-old was selected by the Lightning in the fifth round, 122nd overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Hatch wants BSU at White House

College football: Sen. Orrin Hatch is urging President Barack Obama to invite Boise State University to the White House along with Bowl Championship Series winner Alabama, arguing both undefeated football teams deserve the honor.

The Utah Republican made the request in a letter to Obama Thursday.

Last fall, the senator urged Obama to ask the Justice Department to investigate whether the BCS violated antitrust laws. He has yet to receive a response.

Associated Press

Check it out on SportsLink

Colleges: Washington State wide receiver Kevin Norrell, who was slated to come off a season-long suspension this week, has decided to leave school, citing family concerns. For more on Norrell’s decision along with Thursday night’s WSU basketball game, check SportsLink at spokesman.com