McKay honored by Big Sky

RUNNING: Kari McKay, an All-America distance runner for the Eagles in the early 1990s, has been selected as one of the 25 greatest female athletes in Big Sky Conference history. She was named No. 20 by the league on Thursday.

McKay made three appearances in the NCAA Championships in the early 1990s – two in cross country and one in track. She earned All-America honors in the 10,000 meters on the track as a senior in 1992 when she placed fourth at the championships with a time of 34 minutes, 56.38 seconds.

The Almira High School graduate broke five school records at Eastern and won the 1998 Portland Marathon. For six straight years she was the top local finisher at Bloomsday.

AP: Kentucky No. 1, Zags No. 15

College Basketball: Kentucky and its roster full of high school All-Americans is the narrow choice over Michigan State in The Associated Press preseason poll.

The Wildcats, who finished last season with an NIT opening-round loss at Robert Morris, received 27 first-place votes and 1,546 points from the 65-member national media panel.

The Spartans, who return four starters from the team that lost to Duke in the NCAA tournament’s round of 16, snared 22 first-place votes and 1,543 points.

Defending national champion Louisville received 14 first-place votes and was third. Gonzaga was picked at 15.

• For full poll, see Scoreboard /B6

Associated Press