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

Whitworth not picked for NCAA playoffs but 15 players honored

Whitworth quarterback Ian Kolste, the 2017 Northwest Conference Offensive Player of the Year, runs upfield for yardage against Linfield during a 2016 game in Spokane. (Tyler Tjomsland / The Spokesman-Review)

The Whitworth football team did not receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III tournament, but the record-setting Pirates did have 15 players recognized by the Northwest Conference.

Whitworth (8-2, 6-1 NWC) had quarterback Ian Kolste, who set a series of personal records, and running back Duke DeGaetano, who rushed for1,001 yards and a record 21 touchdowns, on the conference’s first team.

Also named to the first-team offense were receiver Garrett McKay (72 catches, 1,024 yards, 8 TDs) and left tackle Tyler Adamson.

In addition, senior kick returner Jordan Pride (29.4 yard avg., 1 TD) was named to the first team. On defense, defensive end Daniel Portillo (68 tackles, 13 for loss, 6 sacks) was named to the first team for the second year in a row.

Placed on the second team were receivers Nick Kiourkas (Shadle Park) and Kevin Thomas (Gonzaga Prep); offensive lineman Trevor Woodall (Coeur d’Alene); linebackers Dalin McDonnell, Patch Kulp and Luke Peterson; cornerback Taylor Roelofs; and kicker Rehn Reiley (Moses Lake).

Offensive lineman Michael Cruciotti was named honorable mention.

Kolste completed 71.9 percent of his passes for 3,790 yards and 29 touchdowns in 10 games and broke or tied eight personal records.

His leadership also helped the offense break records for total points (459); scoring average (45.9); passing yards (3,944); total yards (5,262); and yards per game (526.2).

Volleyball

Washington State Cougars middle blocker Taylor Mims was named the Pac-12 Conference’s defensive player of the week.

Mims had 17 blocks and 17 kills to help the Cougs defeat Arizona State and No. 25 Arizona last week in Pullman.

Football

Eastern Washington senior wide receiver Cooper Kupp was named the Big Sky Conference special teams player of the week after running a punt back 76 yards for a touchdown in the Eagles’ win over Idaho State.

It was Kupp’s third career punt-return TD – tying a school record.

Cross country

Sarah Reiter will represent Eastern Washington’s cross country team at the NCAA Division I Championships in Terre Haute, Indiana, on Saturday.

Reiter, a senior, finished 46th at last year’s race. The top 40 placers earn All-America status.

The Washington State men’s team received an at-large berth to nationals.