Mike Vlahovich

The Greater Spokane (non)-League football game on homecoming night Friday at University versus North Central was a decidedly one-sided affair. By halftime the game was being played under the state’s 40-point mercy-rule running clock and the second-half whizzed by as the 4A Titans (3-1) dismantled the 3A Indians 56-0.

The West Valley community came out in full force Friday to officially christen Jack Spring Field in recognition of the Eagles’ former longtime baseball coach and athletic director. Spring, 81, who pitched in the major leagues and is a lifetime Spokane resident, has battled an aggressive form of Parkinson’s Disease for five years and is confined to a wheelchair. But he was there with his family to bask in the accolades and reunite with scores of former players.

It was Déjà vu during individual outcomes of the season-opening showdown between Greater Spokane League top-three cross country contenders Mt. Spokane and Central Valley. The team results ended in a split decision.

The beginning of the University-Sandpoint football game in Spokane was every coach’s nightmare. And it went on and on for Bulldogs coach Satini Puailoa and the Titans Rob Bartlett, whose team eked out a 55-48 triumph. In a bizarre 49-second span, the Idaho school recovered a fumbled kickoff and on the first play from the line of scrimmage, gave it right back. Mason Tate picked up the football on a bounce and legged it 80 yards for the score. Only 20 seconds ran off the clock.

Judy Kight’s numbers speak for themselves, a reason why the former Mead volleyball coach is the recipient of an Inland Northwest Sportswriters and Broadcasters Dick Wright Certificate of Excellence. Kight, plus three SWABS 25-Year Award winners – Shadle Park baseball coach Ron Brooks, North Central coach and longtime basketball official Chuck Filippini and Central Valley middle school wrestling advocate John Moore – were recognized by SWX television Saturday during the State 2B and 1B basketball tournaments.

A year ago, North Idaho College’s Jeremy Golding was a semifinalist during the NJCAA national wrestling championships and fifth-place All-American. Expectations were high for the Mead graduate who had been ranked No. 1 this year. The week before this weekend’s tournament, though, Golding dislocated his left elbow, and while attempting to compete in Friday’s first session at the Spokane Convention Center, it wasn’t in the cards.

Coaches consider the eastern Washington 2A wrestling regional more an extension of state than simply the state qualifier. After they got done carving each other up Saturday afternoon at West Valley it was hard to argue. Saturday at West Valley, state veterans and placers were left home. Wrestlers turned tables on their nemeses. Attrition jeopardized team state title aspirations as CWAC and Great Northern League schools divided evenly the 56 state berths, each with 14 finalists and seven champions.

Chris Jordan’s near-operatic rendition of the National Anthem brought appreciative cheers from the crowd anticipating the Battle of the Bone. But the sweetest sound was the roar following the Titan senior’s stunning pin at 220 pounds that broke a 21-21 tie and propelled University (8-0) to the Greater Spokane League title with a 39-21 victory over rival Central Valley (6-2).

The Greater Spokane League wrestling match Wednesday with Mt. Spokane hosting Central Valley lent new meaning to the move Fireman’s Carry. Midway through the contest a fire alarm went off, precipitating a brief delay with CV leading 28-0.

Despite having a loss on its wrestling record, Central Valley showed the wisdom of coaches favoring it to win the Greater Spokane League. CV had its Bears in a row, dismantling visiting Mead on Thursday night 49-18, pinning five and winning four of its other five victories by major decision.

A shock wave rumbled through the Mead gymnasium in the form of diminutive University 132-pounder Brandon Clark. Wrestling first in the first-place showdown between the Greater Spokane League unbeaten wrestling teams Wednesday, his throw came out of nowhere for a pin midway through the first period, setting the tone for the Titans’ surprisingly easy 28-20 triumph.

For a building year, University has fared well in wrestling tournaments this winter. Saturday afternoon at U-Hi, the team won its first at home in the Pacific Northwest Classic. The Titans have just 10 seniors on their roster, but proved ungracious hosts by piling up 215 points to beat Coeur d’Alene by 64. They had three champions among four finalists and placed a total of 15, including some on a second, junior varsity squad.

Mt. Spokane was bushwhacked early by University in a Thursday night wrestling match between Greater Spokane League unbeatens. The Wildcats rallied the troops at the home fort, but their frantic finish fell short, 37-32, and denied coach Travis Hughes his first victory over the Titans.

It was a landmark weekend for Post Falls wrestlers during the Inland Empire Tournament at Central Valley High. The Trojans, second in the tournament (and at state) the previous two years, rode titles by three defending Idaho 5A state champions to win the tourney with 246 points, 45 more than runner-up Moses Lake.

The Freeman Scotties and their two-headed running back tandem of Max Laib and Marcus Goldbach ran roughshod over the Northeast A League. Who’d have thought it would be the same against a one-loss team during the first round of the State 1A playoffs? Saturday afternoon at Gonzaga Prep, Freeman dismantled River View 55-19.

Central Valley boys and girls cross country teams left no doubt who would be the region’s 4A team champions, running roughshod over its opposition. North Central’s boys, however sweated out their regional title, won by the barest of margins over Kamiakin on Saturday at Wandermere Golf Course. The defending state-champion Bears boys put six runners among the first 13 finishers during a 34-97 romp over Richland. The girls five scorers were bunched just 35 seconds apart between fifth and 14th places during its 48-68 victory over Walla Walla.