Mike Vlahovich

The Don Van Lierop coaching saga continues as supporters carry on a campaign to salvage his Ferris High basketball job and seek answers for the non- renewal of his contract. Van Lierop learned by letter in mid-May that the coaching position would be opened. During three years as Saxon head coach, he compiled a 52-21 record, qualified for three straight eastern regional tournaments, finished second in state in 2002 and this year won the District 8 4A title with a young team.

Ferris track sprinter Robert Davis, for undisclosed personal reasons, will apparently not compete in the State 4A track championships this weekend. The decision was confirmed by Saxons activities coordinator Ken Russell.

Hiring from within, West Valley High has a new football coach. Craig Whitney, a first-time head coach, but with substantial football background, was named to replace Tim Trout. Trout resigned to become vice principal for activities at Shadle Park.

Members of West Valley's baseball team have been no strangers to success, back to their days of youth ball. Finally, as high schoolers, the Eagles have cracked the field of 16 for the State 3A baseball playoffs.

Some 30 people, including current and former Ferris players and their parents, braved the rain at Ben Burr Park Thursday night for a rally in support of ousted Saxons boys basketball coach Don Van Lierop. No reasons were given when Spokane School District 81 announced its decision by a letter to not renew his coaching contract after three years at the helm.

As if Shantel Haugen's junior year weren't disheartening enough, another setback popped up. The North Central junior athletic standout had already lost most of her entire junior basketball season to an anterior cruciate ligament tear sustained last summer.

Despite mid-season setbacks, Central Valley's young softball team produced a happy ending. On Friday, the Bears will play in the 4A regional softball tournament at Franklin Park for the first time since 2004, joining tourney perennial University in the quest for two of four state berths.

The first day of District 8 track and field was as conspicuous for who was not in an event as much as for who was. Laef Barnes, the state's leading 800 and 1,600 meter runner stood on the University High track, armpits leaning on crutches, his season ended.

Janessa Roche calls it the biggest thing to happen to her since playing in a regional tournament in Alaska as a youngster on the Sandpoint All Stars softball team. June 12, in an exhibition doubleheader at Franklin Park Softball Complex, Roche gets her chance to play against the United States Women's Olympic softball team.

The 11th annual Jack Blair Memorial Girls All Star Basketball Classic will feature rosters top heavy with Washington players. Of the 24 players who will make up the talented Metro and Region rosters of the annual game, Wednesday, June 2 at University High, only four this year are from Idaho.

Frontier girls track Long-time Frontier League girls track powers East Valley and West Valley have taken hits to their rosters this year for varying reasons. Graduation, accidents, injuries and decisions not to return have cut into the strength and depth of both teams. "Right now we're not the same team we were at the end of last season," said Knight coach Glenn Gunderson. "We graduated only one senior, but lost a lot of kids, which kind of hurts us a bit."

The invitational track season comes to full flower this weekend. Most bigger schools compete in Ferris's Big Red Invitational this morning while Valley Christian School hosts its annual smaller school Icebreaker Invitational at Central Valley High School. Twenty-five schools will be represented, said Panther coach Linda Lanker, including her school and Freeman. Greater Spokane League track began Thursday in typical frigid fashion and both CV and University boys and girls teams won easily.

Ah, spring! A time for track, rain and hail as these folks at a joint Valley meet found out this week. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

GSL boy's track The new experiment begins today when Greater Spokane League track teams open the season. Competition is nearly three weeks sooner than before, now that the league has split into a divisional setup. At the end of the year the top two teams in each division meet for the league championship. Third-place teams, fourth-place teams and fifth-place teams will compete for the final league standings.

GSL boys A new Greater Spokane League track format means that district rivals Central Valley and University will not meet until the end of the season, if at all. The GSL has split into divisions and begins dual meet competition today, nearly three weeks earlier than in past years. The Titans are in Division A along with Rogers, Ferris, Shadle Park and Gonzaga Prep.

Mead High School state cross country runners Kelley Mattingly, Annie McCabe, Sarah Bohman and Rachae Probst practice in the rain. Photo by Kristy MacDonald/The Spokesman-Review

Mark Arland played alongside Kevin Stocker 10 years ago at Central Valley. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

GSL girls Sprint strength will once again make Central Valley a contender in Greater Spokane League girls track. The extent of University's challenge will in part be determined by its ability to find sprinters.

John Rees - athlete, teacher and coach - gives inspirational talks to students. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

West Valley's Rachaiah Boxley takes a cut at the ball during practice. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review