Mike Vlahovich

Get out the foot spray. It's Stinky Sneaker time again in close surroundings. This year's spirit basketball game between University and Central Valley is in the smaller U-Hi gymnasium, meaning that seating will be a tight squeeze and getting there early a must.

The knock on Spokane gymnastics is that the scoring is easier here than on the west side of the state, resulting in U-Hi's high state ranking. But at the Sehome All-Around Invitational, GSL performers proved a point.

Last week left North Side wrestlers in a state of shock, but did lend further evidence to the strength of the sport in Spokane. Rogers High grapplers presented first-year coach Walt Arnold with a pleasant surprise, their 37-36 upset victory over Mead in the battle for the Little Brown Jug.

U-Hi senior Kalie Cossette has won two all-round championships, two second places and one third place this season. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

Wrestling championships are at stake when the dual match season comes to an end next Thursday for Valley teams. East Valley, which last week outscored two opponents 137-12 to improve its record to 4-0 in the Frontier League, is after its sixth championship in seven years.

FROM VALLEY VOICE page V11 (Thursday, January 30, 1997): Correction The Central Valley wrestler in Saturday's Valley Voice picture was incorrectly identified. It was Reggie Oakes going against U-Hi's Andy Roberts. 1. University High School students have something to yell about after beating Central Valley in the schools' annual rivalry match. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review 2. Andy Roberts, of University, is on his way to defeating Shane Cunanan Thursday night. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

Central Valley's Courtney Brown, top, works over University's Grant Shelley on the way to a 7-1 victory at 158. Photo by Sandra Bancroft-Billings/The Spokesman-Review

West Valley's Josh Sweet has coach Joe Feist's clearance to pull the trigger as long as he works hard on defense. Sweet's shooting game is aided by the physical inside play of Vinnie Pecht, Ty Gregorak, Aaron Mortensen and Austin Gerrells. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

The West Valley girls basketball squad is made up of many of the same players, but it isn't the same team of seasons past. Most of the girls were on teams that won eight Frontier League games combined the past two years. Following wins last weekend that ran their record to 3-0 in the Frontier League and 8-2 overall, the Eagles are potentially playing Saturday in Cheney for undisputed first place.

Linsey Heebink's change of positions has changed the destiny of the team. Photo by Shawn Jacobson/The Spokesman-Review

This wasn't how it was supposed to end. In Cash Stone's final year as Mead's wrestling coach, the Panthers weren't supposed to feel the sting of defeat. At least not the way it happened. The Panthers lost three matches in a most excruciating way, in the last match of thrilling contests against Greater Spokane League title contenders.

Seven current or former Washington State University athletes, plus a Cougars team, are among the 20 finalists selected for the 48th annual Inland Northwest Sports Awards Banquet Feb. 12. Cougars football players James Darling and Scott Sanderson and basketball player Mark Hendrickson have been named Male Amateur Athlete finalists by the Inland Northwest Sportswriters and Broadcasters.

The memory had festered inside Central Valley 178-pound wrestler Joe Thiefault for a year. His 5-4 loss in the last match of the Bear-Gonzaga Prep match cost CV a piece of the Greater Spokane League championship.

Five Freeman girls basketball players have been together since the fourth grade. From left are Christina Graham, Brook Watson, Angela McCathern, Jamie Watkins and Jennifer Wilkerson. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

CV's Courtney Brown, top, works G-Prep's Donald Wieber for a 12-8 win at 158. Photo by Dan Pelle/The Spokesman-Review

East Valley's low-key approach to this year's wrestling season has paid high-profile dividends. Last year the Knights started strong but struggled near the end of the season. Inexperience haunted the young team in big meets. Not so this year.

West Valley's girls basketball team has defeated one team that has caused it grief in the past. Up next is another.

For the third time in as many Greater Spokane League wrestling matches, Mead's fate hinged on the outcome of the night's final bout. And for the third straight time, all away from home, Mead was left disappointed.

Mead senior Alisha Simchuk competes in three sports for the love of athletics. Photo by Dan McComb/The Spokesman-Review

Bauman needs funds for bone marrow procedure. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

Bill Bauman's family, his church and West Valley schools are beginning to organize fund-raising projects to offset costs not covered by insurance. The Bill Bauman Trust Fund at Washington Trust Bank will begin accepting donations this week, said WV teacher Lauretta Block, who set up the fund. She also is sending letters to area schools, seeking support from the wrestling community. West Valley athletic director Wayne McKnight said donations from the school's annual blood drive will be credited to Bauman's account. "It's not 100 percent confirmed," he said. "What we're pushing for is sometime in March." In addition, people within the WV district are going to provide meals for the family. St. Pius Catholic Church in Coeur d'Alene also is working on a fund-raiser, said Bauman's twin brother John. "I have a plan in my head" for a family-organized fund raiser, said John Bauman, "but nothing on board yet to make it happen."

CV's John Reese defeated Jon Rugan of Mead in the 115-pound match Wednesday. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

Dave Smith has led the Mountain View Lancers to 10 wrestling championships in his 13 years coaching at the school. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

The University High boys basketball team hopes continued use of the home-court is to its advantage. The Titans begin a pivotal three-game home stand on Tuesday.