Media Selects Finalists For Local Junior Awards

Finalists for the Spokane-area 1995 Junior Awards were announced Saturday by the Inland Northwest Sportswriters and Broadcasters.

The 20 athletes, 10 teams and five coaches will be honored Wednesday, Feb. 7 at the Greater Spokane Sports Association Junior Awards Luncheon at the Ag Trade Center.

There is no public sale of tickets. Hundreds of high school athletes from throughout the area attend the event. It is underwritten by local sponsors and the athletes attend at reduced costs.

SWABS president Dick Wright said the finalists are selected by a committee of media members that compiles information all year.

Bud Nameck, Washington State University basketball broadcaster, will serve as master of ceremonies.

Junior female athlete of the year

Allison Beatty, Mead H.S. - Had a national best 152-7 javelin throw to win State AAA title and also was member of Panther state placing basketball and soccer teams.

Stacy Clinesmith, Mead H.S. - Leading scorer for Mead’s state placing basketball team, league co-MVP and state tournament MVP. She was also leading scorer (24 goals) and MVP for second straight year on third-place state finishing soccer team which lost twice in three years.

Melissa Dodge, Lake City H.S. - Second-year all-state basketball player for teams that won back-to-back Idaho state titles. Dodge averaged 15.6 points and 10 rebounds per game.

Jennifer Kerns, Lake City H.S. - Named Idaho A-1 player of year in basketball. She was two-time all-state player for two-time state championship hoop teams, averaging 14.3 points and 5.1 assists per game last year.

Hayden Kristianson, Chewelah H.S. - Averaged 14 points per game in basketball last winter, then in spring won the State A 400 and 800 meter runs in 58.05 and 2:18.92. This fall she was district champion and state placer in cross country.

Jessica Martin, Wilbur-Creston H.S. - Leading scorer for state-placing basketball team and all-tournament performer, and leading hitter for two-time state champions in volleyball.

Mariah McConnaughy, Ferris H.S. - Standout soccer player who scored six goals for playoff team this fall after winning state 1,600 meter track championship in 5:04.28.

Jana Nearing, Bonners Ferry H.S. - All-star basketball performer for state runner-up team, averaged 17.4 points per game average, 11.8 rebounds and 4.4 steals per game.

Alli Nieman, Sandpoint H.S. - Leading scorer on basketball team with 22.9 average and 10 rebounds per game. This fall led Bulldogs to second straight volleyball championship averaging 10.5 kills per game in tourney.

Jennifer Stinson, Davenport H.S. - Completed her career as the all-time scoring leader in Washington state history with 2,875 points. She was named basketball Player of the Year by Tacoma News Tribune.

Junior male athlete of the year

Micah Davis, Mead H.S. - Captured State AAA 3,200 meter championship in 8:58.35 a day after finishing second behind teammate Skiy DeTray in the 1,600 with a 4:09.15 time.

Skiy DeTray, Mead H.S. - Won the State AAA 1,600-meter championship in 4:08.51 and a day later finished second behind teammate in near dead-heat, timing 8:58.36 for 3,200.

Joe Deutsch, Medical Lake H.S. - All-state and All-Spokane Metro basketball player averaged 16.8 points and 14.4 rebounds per game for State A runner-up Cardinals.

Ryan Floyd, Sprague-Harrington H.S. - All-State and All-Spokane Metro star averaged 19.8 points per game for league champions and state placers.

Isaac Hawkins, Ferris H.S. - Won State AAA cross country championship in the fall and backed that up a month later with Foot Locker regional title in Fresno, Calif.

Brett Lawrence, Sandpoint H.S. - Won his third straight state championship to help team to second straight title.

Austin Lee, Post Falls H.S. - The 6-5, 240-pound tight end and defensive lineman was standout for league champion and state playoff football team.

Dusty Roberts, University H.S. - Completed four-year career with an undefeated season to win second State AAA wrestling championship in three years. He was third at state as a junior.

Giorgio Usai, Central Valley H.S. - All-State player was the state’s leading AAA rusher with 1,575 yards and set a GSL single-season scoring record with 22 touchdowns, including a record six in one game, and 134 total points.

Ian Waltz, Post Falls H.S. - Won state shot put with 62-1 throw and set state record by 15 feet with nation’s best 203-9 discus throw.

Junior female team of the year

Colfax H.S. volleyball - Northeast A League champions and district runners-up went on to win school’s second State A volleyball championship.

Lake City H.S. basketball - Timberwolves won their first state championship as new school (and second straight for girls who played at Coeur d’Alene the year previously) with 24-1 record.

North Central H.S. volleyball - Fourth in league and district, the Indians qualified for state with a second-place regional finish, then swept to their first State AAA championship.

Sandpoint H.S. volleyball - Bulldogs went 27-1 and won their second straight state title while making fourth straight finals appearance.

Wilbur-Creston H.S. volleyball - Completed an unbeaten 32-0 season while winning State B championship for second straight year.

Junior male team of the year

Chewelah H.S. cross country - Dominant Northeast A school completed an unbeaten season in its classification with State A championship.

Davenport H.S. football - Gorillas completed 12-1 season by winning first boys State B-11 championship 24-21 over previously unbeaten Tacoma Baptist.

Mead H.S. cross country - Despite a new and young lineup, the league champions and regional runners-up maintained tradition with their eighth straight State AAA title.

Mead H.S. track and field - Panthers won state title for second year in a row, scoring 36 of 60 points in the distances and the rest in five other events.

Sandpoint H.S. wrestling - The Bulldogs won their second straight state championship in convincing fashion.

Junior coach

Linda Bushinski, North Central H.S. volleyball - Former Rogers and Gonzaga University athlete guided Indians to upset state title.

Sue Doering, Colfax H.S. volleyball - Coached Bulldogs to her second state volleyball championship at the school. Doering also had a title while at Deer Park.

Dave Fealko, Lake City H.S. girls basketball - Former coach at Coeur d’Alene High, moved to new school and won second basketball title in row as Timberwolves compiled a 24-1 record and retired following season. Two-year total for champions at Couer d’Alene, then Lake City was 49-1.

Skip Pauls, Davenport H.S. football - Longtime teacher and coach guided the Gorillas to 12-1 season and school’s first State B-11 boys championship.

Pat Tyson, Mead H.S. track, cross country - Coached both teams to league and state championships, his eighth straight AAA cross country championship in fall.

, DataTimes