Lesnik Nearly Too Fast For Own Good

Mike Lesnik was faster than a speeding … ah, better make that speed-limit-adhering timer during Sunday’s eighth annual Spokane River Canoe Classic.

Lesnik, from Helena, who has competed in major canoe and kayak races, was the overall winner in the marathon portion.

But he almost didn’t find out how fast he covered the 12-mile course from Corbin Park in Post Falls to Plantes Ferry Park in the Valley.

After all the boats had set out, the timers dutifully climbed in their vehicles and started the drive to the destination points - Harvard Road Bridge for the citizen racers, and Plants Ferry.

“We figured it would take them an hour (and) 40 minutes, an hour 50,” said Cory Auverson-Brewer, codirector of the race. “We’re driving along the river on the freeway, and there’s Mike Lesnik ahead of us. He was booking. We barely got there in time.”

Time enough, however, to get the watch on him in 1 hour, 28 minutes, 4 seconds. Race veterans Jim and Nick Bauer of Spokane were second in 1:30:28, the first tandem crew to finish the marathon.

Five others made it less than 1:50.

There was only one craft in the relay portion - three generations of the Castleberry family. Vic Castleberry of Spokane was joined by his son, Jim, from Seattle, and granddaughter, Mary Signor, of Spokane. They timed 1:56:08.

In the 7-mile citizen’s race, Mike Sorenson and Colin Hedges of East Wenatchee were first, in 57:38. Close behind were Don Underhill of Warden, Wash., and Jeff Michael of Moses Lake (57:50).

First individual woman was Jeanne Lesnik of Helena in 1 hour. Darrell Libby of Spokane was the first individual man in 1:10:19.

The event drew 91 racers in 54 boats involving 33 classes.

Bicycling

The 16th annual Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic this weekend is expected to draw 10,000 riders. Seven of them are members of a unique team.

What sets Team Spare Parts apart from the other endurance riders is that most of its members have received life-saving organ transplants. One of its members is John Madison of Spokane, a kidney recipient.

Race sponsor STP “gives us the opportunity to dramatically demonstrate that transplant recipients can and do return to very active, athletic lives,” Madison said through the National Kidney Foundation of Washington.

At the same time, he added, “we hope our participation generates increased public awareness about the tremendous success of transplant surgeries, and calls attention to the critical need for more organ donation in this country.”

Riders leave the Kingdome in Seattle on Saturday morning and are expected to arrive at Portland State University Sunday afternoon.

Bowling

Nicole Long of Columbia, Mo., has become the youngest girl to bowl a 300 game, according to “Bowling NewsLine.” Long, 12 years, 5 months old, was 6 months younger than the previous record holder when she accomplished the feat May 27 in St. Louis. She’s a right-hander.

Incidentally, the bowling newsletter points out that prior to 1895, the maximum bowling score was 200. Bowling was known as a 20-ball game, meaning 20 shots were taken. In a 15-hour meeting Sept. 9, 1895, the scoring system that exists today was adopted.