Award Finalists’ Fetes Transcended Northwest

Inland Northwest athletes continued to make national and international news through their performances last year.

Four are among the finalists for Greater Spokane Sports Association and area sportswriters and broadcasters honors to be announced at the 48th Sports Awards Banquet Feb. 7.

Professional athlete finalists include Chad Little, second on the NASCAR Busch Grand National Circuit; Dan O’Brien, who remains the world’s premier decathlete; John Stockton, who established an all-time NBA basketball assist record; and PGA golfer Kirk Triplett, who qualified for the Tour Championship.

Two Gonzaga University athletes, record-setting pitcher Darin Blood and basketball player John Rillie are among amateur male finalists. They are joined by Washington State University basketball player Mark Hendrickson and Idaho All-American football player Ryan Phillips.

Three area high school products, Mead basketball and soccer player Stacy Clinesmith, former Rogers runner and Arkansas All-American Sarah Schwald and ex-Davenport three-sport athlete and current WSU volleyball player Jennifer Stinson are joined by Stinson’s Cougar teammate Sarah Silvernail as Amateur Female athlete finalists.

Team and coach of the year finalists have common ties: Davenport High football state champions and its coach Skip Pauls; Gonzaga University’s NCAA basketball qualifier and coach Dan Fitzgerald; WSU’s NCAA volleyball entrant and coach Cindy Fredrick and Mead track/cross country team and its coach Pat Tyson all are among the final four.

, DataTimes MEMO: See related story under the headline: Sports Awards Banquet 1995 finalists