Kerwick Boxes Way Into Semis

Spokane’s Mahlon Kerwick advanced to the semifinals of the U.S. boxing championships in Colorado Springs, Colo., with a 22-12 decision over Julio Diaz at 132 pounds on Wednesday.

Kerwick, 17, of Lilac City Boxing Club, outpointed Diaz in a bout scored by computer. Diaz, of Coachella, Calif., was the 125-pound champion at the 1997 Golden Gloves.

Kerwick will meet Jacob Hudson of Augusta, Ga., on Friday. Kerwick, a student at University High, also won Tuesday and had a bye Monday.

Boys soccer

Lewis and Clark and Mead took similar routes for non-league wins against teams likely to challenge for Greater Spokane League supremacy.

LC defeated Gonzaga Prep 3-2 after a 4-2 shootout, and Mead topped Ferris 2-1 after a 4-2 shootout.

Casey Johnson scored a second-half goal and set up Robert Rowland’s late goal in LC’s win at G-Prep (3-1). Mead’s Scott Kerwein scored midway through the second half to force overtime, and Matt Folsom’s shootout goal clinched the win at Ferris (1-1).

Extra time was also needed at U-Hi, where Grant Falco and Logan Peterson scored in the second OT to lift the Titans (2-1) to a 3-2 win over North Central (1-2). Peterson scored the winner from 18 yards out.

Bobby Labelle scored three times, two set up by Chris Snyder, as Mt. Spokane (2-2) notched a 4-0 win at Rogers (0-2).

Zack Kingsley scored twice, and Ross Anderson knocked away a late Central Valley attempt as Shadle Park edged the Bears (2-2) 3-2 at CV.

Watkins steps in at NIC

Lewis Watkins will be North Idaho College’s next track and cross country coach.

Watkins will replace Mike Bundy, who announced his resignation effective at the end of the track season, athletic director Jim Headley said.

Watkins, 31, has assisted NIC men’s and women’s track and cross country teams for one year. He previously assisted at Lake City High and Coeur d’Alene High.

“It’s going to be the same kind of program that Mike has had,” said Watkins, a former NIC track and cross country athlete. “The emphasis will be on student-athletes in the five northern counties and we’ll work out from there.”

Watkins is an academic adviser in student services at NIC.

Bundy led NIC’s men’s and women’s track and cross country programs for most of the last 27 years.

, DataTimes