Menegas Returns To Bengals’ Sideline

One year away from the football field was more than enough for Nick Menegas.

Menegas, the longtime high school head coach at Lewiston and Post Falls, will be back on the sidelines this fall as Lewiston’s offensive coordinator.

“I just decided that I missed the competition, missed the players, missed the good friends that I have in the profession and the media,” said Menegas, 46. “My wife told me to return. She said I was a real bore on Friday nights.”

Emmett Dougherty replaced Menegas, who resigned as head coach after the 1998 season. The Bengals qualified for the State A-1 Division I playoffs last year, finishing 5-5.

“He has years and years of offensive experience,” Dougherty said of Menegas. “Last year, I had a real young staff and didn’t have anybody who could coordinate the offense or defense. I was basically doing both. This frees me up so I can concentrate on defense. That’s what I did at Twin Falls before I came here.”

There was a flap involving Dougherty and Menegas last year following Lewiston’s 35-13 win over Clarkston. Menegas, a longtime friend of Clarkston coach Dave Curtis, was accused of offering pointers to the Bantams before the cross-river rivals played.

“The whole thing was blown out of proportion,” Dougherty said.

Said Menegas: “We’ve dealt with the past issues. It’s water under the bridge. He’s a good guy and he’s good for kids. I think I’ve achieved a new friend.”

Menegas was a head coach for 23 years - two in his first stop at Eddyville, Ore., eight at Post Falls and 13 at Lewiston. His overall record is 201-64-4 - 117-36-2 at Lewiston, 71-23-2 at Post Falls.

He’s content with the assistant position.

“I’m looking forward to the lesser role,” he said. “The summertime commitment of being a head coach got to be fairly demanding. I was enjoying that part of it less.”

Ruen stays home

Rochelle Ruen, the 1999 Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year in volleyball who led Sandpoint to a state title, is returning for her senior season after all.

Ruen, a setter who gave the University of Arizona an oral commitment this spring, had planned on spending half of her senior year on an exchange trip to Australia. But she had to change her plans when it was discovered that some of her exchange credits wouldn’t count toward entrance at Arizona.

“What a blessing,” Sandpoint coach Jeff Hurst said. “The (new) kids are very excited about being a part of the legacy that she will leave behind. In all honesty, it’s the right thing for her to do.”

Ruen, a middle hitter as a starter as a freshman and sophomore, switched to setter last year.

“I was disappointed at first, but I’m looking forward to this season,” Ruen said. “I think we’re going to surprise some people. We have a lot of young talent. It’s going to be fun being a leader on the team and helping the younger girls.”

Coach eyeing milestone

St. Maries High volleyball coach Mitch Santos begins his 22nd year Tuesday when the Lumberjacks entertain Coeur d’Alene and Lake City.

If the Lumberjacks do what they’ve traditionally done in their annual season-opening matches against the CdA schools, Santos will pick up career victories 499 and 500. His overall record is 498-58, a mind-boggling .900 winning percentage.

T-Wolves star expected back

Lake City senior running back Doug Blaty could return to action as early as the Timberwolves’ third game after a summer bicycling accident nearly ended his final season before it started.

Blaty, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards last year, broke three bones in his back in an accident in early July. Initially it was believed that Blaty wouldn’t be able to play football again. But the prognosis has improved weekly since the accident, LC coach Van Troxel said.

The running back has been doing some limited conditioning drills and could begin practicing as soon as next week.

“It’s great news,” Troxel said. “The most important thing is Doug’s going to recover. The fact that he’s going to be able to play for us is just a bonus.”

Like most area teams, LC opens the season next Friday when it plays host to Sandpoint.

This ‘n that

A poor turnout for cross country at Priest River had school officials considering dropping the sport this fall. But administrators decided this week to field boys and girls teams.

Several coaching positions were filled over the summer. Here are the new hires:

At Post Falls, Wallace High grad Mick Zeller has been named head baseball coach. He was head coach the past eight years at A-2 Emmett, whih is near Boise.

At Sandpoint, Teresa Schow takes over in cross country; Matt Perry, junior varsity/varsity assistant for Kurt Lundblad in boys basketball, replaces Margaret Williams as head girls basketball coach; and Jim Barton replaces Radd Raynor in softball.

At Lewiston, wrestling coach Jeff Karlin takes on a second head coaching job in cross country.

At Lakeland, Nick Haynes has been named boys soccer coach.

At Timberlake, head boys basketball coach Paul Kautzman takes over as head baseball coach.

At Priest River, Becky Hopkins replaces Jamie Poncho as volleyball coach.