Faces And Feats Worth Remembering

For many reasons, I’ll remember the 1999-2000 school year for some time to come.

There were dozens of noteworthy athletic feats in a year that bridged millenniums.

But for a purely sentimental reason, I’ll be permanently attached to this season in general and the class of 2000 in particular.

I celebrate my 20-year high school reunion this summer. And I’m still getting paid to watch kids have fun.

As I say goodbye to 1999-2000, here are some of the accomplishments and some of the graduating athletes I won’t soon forget.

Fall

The Lake City football team upset defending State A-1 Division II champ Eagle before its unbeaten season came to an end in the state championship game.

It was an entertaining season nonetheless. Check back this fall when LC, Sandpoint and Coeur d’Alene should tangle for two state playoff berths.

Lakeland saw another undefeated football season stopped short as the Hawks fell to eventual state runner-up Bishop Kelly in the semifinals.

The Hawks’ talented seniors, who have been a part of success in multiple sports, will be difficult to replace.

The senior-laden Sandpoint volleyball team was the class of the state as the Bulldogs cruised to a state title.

The Moscow boys soccer team, third seed out of North Idaho, surprised by winning a state title.

Winter

Behind A-1 player of the year Shaylia Davis and a supporting cast led by Patti Stranger and Kari Lenz, Coeur d’Alene captured the A-1 girls basketball title. The Viks finished 25-1 with a 24-game winning streak.

Post Falls’ girls will be heavily favored to win the A-1 Division II title next year, when the state’s biggest classification splits in half in all sports.

Area wrestlers bounced back after one of the weakest showings at state in 1999.

Sandpoint, led by two-time champion Jake Rosholt and first-time champ Tony Hook, finished second. The Bulldogs, who return intact, should challenge next year.

Lakeland, led by champions Casey Phelps, Sky Pruitt and Clint Leonard, finished runner-up. The Hawks will make more noise next year.

Spring

The Coeur d’Alene softball team fell short of a third straight state championship, but the battles between the Vikings and crosstown rival Lake City were more than worth the price of admission.

Many of the faces will change next year, but the competitiveness between respected rivals should continue.

The Coeur d’Alene boys golf team captured a third straight state title and fourth in the last five years.

The graduates

Space won’t allow me to list all of the top seniors. But I can’t write my last column of the school year without naming as many as possible.

So in no particular order:

Janee Andre, Blake Hoorelbeke, Shaylia Davis, Kari Lenz, Patti Stranger, Brad Ross, Cassandra Vig, Ryan Holland, Katie Jo Shirley and Sarah Kozlowski of Coeur d’Alene.

Carmi Eberle, Jon Garrett, Tyler Smith and Aristo Arana of Post Falls.

Megan Carpenter, Jill Ashkinos, Carl Schrader, Pete Hamill, Jake Freeman, Tom Dennis, Brandi Brumley, Jake Lenz, Cassie Bro, Daryl Wilder, Josh Vogan and Kevin Quinn of Lake City.

Jennifer Derr of Clark Fork.

Zach Penney and Craig Zanetti of Wallace.

Ryan Mann, Heather Hoeck, Jerrod Oertli and Luke Smith of Kellogg.

Anika Duvall, Megan Egbert, Jacques DesMarais, Kevin Reese, Jeremy McMillen and Joe Finley of Lakeland.

Andy Rice and Dirk Bortz of Bonners Ferry.

Trent Duffey, Pat Eberlin, Tiffany Holdahl, Lauren Cuvala, Kyle Stevenson, Mica Kunkel of St. Maries.

Carl Roubicek, Devin Rinaldi, Jessica Lippi, Stacy Bolstad, Megan Lippi and Lindsay Larson of Sandpoint.

Mike Rogers, Ryan Klamper, Mary Beth Spencer and Jenelle Andrews of Lewiston.

Jay Zmuda and Ryan Bodecker of Priest River.

Courtney Goetz, Kim Hawley, Trent Baysinger, Jenny Liou, Todd Drage and Adam Busch of Moscow.

Don Cypher, Casi Reisenauer and Angie Campbell of Timberlake.

Amy Fuchs, Mariah Middleton and Michelle Kelley of Lakeside.