Gonzaga Grad Rows To Olympics

Top-seeded Monica Tranel-Michini, a Gonzaga University graduate, clocked a 7:35.23 in the women’s single sculls Sunday in Camden, N.J., to finish 5.11 seconds ahead of second-place Lisa Schlenker and earn a berth on the U.S. Olympic rowing team.

Tranel-Michini, a 1996 Olympian in the women’s eight, will travel to the European Olympic Qualifying Regatta in Lucerne, Switzerland, in July to qualify the boat for the Olympics.

Karen Kraft of Newport and Missy Ryan, 1996 Olympic silver medalists in the event, captured the second final of the women’s pair. Their 6:59.57 was good for a 6.99-second victory over Lianne Nelson and Katie Maloney.

In the women’s lightweight double sculls, Sarah Garner and Christine Collins won in 6:50.58. Angie Cummins, a Washington State University grad, and Whitney Post finished second in 6:53.94. Cummins and Post needed to win the race to make the team.

Garner and Collins, the 1999 world silver medalists in the event, have already qualified their boat for the Olympics.

Auto racing

Jeff Zimmerman outraced Rick Schultz to win the 100-lap Northwest Late Model Superstocks main event Saturday at Spokane Raceway Park.

Duane Betcher won the Hobby Stocks main event, while Pat Norris turned in the fast time before winning the main event in Hobby Compacts.

In drag racing action, Newman Lake’s K-N-K Racin took first in the Pro division and Spokane’s Jesse Saxby won the Street class. Elaine Lam had the top speed at 145.65 mph.