Bjorklund stays home, commits to Gonzaga
The lure of academics at a smaller school and chance to remain surrounded by family is keeping University High School basketball star Jami Bjorklund close to home.
For the Gonzaga University women’s program it’s a coup.
Bjorklund, recruited by numerous Division I schools, including Pac-10 power Stanford, chose the Bulldogs instead, giving an oral commitment to coach Kelly Graves after making her visit during the weekend.
Bjorklund said Stanford was on her list initially and offered her a scholarship. But ultimately, she said, she didn’t think it fit her.
“Staying home is a big plus and I just liked the school all-around,” Bjorklund said. “I came home and said to my dad I want to go there. It was everything I wanted in a school. I loved it.”
Other advantages were the small academic classes and one-on-on professorial help at GU for the aspiring dentist, said Bjorklund.
She has a large extended family here to watch her play and she and will be able to watch her highly touted sophomore sister Angie’s final two seasons at U-Hi, Bjorklund added.
Like Lewis and Clark’s Briann January and Riverside’s Angela Hartill, who made oral commitments to Arizona State and New Mexico, respectively, last week, Bjorklund played on last summer’s Spokane Stars national champions.
She led the team in scoring and, said coach Ron Adams, “she’s flat-out the best defensive player I’ve ever coached in 26 years, I don’t care whether it was a point guard, post or wing.”
Bjorklund was All-Greater Spokane League for the second straight year for the Titans last winter, leading them to just their second state appearance, the first in 14 years.
A prolific mid-range shooter and powerful rebounder, she averaged 18 points per game as a sophomore, but missed seven league games because of injury.
Bjorklund scored 495 points as a junior, giving her a career total of 732 with one season remaining. U-Hi went 23-6 last season, reached the regional finals and went 1-2 in the State 4A tournament. She shared the GSL points lead with 309, a 16.3 average, and improved to nearly 18 per game during the postseason.
“She’s the best player I’ve coached up to this point and one of the most articulate and thoughtful individuals I’ve ever met,” said U-Hi coach Mark Stinson.
“Just her basketball ability is phenomenal, but what Gonzaga University is getting is somebody who’s an outstanding person and outstanding student. Not only is the basketball team fortunate to have her, but the school is, also. We’re excited around here.”
Football
Former Washington State coach Jim Walden, who has co-authored a book titled “Tales from the Washington State Cougars Sideline,” will have two book signings in the Palouse this weekend during homecoming week at WSU.
Walden, the third winningest coach in WSU history, who coached the Cougars from 1977-86, will be at the Colfax branch of the Whitman County Library from 4-6 p.m. Friday and at the WSU Bookie in Pullman from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday. Books will be available for purchase at both events.
Walden, in his fourth year as color man on the Cougars football radio broadcasts, co-wrote the book with Dave Boling, a former sports writer for The Spokesman-Review and now a columnist with the Tacoma News Tribune.
College men’s golf
Willamette had the medalist and three of the top five scorers in recording a four-stroke victory over Pacific Lutheran, 614-618, in the Whitworth Fall Invitational Monday at Spokane Country Club.
Kris Hunt of Willamette had a two-shot win with a 5-over-par 149. Whitworth’s top scorer was T.J. Bennyhoff in seventh at 155. The Pirates finished fifth in the seven-school field with a 643.
Prep volleyball
Anali Carrico had 14 kills, six blocks and six assists to lead Mullan to a 25-19, 25-14, 25-18 North Star League victory at Post Falls Christian. Emily Bishop had 11 digs for PFC.
Girls soccer
Tori Smith’s goal on a rebound of a penalty kick with five minutes to play proved the difference as Sandpoint pulled out a 2-1 non-league victory over visiting University.
U-Hi keeper Allison Seymour made a save on the penalty shot, but a Titans defender failed to clear the rebound and Smith was there to kick it home for the Bulldogs (12-2-2). Angie Menghini scored Sandpoint’s first goal at the 16-minute mark, five minutes after U-Hi had taken the early lead on an Abby Goss goal.
Boys soccer
Tim Schreiber converted from 12 yards out in a one-on-one situation at the 54-minute mark to earn Lake City a 1-1 tie in a non-league match at Bonners Ferry (10-3-3). Sophomore Jesus Mendez hit from dead center, eight yards out on a low shot at 22 minutes to give the Badgers the early lead.