Locally

Spokane’s Emde finishes third in ultra endurance bicycle race

Michael Emde of Spokane finished third in the male solo category at the Furnace Creek 508 ultra endurance bicycle race Oct. 8-9.

The race started in Santa Clarita, Calif., and traveled through Death Valley and the Mojave Desert, ending in Twentynine Palms with more than 35,000 feet of climbing. The race actually covered 514 miles because of a 6-mile detour. Scorpions were among the road hazards.

Emde, 35, co-owner of Emde Sports, was timed in 27 hours, 49 minutes, 7 seconds, breaking his age-group record and qualifying for the Race Across America, which is held yearly in June. He has three years to use the qualification.

The top four all finished under the 9-year-old course record. Kenny Souza, a world class duathlete from San Marcos, Calif., won with Tinker Juarez of Downey, Calif., a pro mountain biker, second.

“After leading the race for the first 250 miles, we had some lighting problems, and unfortunately I gave away about 40 minutes,” Emde was quoted as saying in a release detailing his accomplishment.

“In that long a race you never know the problems that can arise. They just had a bit more luck than I did on that day. I’m very happy with third place, breaking the course record and setting the record for the 30-39 age group.”

Baseball

The Spokane Indians and Avista teamed to provide $1,800 to Project Share during the 2005 Northwest League season, the team announced.

For each save registered by an Indians pitcher, Avista donated $100 to the local emergency energy assistance fund. Indians pitchers recorded 18, enabling the promotion to top by $100 the 2004 total.

Basketball

Jessie DePell, a 5-foot-11 shooting guard from Freeman, has signed a letter of intent to play at Montana Tech, Orediggers coach Brian Holsinger announced.

DePell was the Associated Press State 1A player of the year as a junior and was MVP of both her league and the state tournament. She also plays on the Spokane Stars elite club team.

“We are very fortunate to sign a player of Jessie’s caliber,” Holsinger said. “She is long and athletic with a great shooting touch. She will make an immediate impact on the court.”

Last season, DePell averaged 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and three steals per game as the Scotties had a 23-3 record and were runners-up at the State 1A tournament.

College scene

Rogers graduate DeeAnn Dempsey, a senior at Stetson University, was selected the Atlantic Sun Conference volleyball player of the week last week after leading the DeLand, Fla., school to two victories last weekend.

Dempsey, an outside hitter, earned her first career weekly honor with 31 kills in wins over Campbell and Gardner-Webb that moved the Hatters from 10th to seventh in the A-Sun standings. She tied a career high with 23 kills and hit .352 in a 3-1 win over Campbell. She also had a game-winning service ace against Gardner-Webb.

Dempsey has 1,154 career kills, third all-time on the Stetson list. Her 3.90 kills average this season ranks her second in the conference.

“North Idaho College is calling on community members to help the Cardinals “Pack the House” on Saturday for a volleyball-wrestling doubleheader in Christianson Gym.

The No. 6-ranked NIC volleyball team will take on No. 1 College of Southern Idaho at 3 p.m. followed by the 13-time national champion Cardinals wrestlers engaging Montana State-Northern at 7:30. Fans are asked to wear school colors.

The competition will highlight a weekend of activity. On Friday, former NIC baseball players will gather for a reunion and reception at 6:30 p.m. at the Coeur d’Alene Resort, then will be introduced before the volleyball match at 2:30.

Also, the athletic department will give out prizes in a Halloween costume contest for NIC students at 5 p.m. in the gym. First place is $100, second $50 and third $25.

Admission of $3 is good for all the day’s events.

Info: (208) 769-3348.