Linfield, Whitworth rank 1-2 in NWC preseason poll

Whitworth, coming off its first outright Northwest Conference football title, is ranked second in this year’s preseason poll, the NWC announced Thursday.

The Pirates, 11-1 last season, earned two first-place votes and 44 points to trail favored Linfield by eight points. The Wildcats have been preseason favorites for seven consecutive seasons.

Whitworth returns eight starters from a defense that led the NWC in points allowed and takeaways.

Basketball

Washington State University guard Thomas Abercrombie had 10 points and six rebounds to help New Zealand to a 108-73 win over host Thailand at the World University Game in Bangkok.

Hockey

Spokane Chiefs forward Chris Bruton, 20, has been invited to attend St. Louis Blues rookie camp.

Bruton, who will enter his fourth year with the Chiefs, will attend camp from Sept. 5-11 and participate in a tournament at Traverse City, Mich.

Volleyball

Eastern Washington University is predicted to finish fifth in the Big Sky Conference coaches’ preseason poll.

The Eagles placed third in the conference last season and lost in the tourney championship match. EWU received 33 points in the poll, 31 less than defending champ Sacramento State.