Lake City, Mead earn honors
Lake City football and Mead volleyball kept right on winning Wednesday.
The Timberwolves, who went 12-0 in capturing the Idaho State 5A championship, collected the Junior Male Team and Coach of the Year awards at the 29th Inland Northwest Youth Sports Awards Luncheon at the new Convention Center.
The Inland Northwest Sportswriters and Broadcasters voted Mead, winners of four straight Washington 4A titles, as the top Junior Female Team for the third consecutive year.
“I’ve been here a number of times, I was nominated once before and it’s really kind of a huge surprise because I never thought we really had an opportunity because it’s such a big area,” said coach Van Troxel, who has guided LC to an 89-21 record over the last decade and 10 consecutive playoff appearances. “It’s really exciting for the city of Coeur d’Alene.”
Troxel was quick to praise his players, who quickly turned the compliment around.
“Wow,” senior quarterback Garren Hammons said as he accepted the team award. “Our team would like to thank the community and the coaches, especially Coach Troxel. He really brought us together as a team and helped us succeed.”
One of Lake City’s wins served as the backdrop for rival quarterback, Coeur d’Alene’s Shea Vucinich, to be honored as the first recipient of the Sportsmanship of the Year award. After a loss to the Timberwolves, Vucinich went into LC’s locker room and congratulated numerous players.
He had stiff competition for the award, created for this luncheon by major sponsor Spokane Hoopfest. The other nominee was St. John-Endicott football, which stopped its postgame celebration of the State 1B title to acknowledge the presentation of the runner-up trophy to Lummi High.
“I’d like to dedicate this award to my great-grandfather, who passed away (Wednesday) morning,” Vucinich said. “I would also like to thank my family, friends and coaches who strive to make me a better human and athlete.”
A check for $1,000 in Vucinich’s name will be presented to Coeur d’Alene High’s athletic department.
“I didn’t even know he was in the locker room,” Troxel said of Vucinich, who will play baseball at Washington State. “I blow the whistle and I start hooting and hollering about the game and at the end Shea comes up and shakes my hand and I’m going, ‘Holy cow.’ He has great character and what a great competitor.”
Mead senior co-captain Ashley Hutchinson has been part of three state championship teams.
“We would like to thank all the coaches, parents and fans who supported us throughout our journey this year,” she said. “And the one thing we will remember is how we overcame all the struggles and challenges we were given throughout the season.”
Bonners Ferry’s Adam Hall, who went 161-4 and captured three state wrestling titles, was honored as top Junior Male Athlete. Hall redshirted at Boise State this season. He encouraged athletes to write down goals and post them in a place where they’ll see them every day for motivation.
Asked after the banquet what was on his list of goals at BSU, Hall said, “First, to be an NCAA All-American – I know how hard that is. In the future, to be an NCAA champion and be back here for the Amateur Male Athlete of the Year.”
University High basketball standout Angie Bjorklund, who has signed with Tennessee, won the Junior Female Athlete award.
Mead’s Jessica Bond was selected Student Athletic Trainer of the year, an award given annually by Rockwood Clinic. Bond has been the team manager for wrestling for seven years and has also managed youth wrestling camps.
SWABs 25-year pins went to Kevin Twohig, Spokane Public Facilities District Executive Director; Mead assistant basketball coach Pat Clark, who has also assisted at Gonzaga Prep and North Central; and long-time West Valley track and cross country coach Jim McLachlan.