Fast Break

Rodeo

Cheney Rodeo opens 3-day run

The 70-rodeo limit and a number of big money events have conspired to keep the entries down for the 40th Cheney Rodeo that kicks off tonight but that doesn’t mean the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association event will be totally void of big names.

Brandon and Mike Beers are entered in the three-day event, participating in team roping at Sunday’s 5 p.m. performance. Mike, the heeler, is a former world champion, hooking up with Dee Pickett many years ago. Brandon, his son, currently leads the PRCA world standings as a header.

Otherwise, most of the entries for the rodeo, which includes 8 p.m. performances tonight and Saturday, make up the best of the Columbia River Circuit. That does include calf roper Brad Goodrich, currently 15th in the world, who competes on Saturday.

Only two defending champions are back, bull rider Tylee Lanham of Sweet, Idaho, and barrel racer Kelli Kamm of Stanfield, Ore. Stock contractor for the largest rodeo in Spokane County is Big Bend Rodeo Co. of Ritzville.

Colleges

EWU mascot has feathers ruffled

Seattle Chief of Police Gil Kerlikowske came to the rescue of Swoop, the Eastern Washington University mascot, when the eagle found itself in a sidewalk fracas with a bar patron in Pioneer Square early Sunday morning.

According to a Seattle Post-Intelligencer story, the chief was being given a closing-time tour of the club district when officers witnessed the man vs. eagle confrontation.

Police said a man shoved the eagle to the curb and then stomped on the mascot’s back as another person dressed as a beaver watched.

Four officers broke up the disturbance. No one was injured all were later released without citations.

Many mascots from the Northwest were in Seattle over the weekend for a competition.

Police couldn’t confirm the identity of those involved.

An EWU spokesman confirmed to the The Spokesman-Review that the eagle was Swoop but added: “Eastern Washington University does not reveal the identity of Swoop, just like any other superhero.”

Joked Police Department spokeswoman Debra Brown to the P-I: “It’s a typical downtown Seattle, after-the-bars-close story.”

Former Vandal pleads guilty

Hoquiam (Wash.) High School coach Todd Hoiness has pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct with a minor involving a girl he coached on the school wrestling team.

Hoiness, 40, played running back and tight end at the University of Idaho from 1985-89. He was an assistant coach at Idaho from 1993-2001.

Hoiness is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 9. Hoiness is head football coach at the high school. He’s on paid administrative leave.