Rypien featured speaker at banquet

Former Washington State University and NFL quarterback Mark Rypien will be the featured speaker at the Idaho Sports Banquet April 14 at the Coeur d’Alene Inn.

The banquet annually honors top athletes, coaches and teams in Idaho. In addition, Mary Jean Hinkemeyer, Phil Hopson, Mike Keller and Dick Litzinger will be inducted into the Idaho Athletic Hall of Fame.

Track and field

Shot putter Russ Winger, weight thrower Matt Wauters and pole vaulter Melinda Owen will represent Idaho at the NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships Friday and Saturday.

They are in addition to three Washington State and one EWU athlete announced earlier this week.

Brandon Howell (Clarkston) and Cody Stelzer of Whitworth are headed for the Division II championships in Terre Haute, Ind., the first Pirates to compete at the NCAAs since 2002.

Wrestling

Six-year Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls) assistant coach Troy Hughes has been hired to replace outgoing Eagles coach Scott Jones.

Hughes, a Mead graduate and three-time state finalist, has an extensive wrestling background.

He was named to numerous All-American teams including at the University of Oregon. Upon graduation he spent two years coaching at Mt. Spokane, one year as head before taking his first teaching job at Lakeside.

Jones is going to enter business at the end of the school year.

“Scott is a big loss for the world of education, but I’m not planning on winning any less,” Hughes said. “The biggest thing is keeping the right kids in the room and making sure each reaches his maximum potential.”

Golf

Downriver, Esmeralda and The Creek at Qualchan golf courses will open Friday. Call pro shops for tee times. The Fairways has already opened.