Tonani learns on, off the field
While playing 7-on-7 football this summer, Ferris’ Nate Tonani learned something about the country and something about himself.
Tonani played linebacker on the Washington team sponsored by the Seattle Seahawks that won the championship of the NFL High School Player Development Tournament (HSPD) Championships last week in New Orleans.
“It was helpful not only in athletics,” said Tonani. “I saw tons of talent. It was not only the players, but New Orleans was an experience in itself. And it definitely showed us we (as Washington football players) have a better chance than people think.”
The NFL HSPD program focuses on character development and specific skill training providing participants with a curriculum that focuses on excellence in the classroom, community and on the playing field. Tonani said he was chosen for a Seahawks tryout following a trip to Las Vegas. He was one of two players from eastern Washington (Prosser’s Kirby Moore was the other). State 3A champion Skyline had five of the 12 players.
The Seahawks covered all expenses for the 16-team touch football tournament and provided the players with the necessary apparel.
“We were spoiled,” Tonani said.
Washington went 7-0 in winning its pool, swept the NFC tournament 41-17 over the New York Giants, 31-7 over Carolina and 24-14 over Atlanta, then beat the AFC champion New York Jets 37-10 for the championship.
“Our hardest game was against Atlanta in the pool,” said Tonani of a six-overtime triumph. “It looked like the top two were us and Atlanta.”
When the team wasn’t playing – partly outside in 100 degree, high-humidity heat, partly in the air-conditioned Saints indoor practice facility – the players visited the Ninth Ward, devastated by Hurricane Katrina, and the Super Dome.
Tonani said that NFL players Michael Lewis and Mike McKenzie gave the tour of the hurricane’s destruction.
“It was depressing, but they’re getting it back together, which is good,” he said. “Personally it makes me glad to live in Spokane.”
Softball
The Spokane Villains 16U fastpitch softball team won the Western World Series, going undefeated in the 16B bracket in Reno, Nev., July 12-19.
The Villains were led by the hitting of center fielder Rachel Head (.500), Kendall Pavey (.450) and Tashi Eldore (.429), all of Lewis and Clark. Other players on the roster include Becky White (Central Valley), Madi McLeod, Sam Pryor, Kristen Furulie (Lewis and Clark), Erika Santarossa (Ferris), Morgan Voelker (University), and Lauren Lynch (Mt Spokane).
The Villains are coached by Rick Pavey (recently honored as 16U coach of the year in Washington State), Zig Pavey and Bret Santarossa.
•Four Shadle Park softball players have been recognized as Louisville Slugger All-Americans. Pitcher Samantha Skillingstad and outfielder Allie Burger were first team choices and infielders China Frost and Danielle Lynn were honorable mention. A fifth Highlander, outfielder Jenn Schwartz, has announced she will play next year at Central Washington University.
Soccer
The River City Thunder U-16 girls’ soccer team will represent the Pacific Northwest at the U.S. Club Soccer National tournament July 25-28 in Virginia Beach, Va.
The Thunder, ranked No. 10 in Washington state, qualified by winning the U.S. Club Soccer Regional tournament in Boise July 5-8. After losing their first regional match to Hawaii 2-0, River City won their last three matches, including the final, 1-0 over the Tri-Cities Green team.
Coached by Mark Lindsay, the roster includes Olivia Johnstone (Mead); Danae Brooks, Nikki Richardson, Alex Richardson and Paige Ellingsen (Central Valley); Alyssa Kirstein, Ashley Ames, Emily Ditzler, Giulia Oliva and Shannon Lindsay (Gonzaga Prep); Emily Jordan, Jade Faraca, Darian Faraca, and BriAnn Schmedding (University); Caylin Novell (Lewis & Clark); Nikki Webster (Lake City); Whitney Wood (Coeur d’Alene) and Tareyn White (Post Falls).
Other teams that qualified for the nationals in Virginia Beach at the Boise tournament include the River City Steelers Boys U-17 and U-12 teams coached by Tim Seely.
Track and field
Greg Barnes and Brad Whitley, seniors at Central Valley, qualified for nationals in the Young Men’s Division (ages 17-18) at the USA Track and Field Junior Olympic regional at Spokane Falls Community College July 12-13.
Barnes qualified in the long jump and 110-meter high hurdles. Whitley qualified in the 800-meters.
They will compete at the 2008 USATF National Junior Olympics Track and Field Championships at Burke High School in Omaha, Neb., July 22-27.
Golf
Chris Williams, a senior at Moscow High School, shot a 73 to finish third at the Callaway Junior World Championship golf tournament at Torrey Pines South in San Diego, Calif., July 11. He shot 72-73-73-73 (291). The field consisted of 189 players aged 15-17 from around the world. The top 50 played the final round.
Williams qualified for Junior Worlds by winning the Washington Junior Golf Association sub-district at Twin Lakes Village GC in Blanchard, Idaho, by shooting even par 72, and then finishing second at Tumwater Valley GC in Olympia, Wash. with a 67-69-(136), 6-under par.
Volleyball
Caitlin Barschig (Mt. Spokane) scored 11 kills for the Black team in a 3-2 loss to the Red team in the 3A/4A match at the 23rd All-State Volleyball Series at Fife High School in Tacoma, Wash.
Girls basketball
The Spokane Stars are in Washington D.C. through July 25 for the United States Junior National DC-17U Championships, the only West Coast team in the tournament.
It is the first stop on a two-tournament eastern swing that culminates with the Nike Nationals, July 27-31 in North Augusta, S.C.