Indians’ roster forms
The Spokane Indians’ 2008 roster is taking shape as the team on Tuesday announced 25 members for the upcoming season, including three players from last year’s team.
The parent-club Texas Rangers will assign more players to Spokane in the days to come.
Outfielders Tim Rodriguez, Eric Fry and Kyle Murphy are returning for a second year at Avista Stadium.
Highlighting the roster is right-hander Neil Ramirez, a Rangers first-round compensation pick in the 2007 draft, who will make his minor league debut.
Matt West, a second-round pick last year, will join the Indians as an infielder.
Others include left-hander Richard Bleier of Florida Gulf Coast University, a sixth-round pick in the first-year draft conducted last week; outfielder Jared Bolden, a ninth-round pick; lefty Clifford Springston, drafted in the 11th round; 13th-round pick Edward Koncel, an infielder; and Joseph Butler, an outfielder picked in the 15th round.
The Indians kick off their season against the Everett AquaSox at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Avista Stadium.
Track and field
Brad Walker was named USA Track & Field’s Athlete of the Week after setting the American record in the men’s pole vault Sunday at the Nike Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Ore., the organization announced Tuesday from Indianapolis.
The reigning world outdoor champion, Walker (University of Washington/University High) soared at the Visa Championship Series with his American-record clearance of 19 feet, 93/4 inches.
This year’s world-leading clearance broke Jeff Hartwig’s American record of 19-91/4 set in 2000 and bested Sergey Bubka’s meet record of 19-61/4. It was the highest clearance in the world since 2001.
Women’s rowing
Washington State University’s Irena Neffeova has been named to the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association’s Division I Pocock All-American first team.
WSU’s Karin Brevick and Gonzaga’s Hanna McClintock were named to the second team. Neffeova and Brevick were members of the Cougars’ varsity 8 boat that was ranked as high as third in the nation.