Fast Break

Wed., Sept. 10, 2008

Golf

Wie heads off to Q-school

Unable to earn her card through sponsor exemptions, Michelle Wie has entered the LPGA Tour qualifying school and will play the first stage next week on the California course where she first rose to fame at age 13.

Her father, B.J. Wie, had said at the U.S. Women’s Open that Wie had “no other options” but Q-school if she didn’t make enough money to finish the equivalent of 80th on the LPGA Tour money list.

“Nothing has changed since then,” he said Tuesday morning from Palm Desert, Calif. “She will go to Q-school.”

Hockey

Bulgaria takes 82-0 beatdown

With more goals than minutes in the game, Slovakia’s women’s team claimed an 82-0 victory over Bulgaria in Olympic qualifying in Bratislava, Slovakia, last Saturday.

Slovakia outshot the Bulgarians 139-0 during the 60-minute game, played in Latvia. The margin of victory is a record for a women’s International Ice Hockey Federation-sanctioned event.

Janka Culikova led Slovakia with 10 goals, while Martina Velickova scored nine. Fourteen different players scored at least one goal.

Slovakia, which also beat Croatia, Latvia and Italy, advanced to another qualifying group with Germany, Kazakhstan and France. The winner will secure a spot at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

NFL

Seattle’s cuts include punter

Following a season-opening loss at Buffalo, the Seattle Seahawks began making changes by releasing punter Ryan Plackemeier, running back Justin Forsett and wide receiver Jordan Kent.

The moves to release Forsett and Kent are likely to open a pair of roster spots for nickel back Jordan Babineaux and starting defensive tackle Rocky Bernard, both of whom missed the opener under league suspension. Seattle also placed wide receiver Nate Burleson on injured reserve.

Plackemeier, who was the Seahawks’ punter for the past two seasons, struggled in the opener, including a pair of 22-yard punts among his 11 kicks against the Bills. Buffalo’s Roscoe Parish also returned a punt for a touchdown.

Seattle signed veteran punter Jon Ryan to take Plackemeier’s spot.

Associated Press Associated Press

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

Fast Break

Golf

Wie heads off to Q-school

Hockey

Bulgaria takes 82-0 beatdown

NFL

Seattle’s cuts include punter

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

How jumper Napela Naihe navigated uncertain journey to Spokane Colleges, and is shifting into high gear for NWAC championships

'There's pride in Washington State baseball again': Inside the Cougars' historic turnaround

How will Gonzaga address its new void in the backcourt? | Transfer portal (and other) targets 2.0