NC’s Knight honored as Inspiring Coach finalist

North Central boys cross country coach Jon Knight was recently honored as one of the top 10 finalists for the Brooks Inspiring Coaches program.

Brooks Sports, Inc. created the Brooks Inspiring Coaches program in February to identify and honor high school cross country and track coaches across the nation who go above and beyond to build and keep their programs strong, make a lasting difference in the lives of their athletes and inspire everyone in the community to run and be active.

“It was very much an honor,” Knight said. “Brooks is trying to promote their products by going straight to the coaches and the athletes. What I’ve noticed is Brooks showing respect for the people involved in the sport. It’s really appreciated. It was nice to be nominated by people in my own program.”

Softball

Brooke Robinson, a pickup player for the weekend, pitched a complete-game shutout, striking out seven, to lead Northwest Wildfire of Coeur d’Alene to a 3-0 victory over the Montana Avalanche from Missoula for the championship in the 18-U division of the Spokane Softball Umpires Association Memorial Fourth of July Shoot-Out. 

Brooke Albertson ignighted an 11-run first inning with a leadoff homer as Spokane Crash defeated the Bitterroot Sparks from Florence, Mont., 13-1 for 16-U title.  

Spokane Crash teams won the other divisions of the tournanent played at the Merkel Complex and Franklin Park that attracted 46 teams: Crash ’97 edging Coeur d’Alene Crush ’97 6-5 in 14-U, Crash ’99 beating Spokane Stealth 7-3 in 12-U and Crash defeating Northwest Athletics of Rathdrum 16-7 in 10-U.

Rodeo

Jacob Paul, a sophomore from Post Falls, has earned a spot on the Washington state high school rodeo team and will travel to Gillette, Wyo., July 17 to compete in the 63rd annual National High School Finals Rodeo in team roping.

There will be more than 1,500 contestants from 41 states and five Canadian provinces along with Australia at the national finals. In addition to competing for more than $200,000 in prizes, contestants will also be competing for more than $350,000 in college scholarships. To earn a title as a national champion, contestants must finish in the top 20 after two go-rounds of intense competition before advancing to the finals.

Golf

Megan Haase qualified for the Junior World Golf Championship by finishing fourth at Tumwater Valley Golf Course. She earlier qualified for the USGA Junior Girls championship by finishing second at that qualifier last month. She has also qualified for the Washington State Junior America’s Cup Team for the second team. It will also be her second trip to the JWGC.

Savana Bezdicek is a second alternate for the Junior Worlds.