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A GIANT AMONG TITANS
By Madison McCord THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
Whether she’s in the batter’s box or pitcher’s circle, University’s Maliyah Mann goes about her business the exact same way – with full power.
The Titans senior has become a force with either a ball or bat in her hand, and is hoping to lead U-Hi to its first state title since 2003.
“When I started my freshman year I never dreamed of making it to this point,” Mann said. “I just joined for fun, but now I’m gunning to get to state with this group of girls that I started with and see just how far we have come.” That group consists of seven seniors, including Mann. But the reigning Greater Spokane League home run leader is far from the only star on the diamond for University.
Defending GSL MVP Kaiden Howard returns as the Titans’ other pitching ace, while fellow first-team all-league standouts Natalie Singer (second base and outfield) and Abby Watkins (shortstop) are also back.
“Anyone that has veteran depth
will always be ahead of the curve because the kids have been there and know what to expect,” University coach Jon Schuh said. “So that really puts us ahead of the game once we get rolling because these girls are so used to each other and want to win together.”
As veteran as the Titans are on the field, Schuh adds another level of experience that is hard to match anywhere else in the state.
After taking the past two seasons off from coaching, Schuh is back in the dugout for his 23rd season at University.
The 2013 inductee into the Washington State Coaches Association Hall of Fame enters this season with a 411-131 career record at U-Hi.
“My battery just wasn’t charging, and now it’s fully charged,” Schuh said. “Watching these girls grow the past few years in slowpitch or fastpitch, I knew I still had some fire and I’m glad to be back to see this group out.”
It is a group that has one final chance to capture the state success that has alluded U-Hi for the better part of two decades. Since the title in 2003, the highest state finish for the Titans was fourth
SOFTBALL AT A GLANCE
From staff reports
The Washington high school softball season is underway. Here’s a preview of the Greater Spokane League 4A/3A and 2A. Teams in alphabetical order by classification. Records/standing listed from spring 2023.
GSL 4A/3A
Central Valley (13-10, 12-6, fourth): The Bears return first-team all-Greater Spokane League duo Sofia Morales (third base) and Ella Bendele (catcher) for coach Joe Stanton. CV is hoping to return to state for the first time since 2018.
Cheney (9-12, 9-8, fifth): Outfield play will be the strength for a Blackhawks team that is looking to build off last season’s momentum. Second-team outfielder Mia Ashcroft and honorable mention outfielder Sedona Ericson are back for coach Gary Blake, who will need to fill some holes on the right side of the infield due to graduation. “We should have a little more pitching depth this year, but we will also be breaking in a new catcher,” Blake said.
Ferris (6-13, 5-13, seventh):
The Saxons return a trio of all-league honorable mention selections in catcher Katelin Terry, shortstop Mary Johnson and utility player Donyelle Strauss to a team that will bring back eight starters from last year’s lineup. Coach Linda Bushinski noted that the experience is key, but “everyone needs to stay healthy for us to be successful.” Gonzaga Prep (3-19, 3-15, ninth):
in 2013 and U-Hi has just three state wins since then.
“We haven’t really had to talk much about the goals, because we all know what we want to accomplish,” Mann said. “Getting back to state is a big goal, but once we get there we believe anything is possible.”
Did not respond to questionnaire.
Lewis and Clark (3-17, 3-15, eighth): Sophomore standout and league second-team selection Izzy Heister will pace a Tigers team that returns six starters from last season. “The majority of our players have been with each other for two seasons, so the teamwork and expectations are stronger now,” LC coach Chuck Scheiwiller said.
Mead (16-8, 15-3, third): The Panthers will be led by a pair of returning honorable mention selections in catcher Bella Brischle and outfielder Jaycee Coffeld. The Mead lineup took an unfortunate blow before the season with the loss of first-team catcher Campbell Brose due to an arm injury that required surgery. “We have the talent and hard work in the dugout, just not many girls who know the pressure of experience at the varsity level,” Mead coach Tiffany Casedy said.
Mt. Spokane (25-4, 18-0, first): Coming off a fourth-place finish at state last season, the Wildcats will look to reload behind first-team pitcher Addison Jay and catcher Cassie Jay. But coach Carl Adams, who is entering his 24th season at Mt. Spokane, said the team isn’t relying on just one star player. “Our depth is our strength. On any given day, it could be a different person making the big play or getting the big hit,” Adams said.
North Central (1-16, 1-16, 10th):
Honorable mention pitcher McKenzie Duncan will pace a Wolfpack team that is returning five starters from last season’s lineup. Also back is junior utility player Amara Boyd for second-year coach Allison Hochhalter. “This program is going to be
To achieve those goals, a lot will be put on Mann’s talented shoulders. At the plate, she worked throughout the summer on taking a more aggressive approach in hopes of seeing more success against pitchers trying to work around her.
built from the ground up. We hope people doubt us and we hope we can prove them wrong,” Hochhalter said.
Ridgeline (8-12, 8-10, sixth): Outfielder and second baseman Maggie Carvo is back for the Falcons after earning second-team all-GSL honors last season. She’s joined by honorable mention members Lilley Triplett and Elliana Thompson on a squad that has five returning starters back. “While the immediate season might pose some challenges, having a young team means building a strong foundation for the future,” Ridgeline coach Alyssa Rasmussen said.
University (17-5, 15-3, second):
Coach Jon Schuh is back in the dugout after a two-year break and will field a Titans team with seven seniors in the lineup. League home-run leader Maliyah Mann and reigning MVP Kaidyn Howard will lead the way for an experienced Titans team. “12 of the 14 players on the team have varsity experience, which fosters competition every day in practice which should transfer into competing in every game we play,” Schuh said.
GSL 2A
Clarkston (13-11, 9-6, second):
Coach Kristen Wilson won’t have to worry about breaking in a lot of new players as the Bantams return eight starters from last year’s second-place team. All-league firstteam infielder Brooke Blaydes, outfielder Ryan Combs and infielder/pitcher Murray Broemeling return for Clarkston, who should again be in the mix for a state berth.
East Valley (10-11, 9-6, third): Firstteam pitcher Shelby Swanson and secondteam infielder Jocelyn Weger are two of six returning starters back for coach Kelli Peckham’s squad, which lost just two
“Early in my career, I went to the plate with the idea that I was never going to swing at that first strike,” Mann said. “I just wanted to watch and see what I would get, but as I’ve played more both here and in club I’ve changed to going after the early pitches, because they are becoming the best one’s I’m going to see all at-bat.”
Schuh also credits Mann for her ability to lead off the field, especially as a quieter presence in the dugout.
“She’s pretty tame compared to some of the team, but she’s definitely blossomed over the years to where she will speak up and take charge,” Schuh said. “But of the girls that I’ve had in my 23 years, she probably the most powerful player I’ve coached both at bat and as a pitcher.”
Although she may be more known for the pop coming off her bat, Mann likes to make it clear that if the game is on the line, she wants the ball in her hand.
“Having both skills is great because I know that I am going to be on the field and making an impact,” Mann said. “But I want to be in the circle when it matters. I want the ball in my hand, because I fell like I am in control of the game.
“That’s when I can set the tone. I can set the pace.” And that pace, especially for opposing hitters, tends to be fast.
starters to graduation. “We still have a young team with a lot of underclassmen, but they are willing to put in the work to be a successful team,” Peckham said. Pullman (3-16, 2-11 fifth): The Greyhounds will be led by junior secondteam utility player Kinsey Rees, along with a stable of five other returning starters. Honorable mention catcher Taylor Cromie is also back for her sophomore campaign, while outfielder and pitcher Sophie Armstrong is the team’s lone senior returning starter.
Rogers (0-17, 0-13 sixth): Secondteam utility player Vanessa Bolen will lead the charge for the Pirates in her junior campaign and will be joined by a group of six other returning starters. “We have strong leadership this season within our seven seniors, and some genuine potential from our underclassmen,” third-year coach Kali Powell said.
Shadle Park (18-3, 15-0, first): The defending GSL 2A champions return a trio of first-team talent, led by defending MVP pitcher and infielder Crimson Rice. She will be surrounded by fellow all-league talents Courtney Brown and Madi Keon, who both play in the infield and catch. “Crimson added some strength and velocity over the summer, so we expect her to have a great senior year,” Highlanders coach Scott Kine said. West Valley (10-12, 8-7, fourth): First-year coach Dan Kolda will have to rebuild the Eagles’ lineup this season after the graduation of first-team talents Sydney Tomalo and Marley Tillery, but the cupboard is far from bare. Back is honorable mention pitcher and infielder Sorrell Stewart, along with senior catcher and infielder Camile Huntly. “Our hitting is the strong point of this team, but I will need to develop the pitching to keep us in games,” Kolda said.
Maliyah Mann looks to turn U-Hi fastpitch back into state power
MADISON MCCORD/FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
University senior pitcher and infielder Maliyah Mann has high hopes for her Titans this spring.
MADISON MCCORD/FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
University softball coach Jon Schuh gives instructions to his team before a recent practice.
‘HE JUST CAN DO IT ALL’
Mead senior Emerson Fleck continues area pipeline to WSU baseball
By Dave Nichols THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
The Washington State University baseball team has risen to national prominence in recent years. The good times seem to correspond with an influx of Inland Northwest players calling Pullman home for their college experience. The latest of those players to make the jump is Mead senior Emerson Fleck, who signed a national letter of intent to play at WSU in the fall. Fleck expects to play both ways once he gets down to Pullman.
“I like the atmosphere, especially the fans and just the people that have gone there and the community that revolves around it,” he said. “And also something that caught my eye was obviously how close to home it was.”
“He had a little injury last year where we weren’t able to see him pitch,” Mead coach Steve Hare said. “But we knew the talent that he had on the mound. And so, when WSU came calling and said, ‘Hey, we really like him as a pitcher.’ I was like, ‘I’m telling you right now, him as a position player is even more phenomenal.’ He just can do it all.”
Fleck has played the last two summers on a national travel team based in Texas, playing across the South, which was ranked in the top 10 in the nation last year. He was named to a top 200 MLB prospect list for high schoolers and a number of southern Division I schools recruited him.
But the allure of playing close to home at a high level was enough for Fleck. He said it was good seeing other area athletes, such as Mead’s Elijah Hainline and Lake City’s Kyle Manzardo, go down to WSU and have success.
“Coming in as a freshman (at Mead) and getting to play with Elijah a little bit and seeing what he did last year at Washington State was definitely something like, ‘Hey, I could do this,’ and it gives me inspiration coming out of Mead, even if you stay local you can still have good success, especially the next level.”
“With Hainline down there even for that short amount of time, it really made all of us enjoy going to the (Gonzaga)-WSU games, and go ‘Hey, we know that guy.’ ” Hare said. “Emerson was one of those guys that was like, ‘Hey, WSU is
See FLECK, 8
BASEBALL AT A GLANCE
From staff reports
The Washington high school baseball season is underway. Here’s a preview of the Greater Spokane League and Northeast A League teams. Teams in alphabetical order by classification. Records/standing listed from spring 2023.
GSL 4A/3A
Central Valley (9-14, 8-10, seventh): Dalton Stamper is the new coach of the Bears, who returns nine letterwinners and seven starters, including first-team all-league junior Kamden Lanphere (SS/P), second-teamer junior Tannon Marsalis (1B/P) and senior 3B Nolan Koch. “We have a strong pitching staff this year that is backed by a defense that usually is mechanically sound,” Stamper said. Cheney (15-8, 12-6, third): The Blackhawks finished third in the league last year and hope for more in coach Rob Beamer’s fifth season. Nine letterwinners and six starters return, led by two-time first-team all-league pick senior Quinn Hubbs (P/1B). Senior pitcher Tate Hueschkel and junior shortstop Brayden Martin were honorable mentions. “With our pitching, if we can manufacture a couple of runs each game, we should be pretty solid,” Beamer said. Ferris (5-15, 4-14, ninth): The Saxons took some lumps in Jimmy Smith’s first year last season. Eight letterwinners and three starters return, including senior Jack Irvine (C/INF) and juniors Harper Dissmore (P/INF) and Luke Warner (INF). Sophomore infielder Eamonn Keaton could provide a spark.
Gonzaga Prep (12-13, 8-10, sixth): The Bullpups return 12 letterwinners and eight starters for coach Brian Munhall’s 15th season. Senior Luke Brown (P/1B) was a first-team all-GSL pick, while junior Grant Yost (OF/P) and sophomore Anthony Karis (C/OF) were secondteamers. “Pitching and defense will be our key,” Munhall said. “Our infield play needs to get better as errors plagued us last season.” Lewis and Clark (7-15, 6-12, eighth): Coach Steve Bennett returns for his 12th season with the Tigers and has seven starters and 13 letterwinners back with him. Senior Cooper Jefferies (OF/P/ SS) is a two-time all-league pick, and junior Kyle Wilkenson (OF/P) was second
team as a freshman. “We have a deep team with a lot of experience and a lot of potential,” Bennett said. “I’m excited to see if our pitching staff and line up can perform at a consistently high level.” Mead (12-10, 11-7, fourth): The Panthers bring 12 seniors back for coach Steve Hare’s seventh season. “Going into this year, my players are hungry for a successful season,” Hare said. “We had a talented team last year, but we underperformed.” Senior Emerson Fleck, who is headed to Washington State, will pitch and play all over the field. Catcher Xavier Hattenburg and Cole Startin (P/ OF) are leaders.
Mt. Spokane (19-6, 16-2, first): The league champion Wildcats missed state by one game last season, and coach Alex Schuerman is back for his 21st season. “We return a bunch of talented players that have already committed to play college baseball,” he said. “Our top two arms are back and almost our entire infield. Our lineup will be strong top to bottom.” Seniors Sam Davidson (SS), Cooper Davis (2B) and Drew Rayment (P/ CF) were all-league selections. North Central (1-18, 1-17, 10th): Coach Curly Rousseau enters his second season with six letterwinners and three starters back, including allleague honorable mentions junior Kian Carruthers (C) and sophomore Nick Elliott (P/SS). “We will be stronger across the board this season,” Rousseau said. The attitude and effort of the players is outstanding.” Ridgeline (10-11, 9-9, fifth): 13 letterwinners and nine starters are back for Jeremie Maupin’s third season with the Falcons and seventh as a head coach in the GSL. “We are looking to build upon the foundation we laid the last two seasons and make some strides within the GSL this year,” Maupin said. “We have a good core of guys returning with a lot of talent and couple of key players coming in this year to round out our team.” Senior Nate Fitzpatrick (P/1B) and sophomore Caden Andreas (SS) were second-team selections. University (17-5, 15-3, second): Eighth-year coach Kevin May loses the league MVP (Tyler Boden) and four other all-league selections to graduation, though eight letterwinners do return. “This year brings some of the best intersquad competition that we have had in a while,” May said. “There are many position
battles that will be taking place early on in the season.” Sophomore Elijah Williams (P/1B) was a first-team pick, while juniors Canon Frank (UTL) and Logan Spradling (OF) received honors as well.
GSL 2A
Clarkston (17-6, 11-4, first): Five letterwinners and four starters –including first-team all-leaguers senior Trace Green (P/INF) and junior Hayden Line (P/1B) return for coach Bruce Bensching, entering his 18th year with the Bantams, who were co-league champions last season. Seniors Emmett Slagg (C) and Bodee Thivierge (2B/P) were secondteam selections. East Valley (0-18, 0-15, sixth): The Knights had a tough time navigating the league last season, but coach Justin Sinn returns for his third season with six starters and seven seniors total back. “Our strengths will be the relationship and ‘team’ mentality that we have instilled in these players over the last four years,” Sinn said. “I am excited to show off our hard work during the offseason to prepare to be competitive this season.” Senior catcher Jack Hanson is the hard-working leader of the team.
Pullman (14-9, 10-5, third): The Greyhounds have eight letterwinners and six starters – five of whom earned allleague – back for fifth-year coach Kevin Agnew. “We return four pitchers from last year’s team, and they should be the strength of our group this year,” he said. Junior Brady Coulter was a first-team pitcher while seniors Calvin Heusser and Cade Hill were second teamers.
Rogers (4-17, 3-12, fifth): Twotime coach of the year and 2023 NWBA hall of fame coach Jim Wasem returns for his 31st season with the Pirates with nine letterwinners and seven starters back. Leading the way is senior all-league catcher Karim Gutierrez and junior allleague Jackson Ables (P/SS/CF). “We have great leadership this season with lots of varsity experience,” Wasem said.
Shadle Park (15-8, 1-4, first): Scott Harmon returns for his third season at Shadle and 20th year as a head coach in the GSL. Five Highlanders starters return from last year’s first place squad – none of whom are seniors. The only senior slated for the roster this season and a first-team all-league selection, Jake Hernandez, will miss the season with injury. “Jake will be an inspiration for our squad,” Harmon said. “We are young and inexperienced in some spots, but luckily we had several young players on our roster last year.” West Valley (14-8, 10-5, third):
Catcher Easton O’Neal missed all of last season with injury. He returns, along with seven other starters, for ninth-year coach Cory Aitken, who has concerns about depth. “We will find some guys to pitch in the middle of our games to keep us close for the wins at the end,” he said. Seniors Brody Hart (OF/P), John Macall (SS) and junior Ethan Turley (P/OF) were firstteam all-leaguers.
NEA
Colville (16-8, 10-2, second): Shane Roy returns for his second year as coach with seven letterwinners but just two starters back from a state quarterfinal team as 10 seniors were lost to graduation. Junior Ethan Redberg (OF/P) was a first-team all-NEA pick, while senior Sam Mitchell (OF/P) is a leader. “Offensively the lineup should be deep despite being inexperienced at a varsity level,” Roy said. “Filling holes on the pitching staff and on defense will be keys.”
Deer Park (18-5, 12-0, first): The Stags qualified for state last year for coach Darren Snyder, who returns for his sixth season. There are four starters back from that team, including first-team all-leaguer seniors Braylon Dean (C) and Teagen Tobeck (3B). “Our offense should be good, but the pitching is unproven,” Snyder said. “Some kids will need to show composure at the varsity level.”
Freeman (10-10, 5-7, third): Third-year coach Bryce Williamson returns for his third season with 10 letterwinners and eight starters back for the Scotties, including three-time allleague senior Bodie Ramsey (OF/P) and two-timer Kamyn Claunch (P/1B/3B). “To be competitive, we will be relying on the development of our hitters and for the bottom half of the order to have competitive at-bats ending with the ball in play,” Williamson said.
Lakeside (12-13, 5-7, third): Threetime first-team all-league senior Hiro Patterson (P/CF) leads 11 letterwinners and six returning starters for 11th-year coach Tim Klein, whose Eagles fell one game short of state last year. “We are hoping to build off last year’s post-season momentum and take the next step as a team, towards reaching our goals,” he said. Seniors Caleb Kakuda (SS) and Zeshawn Griffin (INF) were all-league selections.
Medical Lake (10-13, 4-7, sixth): Did not respond to questionnaire. Newport (11-9, 5-7, third): Did not respond to questionnaire. Riverside (1-12, 0-12, seventh): Did not respond to questionnaire.
Mead baseball player Emerson Fleck, headed to Washington State in the fall, was named to a top 200 Major League Baseball prospect list for high schoolers.
COLIN MULVANY/ THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
NEXT STOP: STATE
Junior Danielle Cozzetto hopes to join some select company at Shadle Park
By Luke Pickett THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
In her first two seasons, junior Danielle “Dannie” Cozzetto held down the No. 1 singles position at Shadle Park while earning Greater Spokane League 2A first-team selections.
Upon reflecting on the upcoming season, Cozzetto left no doubt that she does not think about getting selected to the allleague first team for the third consecutive season.
“No,” she said. “My personal goal is to make it to state.”
Cozzetto ended last season with a strong 8-2 record, but an untimely ankle injury during a district semifinal match left her placing third and just short of a state berth for the second straight year.
Many days and practices have passed since then for Cozzetto, who said she aims to use the motivation from that disappointing district semifinal loss against Pullman last May.
She’s been practicing hard inside and out of school settings to accomplish her goal of qualifying for the State 2A singles championships. The road again seems to go through Pullman.
“I need to try to beat (Pullman junior) Rhoda Wang,” Cozzetto said. “She’s won state two years in a row, and I think that this year, I could beat her.”
As Pullman’s No. 1 singles, Wang handed Cozzetto both of her only regular-season losses last season.
Cozzetto is seeking to become the first girls tennis player at Shadle Park to play for a state championship since the school joined the 2A classification in 2020.
Audra Spargo competed in the State 3A singles championships in 2016. Jillian Groves and Makenna Grier competed in the State 3A doubles championships in 2018.
While chasing a state title is very important to Cozzetto, her end goal is to play tennis in college. She credits her teammates for helping her in the journey.
“Support is a big thing for our team,” Cozzetto said. “Tennis isn’t much of a team sport, but you can still make it a team sport. We do a great job of supporting each other.”
Turning out for the team
Typically, the newcomers on a high school sports team are underclassmen. For Shadle Park’s girls tennis team this season, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Seven of the Highlanders’ 10 players are seniors, including three first-timers. Co-coaches and co-algebra teachers at Shadle Park, Kerista Knutsen and Annsley Skipper, are guiding the team.
What they lack in tennis experience, Knutsen and Skipper are making up for in enthusiasm.
“I’ve just really enjoyed it,” said Knutsen, who was an assistant volleyball coach for five years at Shadle. “I’ve enjoyed the
TENNIS AT A GLANCE
From staff reports
The Washington high school tennis season is underway. Here’s a preview of the Greater Spokane League 4A/3A and 2A. Teams in alphabetical order by classification.
GSL 4A/3A
Central Valley: Seven letterwinners – all seniors – return for second-year boys coach Conner Busch, including regional qualifier No. 1 singles senior Finn Scott. Regional qualifier senior Kalie Shelby will hold down No. 1 singles, with fellow senior Gabby Haigh at No. 2. Shaun Williams enters his second season with the Bears girls with six returning letterwinners. Cheney: Sophomore Claire Watkins will be the No. 1 singles for second-year girls coach Linnea Love, who has eight returning letterwinners.
Ferris: Ashlee Finneran is the new girls coach and will transition some doubles players into singles this season. Senior Sam White and juniors Nika Russow and Michelle Chen will compete for seeding.
Gonzaga Prep: First-year boys coach Shane Sandlin has six letterwinners back, including seniors Luke Lemberg and Jason Do and juniors Cian Dougherty, Ethan Hatzke and Spencer Bergstedt. Lewis and Clark: Junior Tate
Thatcher placed sixth at state in singles last year, and senior Jaden Walter was a state qualifier. Six letter winners return for first-year boys coach Scott Worley. Girls coach Kate Burns enters her fourth year with 10 returning letterwinners, including GSL first-team selections Lauren Lubbe and Charlotte Burns and second-teamer Eleanor Plager. Mead: The Panthers boys team are the two-time defending league champs and went 9-0 last year for coach Bryce Borland, who enters his fourth season at Mead. Doubles team Charlie Ring and Bryce Lynd were district champs and state qualifiers. Singles players sophomore Lexi Mattox and junior Josie Kellogg were alternates to state in doubles last season for girls coach Jon Wrigley, in his third season at Mead and 22nd overall. Mt. Spokane: Dustin McConnell enters his third season as coach of the boys team with eight returning letterwinners, including No. 1 doubles team of Kevin Pickering and Andrew Naresh. Sophomore Hannah Meythaler and senior Ava Weishaar appear set at No. 1 and No. 2 singles for sixth-year girls coach Jacob Fry. No. 1 doubles team of Ava Bunney and Almina Zukic qualified for regionals last season.
North Central: Second-year girls
coach Brina Carrigan will look to team captains senior Hope McCollom (No. 1 singles) and juniors Abby Liezen and
(volleyball) coaching staff, the faculty. So, when there was a last-minute tennis opening, and they needed somebody to do the
Emma Pell (No. 1 doubles) for leadership.
Ridgeline: Senior Zander Palm and sophomore Jackson Heib are the singles players for third-year boys coach Freddie Rehkow, who lost seven letterwinners to graduation. Third-year girls coach Russ Tarman has seven letterwinners back, led by sophomore Eilean McLaurin, who qualified for districts last year.
University: The Titans boys team is uncommonly deep but lacks a true “No. 1.” Division I football/basketball prospect Shane Skidmore returns to the team after taking two years off. Julene Osborn enters her 20th season helming the Titans girls with six letterwinners returning, led by reigning GSL MVP junior Kailee Alteneder, who went undefeated in league last season, and junior Madison Orr.
GSL 2A
Clarkston: Junior Alex Whittle and sophomore Cody Whittle are the singles players for ninth-year boys coach John Kowatsch. Xander Van Tine, fresh off an all-league basketball season, will play doubles. Fourth-year girls coach Margie Denton says she doesn’t have a “club player” on the roster, but seniors Olivia Gustafson, Eloise Teasley and Ella Leavitt are all three-sport athletes “who are competitive in everything they do,” she said.
East Valley: Girls coach Tom Griner returns for his third season with the Knights with four returning letterwinners, including senior Skyler Werner-Ashpaugh and juniors Fasai Xiong (No. 1 singles) and Lexi Robison
job, we just kind of filled in.”
Caitin Blankenagel, one of the three senior newcomers, joined the team to add to her impressive list of extracurricular high school achievements.
Throughout her time at Shadle Park, Blankenagel has been a part of the volleyball and cheer teams and was a DECA and orchestra member.
“I do a lot of other activities during the school year, but there’s nothing going on during the spring for me,” she said. “So I wanted something fun that I could do with my friends just to get more involved and to have something to do at the end of the year.”
Joining Blankenagel as novices on the tennis team are Hailey Schaber and Amelie Reynolds. They join returning seniors Claire Darlin, Kendal Depner, Kennedy Rosemier and Mercedes Howard.
“I just really want to have fun playing. I enjoy playing the sport, even though it’s my first year. It’s been super fun so far,” Blankenagel said.
(No. 2 singles).
Pullman: Cody Wendt enters his eighth season coaching the Greyhounds boys team with six returning letterwinners, though he lost four fouryear letterwinners to graduation from his state third-place team last season. Reed Newell and Benjamin Lee are the top singles players and No. 1 doubles Aditya Bose-Bandyopadhyay and Mir Park were state qualifiers. The Hounds have won 42 consecutive team duals and swept each of their league duals last season. The girls team went undefeated last year but lost several state placers to graduation, and two-time state champion Rhoda Wang isn’t playing this spring. Coach Dan Vollmer enters his eighth season with the Greyhounds.
Rogers: All-league No. 1 singles senior Kai Harker leads six returning letterwinners for 10th-year boys coach Miles Moffitt. Mason Kirby and Eli Borders will also play singles.
Shadle Park: The Highlander boys are led by No. 1 singles senior Benson Plaster, with fellow seniors Jamie Potter, Christian Barrera and Jameson Tucker rounding out the lineup for second-year coach Scott Stalder. Junior Danielle Cozzetto was first team all-league last season and co-coaches Kerista Knutsen and Annsley Skipper take over at the helm with seven letterwinners back. West Valley: No. 1 singles junior Conner Kunz was a state qualifier last season, and he’ll be backed by sophomore Orion Mastel for eighth-year boys coach Ned Fadeley.
COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
Shadle Park junior Danielle Cozzetto is a two-time, first-team All-Greater Spokane League 2A selection.
COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
Shadle Park seniors from left, Hailey Schaber, Amelie Reynolds and Caitin Blankenagle came out for the team for the first time this season.
THERE FROM THE BEGINNING
A half-century ago, Ferris coach Robin Crain, as a player, helped lay the foundation for local soccer
By Justin Reed
THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
Mead High School didn’t have a soccer program in the mid-1970s. In fact, the only high school team playing in the Spokane area was St. George’s.
At the time, the only organized soccer here was being played by a men’s club league that featured a team called the Spokane Spokes, a group composed of mostly European players.
The Spokes played against each other, St. George’s fledgling club and Gonzaga’s newly formed program.
Meanwhile back at Mead, Robin Crain – the current coach of Ferris’ soccer team – joined some buddies to help form the first soccer club for the Panthers, even though they weren’t originally recognized by the state as a team.
That is when Crain met his first and lifetime mentor: Dick
SOCCER AT A GLANCE
From staff reports
Teams listed in alphabetical order. Records and standings from 2023 season.
4A/3A
Central Valley (7-8, 3-6, 7th):
Aaron Gruis is in his third year with the Bears, with a strong team up the middle. Beau Butner – a six-time varsity letter winner across two sports – heads the defense from the centerback position. Maddox Lopez welcomes his brother Beckham to the midfield in 2024. Depth and goal scoring will be a point of emphasis for CV. Cheney (9-6, 3-6, 8th): Former Blackhawk Noah Prophet returns home to coach after a collegiate career. He takes over from former Mead Panther and Gonzaga Bulldog Nick Hamer. Prophet is hoping to build off 13 letterwinners returning, including seniors Logan Mink and Sam Woller. Ollie Cagle comes in as a freshman forward.
Gonzaga Prep (14-5, 9-0, 1st): The GSL co-champion Bullpups and head coach Johnny Bartich will have their work cut out for them with three first-team All-GSL players gone. The Bullpups will be strong up the gut with a senior centerback in Lukas Looney – a second-team All-GSL player in 2023 – and Phoenix Sandbo, a senior center midfielder. Thirteen seniors graduated, so expect a lot of play time for new starters. Lewis and Clark (12-6, 6-3, 4th): Two seniors, Bruch Emch and Max Wilson, are returning off ACL tears their sophomore seasons. Two All-GSL players were lost to graduation and four total starters. Seven starters return alongside Emch and Wilson, both who played on
Cullen.
Crain needed someone to coach, and Cullen stepped up and said he would love to take charge. Cullen will be inducted into the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Hall of Fame in May after more than 30 years with Mead as a coach and athletic director.
A few years later, Lewis and Clark/Ferris, Shadle Park and Coeur d’Alene were added to the list of high schools that offered
the 2022 state team. They should make the backline a strength for the Tigers. Mead (13-4, 8-1, 1st): The Panthers are content with scoring “ugly” according to second-year coach Tanner Wilburn.
Sometimes Mead can get too cute in front of goal, but the 20 athletes on the roster – who all chose soccer as their primary sport – are looking to compete with Gonzaga Prep again for the GSL title.
Kye Welch, a first-team All-GSL, and Wes Starley, All-GSL honorable mention return. They make up a strong team up the middle. Look for Mead to control the game through its possession. Mt. Spokane (2-11, 2-7, 9th): An unfortunate number of injuries to their seniors in 2023 gave a lot of varsity minutes to players underneath them. The Wildcats will be experienced in midfield and defense and will need to hunt for their goals. Ten letter-winners graduated, but All-GSL honorable mention midfielder Gavin Wunsch, a junior, is back. So is senior defender Matthew
Cong. North Central (5-9, 4-5, 6th): North Central made it to the round of 16 in the state tournament in 2022, so the Wolfpack have been in rebuild mode since then. First-team All-GSL forward Adrien Ferrasse graduated and a total of 11 letter-winners are gone from 2023.
Head coach Matt Leonard will lean on senior defender Evan Sand and junior midfielder Owen Bischoff for leadership and top play.
Ridgeline (8-5, 6-3, 3rd): In their third year, the Falcons are chock full of seniors, including Braylon Helm-Renz, a first-team All-GSL midfielder in 2023 and Caden Thompson, a first-team AllGSL defender. Junior Andrew Chaker will look to be the leagues top striker this
teams. Crain, who was more of a basketball and baseball athlete, said he gravitated toward soccer after playing pickup games with the men’s teams.
“I just fell in love with it,”
Crain said.
After a stint playing for Western Washington – where he earned his bachelor’s in education – Crain taught and coached at St. George’s. It was there he came across
season. Head coach Ernie Merino said his team will have excellent possession and will play high-quality soccer. In general, they will have to improve their finishing and team defending. Young goalkeeping will be something to watch.
University (1-13, 0-9, 10th): Kara Sharpe joins the boys team as head coach after spending the past five as the girls coach. She takes over a program with five starters and she will have to rely on four starting freshmen. The Titans will be searching for some players with pace who have the ability to put the ball in the back of the net. The 2023 GSL girls coach of the year will be looking to improve from the 2023 season and game to game.
2A
Clarkston (0-14, 0-10, 6th): Head coach Corinthia Richert is going into her 10th season, and while the Bantams are still young, they have more experience than in 2023. Richert has enjoyed what she has seen from her team in the early part of the season. Junior striker Stephen Alfred and junior Riley LePlante will provide the experience.
East Valley (6-11, 4-6, 4th): The Knights only lost one letter-winner and no starters from their 2023 squad. Head coach Logan Georgeadis – who is in his third season – will have two All-League players at his disposal. Midfield senior Hunter Anderson and junior midfielder Weston Fraxz return to lead East Valley. Pullman (18-4, 10-0, 1st): After taking fourth in state a season ago, the Greyhounds are expected to push deep into state again, even after losing league offensive MVP Carl Dollins and two first-team All-League players. The top two goal scorers graduated, but Clarens Dollins and Evan French will look to shoulder some of the burden. Leon Lange, the leagues defensive MVP, is back to anchor a top-tier defense.
Rogers (7-9, 3-7, 5th): The Pirates
another mentor, this time Errol Schmidt. Schmidt was a middle school math teacher and an athletic coach for 35 years. The school named their newly built athletic facility after him in 2005, and he passed away in 2014.
“He was another individual that I think kind of paved the way for me and helped me understand all kinds of aspects of coaching,” Crain said.
Crain coached everything at St. George’s, and he spent five years as a varsity basketball coach.
While at the private school, Crain was contacted by Cullen to be his assistant soccer coach at Whitworth, alongside a former rival, Gary Lehnhart. Originally opponents in the early 1980s –Crain at Western and Lehnhart at Whitworth – the two bonded on Cullen’s Whitworth staff.
For years after Lehnhart moved to Alaska, the two would battle it out when the Juneau-Douglas Bears traveled to Spokane to play Mead and Ferris in exhibition games at the now-demolished Joe Albi Stadium.
The tradition hasn’t happened post-pandemic, but their friendship remains as strong as the day they coached the same players.
“Gary was the other one that kind of inspired me as we grew together in our coaching
See CRAIN, 8
hope to cause havoc in the 2A again, their fourth-year head coach, Mike Duke said. First-team All-League midfielder Valen Byiringiro returns as a senior, as does junior Evan Rushing, Josiah Torres and Sahil Sahebzada, all three were honorable mentions in the league last year. The expectation is to rely on the defensive end and find the back of the net on their offensive chances.
Shadle Park (9-9, 5-5, 3rd): Almost the entire Highlander defense graduated or transferred from 2023. After finishing third in the league a season ago, Shadle will need to find its defensive identity and a consistent goal threat. Expect that to fall to senior first-team All-GSL Tyler Pearson. Sam Picicci will provide solid play in net, as he earned an honorable mention nod last year.
West Valley (14-5, 8-2, 2nd): CC Collins joins University’s Kara Sharpe as the two coaches who made the jump to coach the boys after coaching the girls for multiple seasons. She will learn how to build the team after five starters are gone from 2023. Two seniors will be the focus.
Up top is Cyler Petruso and helping provide him service is Rylan Allen, a center midfielder.
NEA
Lakeside (11-9, 9-3, 2nd): A roster exodus from 2023 will test co-coaches Darin Mott and Wayne Ferris early in the season. The Eagles lost seven starters due to graduation and injury. A traditionally small turnout and an inexperienced roster will force some tough learning moments, but the coaches expect the squad to be competitive.
Newport (2-10, 2-11, 6th): The Grizzlies are hoping and expecting to finish better than in 2023. One starter graduated and one other letter-winner is gone, but the rest return including senior defender Jess Johnson who will be relied on to lead the squad.
COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
Ferris boys soccer coach Robin Crain helped pave the way for soccer to flourish in the Inland Northwest.
Recent track and field converts Tamia and Tomeko Cates shine in athletics and in the classroom for Springdale
TWINS ON TRACK FOR STARDOM
By Greg Lee THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
SPRINGDALE – Mary Walker High School will suffer a big loss – make that a pair of big losses – when the Cates twins graduate this spring.
Tamia and Tomeko Cates are not only two of the athletes at the Springdale school, they’re also the two top students.
They have earned valedictorian and salutatorian honors – Tamia with a 4.0 gradepoint average and Tomeko with a 3.9.
The twins share the same love for track, and that will be the vehicle they use to continue their education in college.
Three-sport athletes, Tomeko wants to be a decathlete and Tamia wants to be a heptathlete in college. The decathlon consists of competition in 10 events, and the heptathlon consists of seven events.
They’re essentially rookies in most of the events. They dipped their toes into competition last June at the unofficial high school championships at Lake Stevens.
Tomeko followed it up with two more decathlons, placing second at the Junior Olympics and seventh at the Nike Nationals. Both meets were at the University of Oregon’s famed Hayward Field.
A four-year starter in football and basketball, Tomeko had never done three of the 10 events in the decathlon – the pole vault, 110-meter hurdles and 1,500.
He vaulted 9 feet, 6 inches at Lake Stevens and twice did 11-6 at the summer meets. He’s now pushing 13-0 after attending practices at Whitworth and Mead in recent weeks.
Tomeko swept his four events at the State 2B meet last spring, winning the high jump, long jump and triple jump to go along
TRACK AND FIELD AT A GLANCE
From staff reports
The Washington high school track and field season is underway. Here’s a preview of the Greater Spokane League 4A/3A and 2A boys and girls teams. Teams in alphabetical order by classification.
GSL 4A/3A
Central Valley: Charles Bowden enters his 34th year at CV coaching the boys team, which won 4A districts last season. Senior Brandon Gutzwiler is a two-time placer in the high jump, and there are several who qualified for state last year back for the Bears, which should be very competitive in jumps and throws.
Cheney: The boys team will be led by senior sprinters Kordell Laher and Tucker VanWormer, both state qualifiers, and distance runner Calvin Hilton. The girls team will be especially strong in throws with seniors Joy Assonken and Clara Brown, and high jumper Mariah Hill was a state qualifier. Coach Derek Slaughter said 120 boys and 65 girls came out for track this year.
Gonzaga Prep: Girls coach Chad Chambers, in his sixth season, has three state qualifying sprinters back – all juniors: Kaylin McMahon, Hannah Boyum and Olivia McIntyre. Freshman
all-league basketball player Aylah Cornwall will be a “do it all” athlete for Chambers.
Lewis and Clark: According to eighth-year coach Michael Johnston, the boys and girls teams will be especially young this season, though the boys team “has plenty of depth.” Senior pole vaulter Kyle Worthy and senior hurdler Tyler Jones will be counted on for leadership.
Mead: Dominick Corley was the 3A state champ in the boys 200m and has enjoyed a tremendous indoor and club season. Kadmiel Lopez (jumps) and Even Berg (throws) are leaders for second-year coach James Lehr.
Mt. Spokane: Annette Helling returns for her 27th season with the Wildcats. State participants from last year include juniors Dakota Hansen (300 hurdles), and Stella Volpone and Makenna Ritter (4x100).
North Central: NC returns 46 of its 47.5 points at district, including three state placers – Cameron Dewey in both hurdles and Darius Stamps in long jump. The Wolfpack had 50 girls turn out this season with a strong group of juniors and seniors for 10th-year coach Kelly Harmon. Seniors Julie Greiner (pole vault), Marlee Schoeffler (jumps) and Brooke Suter (sprints) are leaders.
Ridgeline: Allison Booth takes over as coach of the girls team. Sprinters Preslie
with the 200.
His best event is the high jump. He set the state meet record last year when he jumped 6-9. His goal is to eclipse 7-0 this season.
Tamia won state titles in the long and triple jumps and placed fifth each in the high jump and javelin.
Tomeko almost single handedly led Springdale to a state championship last year. He wants a repeat.
Raw but naturally gifted is an apt description of their abilities in track. They don’t get the quality workouts during the season at Springdale because the school has a dirt track.
The runway approaches for the jumps can be as rough as the gravel-packed track surface. The rubber-matted runways often bubble up, requiring the twins to stretch them out before they train.
“You can’t do everything that you could
Young and Alexandra House, jumper Briana Pires and distance runners Sierra Tate and Paige Huntsinger are leaders for the Falcons.
University: Boys coach Ernie Aguilar, entering his eighth season, has 20 athletes returning. Aguilar thinks the 4x400 team of Jake Trefry, Jeffrey Whitman, Brayden Godfrey and Luke Trefry should be strong and that Adam Sessions could go to state in discus.
Junior Addy MacArthur was state champ in discus and runner up in shot put last season. Senior Allie Ferrin (high jump) and sophomore Kyla Roberts (800m) placed at state. Todd Hawley returns for his sixth season with the Titans with 20 letterwinners back.
GSL 2A
East Valley: Logan Ihle was a state participant in the javelin and shot put. Tony Ngyuen (triple jump) and Talan Hughes (hurdles) reached regionals for coach Brandon Blize, entering his 11th season as head coach. The Knights girls were league and district champs last year for coach Shane Toy, in his 25th year as coach. Senior Logan Hofstee brings two state cross country state titles to the distances, while Amy Philpot (high jump) and Olivia Amen (pole vault) placed at state.
Pullman: Eight girls qualified for state last season and six return, including middle distance runner Anna Fitzgerald (fourth in 800), senior hurdler Jennabee Harris (seventh 300H) and junior Shahad
do on a regular track,” Tamia said. “We still go 100% and train as hard as we can, but our 100% on a dirt track doesn’t look the same on a rubberized track.” They each want to go out as four-event state champs this spring.
“Tomeko picks things up so easily,” Cindy Cates, their mother, said. “He gets whatever you tell him and understands the physical part of it too. Both of them are so athletic.”
Cindy Cates has been a long-time track coach at Springdale, where she attended growing up. She took on the role as head coach this year.
“Our mom has learned a lot, and I’m very proud of her, but we haven’t had any (technical) coaching, that kind of training,” Tamia said.
Paternal twins, they don’t have the twinning thing that many twins have. They’re not each other’s best friend, but they certainly love and respect each other.
They’re both being recruited. Oregon and the University of Washington have reached out to Tomeka. Seattle Pacific and Western Washington have done the same with Tamia. Calvin University, a private Christian NCAA Division III school in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is recruiting the pair. They took a visit together to Calvin.
The only drawback is the distance from their mom.
“Calvin’s campus felt the best to me, and I liked the student-athletes I roomed with,” Tomeko said.
“I’m leaning toward Calvin because it had the best financial aid package,” Tamia added. “The environment there felt like it was the place to be.”
Tomeko surpassed 1,000 career points in his fourth season as a starter in basketball. He moved from running back to wide receiver last fall to avoid potential injury.
See TWINS, 7
Akasha (4x400). The turnout was “huge” according to fifth-year coach Allix Potratz-Lee.
Rogers: The Pirates boys team, which had 200 athletes out this spring, will be led by senior sprinter Aaron Kinsey, who was third at state in the 100. Kinsey helped lead Rogers’ football and basketball teams to state. Fellow senior sprinter Alex Munteanu is on the 4x100 team with Kinsey that took third at state. Sophomore sprinter Michael Sanders is one to watch. Khalil Winfrey takes over as coach of the girls team with strong sprinters as well, as seniors Emily Peabody and Akeelis Muhammad return from the state champ 4x100 team.
Shadle Park: Nathan Clayton returns for his seventh season coaching both teams. Senior Liam Newell placed fourth in the 300 hurdles last season and leads a large returning crew. Junior Josie Anselmo was last year’s pole vault champ, while senior Abbey Flerchinger has a good chance to place in javelin and triple jump.
West Valley: 10-time coach of the year Vic Wallace returns for his 18th season with the Eagles with a bevy of GSL champions. Senior Parker Munns placed sixth a state in high jump last year, and junior Cooper Henkle was second in the javelin. Junior Hadassah Duff and sophomores Lauren Matthew and Kyia Silva led the girls 4x400 team to sixth at state while senior McKenzie Sargent was second in high jump.
TYLER TJOMSLAND/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
Springdale track and field stars Tomeko and Tamia Cates are also standouts in the classroom.
DRIVEN TO SUCCEED
By Samantha DiMaio
THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
In coach Ryan Nelson’s digital photography classroom at Mt. Spokane High School hangs a handful of images depicting the students who have gone on to play college golf. Senior Mia Bontrager’s picture will soon be among those.
“I vividly remember her pointing at an empty area on that wall as a freshman and saying, ‘My photo will be right there,’” Nelson said. “Her photo will be in that spot at the end of this season.”
Bontrager has been a golfer for as long as she can remember. Though her dad and grandpa introduced the sport to her as a small child, it wasn’t until middle school that she truly recognized her love for the game. It was also around that time that she began playing volleyball, a sport her mom competed in during college. As she joined the varsity team her freshman year, Bontrager be-
came an impressive dual athlete and managed to maintain a 3.97 GPA.
Though she loved the team aspect of volleyball, Bontrager began to lean more toward golf because of the individuality that comes with it. With her junior year approaching, she decided to focus on her dedication to golf and take a step back from volleyball by discontinuing club play.
“It’s such an individual sport that it’s your journey,” Bontrager said of golf. “As much as you put in is what you’re going to get out of it… I think of it as like you versus the game of golf.”
The Mt. Spokane girls may not always be playing together out on the course, but they still have that foundation of a team. They hold each other accountable in accomplishing their goals and reaching their full potential, they support each other on and off the course and they celebrate each other’s victories. In the past couple years, Bontrager has become a leader on the team as she con-
GOLF AT A GLANCE
From staff reports
The Washington high school golf season is underway. Here’s a preview of the Greater Spokane League 4A/3A and 2A boys and girls teams. Teams in alphabetical order by classification.
GSL 4A/3A
Central Valley: Boys coach Brian Spencer enters his fifth season with four returning letterwinners, led by state qualifier sophomore Chase Sturgis. Fifth-year girls coach Rob Rowe has three letterwinners back: senior Alivia Lanphere and juniors Charli Thomas and Aubrey Hancock. Cheney: Senior Kyren Flemming and sophomore Treyson Little will provide leadership for a strong group of freshmen for first-year boys coach Justin Fayant. Gerald Morton returns for his 20th year coaching the girls team with all six letterwinners from last year’s team back. Juniors Lauren Howe and Elsa Bertelsen qualified for districts.
Ferris: Senior Patrick Luby qualified for state last season, and Ethan Miller returns from injury for coach Ryan Lamb in his third season at the helm. Senior Anna Morse was a state participant for the second year in a row for the girls team
TWINS
Continued from 6
Tamia
sistently encourages and gives advice to the younger girls.
“Not only did she help me tactically to break down my swing and develop correct form, but she taught me the importance of mental toughness,” senior teammate Ava Anyan said. Considering golf is a sport of such meticulous perfection, much of the performance relies on mindset. During practices, Bontrager is constantly thinking about each little aspect of her swing. Sometimes, it becomes overwhelming. This is when she forces herself to focus on one detail at a time so that she can get the most out of her training. Tournaments, on the other hand, are a chance to let go.
“In tournaments, I just have to trust myself,” Bontrager said. “You’re here for a reason. You’ve put in the work; you just have to relax.”
In addition to helping her teammates, Bontrager also coaches youth golf and volleyball during the summer and acts as an
last year, while sophomores Emmaline Kuney and Erin McGuire qualified for districts for the fifth-place Saxons. Laurie Smith returns for her fifth season as coach. Gonzaga Prep: Four letterwinners and two starters return for the Bullpups girls team, led by juniors Lisette Durkin and Lilliann Sayler. Lewis and Clark: Brett Meenach is back for his fifth year with the Tigers boys team and has seven letterwinners back from a state fourth-place team. Sophomore Jack Brigham took eighth individually. Ten-time GSL coach of the year Michelle Grafos returns for her 19th season with the Tigers, as does junior Amanda Nguyen, who placed third at state after losing in a three-way playoff for first. Sophomore Eve Parker was a state qualifier as well for a team which placed sixth at state.
Mead: Keith Ross, who spent 13 years coaching the girls team, takes over the boys program with three letterwinners back from last year’s state qualifying team. Sophomore Benjamin Bennett (tied for 16th) and junior Cameron Cantillana (tied for 12th) return. The girls team returns the GSL co-MVP senior Brooke Bloom, who placed 10th at state last year.
ingly comes as naturally as athletics. The twins share two classes in their final semester – English Literature and Civics.
“I’m really good in English and history, and he’s really good in math and science,” Tamia said. They appreciate how they balance each other out in the class-
honorary coach to her two little sisters. Her desire is for them to enjoy the game rather than burn themselves out, wondering why they started playing in the first place. Even outside of golf, Bontrager has a tight bond with her family. They recently took a trip to Arizona for a golf tournament but soaked in all the free time they had together as they prepare for Bontrager’s departure for college – she’s playing for Southern Oregon University. Much like the way she encourages her siblings, her parents encourage her.
“My dad is one of my biggest supporters,” Bontrager said. “He’s helped me with the college recruiting process and even just all my tournaments. He’s the one that’s been there with me through it all.”
During her sophomore year, Bontrager experienced burnout for herself. She couldn’t remember why she started playing or what made her love the sport.
Mt. Spokane: The Wildcats had two boys golfers make the cut at state last year: senior Stetson Gilbert and junior Alex Cloer. Coach Terry Cloer is back for his second season at the helm. Ninthyear coach Ryan Nelson has just two letterwinners back this season, and firstteam all-leaguer senior Mia Bontrager is the leader. Bontrager will continue her playing career at Southern Oregon. North Central: Did not respond to questionnaire.
Ridgeline: Five letterwinners return for coach Nick Seaman in his third season. Senior Tanner Smith finished tied for 18th at state last year and leads a big team – 52 golfers turned out – with lots of tournament experience. The girls team qualified for state and first-year coach Danny White has four returning letterwinners, led by juniors Carolyn Rose and Reagan Rothley.
University: The boys team has four letterwinners back for first-year coach Tyson Rule. Seniors Justus Moody, Rett Stinson and Tyler Stavenjord are leaders for the Titans. The girls team has a new coach too – Sandy Tipton.
GSL 2A
East Valley: Adam Fisher returns for his sixth season as coach with five letterwinners back, including sophomores Brady Flahavin and Teegan Martinez. Key returners for the girls team, led by second-year coach John
room. If one needs help in a class, Tamia said they “collaborate.”
The twins give all the credit for their accomplishments to their mom.
“My mom has inspired me to be the athlete I am because she’s always there to help when I need it,” Tomeko said. “She’s always
After taking a summer off, she said she was reminded of the joy it brings her and she fell in love with the game again. She just needed a break from pushing herself to the edge, and that is what she is teaching her sisters.
“Just be in the moment; be present,” Bontrager said. “Don’t think about what already happened because it already happened. Don’t think about four holes ahead because you’re not there yet. Just stay present in the moment.”
And she’s taking her own advice beyond golf. This means that golf time is golf time, friends time is friends time, family time is family time and so on. With as much work as she has put into her golfing career, Bontrager also made the time to balance these other aspects of life.
“You need to put things aside and do what’s important,” Bontrager said. “And do what’s going to make you happy, too because I feel like if you’re not happy, then what’s the point?”
Phelan, include Kaiden Davis, Kamnea Davis and Izzy Shoop.
Pullman: The Greyhounds took home both league titles last season. The boys were eighth at state for fourth-year coach Parker Ruehl. Five letterwinners are back, including four state qualifiers, led by GSL MVP Trae Frederickson. The girls were fifth at state under coach John Willy, entering his ninth season. Five letterwinners return, including seniors Ryli Bednar (seventh at state) and Mataline Rink (21st at state). Rogers: Shawn Carney is back for his 14th season as boys coach with two letterwinners, led by senior Wyatt Hart, a two-time state qualifier. Shadle Park: The Highlanders boys are led by junior Jonah Kern, who is already a two-time state qualifier. Coach Shannon Brown returns for a second season with four letterwinners back. Girls coach Margo Dreis is back for her 10th season with three returning letterwinners: seniors Sophia Carney and Cadia LeBret and junior Eliana Frye. West Valley: Five letterwinners and two state placers – sophomore Melia Cerenzia (second) and senior Spencer Cerenzia (eighth) – return for thirdyear girls coach Ty Brown. Spencer will compete for Eastern Washington next year. The boys team is led by two-time state qualifier senior Keason Silva and the Eagles have four letterwinners back for veteran coach Craig Whitney.
positive. She never talks negative if I do something wrong or mess something up.”
The twins said that growing up in a small community has been a blessing.
“Being from such a small town, it’s like proving to people that you don’t have to be from somewhere
big to do something big that motivates me,” Tamia said. “You don’t have to know everything and be so athletic to go somewhere. No matter where you are, you can do it.
“Yeah, we’re from practically the middle of nowhere. But you can do anything anyone else can do from bigger schools.”
From the start, Mt. Spokane golfer Mia Bontrager has had a picture-perfect finish in mind
DAN PELLE/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
Mt. Spokane golfer Mia Bontrager has stayed laser-focused on every aspect of her swing.
was a four-year starter in basketball and started at outside hitter in volleyball last fall when Springdale took fifth at state. Success in the classroom seem-
been really enjoyable, but I mean, he’s just an outstanding player.”
him, I know he’s gonna give his full effort,” Hare said.
playing in town, let’s go,’ and so the whole team would go. Now to have him enjoy that opportunity there – and for all of our young players to see that – it’s just nice to see that baseball here in the Pacific Northwest is still thriving, and no matter how our weather is we still have guys that are talented and moving on to great, great things.” Hare taught Fleck in middle school and anxiously awaited until he could get him in a Panthers uniform.
“Emerson’s a phenomenal, phenomenal, young man,” Hare said. “I already saw the talent that he had (in middle school) when it came to pushups and he did well more than anyone else, and it just seemed really easy for him. So once he came here, I had high expectations that he was going to continue that on. And he’s worked every bit of it. For him to have the opportunity to go to WSU where he’s fully been wanting to go from the beginning, it’s
Fleck didn’t pitch in high school last year and was used primarily as an outfielder. But he’ll move all over the diamond this season for the Panthers.
“There were a couple of injuries in the offseason, so we’ll be missing one of our infielders,” Fleck said. “So, I’ll probably be bounced around as much as I can, just wherever I can help the team out the most.”
The transition from grass to dirt shouldn’t be too difficult for Fleck, who was an infielder when he was younger.
“I played a little bit infield going up, but then I liked the outfield more because I could focus more on hitting and my speed worked better out in the outfield,” Fleck said. “But I decided I think it would be beneficial if I was able to play everywhere this spring for our team. So, this offseason there were just a lot of a lot of reps trying to get a lot of ground balls and just different training and stuff, watching videos and getting information.”
“It doesn’t matter where I put
On the mound, Fleck features a two-seam fastball, slider and a change-up. He’ll start for Mead this season and will pitch in whatever capacity WSU needs.
“They can put me at bullpen –works fine for me,” he said. “And same with starting. As long as I can get my time. I just want to get an opportunity.”
“I have yet to see him fully perform on the mound in a game,” Hare said. “I heard it from some of the lower-level coaches who saw him his freshman year. And so, I have been waiting for this opportunity. If it’s anything like the bullpens that I’ve seen or the videos I’ve seen. ... I’m looking forward to what he’s able to do.”
Fleck says he has a bit of a “bulldog” mentality on the mound.
“There can be days you get a lot of help from the umpire and there’ll be days where you’re getting squeezed quite a bit,” he said. “Being able to control your emotions when you’re on the mound – and it goes both ways hitting and pitching – is important.
“And you gotta control the pace of the game as well. If things are starting to feel out of hand, you just have to step off maybe talk to a teammate a little bit and just try and get locked back in because it’s all about competing. If you’re out there and not and you don’t have a 100% competitive mindset the whole time, then you shouldn’t be out there.”
Fleck has dreamed of being a big leaguer his entire life but didn’t think about college ball until recently.
“When you’re younger, I guess you don’t think about it as much,” Fleck said. “You don’t take it too seriously until you get closer to that timeline. When I got into high school, I realized like ‘Well, I’m pretty good at this. So, the harder I work, the better I’ll get.’ I think this is a good way to go to the next level of education. And obviously it’s something I enjoy a lot.” Fleck was a reserve for the basketball team over the winter. He appreciates the different aspects of being a multiple-sport athlete.
“I got into basketball pretty late. It was just something fun
to do,” he said. “Going into high school, I just realized that being able to do to (multiple) sports gives you stuff to do in the offseason. Basketball, I found, was really good for agility and speed and to just keep myself in shape over the offseason, because you don’t get a whole lot of that in baseball.”
The Panthers will suit up 12 seniors and a freshman this year on varsity. Fleck expects the Panthers will be a force to be reckoned with this season.
“Our pitching is probably gonna be our strong suit this year,” he said. “We’ve got multiple guys in the 85 (MPH) to 90 range. Five or six pitchers that could be the aces on other teams. ... And I think our defense is gonna win us games this year.”
“I have not had a team like this in the few years I’ve been here,” Hare said, mentioning a half-dozen players that will play in college. “We have a very talented group. We felt that same way last year and we had a little adversity kind of smack in the face. ... So, I believe they are very hungry this year.”
“ crain is definitely the most respected coach I’ve played for.”
Sison Ferris soccer player
repertoire,” Crain said. “We constantly bounce ideas off of each other.” Now, in 2024, Crain is entering his 28th year as head coach of the Saxons boys’ soccer team after 10 years with North Central.
Crain and his teams have totaled many wins and personal achievements over the years, but the accolades weren’t the first thing that came to mind for Crain when asked about his coaching career – it was the players and the impacts he hoped he made on their lives.
Those confirmations don’t usually happen while they play under him, but as players return to catch up or to play in the alumni game, the true impacts are felt.
“You don’t always know,” he said. “I have no idea how kids feel about me during the season. And then when they come back later, and they say, ‘Coach, this was the greatest thing ever.’ ”
One of his senior outside backs, Ian Sison, said that when he moved to Spokane six years ago, Crain’s name – and the respect that follows it – was one of the first he heard of. Sison, a four-year player on varsity, has spent his high school career under Crain, absorbing the knowledge of one of Spokane’s most well-known soccer figures.
“Crain is definitely the most respected coach I’ve played for,” Sison said. “I’ve had him as a teacher personally and I know that he’s kind of just like a community figure overall. Basically, anyone is a person away from knowing him in Spokane.”
On the field, Crain and his Saxons don’t want to repeat last season’s lack of postseason play. They went 9-6 overall and 4-5 in league
play and finished fifth in the 4A/3A Greater Spokane League. But with 12 seniors on his roster this season – and many of them four-year players – the Saxons will have the edge in experience every time they step on the
is one of those players and he, along with senior Andrew Oliver, will be key at making sure the ball stays away from the Ferris net as the leaders of the defense.
Even though Crain was a forward during his playing career, he now emphasizes defense as a coach.
“I know what it’s like, if I’m defended, with some really good defenders,” he said. “It’s really hard and frustrating.”
As far as scoring goes, Ferris should have more goal-scoring threats than they have had the past few seasons. Seniors Orion Munter, Henry Finkle and Carter Merritt are three forwards on the roster who will be expected to score.
And scoring is what this senior-laden team will need to do if they want to win, and the expectation is to win.
“Nothing beats winning, right?” Crain said. “And that’s why I’m still doing it. Because I’m really competitive. And I love to win. And we’re able to do that here.”
Crain has compiled a 327-131-7 record with Ferris, accumulating a state title and eight league titles in the ultra-competitive GSL.
He was the Washington State Coach of the Year in 1998.
After 40-plus years of coaching, he has shown no signs of slowing down nor has he really thought about hanging up his whistle or putting down his dry erase markers. But when he does retire, it will be both from the pitch and his science classroom concurrently.
“When I retire, who knows when that’ll be, but it’s on the horizon,” he said.
No definitive answer was given, showing how much he still enjoys being on the field with his players, scrimmaging with them and being active.
“Crain’s been around as long as time, basically,” Sison said with a chuckle. “It’ll definitely be a massive moment there (when he retires).
“It will be one of those things that people talk about for a while when it happens.”
field. Sison
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COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
Mead baseball player Emerson Fleck, headed to Washington State in the fall, was named to a top 200 Major League Baseball prospect list for high schoolers.
SPOKESMAN-REVIEW PHOTO ARCHIVES
Ferris soccer coach Robin Crain directs players during a 1997 practice.