Gpa’s Take Off At Idaho

The University of Idaho’s 240 student-athletes had a 2.85 combined grade-point average for spring semester, Vandals athletic director Pete Liske said.

“That’s an awesome display,” he said.

The 2.85 GPA compares to last fall semester’s 2.69, “which was still very good,” Liske said. Team GPAs ranged from 2.48 to 3.18. Liske noted that 42 percent of UI student-athletes had GPAs of 3.0 or better and five teams had GPAs above 3.0.

Liske credited the studentathletes and Laurie Turner, former women’s basketball coach and current coordinator of academic services, for the classroom gains.

“We’re trying to identify individuals that may be problematic,” Turner said. “We’re attempting to be more proactive.”

Turner said freshmen athletes receive particular attention. “We’re trying to educate them that they’re not majoring in eligibility,” she said. “They’re majoring in getting a degree that will be valuable when they get out of here.”

“Laurie understands the kids’ and coaches’ needs,” Liske said. “She’s doing a phenomenal job.”

Liske said the number of student-athletes requiring summer school hours is considerably lower than previous years.

“The fallacy is that you can’t do both (succeed academically and athletically),” Liske said. “That’s absolutely wrong.”

Signed to wrestle

Josh Clausen, a Minnesota high school state champion, has signed to wrestle at North Idaho College, coach John Owen announced.

Clausen, who will wrestle at 177 or 190 pounds, won a national high school championship at a tournament in March.

Softball standouts

Lake City High School softball player Kelly Nelson has been named the Inland Empire League’s player of the year.

Coeur d’Alene’s Sandy Norton was voted newcomer of the year.

Nelson was 17-2 and led the Timberwolves to second place at last week’s state tournament.

All-IEL first team: Regan Long, Lake City; Kelly Nelson, Lake City; Kim Sigler, Coeur d’Alene; Laura Tolzmann, Lake City; Stacy Dawson, Coeur d’Alene; Cindy Wendt, Lewiston; Deanna Young, Post Falls; Jenny Lee, Coeur d’Alene; Tanjee Raynor, Sandpoint.

Second team: Jenny Owen, Lake City; Crystal Clark, Sandpoint; Cristy Newman, Lewiston; Amber Orr, Coeur d’Alene; Carrie Carpenter, Lewiston; Tonya McLeod, Lake City; Brandi Williams, Sandpoint; Mikin Gatten, Coeur d’Alene; Sarah Atkinson, Post Falls.

Diamond gems

Lewiston High shortstop/ pitcher Ryan Baerlocher was tabbed the Inland Empire League baseball’s player of the year. Tom Grunenfelder, who led Lewiston to the state title last week, was named coach of the year.

All-IEL first team: Catcher- Chris Pendell, Lewiston; 1B-Jay Wendt, Lewiston; 2B-Bruce Coppess, Coeur d’Alene; SS- Ryan Baerlocher, Lewiston; 3B-Jesse Hoorelbeke, Coeur d’Alene; OF-Brett Hollenbeck, Post Falls; Todd Hughes, Coeur d’Alene; Ryan Lomonacco, Sandpoint. DH-Ryan Novak, Post Falls. Pitcher-Jeff Anstine, Coeur d’Alene; Mike Lindgren, Sandpoint; Lysandro Perez, Lewiston.

Second team: Catcher-Luke Anderson, Lake City; 1B-Chuck Shriner, Lake City; 2B-Jeremy Frei, Lewiston; SS-Ryon Packard, Lake City; 3B-Travis Reise, Sandpoint; OF-Marshall Evans, Lewiston; Ryan Scharnhorst, Lake City; Jason Rook, Coeur d’Alene. DH- Jeremy Izenhower, Lewiston; Pitcher-Ryan Kempton, Post Falls; Mark Scates, Coeur d’Alene; Mike Wilson, Lewiston.

, DataTimes