Time to honor area athletes

Some familiar names and several newcomers will grace the dais during the 30th annual Youth Awards Luncheon at noon on Feb. 13.

The event is hosted each year by the Spokane Regional Sports Commission and chaired by Jeff Colliton. It will be held in the new Convention Center, Exhibit Hall A.

Major sponsors are State Farm Insurance, Rockwood Clinic and Spokane Hoopfest.

Dennis Patchin and Rick Lukins from KXLY are again co-Masters of Ceremonies.

The event is a tribute to the athletic accomplishments of some 1,200 area youngsters in attendance, whose lunch is underwritten by area businesses. Recognition falls upon 40 finalists as voted by Inland Northwest Sportswriters and Broadcasters for Junior Male and Female Athletes, Teams and Coach of the Year.

Some special awards will also be given out, including the Rockwood Clinic Trainer of the Year and Spokane Hoopfest Sportsmanship Award.

For tickets, contact Deana McClenny at the SRSC, 742-9379

This year’s finalists include last year’s Female Athlete and Team winners Angie Bjorklund and Mead volleyball:

SWABS Youth Awards Finalists Junior Male

Matt Cronrath – Odessa distance runner won the 800- and 1,600-meter races at last year’s State 1B track meet and this fall captured the State B cross country title.

Ryan DesRoches – Riverside wrestler won his second straight State 2A title, completing the season unbeaten.

Josh Goodwin – Almira/Coulee-Hartline quarterback of the State 1B football champions was named BSports.com player of the year and was AP All-State linebacker.

Byron Hout – Lake City linebacker was named first-team 5A All-State in Idaho for third straight year. He had 88 tackles, 20 for losses, three interceptions and forced seven fumbles.

Jared Karstetter – Ferris athlete was Greater Spokane League MVP in basketball and caught 70 passes for 943 yards and 13 touchdowns in football.

David Musson – Colville javelin thrower became first to surpass 200 feet with the new implement, throwing 17 feet farther in the State 2A meet than any other class champ.

Nick Puckett – Timberlake athlete won Idaho 3A track 200 and medaled in three other events. He rushed for 1,978 yards in football.

Justin Rose – Colville cross country runner won the State 2A championship and ran second in the national Junior Olympics championships.

Alex Shaw – Lewis and Clark football state champion’s running back was named All-State at linebacker, AP 4A co-Player of the Year and Seattle Times Player of the Year.

Shawn Stockton – Ferris High basketball player was named MVP of the State 4A basketball tournament. He also was all-purpose All-GSL for football state semifinalists.

Junior Female

Angie Bjorklund – Record-setting University basketball scorer was first-team Parade Magazine All-American, Washington Gatorade Player of the Year and AP 4A Player of the Year.

Katie Baker – Lake City junior was Idaho Gatorade player of the year after averaging 14.9 points and 8.1 rebounds a game for the state champions.

Jenna DeLong – Coeur d’Alene pitcher was named Inland Empire Player of he Year for second straight year, striking out 61 in four state playoff games for 28-2 the titlists.

Kaprina Goodwin – Northport athlete averaged around 24 points per game in basketball, was a four-event State 1B track champion in the spring and All-State in volleyball.

Roni Jo Mielke – Was State 1B Player of the Year after leading Sprague-Harrington to the state basketball championship. She also placed 11th in State B golf.

Karyn Mockel – Mead setter was voted All-State and 4A MVP in volleyball as the Panthers captured their fifth straight state championship.

Andrea Nelson – Shadle Park sophomore won State 4A cross country championship, setting meet records on the way and was named state’s Gatorade Runner of the Year.

Katelan Redmon – Lewis and Clark basketball player led Tigers to their second straight State 4A title. She scored 462 points for a 16.0 average during the season.

Samantha Skillingstad – Shadle Park junior pitched four shutouts during a 28-1 season and State 4A softball championship, with 368 strikeouts and nine no-hitters, three of them perfect games.

Kelly McNamee – Ferris high jumper set an area record and became the 11th-highest leaper in Washington all-time when she won State 4A track and field event at 5-foot-10.

Junior Male Team

Ferris basketball – Saxons won the State 4A championship, completing a perfect 29-0 season.

Lake City baseball – Timberwolves won their final 13 games, capping their 22-6 state championship season with 7-1 win over Lewiston.

Lewis and Clark football – Tigers won five straight playoff games to finish 11-2 by beating Bothell 21-14 for the State 4A football championship.

North Central cross country – Indians were best team regardless of classification, winning second straight State 3A title.

Northwest Christian basketball – Crusaders repeated as champions winning the first State 2B championship 46-38 over Wahkiakum to cap a 29-1 season.

Junior Female Team

Colfax basketball – The Bulldogs won their fourth consecutive State 1A basketball championship by beating King’s 31-28 to cap a 27-2 season.

Lake City basketball – The Timberwolves upset rival Coeur d’Alene 46-40 in the Idaho 5A championship basketball game to complete a 23-4 season.

Lewis and Clark basketball – The Tigers completed a 26-3 season by winning their second straight State 4A championship with a 39-34 victory over University.

Mead volleyball – The Panthers captured their fifth straight State 4A championship and for the second year beat Lewis and Clark for the crown.

Shadle Park softball – Highlanders became second GSL team to win a State 4A softball title, finishing 28-1 and allowing just one run in nine postseason games.

Junior Coach

Cory Baerlocher – His Colfax girls basketball team won State 1A tournament for the fourth straight year.

Cory Bridges – His young Lake City baseball team won final 13 games for their first Idaho State 5A title.

Sue Doering – Familiar territory as her Bulldogs won fourth straight State 1A volleyball title and sixth in eight years.

Judy Kight– Mead volleyball continued unprecedented run of success with fifth straight State 4A championship.

Jon Knight – His North Central boys cross country won first GSL championship in 20 years and second straight State 3A title.

George Lynn – Shadle Park softball reached 4A finals for second straight year, winning State 4A championship with a 28-1 record.

Jim Redmon – He guided Lewis and Clark girls basketball to a 26-3 record and their second straight 4A championship.

Don Van Lierop – Washington high school coach of the year guided the Saxons to perfect 29-0 season and 4A boys basketball championship.

Brandon Walsh – After losing first game of the season Almira/Coulee-Hartline won 11 straight for the State 1B football title.

Tom Yearout – Lewis and Clark football ended a long playoff victory drought during 11-2 season and State 4A championship.