Northwest Notes Feb. 23, 2013

NIC wrestling coach to

speak at booster luncheon

COEUR d'ALENE - North Idaho College wrestling coach Pat Whitcomb and members of his No. 1 ranked wrestling team will be the main speakers at the NIC Booster Club's Luncheon at noon Tuesday at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

The luncheon will honor the wrestling team at the conclusion of a season where NIC was ranked No. 1 for the entire year. The Cardinals are seeking their 14th NJCAA title this weekend in Des Moines, Iowa.

The NIC Booster Club meets on the second and last Tuesday of the month at noon, typically alternating between the Outback Steakhouse and the Coeur d'Alene Resort. The public is welcome to attend. The cost of lunch is not covered.

Information: 769-3348

Two area players commit to

NIC women's soccer program

COEUR d'ALENE - Two Spokane Soccer Club team members have signed letters of intent to play for the North Idaho College women's soccer team.

Natalie Middleton, from Spokane Valley, and Meghan Pagano, from Sandpoint, will be Cardinals next fall.

Middleton was a four-year varsity starter for Central Valley High School. She is a versatile player who primarily plays center midfield, but will play center forward and occasionally center back, according to NIC coach Dan Hogan. She helped lead the Bears to their first state appearance in 2010, and a final eight appearance in 2011.

"Natalie's height and competitiveness will give us an advantage in the midfield over many of our opponents," Hogan said.

Pagano was a four-year starter at forward and center midfield for Sandpoint. She was part of two state runner-up teams and one state champion team at Sandpoint. She has been on the All-Inland Empire League first team all four years, winning 4A IEL MVP honors as a sophomore and a senior.

"Getting Meghan and Ellie Engel, a current forward for NIC (and another former Sandpoint player), together will bring back one of the most dynamic duos of attacking players ever produced in North Idaho," Hogan said.