Northwest Notes: Nov. 6, 2013

Helbling becomes a father,

helps Vandals at cross country meet

Former Lake City High standout runner Cody Helbling had a good week last week.

On Saturday, the Idaho Vandal junior finished second in 25 minutes, 32.30 seconds at the Western Athletic Conference cross country meet last Saturday at Jefferson Park Golf Course in Seattle, helping the Vandal men finish second.

Helbling, whose wife Nicole, gave birth to the couple's first child last Thursday, left the course immediately following the awards ceremony to catch a flight at the airport to rejoin his young family.

"I did not quite know if I was going to make it here," Helbling said. "I felt pretty committed to the guys and coach. I am riding a wave of emotions and was glad Nick was there to bring it home and I couldn't be happier for this team."

Helbling was also a first-team all-WAC selection.

Idaho's women, led by senior Hannah Kiser, became the first women's program in school history to win four consecutive conference championships.

Robinson earns SWAC honor

for second time this season

For the second time in the 2013 season, North Idaho College volleyball sophomore libero and captain Russia Robinson has been named the Scenic West Athletic Conference's (SWAC) Player of the Week.

Robinson was recognized for her play this past week in the Cardinals' pair of 3-0 wins over the Community Colleges of Spokane and the eighth-ranked College of Southern Idaho after averaging 5.67 digs per set (34 total digs), six aces and six assists.

She was first honored with the Player of the Week on Sept. 9 after posting 107 digs, including a 40-dig performance in the Cardinals' 3-2 win over Hutchinson College.

NIC opens the Region 18 tournament on Friday against Colorado Northwestern at Salt Lake Community College.

Cougars, Wildcats to play

on Pac-12 Network

PULLMAN - Washington State's road football game against Arizona next Saturday will kickoff at 11 a.m. and be broadcast by the Pac-12 Network.

The Cougars have a bye this week.