THE FRONT ROW WITH JASON ELLIOTT: Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016
Sometimes, things just slip through the cracks.
Whether it was a errant Russell Wilson pass through the hands of Doug Baldwin, or some big news involving those with local ties, it happens.
EARLIER THIS month at its annual meeting, U.S. Track and Field presented the President’s Award to six worthy individuals in Orlando, Fla.
Among the recipients was former Coeur d’Alene High track and field coach Linda Lanker.
The award is given on an annual basis to the people who have worked in USATF volunteer ranks, within their associations or committees. Lanker currently serves on the Law and Legislation Committee, as well as works with athletes as a national team coach and team manager for multiple international competitions. She also serves as the USATF Inland Northwest association’s chairperson for both men’s and women’s track and field.
In case you’ve forgotten, her teams at Coeur d’Alene weren’t too shabby, winning six girls regional titles in her time there, with the boys winning four titles during her tenure.
This spring, she’ll begin her 19th season as an assistant coach at Community Colleges of Spokane, focusing on sprints, hurdles and relays.
AS IF playing on the Lake City High girls basketball team wasn’t enough to keep Bridget Rieken busy during the winter, she added some time for her first love — soccer — over the Thanksgiving break.
Rieken, a sophomore center back, was named to the 2016 US Youth Soccer ODP Girls Thanksgiving Interregional All-Star team for her play during a tournament in Boca Raton, Fla.
Rieken, who played defender at Lake City — the 2016 state 5A champions — started at center back for Region IV, playing all 240 minutes of match time. She was selected to the 2000 All-Star team and was one of four defenders chosen, and was one of two players from the team to be selected.
The All-Star team is made up of players from around the nation.
Rieken verbally committed to Washington State in the fall.
WHILE IT probably could have waited a few more weeks, it came as a surprise that the Los Angeles Rams fired Jeff Fisher on Monday afternoon.
Not so much after the team had announced just last week he’d agreed to a contract extension before the start of the season, or that the team had suffered through a 4-9 season.
Don’t forget, the Rams don’t have a lot of preparation time to get ready for their next game, as they’ll travel to face the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night. Not exactly what the team needs to get back on track with a short turnaround, then having to travel for a game.
It’s not exactly the middle finger that one Seahawks cornerback used to describe playing on a short week, but it kind of feels like it.
Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at (208) 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @JEPressSports.