Northwest Notes April 26, 2021
Grove competing at PGA Professional Championship
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — North Idaho College men's and women's golf coach Russell Grove shot a 2-over-par 73 on Sunday and is eight strokes off the pace after the first round of the PGA Professional Championship.
The 72-hole tourney features a 312-player field (representative of all 41 PGA Sections and 44 states) and is played on two highly-rated golf courses: PGA Golf Club’s Ryder and Wanamaker courses.
Grove played the Wanamaker Course on Sunday.
Frank Bensel Jr., an assistant pro from Purchase, N.Y., shot 6-under 65 for a two-shot lead.
The second round is today (1-4 p.m., GOLF).
Next session of Peak youth training program begins May 4
COEUR d'ALENE — The next eight-week session of the Peak Youth Performance Athletic Training Program will begin May 4.
Boys and girls age 8-18 will meet Tuesdays and Thursday at 3:30 or 4:30 p.m. at Peak Coeur d'Alene.
Registration includes: 16 hours of high-performance training incorporating strength and power, speed and agility, run and jump mechanics and mobility, weekly nutrition discussions, weekly homework assignments such as 5-minute exercises, mental toughness challenges and nutrition tracking.
Contact Peak Cd'A for more information at 208-667-2582 or stop by the Peak Cd'A service desk to register.
WSU officially announces transfer of Aiken Jr. from EWU
PULLMAN — A familiar face is headed to the Palouse as Washington State men's basketball head coach Kyle Smith announced the official signing of Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year Kim Aiken Jr.
Aiken, from Redlands, Calif., comes to the Cougs from Eastern Washington where he spent three seasons playing for the Eagles. The athletic wing joins Tyrell Roberts, who signed a few weeks prior, as official transfers joining the Cougs for the 2021-22 season.
"We have had to game plan and prepare for him the last two years and it has not been easy, so we know we are getting a good one," Smith said. "Kim brings strength, athleticism, and an edge to our team. He can stretch the defense with his shooting ability and gives us another impact defender as evidenced by him receiving Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year. He can switch 1-5 which is vital in today's game and is a terrific rebounder. We are counting on his maturity and winning pedigree to help lead our group to the next level."
A defensive specialist who can also score when called upon, Aiken helped lead the Eagles to a conference tournament championship in 2020-21 and a near upset of No. 3 seed Kansas in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. One of just two Eagles to play and start all 24 games last season, Aiken became just the second EWU player all-time to earn conference defensive player of the year honors while he also picked up first team All-Big Sky recognition for his play on the court. On the year, Aiken averaged 11.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, including 6.6 defensive rebounds per game both of which led the Big Sky.
Against the Cougs last season, Aiken finished with 14 points and eight rebounds as WSU came back for a 71-68 win over Eastern Washington in Pullman. The year prior in a closed-door scrimmage he finished with 19 points and three rebounds including hitting 5 of 8 from deep against the Cougs in Cheney.
Throughout his three seasons at EWU, Aiken posted 877 points, 649 rebounds, 103 steals, and 76 blocks. Off the court, Aiken Jr. is a two-time all-academic honoree with the 2021 team still to be announced.