NORTH IDAHO SPORTS AWARDS BANQUET: Munyer, Leonard top high school athletes
COEUR d’ALENE — Ziya Munyer of Lakeland and Garrett Leonard of Lake City were selected Female and Male Athletes of the Year, respectively, in the 6A-5A classification at the 62nd North Idaho Athletic Hall of Fame Awards Banquet held Saturday night at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.
Munyer won the state triple jump title, and was a first-team all-state selection in volleyball. She will play volleyball next season at Weber State.
Leonard went 44-0 in wrestling, capturing the state 6A title. He also was a first-team all-league linebacker on the Timberwolves' football team. He will play football next year at NAIA College of Idaho in Caldwell.
Athletes, teams and coaches from 29 high schools and three colleges in North Idaho were honored at the banquet.
The event, which also featured five new members inducted into the North Idaho Hall of Fame, drew approximately 850 people.
The North Idaho Hall of Fame awards honor District I-II high school athletes, coaches and teams for their outstanding play, along with the athletes, coaches and teams from the University of Idaho, North Idaho College, and Lewis-Clark State College.
A special award is also presented to a former area high school graduate who is performing well outside of North Idaho. The awards cover the 2024 academic spring season and the 2024-25 academic fall and winter seasons.
The 4A-1A Female and Male Athletes of the Year were Kendra Meyer of Genesee and David Kludt of Kamiah. Meyer was an all-league selection in three sports and an all-state pick in two. She was named the 1A Player of the Year in softball, a second-team all-state selection in volleyball and a first-team all-league pick in basketball. Kludt was a first-team all-state pick in both football and basketball. In football, he was the first-team all-state at defensive back and second-team all-state at quarterback, marking the third straight year he earned first-team all-state honors. In basketball, he was the Idaho State 2A Player of the Year. He has signed to play basketball next season at the College of Idaho, which recently won the NAIA national title. In other high school awards, Coeur d'Alene cross country was named 6A-5A boys team of the year; Kent Anderson (Sandpoint tennis) and Greg Jackson (Sandpoint swimming) shared girls sports coach of the year honors; Sandpoint tennis and Sandpoint swimming shared girls team of the year honors in 6A-5A; Bonners Ferry boys basketball shared boys team of the year honors in 6A-5A; Bonners Ferry boys basketball coach Nathan Williams shared boys coach of the year honors in 4A-1A; and Moscow baseball coach and former Lake City High athlete Griffin Rod was named boys coach of the year in 6A-5A.
Among college awards, Russell Grove, formerly of North Idaho College men's golf, was named college men's coach of the year; Shay Chapman, formerly of NIC softball, was named college women's coach of the year; Kennedy Hobson of NIC softball shared college women athlete of the year; NIC's women's golf team was named college women's team of the year; and former Post Falls High wrestler Ridge Lovett, who won an NCAA title last month, was the "College Athlete Away From Area" honoree.
Also, during the evening, the fifth annual Hagadone High Character Award winners were announced. A female and male athlete from each school is honored. The award is named after Duane Hagadone, who founded the North Idaho Hall of Fame. In defining the award, it recognizes a student-athlete who excelled in the classroom and as a teammate; has outstanding work ethic and integrity, displays sportsmanship and true character in all walks of life, and is just an all-around good individual. Civic and community involvement is a plus.
Nominations for each category are reviewed by the NIAHOF committee, which selects the finalists and eventually the winner.
Each finalist receives a certificate, and the winners also receive a plaque. The athlete, coach, and team of the year awards for both high school and college receive trophies.
Those inducted into the Hall of Fame included former Lake City and Coeur d’Alene High basketball coach Jim Winger, track throwing coach Bart Templeman, former University of Idaho volleyball coach Debbie Buchanan, former Coeur d’Alene High and University of Montana football athlete and community booster Rick Rasmussen, and Mike Iupati, former UI and NFL defensive lineman.
COLLEGE MEN
ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Keyshawn James-Newby, Idaho football; Tommy McCormick, Idaho football; and Alton Hamilton, Lewis-Clark State (James-Newby, a senior edge rusher, was named a Buck Buchanan Award Finalist for the FCS Defensive Player of the Year award after earning first-team All-American and Big Sky Conference honors. Despite missing nearly two games, he led the Big Sky with nine quarterback sacks and was fourth in tackles for losses with 13. He also had 10 quarterback hurries and a pair of forced fumbles. McCormick, a senior defensive back, also was a first-team All-American and a first-team all-Big Sky selection. He led the Vandals with three interceptions and five pass breakups, and was second on the team with 104 tackles. Hamilton, a sophomore post, was chosen as the Cascade Collegiate Conference Player of the Year. He averaged a double-double on the season by leading the conference in rebounding at 10.3 per game and was second in scoring at 17.4 points per game. He also was second in the league in blocked shots with 31 and led the Warriors in assists with 77. He was voted NAIA First Team All American)
Other finalists: Josh McCartain, NIC golf; Joe Sykes, Idaho golf; Vaughn Weems, NIC basketball
COACH OF THE YEAR
Russell Grove, NIC golf (Grove was selected as NWAC Coach of the Year after leading the Cardinals to their sixth straight conference tournament title. The team won the conference title by 13 shots in its last year in the conference. It’s the first time in conference history a school has won six straight NWAC titles dating back to the 1950s)
Other finalists: Jason Eck, Idaho football; Mike Collins, LCSC track and cross country
TEAM OF THE YEAR
Idaho football (The Vandals finished third in the Big Sky Conference and advanced to the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs. The team finished 10-4 overall and 6-2 in league play. The 10 wins is only the third time in program history with 10-plus win. During the season, Idaho defeated Wyoming and played No. 1-ranked Oregon tough in its season opener. The Vandals managed a successful season despite having to start three quarterbacks because of injuries)
Other finalists: NIC golf; NIC soccer
COLLEGE WOMEN
ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Kennedy Hobson, NIC softball; and Ginger Kiefer, UI swimming (Hobson was the NWAC’s East Region Most Valuable Player last spring. She hit .497 (75-of-151) with a team-leading 30 home runs. She also drove in 78 runs, hit 12 doubles, and scored 78 runs. Hobson also pitched and was 11-0 with a 3.53 ERA. Kiefer won three WAC swimming titles, all in school-record times, and was highest individual scorer at the conference meet. Kiefer won the 200 IM in 1:58.35, the 400 IM in 4:13.43, and the 200 backstroke in 1:55.07. She also swam on the two relay teams that finished third and fifth for the Vandals)
Other finalists: Hanna Tait, UI track; Alyssa Peters, UI soccer; Olivia Nelson, UI basketball
COACH OF THE YEAR
Shay Chapman, NIC softball (The Cardinals went 44-4 overall and 28-0 in league play. NIC won 37 games in a row before falling in the NWAC tournament to Mt Hood by scores of 8-3 and 8-5. That second loss was in the championship game. Three of the team’s four losses were to Mt. Hood. NIC had a .432 batting average and scored an average of 12.1 runs per game. It also hit 137 home runs along with a 3.10 earned run average by its pitching staff)
Other finalists: Russell Grove, NIC golf; Jeremy Clevenger, UI soccer; Caelyn Orlandi, LCSC basketball
TEAM OF THE YEAR
NIC golf (The Cardinals won the Northwest Athletic Conference title in its final year in the NWAC. NIC captured the title by 30 strokes in the five-team field. All six of its players finished in the top 10 at the conference tourney, including a third, two tied for fourth, a sixth, a seventh and a tie for eighth)
Other finalists: NIC softball; UI soccer; LCSC basketball
COLLEGE ATHLETE AWAY FROM AREA
Ridge Lovett, Nebraska wrestling (Lovett, from Post Falls High, defeated defending national champion Caleb Henson of Virginia Tech 1-0 to win the 149-pound NCAA title. He is the first Nebraska wrestler to win a national title since 2011. He finished his career as a four-time All-American)
2024 SPRING SPORTS
GIRLS GOLF
3A-1A
Braylyn Bayer, Bonners Ferry (Bayer, the winner for the third straight year, won the Idaho state 3A individual title for the second straight year. At state, she shot rounds of 78 and 85 for a 163 total to tie for individual honors. She then claimed the title by winning in a playoff. Bayer helped the Badgers place second. She is now playing golf at Weber State)
Other finalists: Avery Bayer, Bonners Ferry; Chiara Lehman, Genesis Prep
BOYS GOLF
3A-1A
Palmer Coleman, Priest River (Playing in the 2A-1A state tournament at Sage Lakes Golf Club in Idaho Falls, Coleman shot rounds of 76 and 75 to win medalist honors by two shots over Lakeside’s Beau Jones. Palmer also won the district title)
Other finalists: Beau Jones, Lakeside; Seth Swallows, St. Maries
GIRLS TENNIS
Pepper Rickert, Sandpoint (Rickert captured the Idaho state 4A title and led the Bulldogs to their first state tennis title. A freshman, Rickert posted a 24-0 record. She only lost nine games over the course of 48 sets. She is the first girls state champion from any school in any division from North Idaho in the recorded history of the state tennis tournament)
Other finalists: Alexandria Montgomery, Coeur d’Alene Charter; Neva Reseska, Sandpoint; Maddy Nesbit, Lake City
BOYS TENNIS
Connor Judson, Coeur d’Alene (The junior won the district title and then rolled to consecutive victories to start the state meet last year. But after going back to the hotel that night, he wound up going to the hospital and had to have his appendix taken out, which resulted in him having to forfeit his final two matches. He’s back playing this season)
Other finalists: Tate Burkholder, Coeur d’Alene Charter; Owen Sharp, Coeur d’Alene Charter; Jacob Dawson, Sandpoint
SOFTBALL
5A-4A
Jenna Barney, Lewiston (Barney was named the MVP of the Inland Empire League and was a second-team all-state selection. The right-handed pitcher and first baseman has committed to play at the University of Montana next season. Barney posted 15 wins last season and also hit .600 with 12 home runs, 10 doubles and 50 RBI)
Other finalists: Jenna Davenport, Coeur d’Alene; Kaci Kiblen, Moscow; Megan Highfill, Moscow; Cadence Skibitsky, Sandpoint
3A-1A
Kendra Meyer, Genesee (Meyer, a repeat winner of the award helped the Bulldogs capture the 1A state title and was selected the 1A State Player of the Year by the Idaho Statesman. The pitcher/shortstop hit .358 and stole 26 bases during her junior year. On the mound she posted a 15-2 record with a 3.39 ERA. She also struck out 128 batters in 114 innings)
Other finalists: Jesi Kitchen, Timberlake; Logan Walsh, Timberlake; Mattie Thacker, Grangeville; Jessica Ketola, Clearwater Valley
BASEBALL
5A-4A
Levi Anderson, Moscow (Anderson played a key role as the Bears won the Idaho state 4A title last spring. He was the MVP of the Inland Empire League and also a second-team all-state selection by the Idaho Statesman. The left-hander posted a 1.43 ERA and struck out 87 in 11 appearances, which ranked second in the state. He is now pitching for Lewis-Clark State College)
Other finalists: Cooper Smith, Lake City; Tyson Izzo, Moscow; Cooper Reese, Lake City; Austin DeBoer, Post Falls; Aidan Blanco, Coeur d’Alene
3A-1A
Aiden Olive, Orofino (Olive was MVP of the Central Idaho League and a first-team all-state selection by the Idaho Statesman while helping the Maniacs to the 2A state crown. The pitcher/centerfielder hit .409 and stole 26 bases. He also led the team in runs scored at 50 and hitting percentage. On the mound, he went 4-0 with a 1.33 earned run average and one save)
Other finalists: Caden Robinett, Timberlake; Trey Bateman, Bonners Ferry; Jameson Morris, Potlatch; Sam Lindsley, Grangeville; Dashel Barlow, Orofino
GIRLS TRACK
5A-4A
Mattea Nuhn, Moscow (Nuhn won three individual events and also was part of the Bears 1,600 relay team which placed third. Nuhn won the 110 hurdles in a personal best of 14.49 seconds, and the 300 hurdles in 45.31 seconds. She also won the high jump as the Bears finished fourth)
Other finalists: Ziya Munyer, Lakeland; Ivy Smith, Sandpoint; Mara Kessinger, Lewiston; Devin McDaniel, Sandpoint
3A-1A
Sara Casebolt, Logos (Casebolt won the 800, 1,600, and 3,200 races at the state 1A meet, setting personal bests in the 800 and 3,200. She also ran the anchor leg on the Knights’ winning 1,600 relay team. She won all but one race during the season in the 800 meters, the one exception being the Pasco Invitational where she was fifth. The 40 points scored at the state meet helped Logos win the state title)
Other finalists: Lindi Kessinger, Orofino; Annabelle Carr, Coeur d’Alene Charter; Kathryn Burnette, Potlatch; Sage Elven, Prairie
BOYS TRACK
5A-4A
Cobe Cameron, Post Falls (Cameron was the lone North Idaho runner to win an event at state at the 5A and 4A level. He won the 400 at the 5A meet in 47.70 seconds, a personal best. The junior at the time also placed eighth in the 200, and helped the 1,600 relay team place second and the 800 relay team place sixth)
Other finalists: Klein Fragoso, Sandpoint; Max Cervi-Skinner, Coeur d’Alene; Jakan Lawrence, Coeur d’Alene
3A-1A
Nathan Russell, Coeur d’Alene Charter; Caius Tebbe, Timberlake; Trenton Lorentz, Prairie (Russell captured the 800 and 1,600 titles and also had third- and fifth-place finishes on relay teams at state. Tebbe won the 110 and 300 hurdles, and was fourth in the long jump and ninth in the triple jump. Lorentz won the 200 meters and then was on two winning relay teams, the 800 and 1,600, for the Pirates)
Other finalists: Alexzander Lambson, St. Maries; Noah Watson, Highland
FALL SPORTS
GIRLS GOLF
6A-5A
Ella Wilson, Coeur d’Alene (Wilson, a freshman tied for medalist honors at the 6A tournament in Pocatello at 150, but eagled the par-5 first playoff hole to win the state title. Ella led by five shots after the opening round but overcame five consecutive bogeys in the second round to defeat the defending state champion in the playoff)
Other finalists: Jossetta Williams, Coeur d’Alene; Taylor Mire, Sandpoint; Mady Riley, Coeur d’Alene
BOYS GOLF
6A-5A
Chase Lovell, Moscow (Lovell attends Potlatch High, but because the Loggers do not have a golf team, he competes with Moscow. He placed sixth at the state 5A meet with a four-over par 148 total, the best among all North Idaho golfers)
Other finalists: Tyler Zachary, Lakeland; Ben Focke, Coeur d’Alene; Hunter Paquin, Coeur d’Alene
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
Annabelle Carr, Coeur d’Alene Charter (At the 4A state meet, Carr ran her best race of the season and won the title by 20 seconds over Vanessa McLachlan of Timberlake. Carr won in 18 minutes, 50 seconds. Carr battled a foot injury for most of the season and came back right before the district meet)
Other finalists: Hazel Kunkel, Lake City; Kaylynn Misner, Post Falls; Olivia May, Coeur d’Alene; Vanessa McLachlan, Timberlake
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
Max Cervi-Skinner, Coeur d’Alene; and Zack Cervi-Skinner, Coeur d’Alene (This is the third straight year Max has been honored. He placed third at the state 6A meet with Zach right behind in fourth. The duo also posted the top two times at the district meet for all North Idaho runners. Max broke the 15-minute barrier at state in 14 minutes, 57.97 seconds, while Zack crossed in 15 minutes, 8.61 seconds)
Other finalists: Wyatt Carr, Coeur d’Alene; Mitchell Rietze, Coeur d’Alene; Gabe Heule, Coeur d’Alene; Rowan Henry, Coeur d’Alene
GIRLS SOCCER
Kennedy Hartzell, Lake City; Lilliana Brinkmeier, Sandpoint (Hartzell was a defender/midfielder for Lake City, which won the consolation title at state. She has signed to play at Fort Hays State in Kansas. Brinkmeier was the Idaho Statesman’s 5A Player of the Year. The goalkeeper had a 1.00 goals-against average this year. She posted nine shutouts and helped the Bulldogs place second at state)
Other finalists: Lydia Lehosit, Coeur d’Alene Charter; Lucy Simpson, Timberlake; Asia Roberts, Lewiston; Avery Lathen, Lewiston
BOYS SOCCER
Kason Pintler, Coeur d’Alene (Pintler was the MPV of the 6A Inland Empire League. He scored 23 goals, which ranked sixth in the state overall and second in the 6A classification. He also added seven assists. He was credited with 50 points, which ranked 10th in the state. He was a 2nd team all-6A selection by the Idaho Statesman)
Other finalists: Huxley Hall, Sandpoint; Ben Hannigan-Luther, Lake City; Wyatt Thornycroft, Moscow; Nikita Rawson, Bonners Ferry; Treffen McCord, Coeur d’Alene Charter
GIRLS SWIMMING
Malynn Sobek, Lake City; and Quinn Taylor, Lake City (Both had two individual second-place finishes, Taylor in the 100 freestyle and 100 breaststroke, and Sobek in the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle. Both were on the second-place 400 freestyle relay team, while Taylor’s 200 medley relay team placed third, and Sobek was on the 200-freestyle relay team that placed fourth. Lake City’s girls finished second)
Other finalists: Ava de Leeuw, Sandpoint; Mia Driggs, Sandpoint
BOYS SWIMMING
Noah Crossler, Moscow (Crossler won the 100-meter butterfly in a state record of 51.64 seconds, and was first in the 100 backstroke in 54.98 seconds)
Other finalists: Eli Shaw, Lake City; Andrew Davis, Coeur d’Alene
VOLLEYBALL
6A-5A
Ziya Munyer, Lakeland (Munyer, a senior, was a first-team all-state selection as well as a first-team all-league pick. The 6-foot-1 middle blocker had 288 kills and a .449 hitting percentage during the season along with 78 blocks and 20 aces. She graduated early, and joined the Weber State volleyball team at semester)
Other finalists: Paisley Goings, Coeur d’Alene; Mia Carr, Post Falls; Landree Simon, Lakeland; Olivia Zazuetta, Lakeland; Addy McKarcher, Lewiston
4A-1A
Emma Krogh, Kamiah; and Chloe Grieser, Genesee (Krogh was the MVP of the 2A Whitepine League. The 5-10 junior setter and middle blocker averaged 4.5 kills and 3.1 digs per set and led her team with 63 service aces and 380 kills. Grieser, a junior outside hitter, helped the Bulldogs go 10-0 in the 1A Whitepine League and finish 23-5 overall. She also was the league’s MVP)
Other finalists: Helene Rae, Bonners Ferry; Adalei Lefebvre, Grangeville; Tylah Lambert, Lakeside; Madi Cooper, Genesis Prep; Tessa Stoner, Troy; Ashlyn Strunk, Troy; Lexi Schumacher, Prairie; Chloe Dorman, Kootenai; Madeline Junkin, Coeur du Christ
FOOTBALL
6A-5A
Kai Wheeler, Coeur d'Alene (Wheeler was the only class 6A player in the state to make all-state first team on both offense and defense. As a wide receiver, the 6-3 senior had 66 catches for 1,211 yards and 15 touchdowns. As a defensive back, he was also named the Defensive MVP for the 6A Inland Empire League. He had 45 tackles and five interceptions)
Other finalists: Isaac McKeown, Post Falls; Tyrus Blake, Post Falls; Ben Murray, Coeur d’Alene; Cole Arlint, Lewiston; Kage Weil, Lakeland; Garrett Leonard, Lake City; Terry Davis, Lakeland; Drew Lehman, Sandpoint; Carter Vanek, Lakeland
4A-1A
Sawyer Hewett, Kendrick (Hewett was the 2A state Player of the Year. The senior running back helped Kendrick to its fourth straight state title by rushing for 1,305 yards and scoring 29 touchdowns. He also was a safety for the Tigers, who ranked No. 8 nationally by MaxPreps for all 6-man, 8-man and 9-man football teams. Hewett signed to play at the University of Idaho this fall where he’s expected to play wide receiver)
Other finalists: Keaton Frei, Moscow; Cooper Poxleitner, Grangeville; David Kludt, Kamiah; Seamus Wilson, Logos; Ralli Roetcisoender, Kendrick; Brock Boyer, Kendrick; Cooper Miller, Wallace; Tyson Charley, Lakeside
WINTER SPORTS
GIRLS BASKETBALL
6A-5A
Brookeslee Colvin, Coeur d'Alene (Colvin was not only the Player of the Year in the 6A Inland Empire League, but she was the 6A Player of the Year for the state of Idaho. A sophomore, she helped the Vikings to the league title and a berth at state. The 5-8 point guard averaged 22.6 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 4.1 steals per game. She already has received offers from several colleges, including Harvard and Gonzaga)
Other finalists: Sadie Zimmerman, Lake City; Brecken Mire, Sandpoint; Addy McKarcher, Lewiston; Kelsey Carroll, Coeur d’Alene; Landree Simon, Lakeland
4A-1A
Malia Miller, Timberlake (Miller, a 5-5 junior guard, averaged 16.5 points, 4.7 assists and 4.6 rebounds for Timberlake, which finished third in the 4A state tournament. At state, she scored 37 points, had 18 rebounds, including a season-high 12 in the opener, and 13 steals. She was the Intermountain League’s Player of the Year and a first-team all-state 4A selection)
Other finalists: Sydney Hinthorn, Bonners Ferry; Madalyn Green, Grangeville; Lexi Schumacher, Prairie; Emma Krogh, Kamiah; Kyleigh Wolfe, Lakeside; Brooklyn Charles, Kootenai; Chloe Grieser, Genesee
BOYS BASKETBALL
6A-5A
Reese Strawn, Lake City (Strawn was the Player of the Year in the 6A Inland Empire League and helped the Timberwolves to a second-place finish at state. The senior guard was nominated for the 2025 McDonald’s All-American game. He averaged 16.2 points per game and shot 42 percent from the 3-point line. He was a first-team all-state selection in 6A)
Other finalists: Conner Carver, Post Falls; Jordan Carlson, Lake City; Cason Miller, Lake City; Royce Fisher, Lewiston; Grant Abendroth, Moscow; Parker Bogar, Lewiston
4A-1A
Asher Williams, Bonners Ferry (Williams broke the school’s 35-year-old scoring record with a 50-point outburst. The 6-6 senior ended his career as the No. 8 scorer all-time in Idaho high school history with more than 2,000 points. He finished the season averaging 28.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.3 steals. The Montana Tech commit also was named the state’s Class 4A Player of the Year)
Other finalists: Thomas Bateman, Bonners Ferry; JJ Yearout, St. Maries; Nate Stifel, Priest River; Dave Kludt, Kamiah; Ralli Roetcisoender, Kendrick; Everett Lovell, Potlatch; Tyson Charley, Lakeside; Dylan Tosh, Genesis Prep; Ben Connelly, Coeur du Christ; Hyson Scott, Clearwater Valley
GIRLS WRESTLING
Joely Slyter, Lewiston; and Alexxis Johnson, Lake City (Slyter posted a 37-1 record at 114 pounds. And last month, the two-time state champ won a junior national folkstyle wrestling tournament in Iowa. She posted a four-year record of 134-17 at Lewiston. Johnson was 47-4 and won the 120-pound weight class at state. Seeded third in her weight class, Alexxis recorded two pins to reach the semifinals and then won by a major decision. She then captured the title with a 8-4 decision over the top seed)
Other finalists: Shelby Garten, Timberlake; Hayley McNeal, Potlatch
BOYS WRESTLING
6A-5A
Seth Martin, Post Falls; Garrett Leonard, Lake City (Martin won the 190-pound weight class at state and finished 53-0. The senior, who signed to wrestle at North Idaho College, won three of his four matches at state by pins while the other was a technical fall with a 20-3 triumph. Leonard, who also was the top seed at state, won his first two by pins and then his final two by decision, including a 4-1 win in the championship match over a wrestler who had only one loss on the season)
Other finalists: Matthew Hamilton, Post Falls; Colton Tucker, Coeur d’Alene; Brock Armstrong, Coeur d’Alene ; Zach Teal, Lakeland; Carson Leonard, Lakeland; Jorden Tyler, Sandpoint
4A-3A
Colton Storey, Kellogg (Storey won the 113-pound title at the 3A meet and finished the year with a 53-3 record. At state the sophomore was the top seed and won all four of his matches, including by technical fall in the title match with an 18-3 victory)
Other finalists: Colm McLaimtaig, Priest River; Aiden Yearout, St. Maries
GIRLS TEAM OF THE YEAR
6A-5A
Sandpoint tennis and Sandpoint swimming (Sandpoint became the first tennis team from North Idaho to win a state championship. The Bulldogs featured undefeated freshman Pepper Rickert, who won the individual singles title, while the doubles team of Sydney Webb and Aubrey Knowles finished second. Sandpoint had 40.5 points as a team and won the title by eight points. The Sandpoint swim team rolled to the state title by 48 points. The Bulldogs had three individuals finish fifth or better in five individual events. The Bulldogs also had three relay teams finish third or better, including two that won races)
4A-1A
Genesee softball and Logos track (Genesee finished 22-3 in winning its second straight state title. Genesee had 11 returning players from the previous state title and nine earned Class 1A all-state honors, including four named to the first team. Logos sent 14 qualifiers to the state 1A track meet and scored in 14 of the 18 events it competed in to finish with 96 points)
BOYS TEAM OF THE YEAR
6A-5A
Coeur d’Alene cross country (The Vikings had six runners place in the top 16 at the state meet, including three of the top six. That helped Coeur d’Alene win the team title by 11 points over Rocky Mountain. At the district meet, Coeur d’Alene had the seven fastest times among all North Idaho schools at any level. At state, the Vikings had the six fastest North Idaho marks, all under 16 minutes)
Other finalists: Moscow baseball; Sandpoint swimming; Post Falls wrestling
4A-1A
Kendrick football and Bonners Ferry basketball (Despite losing its first game in nearly three seasons, Kendrick football bounced back to win its final five games by an average of 38.4 points, including beating the team it lost to. Kendrick finished 11-1 and was ranked No. 8 nationally by MaxPreps.com among all 6-, 8-, and 9-man football teams. It was the school’s fourth straight state football title but the first at the higher 2A level. Bonners Ferry basketball went 24-1 with its only loss to 6A Lake City by five points. The Badgers started the season 19-0 with wins over Coeur d’Alene, Lewiston, Sandpoint, Lakeland and Moscow twice — all larger classification schools. Bonners Ferry won 15 games by at least 24 points and 14 by at least 30 points. The Badgers also won all three state games by double digits and averaged a 16.7-point margin of victory. The team only had three games decided by 10 points or less, including the loss)
Other finalists: Orofino baseball; Potlatch baseball; Kendrick basketball
GIRLS COACH OF THE YEAR
6A-5A
Kent Anderson, Sandpoint tennis and Greg Jackson, Sandpoint swimming (Anderson led the Sandpoint tennis team to the state title, which marked the first time any tennis team from North Idaho won a state title. Anderson had an individual title, a second-place finish and another strong finish to help the Bulldogs score 40.5 points and win the team title by eight points. Jackson’s selection of the relay teams proved to be key as the Bulldogs won two relay races and finished third in another to win the state title by 48 points. The Bulldogs had three individuals finish fifth or better in five individual events)
4A-1A
Brian Malcom, Genesee softball and Gwen Spencer, Logos track (Malcom guided the Bulldogs to their second consecutive 1A fastpitch title. The team went 22-3 and defeated league rival Kendrick in the state championship game. The team had nine players earn all-state recognition, including four on the first team. Spencer led the Logos track team to the state title by sending 14 qualifiers to state and they scored in 14 of the 18 events they competed in. It’s the second time in school history Logos has won a state track title. The team scored 96 points to outdistance defending state champion Melba by 18 points)
BOYS COACH OF THE YEAR
6A-5A
Griffin Rod, Moscow baseball (Rod guided Moscow to its first state baseball championship in 40 years by winning its final 13 games. Moscow finished the season 20-7. Moscow had six players earn all-league honors, four of which also earned all-state honors. In the state championship game, Moscow trailed by a run and was down to its last three outs before an RBI double and an error gave the Bears the win)
Other finalists: Emry Carr, Coeur d’Alene cross country; Greg Jackson, Sandpoint swimming; Jeremy Zender, Post Falls wrestling
4A-1A
Zane Hobart, Kendrick football and Nathan Williams, Bonners Ferry basketball (Hobart led Kendrick to its fourth straight state title in football, but its first at the higher 2A level. Williams led Bonners Ferry to the 4A state title in dominant fashion)
Other finalists: Scotty Tondevold, Orofino baseball; Trent Baysinger, Potlatch baseball; Steve Kirkland, Kendrick basketball
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
6A-5A
Ziya Munyer, Lakeland (Last spring, Munyer won the state 4A triple jump title at 36 feet, 5 inches, and also finished 14th in the long jump. In volleyball, she helped the Hawks to a second-place finish in the 5A tournament and was a first-team all-state and all-league pick.)
Other finalists: Mattea Nuhn, Moscow; Landree Simon, Lakeland; Addy McKarcher, Lewiston; Kelsey Carroll, Coeur d’Alene
4A-1A
Kendra Meyer, Genesee (Meyer was all-league in three sports and earned state honors in two. Last spring, she helped the Genesee softball team capture the 1A state title and was named the 1A state Player of the Year. The pitcher/shortstop hit .358 and stole 26 bases during her junior year. On the mound she posted a 15-2 record with a 3.39 ERA. She also struck out 128 batters in 114 innings. In volleyball, she helped the Bulldogs to a fifth-place finish at state. She was a second-team all-state selection as well as earning all-Whitepine League honors. Basketball, she was a first-team all-league selection and helped Genesee to a second-place finish at state)
Other finalists: Hali Anderson, Kendrick; Annabelle Carr, Coeur d’Alene Charter; Sara Casebolt, Logos; Sage Elven, Prairie; Chloe Grieser, Genesee
MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
6A-5A
Garrett Leonard, Lake City (Leonard earned first-team all-league honors in football as a linebacker for the Timberwolves. In wrestling, the senior went undefeated this past season at 215 pounds, posting a 44-0 record. At state he was the top seed in his weight class and proceeded to win his first two matches by pins. He then won his final two matches by decision, including a 4-1 win in the championship match over a wrestler who had only one loss on the season)
Other finalists: Kai Wheeler, Coeur d’Alene; Max Cervi-Skinner, Coeur d’Alene; Caleb Jimmerson, Post Falls; Butch Kiblen, Moscow; Connor Isakson, Moscow; Drew Lehman, Sandpoint; Tyson Izzo, Moscow
4A-1A
David Kludt, Kamiah (In football, he was a first-team all-state selection at defensive back and a second-team all-state selection at quarterback. It is the third straight season he has earned first-team all-state honors. He earned the Whitepine League’s Player of the Year in football and was a first-team selection at both quarterback and defensive back. In basketball, he led Kamiah to the state finals and was named the Idaho State Class 2A Player of the Year. He averaged 17.3 points, 15.7 rebounds and 2.6 blocked shots per game. He also was voted Player of the Year in the Whitepine League. David has signed to play basketball next season at the College of Idaho, which just won the NAIA national title last month)
Palmer Coleman, Priest River; David Goicoa, Grangeville; Ralli Roetcisoender, Kendrick; Seamus Wilson, Logos; Brody Rice, Bonners Ferry; Ben Connelly, Coeur du Christ
HAGADONE HIGH CHARACTER AWARD
BONNERS FERRY — Makeen Loretto, Brooke Petesch
COEUR d’ALENE CHARTER — Minh Hoang, Campbell Hancock
COEUR du CHRIST — Emma Anderson
COEUR d’ALENE — Chief Allan, Gracie Legg
CLARK FORK — Olivia Yetter
CLEARWATER VALLEY — Jessica Ketola
CULDESAC — No nominations
DEARY — No nominations
GENESEE — Kalitri Hubbard, Makayla Herman
GENESIS PREP — Dylan Tosh, Madi Cooper
GRANGEVILLE — Cooper Poxleitner, Makenna York
HIGHLAND — No nominations
KAMIAH — David Kludt, Addison Skinner
KELLOGG — Tanner Williams, Aubree Groth
KENDRICK — Wyatt Cook, Hayden Kimberling
KOOTENAI — Chris Moore, Brooklyn Charles
LAKELAND — No nominations
LAKESIDE — Preston Spotted Horse
LAKE CITY — Avrey Cherry, Kennedy Hartzell
LAPWAI — No nominations
LEWISTON — Cole Arlint, Joely Slyter
LOGOS — Hendry Sundlie, Sara Casebolt
MOSCOW — Owen Tiegs, Ashley Uhrig
MULLAN — Cael Sala, Avah Blankenship
NEZPERCE — No nominations
OROFINO — Dashel Barlow, Livia Johnson
POST FALLS — Kyle Miller, Ellie McGowan
POTLATCH — Ben Johnson, Hayley McNeal
PRAIRIE — No nominations
PRIEST RIVER — Carter Korff, Haley Braae
SANDPOINT — Jorden Tyler, Maddie Mitchell
ST. JOHN BOSCO — Pierce Frei, Julia Wassmuth
ST. MARIES — Kody Tefft, Mia Asbury
TIMBERLAKE — Caius Tebbe, Malia Miller
TIMBERLINE — No nominations
TROY — Jackson Marone, Madison Bendel
WALLACE — No nominations
Garrett Leonard
Shay Chapman
Kennedy Hobson
Kent Anderson
Greg Jackson
Nathan Williams
Russell Grove