Vandals, Bears rack up North Idaho Hall of Fame awards

[ASFN Admin]

Apr. 15—COEUR D'ALENE — The Idaho Vandals and Moscow Bears were the top honorees among area schools at the college and larger-division high school levels, respectively, while Kendrick and Genesee each gained three nods among small high schools in the 62nd annual North Idaho Hall of Fame Awards announced Saturday during a banquet at the Coeur d'Alene Resort.

Former Idaho offensive lineman Mike Iupati and former Vandal volleyball coach Debbie Buchanan were inducted into the North Idaho Hall of Fame among others.

Idaho football garnered Team of the Year recognition along with individual awards for edge Keyshawn James-Newby and defensive back Tommy McCormick on the strength of a season that saw the Vandals go 10-4 and reach the FCS playoff quarterfinals. Swimmer Ginger Kiefer added another plaudit for Idaho, garnering female Athlete of the Year honors after winning Western Athletic Conference titles in three events.

Moscow's Griffin Rod was named larger-school Coach of the Year for guiding the Bears to their first state baseball title in four decades last spring. His ace pitcher Levi Anderson, who has since graduated and gone to play for Lewis-Clark State, was named male Athlete of the Year. Moscow added more to its collection with honors for three-event girls state track-and-field champion Mattea Nuhn, two-event state boys swimming champion Noah Crossler and state runner-up golfer Chase Lovell.

For a historic football season that saw them move up a size classification and still win a fourth consecutive state title, the Kendrick Tigers enjoyed Team of the Year, 4A-1A Football Player of the Year (Sawyer Hewett) and Coach of the Year (Zane Hobart) nods among small schools. The Genesee Bulldogs were similarly honored as a team after winning a state softball title, with star pitcher Kendra Meyer winning an individual award for a second consecutive year and coach Brian Malcom also gaining recognition.

Kamiah star point guard/quarterback David Kludt was named male Athlete of the Year after averaging over 17 points per game for the 2A boys basketball state runner-up Kubs. Kludt has committed to play basketball for the reigning NAIA national champion College of Idaho.

Lewiston High School award-winners included Joely Slyter of Bengal wrestling and Jenna Barney of Lewiston softball.

All Tribune-area NIHOF honorees are listed below.

COLLEGE MEN ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Keysahwn James-Newby, UI football.

Tommy McCormick, UI football.

Alton Hamilton, LC State basketball.

TEAM OF THE YEAR

UI football.

COLLEGE WOMEN ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Ginger Kiefer, UI Swimming.

SPRING SPORTS

GIRLS SOFTBALL

5A-4A

Jenna Barney, Lewiston.

3A-1A

Kendra Meyer, Genesee.

BOYS BASEBALL

5A-4A

Levi Anderson, Moscow.

3A-1A

Aiden Olive, Orofino.

GIRLS TRACK

5A-4A

Mattea Nuhn, Moscow.

3A-1A

Sara Casebolt, Logos.

BOYS TRACK

3A-1A

Trenton Lorentz, Prairie.

FALL SPORTS

Daily headlines, straight to your inboxRead it online first and stay up-to-date, delivered daily at 7 AM

BOYS GOLF

6A-5A

Chase Lovell, Moscow.

BOYS SWIMMING

Noah Crossler, Moscow.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

4A-1A

Emma Krogh, Kamiah.

Chloe Grieser, Genesee.

FOOTBALL

4A-1A

Sawyer Hewett, Kendrick.

WINTER SPORTS

GIRLS WRESTLING

Joely Slyter, Lewiston.

GIRLS TEAM OF THE YEAR

4A-1A

Genesee softball.

Logos track.

BOYS TEAM OF THE YEAR

4A-1A

Kendrick football.

4A-1A

STATE CHAMPS

Brian Malcom, Genesee softball.

Gwen Spencer, Logos track.

BOYS COACH OF THE YEAR

6A-5A

Griffin Rod, Moscow baseball.

4A-1A

Zane Hobart, Kendrick football.

FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

4A-1A

Kendra Meyer, Genesee.

MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

4A-1A

David Kludt, Kamiah.

Continue reading...