Another season in the books

As the final leaves float slowly to the ground, the 2007 fall sports season has finally reached its end. While there were no team state championships, each team had moments of greatness and left no doubt that next year will be even stronger.

Junior Paulina Gralow, who won her third 100 meter breaststroke state swimming title, and junior Megan Bartlett, who won the 4A girls cross country state title, were the lone individual state champions this fall. The girls volleyball and swim teams each finished second in state, marking the highest team finishes.

While no championship banners will be hoisted to the rafters, the groundwork has certainly been laid for future such events. The girls soccer team won a 5A district title, and loses only one starting senior. The volleyball team returns three All-IEL first team players, and may be the top team in the entire state next year. The boys soccer team is very young and talented, promising great things for the future.

So fret not Bulldog fans, the future is awfully bright.

Eat your heart out Walter Loose Jr.

Some of you may have seen Cory Murdock at many of the sporting events this fall, draped in cameras and lenses and equipped with photography skills rarely seen in these parts. If you've seen the Bee sports page this fall, chances are you've seen some of his brilliant handiwork.

Murdock, who could probably work at any paper in the country, shoots for Max Preps, a national high school sports medium. He also owns Point Photography in Sandpoint, and shoots up at Schweitzer. His photo submissions greatly enriched the quality of the Daily Bee sports page.

Keith Anderson, whose son Daniel was the Offensive MVP of the Inland Empire League soccer season, also submitted many great soccer pictures. He was nice enough to e-mail shots that he took of all the road games, ensuring that pictures of many different players were able to run in the Bee this year.

A big thanks goes out to these two photographers, who provide great art for the sports pages.

Thanks a ton, Wendy

A hearty thanks goes out to Sandpoint High School teacher Wendy Auld, who once again tabulated and kept all of the stats for the Bulldog football team this year. Her efforts were responsible for all of the stats for each story in the paper. She volunteers her time, comes to the Bee after the games Friday, and calls results into numerous media outlets, all to help get the players recognition. She also calls from all the road games, and volunteers at the the local cross country race as well. I know I've thanked you many times Wendy, but here's one more.

Praise to volunteers

I'd be remiss not to thank some of the scores of volunteers who help make fall sports in Sandpoint all that it is. Apologies in advance if I've omitted someone.

Bob Witte, for announcing at the volleyball games and lending them an air of excitement not found at most venues.

Chris Chatburn and Jay Vandenberg, who call the football games on the radio each week and provide me with the basis to write a story on all away games.

Ron Hanson and Dwight Scheffler, for announcing the football action under the Friday night lights of Barlow Stadium. To borrow, rather ham-handed, from Hanson's trademark call: How about those announcers!

Barry Burke, Rusty Irish, Cliff Irish and Jeff Beyer for running the chain crew at the football games. The chain gang gets to hear opposing coaches complain, gets to dodge players flying out of bounds at them, occasionally gets yelled at by an official, and a few times each game get to run out and measure for a crucial first down. For this, they get the best viewing spot in the stadium.

Bob Moore and Bobby Moore Jr., who run the clock at football games. Bob has been running the clocks at Sandpoint games for more than 50 years.

Robert Johnson and members of the American Legion who provide the Color Guard for the games. Like Moore, Johnson has been doing so for a long time.

Student council members Eric Czirr and Graham Payton, for providing the music that cheerleaders, players and fans alike can groove to during volleyball games at Les Rogers Court.

? Eric Plummer is the sports editor of the Daily Bee. For comments, suggestions or story ideas, he can be reached at 263-9534, ext. 226, or via email at "eplummer@cdapress.com."