Spartan cross country teams seeking 3A state hardware Saturday

BONNERS FERRY — Cameron Parkes finished second in 17:43, and Annika Rantala finished second in 20:47, leading the Priest River boys and girls cross country teams to second place finishes recently at the 3A District 1 cross country championships at Bonners Ferry.

The top two teams earn automatic team berths at state, and the Spartans will trek south to race in the 3A Idaho State Cross Country Championships on Saturday at Lewiston Orchards. The girls race starts at 10 a.m., and the boys race at 11:45 a.m.

“We had a great day for our Spartan harriers in Bonners Ferry. Both cross country teams qualified for the state championships,” said Lance Clark, who welcomed a new baby to family during a busy time. “Both teams are ranked in the top four in the state. We will be looking to make some history this upcoming Saturday down in Lewiston.”

The Spartan boys scored 50 points, behind Timberlake (39) but ahead of Bonners Ferry (57), Charter (94) and Kellogg (113). Caleb Gleason finished fourth in 17:59, followed by Kaden Fulton (8th in 18:12), Travis Matthews (17th in 19:09), Conner Berns (19th in 19:17), Jordan Phillips (27th in 19:40) and Graden Hanes (29th in 19:49). They’ll team with Parkes to make a run at a team trophy in Lewiston.

Rantala is now first on the all time Spartan freshman and sophomore girls list and third overall. Her second place finish helped the Spartans score 54 points, just six ahead of the host Badgers to earn the coveted team berth behind 3A power Timberlake.

Izzie Schmidt was 12th in 22:49, Erika Swoboda 13th in 23:03, Sharnai Hogan 15th in 23:21, Kymara Futlton 17th in 23:49, Ainslee Nordby 18th in 24:04 and Amber Johnston 19th in 24:11. Every place mattered in both races, even the non-scoring finishes that bump opponents.

“I am so proud to be their head coach, and proud of our volunteer assitant coach Steffie Pavey, who has done a tremendous job with the girls this year. She has helped transform these teams to the next level of competition,” lauded Clark. “I look forward to our future with the squads.”

n Spartan volleyball team falls in fifth set

PRIEST RIVER — The Spartan volleyball team saw its season end in heartbreaking fashion, falling 22-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-19, 15-13 to Kellogg in the consolation championship of the 3A District 1 volleyball tournament.

The Kellogg volleyball team ended a 21-year state drought with a win over Priest River, earning the second berth from the Intermountain League. The Spartans were just two points away from earning a spot at state, and have a nucleus of talented returning players that could make for a bright future.

In Tuesday night’s first round at Timberlake High School, the No. 3 seed Wildcats beat the No. 2 seed Spartans 25-22, 25-21, 13-25, 25-23 in a hotly contested opening contest.

The Wildcats were swept by Timberlake, which set up a rematch on Friday night between the Wildcats and Priest River, where the winner would qualify for the 3A State Tournament.

In the win-or-go-home environment it took all five sets with each one as competitive as the previous one, right down to the final point. The Wildcats had split with the Spartans during the regular season prior to their first match of the District Tournament.

Kellogg will open the 3A State Tournament this week with a match against Snake River this Friday at 11 a.m. (MST) at Mountain View High School in Meridian.

n Wildcats end Spartans season 29-6

PRIEST RIVER — With a 3A playoff berth hanging in the balance, Kellogg notched a 29-6 win over Priest River to earn the Intermountain League’s second seed in the 3A state football playoffs.

The Spartans (3-5, 1-2 IML) were seeking their third straight trip to state, but it was the visiting Wildcats who would get their second double-digit league win of the season on Friday night.

Kellogg’s opening round opponent, Fruitland, hasn’t played since Oct. 12 due to Payette forfeiting their season.

n Bowling results

Wednesday Night Looper Bowling League

Team Win Loss

Club Rio 92.5 75.5

Pin Ups 92 76

Diamond Lake Deli 87 80

Woodwise 80.5 87.5

Les Schwab 69 75

McCroskey Defense 65.5 102.5

High Scratch Game: John Hastings, 233.

High Handicap Game: John Hastings, 251.

High Scratch Series: John Hasting, 561.

High Handicap Series: Sara Goss, 653.

Lucky Ladies

1 Ballsy Broads 21.5-2.5

2 Pooch Parlor’s Girls 21-7

3 Morning Glories 14-14

4 No Pins Left Behind 13.5-14.4

5 Sparklers 9-19

High Scratch Game — Jen Hudson, 209.

High Scratch Series — Jen Hudson, 553.

High Handicap Game — Jen Hudson, 249.

High Handicap series — Kim Rusho, 666.

Splits: Barbara Bell 7-9, Betty Balison 3-10,4-5,5-7, Sara Goss 3-7-10,Vicki Nolting 3-10.

Friday Night Leftovers

1 East River Plumbing 18-10

2 Timber Room 16-12

3 Pooch Parlor 16-12

4 EXRIDR 15-13

5 Team 9 12-16

High scratch game men — Jeffery Huling, 267; Brian Hilliard, 212.

High handicap game men — Bill Wager, 274; Brian Hilliard, 232.

High scratch game women — Jen Hudson, 192; Sharon Reed, 180.

High handicap game women — Cathy Wagner, 243; Karen Batsch, 228.