COLLEGE NOTEBOOK: Midway through season, area athletes continue to contribute

Kendall Mitton, University of Idaho Spirit Squad

After cheering at Sandpoint for two years, Kendall Mitton, who graduated in 2020, decided to try out for the University of Idaho Vandal Cheer Team her freshman year and has made the squad every year thereafter. Kendall is considered to be an essential leader and an important part of the team, and her work ethic and academics prove that. Kendall holds a 4.0 GPA and will graduate with a double major in political science and philosophy this spring. To put in countless hours practicing, performing and traveling, and still hold such high grades, is quite the achievement in itself. Go Vandals!

Riley Walkington, Concordia University Irvine Soccer

Sandpoint’s Riley Walkington, after transferring from Eastern Washington to CUI, has really been able to show off her skills. In 2022, Walkington received All-PacWest Third Team honors after scoring eight goals and piling up five assists during her junior year. Now a senior, Walkington is off to a great start with two goals, and three assists; she has recorded a shot on goal in every game so far. Riley has also earned a D2ADA Academic Achievement Award and is a two-time Academic All-PacWest honors recipient.

Randall Lane, NIC Soccer

Sandpoint’s Randall Lane started seven of nine games at midfield so far this season for the Cardinals. Lane recorded an assist in NIC’s 2-1 win over Edmonds College and scored a goal in a recent 2-1 loss to Treasure Valley CC.

Jacob Gove, California Lutheran Football

Former Sandpoint standout punter and field goal kicker Jacob Gove saw his first collegiate minutes in a game against Pacific Lutheran earlier this season. Instead of kicking, Gove recorded three solo tackles on defense to start his freshman campaign.

Luke Butler, Pacific Lutheran Golf

Priest River’s Luke Butler competed in his first two golf outings of the season for the Lutes recently. At the Pacific Invitational, Butler shot two rounds of 80 each. At the PLU Invitational, Butler shot an 89 and an 83 on the Lutes' home course in Tacoma.

Eli Larson, Carroll College Football

It’s worth noting Eli’s play once again this season. During Carroll’s most recent game against Arizona Christian, Larson recorded nine tackles — seven solo tackles and two assisted tackles. It’s a great time for Larson to have a breakout year as the Saints stand undefeated at 5-0 and are currently ranked as the No. 8 NAIA team in the country. Larson, a Sandpoint native, is just a redshirt sophomore.

Luke McCorkle, Whitworth University Football

Sandpoint’s Luke McCorkle recorded his first career tackles for the Pirates earlier this year. The sophomore defensive back recorded a solo tackle against Eastern Oregon and an assisted tackle against Pacific Lutheran. Whitworth is off to a 3-0 start this season.