COLLEGE NOTEBOOK: Hicks' career-high kills leads Sea Lions to sweep in regular season finale
Gabby Hicks, Point Loma Nazarene University Volleyball
A 2021 Sandpoint High graduate, Gabby, who formerly played at NCAA Division I Southern Methodist University, had a career-high 11 kills and added four digs, a .400 hitting percentage, and a block assist in a 3-0 home sweep of Menlo College this past Saturday.
In a postgame interview with the PLNU Sports Information Department, Hicks said the win on senior day meant a lot to her and the team, and that she felt her natural connection with setter and 2021 Coeur d'Alene High graduate, Lauren Phillips, who Hicks has been playing with since her freshman year at Sandpoint, helped propel the 25-1 (19-1 PacWest) Sea Lions to a resounding victory. PLNU, ranked No. 13 in the nation in the latest AVCA/TARAFLEX Division II Poll, now awaits what seed it will receive in the NCAA Division II West Regional, with the tournament field being announced during Monday's Selection Show at 4:30 p.m. (PST).
Camille Ussher, Lewis-Clark State College Cross Country
At the NAIA National Championship this past Friday at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia, Mo., Camille, a 2022 Bonners Ferry High graduate ran a new 6,000-meter personal best time of 23 minutes and 0 seconds (6:10/mi) to finish 128th out of 326 runners. Camille was third for the Lady Warriors, which finished 19th out of 35 scoring teams.
Abigail Shumaker, Lewis-Clark State College Cross Country
A 2020 Bonners Ferry High graduate, Abigail was 193rd overall and was the fifth scorer for the Lady Warriors at the NAIA National Championship with a time of 23 minutes and 35 seconds (6:19/mi).
Connor Alexander, Lewis-Clark State College Cross Country
On the men's side, Connor, a 2022 Bonners Ferry High graduate ran to an 8,000-meter time of 26 minutes and 27 seconds (5:19/mi) to finish 254th out of 326 runners at the NAIA National Championship. He finished seventh for the Warriors, which placed 13th out of 36 scoring teams.
Eli Larson, Carroll College Football
In the Saints' season-ending 42-14 loss to No. 8 Montana Tech on Saturday, Nov. 16, Eli, a 2021 Sandpoint High graduate, had six total tackles, two of which were solo. A redshirt junior, Eli finished out the season for Carroll College, which was 7-3, with 41 total tackles, 25 of which were solo and one of which was for a loss, one interception and 10 pass breakups.
Helena White, Napa Valley College Basketball
A 2024 Priest River High graduate, Helena will be joining the the Storm's basketball team after a successful volleyball season, making her one of two Bonner County collegiate athletes who currently play multiple sports on the collegiate level. Napa Valley, which is 2-3, plays next on Nov. 30 at Cabrillo Community College.
Brandon Casey, University of Montana Football
A 2020 Sandpoint High graduate, Brandon made his 42nd career start on the offensive line in the Griz's 34-11 road loss to Montana State in the 123rd Annual Brawl of the Wild this past Saturday. Brandon helped Montana, which is 8-4 and hosts Tennessee State this upcoming Saturday in the opening round of the FCS Playoffs, to 13 first downs and 234 total yards — 117 passing and 117 rushing.
Luke McCorkle, Whitworth University Football
Luke, a 2022 Sandpoint High graduate, recorded two tackles in the Pirates' NCAA Division III opening round 21-13 playoff win over Pomona-Pitzer this past Saturday. So far this season, Luke has eight total tackles, three of which were solo, for No. 22-nationally ranked Whitworth (10-1), which will travel to No. 1 ranked North Central (Ill.) this upcoming Saturday for the second round of the Division III playoffs.
Savannah Rickter, Dickinson State Wrestling
At the Beaver Bash Duals held this past Saturday at Minot State University, Savannah, a 2024 Bonners Ferry High graduate, pinned Celia Jaeger of the University of Jamestown at 180 pounds to help the Lady Blue Hawks to a 40-8 dual victory. Although it didn't count towards the official scoring, she also pinned Leah Willard at 160 pounds for Dickinson State, which also beat NCAA Division II Minot State 39-9 on the day and will travel to the Doane University Open on Dec. 7.
Cheyenne Thompson, College of the Siskiyous Soccer
A 2024 Priest River High graduate, Cheyenne appeared in 14 games at midfield for the Lady Eagles, which finished 13-4-3 after falling to Sierra this past Saturday in the second round of the 3C2A tournament. It's the first time the College of Siskyous women's soccer team has posted a winning record in at least the last eight years.
Camille Ussher
Eli Larson
Luke McCorkle
Cheyenne Thompson