COLLEGE NOTEBOOK: Longanecker runs scorching fast 800 at Whitworth Peace Meet

Jett Longanecker

Evan Dickinson

Caleb Norling

Forest Ambridge

Jantzen Lucas

Jack Zimmerman

Austin Dillon

Evan Williams

by MAX OSWALD
Sports Reporter | April 7, 2025 5:20 PM

Jett Longanecker, College of Idaho Track & Field

A 2024 graduate of Sandpoint High, Jett ran an all-time personal best time of 1:58.43 in the 800-meter run at the Whitworth Peace Meet held this past Friday, April 4. Jett finished 23rd out of a 54-runner field, which consisted of talent from the region's top NCAA Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA and NWAC schools. The former 800-meter 5A (then 4A) state medalist also competed on the Yotes' 4x400 relay (3:29.66) that finished 14th out of 25 teams, splitting a lap of 53.3 seconds. The College of Idaho competes next this upcoming Saturday, April 12, at the Northwest Nazarene University Open in Nampa.

Evan Dickinson, Walla Walla CC Soccer

A 2023 graduate of Sandpoint High, Evan recently signed a letter of intent to continue his college career at the College of Idaho. A mainstay on the Warriors' back line, he started 41 straight games over his two seasons in Walla Walla, leading his squad to an 8-3-8 record his freshman year and a 15-3-4 record his sophomore year. He tallied 16 shots, three goals and two assists and was named to the 2024 United Soccer Coaches Junior College Division II Men’s All-America Team and All-West Region Team during his two years for the Warriors. He'll join Jett Longanecker, mentioned above, on the Yotes' defensive line, which helped the team to a 9-4-4 record last season.

Caleb Norling, Olivet Nazarene University Swimming

A 2023 graduate of Sandpoint High, Caleb was named a First Team All-Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference selection, the conference office announced this past Wednesday, April 2. The KCAC selected its all-conference teams based on performances at the 2025 KCAC Swimming & Diving Championships, with the top 18 individual point scorers from the conference meet (17 swimmers and 1 diver, including ties) making up the All-KCAC First Team. Caleb, who primarily swims freestyle, helped lead the Tigers to their fourth straight conference title this season.

Forest Ambridge, Southern Virginia University Lacrosse

A 2023 graduate of Sandpoint High, Forest recorded a goal, an assist, six shots (three of which were on goal), a career-high four groundballs and won a career-high five faceoffs in a 19-13 home conference win over William Peace University (Raleigh, N.C.) this past Saturday, April 5. He then followed that up this Monday, April 7 by winning four of his five faceoffs and scooping up two groundballs in a 23-4 road conference win over Brevard College (Brevard, N.C.). The Knights (7-7) will travel to La Grange College (La Grange, Ga.) for another USA South Conference matchup this Saturday, April 12.

Jantzen Lucas, Lewis-Clark State College Baseball

A 2020 graduate of Priest River High, Jantzen was credited with his fifth win of the season after throwing five innings and giving up five hits, one walk and two earned runs while striking out a tied for career-high seven batters in a 14-3 home conference win over Warner Pacific (Portland, Ore.) this past Saturday, April 5. The southpaw, whose five wins are now a team best, has struck out 30 batters over 37.1 innings this season. The Warriors (24-10), which won all four games of their series against the Knights, will take on the College of Idaho for a four-game series starting this Friday, April 11, and ending Sunday, April 13.

Jack Zimmerman, Lassen College Baseball

A 2023 graduate of Sandpoint High, Jack went a combined 2-for-7 with two runs scored, an RBI and a stolen base in the Cougars' recent doubleheader against Shasta College (Redding, Calif.). The left-hander, who is batting .300 to go along with a .436 on-base percentage, has now recorded a hit in seven of his last nine outings. Lassen (20-10-1) traveled to Yuba College (Linda, Calif.) on Monday, will face Butte College for a home-away doubleheader this Friday, April 11, and Saturday, April 12, and will then host Yuba for a makeup game this Sunday, April 13.

Austin Dillon, Yakima Valley College Baseball

A 2023 graduate of Sandpoint High, Austin grabbed the win, throwing seven innings and giving up just three hits, one walk and two earned runs while striking out six batters in a 9-5 home victory over Wenatchee Valley this past Saturday, April 5. The right-hander has now struck out 36 batters over 39.2 innings this season, which ranks 15th in the entire Northwest Athletic Conference, which consists of 36 schools. Yakima Valley (15-13) hosts Blue Mountain (Pendleton, Ore.) for a doubleheader today, April 9, and then travels to Blue Mountain for a doubleheader Saturday, April 12.

Evan Williams, Tabor College Baseball

A 2021 graduate of Sandpoint High, Evan pitched six innings, giving up six hits, two walks and four earned runs while striking out eight batters in a 4-2 loss to Avila University (Kansas City, Mo.) this past Sunday, April 6. The eight strikeouts gave Evan a total of 70 over 53.2 innings on the season — the 70 strikeouts ranks as 21st in the entire NAIA and second in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. The 6 foot 4 inch right-hander was named the KCAC Pitcher of the Week last week for his nine strikeout performance over seven innings (complete game) last week in a 5-2 win over Ottawa University (Ottawa, Kan.). The Blue Jays (22-14) hosted the University of St. Mary (Leavenworth, Kan.) on Tuesday and will look forward to hosting Kansas Wesleyan (Salina, Kan.) for a three-game series starting Saturday, April 12, and ending Sunday, April 13.