COLLEGE NOTEBOOK: Casey gets camp invite from Seattle Seahawks

Brandon Casey, University of Montana Football

A 2020 graduate of Sandpoint High, Brandon accepted a camp invite from the Seattle Seahawks, announced Sunday afternoon by the University of Montana Sports Information Department following of the conclusion of the NFL draft. The two-time All-American and two-time All-Big Sky First Team right tackle will reunite with former Grizzlies linebacker Patrick O'Connell when he heads to Seattle. Brandon, who started 44 career games dating back to 2021, took over for Dylan Cook in 2022. Cook was originally signed as a undrafted free agent by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023. Since head coach Bobby Hauck's hiring in 2018, Brandon is the first high school recruit to become an All-Big Sky First Team offensive lineman.

Jack Zimmerman, Lassen College Baseball

A 2023 graduate of Sandpoint High, Jack went a combined 4-for-7 with four singles, two runs scored, two RBI and two stolen bases in the Cougars' conference and regular season finale doubleheader against the College of the Siskiyous (Weed, Calif.) this past Thursday, April 24, and Friday, April 25. Lassen, which swept the Eagles at home by scores of 14-2 and 18-3, has been relying on the former three-time Inland Empire League selection all season long. Across 37 games and 91 at-bats during the regular season, the lefty outfielder now boasts a .341 batting average and a .456 on-base percentage to go along with 31 hits, 13 of which were doubles, 19 RBI, 22 runs scored, 14 walks and 10 stolen bases. Lassen (26-13-1) will face Marin College (Kentfield, Calif.) in a best-of-three series this Friday and Saturday for the first round of 3C2A Regionals.

Austin Dillon, Yakima Valley College Baseball

A 2023 graduate of Sandpoint High, Austin posted another solid outing on the mound, pitching 6.1 innings and giving up just seven hits and two earned runs while striking out four batters in a 7-4 road loss to Big Bend (Moses Lake, Wash.) this past Saturday, April 26. Having struck out eight batters in a previous outing against Columbia Basin, the hard-throwing righty now has 56 strikeouts across 57.2 innings this season to go along with a 4.99 ERA — the 56 strikeouts rank as 15th in the entire NWAC, which has 36 schools. Yakima Valley (19-21) will travel to Treasure Valley (Ontario, Ore.) for a doubleheader on Wednesday and host Treasure Valley for a doubleheader Saturday.

Jantzen Lucas, Lewis-Clark State College Baseball

A 2020 graduate of Priest River High, Jantzen picked up his sixth win of the season on the mound this past Saturday, April 26, in a 15-7 win over British Columbia (Vancouver, B.C.), pitching six innings and giving up five hits, two walks and four earned runs while striking out five batters. The southpaw now holds a 4.53 ERA on the season across 49.2 innings and has fanned 41 batters in the process. The Warriors (32-14) will face Oregon Tech (Klamath Falls, Ore.) on Friday for the first round of the Cascade Collegiate Conference tournament.

Elisheva Davis, Spokane CC Track & Field

A 2023 graduate of Priest River High, Elisheva sprung to a new all-time personal best of 33 feet, 1 inch in the triple jump, placing sixth out of nine competitors at the WSU Cougar Classic held this past Friday, April 25, and Saturday, April 26, in Pullman. The former 2A (now 3A) state qualifier also placed ninth out of 14 in the long jump with a leap of 15 feet, 2.25 inches. The Sasquatch will compete next on Wednesday, May 7, at the Whitworth Last Chance meet.

Jett Longanecker, College of Idaho Track & Field

A 2024 graduate of Sandpoint High, Jett placed 14th out of 18 in the 800-meter run (1:58.96) amongst a highly competitive field at Boise State University's Ed Jacoby Twilight meet held this past Friday, April 25. The former 4A (now 5A) state medalist was also a part of the Yotes' 4x400 relay that placed second with a time of 3:19.43, which ranks as No. 3 all-time in school history according to the College of the Idaho Sports Information Department. The Yotes return to action Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10, for the Cascade Collegiate Conference Championships which will be hosted by Southern Oregon University (Ashland, Ore.).

    Jack Zimmerman
  

    Austin Dillon
  

    Jantzen Lucas

    Elisheva Davis
  

    Jett Longanecker