COLLEGE NOTEBOOK: Norling wins 200 freestyle at home dual
Caleb Norling, Olivet Nazarene University Swimming
A 2023 graduate of Sandpoint High, Caleb beat out four other swimmers to win the 200-yard freestyle in 1:49.02 during the Tigers' recent 201-28 home win over Millikin University. In addition, he also placed second out of eight in the 100 freestyle (49.35) and second out of six in the 500 freestyle (5:00.79).
Caleb was also recently named to the Olivet Nazarene Dean's List for the 2024 fall semester. To qualify for this designation at Olivet Nazarene, a student must be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student and must have attained a semester grade point average of 3.50 or higher on a 4.00 grading scale.
Luke Butler, Pacific Lutheran University Golf
A 2023 graduate of Priest River High, Luke was named to the Dean's List at Pacific Lutheran for the 2024 fall semester. To qualify for this designation at Pacific Lutheran, a student must have attained a semester grade point average of 3.50 or higher with a minimum of 12 graded semester hours.
Brandon Casey, University of Montana Football
Brandon, a 2020 Sandpoint High graduate, was one of eight Grizzlies to be named to the 2024 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District team. To be eligible for Academic All-District status, student-athletes must be at least a sophomore academically and must carry a minimum 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale as either an undergraduate or graduate student. Student-athletes must also have competed in at least 90% of the program's games or started at least 66% of games in the 2024 season. Brandon maintained a 3.53 grade point average while earning an undergraduate degree in management & entrepreneurship and his MBA from the UM College of Business.
Brandon also recently received a team award — the Paul Weskamp Award, which is given to team's most outstanding offensive lineman. In addition, the NFL prospect was recently invited to and attended the College Gridiron Showcase, held Jan. 10-12 in Forth Worth, Texas. The CGS is a postseason college football all-star event that selects the top senior players around the country. Since its inception in 2015, over 900 players have been offered professional opportunities. Typically, scouts from 31 of the 32 NFL teams, and members of Canadian Football League and other professional leagues attend the showcase.
Austin Dillon, Yakima Valley College Baseball
A 2023 graduate of Sandpoint High, Austin was named to the Dean's List at Yakima Valley for the 2024 fall semester. To qualify for this designation at Yakima Valley College, a student must earn a quarterly grade point average of 3.40 to 3.84 and take a minimum of 12 graded credits.