IdahoStatesman.com Varsity Extra: High School Sports

Eagle High volleyball standout playing with elite group

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MDT

It's not every day that Idaho produces a top Division I prospect in any sport, but Eagle High senior-to-be Morgan Odale is one of those rare athletes.

Covington wins U.S. youth triple jump crown

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MDT

Kasen Covington is taking his high-flying act to international soil for the first time.

Cole Valley Christian runner named Idaho Track Athlete of the Year

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MDT

Mitch Simmonds of Cole Valley Christian was named the 2009 Gatorade Idaho Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year on Tuesday. Simmonds is the first Gatorade Idaho Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year to be chosen from Cole Valley. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound senior hurdler and sprinter won three individual titles at the 2A state meet and set a meet record in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 14.24 seconds. A three-time team MVP, Simmonds also finished first in the 100-meter dash (11.12 seconds) and the 300-meter hurdles (14.24), giving him seven individual state titles in his high school career.

BK graduate Cassie Brunelle named lacrosse All-American

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MDT

Cassie Brunelle, who recently graduated from Bishop Kelly, was named this week to the first team of the U.S. Lacrosse National Girls' High School All-American Team. The Idaho Lacrosse Association player of the year is a midfielder who will play college lacrosse at Saint Mary's (Calif.). She is BK's all-time scoring leader with 129 goals and 68 assists in three seasons on offense after starting on defense as a freshman. She had 60 goals and 29 assists this season as she led the Knights to a 19-0 record and the 5A-4A state championship.

High school two-a-days under fire after deaths

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MDT

SAN ANTONIO - High school football teams should eliminate two-a-day practices during the first week of August drills when heat stroke has proven particularly deadly, a leading trainers' group said Thursday in a report issued less than two months before the sweltering rite of passage begins at thousands of schools.

Varsity Extra Blog: Centennial High graduate Heather Adams earns $7,500 SAMMY Award

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:12:42 MDT

Varsity Extra Blog: Eagle distance runner Liz Brandon earns Gatorade honor

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:48:19 MDT

Local softball player earns Gatorade's state honor

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MDT

Mountain Home High's Nickayla Skinner was named Idaho's 2009 Gatorade softball player of the year Thursday, becoming the first player from her school chosen for the honor. The 5-foot-9 junior pitcher finished with a 25-2 record and a 0.42 ERA, recording 302 strikeouts in 168 innings this season to lead the Tigers (26-6) to the school's first 4A state championship. The two-time 4A Southern Idaho Conference player of the year also played shortstop and hit for an average of .515 with 51 RBIs, 14 runs, 14 doubles and 12 home runs. She had a 1.074 slugging percentage and .577 on-base percentage this spring. "Nickayla Skinner can hurt you as a pitcher and a hitter," Bishop Kelly coach Derek McCormick said. "She's pretty dominant in the circle, and she batted over .500 in the Southern Idaho Conference. She's certainly the best player I saw this year."

Passage of supplemental levy would save Mackay sports

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MDT

There is a good chance Mackay High School will retain sports and other extra-curricular programs for the 2009-10 school year. Activities appeared to be in jeopardy after a $330,000 supplemental levy failed by 12 votes on May 19. The school board submitted a 2009-10 budget Wednesday that did not include any extracurricular activities. According to Mackay athletic director Jack McKelvey, the school board also decided Wednesday to attempt to pass another supplemental levy in early July. The second levy, which is for $250,000, will save extracurricular activities if it passes. McKelvey said that members of the Mackay community have volunteered to raise the necessary funds to support the football and volleyball season if the levy fails. In that scenario, winter and spring sports also would have to find funding from outside sources in order to save their seasons.

Custer County high school cuts all extracurricular activities from its budget

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MDT

Mackay High, a 1A small school in Custer County, cut all extracurricular activities from its budget last week after a $330,000 supplemental levy failed May 19.

Varsity Extra: Spring All-Conference teams

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MDT

BASEBALL

Two Valley athletes receive scholarships from USTA

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MDT

Noah Archibald-Seifer, a senior at Timberline High, and Alex Walker, a senior at Emmett High, are two of 52 recipients nationwide of a $6,000 college educational scholarship from the United States Tennis Association.

Vallivue girls hoops coach steps down

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MDT

Stu Sells guided the Vallivue High girls basketball team to four state tournaments and a state title, but five years at the helm was enough.

Capital football player Kyle Sosnowski is doing a different kind of summer camping

Wed, 27 May 2009 00:00:00 MDT

An Oregon State assistant football coach and a newspaper reporter crossed paths in the Capital High office recently.

Senior softball players showcase their talent today

Wed, 27 May 2009 00:00:00 MDT

The 5A Southern Idaho Conference's senior all-star game begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Meridian High. There are 36 seniors representing the 11 5A SIC schools in the Treasure Valley. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for students with an activity card and free for children 12 and younger.

The 2008-09 Idaho high school sports season was a year for the books

Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 MDT

The 2008-09 high school season featured jubilation, heartbreak and a cascade of state championships. It also provided lasting memories for the athletes, coaches and those of us who were lucky enough to witness their efforts on the field of play. Here's a look back at some of the season's top stories.Superior Soccer Clash of titans Fly Like an Eagle Digging deep Long distance divas Three's a charm

Varsity Extra scoreboard: Tuesday, May 19

Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 MDT

GIRLS LACROSSE

BK girls Lacrosse wins 4A/5A state title

Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 MDT

The Bishop Kelly High girls lacrosse team claimed the 4A/5A state lacrosse championship with a 13-9 victory against Eagle on Tuesday.

Varsity Extra Blog: 2009 Idaho high school track and field performance list

Tue, 19 May 2009 15:00:24 MDT

Scoring miscalculation: Boise High is not 5A boys state champ after all

Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 MDT

Boise High tennis coach Tommy Buford received a surprising call Monday afternoon.

Capital shuts out Timberline to capture 5A baseball crown

Sun, 17 May 2009 00:00:00 MDT

Capital High senior pitcher Ryan Anderson endured 85 minutes of gut-wrenching pressure Saturday evening at Memorial Stadium.