extra! sports - Jan. 28, 2010

Kettle Falls joins Bi-County league

Kettle Falls, a long-time friendly foe of Colfax when both campaigned in the Northeast A league, will drop into the 2B division next year and compete in the Bi-County League. The league has also picked up Mary Walker of Springdale and St. George’s the last two schools left in a depleted Panorama League, according to Colfax Athletic Director Mike Morgan.

Kettle was allowed to drop down from the A division after it won a WIAA appeal of its classification from the WIAA Sunday. They will be in the 2B division for the next two years.

Morgan said Kettle had been anticipating a drop to 2B, but last minute changes by other districts, who opted to move up or down, moved the cutoff point below the student count at Kettle. He believes the WIAA allowed the appeal because Kettle’s last minute assignment was caused by decisions in other districts over which Kettle had no control.

Morgan also noted Kettle, like Colfax and most districts, projects a declining enrollment for several years to come. Kettle’s count for the top three grades is currently 208.

The Colfax AD said he supported Kettle’s move into the Bi-County. He noted Colfax and Kettle over the years had developed a strong working relationship while competing in the NE-A.

The changes mean nine schools will be in the Bi-County 2B this year. The two private schools, Northwest Christian and St. George’s do not play football.

Morgan said Colfax had already been penciling in football dates for next year and will now revise fall sports schedules at fit the new alignments. Colfax will now have six league football games.

Valley Christian and Republic, will drop from 2B to 1B. Republic actually has a 2B count under WIAA standards, but they have opted to play 1B sports which means they will not be eligible for state playoffs.

Morgan believes the larger 2B Bi-County league and a larger 1B means the Bulldogs will play fewer games against 1B foes over the next two years.

Bernard will announce Spokane NCAA games

Ray Bernard, the voice of the Rosalia Spartans, will again serve as public address announcer for the NCAA playoffs in the Spokane Arena. First and second round games will be at the arena March 19 and 21 with Washington State University as the hosts.

Eight NCAA teams will be seeded into Spokane and two will advance to the Sweet 16 level of the playoffs. Four games will be played March 19, and the winners will pair up in two games March 20.

Bernard previously served as announcer for the 2007 Men’s NCAA regionals and the 2008 Women’s Regional, both at the Arena. He has also served as announcer for the WSU Women’s hoop team for the past seven years.

Bernard is manager and loan officer for the Bank of Fairfield in Rosalia. The Bernards moved from Rosalia to Spokane last year.

Gerdes will play for Red Raiders

David Gerdes, son of former Oakesdale residents Gene and Anne Gerdes, has accepted an offer to play baseball for Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Gerdes was invited by Red Raider coaches to visit the university in November and decided to attend the school at the time.

He plans to study for a degree in mechanical engineering in Lubbock.

Gerdes, who started school in Oakesdale, will graduate from Stanwood High School this year. He will finish his high school career at Stanwood and play summer ball for a Shoreline team this summer.

Gerdes last summer was selected to attend the Arizona Senior Fall Classic at the Mariners and Padres training complex in Peoria. He was among 1,100 seniors from across the nation at the camp and chosen for the First Team All Academic will playing first base in the all-star game. He was rostered with Baseball Northwest and batted five for nine while throwing five scoreless innings.

Gerdes’ performance at the camp led to the invitation to visit Lubbock. He has also been assisted in his advance to college ball by coaches at Skagit Valley College.

Gerdes is the grandson of David and Joanne Gfeller of Thornton. His family now lives on Camano Island.

Youth League Meet

Colfax Youth League will meet Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. in the McDonald Park upstairs meeting room. All residents interested in coaching, officiating and helping are encouraged to attend, according to Terry Eng.