State track rules clinic

set for Monday

POST FALLS - The state rules clinic for area high school track and field coaches is scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m. at Post Falls High School.

Vandals assistant Gesser

earns recruiting honor

Jason Gesser hasn't even been a Vandal for one year and he's already been recognized as the Scout/FOXSportsNext Recruiter of the Year for the Western Athletic Conference.

His efforts - and those of newly appointed recruiting coordinator Torey Hunter, helped the Vandals lead the WAC with their class of 2012.

"His passion and his competitive drive make him a great recruiter," Idaho coach Robb Akey said of Gesser. "The ability of our entire staff to build strong relationships with our prospects enabled us to recruit the class ranked No. 1 in the WAC. I'm very proud of them for their commitment to this class and to the Vandals."

Akey also commended Hunter for his ability to step in and not only recruit student-athletes who are a great fit for the Vandals, but to also coordinate the entire recruiting effort.

"He really took over and handled the recruiting coordinator duties admirably," Akey said.

Scout.com gave Idaho's class the nod for the No. 1 group in the league followed by San Jose State, New Mexico State, Louisiana Tech, newcomer Texas State, Utah State and another newcomer, UT-San Antonio.

Idaho signed 23 players to national letters of intent last week. Included among those 23 are three players - running back James Baker, receiver Najee Lovett and offensive lineman Niklaus Von Rotz, who already are on campus.

The Vandals open spring drills March 22 and conclude with the annual Silver and Gold Game April 20.

Arrested WSU linebacker

Mizell kicked off team

PULLMAN (AP) - Washington State starting linebacker C.J. Mizell has been kicked off the team after he was arrested this weekend in connection with a fight at a fraternity house.

Coach Mike Leach said Tuesday that Mizell was no longer on the team because of a violation of team policy.

Pullman police say Mizell was arrested Sunday on misdemeanor charges of assault and trespassing. Police say Mizell tried to enter a party at the Delta Tau Delta fraternity house on Saturday night.

When he was denied entry, police say Mizell punched one of the members and fled.

A native of Tallahassee, Fla., Mizell started nine games at linebacker last season, recording 56 tackles and three sacks. Mizell had previous discipline problems at WSU.

Sandpoint assistant named Bonners grid coach

SANDPOINT - Former Sandpoint High defensive coordinator and assistant head coach Casey McLaughlin has been named football coach at Bonners Ferry High.

McLaughlin has been the assistant head coach at Sandpoint for the past six years, and spent the last three years coordinating the defense. McLaughlin was awarded Teacher of the Year for 2011 at Sandpoint High School, and plans to finish out the year before heading north.

McLaughlin was one of three candidates to interview for the recent head coaching vacancy at Sandpoint High School, which went to former coach Satini Puailoa.

McLaughlin will be the Badgers' fourth head coach in the past three seasons.

EWU linebacker Johnson

granted sixth year

The NCAA has granted Eastern Washington linebacker Zach Johnson a sixth season to complete his four years of eligibility.

In his first five years in the program, the Tumwater (Wash.) High graduate had 19 games wiped out because of the same knee injury - 12 in 2009 and the last seven as a senior co-captain in the 2011 season. He earned second team All-Big Sky Conference honors in 2010 when he started all 15 games, helping EWU to a 13-2 record and the NCAA Division I national championship.

Wide receiver Tyler Hart is also filing a similar appeal, but still has paperwork to complete before he hears back from the NCAA. His appeal has already been approved by the Big Sky Conference.