College phenom, Marine to speak to NIC boosters

COEUR d'ALENE - Peter Optekar, a U.S. Marine who blocked for Heisman Trophy winners Joe Bellino and Roger Staubach in college, will be the guest speaker at the North Idaho College Booster Club Luncheon at noon Tuesday at the Outback Steakhouse. This is the last luncheon until after the summer.

Coaches at his high school in northern New Jersey prevented him from playing football, baseball, and track. At 4-foot, 11-inches and 100 pounds, they doubted his performance and feared he might get hurt. It wasn't until he was 21 and a walk-on at the Naval Academy that he had the opportunity to participate in team sports, playing football, lacrosse and boxing.

After four years at the Naval Academy, Optekar re-joined the U.S. Marine Corps and played linebacker and guard for the Quantico Marines, who were the 1963 National Service Champions.

"The lessons I have learned in team and individual sports competition became my foundation for success in business, marriage, family and life," Optekar said.

Optekar is now 76 and lives in Hayden Lake where he continues to stay an active participant in sports, having just recently finishing a half marathon.

The special NIC Booster Club lunch menu is $10 or less and the public is welcome to attend the luncheon. NIC coaches will provide updates on recruiting, season sports, and upcoming athletic tournaments and athletic department events.

Information: 769-3348

Post Falls wrestler McLeod earns state Dave Schultz award

STILLWATER, Okla. - Post Falls High senior Seth McLeod was named the Idaho winner of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award for 2015.

The award, originally created in honor of Schultz, an Olympic and world champion, is based on excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, citizenship and community service. Schultz died in 1996.

Tate Orndorff of University High in Spokane Valley was the Washington winner.

State winners were elected in each of the 49 states that sponsor high school state championships. Of those winners, five regional winners were selected as finalists for the national Schultz Award.

McLeod went 47-0 and won the 5A 182-pound championship at the state wrestling tournaments at Holt Arena in Pocatello in February.

Ex-Lakeland softball standout signs with Eastern Oregon

MOSES LAKE - Big Bend Community College sophomore Lauren Schwalbach, who formerly played at Lakeland High, has signed a letter of intent to play softball at Eastern Oregon University in La Grande.

Schwalbach played on Lakeland's state 4A runner-up team in 2013.

Ex-Eagle Harvey invited to NBA draft combine

Former Eastern Washington sharpshooter Tyler Harvey is on the list of 62 players invited to the National Basketball Association Draft Combine, which will take place in Chicago from Tuesday through Sunday.

"Tyler has told me he is really excited about the combine," Eastern coach Jim Hayford said. "His workouts are going great. He has an excellent agent and great insight from his parents. I am eager to see how it all unfolds."

The NBA Draft is June 25 and will be broadcast live on ESPN.

Vandal Scramble golf tourney to honor Bud and June Ford

HAYDEN LAKE - Local residents and longtime Idaho Vandal boosters Bud and June Ford will be honored at this year's Hayden Lake Country Club Vandal Scramble, scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. with a shotgun start.

The event is being put on by the Kootenai County Vandal Boosters.

Cost is $175 per golfer. Teams are still needed. Proceeds go to the Vandal Scholarship Fund.

Also, there is a no-host cocktail reception that begins at 5:30 p.m. and the dinner/program will follow at 7. The cost for dinner is $45 per person.

Bud Ford has officiated high school football and basketball for more than 60 years and he was selected as the first state of Idaho official of the year and is a member of the Idaho Sports Hall of Fame. Bud and June's generosity was instrumental in the renovation of the Kibbie Dome where they are honored with the naming of the Bud & June Ford Club Room.

Information: Shelly Robson at shellyr@uidaho.edu or 651-7992, or Randy Haddock at randyh@isu-haddock.com or 664-9783.

Benefit golf tourney set Friday in Lewiston

LEWISTON - The Bob White Memorial Tournament, a two-man chapman, is scheduled for Friday at the Lewiston Country Club.

The $75 entry fee includes dinner as well as 18 holes of golf, long putt and closest to the pin prizes. Call 746-2801 to register.

The tournament benefits post-eligibility men's basketball players.