COLLEGE NOTEBOOK: Banks makes first collegiate starts for Utah State
MAX OSWALD | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 hours, 51 minutes AGO
I grew up in the small town of Orwigsburg, Pa., where I resided all of my life before moving to Sandpoint. I attended Blue Mountain High School, where I participated in cross country and track and field, a sport that I ended up falling in love with. I went on to attend and run for DeSales University (with other brief stints at Susquehanna University and Elizabethtown College) and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sport communication with a minor in sport management. I remember just how great it made me feel when I was mentioned in my hometown newspaper. I want to be able to give that feeling to every athlete in Bonner County, no matter how big or small their accomplishments are. As an athlete myself, I know how many hours of work are put in on a daily basis, and that hard work deserves to be recognized. It is my goal to cover as much of the Bulldogs, Spartans and Wampus Cats as I can. I want to work with every athlete, parent, coach, administrator and the community to ensure the best stories are published. | January 20, 2025 6:00 PM
Karlie Banks, Utah State University Basketball
A 2024 graduate of Sandpoint High, Karlie made her first collegiate start on Jan. 15 against Fresno State and then made another against San Diego State on Jan. 18, both of which were Mountain West Conference matchups. In a 74-54 loss to the Bulldogs, Karlie went 3-for-6 from the field, netting a 3-pointer, and totaled a career-best seven points, five rebounds and a steal over 26 minutes of action. In a 85-66 loss to the Aztecs, she had three rebounds, an assist and a steal across 17 minutes on the court. Utah State (1-17) hosts New Mexico on Jan. 21 at the Den Glee Smith Spectrum.
Teagun Holycross, University of Montana Track & Field
A 2024 graduate of Priest River High, Teagun kicked off his 2025 campaign at the Spokane Indoor Challenge, which was held Jan. 17 and 18 at The Podium. Although not a personal record, he finished 16th out 61 runners in the preliminary round of the 60-meter dash with a solid season-opening time of 6.97 seconds. The Griz will head to the Lauren McCluskey Memorial Open hosted by the University of Idaho this upcoming Friday and Saturday.
Scout Nash, Umpqua CC Wrestling
A 2017 graduate of Sandpoint High, Scout, who wrestles in the 141-pound weight class, picked up a big 10-7 win by decision over Ryo Horikawa of Southwestern Oregon Community College on Jan. 16. The win proved to be the difference maker as the Riverhawks held on for a 27-24 dual victory over the Lakers.
Caleb Norling, Olivet Nazarene University Swimming
A 2023 Sandpoint High graduate, Caleb placed third out of nine swimmers in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:46.77 during a tri-meet against Bethel and Rose-Hulman on Jan. 18. He also swam to fifth out of 12 in the 100 freestyle (49.34), sixth out of 10 in the 500 freestyle (5:09.09) and was on a 400 free relay (3:19.15) that placed third out of six teams. Olivet Nazarene will prep for the KCAC Championships, which are set to be held Feb. 13-15 in Hobart, Ind.
Helena White, Napa Valley College Basketball
A 2024 Priest River High graduate, Helena contributed two points (1-4 FG), three rebounds and two steals across 18 minutes of action in the Storm's 63-57 win over Solano on Jan. 15. In a 71-64 win over Marin on Jan. 17, she recorded five rebounds, three of which were offensive, and a steal. Napa Valley (10-9), which has won five straight, travels to Yuba on Jan. 22.
Alex David, Rocky Mountain College Track & Field
A 2024 graduate of Sandpoint High, Alex made her collegiate track & field debut this past Saturday at the David Little Alumni Meet hosted by Black Hills State University in Spearfish, S.D. She finished tied for 17th out of 24 competitors in the shotput with a mark of 8.93 meters (29 feet, 3.75 inches). Alex also competed in the weight throw for the Battlin' Bears, which travel to Spearfish again on Jan. 25 for the Myrle Hanson Open.
Asha Abubakari, Fresno State University Track & Field
A 2024 Bonners Ferry High graduate, Asha placed 15th out of 25 competitors and was the second overall freshman in the weight throw with a personal record mark of 13.53 meters (44 feet, 4.75 inches) at the 2025 Spokane Sports Showcase held Jan. 17 at The Podium. She also competed in the shotput and placed 10th out of 16 with a throw of 11.71 meters (38 feet, 5 inches). Fresno State returns to action Jan. 23-25 for the University of Nevada Invitational & Multis meet.
Kimbo Yarnell, Spokane CC Soccer
A 2023 Sandpoint High graduate and recent Northwest University (NAIA) commit, Kimbo was named to the Spokane CC honor roll for the 2024 fall semester. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or above to achieve this distinction at Spokane CC.
Aubree Lane, Spokane CC Volleyball
A 2024 Sandpoint High graduate, Aubree was named to the Spokane CC honor roll for the 2024 fall semester. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or above to achieve this distinction at Spokane CC.
ARTICLES BY MAX OSWALD
PREP BOYS BASKETBALL: Bonners Ferry improves to 15-0 with win over Logos
PREP BASKETBALL: Bonners Ferry improves to 15-0 with win over Logos
COLLEGE NOTEBOOK: Banks makes first collegiate starts for Utah State
COLLEGE NOTEBOOK: Banks makes first collegiate starts for Utah State
PREP ROUNDUP: Spartans’ work on offensive glass pays dividends in league win over Grangeville
PREP ROUNDUP: Spartans work on offensive glass pays dividends in league win over Grangeville