Jacob Ballard, BYU University Swimming & Diving

A 2020 graduate of Central Valley High (Spokane Valley) who swam for a handful of years for Sandpoint High and the Sandpoint Sharks, Jacob, a fifth-year senior, placed first out of nine swimmers in the 200 fly with a time of 1 minute, 48.09 seconds as the Cougars defeated the Rainbow Warriors by a 34-point margin earlier this month. The former Bulldog standout was also third out of eight in the 200 breast (2:01.85) at the meet, which was held at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex in Honolulu. Ballard was also second out of eight in the 200 fly (1:47.86) and split a 20.33-second 50 free during Cougars' winning 200 free relay (1:19.88) in a recent 183-116 win over the University of Denver in a meet held at the El Pomar Natatorium in Grand Junction, Colo. BYU will return to the pool Jan. 16 and 17 at the Big 12 — Duel in the West set to be held in Tempe, Ariz.

Matyus McLain, Washington State University Football

A 2023 graduate of Priest River High, Matyus, a 6-foot-4-inch, 255-pound defensive end, recently transferred from Idaho and committed to Washington State University, which is coached by Kirby Moore and went 7-6 a season ago. The former All-State selection for the Spartans, who has two years of eligibility remaining, was an All-Big Sky Conference Honorable Mention this past year and is the 13th signee to choose the Cougars this offseason. McLain will join a defensive line that also recently earned commitments from DJ Warner (SMU), Ike Okafor (California), Eduwa Okundaye (Arizona) and Linus Zunk (Vanderbilt). The Cougars are familiar with McLain, a redshirt sophomore, who recorded a Pro Football Focus defense grade of 89.6 and a run defense grade of 93.4 — both season-best's — in last year's Battle of the Palouse, which Washington State won by a score of 13-10.

Asher Williams, Montana Tech University Basketball

A 2025 graduate of Bonners Ferry High, Asher, a 6-foot-6-inch freshman forward, scored 16 points (4-9 FG), which included an 8-for-10 effort from the free throw line, and added four rebounds and a steal to the stat sheet across 22 minutes off the bench in a recent 68-58 conference win over MSU-Northern. The former Badger standout also had two points, two rebounds and a steal in an 80-66 conference win over the University of Providence for Montana Tech (14-3), which has won eight straight games and will travel to Dakota State on Jan. 16 and to Bellevue of Nebraska on Jan. 17 for a pair of Frontier Conference matchups. Williams was also recently named to the Chancellor's List for the 2025 fall semester. To achieve this distinction at Montana Tech University, an individual must earn a 4.0 GPA as a full-time undergraduate student.

Helena White, Napa Valley College Basketball

A 2024 graduate of Priest River High, Helena, a 5-foot-10-inch sophomore forward, recently recorded five points (2-8 FG), five rebounds, three of which were offensive, and came away with two steals in a recent 91-28 home conference win over Mendocino. The former multi-sport standout for the Lady Spartans and Napa Valley (13-5) will travel to Yuba on Jan. 14 and host Laney on Jan. 16 before another 12-day hiatus from action.

Rebecca Sedbrook, Viterbo University Track & Field

A 2024 graduate of Forrest Bird Charter who competed for Priest River High, Rebecca, a sophomore thrower, recently opened up the indoor season with a mark of 106 feet even in the discus throw to place ninth of out 17 competitors at the Spire Throws/Jumps Festival held at the SPIRE Institute Indoor Track & Field Facility in Geneva, Ohio. The former shotput state medalist for the Lady Spartans and the Riverhawks of La Crosse, Wisc. will return to action Jan. 16 and 17 for St. Olaf Invitational and Multi in Northfield, Minn.

Camille Ussher, Lewis-Clark State College Track & Field

A 2022 graduate of Bonners Ferry High, Camille, a senior distance runner, was recently named to the President's List for the 2025 fall semester. To achieve this distinction at Lewis-Clark State College, an individual must have a 3.75 GPA or higher for the semester and take at least 12 graded credits in 100 level classes or above.

Connor Alexander, Lewis-Clark State College Track & Field

A 2022 graduate of Bonners Ferry High, Connor, a senior distance runner, was recently named to the President's List for the 2025 fall semester. To achieve this distinction at Lewis-Clark State College, an individual must have a 3.75 GPA or higher for the semester and take at least 12 graded credits in 100 level classes or above. 

Olivia Yetter, Lewis-Clark State College Track & Field

A 2025 graduate of Clark Fork High, Olivia, a freshman hurdler and sprinter, was recently named to the President's List for the 2025 fall semester. To achieve this distinction at Lewis-Clark State College, an individual must have a 3.75 GPA or higher for the semester and take at least 12 graded credits in 100 level classes or above.

Evelynn Chaney, Lewis-Clark State College Cheer

A 2023 graduate of Bonners Ferry High, Evelynn, a junior, was recently named to the Dean's List for the 2025 fall semester. To achieve this distinction at Lewis-Clark State College, an individual must have a GPA between 3.25 and 3.749 for the semester and take at least 12 graded credits in 100 level classes or above. 

Luke Butler, Pacific Lutheran University Golf

A 2023 graduate of Priest River High, Luke, a junior, was recently named to the Dean's List for the 2025 fall semester. To achieve this distinction at Pacific Lutheran, an individual must have attained a semester GPA of 3.50 with a minimum of 12-graded semester hours. 

Emma Thielbahr, University of Denver Soccer

A 2022 graduate of IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) who also played soccer for Sandpoint High, Emma, a redshirt junior, was recently named to the Dean's List for the 2025 fall semester. To achieve this distinction at the University of Denver, an individual must achieve a GPA of 3.75 or above for that quarter while taking at least 12 credit hours. 

    Matyus McLain

    Asher Williams

    Helena White

    Rebecca Sedbrook

    Camille Ussher

    Connor Alexander

    Olivia Yetter

    Evelynn Chaney

    Luke Butler

    Emma Thielbahr