Northwest Notes June 18, 2026

USA Judo returns to Spokane this weekend

SPOKANE — The nation's top young judo athletes are scheduled to compete in Spokane this Friday through Sunday. 

More than 850 competitors from across the country will take the mat at The Podium during the 2026 USA Judo National and International Junior Olympic Championships.

This event serves as USA Judo's premier national championship competition for athletes ages 5-20 and showcases the next generation of American judo stars. National titles will be on the line, along with opportunities to represent Team USA on the international stage.

The tournament also serves as the selection event for several major international competitions, including:

2026 Cadet World Championships (Aug. 20-23 in Guayaquil, Ecuador)

2026 Junior World Championships (Nov. 19-22 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan)

2026 U13 and U15 Pan American Championships (Nov. 28-29 in Cancun, Mexico)

Three years ago, Spokane hosted the 2023 USA Judo Senior National Championships.

Tickets are available at the venue. Admission is $20 for a one-day pass or $45 for an all-event pass for guests ages 13 and older. Youth tickets (ages 9-12) are $15 for a one-day pass or $35 for an all-event pass. Children ages 8 and younger are admitted free.

Washington State pitcher

wins ABCA Gold Glove

Washington State left-handed pitcher Nick Lewis won a 2026 ABCA Rawlings Gold Glove, the American Baseball Coaches Association announced Wednesday.

Lewis beat out finalists Ruger Riojas from Texas and Eric Segura from Oregon State for the national award presented annually to the top defensive players at each position from each division of collegiate and high school baseball.

Cougar third baseman Paul Gran was the only previous Gold Glove award winner after earning the award in 2008. The Gold Glove started in 2007.

The 2026 NCAA Div. I Gold Glove was voted on and selected by the ABCA NCAA Div. I All-America & Coach of the Year Committee.

This season, Lewis was named to the ABCA All-West Region Second Team, the first Cougar pitcher to earn All-Region honors since 1993. Lewis was named the 2026 Mountain West Conference Pitcher of the Year, WSU’s first conference pitcher of the year in program history and was selected to both All-Tournament Teams at the Mountain West Conference Tournament and Eugene NCAA Regional. The redshirt-sophomore from Corona, Calif. finished the season with a 10-2 record and 2.97 ERA in 100 innings, WSU’s first 10-game winner since 2000.

Defensively, Lewis posted perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in 25 chances, recorded 22 assists, three putouts and also picked off a team-best six baserunners.

Cougar women to play 

in 2026 Cancun Challenge

Washington State women’s basketball has been officially announced as a participant in the 2026 Cancun Challenge, which will take place Thanksgiving week at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya.

Powered by Triple Crown Sports, the 2026 event marks the 21st edition of the women's tournament. The event runs Nov. 26-28 with Kansas, Miami (OH), Minnesota, and two additional opponents still to be determined, joining Washington State in the six-team Riviera Tournament.

Additional team announcements, scheduling details and broadcast information will be released on the event website as the field is finalized: Cancun Challenge