2017 Sports Year in Review: Celebrating athletic accomplishments

July

Several Broncos athletes from spring sports teams were recognized for their contributions during the season.

Among the recipients for the Lady Broncos softball team were Tessa O’Brien, who was the offensive player of the year and Lacey Miller, defensive player of the year.

Members from the Tigercats tennis team were recognized as well. Derek McKeen, MVP; Ethan Harshman, Tigercat Pride; Kiernan Hartwell, Sparkle Spirit; Clayton Hartwell, Coach’s Award; Jeff Peel, Most Improved; Garrett Correll, Sportsmanship and Sean Roby, Never Quit.

August

LRS returned to the gridiron at the annual Jamboree. The Broncos team had a strong group of returning athletes and a core group of seniors at the helm.

This also marked the first year of the athletic combine with Kahlotus, which added four athletes to the Broncos’ roster. The Broncos began their season with a league loss to Asotin.

Former Ritzville coach Coach Doug McLean passed away. Twelve days before his passing, four of McLean’s Broncos basketball team members made a trip to visit him. The athletes were Randy Hanson, Dale Anderson, Tom Benzel and Dan Meyer.

September

The Broncos Cross Country team began its season with 11 athletes from Sprague High School. Rose Melville took first place in a District 7 All-League Schools meet at Northwest Christian.

The LRS Broncos football team won their first game of the season against Wilbur-Creston, 16-6.

Mason Brausen had 132 rushing yards, including one touchdown, and 75 receiving yards for the Broncos. Austin Thompson had 33 rushing yards, one touchdown and 58 receiving yards.

The LWK Lady Tigercats picked up their first league win of the season against Touchet in five sets, snapping a five-match losing streak in the process.

Autumn Meyers had a strong performance from the serving stripe while Alynn Harder hustled every second ball set to her teammates up at the net. Jazzmyn Gordon found her rhythm as a middle hitter during the match.

October

Rose Melville qualified for the 1B/2B Cross Country State Championships in Pasco after she took second place at the District 7/9 Regional Race at the Colfax Golf Club.

She finished the event in 19 minutes and 39.28 seconds, a new personal record.

Prior to regionals, Melville placed second at the District 7 championships and won the varsity girls’ race at the Wildcats Invitational.

The Broncos football team won three consecutive games against Springdale, Kettle Falls and Reardan. Not only did the Broncos snap a three-game losing streak, they also qualified for the Crossover game against Liberty.

The Lady Broncos’ volleyball team ended their regular season with a road win against Asotin and upset victory against Liberty on Senior Night.

The Lady Broncos carried the momentum from the regular season wins into the District 7 playoffs, where they defeated Wilbur-Creston in the first round to advance to the semifinals.

November

The Broncos’ Rose Melville finished 12th place at the 1B/2B State Cross Country Championships with a time of 20 minutes and 35.50 seconds. She finished less than 8 seconds behind Northwest Christian-Lacey runner Megan McSheffrey.

The LWK Lady Tigercats volleyball team participated in their last athletic event as a cooperative after their loss to Garfield-Palouse in five sets at the District Tournament.

Alynn Harder was recognized as an Honorable Mention League athlete while Jazzmyn Gordon was named to the All-League team.

The Lady Broncos’ volleyball team concluded their season in the second round of the 2B District 7 Tournament. LRS was eliminated from the tournament after back-to-back losses against Colfax, in three sets, and St. George’s in five.

December

The LRS Broncos basketball team went 6-3 in the month. The team ended the year with a three-game winning streak.

With first-year Head Coach Steve Wellsandt at the helm, the Lady Broncos basketball team finished the month with a 5-4 overall record.

The Lady Broncos finished 2017 with back-to-back wins against Mary Walker and Dayton.

Broncos wrestler Aarron Phelps took fourth place in his bracket at the Liberty Invite while Douglas Morris placed fifth in his.

Phelps also finished fifth in his weight division at the Pomeroy Christmas Tournament.