Sports Briefs

ACADEMICS

Eastern athletics grade-point average ‘streak’ at 52 quarters

CHENEY — The “streak” continues for Eastern Washington athletics after the department posted a GPA above 3.0 for the 52nd consecutive quarter.

EWU’s student-athletes earned a combined GPA of 3.65 for the Fall Quarter from its 12 athletic programs. Eastern had 294 total student-athletes contributing to the department’s success.

The “streak” began in the fall quarter of 2007 and has been carried on by the Eagle student-athletes each quarter. 

“The commitment and dedication our student-athletes put into their academics is evident after putting together another quarter with a GPA over 3.0,” said Director of Athletics Tim Collins.

Each program posted a GPA over 3.0 this quarter, with women’s golf carrying a nearly-perfect 3.99 GPA to lead the department. Men’s tennis recorded the top GPA for the men’s side, with a 3.87 GPA.

Eastern had 70 student-athletes earn a 4.0 GPA this, with track and field accounting for 25. 

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BASKETBALL

Eastern women back home after winless Montana trip

CHENEY — After two games on the road, Eastern Washington is back at Reese Court for a pair of conference games against Portland St. Jan. 9, followed by a Saturday afternoon matchup against Sacramento St.

The Eagles opened Big Sky play with a road trip, playing Montana and Montana St. last week. Against the Griz, the score was tied at halftime and remained close throughout the third quarter. Montana used a 7-0 run near the end of the game to separate from the Eagles to win, 78-70 at Dahlberg Arena.

Ella Gallatin scored a career-best 22 points and had 10 rebounds for her first career double-double in Missoula. 

In the matchup against the Bobcats, Eastern (0-2 BSC, 4-10 overall) trailed by 12 at halftime, but surged ahead with a 16-0 run in the third quarter before MSU rallied for a 66-54 win. Kourtney Grossman posted her third double-double this season with 13 points and 16 rebounds. 

“This team showed their fighting spirit in the second half,” head coach Joddie Gleason said of the Montana State game. “Battling back and taking the lead in the third and then going back-and-forth until the middle of the fourth quarter. It was a true test of resilience.”

Eastern’s scoring is led by Peyton Howard at 14.3 points per game, fourth in the Big Sky. 

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FOOTBALL

EWU football announces non-conference opponents for 2025

CHENEY — Eastern Washington football has its non-conference schedule for the 2025 season set and its opponents for future seasons are moving into focus. EWU has three non-conference matchups set for both the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

Eastern opens the 2025 season with three road games as the Eagles travel to play at Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas Aug. 30, Boise State, Sept. 6 and Sept. 13 at Northern Iowa. 

The Eagles return home Sept. 20 to meet Western Illinois before beginning Big Sky Conference play at FCS national champion runners-up, Montana State, Sept. 27.

Portland State visits Cheney Oct. 4 followed with a bye, Oct. 11 before Idaho comes to Roos Field, Oct. 18. The Eagles close out October on the 25th at Weber State.

November begins with a visit from Sacramento State on the first, followed by a trip to Missoula, Nov. 8 to face the Grizzlies. A meeting with Northern Colorado Nov. 15 concludes the home schedule of five games and the regular season finishes Nov. 22 at Cal Poly.

Eastern finished the 2024 season with a 3-5 conference record and were 4-8 overall.

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WRESTLING

Oliver, Raulston score wrestling wins for Medical Lake

CHENEY — Medical Lake earned a pair of first-place finishes and wound up sixth as a team at the Blackhawk Invite, Jan. 4 at Cheney High School. The Cardinals (117 points) trailed winner, Wapato with 336.

James Oliver at 120-pounds and 126-pound Hudson Raulston both claimed wins.

Oliver claimed his win over Tanner Grooms from Okanogan, 11-8 in a sudden victory. Such a finish occurs if at the end of regulation and a match is tied, a one-minute period takes place where the first points scored win.

Raulston won his bout over Raenah Smith from Mead with a pin in 1 minute, 5 seconds.

The Cardinals Carsen Buenzli (157) was third and won by decision over Nelson Nygard from Eastmont, 10-7. True Cole (215) won by forfeit over Jacob Sanchez from North Central, also finishing third.

Rosalia Middle School, Bi-State wrestling league begins

Cheney Free Press

ROSALIA — Middle school wrestlers from Rosalia and Tekoa will open their season Jan. 22 at Moscow, Idaho, against Jenifer and Potlatch.

Practices for teams in the Bi-State League began Monday, Jan. 6. Bi-State encompasses middle schools in both Washington and Idaho near the state line from Tekoa south to Asotin.

The rest of the season is as follows:

Jan. 29 — Pullman, against Jenifer, Potlatch and Pomeroy

Feb. 4 — Sacajawea (Lewiston), against Moscow, Potlatch, Pomeroy and Culdesac

Feb. 19 — Culdesac, against Orofino, Potlatch and Lapwai

Feb. 26 — Moscow, against Pullman and Potlatch

March 8 — Sacajawea (Lewiston), Bi-State Championship.

— Cheney Free Press