WHATCOM CONNECTIONS: Ex-Red Raider earns top honor

Carter also qualified for the 2006 NCAA Championships and placed 175th as a sophomore.

Whitworth University sophomore runner Dusty Caseria (Sehome) finished 216th in the men’s race, completing the 8 km course in 26:30. Caseria was awarded an at-large spot in the meet after finishing 16th at the previous week’s regional race.

Caseria, who was selected to the all-region team, is majoring in math and physics at the college in Spokane.

GEBHARDT GETS READY FOR FINAL PUSH

Bellingham graduate Jessi Gebhardt is looking forward to life after college but still has some unfinished business during her senior year at Oregon State.

The senior golfer carded a 14-over 230 (69-84-77) to tie for 26th on Nov. 2 at the Kent Youel Invitational in Hawaii as the Beavers took fourth place in the tournament.

Don’t think Gebhardt will be sitting back and relaxing, with workouts, practice and academics keeping her busy until the spring season kicks off on March 3.

“We never really get a break,” she said in a phone interview.

Coach Rise Lakowske, who has steered the OSU women’s golf program for 20 years, said Gebhardt has shown a lot of improvements over the years.

“She’s brought a lot of consistency, Lakowske said in a phone interview. “She’s competed in every event except for one, so she’s definitely been consistent and leads by example.”

With her collegiate career nearly over — she will earn her bachelor’s degree next year — Gebhardt has set her sites on a professional career, starting with the Duramed Futures Tour — the women’s equivalent of the men’s Nationwide Tour — and eventually the LPGA.

Gebhardt first must finish her career at Oregon State, and she and her coach hope that entails a trip to nationals for the Beavers.

“I think of (Jessi’s) success in two different ways,” Lakowske said. “It’s an individual sport but we’re a team. The individual finishes aren’t the (only) focus for me.

CROWE’S SEASON ENDS AT WHITWORTH

For the third time this season the University of Puget Sound handed Whitworth University a one-goal loss on Nov. 10 in women’s soccer, and this time the loss ended the Pirates’ season in the second round of the NCAA Division III tournament.

Bellingham graduate Penelope Crowe scored her third goal of the season in the 2-1 loss.

WOODS RECEIVES HONOR

Whitman College senior Brian Woods, a Sehome High School graduate, earned allregion honors after last week’s NCAA Division III West Region Championships in Estacadia, Ore.

Woods closed out his running career in fine style by placing 28th in 26 minutes, 20.65 seconds in the 8K race. He finished 50th at last fall’s regional race.

To suggest a former Whatcom County athlete for future Whatcom Connections articles, please contact Colin Howser at colin.howser@bellinghamherald.com or 756-2840 or Sports Editor David Rasbach at david.rasbach@bellinghamherald.com or 715-2271.