Deon Watson — football
Deon Watson
The Idaho football team conducted its second scrimmage of the spring Saturday, and tight end Deon Watson appeared to be adapting well to his new position. The junior from Coeur d’Alene, who made the switch to tight end after two years at wide receiver, finished the scrimmage with six receptions for 135 yards and two touchdowns. His long of 69 yards and touchdowns were team highs. Tight ends coach Al Pupunu said Watson will continue to work on blocking and adding weight through the spring.
Kaden Elliss — football
Kaden Elliss
It didn’t take long for freshman Kaden Elliss to stand out in spring football. The Salt Lake City native led Idaho’s defense in tackles in both spring scrimmages thus far with 19 tackles in the first scrimmage and 17 tackles Saturday. His 17 tackles included five tackles for loss and one sack.
“Kaden flew around and made a ton of tackles again,” linebackers coach Eric Brown said. “Probably close to what he had that first scrimmage. I’ve been impressed with him in live situations.”
Cristobal Ramos Salazar — men’s tennis
Cristobal Ramos Salazar
The matches had to be moved from Moscow to Lewiston due to weather, but four-year senior Cristobal Ramos Salazar didn’t let that dampen his Senior Day for the Idaho men’s tennis team. The senior from Hermosillo, Mexico, won both his No. 3 singles matches Saturday and one of his No. 1 doubles matches to help lead Idaho to victories over North Dakota and Montana. The wins secured a Big Sky Tournament berth for the Vandals, who are 14-8 on the season and 8-2 in conference play.
Galina Bykova — women’s tennis
Galina Bykova
The Idaho women’s tennis team had little trouble dismantling Montana and Montana State over the weekend, winning the two matches by a combined score of 13-1. One of the dominating performances came from No. 1 singles player Galina Bykova, who won all her matches in straight sets to stay undefeated in Big Sky play. The sophomore from St. Petersburg, Russia, teamed up with senior Emmie Marx to take the No. 1 doubles match in both matches as well. Idaho is 12-7 on the season, but 9-1 in Big Sky play with only one conference match to go.
Holly Stanton — track and field
Holly Stanton
Veteran distance runner Holly Stanton did something she is accustomed to Saturday at the Pelluer Invitational in Cheney, Washington — she won her race. The senior from Crestview, Florida, finished first in the 1500-meter run by 0.3 seconds over Eastern Washington’s Sarah Reiter with a time of 4 minutes, 38.37 seconds. Stanton was joined by teammates Alycia Butterworth (third), Halie Raudenbush (fourth) and Ally Ginther (fifth) in the top five of the 1500. The Idaho track and field team returns to action Thursday at the Mt. Sac Relays in Walnut, California.