Idaho signed five new Vandals Monday, for the men’s golf team, track and field and men’s basketball.
The three for men’s golf wrapped up Idaho men’s golf coach David Nuhn’s first signing class.
“Overall,” he said, “I’m extremely pleased with the class of 2017 I have assembled,” he said in a news release. “They are passionate, self-motivated, and extremely hard-working guys who will help elevate this team from the moment they step foot on campus next fall.”
Cole Chrisman, of Bend, Oregon, is a two-time all-state choice and a three-time all-conference pick. He also played soccer and ran cross-country. Chrisman’s grandfather played baseball at Idaho.
“Cole comes from a very strong golf family,” Nuhn said. “I look forward to the consistency I believe he will have while at Idaho. He will push the upperclassmen right away to play in the starting lineup. With his extensive competitive experiences, he should contend from day one.”
Nick Timm, of Portland, is also a legacy. His grandafather played basketball for Idaho and has an uncle who played football. Timm placed fifth at the state tournament his junior year and was a first-team all-state and all-metro selection.
Timm has represented Oregon at the Junior Worlds, won the Pumpkin Ridge Junior Championship and played on Oregon’s Hogan Cup team.
“Nick is a great golfer but an even better athlete,” Nuhn said. “He knows all about hard work and, I believe, will make an instant impact with his positive energy.”
Joining the Vandals from and Nick Timm (Portland). Adam Veenstra comes from Smithers, B.C.
Adam Veenstra, of Shawnigan Lake, B.C., has a 71.9 average. Veenstra played hockey, volleyball and basketball.
“He has a great work ethic, solid fundamentals, and excels in the classroom,” Nuhn said.
Prosser, Washington product Scott Blakney joins the Idaho men’s basketball team for the 2017-18 season.
Blakney averaged 15 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game in his junior season and earned his second first team all-league recognition. The 6-foot 9-inch forward plays in the AAU circuit on the Friends of Hoop team.
“We are excited to have Scott join our program,” Idaho head coach Don Verlin said. “He has had great success both on the court and in the classroom and we look forward to his continued growth as a Vandal.”
The Idaho women’s track and field team added Malaina Thacker, of Puyallup, Washington. The Roger High School senior plays volleyball and has excelled as a middle distance runner.
She finished second in the 2016 Washington State Championships meet in the 800m and third as a sophomore. Thacker placed sixth at the meet in 1600m. Her personal bests are 2:13.2 in the 800m and 5:00.7 in the 1600m.
Thacker scored 3720 points in the heptathlon. She has personal bests in the 200m, with 26.7, and in the 400m, with 59.7
Thacker is just as talented in the classroom and plans to major in exercise science.
Director of track and field and cross-country Tim Cawley is excited to have Malaina join the team.
“She is a well-rounded athlete with a lot of range, who should make an immediate impact for the distance squad,” he said in a news release. “She is also quite talented in the classroom and should fit in well with the team.”
Thacker plans on studying exercise science.
Tess Fox can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @tesstakesphotos