Sports briefs

Barta makes rankings

Men’s tennis player Odon Barta, a junior from Budapest, Hungary, begins the spring season ranked No. 15 in the ITA Mountain Region. Barta earns the ranking despite playing in the fall without a head tennis coach. He also earned the ranking beating out players from Denver, New Mexico, New Mexico State, UNLV, Nevada, BYU and Boise State.

“Odon has always been one of the hardest workers since he’s been here and we are glad to see him progress into one of the better players in the region,” intern coach Art Hoomiratana said. “He had a great fall overall and look forward to him continuing that progress in the spring.”

Bykova ranked No. 9

Galina Bykova cracked the top 10 in the ITA Mountain Region for the Idaho women’s tennis team to start the spring season ranked No. 9. The sophomore from St. Petersburg, Russia, was the 2014 Western Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year and finished the fall season with nine singles victories, including a 2-1 record against ranked regional opponents.

“Galina has worked really hard over the fall,” Idaho coach Mariana Cobra said. “Her efforts are recognized in these first rankings. She really deserves the recognition and I am very proud of her. I am excited to see her compete this spring.”

Preseason track and field polls released

The Idaho track and field teams were regular conference champions in the WAC. After the release of the Big Sky Conference preseason coaches polls, it is evident the Vandals’ accomplishments didn’t follow them to the new conference. Idaho will have to earn its respect in the Big Sky as the team finished eighth out of 12 teams on both the men’s and women’s sides. Northern Arizona topped both polls with 141 points and 10 first-place votes and the men’s side and 143 points and 11 first-place votes on the women’s side in the polls. Idaho opens the 2015 indoor season Friday at the Ed Jacoby Invitational hosted by Boise State.

Buckley to play in all-star game

Former Idaho defensive lineman Quashawne Buckley will play Saturday in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl at Carson, California. Buckley was Idaho’s third-leading tackler in 2014 despite playing defensive tackle. He also tallied four sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss on the season. The Ontario, California, native will be one of the draft eligible seniors competing in the all-star game hoping to boost his NFL Draft stock.

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