MOSCOW ? University of Idaho student-athletes might be out of their respective seasons, but many are still keeping busy through the summer months.
From regional to national to international events, Vandal athletes representing many of Idaho's sports teams are active this summer. Athletes from football, basketball, volleyball, track and field and soccer are on campus participating in summer school and in summer conditioning in preparation for their upcoming seasons.
Results and updates will be posted all summer long regarding Idaho athletes competing in the region and beyond.
Men's Basketball
Men's basketball players Luciano de Souza and Luis Toledo have been selected to represent Brazil on July 2-12 at the World University Games at Belgrade, Serbia. The WUG is an international competition of 15 sports, with participation from 142 countries. Brazil will start competition in Group F against Russia, Israel and Gabon.
Men's and Women's Golf
Women's golfer Kayla Mortellaro advanced to sectional play in U.S. Open qualifying, and has also qualified for match play at the U.S. Public Links tour. Amanda Jacobs is competing currently at the Oregon Amateur Championships, while many men's golfers are competing this week at the Washington State Golf Association Men's Amateur Golf Championship.
Women's Soccer
Many of Idaho's current and future Vandals were on display at the U.S. Youth Soccer Far West Regional. In the U17 section, incoming freshman Amber Pimley helped lead Real So Cal to a finals appearance and second-place finish. In the U19 section, to-be sophomores Liz Boyden and Danielle Raczykowski and freshmen Lauren Layton and Kristi Wirtz led the Spokane Shadow to the semifinal round, while sophomore-to-be Desirae Hull helped Rio Vista FC move to the quarterfinal round and junior-to-be, Jennifer Eugenio, competed with the Leahi Premier in the opening rounds.
Men's and Women's Tennis
Both the men and women will keep active all summer in the tennis world. Idaho Director of Tennis Jeff Beaman said that most of the women intend to participate in summer tours in their home countries. Stanislav Glukhov is participating in the ITF Futures circuit in The Netherlands, while Alex Joitoiu has already won a national futures event in Romania and intends to participate in more national events in his home country. Beaman said that most of Idaho's American men's players are participating in the ITA collegiate summer circuit.
Men's and Women's Track and Field
Vandal track and field athletes will be active all summer. One current and two former Idaho athletes will compete at this weekend's USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Eugene, Ore. Mykael Bothum, who just finished her junior year at Idaho, will compete in the women's shot put, while former Vandal All-Americans Russ Winger (men's shot put) and Melinda Owen (women's pole vault) will also vie for national titles. Additionally, the top three finishers in each event will qualify to represent Team USA at the IAAF World Championships at Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany, in August.
Sophomore hurdler Paul Dittmer will also compete this weekend at the German Under-23 National Championships and hopes to qualify for the European U-23 Championships later in July. Idaho assistant Angela Whyte and current senior Christie Gordon will both compete in the 100m hurdles at the Canadian Track & Field Championships this weekend at Toronto.
