Raider athletes were honored for excellence in athletics as well as academics at a state and nationals send-off assembly on May 24.

Going to the national Future Business Leaders of America competition is Alan Nordine, who will travel to Baltimore, Maryland, at the end of June. Nordine had placed fourth in the "Help Desk" category at a state competition in Bellevue in April. Nordine encouraged younger students at the assembly to join FBLA.

Going to state for track were Elijah Harris (high jump and 4x100 relay), Steven Flowers (shot put and relay), Traey Clark (relay) and Devon Hobrecht (relay).

Also going to state was Almira-Coulee-Hartline student Maddie Murray, who practices with the Raiders and competes in the long jump.

Grand Coulee Dam School District Superintendent Paul Turner expressed being impressed with the Raiders' accomplishments with their school work, as well.

"This is great. Not only are you exceeding in athletics, but also in academics. Great job," Turner said addressing the students at the assembly.

Raider teams receiving academic "Distinguished Team Awards" for teams with a combined grade-point average of 3.0-3.49 were the baseball team, 3.06; softball, 3.37; boys' tennis, 3.15; and girls' track, 3.28.

Receiving an academic "Outstanding Team Award" for a team with a combined average GPA of 3.5 to 4.0 was the Raider girls' tennis squad, 3.59.

Several athletes also received all-league honors for the Central Washington 2B league.

In baseball, Tony Nichols received first-team honors. Hunter Whitelaw and Tyson Nicholson were named to the second team.

Alan Nordine, flanked by FBLA advisors Susan Duclos, left, and Stacy Davis.

In softball, Cassidy Reyes and Mikaylah Thompson made first team, Khani Priest and Emma Warnecke made second team, and Haley Neddo and Kayla St. Pierre received honorable mentions.

In tennis, Malcolm Carson made second team; Bradley Wilder made third team; Rylee Pitner, Shayla Schilling, and Raven Clark received honorable mentions. Head Coach Steve Archer won coach of the year.

In track, Steven Flowers made first team in the shot put, being the district champion in the event; Josh Flowers received an honorable mention in the shot put; and the 4x100-meter relay team received an honorable mention.

Although there are no all-league honors for golf, Raider Darin Whiteman was the league's top finisher at the state tournament last week.