Lewis-Clark State Hopes To Take Baseball Program To Next Level

Lewis-Clark State College has a long tradition of championship baseball teams. The school wants to shift that success to the NCAA level.

Warriors athletic director Gary Picone said the Lewiston team will apply for NCAA membership in June. They hope to play Division I baseball and compete in Division II in all other sports.

Picone said the Warriors would retain their NAIA membership and play for NAIA championships for three years, until all NCAA membership requirements can be met.

The NAIA has been losing membership to the NCAA. Nine Northwest NAIA schools, including Whitworth of Spokane, begin a dual membership with the NAIA and NCAA Division III next fall.

“Everyone’s preference is to stay where we are if the NAIA was growing and thriving, but it’s not,” Picone said.

Waltz signs with WSU

Track and field athlete Ian Waltz of Post Falls High, among the nation’s top high-school weight throwers, has signed a letter of intent to attend Washington State.

The 6-foot-2, 245-pound Waltz threw the shot 61 feet, 6 inches indoors this year and has hurled the discus 182-10 this spring.

“We think Ian is a big-time prospect who will be able to step in and help the Cougars immediately,” said WSU coach Rick Sloan.