Northwest Notes June 4, 2011

Post Falls thrower Wardell with Washington State

PULLMAN - Idaho state 5A shot put champion Matt Wardell has signed a national letter of intent to attend and compete in track and field for Washington State starting in the fall.

Wardell is a 2011 graduate of Post Falls High and earned three varsity letters as a tackle on the Trojans' football team. He also earned two varsity letters as a heavyweight wrestler. Wardell won the state title with a personal-record throw of 59 feet, 2 inches and has thrown the discus 164-4.

Wardell also earned scholar-athlete honors all four years of high school and graduated with a 3.5 grade point average.

"Matt Wardell comes from Post Falls High School which is where Cougar All-American and Olympian Ian Waltz went to school," Cougar throws coach Debra Farwell said. "Matt is physically very mature and I think he will adapt to the 16-pound shot very well and quickly. He will learn the hammer and work with the discus, but his main event will be the shot put. He is an excellent student and has great family support."