Feb. 13, 2003

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Casey Waddell (pronounced wah-DELL), a senior quarterback at Walla Walla High School, has signed a national letter of intent to play football at Western Washington University. Making that announcement was Viking head coach Rob Smith.

Waddell directed the Blue Devils to a 10-3 record and the semifinals of the Class 4A state playoffs last fall, passing for 2,200 yards and 24 touchdowns. He was a first-team Tri-City Herald all-Area pick and Big Nine Conference Tri-Offensive Player of the Year.

As a junior, Waddell played in just six games because of mononucleosis, but still managed to lead Walla Walla to the state quarterfinals, throwing for 1,187 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Waddell's signing brings Western's NLI total to 18, 17 high school seniors and one junior college transfer. Ten of the high school signees earned all-state honors.

CASEY WADDELL (pronounced wah-DELL)QuarterbackFreshman, 6-3, 220, 18, 9/25/84Walla Walla, WA
HIGH SCHOOL: First-team Tri-City Herald all-Area and Big Nine Conference all-star assenior at Walla Walla High School ... Conference Tri-Offensive Player of the Year ...Listed among Seattle Times Top 100 (white chip) state high school seniors ... Teamco-captain ... Helped Blue Devils to 10-3 record and semifinals of Class 4A stateplayoffs ... Passed for 2,200 yards and 24 touchdowns ... Played in just six games asjunior because of mononucleosis, but helped team reach state quarterfinals ... Threwfor 1,187 yards and 13 touchdowns ... Started two years and lettered three ... Alsoearned three letters in basketball and two in track ... Second-team all-league inbasketball.PERSONAL: Plans to major in education.