This is a significant step in the development of the Seahawk athletic program. It's also an intermediate step toward moving to Division I in the future, which is our ultimate goal.

We have a really strong core group of players from local teams that came together. This is one of the better high school softball areas in the state. There's that many more people available to be better interested in the program.

I think we're a little farther along in softball.

Division III is an intermediate step.

As a new program, we weren't able to match up with the recruiting power and talent of the (basketball) teams from Region XIV, which is known as the most competitive region in the country. It produces national champions on a regular basis. The rosters of those teams include players from all over the world.

With us doing the traveling in the middle of the week, hopefully that will allay any problems with scheduling they might see.