THE FRONT ROW BY JASON ELLIOTT: Wednesday, January 28, 2015

They wanted it.

Now, after approval from the Idaho High School Activities Association during its board meeting on Jan. 22, Genesis Prep Academy of Post Falls will be a sanctioned 1A Division II program starting in the fall.

THE BOARD approved Genesis Prep, which has been competing in the Mountain Christian League, for IHSAA play in volleyball, boys and girls basketball and boys and girls golf at the start of the 2015-16 school year.

"We are excited to bring the vision and mission of our athletic programs to a wider audience," Genesis Prep athletic director Shella Brearley said in an email. "Where our athletic family, coaches, players and fans alike will be known for heart as we prepare and compete as Christian champions - humble in victory, gracious in defeat, encouraging our brothers and sisters, while seeing all opponents through God's eyes."

Genesis Prep has applied to join the North Star League starting next year.

The next North Star League meeting is scheduled for March 6. The district has full state bids in volleyball, boys and girls basketball already approved for 2015-16.

"I think it could be a good thing," said Mullan High principal Tom Durbin, a former IHSAA board member. "It gives us a little more clout as far as adding another state berth (in future years). We'll discuss it more in full at the next league meeting, but I'm at least optimistic that we'll get some things done. I just met the athletic director and she wants to do the right thing and take the program in the right direction."

Genesis Prep is an associate member in golf and boys basketball this year.

"Enjoying the journey has seen the enrollment for the high school nearly double each year for the past two years with a projected enrollment for next year to add an additional 40 students," Brearley said. "Enjoying the journey includes a growing relationship with Compete Hockey as they add a high school girls program next year."

Division II is classified as schools with 99 students or less. Genesis Prep has roughly 80 students this school year. Clark Fork, Kootenai, Lakeside and Mullan - all of the North Star League - are the other Division II schools in District 1. Wallace, a Division I school, plays in the North Star League, then competes against Division I schools in District 2 for state playoff berths.

STUDENTS MUST be full time students at Genesis Prep, but do not have to live within the Post Falls area.

"We have students from all over the area including Spokane, Coeur d'Alene and Rathdrum, not to mention many international students coming to Genesis Prep to study," Brearley said.

Students who want to compete in football, soccer, baseball, softball and track and field - sports Genesis Prep does not offer - can do so at public schools within their residential boundaries while attending Genesis Prep.

The school also draws students from the boys Compete Hockey Academy.

"Simply stated, the school's mission is to 'provide a God-centered and creative education that prepares students for life," Genesis Prep boys basketball coach Marsell Colbert said in an email. "Athletics represents an important facet of the creative educational opportunities available to you. Our sports teams are more than just athletes playing a sport. We strive not only to be the best student-athletes, but to demonstrate intentional Christ-like sportsmanship, as well as striving to be the best servants we can be in our school and our community."

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d'Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at JEPressSports.