A Coug from birth, Kamiakin’s Flynn makes it official

Once a Coug, always a Coug is how Payton Flynn ended up at Washington State University to play baseball.

“I grew up a Coug,” he said. “My parents went there, my step brother (Dillon Plew) plays there now. I got a call from the coach (Marty Lees) and it just felt right. And it’s close to home, which is nice.”

Flynn, who plans to major in communication, was a second-team all-MCC pick at third base his junior year, but WSU has other plans for him.

“They plan to play me at first base,” the 6-foot-4, 190-pound Flynn said. “I played third base last year because that’s where they needed me to play.”

WSU is offering Flynn tuition and board, which leaves him to take care of his housing and books.

The Braves lost in the round of 16 last year to rival Southridge 6-3, but Flynn said he believes they will be a stronger team this season.

“Basically, we have our whole team back,” he said. “We have all of our pitchers back. I think we will have a deep run.”

Before Flynn starts swinging a bat again, he and the Kamiakin football team still have some unfinished business.

The defending Class 3A state champion Braves open the state playoffs at 5 p.m. Saturday against Timberline.

Flynn, a quarterback, has thrown for 2,150 yards and 23 touchdowns this season for the 10-1 Braves.

This story was originally published November 8, 2017 at 8:36 PM with the headline "A Coug from birth, Kamiakin’s Flynn makes it official."