PULLMAN — New Cougars coach Mike Leach was all business Thursday as his Washington State football players began training camp. Repetition was a focus.

Jeff Tuel received most of the reps with the starting unit at quarterback, with redshirt sophomore Connor Halliday taking the rest. Halliday did not practice during the team session in the spring while recovering from a lacerated liver suffered against Utah in November.

"Today we just kind of worked on a certain play, and we wanted to make it hard on ourselves so we just ran it over and over and over again," Tuel said.

The Cougars appear to be closer to full health. They welcomed projected starting linebackers Chester Su'a and Darryl Monroe, along with safety Tyree Toomer, back to practice. All three had been limited or missed time during the spring.

The first day of camp was full of optimism.

Plus, the hulking $80 million renovation on the south side of Martin Stadium is nearing completion, symbolic of WSU's move toward Pac-12 relevance.

Elsewhere

• The NCAA Division I Board of Directors granted Seattle University Division I active membership during Thursday's board meeting. The official approval concludes a five-year process that began when Seattle U. applied to reclassify from Div. II to Div. I in 2007. Seattle U. teams have been considered Div. I for scheduling purposes since the 2009-10 season but all teams can now compete in the NCAA postseason.

• Top seeds Denise Dy and Clement Reix in the open singles divisions advanced to Friday's quarterfinals at tennis' 122nd Washington State Open at the Seattle Tennis Club.

• In golf, five-time champion Leslie Folsom will face Flora Weeks Friday in the 36-hole final round of the WSWGA State Tournament at Sand Point Country Club.

WSU news from Christian Caple, Spokane Spokesman-Review