Students, coaches react

By JORDAN DAWSON / Bigfork Eagle

Coaches at Bigfork High School were split about whether to support dropping to Class B, according to the feedback each coach gave administrators as they formed their recommendation. Many coaches from various sports attended the meeting and shared their opinions there as well.

Many arguments were made at the meeting both for and against the switch in regards to which teams were winning and which were losing. Board members and administrators pointed out that athletic successes tend to be cyclical. They said that girls sports are doing well now and boys are struggling, but that inevitably it will next be the other way around.

Sue Loeffler, who coaches cross country and track at BHS, said that it will be better for both of her sports to be in Class B because as it is now they can't field a team for either sport with enough athletes to count as a team at events. That problem is much more common among Class B schools, because A schools usually have teams with athlete numbers in the double digits. It will also benefit the track team because many Class B schools struggle to field every event, as does BHS, which costs them in team scoring, a problem that Class A schools don't face.

This year the volleyball team became the first sport at BHS to have a winning season in more than two years besides girls basketball. They went into last weekend's divisional tournament as a second seed, despite having considerably fewer players than other schools in the conference. Head volleyball coach Yvonne Peck, who has coached in Class A and B, said she was concerned that the team would not be able to play in the two two-day matches it usually does. This would increase travel and require them to squeeze four more matches into their schedule.

The switch is preferred by local golf courses, including Eagle Bend, that have said they wish that all high school golf was played in the spring because their members usually want to play more in the fall.

Most of the kids just seem to want to play sports. Some would prefer to have stayed in Class A, but Class B will do as they finish out their high school careers.

"I think our sports can compete well with Class A schools," said junior Keenan Evans, who plays soccer and basketball and runs track. "We have a lot of success with our sports except football."

Evans' concern about this being a decision based on football seemed to be a school-wide thought.

"I don't think we have a good enough reason to go down to B besides football," said Caitlin Charlebois, who plays girls soccer and basketball. "I don't really think it will affect us too much though. I'll play who we play regardless. It's just another team."

Football and boys basketball player Travis Knoll said he had mixed feelings.

"It will be better for football, but I think our basketball team is getting better and I would've liked to have been able to compete in Class A in that."

There is no doubt that many people associated with the school have strong opinions regarding the change, and it will be a topic of debate for some time. However, the school is hoping to focus on the future now.

"The decision was made by the board to go to Class B after a healthy conversation among the community," said Matt Jensen, BHS vice principal and activities director. "Now it is the school's job to be the best Class B school in the state."