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Show Keahgnment means leaner schedule for Park City Miners v. jrf.-r V ( ( t; ) S saws-' byDaveAdler All are agreed that Park City High School's shift from 1A to 2A athletic competition, effective next fall, will mean stiffer, more challenging fare for the Miners. Increasing enrollment meant it was inevitable that Park City would move beyond the smallest class, said Dr. Jack Dozier, Park City High School principal. "Some adjustment will be required as we meet a more challenging schedule." The local high school will be moving from 1A Region 11 to 2A Region Nine based on the continued growth of its student body. The present enrollment stands at about 375 students, but the Miners will soon be facing schools with student populations of 500 to 600. "It's really going to be a challenge. We'll be facing stiffer competition," said Paul Willard, Park City basketball coach. Football Coach Bob Burns agreed. "The most difficult point about the new schedule is that in the past we knew we'd win two or three games on the strength of our program alone. That will no longer be the case," Burns said. "We can no longer count on a breather." The football team will get the school's first chance to size up the caliber of the competicion next September. But there may not be as much cause to be nervous as some might expect. Coach Burns observed that in the last seven years his team has gone 7-3 against 2A competition. The traditional rivalries with North and South Summit will remain intact. Those high schools will be moving to the 2A level for league play but will compete in the 1A division when playoff time rolls around. "That should really help them in the playoffs," said Burns. In addition, as Burns points out, the Miners will renew the Wasatch rivalry which has lapsed for three years, and start new rivalries. The realignment has been accom panied by recent changes in the Miners' athletic program. The Park City High School has decided to drop the wrestling program for lack of interest. Before making the decision to abandon the program. Dr. Dozier consulted the student council, the coaching staff, the high school . community council (an advisory group), the school superintendent, the school board and department chai. The verdict was virtually unanimous, said Dozier: "They were of one mind." Dozier said that consideration also had been given to dropping the girls' basketball team. But he indicated that, unlike wrestling, there was considerable support among the student body to retain the team. Although the team has not fared well in competition, 21 girls tried out for the team this year. ,.. That level of enthusiasm was enough to persuade Dozier that the program should be retained. Teaching and coaching have given Bob Burns a few more gray hairs since this photo was taken. |