Editor’s note: This does not only affect Edward Little High School but Lewiston High School as well.

Many of you have probably noticed the new banners hanging in our gym, sporting names of unfamiliar teams such as the Messalonskee Eagles and the Skowhegen Indians. These teams are members of our new athletic conference. Last year plans were made for Edward Little and Lewiston High School to switch from the Southern Main Activities Association (SMAA) to our new home in the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference (VAC) in the 2003-2004 athletic seasons. Dan Deshaies, our athletic director at Edward Little, has high hopes for our athletic teams in the KVAC, “In the KVAC we’ll find closer, more healthy rivalries,” he said. These closer rivalries mean there are supposed to be shorter travel times for both athletes and spectators to the new venues in towns such as Oxford Hills.

However, some athletes are left questioning this logic. When asked about his views on switching to the KVAC, Raynor Large, a junior mid-fielder for the boys varsity soccer team responded, “It’s bull, now we have to drive two hours instead of half an hour to get to our games.”

Senior cross country runner Sarah Gardner also has some reservations about the KVAC. “I’m disappointed, as a senior, because there were a lot of people in the SMAA that I loved seeing at our meets, but switching also gives is a chance to meet a lot of new people which has been fun. I like running on the courses also, but it seems like we’re driving further.” many coaches and athletes are optimistic about the league but don’t know what to expect.

Edward Little varsity field hockey coach Greg Perkins said this to the Lewiston Sun Journal about his team’s first games of the season, “It’s early we haven’t played many games, but it’s a new challenge.” We must all decide how to approach the various challenges we will face in our new athletic league. Perhaps the new challenges we face will make our school’s athletic programs stronger and more successful, despite wome length bus rides.