Honey, I shrunk Summit!

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Written by MJ Zielke, Staff Writer

After eight years at the class 5A level, Summit will drop in classification. The UIL released its biannual realignment on Monday; making Summit the only 4A school in MISD. All the while Legacy and Timberview move up to join Mansfield in Class 5A. The district alignments are based on projected numbers for enrollment next year.

“Being moved to 4A is a great thing for us,” said boys varsity head coach, Jason Mutterer. “It gives us a better opportunity to compete and meet the numbers of the teams that we play. We’ll still play Mansfield teams in pre-season, but not during the season.”

Being moved down to 4A means that Summit’s sports teams will face teams like Seguin, Burleson, Cleburne, Crowley, Everman, Granbury, and Joshua. This will mean much more traveling for everyone when it comes time for games. Along with longer bus rides, some students may not travel to away games.

“Being in 4A will mean much more travel for all of our teams,”said girls varsity volleyball coach Linda Alfaro. “It doesn’t mean the teams we play will be easy. We will practice just as hard for our games and not take any team lightly. There are some great teams in 4A, but i know we are capable of beating all of them if we work our hardest.”

Of course, moving down effects more than just the sports teams of Summit; it also affects all UIL competitions ranging from academics to band and choir.

“The most important thing that will change for choir in 4A is the sheet and sight reading music chosen for UIL,” said choir teacher Keri Ferrier. “Right now, our sight music is very advanced for some of our students and it hurts them in UIL. Less advanced music would give many of our students a better chance to make things like all state choir.”

For the majority of activities, being 4A changes the teams Summit plays or has meets against. This isn’t true for band, the only thing that being 4A changes for the band is the division they are placed in at retreat and UIL music.

“Being 4A won’t change much about how the band competes,” said percussion head, Dr. Heart. “We’ll still go to the same contests and compete with the same schools but we’ll be announced as 4A instead of 5A. Also, our sight music for UIL will be a little easier which is probably a relief to some.”

Summit’s new division will of course effect the teams and standing and teams, but most of all it will affect the students competing in all the activities. After all, what are standings if you don’t have a hardworking team to back them up.

“I think being 4A will give us such a better chance of making district which makes everyone happy,” said sophomore track runner Jaylon Singleton.