By Linda Scherer
Staff Writer

Now that the two arch-rival schools, Holy Trinity of Winsted and Lester Prairie, have had some time to become accustomed to the idea of pairing in all sports, it is hard to imagine what all of the anxiety was about in the first place.

Talks on pairing in all sports began in the fall of 2006, but two years previous to that, the two schools had already paired in junior high sports without any major problems.

Lester Prairie Superintendent Joe Miller and Holy Trinity’s former Superintendent Fr. Paul Wolf, realized the need to pair in all sports because of a decline in student numbers. Both schools were finding it more and more difficult to find teams to play against. Both also felt it was important to provide more age appropriate teams.

The pairing in all sports started at the beginning of the 2007-08 school year.

Lester Prairie High School Principal and Athletic Director Scott Fitzsimonds reported to the School Board in November, 2007, that the majority of the input he received regarding this year’s sports pairing has been positive.

Fitzsimonds’ report was based on interviews with all of the varsity coaches, a majority of the junior high coaches and Holy Trinity’s Athletic Director Judy Ide.

Everyone he spoke with was impressed with how well the students worked together.

The coaches felt the pairing made the kids work harder, and because there was more competition, made the students better athletes.

A student/parent/community survey is planned after spring sports to review the entire year’s athletic activities.