The athletic landscape at Freedom High School is set for a major transformation as the athletes transition into the 5A region next school year, this move that reshapes the competitive environments for all sports. This shift brings a mix of both excitement and apprehension, presenting both an increase in opportunities as well as many challenges for these athletes.
“The positive for moving to 5A for football next year is that we will have an easier schedule, so we have a better chance of making the playoffs,” said Jeremiah Chery, football athlete.
The FHS football team has faced challenges in advancing due to increasing growth of competition as well as the people within its current league. The transition to a smaller, potentially less competitive league aims to provide the team with an improved opportunity to progress.
Although having a less competitive region is good for some sports, it may be negative for others.
“Being an easier division, people may slack off. Also there is less competition for those who are more advanced,” said Joshua Johnson, track athlete.
In Freedom’s track and field program, some athletes express concern that a move to a less competitive region could lead to lack of motivation among advanced participants. These athletes worry that guaranteed positions at district and higher-level competitions may reduce their motivations to improve.
The absence of demanding competition that came with the previous region could not allow for the ranked athletes within the team to receive the same challenge they need to succeed.
Many athletes may not view the competitive aspect but the team aspect.
“The competition aspect will be better because those teams also don’t know how we play,” said Bella Brant, soccer athlete.
The girls’ state champion soccer team views the move to a new region and competition as a potential positive for the team as whole. They believe that unfamiliarity with their team’s strategies and overall play style among new opponents will offer a fresh start. This lack of prior knowledge could provide an advantage as they enter the new competitive environment. The team anticipated leveraging the “element of surprise” to establish dominance within the 5A region.
“I would want to stay because I have so many friends on the other highschool teams and we have been with 6A for so long,” Brant said.
All the students interviewed were asked whether or not they would stay if they had the opportunity to do so. Majority stated they would stay due to being more comfortable with the teams and competition, the rest said they are looking forward to something new.
