BY CALLIE BAUCOM, Freshman
BLYTHEWOOD-- After Blythewood and Spring Valley both lost their appeal to move to a more local region for athletes, they teamed up for a second shot and won it. Both schools are now a part of Region VIII-5A along with Lugoff Elgin, Sumter, and Irmo.
According to The State, Blythewood and Spring Valley were originally placed in Region III-5A with Clover, Fort Mill, Nation Ford, Northwestern, and Rock Hill. Coaches, parents, and students began to worry when they found out most games were non-local.
Google Maps says that the average travel distance in Region III-5A would have been 52.8 miles. The farthest school to get to would have been Clover, which is 72.9 miles from Blythewood.
The average travel distance in Region VIII-5A is 26.7 miles. The farthest school from Blythewood is Sumter, which is 54.4 miles from Blythewood.
BHS Athletic Director Barry Mizzell thinks the region change is going to be good for the students.
“I think it is going to be better for our students because we were able to keep it more of a Midlands region,” Mizzell said.
Playing locally also means less travel expenses according to Mizzell.
“Compared to the region they originally put us in, it is going to help our budget tremendously because of travel. Our farthest trip is going to be Sumter, so this will help reduce the amount of time we are on the road and the amount we have to pay for buses,” Mizzell stated.
Not switching regions would have a negative impact according to BHS softball coach Jordan Atkinson.
“Winning the appeal has a positive impact on student-athletes. If the appeal would have been denied it would have been extremely negative for athletes, their families, travel time, and travel expenses,” Atkinson said.
Atkinson is also very excited about the competition in the new region.
“The change will affect competition because with only four other schools, that means only eight region games compared to the current 12 regions games. We will have the opportunity to play more out of conference games and region games will be spread out more to hopefully avoid more than 2 regions games in a week and allow more room to make up games due to the weather, “ Atkinson stated.
BHS varsity swimmer, Daniel Brown, was concerned that if BHS and Spring Valley were to stay in Region III-5A, his time available for homework would be limited significantly.
“It will allow me to get my homework done and be able to practice my trumpet,” Brown stated.
Playing locally also means a higher fan support. David Coyne, parent of softball player Savannah Coyne, says he would have done his best to come to the far away games, but playing closer to home will allow him to make every game.
“There might have been times when I had a conflict in my schedule and it would have been hard to get to games far away whereas now I can get to her games,” Coyne said.
