JV Cross Country Returning To Manchester High School
Posted
Jen Gibson-jgibson@timesuniononline.com
NORTH MANCHESTER - Cross country will return to Manchester this fall.
Tuesday night, the Manchester School Board approved a motion to reinstate the cross country program at the junior varsity level this year. The program will be re-evaluated in two years to determine if participation and interest warrant keeping the program or adding a varsity squad.
Board member Kent Terrill said he was happy to see the program reinstated, but he was concerned that adding the sport at only the JV level may affect student participation.
"I am pleased that we found a way to work back into the program, but will it affect participation because there is no varsity?" Terrill said.
Manchester Junior-Senior High School Principal Nancy Alspaugh said that starting as a JV program would allow participants to acclimate to the program.
"It's unfair to ask these athletes to compete at the varsity level when they've never been in a varsity meet," Alspaugh said. "I think it is best for the overall stability of the program."
"This will give the opportunity to compete without the pressure that comes with a varsity meet," said business manager and former athletic director Steve Shumaker.
Manchester's JV cross country team will compete in a limited number of meets this fall.
In other business, the board:
n Approved the hiring of Anna Kirsten Owens, fourth-grade teacher at Manchester Elementary School; Jody Sarber, Jump Start ninth-grade math teacher; Katie Leese, ninth-grade Jump Start English teacher; Kory Rupley and Brian Enyeart, assistant football coach at MJSHS; Chris Singpiel, JV boys basketball coach at MJSHS; Jody Sarber, co-ed JV cross country coach at MJSHS; Francine Griffing and Quinn Griffing, volunteer assistant cheerleading coaches; Shannon Carter, assistant eighth-grade football coach; and David Immel as volunteer assistant tennis coach at MJSHS.
n Accepted the resignations of Abby Sleeth, seventh-grade volleyball coach at MJSHS; Mike Garcia, assistant football coach at MJSHS; Chris Rickelman, assistant boys soccer coach at MJSHS; and Dianna Hoffman as cook at MJSHS.
n Approved a proposal for a job-sharing position drafted by Janelle McLaughlin, second-grade teacher at Manchester Elementary School. If the correct person is found for the position, McLaughlin will share teaching duties. If no one is found who is suitable for the job, then McLaughlin will teach full time.
Manchester School Board members are Sally Krouse, president; Todd Speicher; Jan Fahs; Brian Schilling; Steve Lambert; Kent Terrill; and Steve Flack. Schilling was absent from Tuesday's meeting.
