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hey lionwrestling, what in the WORLD are u talking about? its only been recently (this year and mayb last year) that ridge athletics have been making a name for themselves, answer me this...how many losing seasons before this year did ridge have in football? or just about any sport for that matter? seriously, ridge has never been a power athletics school, but slowly they are making a name for themselves and can change that

Yeah, we haven't had the best athletics program around in any sport really. Well, track being the notable exception through much of the 90s, but before that, it wasn't a power program by any means. Coach I changed it around some. In football, only by getting out of the LHAC have we enjoyed any recent success really, and this year was the first time in a long time that we've been in the playoffs, much less hosting a game. Softball, I dunno how long our program has been at playoff level, but it couldn't have been more than ten years. But I know in baseball, last year was the first time in a long time they got in the playoffs, and this year they missed it by one game. The only sport I can think of as a power sport for more than the last five or so years, that I know, other than track, is wrestling. Seems that's always been good as well.

Fleaflicker, why do you suppose things have improved?

well football did make playoffs and the softball team went undefeated...i guess thats a lil bit of improvement, and not to mention the states longest unbeaten streak in jr. high!

Yeah they did, but why? What changed? Or is this just a response to a peak of athletes hitting at the same time?

A systemic change or just random chance?

alot (i use that term lightly) of success came when ridge switched from the LHAC to the ICC

Well. they werent overly successful in the ICC the first couple of years. They still ebd up playing in the same post season track. So what else changed?

Well, this year, those who were in sixth grade when the little lions football program went into place are seniors, and I know because I am one of them. I suspect that had a large role in the success of our football team this year. Softball, I'd say much of our success was due to our pitching crew of Megan Frazier and Janelle McCoy. The defense of that team was also very good at keeping runners from scoring whenever somebody did manage to get on base. They had probably the best defense of anybody in the Sideling Hill League. Baseball, I wouldn't call that a successful program at this point. I need to see consistency and winning seasons before I can do that.

I think you will find there is a relationship between the high school programs for football and softball. A number of coaches in both of these sports have involved themselves to some degree with the management and administration of the youth programs. I am not sure but I do not think that exists with baseball.

an example of ridges success...this years softball team goes 20-0, 20 games without a single loss...pretty darn good rite? of course! but, come playoffs, they play the 8th seeded central cambria of the LHAC, final score CC: 4 CR: 1. now im not taking anything away from the lions, going undefeated is impressive no matter what league ur in.