By Todd Hveem
Chronicle correspondent
Humble Independent School District athletic director Troy Kite didn’t mix words when asked about the University Interscholastic League’s decision to ship Kingwood and Atascocita into Region II-5A with the four Conroe ISD schools and Lufkin.
“From a compeititon standpoint, it is awesome,” Kite said. “You look at every sport — soccer, football, basketball, swimming, golf. You are going to have kids not going to regionals who could win other districts.
“In cross country, you have Kingwood and The Woodlands. In swimming, you have The Woodlands, College Park and Kingwood. There will be no night off in any sport. That part is very exciting to me.”
But the fact that Kingwood and Atascocita were moved into Region II instead of Region III took a little time to sink in.
Kingwood has not competed in Region II since the late 1980s.
“I didn’t anticipate that at all,” Kite said of the move. “But I am looking at it from a pencil pusher’s point of view. There are a lot of travel costs in Region II. But we have to adjust and move on. We will have to cut costs in other areas.”
Kingwood also has hosted the Region III track meet for the past 12 years. Now, that is up in the air.
“We have hosted soccer, golf and track and field (events) for the betterment of sports,” Kite said. “I am sure the UIL has a plan in place. And we are willing to do what they need us to do. If they want to host the track somewhere else, we will support them. But if they ask us to, we will do that. I am sure they will let us know pretty soon.”
Kite is sad to lose the Humble-Kingwood district rivarly, but is anxious to renew the rivalry with The Woodlands.
“You never have the same rivalries forever,” he said. “I am sure we are going to develop plenty of new ones.”
Kingwood swim coach Russell Duin knows the realigment will have a huge impact on his programs.
“It is going to throw a big curve on how we approach things next year,” he said. “Now that we are in there with CISD, it is going to be tough.
“But the kids are going to have to step up now and realize things are different. We have to get up and go and be ready. Now, we have to go in with both barrels loaded.”
Humble head football coach Walt Beasley is happy to see his program move to the Class 4A level.
“This will level the playing field of competition (for us),” Beasley said. “I am excited about hooking up with Huntsville. Everybody is worried about us losing the Kingwood rivalary. But we picked up Summer Creek and Kingwood Park. I think it will be an exciting football season.”
