DFC gets more sportive

The 2009-10 school year featured several changes at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School.
None were greater than added student participation in more sports, joining other district high schools in curling, indoor soccer, volleyball and hockey.
After a seven-year hiatus, curling was reintroduced as a varsity sport at DFC last winter.
About two dozen students committed to the sport with a handful of others joining the team as necessary.
Sachigo Lake’s Nancy Barkman, who usually plays third for the girls team, was one of the first to sign up.
“It seemed like an interesting sport to try,” she said. “I’d never curled before but it looked fun so I wanted to join.”
Others were quick to join her. Stanley Barkman, also of Sachigo Lake, also signed up.
“I wanted to try it since I’d never played before this year,” Stanley, who also plays volleyball and hockey at the school, said. “I like that you can yell in this game. It’s a good sport if you can yell.”
DFC principal Jonathon Kakegamic credited teachers Alyssa Saj, Katie Adams, Aaron Guthrie and Ken Liddicoat for bringing curling back to the school.
“It’s easier to provide a sport when teachers are interested in coaching,” he said. “We try to provide whatever the students want. As long as there are teachers willing to coach, looking forward, I’d like to see curling continue.”
Once the curling season wrapped up, students joined the indoor soccer league.
The students demonstrated an aptitude for the game but were generally overmatched in their games.
As the season moved forward, the team gelled and their performances improved.
When the 2010-11 school year opened, tryouts were held for boys and girls volleyball.
Nearly a dozen students started the season on the teams.
Several students also joined the cross-country running team.
Both Charlissa Bottle and Kevin Smith finished races this year in the middle of the pack in senior competitions.