OUR VIEW: Competitive juices are flowing in two sports

» The gridiron is becoming a year-round destination for area high schools, and young swimmers are making their presence known.

In years past, Culpeper and surrounding counties didn’t really start paying attention to high school football until August, when tryouts and practices at the local schools began.

Perhaps that’s because coaching hires and a new rivalry have kept prep football in the news cycle the past two springs and summers. But it seems like football season lasts 12 months these days, and that can only lead to more success for local teams.

Off-season workouts and weight-room sessions have always been a part of being a high school football player, but now schools are taking it a step further.

Eastern View has already hosted the first of two 7-on-7 passing tournaments this summer, and though Culpeper County High School hired new coach Mike Williams too late to get involved in organized 7-on-7, the Blue Devils have been playing regularly in unofficial tournaments. Madison County and Orange County high schools have also hosted passing tournaments this offseason.

Next season will be the first with Culpeper and Eastern View competing in the same district, helping to ratchet up the excitement for the coming season. And with all the work being put in this summer, both the Cyclones and Blue Devils could be ahead of where they started their 2008 campaigns. 

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SWIMMING: While high school football players have been working up a sweat this summer, more local youngsters are cooling down on competitive swim teams.

The Culpeper Rec Club Barnstormers swim team has nearly 100 kids this season, staying consistent with its numbers from recent years. Add to that growth of the Country Club of Culpeper squad, which had a record 75 swimmers sign up, and it’s easy to see swimming continues to gain popularity among Culpeper kids.

Now if this county could only build a public pool for everyone to enjoy. Ah, but that’s another editorial for another day.