Editor,

In Justin Parker’s sports article last week, he described North Mecklenburg High School’s athletic program as “unsettling,” which seems to suggest a state of panic or distress. I can assure him and North Meck alumni that is not the case.

We had seven teams make the state playoffs this year as opposed to eight last year and we fielded JV teams in all but one sport. “Demographics” and “diversity” are not the issue for North Meck. In fact, our healthy diversity is what sets us apart from many CMS schools. Our biggest challenge is due to the opening of new schools in our area, we have transitioned from being the largest school in the state to a small 4A school.

However, Mr. Parker failed to appreciate “Viking Pride,” which is as strong as ever as demonstrated by the student support and athletic accomplishments this year. We ask our alumni to support us through this transition by visiting www.northmecksports.org and reuniting with the Viking family. We have a great athletic director and coaching staff, committed parents, and very talented athletes, which is a strong recipe for continued athletic success.

Through its 60-year history, North Meck has transitioned many times through dramatic world events, cultural changes and political decisions, so please do not pigeon-hole us to the state of other CMS athletic programs. Viking Pride continues and excellence follows.

— Ken Beasley, Huntersville