Since Sumner High made the move from its 3A classification to the smaller 2A level, it’s hard not to notice its athletic success.

But that success, many say, would have come regardless of the drop in classification.

“It’s the perfect storm,” Sumner School District Athletic Director Thomsen said, making reference to the coaching staff, athletic directors and the solid athletic class coming through the system. “Our programs have evolved to be more competitive.

“Obviously, we’re thrilled.”

The Spartan football team earned the team’s first league title since 1994 and made its first postseason appearance since 2006. The boys golf team won its first league title since 1976 and will send at least two to the state tournament in May. Lady Spartan swimming was undefeated, won its first league title and finished third in state with two individual state championships. The Lady Spartans girls soccer team made an appearance in the state quarterfinals.

Bonney Lake, which stayed in the 3A classification, also found success with the football team making the playoffs and the girls soccer team winning the league and finishing second in state.

“What 2A and 3A does is allow your schools to fit better,” Thomsen said. “Bonney Lake has also been successful. They’ve found a nice fit at 3A.”

Thomsen said it’s the schools’ focus on character, being successful in life that makes the difference.

That foundation of character, he said, presents itself as success on the scoreboard.

Coaches agree.

Casey Adcox has been at Sumner since it was Class 4A with 1,900 students in three grades. His tenure covers the split with Bonney Lake and the drop to 3A and now 2A.

“Transition has defined us,” said Adcox, who is the Spartans’ boys golf and baseball coach. He said the drop to 2A has helped, but the march toward success has been brewing for awhile.

“We have an extremely positive culture in our school,” Adcox said. “Our leadership class has been hammering away at the eight essentials for about five years now. I cannot undersell how important the impact of John Norlin and his leadership class has been on our school and our athletes. Our athletes have begun to adopt the eight essentials into their lives more and more.”

Norlin’s eight essentials are patience, kindness, humility, respect, selflessness, forgiveness, honesty and commitment.

“If you’ve ever been to a game recently you’ll see it,” Adcox said. “School spirit is everywhere; not only are the stands packed, but I see positive character being displayed by our athletes, coaches and parents all over the place.”

They call it The Spartan Way, and it appears in conversations and on posters, bracelets and T-shirts.

“It’s seemed to take fire,” he said. “Athletic pride and the concept of team have been embraced by our athletes more than I’ve seen in my 10 years here.”

He’s not alone in his thinking.

“We were set up to be successful whether 2A or 3A,” said Spartan football coach Keith Ross. “It’s been good for school morale. It’s done wonders around the school.”

Adcox believes the Spartan golf team would not have won a league title had they stayed 3A, not with Enumclaw there, but would have played on par with the other 3A schools. He anticipates the aura will carry into spring’s baseball season.

The Sumner girls swim team placed 10th at the 2009 Class 3A meet and was third this season. Coach Dana Powers noted the bump up the ladder, but was quick to point out the girls’ times were faster – they set six school records – and would have been equally competitive at the 3A level. Madison Munger’s state-winning 2A time of 2 minutes, 09.57 seconds in the 100-yard butterfly would have been fifth at 3A. The state champion 200 freestyle relay time would also have placed fifth.

It’s happening at Bonney Lake, too.

Football coach Chad Barrett said his program is proud of its players, parents, school and community for its support. He said the program is heading in the right direction, year in and year out.

The Panthers went 7-3 losing to Meadowdale in the first round of the playoffs. The Panthers led the league in overall defense and were second in overall offense. This year’s team was led by SPSL 3A Player of the Year Austin Marshall who broke the league’s receiving records for catches, yards and touchdowns. The Panther’s also had the defensive Player of the Year in Trevor McQueen.

Bonney Lake’s girls soccer team were league champions and finished second in state at the 3A level with Savannah Moorehouse earning league offensive MVP honors and three Panthers landing on the all-league first-team.

Bonney Lake volleyball finished 12-3 in the SPSL 3A for second place and third in the SPSL/Seamount subdistrict tournament.