Cross country runners populate the sidewalks as whistles from the fields can be heard, marking the sign of fall sports in full swing at Dartmouth High School. 

Fall sports usually have the highest levels of participation, especially this year according to Director of Athletics Andrew Crisafulli. 

He said “about 40% of our student population [is] involved in fall athletics right now,” or about 400 students. 

Crisafulli said that last year’s graduating senior class was athletically talented, leaving room for many athletes to step up. 

Unlike the past, this year each fall sport has three levels of competition, ranging from freshman to varsity teams. 

Crisafulli is confident that each team will be very capable and highly competitive. 

“Sports is important to the town of Dartmouth and that has been reflected in the success that the high school has had over a very long period of time,” he said. 

The partnership between the importance of academic rigor and community support creates a vibrant community. 

Crisafulli stated that competition and teamwork give student athletes responsibility and accountability.

These are “impactful lessons that can be learned and implemented as a student athlete graduates [and] . . . progresses towards whatever their next adventure will be” said Crisafulli. 

Dartmouth High School has spent the summer aligning their athletic handbook with the school’s strategic plan, ensuring the athletic and academic departments have the same core values. 

Crisafulli said, “We're really excited to see with this grouping, how they will progress, grow and represent our school.”