I disagree with your editorial opinion ("Welcome SHS Stallions — now let the rivalry begin," April 15) that the three high schools in this valley should be grouped in a 3A classification of 400 to 1,200 students. Such size disparity is not fair to the smaller schools. In athletic competition, school size is the most important determinant of the outcome. We have seen the proof. When Tooele or Grantsville was among the larger schools in their classification, they did well. We've also seen exceptions, but generally, size rules. GHS does not, as your editorial claimed, "delight in playing the role of the scrappy underdog." That role is forced on the school by unfair classification. No school enjoys playing other schools two and three times their size on a consistent basis. Grouping Tooele and Stansbury, with over 1000 students, and GHS, with 450 students, would create an unfair competitive advantage for the larger schools. High school rivalries are fun when the competition is fair. But it would be no more fair to group GHS with Tooele and Stansbury than to group GHS with Dugway and Wendover just for the sake of a local rivalry. GHS will always feel a kinship with THS and SHS, and occasional practice games may be enjoyable, but when it comes to region and state competition, the schools should be aligned according to size.

Merril Nelson

Grantsville