Further change in Ronan

RONAN — You'd think there was an earthquake in Ronan the way things in the high school's athletic department have been shaken up recently.

Activities Director Lucky Larson and Maidens softball coach Brad Benson both announced they were leaving the department this week.

Benson's resignation was sudden on Tuesday; he did not coach the Maidens in their doubleheader victories over Plains that evening.

Assistant softball coach Dakota Peterson, who has assumed the head-coaching role for the remainder of the season, coached the team. Peterson said she isn't sure who they will hire as a short-term assistant coach and that she had no prior warning of Benson's resignation.

As for Larson, he's retiring. His contract runs out June 30.

"I'm just retiring," the former Lake County sheriff said. "There's nothing personal. I'm just ready. ... I still love the sports, love the kids. I'm just ready."

Attempts to reach Benson were unsuccessful Tuesday.

Larson could not comment due to Benson's resignation being a personnel matter, but he confirmed that Benson did resign Tuesday.

Efforts to reach Ronan High School Principal Kevin Kenelty and Ronan School District Superintendent Andy Holmlund were also unsuccessful prior to the Leader's Tuesday night deadline.

This shuffle comes less than a month after boys basketball coach Steve Woll's contract was controversially not renewed.

Woll, however, was asked to interview for his former position after the community voiced support for him. He did so last week, and School Board Chairman Mark Clary said that Woll had been recommended for rehire. The official decision will come at May's school board meeting.

Larson said that Kenelty and Vice-Principal Ryan Fisher conducted that interview Friday.