HINSDALE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Hours after Mascenic Regional High School announced it would end all athletic contests with Hinsdale High School for the rest of the year over sportsmanship concerns, Hinsdale officials issued a statement pushing back on the decision while expressing hope for reconciliation.

Superintendent David Ryan sent out a letter to families Wednesday informing that Hinsdale administrators had been in contact with Mascenic officials to arrange a mediation process and were “dismayed” to learn of the move to cut ties. “We respect Mascenic’s decision and only hope that we will be able to restore a healthy and competitive rivalry with them in the near future,” Ryan wrote.

Mascenic’s decision came in response to what it described as inappropriate remarks made toward its athletes during a Sept. 10 boys’ soccer match and other recent reports of unsportsmanlike behavior. Mascenic Principal Gregory Pickering told families the decision was made to uphold the district’s values of kindness, tolerance, and respect.

In his statement, Ryan said Hinsdale conducted “an exhaustive investigation” with input from the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association and found no evidence supporting the claim that a Hinsdale community member made a disparaging comment about a Mascenic player’s family member.

Still, Ryan said Hinsdale understood the emotional weight of such allegations. “The emotional impact that a comment like the one that was alleged would have … does not escape us, and we are truly sorry for the grief and sorrow the entire Mascenic school community has endured since the loss of a community member,” he said.

Both districts have signaled a willingness to revisit their athletic rivalry in the future, but for now Mascenic and Hinsdale will not face each other on the field.

Read earlier stories:

Hinsdale Games Canceled as Mascenic Responds to Inappropriate Conduct – My Keene Now