I watched a young boy compete in Sportsman with a 14" wingspan spitfire. His pattern was in the box and he never past the far side of the runway. He took 2nd place. As I recall, there were 5 or 6 entries in sportsman at that contest. Sportsman was designed as an entry level to try pattern to see if you like it. Once you get to the point of flying a 2M plane, you should move up to intermediate.

I don't think, and this is only my opinion, that we should be awarding district champion in the Sportsman class. It only makes people stay in sportsman in hopes of winning a district championship. Without that, there is little incentive left to stay in Sportsman and dominate the class to the point that it deters new pilots from wanting to enter and try out pattern.