The higher gas prices have had a lesser impact on area high school athletics, but high school officials are not ignoring the situation.

"It hasn't impacted our travel because the games are already scheduled," Rapid City Stevens principal John Julius said. "But the increased costs mean no additional games or travel."

Area schools said they are committed to allowing their athletes the opportunity to participate in events and do so against the proper level and degree of competition.

At Spearfish, the Spartans have felt the pinch but it is something they have been trying to deal with for several years.

"We ride as often as possible with Sturgis to different events and have done it for the last three or four years," Spearfish activities director Karen Hahn said.

Hahn also points out that in many sports, like basketball, the Spartans travel both their boys and girls on the same bus to the same location for the sporting event. Tennis is another sport where Spearfish will often bring more than one team to a match to turn a dual into a triangular or quadrangular whenever possible.

While Julius said none of his teams have to do any fundraising for travel, it could become an issue in the future if gas prices rise.

"It is an issue but it is not just us," he said. "A conference like the Eastern South Dakota doesn't have the next door neighbors to play like we do so they may have to do more traveling to get games."

Julius said scheduling for future seasons has not been effected and Stevens is committed to playing the most competitive schedule possible.

"We have always been conscious of our budget and we know that travel is a big part of it," Hahn said. "It is something we will continue to look at."