Heather Walker, the Basalt High School head coach who led the girls soccer team to consecutive league championships the last four years, has handed over the head coach’s position to longtime assistant Chris “Woodsie” Woods.

Walker will remain with the program as an assistant varsity and JV coach, according to BHS athletic director Michael Green.

“It was a mutual thing,” said Green, “something they came up with together because of time conflicts.”

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Woods had served as Walker’s assistant, and the JV coach, for the last three seasons.

Since taking over the Lady Longhorns ” one year after Basalt’s five-year Class 3A Western Slope League Championship streak began ” Walker’s teams have been the class of the league and consistent state playoff contenders. Last year, Basalt finished at 11-3-1, advancing to the second round of the Class 3A state tournament. In 2002, Basalt advanced to the “great eight” and in 2001 the Lady Longhorns made it to the final four.

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“I don’t think it’ll be a change whatsoever,” added Green, “and I know the kids feel the same way. It’s a title change more than anything, and I think it’ll be business as usual as far as everyone’s concerned.”