Reclassification and future state meet events were some of the topics of discussion at the Winter 2017 Wyoming High School Activities Association Board Of Directors Meeting.

 

Basketball, Volleyball and Outdoor Track and Field Reclassification:

On first reading the board passed a motion that starting with the 2018-19 school year (or the fall 2018 season), the top 16 school based on enrollment would be in 4A, the next 16 in 3A, the next 16 in 2A and the rest in 1A (Currently 12-16-20-rest...it will be 13-16-20-rest for the 2017-18 school year, when Thunder Basin opens). The main reason for this format is to try to have more regionalized scheduling, so that travel costs can be reduced, and less missed school time compared to the current format.

The proposal is: (NOT OFFICIAL!)

4A Northeast: Cody, Campbell County, Thunder Basin, Sheridan

4A Southeast: Cheyenne Central, Cheyenne East, Cheyenne South, Laramie

4A Mountain West: Kelly Walsh, Natrona, Riverton, Rock Springs

4A Southwest: Evanston, Green River, Jackson, Star Valley

3A Northeast: Buffalo, Douglas, Newcastle, Worland

3A Southeast: Burns, Rawlins, Torrington, Wheatland

3A Northwest: Lander, Lovell, Powell, Thermopolis

3A Southwest: Big Piney, Mountain View, Lyman, Pinedale

2A Northeast: Big Horn, Moorcroft, Sundance, Wright

2A Southeast: Glenrock, Lusk, Pine Bluffs, Southeast

2A Northwest: Greybull, Riverside, Rocky Mountain, Tongue River

2A Southwest: Kemmerer, Shoshoni, Wind River, Wyoming Indian

1A: The only change would be that Upton would return and be placed in the Northeast with Arvada-Clearmont, Hulett, Kaycee, Midwest and Normative Services.

As for Golf, Tennis, Cross Country, Swimming, Indoor Track and Field and Skiing, the recommendation is to stay with the current structure. Since there isn't 4 classes in those sports, there is concern that the 16-16-16-rest format would have a negative impact on the lower classes.

This is a first reading item and must undergo another reading to become official...most likely at the next meeting in April 2017.

 

Wrestling Reclassification:

On an 8-7 vote, the board passed on first reading, a motion that would make wrestling 2 classes instead of 3, starting in the 2018-19 school year. The top 20 schools based on enrollment, would make up Class 4A, and the rest in 3A. The idea is to improve the quality of Regional and State Tournaments. Currently, some brackets at regionals can not be filled, and at times, wrestlers with no wins, make it into the state tournament. Under the proposal it would be:

4A: Cheyenne East, Cheyenne Central, Cheyenne South, Laramie, Campbell County, Thunder Basin, Sheridan, Kelly Walsh, Natrona, Jackson, Rock Springs, Green River, Evanston, Riverton, Star Valley, Cody, Douglas, Lander, Powell, Rawlins

3A: Worland, Torrington, Buffalo, Pinedale, Wheatland, Mountain View, Newcastle/Upton, Thermopolis, Lyman, Lovell, Moorcroft, Big Piney, Glenrock, Burns/Pine Bluffs, Kemmerer, Greybull/Riverside, Wyoming Indian, Wright, Rocky Mountain, Wind River, Sundance, Lusk, Shoshoni, Saratoga, Lingle-Ft. Laramie, Cokeville, H.E.M., Dubois, Hulett

This is a first reading item and must undergo another reading to become official...most likely at the next meeting in April 2017.

 

Soccer Reclassification:

The board passed on first reading, a motion that would have the top 14 school based on enrollment in Class 4A, with the rest in 3A, starting in spring 2019. The idea is to help reduce overall travel in 4A, and there's the possibility some new teams might be adding soccer in the future and would join 3A. Under the proposal it would be:

4A: Cheyenne East, Cheyenne Central, Cheyenne South, Laramie, Campbell, County, Thunder Basin, Sheridan, Kelly Walsh, Natrona, Riverton, Jackson, Rock Springs, Green River, Evanston

3A: Buffalo, Douglas, Newcastle, Lander, Rawlins, Torrington, Cody, Powell, Worland, Star Valley, Pinedale

This is a first reading item and must undergo another reading to become official...most likely at the next meeting in April 2017.

 

Golf Practice:

On first reading, the board passed a motion that only 2 days of practice will be needed, before the start of the season. The reason is that golf courses might be more willing to give up a Wednesday for competition during week 1 of the season.

This is a first reading item and must undergo another reading to become official...most likely at the next meeting in April 2017.

 

State Golf Contingency Plan:

On first reading, the board passed a motion that if weather becomes an issue during the state golf tournament (2-days, 18 holes each day), the tournament could either be pushed back one week, or the practice day on Thursday would be turned into a competition day instead. This would mean no one would have a practice round, prior to the state meet. Also depending on weather, players might only play 27 holes (18 on one day, 9 on the other, or vice versa), provided on the day that 9 holes are played, the same 9 are used.

This is a first reading item and must undergo another reading to become official...most likely at the next meeting in April 2017.

 

Physical Exam For Marching Band Students:

On first reading, the board passed a motion that would require those in marching bands to undergo a physical exam. The intention is to reduce risk for marching band students.

This is a first reading item and must undergo another reading to become official...most likely at the next meeting in April 2017.

 

Future State Meet Events:

Swimming: For 4 years starting with the 2018-19 school year, the state meet will alternate between Gillette and Laramie. One will host one gender, the other will host the other, then rotate the next year

Volleyball: The state tournament will continue to be held in Casper through 2021.

Wrestling, Basketball, Outdoor Track and Field: The state events will continue to be held in Casper through 2022.

Football: The state championship games will continue to be played in Laramie through 2019.

Alpine Ski: The state meet will continue to be held in Jackson through 2022.

Indoor Track and Field: The state meet will continue to be held in Gillette through 2022.

4A Golf: The 2018 state meet was supposed to be held in Cheyenne because it was their turn in the rotation, but a swap was made with Jackson. Cheyenne will host 2019.

3A Golf: The state meet in 2018 will be held in Riverton. It's their turn in the rotation.

2A Golf: The state meet in 2018 will be held in Gillette with Upton hosting. It's their turn in the rotation.

 

Football Survey:

The WHSAA submitted to schools regarding the possibility of adding in either 8-man or 9-man football. Only 20 responded. 18 liked the current structure of Wyoming High School Football. Of the 20, 10 were for eliminating 1A 11-man and adding 8-man (4 chose this option) or 9-man (5 chose this option, 1 had no opinion). Based on the survey and the overall lack of interest to submit a survey, the WHSAA says it will not pursue 8 or 9-man football at this time.

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