Class act

Published 4:06 pm Thursday, November 29, 2007

Legendary anchorman Ron Burgundy often said, “You stay classy, San Diego.” Well, it’s time for Washington to get classy again too.

Washington high schools are divided into six competition classifications (4A, 3A, 2A, 1A, 2B, 1B) based on enrollment numbers. Every two years schools count how many students they have enrolled in grades 10-12 and submit their findings to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.

This is a reclassification year, which means results of current enrollment counts will determine which class schools compete in during the 2008-2008 and 2009-2010 school years. WIAA officials will wade through statewide numbers Saturday and Sunday. They’re expected to announce their findings early next week.

So what will happen to local teams? Nothing is certain yet but Marysville School District athletic director Greg Erickson gave me an idea this afternoon of how the Western Conference might look starting next school year.

The biggest change will be in the Wesco South Division, which will welcome Glacier Peak, the new Snohomish school that opens next year. Glacier Peak will compete in 3A, Erickson said. It will draw from the south end of the Snohomish School District but won’t have seniors in 2008-2009. All of Snohomish High’s current juniors will stay at the school.

Meadowdale, Lynnwood and Shorecrest are likely to remain 3A schools and Mountlake Terrace is on the 3A/4A bubble, Erickson said.

In the North Division, the same nine schools will stay put. Mount Vernon won’t jump up to 4A and rejoin the division, as it once appeared, Erickson said. Arlington will rise to 4A and Everett will probably keep its 3A status, making it the only 3A school in the North, he said.

Check The Herald early next week for a complete rundown of reclassification news.