After months of speculation, the numbers are finally in.
The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association on Monday released high school enrollment data that determine athletic classifications for schools during the 2006-07 and ‘07-08 seasons. Schools have until Dec. 15 to make enrollment corrections or to opt up to a higher class.
The six classes, largest to smallest, are 4A, 3A, 2A, 1A, 2B and 1B (The WIAA created the latter class earlier this year.). Starting in ‘06-07, schools will be classified as follows based on their enrollments in grades 10-12: 4A (the top 17 percent; 1,288 students or more), 3A (the next 17 percent; 922-1,287), 2A (17 percent; 477-921), 1A (17 percent; 194-476), 2B (16 percent; 89-193) and 1B (16 percent; 0-88).
Here’s a look at how the new numbers affect local schools.
In the Western Conference, Arlington, Mount Vernon, Meadowdale and Everett drop from 4A to 3A. Mount Vernon will likely leave the Wesco North Division to join a new 2A/3A/4A Northwest Conference; in a previously announced change, Everett will jump from the South to the North, potentially adding fire to its rivalry against Cascade.
In the Cascade Conference, Cedarcrest and South Whidbey drop from 3A to 2A, and King’s and Archbishop Murphy slip from 2A to 1A (although Murphy could opt up to 2A).
Among the inaugural group of 1B schools are North Sound Christian, Grace Academy, Tulalip Heritage, Master’s Touch, Skykomish, Cedar Park Christian (Everett) and Arlington Christian. They are members of a new class created, in part, to give the “little guys” more of a chance.
Helmer runs to Foot Locker Championships: Jackson senior Jeff Helmer fulfilled a four-year-long dream over the weekend when he snared the west region’s eighth and final qualifying spot to advance to the prestigious Foot Locker National Cross Country Championships this Saturday in San Diego. Helmer, who won the 4A state title on Nov. 5, overcame pre-race anxiety to finish the regional race in Walnut, Calif., in 15 minutes, 47 seconds – an average of 5:16 per mile. This weekend he continues his quest and compete against the top prep runners in the nation. “It’s great,” said Helmer, who after high school will run for Arizona State University. “It’s something I’ve wanted since my freshman year. It was always a big goal of mine.”
O’Dea senior named Gatorade State Football Player of the Year: Taylor Mays, a senior free safety/wide receiver, was named the state’s Gatorade Football Player of the Year last week. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound standout will play for the University of Southern California next fall. Mays accumulated 134 tackles and five interceptions on defense and caught 33 passes for 753 yards and 11 touchdowns as a receiver. He also maintains a 3.2 grade-point average. “Taylor is one of the finest football players I have ever seen at the high school level,” O’Dea coach Monte Kohler said in a press release.
E-W’s Bordeaux Alaska-bound: Lindsey Bordeaux, a 5-11 senior at Edmonds-Woodway, accepted a scholarship offer to play basketball for the University of Alaska Anchorage. Bordeaux, a highly active forward, averaged 8.4 points last season and helped E-W win eight of its last 10 games. “(Bordeaux) has amazing athleticism,” first-year Edmonds-Woodway head coach Shannon Akin said, “and she’s one of the hardest-working kids I’ve ever seen in eight years of coaching.” Bordeaux was formerly a post player but this season she moved to small forward, the position she expects to play in college.
Mosiman returns: King’s senior guard Sara Mosiman, the 2A girls basketball Player of the Year, will be back on the court Thursday when the defending state-champion Knights play a non-league game against Mount Rainier. Mosiman, who recently accepted a hoops scholarship from the University of Washington, missed her team’s first three games and will miss a fourth Wednesday because of a discipline issue, according to King’s coach Eric Rasmussen.
Bench boost: Marysville-Pilchuck boys basketball coach Bary Gould used just seven players in Saturday’s 71-65 overtime victory over Kamiak. But Gould said his reserves’ enthusiasm contributed to the triumph. “You saw how into the game they were,” he said. “They do that day in and day out.
A fine line: Kamiak struggled from the foul line Saturday, making four of nine attempts, but M-P was 22-for-28, including perfect 7-for-7 efforts from guards Keaton Taitingfong and Jared Stohl.
Herald Writer Bob Mortenson contributed to this report
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
