Montana Class C Schools Finalize Major Realignment in Sports
HELENA, MT — In a monumental effort to modernize the classification of Montana’s smallest schools, Class C administrators have successfully implemented significant changes across basketball, volleyball, and track and field. This long-anticipated realignment, driven by the Montana High School Association (MHSA), aims to unify divisions that had previously operated independently across different sports.
Brian Michelotti, the MHSA Executive Director, noted the contentious nature of these discussions, particularly among schools in northcentral Montana. "It involved a lot of give and take," he commented, highlighting the collaborative spirit that ultimately led to a consensus.
Kara Triplett, MHSA board vice president and athletic director, spearheaded the initiative alongside key representatives from various divisions, including Mike Richards from the East and Greg Sager from the West. Triplett explained that the previous structure resulted in disparities where some schools competed under different classifications for different sports. "Now that most Class C schools have volleyball teams, it was time for a realignment," she said.
The restructured alignments see the North division losing prominent teams like Roy-Winifred and Denton-Geyser, while the new District 7C is set to include familiar names such as Winnett and Grass Range, reestablishing historic rivalries. The new basketball alignment features 19 teams in the East, 18 in both the South and North, and 19 in the West, providing a more balanced competition landscape.
As schools adapt to these changes, administrators are optimistic that the realignment will enhance competitive balance and successfully accommodate future alterations in co-op structures. "People were willing to make some sacrifices because they believed in the intent of what we were trying to do," Triplett concluded. The updated classifications will take effect starting in the 2025-26 school year.
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