New Classification for Somerset

[Jolly Green]

The new classifications for 2008-2010 are out, and Somerset has dropped from AAA to AA in both boys and girls Track & Field. Somerset is actually in District 5, but has traditionally competed in District 6 because they were the only AAA school in the district. With their drop to AA can they now compete in the District 5 championships with other AA schools like Bedford & Chestnut Ridge?

[Head Roadie]

No, they cannot compete in their geographic district. They left District 5 to become a full fledged member of District 6 years and years ago and are no longer a District 5 member school. This is different than Bedford and Chestnut Ridge in football competing in District 6. They do that because There are less than four "AA" football playing schools in D5 and are subregionalized 'out' of 5 to 6 but are members of District 5.

This is no different than Ligonier Valley (geographically in wpial-Dist. 7) competing in 6, they cannot go back to the wpial, Fannett-Metal (geographically in D3) competing in 5, or Indiana (geographically in 6) competing in Dist. 7--wpial.

Even if Somerset asked to leave D6 they would not be permitted. Dist. 6 has held everyone "prisoner" since Indiana left for the WPIAL in the early 80's and Ferndale, Claysburg, Lewistown, and Indian Valley can vouch for how it goes when you ask to play in an adjoining district.

[WPIAL~Titan]

I saw that the WPIAL should just swallow up Districts 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10 and let them join the party!!!!!!

[Head Roadie]

Well Titan, That would certainly work in AAAA if nothing else. AAAA in the West other than WPIAL (a case could be made for the city but it's surrounded by wpial anyway!) as there are very, very few teams outside the WPIAL in Quad-A.

Example, District 5 is looked at as small.....with 17 Single-A Boys Basketball playing schools in the next cycle, it has more schools playing in that classification than Districts 6,8,9, and 10 combined in AAAA!

[XC Fiend]

This new classification wont affect Somerset all that much. The only change that will really take place is how they run at the district and state meets. They already ran the LHAC schedule against all AA schools and now they will just have the chance to compete with them on the district and state levels.

[zonebreaker]

i think there's a misunderstanding here: the new classifications released a couple months ago start with the 08-09 year and then go to the 09-10 year.

the 07-08 sport year is the exact same as last year. i think somerset was aaa last year. if so, they will still be AAA this year. for the next two years, they will be aa.

[Jolly Green]

I realize that, I was looking into the future. The new classification starts in the Fall of 08 for the 08-09 school year and the 09-10 school year.