Shaking things up in VHSL

Earlier this month, the Virginia High School League revealed its first look at a new classification system—one that would make a lot of Hornet fans happy by moving back into the Jefferson District.

Every two years, the Virginia High School League (VHSL) evaluates group classifications to determine not only which groups schools play in but also in which districts. The determination is based on membership figures, or the number of students that attend a school as determined by the Department of Education (DOE). According to the DOE, in 2010, Orange County High School had 1,571 students, ranking 172nd in attendance out of 311 high schools across the commonwealth. Because of this, the Hornets were reclassified by the VHSL into the AAA group, and became the smallest school in the Commonwealth District. Orange initially appealed its placement in AAA, but that appeal was denied.

 Since then, the Hornets have struggled, with many of the teams finding it difficult to win against their new rivals. But a new plan is on the horizon, one which may provide a light at the end of the tunnel for OCHS athletes and fans. Earlier this month, the VHSL unveiled a proposed six-district classification model. The model attempts to address questions regarding equity, travel and geography. Beginning with the 2013-14 school year, the current classifications—A, AA and AAA—would be a thing of the past, replaced by 1A through 6A. The smallest schools would be in the 1A class, with the largest in 6A. Orange would fall into the 5A class, along with its current district mates Albemarle, Brooke Point, Massaponax, Mountain View and North Stafford high schools. Colonial Forge, Riverbend and Stafford high schools would move into 6A.

However, the six-classification system would only come into effect for playoffs. According to Orange County High School Activities Director Marc Cole, the VHSL is still working out the logistics as to how the whole program would work, particularly the playoffs. During the regular season, schools would play in districts based on size and geography. Because of this, the Hornets would once again be competing against old rivals in the Jefferson District. Albemarle High School would also make the switch.

The move would once again make OCHS one of the largest schools in its classification with approximately 1,509 students. Albemarle is slightly larger with 1,741, while the other schools in the district under the proposal are all smaller—Powhatan and Louisa each have approximately 1,380; followed by Charlottesville, 1,162; Fluvanna, 1,149; Monticello, 1,094; and Western Albemarle, 1,034. And, while Orange and Albemarle would be in 5A, Louisa, Fluvanna, Powhatan and Charlottesville would be in 4A. Monticello and Western Albemarle would be in 3A.

Cole said he’s pleased with the district switch.

“I like what we’re seeing from the new deal,” he said. “We’d still be larger than the others so when playoffs come we’d be playing in 5A, but as long as this goes through we should be fine.”

Moving back into the Jefferson District would also have financial benefits. Cole said playing closer to home means more money at the gate.

“Right now we’re struggling because we’re playing Stafford schools,” he said.

Field hockey coach Tricia Grabeel said she’s glad the VHSL decided to revisit the structure of the districts.

“Returning to the Jefferson District will at least bring money back into our athletic program [because] as schools the Commonwealth District does not travel well to away games,” she said. “It will also restore the natural rivalries that bring people out to watch a game once again.”

Being larger, Commonwealth District schools also have more students to choose from when it comes to forming teams.

“The fact is as teams we cannot compete with the bigger schools,” Grabeel said. “We simply do not have enough kids coming out for sports. However, in individual sports, our kids have done pretty well. The wrestling program is a great example of individuals moving on to regional.”

This season, OCHS has struggled to be competitive in its new AAA district. Whereas in years past it was a perennial Jefferson District contender in most sports, this year its struggled to win ever a few district games.

Grabeel said even with the district switch, the Hornets will have a disadvantage in playoff time—something she said is not necessarily a bad thing.

“The disadvantage will always be moving on to regional play as we will have to face schools of similar size once again,” she said. “I don’t want to suggest that is entirely negative as I am very much a believer in the underdog. In fact, I would rather be in that position than sitting at the top.”

In the meantime, Orange County High School has to compete one more year in the Commonwealth District, with the district switch proposed for the 2013-14 school year. However, once the new plan takes effect, it looks like it may bring with it an end to the reoccurring district switches.

“With the new plan, you stay in the district regardless of size,” Cole said.

This is a change Grabeel is welcoming.

“I just want the flip flopping to stop,” she said. “As a coach, I want to know who I’m facing and where I’ll be going.”

The new six-classification model and accompanying district changes are not a done deal. Schools seeking modification have until today to file a written request. Those requests will be discussed by a VHSL committee Feb. 27. Also, schools are currently aligned based on Sept. 30, 2011 membership numbers and will be realigned in late July or early August based on March 31, 2012 figures. Appeals to that alignment will then be accepted until Sept. 11 and a final plan is expected to be presented Sept. 20.