Thermopolis in class 3A

There has been a lot of anticipation and speculation around the state of Wyoming regarding the reclassification as set by the Wyoming High School Activities Association (WHSAA).  

Classifications for the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 school years were released by the WHSAA in August and Thermopolis is found in the 3A classification for all activities except football. Thermopolis will remain in the 2A classification for football from 2016-2018.  

Currently, classification enrollment are pulled every two years for reclassification purposes. Enrollment numbers are submitted by every Wyoming school district to the Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) annually. These enrollment numbers are used for various reasons, one of which includes the determination of classifications for the WHSAA. Enrollment is pulled by the WHSAA for two subsets of years. For example, reclassification numbers for the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 years were pulled from last year’s 7th-10th grades and 6th-9th grades. These totals are averaged and that number is assigned to each high school in Wyoming.  The average enrollment for Thermopolis during this time period was 214.79.  These numbers are chosen because these are the grades that will represent Thermopolis High School during the reclassification cycle.

The WHSAA board of directors currently has a four class system for all sports other than football and the schools are placed in classes using this breakdown:

4A- Biggest 12 schools, 3A- Next biggest 16 schools, 2A- next biggest 20 schools, 1A- Remaining schools.

This classification structure puts Thermopolis in the proverbial “bubble zone,” meaning that we will routinely be bumped back and forth from 2A to 3A depending on the enrollment of Thermopolis students. We can also remain even but be bumped because of fluctuations in enrollment of other bubble schools. For example, for the 2016-2018 years, Glenrock High School’s enrollment dropped by 30 students.  Classification placement is purely dictated by the classification structure in place as determined by the WHSAA board of directors. Classification cannot be changed by school administrators unless approved by the WHSAA board of directors.

    Thermopolis High School administrators have accepted the idea of being a 3A school and are ready to take on the task of competing at the next level. We view this as an opportunity for our activities to compete at the 3A level and show what Thermopolis High School really can be. School administrators requested that Thermopolis be placed in the 3A East conference because Thermopolis High School is closer in enrollment size to the 3A East than we are to 3A West schools. The following will be the conference breakdown for the 2016-2018 activity years.

3A East                    3A West

Douglas Riverton

Rawlins                    Star Valley

Worland                    Cody

Torrington                Lander

Buffalo                      Powell

Wheatland                Pinedale

Newcastle                Mountain View

Thermopolis              Lyman

At first glance it may appear that we will be traveling much further in the east but after a breakdown of mileage, it is very nearly the same travel mileage whether in the east or west for Thermopolis. We will also see the same number of overnight trips and expenses, whether we are in the east or the west.

    Thermopolis High School administrators have plans to research and submit a proposal to the WHSAA board that would move the classification structure from a 4-class system to a 5-class system.  This will take a lot of research and work with member schools in the next two years to make happen. It will also be dependent on the voting of every high school activities director and an approval by the WHSAA board.  If this change were approved it could take effect in 2018-2019 and would help Thermopolis to avoid being a “bubble” school allowing us common opponents for all activities.  Simply put, the classification structure for football would be used for all activities.

For more information on this change you can contact Brandon Deromedi, Activities Director by email at bderomed@hotsprings1.org.  Classification information is listed on the WHSAA website at http://www.whsaa.org. We ask for your support through this change. We feel strongly that our community will do what it takes to help the kids compete at the next level. Thanks for your support of Bobcat activities, GO CATS!