Bi-Annual Section Re-Alignment Creates a New “Super Section” in Class AA

Every other March is an exciting time for Minnesota High Schools with the section and class realignment by the MSHSL.  Dance teams in particular wait with anticipation to see how difficult their class or section will be for the next two years.  This year was one of particular significance as there were surprises and changes all over the board.  The complete listings can be found here.  These are the highlights of the changes:

Class A: In section 1, Chatfield will be joining the field with a brand new program we have not seen before, while St. Croix Lutheran and St. Paul Academy and Summit School both add to the jazz mix in the southeast section.  Strong contenders Cannon Falls, Lake City, Zumbrota-Mazeppa, and St. Charles all look to remain in section 1.  In section 2, GFW and New Ulm Cathedral join the mix from the far west section making this the largest geographic section in all of dance team.  While it provides a better competitive mix, I’m not sure either team is happy about the travel that will be required.  Both teams have now been in 3 of the 4 possible sections.   In section 3, Worthington has opted down to join the field, and Canby and Minneota have made a co-op.  Section 4 looks to remain untouched.  Op-downs to class A include Richfield, Columbia Heights, Worthington, and Minneapolis Washburn.

Class AA: This is where things get interesting.  The big story is the now titan sized competition of the best of the best in section 1.  This section now includes kick state finalists Chaska and Faribault from class AAA and Benilde St. Margarets, Austin, and Academy of Holy Angels from AA finals.  In jazz this section will also contain Simley and South St. Paul from AA finals of late.  What a mess.  This should make for some heated competition all year long, culminating in a shootout in Austin during sections.  Section 2 has Concordia Academy joining from class A while Rogers jumps up to AAA leaving space open for a spot to state from this section.  In section 3, Montevideo will move from class A to try to make their mark in the kick division.  Monte was AA in the early 2000’s as well.  In section 4, Albany and Crookston jump up from class A.  Section 4 now contains 5 teams who have all moved up to AA in recent memory.  AA move ups: Montevideo, Albany, Crookston, and Concordia Academy.  Opt (or move) down: Faribault, Chaska, Park Center.

Class AAA:  Section 1 remains intact minus the loss of Faribault so things should ease up in that tight section, while section 2 remains strong with the loss of Chaska.  Eden Prairie and Hopkins will be glad to see another space open in the jazz division while Minneapolis South and Rogers get to join arguably the toughest section in AAA from their former homes.  Section 3 remains basically intact, while section 4 gains Bemidji from AA and both Duluth schools are making section 4 a permanent home after facing reorganization in their district.  AAA move ups: Rogers, Duluth Denfeld, and Bemidji.