The Minnesota State High School League board of directors approved the section assignments across all sports for the next two years at their meeting Thursday. Those assignments were released to the public on Friday.
If you want to see which section your team will compete in next season, visit https://www.mshsl.org/tournaments/competitive-sections/list
Here are a few noteworthy changes for East Metro programs:
Wrestling
One of the top Class 2A programs in Minnesota will not be at the team state tournament in 2026 and 2027.
Because Simley was moved from its traditional spot in Section 4 to Section 1 – the same section as rival Kasson-Mantorville.
The Spartans and KoMets also competed in Section 1 for a two-year stretch from 2019-20 before Simley was moved back into Section 4.
Simley’s departure from Section 4 opens the door for a number of other East Metro teams and individuals to make it to the state tournament. Those programs include: Como Park, Cretin-Derham Hall, Harding, Highland Park, Humboldt, Johnson, Mahtomedi, North St. Paul, South St. Paul, St. Agnes, St. Croix Lutheran and Washington.
Football
The constant reshuffling between Class 5A and Class 6A continues, as Burnsville will move down to Class 5A for at least the next two seasons.
The Blaze will play in Section 3, along with Apple Valley, St. Thomas Academy, Hastings and Two Rivers.
Rochester Mayo is also exiting Class 6A after a brief stint.
Joining Class 6A in the fall are a pair of traditional Class 5A contenders – Rogers and Moorhead.
Boys Hockey
Tartan is moving down to Class A. The Titans will compete in Section 4, which has long been dominated by Mahtomedi. That’s the same section in which the St. Paul public school boys hockey co-op will compete.
Boys Basketball
Harding, which made its first ever state tournament appearance this year while playing in Class 3A, will drop down to Class 2A for the next two seasons.
The Knights will play in Class 2A, Section 4 – a section typically dominated by Minnehaha Academy.
