By Kevin Hanson

Senior Writer

The world of high school athletics continues to spin and some schools still are learning their competitive fate.

A major development came Jan. 26 when representatives from the new North Puget Sound League 4A met in Kent to decide how they would split 16 teams into two divisions.

Phil Engebretsen, athletic director at Enumclaw High School, said a handful of factors entered into the decision. Considered were lost class time for student-athletes, travel time, geographic proximity and intra-district play.

In the end it was decided to form an Olympic Division and a Cascade Division. Included in the Olympic will be Enumclaw, Federal Way, Decatur, Todd Beamer, Thomas Jefferson, Auburn, Auburn Mountainview and Auburn Riverside. In the Cascade Division will be Kentlake, Kent-Meridian, Kentridge, Kentwood, Kennedy, Mount Rainier, Hazen and Tahoma.

The alignment is solid for the next two school years. NPSL 4A representatives agreed to reconsider the alignment following the 2017-18 school year, Engebretsen said, if member schools feel another look is warranted.

While the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association has wrapped up its reclassification process, the final word hasn’t been handed down regarding league alignments.

Chris Gibson, athletic director at White River High, reported there still could be changes to the South Puget Sound League’s 3A and 2A divisions. Six schools that applied for SPSL 3A membership, but were denied, have appealed. The appeal will be considered during a Wednesday meeting in fife and a decision regarding the six – Stadium, Lincoln, Mount Tahoma and Wilson, all from Tacoma, along with Central Kitsap and Shelton – was expected quickly.

In the SPSL 2A, the present eight-team layout has already grown to 10, which will require two divisions. Still to be decided is the fate of Renton and Lindbergh; if those two wind up without a league, they could be headed to the SPSL 2A.