Conference changes mean more travel for PanthersNew conference assignments released by the Wyoming High School Activities Association likely mean more travel time for Powell High School athletic teams and fans, as well as more cost to the district. The new pairings, which will take effect beginning in the fall 2011 semester, were recently announced. “Powell is probably affected as much if not more than any other school in the state by the changes,” said Panther activities director Timothy Wormald. “Cody's right here too, but it definitely had an impact on both of us.”

The changes, part of the WHSAA's regular reclassification process based on gains and losses in enrollment at the state's various schools, will change the landscape in every sport except soccer.

In football, current 3A West conference member Lander slides to the East conference, taking the position of Wheatland, which is dropping to 2A. The creation of Cheyenne South High School, combined with enrollment changes among the 4A and larger 3A schools, brings Green River down from 4A to 3A to replace Lander.

The 3A West conference for football starting next season will feature Cody, Green River, Jackson, Star Valley, Worland and Powell. The 3A East schools will be Buffalo, Douglas, Lander, Rawlins, Riverton and Torrington.

For all other sports besides soccer, the 3A West conference will see Star Valley join as Worland shifts eastward. The 3A West conference in those sports consists of Cody, Jackson, Lander, Lyman, Mountain View, Pinedale, Star Valley and Powell. The 3A East conference members will be Buffalo, Douglas, Glenrock, Newcastle, Rawlins, Torrington, Wheatland and Worland.

Soccer will continue to employ three-school quadrants, a process which will be making its debut in the spring of 2011. Powell is grouped with Cody and Worland, and will continue to be once reclassification takes place in the 2011-2012 academic year. The winner of the three-team quadrant automatically earns a spot at the state meet. Second and third place teams advance to elimination matches to determine the final four schools in the state field.

“It isn't so much the realignment as the reclassification that made the changes for us,” said Wormald. “We pick up a Green River trip in football, and I imagine that will be a two-day trip. In basketball, we pick up Star Valley, and the effect of that is another overnight trip probably.”

Although schedules have not yet been released, Wormald said he expects road trips to Jackson and Star Valley will be paired together, as well as two-day treks for road games at Mountain View and Lyman and Pinedale and Lander.

“In the winter, it is 396 miles and about eight hours to get from Powell to Star Valley,” said Wormald. “Powell to Green River is 317 miles and about a six hour drive we estimate.”

On top of the time, there are the costs involved. Wormald said it costs an average of $90 a night for every four kids on a team for motel costs when teams stay overnight. Rooms for coaches add another four motel rooms to the costs typically. The district also picks up two meals per day at an estimated cost of $8 each, although students going on road trips are required to pick up the cost of their first meal out.

“It probably costs a couple thousand dollars to send the hoops teams out on an overnight,” Wormald said.

Wormald said the state did look at ways to keep the costs down, but Powell's position make its needs slightly different from other schools in the state.

“A lot of factors that would benefit Powell with regard to reclassification and realignment don't benefit other schools,” Wormald said. “We looked at switching to quadrants for all sports, but that makes it a challenge for some schools to fill their schedules.

“Adding Star Valley and Green River creates a lot of travel and adds a lot of mileage for us. This is Wyoming, though. There's always going to be travel and mileage.”