The Virginia High School League Thursday released their recommendations for the 2023-27 four-year alignment plan for Virginia High School athletics and activities.
The recommendation came after the initial proposal was released and member schools were able to submit appeals for changes to the initial plan. With those appeals considered, the new plan does make some changes to the original plan, but none that impact Pulaski County outside of the original plan.
That plan, which now looks to be well on its way to finalization, will move Pulaski County from Class 4, Region D to the Class 3, Region D ranks beginning with the 2023-24 school year.
Pulaski County will remain in the River Ridge District with the usual membership. Patrick Henry will now be Class 6. Blacksburg and Salem will remain Class 4. Pulaski County will join Cave Spring, Christiansburg, and Hidden Valley as members of Class 3.
Class 3, Region D will be made up of Pulaski County, Abingdon, Bassett, Carroll County, Cave Spring, Christiansburg, Hidden Valley, Lord Botetourt, Magna Vista, Northside, Staunton River, Tunstall, and William Byrd.
This setup, while new, will offer some travel advantages for the Cougars as well as some possible scheduling opportunities. The only team in the new region setup that Pulaski County has not played in the past is Tunstall High School, located in Dry Fork. Located roughly 109 miles from Pulaski County, the drive for that game, should it ever happen, would be a scenic two hour and 15-minute ride. The remaining teams in the region are well within that range or closer.
One of the regions that Pulaski County could face come playoff time includes Class 3, Region C. That includes Alleghany County, Broadway, Brookville, East Rockingham, Fluvanna, Heritage-Lynchburg, Liberty Christian Academy, Monticello, Rockbridge County, Rustburg, Spotswood, Staunton, Turner Ashby, Waynesboro, Western Albemarle, and Wilson Memorial.
The new Class 4, Region, which Pulaski County will be leaving, will feature Amherst County, Blacksburg, Charlottesville, EC Glass, GW Danville, Halifax County, handley, James Wood, Jefferson Forest, Liberty-Bealton, Mecklenburg, Millbrook, Orange County, Salem, and Sherando.
George Wythe, Giles, Narrows, Galax, Fort Chiswell, Bland County, Auburn, Bath County, Craig County, Eastern Montgomery, Highland County and Parry McCluer will make up Class 1, Region C.
Radford, Appomattox County, Chatham, Dan River, Floyd County, Glenvar, Grayson County, Gretna, James River, Liberty-Bedford, Martinsville, Nelson County, and Patrick County will make up Class 2, Region C.
Nearby Franklin County and William Fleming will be Class 5, Region C.
Moving forward, member schools will have another chance to file an appeal, but that appeal will be limited to an evaluation of the written record of the original appeal as published. Those appeal requests must be submitted by Sept. 7. The VHSL Executive Committee will meet Sept. 21 to determine the final alignment plan and vote.