During its monthly board meeting on Thursday, the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) approved the competitive section alignment for 2025-27 activities.
Every two years, the MSHSL reassesses and adjusts section and class assignments for high school programs across the state.
The MSHSL determines team classifications based on school enrollment, while section assignments are made according to geographical proximity.
Some big changes include Girls Tennis splitting into three classes, Pelican Rapids moving down a class, Alexandria moving up a class, Staples-Motley basketball moving from 7AA to 8AA, Nevis and OTC football transitioning from Class 9 football to Class A, and Football’s 6AA expanding from five teams to seven.
Below is a breakdown of the schools in each section for area team’s activities:
BASEBALL:
Section 5A:
Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale, Cass Lake-Bena, East Central, Frazee, Hill City/Northland, Mille Lacs, Lake Park-Audubon, Laporte, McGregor, Nevis, New York Mills, Norman County East/Ulen-Hitterdahl, Pine River-Backus, Sebeka, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley
OUT: Braham (to 4A), Ogilvie (to 4A). In: NCE/UH (from 8A)
Section 6A:
Ashby, Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa, Benson, Brandon-Evansville, Breckenridge, Browerville, Border West, Hancock, Hillcrest Lutheran, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunberg, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle, Ortonville, Parkers Prairie, Pelican Rapids, Rothsay, West Central Area
OUT: Upsala-Swanville (to 4A). In: KMS (from 3AA), Pelican Rapids (from 8AA)
Section 6AA:
Eden Valley-Watkins, Foley, Holdingford, Kimball Area, Melrose, Osakis, Pierz, Pillager, Royalton, Sauk Centre, Spectrum, St. Cloud Cathedral, Staples-Motley, Wadena-Deer Creek
OUT: Albany (to 8AAA), Annandale (to 5AAA).
Section 8AA:
Barnesville, Ottertail Central, Crookston, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton, East Grand Forks, Hawley, Menahga, Park Rapids, Perham, Roseau, Thief River Falls, Warroad
OUT: Pelican Rapids (to 6A)
BASKETBALL, BOYS:
Section 5A:
Bertha-Hewitt, Braham, Browerville, Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig, Cass Lake-Bena, East Central, Hinkley-Finlayson, Mille Lacs, Laporte, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle, Nevis, North Lakes Academy, Ogilvie, Pine River-Backus, Sebeka, St. John’s Prep, Swanville, Upsala, Verndale, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley
OUT: Maple Lake (to 6AA), PACT Charter School (to 6AA). IN: Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig (from 8A), Cass Lake-Bena (from 8A), Hinkley-Finlayson (from 7AA)
Section 6A:
Ada-Borup-West, Ashby, Battle Lake, Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa, Benson, Border West, Brandon-Evansville, Breckenridge, Frazee, Hancock, Henning, Hillcrest Lutheran, Lake Park-Audubon, New York Mills, Ortonville, Park Christian, Parkers Prairie, Pelican Rapids, Rothsay, NCE/UH, West Central Area
IN: Pelican Rapids (from 8AA)
Section 8AA:
Barnesville, Crookston, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton, East Grand Forks, Hawley, Menahga, Osakis, Park Rapids, Perham, Staples-Motley, Roseau, Thief River Falls, Wadena-Deer Creek, Warroad
OUT: Pelican Rapids (to 8A). IN: Osakis (from 6AA), Staples-Motley (from 7AA)
BASKETBALL, GIRLS:
Section 5A:
Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa, Bertha-Hewitt, Braham, Browerville, Bug-O-Nay-G-Shig, Cass Lake-Bena, East Central, Hinckley-Finlayson, Mille Lacs, LaPorte, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle, Nevis, Ogilvie, Pine River-Backus, Sebeka, St. John’s Prep, Swanville, Upsala, Verndale, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley
OUT: Maple Lake (to 6A) IN: Bug-O-Nay-G-Shig (from 8A), Cass Lake-Bena (from 8A), Hinckley-Finlayson (from 7AA)
Section 6A:
Ada- Borup-West, Ashby, Battle Lake, Benson, Brandon-Evansville, Breckenridge, Border West, Hancock, Henning, Hillcrest Lutheran, Lake Park-Audubon, New York Mills, Ortonville, Park Christian, Parkers Prairie, Rothsay, NCE/UH, Underwood, West Central Area
Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley and Wheaton/Herman-Norcross will co-op for Border West
Section 7AA:
Aitkin, Barnum, Crosby-Ironton, Esko, Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin, International Falls, Duluth Marshall, Mesabi East, Moose Lake/Willow River, Pequot Lakes, Pierz, Pillager, Proctor, Staples-Motley, Two Harbors
OUT: Hinkley-Finlayson, Barnum (to 6A)
Section 8AA:
Barnesville, Crookston, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton, East Grand Forks, Frazee, Hawley, Menahga, Park Rapids, Pelican Rapids, Perham, Roseau, Thief River Falls, Wadena-Deer Creek, Warroad
No change
CROSS COUNTRY:
Section 6A:
Ashby-Brandon-Evansville, Alexandria Community Christian School, Bertha-Hewitt, Benson/KMS, Border West, Hillcrest Lutheran, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle, Minnewaska, Morris Area-Chokio-Alberta, New London-Spicer, Ortonville, Osakis, Ottertail Central, Parkers Prairie, Pillager, Sauk Centre, Staples-Motley, Verndale, Wadena-Deer Creek, West Central Area
OUT: Melrose (to 8AA). IN: New London-Spicer (from 8AA)
Section 8A:
Ada-Borup-West, Bagley/Fosston, Barnesville, Cass Lake-Bena, Clearbrook-Gonvick, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton, Fertile-Beltrami, Frazee, Hawley, Lake Park-Audubon, Lake of the Woods/Rainy River, Northern Freeze, Nevis, New York Mills, Park Rapids, Pelican Rapids, Red Lake County, Riverside Christian School, Roseau, United North Central, West Marshall, TrekNorth, Warroad
No change
Section 8AA:
Albany, Breckenridge/Wahpeton, Detroit Lakes, East Grand Forks, Fergus Falls, Little Falls, Melrose, Perham, Rocori, Thief River Falls, Willmar
OUT: Alexandria (to 8AAA), Eden Valley-Watkins/Kimball Area (to 5A), New London-Spicer (to 6A). IN: Melrose (from 6A)
DANCE:
Section 4A:
Aitkin, Bagley, Crookston, Crosby-Ironton, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton, Ely, Frazee, Hawley, Mahnomen/Waubun, Pelican Rapids, Pierz, Wadena-Deer Creek
IN: Pierz (from 2A)
FOOTBALL:
Class 9/Section 5:
Bertha-Hewitt, Cromwell-Wright, McGregor, Mille Lacs, Ogilvie, Sebeka, Verndale
OUT: Carlton-Wrensall (to Class 9, Section 7), Nevis (to 6A). IN: Mille Lacs (from 7A)
Section 6A:
Breckenridge, Lake Park-Audubon, Nevis, New York Mills, Ottertail Central, Parkers Prairie, Pine River-Backus, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley
OUT: Ashby-Brandon-Evansville (to 5A), West Central Area (to 5A). IN: Ottertail Central (from Class 9, Section 4), Nevis (from Class 9, Section 5)
Section 6AA:
Holdingford, Menahga, Pillager, Royalton, Staples-Motley, Wadena-Deer Creek
IN: Holdingford (from 5AA), Royalton (from 5AA)
Section 8AA:
Barnesville, Crookston, Frazee, Hawley, Pelican Rapids, Roseau, Warroad
OUT: Park Rapids (to 8AAA)
Section 8AAA:
Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton, East Grand Forks, Minnewaska Area, Morris Area-Chokio-Alberta, Park Rapids, Perham, Thief River Falls
OUT: Fergus Falls (to 8AAAA). IN: Minnewaska Area (from 6AAA), Park Rapids (from 8AA)
GOLF:
Section 6A:
Alexandria Community Christian School, Ashby-Brandon-Evansville, Border West, Ottertail Central, Breckenridge, Frazee, Hillcrest Lutheran, Lake Park-Audubon, Ortonville, Park Christian, Pelican Rapids, Rothsay, Underwood, West Central Area
IN: Pelican Rapids (from 8AA)
Section 6AA:
Albany, Foley, Little Falls, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle, Melrose, Milaca, Osakis, Pequot Lakes, Pierz, Pillager, Rocori, Royalton, Sauk Centre, St. Cloud Cathedral, Staples-Motley, Wadena-Deer Creek
OUT: Crosby-Ironton (to 7AA). IN: Rocori (From 8AAA)
Section 8AA:
Barnesville, Crookston, Detroit Lakes, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton, East Grand Forks, Fergus Falls, Hawley, Morris Area-Chokio-Alberta, Park Rapids, Perham, Red Lake, Roseau, Thief River Falls, United North Central, Warroad
OUT: Pelican Rapids (to 8A). In: Morris Area-Chokio-Alberta (from 3AA)
GYMNASTICS:
Section 8A:
Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Little Falls, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle, Melrose, Park Rapids Area, Perham
No change
HOCKEY:
Section 6A:
Breckenridge, Fergus Falls, Little Falls, Morris/Benson, Northern Lakes, Prairie Centre, Sartell, Wadena-Deer Creek, Willmar
OUT: Alexandria (to 8AAA). IN: Little Falls (from 5A), Sartell (from 8AA)
SOFTBALL:
Section 5A:
Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale, Blackduck, Cass Lake-Bena, Deer River, East Central, Hill City/Northland, Kelliher/Northome, Laporte, McGregor, Mille Lacs, Nevis, Pine River-Backus, Sebeka, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley
No change
Section 6A:
Ashby, Border West, Brandon-Evansville, Browerville, Hancock, Hillcrest Lutheran, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle, New York Mills, Parkers Prairie, Pelican Rapids, Rothsay, Swanville, Upsala, West Central Area
OUT: Frazee (to 8AA). Co-op: Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley and Wheaton-Herman-Norcross formed a co-op: Border West
Section 6AA:
Albany, Eden Valley-Watkins, Foley, Holdingford, Kimball, Melrose, Milaca, Osakis, Paynesville, Pequot Lakes, Pierz, Pillager, Royalton, Sauk Centre, St. Cloud Cathedral, Staples-Motley
No change
Section 8AA:
Barnesville, Breckenridge/Wahpeton, Crookston, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton, East Grand Forks, Frazee, Hawley, Menahga, Park Rapids, Perham, Roseau, Thief River Falls, Wadena-Deer Creek, Warroad
IN: Frazee (from 6A)
SWIM AND DIVE, BOYS:
Section 5A:
Detroit Lakes (co-ops with Frazee, New York Mills, Perham), Fergus Falls, Melrose/Sauk Centre, Morris, Park Rapids, Sartell, Sauk Rapids-Rice
OUT: Alexandria (to 8AA). IN: Sartell (from 8AA), Sauk Rapids-Rice (from 8AA)
SWIM AND DIVE, GIRLS:
Section 8A:
Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Fosston-Bagley, Morris Area/Minnewaska, Park Rapids, Perham/New York Mills/Henning, Thief River Falls, BGMR/Roseau/Warroad
OUT: Alexandria (to 8AA)
TENNIS, BOYS:
Section 8A:
Crookston, Detroit Lakes, East Grand Forks, Fergus Falls, Minnewaska Area, Osakis, Perham, Riverside Christian, Thief River Falls
OUT: New London-Spicer (to 3A)
TENNIS, GIRLS (Moved from two classes to three):
Section 8A:
Crookston, East Grand Forks, Park Rapids, Parkers Prairie, Roseau, Staples-Motley, Thief River Falls, Wadena-Deer Creek
Section 8AA:
Becker, Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Little Falls, Perham/New York Mills, Rocori, Sartell, Sauk Rapids-Rice
TRACK AND FIELD:
Section 6A:
Alexandria Community Christian School, Ashby-Brandon-Evansville, Barnesville, Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale, Border West, Breckenridge, Browerville, Frazee, Hillcrest Lutheran, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle, Minnewaska Area, New York Mills, Osakis, Ottertail Central, Parkers Prairie, Pelican Rapids, Pillager, Pine River, Rothsay, Sauk Centre, Staples-Motley, United North Central, Wadena-Deer Creek, West Central Area
No change
Section 8A:
Ada-Borup-West, Bagley/Fosston, Cass Lake-Bena, Clearbrook-Gonvick, Crookston, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton, Fertile-Beltrami, Climax-Fisher-Sacred Heart, BGMR/Freeze, Goodridge/Grygla, United Clay Becker, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen/Waubun, Nevis, Northome/Kelliher/Blackduck, Park Christian, Park Rapids, Red Lake County, Roseau, TrekNorth, NCE/UH, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley, West Marshall, Warroad, Win-E-Mac
No change
Section 8AA:
Albany, Detroit Lakes, East Grand Forks, Fergus Falls, Little Falls, Melrose, Pequot Lakes, Perham, Rocori, Thief River Falls, Willmar
OUT: Alexandria (to 8AAA), New London-Spicer (to 5A). IN: Melrose (from 5A)
VOLLEYBALL, GIRLS:
Section 5A:
Bertha-Hewitt, Browerville, Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig, Cass Lake-Bena, East Central, Hill City/Northland, Laporte, Long Prairie, McGregor, Nevis, Ogilvie, Mille Lacs, Pine River-Backus, Sebeka, Swanville, Upsala, Verndale, West Central Area
OUT: Braham (to 4A)
Section 6A:
Ashby, Battle Lake, Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa, Benson, Brandon-Evansville, Breckenridge, Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley, Hancock, Hanning, Hillcrest Lutheran, Lake Park-Audubon, New York Mills, Ortonville, Park Christian, Parkers Prairie, Rothsay, NCE/UH, Underwood, Wheaton-Herman-Norcross, West Central Area
IN: Pelican Rapids (from 8AA)
Section 6AA:
Albany, Foley, Holdingford, Melrose, Milaca, Minnewaska, Osakis, Pequot Lakes, Pierz, Pillager Royalton, Sauk Centre, St. Cloud Cathedral, Staples-Motley
No change
Section 8AA:
Barnesville, Crookston, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton, East Grand Forks, Frazee, Hawley, Menahga, Park Rapids, Perham, Red Lake, Roseau, Thief River Falls, Wadena-Deer Creek, Warroad
OUT: Pelican Rapids (tl 6A)
WRESTLING:
Section 6A:
Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale/Parkers Prairie, Ottertail Central, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle/Browerville, New York Mills, Osakis, Pelican Rapids, Wadena-Deer Creek, West Central Area/Ashby/Brandon-Evansville, Border West
No change
Section 7A:
Aitkin, BCLB, Crosby-Ironton, Deer River, Holdingford, Nashwauk-Keewatin/Greenway, Northeast Range, Mille Lacs, Pillager, Royalton/Upsala, Staples-Motley, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley
OUT: Ogilvie (to 4A). In: Pillager (from 7AA co-op with Little Falls)
Section 8A:
Barnesville, Crookston, Fertile-Beltrami, Fosston/Bagley, Frazee, BGMR, Mahnomen/Waubun, Roseau, United North Central
Roseau (from 8AA)
Section 8AA:
Alexandria, Detroit Lakes, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton, Fergus Falls, United Clay Becker, Sauk Centre-Melrose, Minnewaska, Park Rapids, Perham, Pequot Lake/Pine River-Backus, Thief River Falls
OUT: Roseau (to 8A)