TDHS Reclassifies to 4A, Joining the Tri-Valley Conference

By Xavier Orion Olaez

It was announced on Monday, Dec. 13, that The Dalles High School is officially reclassifying to 4A and joining the Tri-Valley Conference.

The Riverhawks will join Crook County, Gladstone, Molalla, Estacada, and Madras in their new conference.

The change likely has athletes and coaches excited for the 2022-23 season as they will be on more equal footing with their competitors, making it more likely to make it into state playoffs and competitions.

Junior Zoe Dunn, a two-sport athlete, likes the move toward parity.

She competed last spring in Track & Field. She qualified for state in the long jump in 5A, capturing third place. However, when she looked at results for 4A finals, she found that she had bested the longest jump by around two feet.

“ Dear TDHS families, today, the OSAA Executive Board voted on the reclassification of athletic districts across the state,” said The Dalles High School Principal Kurt Evans on social media. “For the first time since 2004, The Dalles High School will be moved from the 5A classification to the 4A classification… We are excited about this move and feel this new league is a good balance between travel time and competition with similar schools.”

It won’t affect rivalries.

“We still expect to play non-league competitions with our nearby rivals such as Hood River (5A) and Pendleton (4A),” Evans said. “The reclassification will go into effect during the 2022-2023 school year and affect all major sports. Skiing looks to join OSAA as a sport next year.”

TDHS Athletic Director Billy Brost said he was excited for the next four years.

“I’m very excited on the reclassification,” Brost said. “I think us moving down to 4A is more in line for our school and athletic numbers. We are one of the smallest 5A schools, so while our teams worked hard and are talented, I think we’ll compete more in 4A and do well right away. I’m very excited for the next 4 years of Riverhawks athletics, and I really appreciate the support from the board, the parents and people of our community, and the students for showing up and doing well in school and sports.”

Out of all the schools in the new conference, The Dalles has the highest enrollment with 841 students. Second is Crook County with 750, then Molalla with 730, next is Madras with 678, then Gladstone with 513 and last is Estacada with 508. These numbers are from publicschoolreview.com.