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Wildcats Will Have Less Travel Time, New Rivalries
With its nearest Valley District opponent about 60 minutes away, Rockbridge County High School is looking forward to shorter trips to face district opponents next year.
On Sept. 24, the Virginia High School League announced that its executive committee approved a midcycle realignment plan that will move RC from the Valley District to the Shenandoah District, starting in the 2025-26 academic year. Also joining the Shenandoah District will be Alleghany High School, which is currently in the Three Rivers District, with its farthest district opponent more than two-and-a-half hours away.
The Wildcats, who have been in the Valley District since switching from the Blue Ridge District in 2017, have had to travel farther than most schools in Virginia to face district rivals. William Monroe, located in Stanardsville, joined the Valley District last year and is about an hour and a half away. Also joining was East Rockingham, about an hour and 15 minutes away.
Optimistic about the change, fourth-year RC athletic director Adam Haynes said, “I thought it was good timing to make the move, with the additions of East Rockingham and William Monroe. That added even more travel time to our schedules.”
Alleghany is about 45 minutes away and is a longtime rival of the Wildcats that they already have been competing against in nondistrict action. “I’m hoping this will help,” said Haynes. “We don’t have a lot of district rivals just because everybody is spread apart. Alleghany is another border school that will develop into a good district rivalry.”
“I just think it’s going to add the opportunities for our kids to be able to play in good atmospheres in front of good crowds,” added Haynes.
The Wildcats’ closest district opponent will be Riverheads, about 30 minutes away, and there are several Shenandoah District schools in the Staunton/ Waynesboro area: Staunton, Stuarts Draft, Wilson Memorial and Waynesboro. The farthest district rivals will be Buffalo Gap and Fort Defiance, both about 50 minutes from Lexington.
Another reason Haynes looks forward to the change is that sports teams won’t have to leave school early as often. “There will be more seat time, academically,” said Haynes. “That’s important. In the spring, everything is so busy.”
While looking forward to the change, with the probability of facing Valley District rivals in nondistrict competition, Haynes said he reflects positively on the Wildcats’ time in the Valley District. “We’re leaving in good standing and in good relationships with those guys up there,” said Haynes. “It’s been a good partnership.”
