GWOC realignment takes effect

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GREENVILLE – The Greater Western Ohio Conference has two new members, bringing the conference to 20 schools, now that the 2016-17 sports year has begun.

Stebbins and Tippecanoe are the newest members of the league, marking the conference’s first expansion since Greenville and West Carrollton were added five years ago. Along with the expansion, the GWOC is realigning its divisions and its scheduling methods, a pair of moves that will affect Greenville athletics.

“I think the new GWOC looks really good,” first-year Greenville Athletics Director Dusty Yingst said. “I think the diversity of the schools and the level of competition is top notch from top to bottom.”

Previously the GWOC had six divisions – Central, North and South – with six teams each. Now the conference has four divisions – American North, American South, National East and National West – which each have four to six members.

Greenville will be in the six-team American North with previous North members Piqua, Sidney, Troy and Vandalia-Butler. Additionally, Tippecanoe will join the American North while Trotwood-Madison is exiting the North division and joining the American South along with Fairborn, Stebbins, West Carrollton and Xenia.

The American North and American South will be sisters divisions. When cross-divisional games are scheduled, Greenville and other North teams will typically face South members.

Beavercreek, Centerville, Fairmont, Springfield and Wayne will make up the National East while Lebanon, Miamisburg, Northmont and Springboro will play in the National West. They also will be sister divisions.

By realigning the divisions, the GWOC was able to place all of the Division I football teams within either the National East or National West. The American North and American South teams all are either Division II or III in football. The new divisions are meant to better geographically and competitively for member schools.

Last year the Greenville football team had to play cross-divisional games against Lebanon and Fairmont – a pair of Division I teams that dwarf Greenville in enrollment. This year Greenville will face Stebbins and Trotwood-Madison in cross-divisional football games, making for more equitable competition.

“The travel and the overall balance of all schedules seems to be the thing people are most happy about,” Yingst said.

Green Wave coaches are excited to play teams that closely resemble Greenville in enrollment, Yingst said. They’re also happy to have Tipp as an American North member and expect the Red Devils to be a great addition to the conference and the division.

“Everybody’s is pretty much within a 40, 45 minute drive,” Yingst said of the new American North. “Attendance-wise that could help out.”

Tippecanoe’s Cade Rogers (15) tackles Greenville’s Codi Byrd during a football game last year at Tipp City Park. Tippecanoe has joined the Greater Western Ohio Conference and now is in the American North division along with Greenville.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/34/2016/08/web1_Codi-Byrd-WEB.jpgTippecanoe’s Cade Rogers (15) tackles Greenville’s Codi Byrd during a football game last year at Tipp City Park. Tippecanoe has joined the Greater Western Ohio Conference and now is in the American North division along with Greenville. Anthony Weber|Civitas Media

By Kyle Shaner

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Kyle Shaner may be reached at 937-569-4316. Follow me on Twitter @KShanerAdvocate or get updates on Facebook by searching Darke County Sports or Advocate 360. For more features online go to dailyadvocate.com.

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