Minnesota State High School League Announces Major Section Realignments for 2025-27

The Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) recently unveiled its competitive section alignments for sanctioned sports spanning the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years. This announcement has significant implications for various high school athletics in Minnesota, particularly for Alexandria's programs, 15 of which are moving up a class, with the notable exception of the football team, which remains in Class 5A. The reclassifications reflect changes in student enrollment and aim to balance competition across the state. Noteworthy shifts include the Alexandria basketball teams moving up to Class 4A and the Alexandria boys hockey squad transitioning from Class A to Class 2A. The modifications will likely foster increased competitiveness and create new challenges and opportunities for teams across Minnesota, as indicated by the wide array of movements across multiple sports. While schools like Alexandria see many of their programs advancing, others face the difficulty of adjustment within potentially tougher sections. This realignment illustrates not only the ongoing evolution of high school sports but also the adaptability required from teams and coaches alike as they prepare for the challenges of heightened competition while fostering student athleticism and achievement.