North Carolina High School Athletic Association finalizes conference realignments for 2025-2029

Lenoir County Public Schools has finalized its conference realignment for the 2025-2029 athletic seasons, a significant decision that will reshape the competitive landscape for local high schools. During the recent board meeting, officials provided an update on the North Carolina High School Athletic Association's (NCHSAA) new classification system, which expands the number of classifications from four to eight based on student enrollment.

The realignment process included an appeals phase, where schools could contest their initial placements. Notably, South Lenore High School successfully argued for a more favorable conference placement, emphasizing the importance of providing students with access to a variety of sports, including wrestling, cross country, soccer, and softball. The administration's efforts were recognized as instrumental in securing a better competitive environment for student-athletes.

As a result of the realignment, North High School will compete in the 3 Rivers 4A Conference alongside schools such as Eastern Wayne and North Pitt. South Lenore High School will join the East Central 3A/4A split conference, while Kinston High School will participate in the Eastern Plains 2A/3A split conference.

Looking ahead, school administrators and athletic directors are already collaborating with their new conference members to finalize game schedules and budgets, with the new alignment set to take effect this August. This proactive approach reflects the commitment of Lenoir County's educational leaders to ensure that students continue to have ample opportunities for athletic participation, even as they transition to new competitive environments.

The board's discussions highlighted the importance of community and student engagement in athletics, setting a positive tone for the upcoming seasons.