Gorman petitions NIAA to remain Class 4A school

The NIAA board of control had aligned the schools strictly by enrollment numbers at its June meeting. That meant some schools changed classification, and others, hoping to change, remained where they had been.

Gorman and Manogue had been in the state’s largest classification, Class 4A, but were moved to 3A because their enrollment numbers fell below the 4A threshold of 1,201 students. Pahrump Valley, which always had competed at the 3A level, was moved to 4A because the Trojans’ enrollment exceeded 1,200.

“In my first alignment I wanted to make sure we put everybody where they should be by the numbers, and then they could petition,” said NIAA executive director Eddie Bonine, who took over his position in January.

Schools had until Monday to submit their petitions. Gorman and Manogue asked to move back to 4A, and Pahrump petitioned to be put back in 3A. Vo-Tech, which has been a 4A school, petitioned for a switch to 3A. Laughlin petitioned to move from 2A to 1A, Calvary Chapel and Mountain View asked to move from 1A to 2A, and Yerington wants to return to 2A.

The board of control will decide on the petitions at a meeting on Sept. 12.

Bonine conceded the schools that want to move up in class might have an easier sell. But he said the schools still had to submit in writing why the move would benefit not just their school but the league in which they play.

The schools also had to show an ability to field a complete athletic program, including teams at the junior varsity and freshman levels, to help leagues with scheduling.

Bonine said sending teams such as Gorman and Manogue back to 3A would be difficult.

“It wouldn’t be fair to the 3A, but because that’s where the numbers were, that’s where they lined up,” Bonine said. “We could have spot-aligned those two schools, but I wanted to go by the book this time, and maybe down the road we can … put them in the 4A.”

Bonine said the Northern 4A coaches have voted to allow Manogue to return and that the Clark County School District is surveying its schools about Gorman.

He said the results of those surveys would have a big impact on what he would recommend to the board.

“The leagues speak the loudest for me,” Bonine said. “If the league wants them in, then we put them in. If the league wants them out, then we have to take a look at why they want them out and if it’s justifiable.”

• SIGNINGS — Bishop Gorman pitcher Donn Roach, who will be a senior this fall, has committed to play at Arizona.

Roach recently won two games to help the Gaels win a second consecutive state American Legion tournament and is 9-3 for Gorman this summer.

Former Faith Lutheran baseball player Mark Marfoglia has signed with Division II Cal State Dominguez Hills after two years at Santa Barbara City College.