Geneva and Batavia to Join Upstate Eight Conference
June 18, 2009 by Carl H. Martens
Filed under Athletics
With their current conference, the Western Sun in shambles, the Batavia and Geneva high school athletic programs look to join the two St. Charles schools in the Upstate Eight Conference (UEC). The schools both need final school board approval which should take place sometime this month, however it is anticipated both will join the Upstate Eight in 2010 after one final season in the Western Sun without any objections.
After its loss in the Class 7A Championship last season, Geneva looks to rebound.
Current members of the Upstate Eight Conference include:
- Bartlett High School
- East Aurora High School
- Elgin High School
- Lake Park High School
- Larkin High School
- Neuqua Valley High School
- St. Charles East High School
- St. Charles North High School
- South Elgin High School
- Streamwood High School
- Waubonsie Valley High School
Although Batavia and Geneva will be the UEC’s smallest schools, it is expected that they will be able to compete just fine and strengthen the conference as a whole.
Although the details of the additions are still being worked out, the basic plan is to split the UEC into two seven-team divisions based on enrollment. Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles East, St. Charles North, Elgin, Larkin and Streamwood would be in the smaller-school division while Bartlett, Lake Park, South Elgin, East Aurora, Neuqua, Waubonsie and new Metea Valley will compose the large-school division.
Most games played will be intra-divsion with some crossover.
One thing is for sure, fans in the Tri-Cities can expect to witness some great rivalries come the fall of 2010.
GO VIKES!