Washington Interscholastic Athletics Association

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) is the governing body of athletics and activities for secondary education schools in the state of Washington. As of October 2024, the private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization consists of nearly 800 member high schools and middle/junior high schools, both public and private.

Purpose

Founded in 1905 to "create equitable playing conditions" between member teams, the WIAA plans and supervises interscholastic sports and activities approved and delegated by the various school district boards of directors. The organization emphasizes the importance of interscholastic sports and activities in the "total educational process" while recognizing that education is the primary responsibility of its member schools.

The WIAA creates and governs rules to establish uniformity of standards in sports and activities; to protect the safety and health of students; to shield students from exploitation by special interest groups; to provide fair and equal opportunities to all students participating; and to encourage good sportsmanship. A stated goal of the organization is to promote diversity of its membership at all levels.

The organization also provides member schools an open channel of communication with other members to organize any events and activities, as well as to resolve any issues. In addition, the WIAA recognizes achievement and excellence of member teams and individuals participating in sports and activities.

Funding

Primary funding for the WIAA is through ticket sales for state tournaments and other events. Additional funds are secured through corporate sponsorships, memberships fees, and small percentages of the sales of merchandise related to the organization and its member schools. As a private organization, the WIAA does not receive any funding via tax dollars and is not financially supported by the State of Washington.

WIAA-sanctioned sports & activities

The WIAA oversees athletics and fine arts in Washington state. As of October 2024, the organization hosts 120 state championship events for the following sports and activities:

Athletics

Other activities

* Cheerleading
* Dance & Drill Team
* Debate, Forensics & Student Congress
* Drama
* Music

Classification

The organization places member schools into one of six classification tiers based on enrollment ranges: 1B, 2B, 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A. Classification tiers are based on student body enrollment in grades 9–11 and used by the WIAA to maintain fair and equal competition between its member high schools. The enrollment ranges are evaluated by the WIAA Executive Board every four years and finalized for a four-year period. Enrollments of single-gender schools are doubled for classification purposes.

Opt-up

Member schools may choose to move up to a higher classification tier to compete against schools with larger enrollments.
If a school chooses to opt up, it must notify the WIAA office on or before the second Friday in January of the first year of the four-year classification cycle.

League alignments

The WIAA is divided into nine districts that represent approximate geographical areas. Each district is presided over by a District Director. Member schools are aligned into geographical conferences or leagues for competition. District membership is determined by these conferences and leagues with the exception of two. The Columbia Basin Big Nine Conference and Central Washington Athletic Conference have member schools in two districts. Conference and League alignment is determined annually. The following are league alignments as of 2016-2017 school year and are subject to revision to adjust for the 2016-2020 reclassification.

Northwest District One

The Northwest Interscholastic Activities Association governs WIAA District 1, which encompasses the five counties in the northwest section of Washington State: Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, San Juan, and Island. As of February 2011, Northwest District 1 includes seven leagues with member schools from all classifications and a single independent member school. The Western High School Athletic Conference regulates two 4A classification leagues and one 3A classification league. Its membership consists of high schools in the public school districts of Arlington, Edmonds, Everett, Lake Stevens, Marysville, Monroe, Mukilteo, Oak Harbor, Shoreline, Snohomish, and Stanwood.
The North Sound Conference regulates member schools residing in the 1A classification. Its membership consists of high schools in Snohomish, Island and north King counties, in and near Everett. The Northwest Conference regulates member schools in 3A, 2A and 1A classifications. Its membership consists of high schools in western Whatcom, Skagit and counties, in and near Bellingham and Mount Vernon.
The Northwest 2B/1B League regulates member schools in 2B and 1B classifications. Its membership consists of high schools in San Juan, Skagit, Island and Snohomish counties.
The Northwest B League regulates member schools in 1B classification. Its membership consists of small public and private high schools in San Juan, Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom counties.

WesCo 4A
* Arlington Eagles
* Cascade Bruins
* Glacier Peak Grizzlies
* Jackson Timberwolves
* Kamiak Knights
* Lake Stevens Vikings
* Mariner Marauders
WesCo 2A/3A
* Archbishop Murphy Wildcats (2A)
* Edmonds-Woodway Warriors
* Everett Seagulls
* Lynnwood Royals
* Marysville-Getchell Chargers
* Marysville-Pilchuck Tomahawks (2A)
* Meadowdale Mavericks
* Monroe Bearcats
* Mountlake Terrace Hawks
* Shorecrest Scots
* Shorewood Stormrays
* Snohomish Panthers
* Stanwood Spartans
Northwest Conference (1A/2A/3A)
* Anacortes Seahawks (2A)
* Bellingham Bayhawks(2A)
* Blaine Borderites (1A)
* Burlington-Edison Tigers (2A)
* Ferndale Golden Eagles (3A)
* Lakewood Cougars (2A)
* Lynden Lions (2A)
* Lynden Christian Lyncs (1A)
* Meridian Trojans (1A)
* Mount Baker Mountaineers (1A)
* Mount Vernon Bulldogs (3A)
* Nooksack Valley Pioneers (1A)
* Oak Harbor Wildcats (3A)
* Sedro-Woolley Cubs (3A)
* Sehome Mariners (2A)
* Squalicum Storm (2A)
Northwest 1B/2B League (1B/2B)
* Concrete Lions(1B)
* Darrington Loggers(1B)
* Friday Harbor Wolverines (2B)
*La Conner Braves(2B)
*Mount Vernon Christian Hurricanes (1B)
*Orcas Island Vikings (2B)
* Chimacum Cowboys (2B)
* Coupeville Wolves (2B)
Northwest 1B League
*Arlington Christian Lions
* Cedar Park Christian - Lynnwood Lions
*Grace Academy Eagles
* Shoreline Christian Chargers
*Lopez Island Lobos
*Lummi Nation Blackhawks
*Providence Classical Christian Highlanders
*Skykomish Rockets
*Fellowship Christian Eagles
*Tulalip Heritage Hawks
*Orcas Christian School Saints

SeaKing District Two

The SeaKing District encompasses mostly schools in King County. The schools are in all classification sizes and separated into five leagues by size and location. A majority of the state's 3A schools are located in this district and the West Central District 3. The Center School, International Community School, International School, and Secondary BOC are independents in this District.

KingCo 4A
* Bothell Cougars
* Eastlake Wolves
* Inglemoor Vikings
* Issaquah Eagles
* Mount Si Wildcats
* Newport (Bellevue) Knights
* North Creek Jaguars
* Skyline Spartans
* Woodinville Falcons
* Redmond Mustangs
* Juanita Ravens
* Lake Washington Kangaroos
* Hazen Highlanders
KingCo 3A
* Bellevue Wolverines
* Interlake Saints
* Liberty Patriots
* Mercer Island Islanders
* Sammamish Totems
* Highline Pirates
KingCo 2A
* Foster Bulldogs
* Renton Redhawks
* Lindbergh Eagles
* Evergreen Wolverines
* Cedarcrest Redwolves
Metro League
* Ballard Beavers
* Blanchet Braves
* Chief Sealth Seahawks(2A)
* Cleveland Eagles(2A)
* Eastside Catholic Crusaders
* Franklin Quakers
* Garfield Bulldogs
* Holy Names Cougars (girls)
* Ingraham Rams
* Lakeside Lions
* Nathan Hale Raiders(2A)
* O'Dea Irish (boys)
* Rainier Beach Vikings
* Roosevelt Roughriders
* Seattle Prep Panthers
* West Seattle Wildcats
* Lincoln Lynx (4A)
* Seattle Academy Cardinals (2A)
Emerald Sound League (1A)
* Bear Creek Grizzlies
* Eastside Prep Eagles
*Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart
* Overlake Owls
* Seattle Academy Cardinals
* Sierra Spartans
* Bush Blazers
* Northwest Haüs
* University Prep Pumas
* King's Knights
* Cedar Park Christian Eagles
* Granite Falls Tigers
* South Whidbey Falcons
SeaTac (1B/2B)
* Auburn Adventist Falcons (2B)
* Christian Faith Eagles (1B)
* Crosspoint Academy Warriors (2B)
* Evergreen Lutheran Eagles (1B)
* Concordia Christian Hawks (1B)
*Northwest Yeshiva High School (1B)
* Pope John Paul II Eagles (1B)
* Puget Sound Adventist Sharks (1B)
* Quilcene Rangers (1B)
* Rainier Christian Mustangs (1B)
* Seattle Lutheran Saints (2B)
* Tacoma Baptist Crusaders (1B)
Independent
*Seattle Waldorf School

West Central District Three

The WCD encompasses schools in Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap, Pierce, Mason, Thurston, and King counties of the northern Peninsula and southern Puget Sound areas of Washington. The district has the most 4A and 3A schools combined in the state, with 26 and 16 respectively. It includes schools from all classification sizes, although most of the 2B schools in the region are members SeaTac league of SeaKing District Two.

North Puget Sound 3A/4A
''Olympic''
* Auburn Trojans (4A)
* Auburn Mountainview Lions (3A)
* Auburn-Riverside Ravens (4A)
* Decatur Golden Gators (3A)
* Federal Way Eagles (3A)
* Thomas Jefferson Raiders (3A)
* Todd Beamer Titans (3A)
''Cascade''
* Kennedy Lancers (4A)
* Kentlake Falcons (3A)
* Kent-Meridian Royals (3A)
* Kentridge Chargers (4A)
* Kentwood Conquerors (4A)
* Mt. Rainier Rams (4A)
* Tahoma Bears (4A)
* Stadium Tigers (4A)
* White River Hornets (3A)
* Enumclaw Hornets (3A)

South Puget Sound 4A
* Bethel Bison
* Bonney Lake Panthers
* Curtis Vikings^
* Emerald Ridge Jaguars
* Graham-Kapowsin Eagles
* Olympia Bears
* Puyallup Vikings
* Rogers Rams
* South Kitsap Wolves
* Spanaway Lake Sentinels
* Sumner Spartans
* Yelm Tornados

Puget Sound League 3A
* Capital Cougars
* Central Kitsap Cougars
* Gig Harbor Tides
* North Thurston Rams
* Peninsula Seahawks
* River Ridge Hawks
* Timberline Blazers
* Lakes Lancers
*Lincoln Abes
* Mt. Tahoma Thunderbirds
* Silas Rams
* Bellarmine Prep Lions

South Puget Sound 2A
* Eatonville Cruisers
* Fife Trojans
* Foss Falcons
* Franklin Pierce Cardinals
* Washington Patriots
* Clover Park Warriors
* Orting Cardinals
* Steilacoom Sentinels
* Eatonville Cruisers
Olympic 1A/2A
* Bremerton Knights (2A)
* Kingston Buccaneers (2A)
* North Kitsap Vikings (2A)
* North Mason Bulldogs (2A)
* Olympic Trojans (2A)
* Port Angeles Roughriders (2A)
* Sequim Wolves (2A)
* Bainbridge Island Spartans (2A)
Nisqually 1A
* Bellevue Christian Vikings
* Cascade Christian Cougars
* Charles Wright Tarriers
* Seattle Christian Warriors
* Vashon Island Pirates
* Port Townsend Redhawks
* Klahowya Eagles
* Life Christian Eagles
* East Jefferson Rivals
North Olympic 1B
* Chief Kitsap Academy Bears
* Clallam Bay Bruins
* Crescent Loggers
* Neah Bay Red Devils

Southwest Washington District Four

The Southwest District, as its name suggests, includes schools south of the Olympic Mountains and west of the Cascade Range. The Washington School for the Blind (1B), Three Rivers Christian (1B), King's Way Christian (1B), Maple Lane High School (1A), and Vancouver School of Arts and Academics (1A) are independents.

Greater St. Helens 3A/4A
* Battle Ground Tigers (4A)
* Camas Papermakers (4A)
* Heritage Timberwolves (3A)
* Skyview Storm (4A)
* Union Titans (4A)
* Evergreen Plainsmen (3A)
* Kelso Hilanders (3A)
* Mountain View Thunder (3A)
*Prairie Falcons (3A)
Greater St. Helens 2A
* Columbia River Rapids
* Hockinson Hawks
* Mark Morris Monarchs
* R. A. Long Lumberjacks
* Ridgefield Spudders
* Washougal Panthers
* Woodland Beavers
* Hudson's Bay Eagles
Evergreen 2A
* Aberdeen Bobcats
* Black Hills Wolves
* Centralia Tigers
* Tumwater Thunderbirds
* W.F. West Bearcats
* Shelton Highclimbers
Evergreen 1A
* Elma Eagles
* Hoquiam Grizzlies
* Montesano Bulldogs
* Rochester Warriors
* Tenino Beavers
Trico 1A
* Castle Rock Rockets
* Fort Vancouver Trappers
* Kalama Chinooks
* King's Way Knights
* La Center Wildcats
* Seton Catholic Cougars
* Stevenson Bulldogs
* Columbia (White Salmon) Bruins
Pacific 2B
* Chief Leschi Warriors
* Forks Spartans
* Ilwaco Fishermen
* North Beach Hyaks
* Northwest Christian Wolverines
* Ocosta Wildcats
* Raymond Seagulls
* South Bend High School
Central 2B
* Adna Pirates
* Morton-White Pass Timberwolves
* Napavine Tigers
* Onalaska Loggers
* Mossyrock Vikings
* Rainier Mountaineers
* Toledo Riverhawks
* Toutle Lake Ducks
* Winlock Cardinals
Columbia Valley 1B
* Columbia Adventist Kodiaks
* Firm Foundation Eagles
* Naselle Comets
* Three Rivers Christian Eagles
* Washington School for the Deaf Terriers
* Pe Ell Trojans
* Wahkiakum Mules
* Willapa Valley Titans
Coastal 1B
* Lake Quinault Elks
* Mary M. Knight Owls
* North River Mustangs
* Oakville Acorns
* Taholah Chitwin
* Wishkah Valley Loggers

Yakima Valley District Five

The Yakima Valley District includes schools in south central Washington. The schools are divided into
five leagues.

CWAC 2A
* East Valley Red Devils
* Ellensburg Bulldogs
* Ephrata Tigers (District 6)
* Grandview Greyhounds
* Othello Huskies
* Prosser Mustangs
* Selah Vikings
SCAC 1A
* LaSalle Lightning
* Naches Valley Rangers
* Zillah Leopards
* College Place Hawks
* Connell Eagles
* Kiona-Benton Bears
* Royal Knights
* Wahluke Warriors
* Toppenish Wildcats
* Wapato Wolves
EWAC 2B 2B
* Columbia Coyotes
* Dayton/Waitsburg Bulldogs
*Kittitas Coyotes
* Mabton Vikings
* Tri-Cities Prep Jaguars
* Walla Walla Valley Academy Knights
*White Swan Cougars
* Warden Cougars
* River View Panthers
* Cle Elum-Roslyn Warriors
* Goldendale Timberwolves
* Granger Spartans
*Highland Scots
Greater Columbia Gorge 1B
*Sunnyside Christian Knights (Southeast 1B for football only)
*Trout Lake Mustangs
*Yakima Tribal School Eagles

North Central District Six

Columbia Basin Big-9 4A
* A.C. Davis Pirates
* Eastmont Wildcats
* Eisenhower Cadets
* Moses Lake Mavericks
* Sunnyside Grizzlies
* Wenatchee Panthers
* West Valley Rams
Caribou Trail 1A
* Cascade (Leavenworth) Kodiaks
* Cashmere Bulldogs
* Chelan Goats
* Quincy Jackrabbits
* Omak Pioneers
Central Washington 2B
*Brewster Bears
*Bridgeport Mustangs
*Lake Roosevelt Raiders
*Liberty Bell Mountain Lions
*Manson Trojans
*Oroville Hornets
*Soap Lake Eagles
* Okanogan Bulldogs
* Tonasket Tigers
Central Washington 1B
*Cascade Christian Academy Wolverines
*Easton Jaguars
*Entiat Tigers
*Waterville-Mansfield Shockers
*Moses Lake Christian Academy Lions
*Pateros Billygoats and Nannies
* Riverside Christian Crusaders (District 5)
*Wilson Creek Devils

Northeast District Seven

Northeast 1A
* Colville Crimson Hawks
*Lakeside (9 Mile Falls) Eagles
* Medical Lake Cardinals
* Riverside Rams
Northeast 2B
* Asotin Panthers
* Colfax Bulldogs
* Davenport Gorillas
* Freeman Scotties
*Jenkins (Chewelah) Cougars
* Kettle Falls Bulldogs
* Liberty Lancers
* Lind-Ritzville-Sprague-Washtucna-Kahlotus Broncos
* Mary Walker Chargers
*Newport (Newport) Grizzlies
* Northwest Christian Crusaders
* Reardan Screaming Eagles
* St. George's Dragons
* Wilbur- Creston Wildcats
Northeast 1B
* Almira Coulee Hartline Warriors
*Columbia Lions
*Curlew Cougars
*Cusick Panthers
*Inchelium Hornets
*Northport Mustangs
*Odessa-Harrington Titans
*Republic Tigers
*Selkirk Rangers
* Valley Christian Panthers
*Wellpinit Redskins

Greater Spokane/Mid-Columbia District Eight

The Greater Spokane League was formed in 1925 as the Spokane City League and became the GSL in 1976. District 8 was created to separate the larger schools (then AAA) from the smaller schools in District 7. Schools that dropped to 2A therefore leave the GSL and District 8, to the Great Northern League (GNL, formerly Frontier League) in District 7. Consequently, schools have gone through great lengths to remain in the league and maintain historic rivalries. Gonzaga Prep opts-up to 4A, despite having 2A enrollment numbers. For the 2020–21 school year, Cheney moved up to 3A; with only four teams left in the GNL, that league was folded and absorbed into a new GSL 2A division.

Mid-Columbia 3A/4A
* Chiawana Riverhawks (4A)
* Hanford Falcons (4A)
* Pasco Bulldogs (4A)
* Richland Bombers (4A)
* Walla Walla Blue Devils (3A)
* Kamiakin Braves (4A)
* Kennewick Lions (3A)
* Southridge Suns (3A)
* Hermiston Bulldogs (3A)
Greater Spokane 2A/3A/4A
* Central Valley Bears (3A)
* Cheney Blackhawks (3A)
* Clarkston Bantams (2A)
* Deer Park Stags (2A)
* East Valley Knights (2A)
* Ferris Saxons (3A)
* Gonzaga Prep Bullpups (4A)
* Lewis & Clark Tigers (4A)
* Mead Panthers (4A)
* Mt. Spokane Wildcats (3A)
* North Central Indians (3A)
* Pullman Greyhounds (2A)
* Ridgeline Falcons (3A)
* Rogers Pirates (2A)
* Shadle Park Highlanders (3A)
* University Titans (3A)
* West Valley Eagles (2A)

Southeast District Nine

Southeast 1B/2B
* Colton Wildcats
* Garfield-Palouse Vikings
* Pomeroy Pirates
* Prescott Tigers
* St. John-Endicott/LaCrosse Eagles
* Touchet Indians

Neighboring states (and province)

*Oregon School Activities Association
*Idaho High School Activities Association
* British Columbia School Sports (Canada)

References

External links

*
WIAA History

{{WIAA Southeast District Nine

High school sports associations in the United States
Sports organizations established in 1920