Monday the University Interscholastic League announced its annual realignment for the 2014-16 school years. Denton, less than 20 students from qualifying for the new Division 6, stayed with most of its same partners from the past two years in district 5-5A

Joining Denton will be Azle, Brewer, Boswell, Chisholm Trail, Rider, Saginaw, and Wichita Falls High Schools. Boswell, Chisholm Trail, and Saginaw all come from what was District 6-4A.

Byron Nelson and Guyer, old opponents from District 5-4A, both jumped to District 5-6A. Lake Dallas, meanwhile, moved up to 5A with Denton, but will be parting for District 6-5A.

While losing the likes of powers Nelson, Guyer and Lake Dallas in exchange for the three EMS-ISD schools the teams will still have challenges.

“I think the change is good and the playing field is leveled a little bit,” baseball coach Glen Harrison said. “We’re in schools that are a little more comparable with us, but we still have a challenge ahead of us.”

Girls sports will also see some tough competition despite the losses of teams that have made the playoffs in volleyball, basketball and softball the past two years.

“I think it will be pretty much the same competition, the girls are still going to do good, and they will still be able to play to succeed,” girls basketball coach Dennis Krishka said. “We lost a couple strong opponents like Guyer and Byron Nelson to the Saginaw, but we gained some. I don’t think that the new arrangement will be any less challenging, the games will equal out to about the same competition.”

For more coverage of UiL Realignment, pick up a copy of The Horseshoe when it releases February 13.