It appears the every-other-year exercise of tallying enrollments will again impact local high school athletic programs.

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association gets its counts and, in accordance with a predetermined formula, determines which classifications individuals school fall into.

The most recent numbers, which are still being collected, could have a serious impact on the South Puget Sound League 3A. Bonney Lake and Sumner will likely land in the smaller 2A ranks, along with Franklin Pierce and Clover Park. White River’s destiny is uncertain.

Schools have the ability to “opt up,” or play in a classification one step up from where their enrollment dictates. It has been reported Sumner and Bonney Lake will take that option and continue to compete at the 3A level. Schools had to make their formal “opt up” request by Tuesday.

A full story will be posted this week at www.courierherald.com and www.blscourierherald.com.