Wondering why Marist athletic teams are facing new competition this year? Due to the decision made in November 2023, the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) decided to completely erase the 7A class.

Classifications are based on a school’s student population. By losing 7A, the classification for the largest schools, many schools have been placed in a new class. Specifically, the War Eagles moved from 6A to 4A.

The reasons for the latest reclassifications are that it allows for easier travel between teams and fairer competition.

Although the move from 6A shocked many, given how competitive Marist was in the class, our lower student population places our school in a smaller class.

Director of Athletics Derek Waugh commented on our school’s position regarding classifications. “In reality, Marist should be a 2A school, but we ‘play up’ for more competition. We generally would petition to move up even further to 5A (out of 6A), but we wanted to stay with Blessed Trinity, St. Pius, Westminster, and Benedictine at 4A,” Waugh said.

Even though Marist has made the move to 4A, the change has not stopped our school community from crushing it on the football field, dominating the volleyball court, and smoking the competition in cross country this fall.

We anticipate the legacy of winning to continue as the sports and seasons change.