Lots of changes in store for Benson and KMS sports

The Minnesota State High School League recently released its new section alignments for the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 seasons and there are quite a few changes involving Benson High School sports.  Some of the changes are minor, while others, including wrestling and boys and girls basketball are significant.
The MSHSL does the realignments every two years, based on new enrollment figures.  Benson High School will continue to play in a variety of administrative sections, including 5AA, 5A, 6A, 3A, and 3AA, while KMS teams will play in 4A, 3A, and 5A, as well as the sections where Benson and KMS are paired.
Fall sports --
•  In football, Benson stays in Section 5AA, but picks up ACGC and Osakis while losing YME and BOLD.  The KMS football team meanwhile, stays in Section 4A, but loses ACGC and Buffalo Lake-HS while picking up Upsala-Swanville Area.
•  In volleyball, Benson stays in Section 3AA, but loses Marshall, Fairmont, and GFW, while picking up EVW, Martin County West, and Paynesville Area.  The Saints meanwhile, have a big change, moving over from Section 3A to Section 5A with a completely new set of teams.
•  The Benson-KMS boys and girls cross-country teams will remain in Section 6A with 23 schools; most of which are the same with a few additions, including Melrose Area, Staples-Motley, and Ottertail Central.
•  In girls tennis, Benson-KMS stays in Section 6A, but loses Melrose Area, Parkers Prairie, Sauk Centre and LPGE, while picking up Montevideo, YME, Lac qui Parle/DB, and MACCRAY.  That’s good news for the Braves since Melrose Area and Sauk Centre have consistently fielded very good teams.
Photo: Grant Ascheman (55) brings down an opponent during football action for the Braves last fall as Zack Sonnabend (81), Everett Lee (78) and Mitch Koosmann (right) help out.  Benson will be going with a new district football plan this fall and also has some changes in Section 5AA.