WRMJ spoke with Mercer County High School Principal Andrea Cooper Wednesday morning about Mercer County’s invitation from the Three Rivers Athletic Conference (TRAC).
Along with the invitation, Mercer County was sent proposed divisions, should Mercer County join the conference. At this time, football would be split into two divisions based on enrollment. “Division 1” would include Mercer County, Sherrard, Monmouth-Roseville, Kewanee, Princeton, Hall and Mendota. “Division 2” would feature Rockridge, Orion, Riverdale, Morrison, Erie-Prophetstown and Bureau Valley.
In the football schedule, teams would play all six opponents in their division and three crossovers with the other division. In this plan, two crossover games are based on geographical distance with an emphasis on keeping traditional rivalries alive. The third crossover game is based on success. Mercer County’s geographical crossovers as a part of this schedule are Rockridge and Orion.
The proposed plan sent to Mercer County from the TRAC for baseball, softball, volleyball, and boys/girls basketball is three separate divisions. The proposed divisions are the South West, North Central, and East Divisions.
Mercer County, Rockridge, Sherrard, Orion and Monmouth-Roseville would make-up the South West Division.
Bureau Valley, Erie-Prophetstown, Morrison, Newman and Riverdale would be included in the North Central Divison.
The East Division would feature Princeton, Kewanee, Hall and Mendota.
In these sports, teams would play their divisional opponents home and away every year. In addition, they would play teams in the other divisions once per year, rotating home and away games each season. This is different to how the TRAC currently operates, as right now the conference does not require crossovers in baseball, softball, volleyball or basketball.
Wrestling and golf are treated as one conference, where teams compete with each school in the league. The conference meets are triangular meets.
WRMJ reached out to all 12 varsity coaches in the Mercer County School District for their anonymous recommendation on whether they approved the move to the TRAC or would prefer to remain in the Lincoln Trail Conference. It was confirmed to WRMJ that Mercer County’s administration advised the coaches against replying to the anonymous poll. At this time, WRMJ has received zero responses.
Unit 404 Superintendent Scott Petrie told WRMJ he expects the TRAC invitation to be an action item at Mercer County’s April school board meeting on Wednesday, April 26, at 6:30 p.m., in the Mercer County Junior High music room.