Breaking down changes to the 2025-26 WPIAL boys lacrosse alignment

By: Bill Hartlep
Monday, September 16, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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The WPIAL released new section alignments for the next two-year cycle in all sports, and changes will be implemented starting this fall.

This summer, the Tribune-Review will break down changes for each of the WPIAL sports.

Here’s a look at the upcoming WPIAL boys lacrosse season:

2024 WPIAL championships

Class 3A: Mt. Lebanon

Class 2A: Mars

Notable changes

There were just a few changes in WPIAL boys lacrosse alignment for the next two-year cycle.

• Plum moved up to Class 3A and will join Section 1.

• Three teams dropped down to Class 2A: Baldwin and Peters Township in Section 1 and Allderdice in Section 2.

• In addition, Moon moved from Section 1 to 2 in Class 2A to balance out those sections at 12 teams apiece.

Past champions

• Mt. Lebanon (Class 3A) and Mars (Class 2A) each defended their WPIAL championship last spring.

Mars now has eight championships to lead the WPIAL, followed closely by Mt. Lebanon with six.

Hampton (4) and North Allegheny, Peters Township and Shady Side Academy, with two each, are the only other schools with multiple district championships.

Key dates

March 4: First practice date

March 9: First scrimmage date

March 15: First play date

March 18: First section date

May 22-23: WPIAL championships

June 15: PIAA championships

2025-26 alignment

Class 3A (14 teams)

Section 1: Canon-McMillan, Central Catholic, Hempfield, Mt. Lebanon, Norwin, Plum, Upper St. Clair

Section 2: Butler, Fox Chapel, North Allegheny, North Hills, Pine-Richland, Seneca Valley, Shady Side Academy

Class 2A (24 teams)

Section 1: Baldwin, Bethel Park, Chartiers Valley, Franklin Regional, Gateway, Greensburg C.C., Latrobe, Penn-Trafford, Peters Township, Seton LaSalle, South Fayette, Trinity

Section 2: Allderdice, Freeport, Hampton, Indiana, Knoch, Mars, Moon, North Catholic, Quaker Valley, Sewickley Academy, Shaler, Winchester Thurston

Bill Hartlep is the TribLive sports editor. A Pittsburgh native and Point Park graduate, he joined the Trib in 2004, covering high school sports. He held various editing roles before assuming his current position in 2019. He can be reached at bhartlep@triblive.com.

Tags: Mars, Mt. lebanon