LONG BEACH – The Orange County high school sports league configurations that were agreed upon in a releaguing meeting earlier this month withstood appeals Thursday at the CIF Southern Section Council meeting.
League structures in place for this school year will be the same in the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years, with one exception: Pacifica Christian, a small private school in Newport Beach, will be part of the Pacific Coast Conference for those two school years.
These leagues are for non-football sports. Football leagues for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years will be formed at the conclusion of the current football season.
Irvine public schools Irvine, Northwood, Portola, University and Woodbridge wanted out of the Pacific Coast Conference so they could join the Coast View Athletic Association that is made up of south-county public schools.
Rosary wished to return to the Trinity League. Rosary, and all-girls Catholic school in Fullerton, will remain in the Pacific Coast Conference.
Portola led off the appeals requests made to the CIF-SS Council on Thursday at The Grand conference center. Its appeal was denied by the Council, made up of league representatives. The tally: 8 votes yes to approve the appeal, 55 votes to deny the appeal, 24 abstentions.
After that vote was announced Woodbridge, Irvine, University and Northwood withdrew their appeals.
Rosary’s appeal was denied via 10 votes to approve its appeal, 52 to deny it with 25 abstentions. Orange Lutheran athletic director Karen Kekipi spoke on behalf of the Trinity League to say that the Trinity League did not want Rosary returned to its group.
