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Commentary: GWOC flexes muscles with two new members

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By Kyle Nagel, Staff Writer 6:59 PM Saturday, November 7, 2009

The Greater Western Ohio Conference is now, by any measure, very large.

Last week, the conference’s principals voted to add West Carrollton and Greenville to the area’s big-school league starting next season in some sports and fully by 2012. West Carrollton will be added to the South Division, and Greenville will be added to the North, giving the GWOC’s three divisions six members each.

That’s a large grouping of schools, 18 in all. Now, they all have to continue to get along.

Consider some statistics about the league, once WC and Greenville are added:

It will span 66 miles north to south (Sidney to Lebanon) and 55 miles east to west (Greenville to Springfield). There is a 1,226-student difference between the largest enrollment (Centerville, 1,964) and the smallest (Greenville, 738), according to OHSAA numbers. The total enrollment of the 18 schools is 22,591.

GWOC commissioner Eric Spahr faces a unique challenge in meeting the wants and needs of each school, superintendent, principal and athletic department.

The new members attended a meet-and-greet with current members at Wayne following the vote on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Everyone got along, shook hands and exchanged greetings.

The GWOC will continue to need similar friendliness to make its expansion as strong as possible.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389 or knagel@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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