Salpointe Catholic Moves Up to 5A After Historic Athletic Success

Salpointe Catholic High School has announced its transition from Class 4A to Class 5A, effective from the 2026-27 school year. This decision comes on the heels of an impressive five-year span during which the school secured a remarkable 20 state championships across eight different sports. No other high school in Tucson has achieved such a level of success in a decade, let alone within a five-year timeframe.

The Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) approved Salpointe’s request for the move last week. This change means the Lancers will no longer compete in the 4A Kino division against teams like Ironwood Ridge, Mica Mountain, Sahuaro, and Walden Grove. Instead, Salpointe will face a new set of rivals, including 5A Sonoran opponents such as CDO, Catalina Foothills, Mountain View, Rincon/University, Cholla, and Casa Grande.

With an enrollment of 1,366, Salpointe will maintain its position in Class 6A football. The school’s transition to 5A places it in direct competition with larger institutions, as it exits divisions where schools like Sahuaro, with an enrollment of 1,174, and Walden Grove, with 1,092, are among the rivals. In contrast, the Lancers will now regularly contend with teams such as Rincon/University, which has 2,098 students, and Catalina Foothills, which has 1,883.

The landscape of high school sports in Tucson has shifted significantly over the past 10 to 15 years. Once-dominant schools like Amphitheater have seen their enrollments decline, with a current figure of 870, resulting in a drop to Class 3A next year. This aligns them with smaller programs like Sabino, at 785, and Palo Verde, at 733.

Phil Gruensfelder, Salpointe’s athletic director, indicated that the primary motivation for moving to 5A was to enhance the level of competition. He noted that many programs in 4A are struggling with participation, leading to the cancellation of junior varsity and freshman teams. “Oftentimes, teams in 4A drop their JV and freshman teams because of lack of involvement/enrollment,” Gruensfelder explained. “The 5A schools are larger, enrollment-wise, and can often offer JV and freshman teams consistently.”

The AIA’s realignment for the next two years also raised questions about the distribution of Tucson’s 6A schools. Notably, the three largest schools—Sunnyside, with 2,104 students; Marana, with 2,409; and Tucson High, with 2,666—are placed in different 6A divisions. This division raises concerns about travel logistics and competitive balance, as each school will face different opponents, including Mesa and Red Mountain for Tucson, and Queen Creek and Gilbert for Sunnyside.

As the dynamics of high school sports continue to evolve in Tucson, the future for Salpointe Catholic appears promising. Their proactive approach to moving up in class reflects not only their recent achievements but also a strategic decision aimed at ensuring robust competition and a positive experience for all student-athletes. The upcoming season will mark a new chapter for the Lancers as they embrace their role in the more competitive 5A landscape.