Conference Alignment Update: Hillcrest Joins Ozark Mountain Conference

The new Ozark Mountain Conference has now set their roster of schools that will be included in the first year of play in 2024.

According to a release from the Branson School District, Springfield Hillcrest will join Branson along with Bolivar, Carl Junction, Logan-Rogersville, Marshfield, and West Plains in the new league. 

It was announced last week that both Hillcrest and Parkview in Springfield had applied for the new conference whose formation was announced earlier this month. No information was provided on why only one of the two applications was accepted. 

Last week, it was also announced the Glendale and Kickapoo in Springfield had been invited to join the Central Ozark Conference replacing Branson and Carl Junction. No further information has been released on the status of that invitation.

The complete release from Branson High School is below:

The Ozark Mountain Conference has announced its approval of Hillcrest High School’s application to compete during the 2024-2025 school year.
The OMC schools now include Branson, Bolivar, Carl Junction, Hillcrest, Logan-Rogersville, Marshfield, and West Plains. The OMC district superintendents have agreed that Hillcrest will be the final member to join the Ozark Mountain Conference for the 2024-2025 school year.

The Ozark Mountain Conference brings together districts that are similar in enrollment numbers, community beliefs, and district characteristics. The OMC superintendents note that the formation of the new Ozark Mountain Conference enables their schools to strengthen activity and athletic programs while improving student-athletes. 

For the remainder of this school year, the seven schools will work collaboratively in preparation for competing in the new Ozark Mountain Conference during the 2024-25 school year.