Great Northern Conference
{{Short description|Wisconsin high school athletic conference}}
{{about|the sports conference in Wisconsin|other topics|North Conference (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}File:Great_Northern_Conference_Logo.jpgThe Great Northern Conference is a high school athletic conference based in north central Wisconsin. Founded in 2008, the conference and its member schools belong to the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association.
History
The Great Northern Conference was formed in 2008 by seven medium-sized high schools in north central Wisconsin. Four of its original members (Lakeland Union, Medford, Northland Pines and Tomahawk) were previously members of the Lumberjack Conference, which had disbanded the year prior.{{Cite news |last=Lueck |first=Collin |date=11 June 2008 |title=Merrill High School ready for move to brand new conference |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/1092368936/?match=1&terms=%22lumberjack%20conference%22%20realignment |access-date=15 April 2025 |work=Merrill Foto News |pages=31}} Two schools joined from the Wisconsin Valley Conference (Antigo and Merrill){{Cite news |last=Miller |first=Jake |date=12 December 2006 |title=Changes will strip Valley of tradition |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/267018838/?match=1&terms=%22great%20northern%20conference%22 |access-date=15 April 2025 |work=Marshfield News-Herald |pages=11}} and Mosinee moved over from the Cloverbelt Conference. For Antigo and Merrill, this move grouped them with schools more in line with their enrollment size instead of being two of the smallest schools in their former conference. Two years after the Great Northern Conference was formed, Merrill swapped affiliations with Wisconsin Valley Conference member Rhinelander.{{Cite news |last=Hernandez |first=Rob |date=26 June 2009 |title=Five-division basketball plan among two going to fall area meetings |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/872250283/?match=1&terms=%22great%20northern%20conference%22%20merrill%20rhinelander |access-date=15 April 2025 |work=Baraboo News Republic |pages=10}}{{Cite news |date=27 June 2009 |title=Merrill moving back to WVC |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/361538169/?match=1&terms=%22great%20northern%20conference%22%20merrill%20rhinelander |access-date=15 April 2025 |work=Marshfield News-Herald |pages=9}} Membership has remained stable since then, and the Great Northern Conference will grow to eight members in 2025 when Merrill rejoins from the Wisconsin Valley Conference.{{Cite web |date=6 March 2024 |title=Board acts on conference plans; Merrill's move to GNC becomes official |url=https://www.centralwinews.com/sports/2024/03/06/board-acts-on-conference-plans-merrills-move-to-gnc-becomes-official/?destination=star-news#:~:text=All%20of%20the%20plans%20approved,in%20the%20fall%20of%202025. |access-date=15 April 2025 |website=Medford Star News}}
List of member schools
= Current members =
| class="wikitable sortable"
!School !Location !Affiliation ![https://www.wissports.net/news_article/show/1292447 Enrollment] !Mascot !Colors !Joined |
| Antigo
|Public |687 |Red Robins |{{color box|6f2c3f}} {{color box|white}} |
| Lakeland Union
|Public |717 |Thunderbirds |{{color box|black}} {{color box|white}} |
| Medford
|Public |738 |Raiders |{{color box|d50032}} {{color box|black}} |
| Mosinee
|Public |621 |Indians |{{color box|582c83}} {{color box|white}} |
| Northland Pines
|Public |451 |Eagles |{{color box|005eb8}} {{color box|d50032}} |
| Rhinelander
|Public |747 |Hodags |{{color box|00843d}} {{color box|white}} |
| Tomahawk
|Public |371 |Hatchets |{{color box|041e42}} {{color box|ffc72c}} |
= Associate members =
| class="wikitable sortable"
!School !Location !Affiliation ![https://www.wissports.net/news_article/show/1292447 Enrollment] !Mascot !Colors !Sports !Primary Conference |
| Ashland
|Public |635 |Oredockers |{{color box|330072}} {{color box|ffc72c}} |Gymnastics, Boys Tennis |
| Colby
|Public |309 |Hornets |{{color box|b3a369}} {{color box|115740}} |Girls Swimming & Diving |
| Columbus Catholic
|Private (Catholic) |146 |Dons |{{color box|002d6c}} {{color box|white}} |Girls Tennis |
| Ladysmith
|Public |246 |Lumberjacks |{{color box|582c83}} {{color box|ffc72c}} |Girls Swimming & Diving |
| Marshfield
|Public |1,250 |Tigers |{{color box|e35205}} {{color box|black}} |Gymnastics |
| Merrill
|Public |801 |Bluejays |{{color box|0032a0}} {{color box|white}} |Football |
| Newman Catholic
|Private (Catholic) |128 |Cardinals |{{color box|69b3e7}} {{color box|d50032}} |Girls Tennis |
| Pacelli
|Private (Catholic) |169 |Cardinals |{{color box|ba0c2f}} {{color box|041e42}} |Boys Tennis, Girls Tennis |
| Phillips
|Public |217 |Loggers |{{color box|black}} {{color box|e35205}} |Girls Tennis |
| Shawano
|Public |797 |Hawks |{{color box|9d2235}} {{color box|white}} |Boys Swimming & Diving |Bay |
| Stevens Point
|Public |2,105 |Panthers |{{color box|black}} {{color box|d50032}} |Gymnastics |
| Waupaca
|Public |589 |Comets |{{color box|041e42}} {{color box|white}} |Boys Ice Hockey |
| Wausau East
|Public |948 |Lumberjacks |{{color box|d50032}} {{color box|black}} |Football |
| Wisconsin Rapids
|Public |1,467 |Red Raiders |{{color box|ba0c2f}} {{color box|a2aaad}} |Gymnastics |
=Associate cooperative members=
- Colby coops with Abbotsford, and Ladysmith, Bruce and Flambeau co-op for Girls Swimming.
- Mosinee, Wausau West, DC Everest, and Wausau East form the Central Wisconsin Storm in Girls Hockey.
- Rhinelander, Antigo Northland Pines co-op for Girls Hockey.
- Beginning in 2015 Wittenberg-Birnamwood will compete in the Bay Conference for Girls Swimming.
= Future members =
| class="wikitable sortable"
!School !Location !Affiliation !Enrollment !Mascot !Colors !Joined !Former Conference |
| Merrill
|Public |801 |Bluejays |{{color box|0032a0}} {{color box|white}} |
= Former members =
| class="wikitable sortable"
!School !Location !Affiliation !Enrollment !Mascot !Colors !Joined !Left !Conference Joined !Current Conference |
| Merrill
|Public |801 |Bluejays |{{color box|0032a0}} {{color box|white}} | colspan="2" |Wisconsin Valley |
Membership timeline
DateFormat = yyyy
ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:20
Period = from:2008 till:2030
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal
PlotArea = right:30 left:0 bottom:50 top:5
Colors = id:barcolor value:rgb(0.99,0.7,0.7)
id:line value:black
id:bg value:white
PlotData=
width:15 textcolor:black shift:(5,-5) anchor:from fontsize:m
bar:1 color:tan1 from:2008 till:2030 text:Antigo (2008-present)
bar:2 color:tan1 from:2008 till:2030 text:Lakeland Union (2008-present)
bar:3 color:tan1 from:2008 till:2030 text:Medford (2008-present)
bar:4 color:tan1 from:2008 till:2010 text:Merrill (2008-2010)
bar:4 color:tan1 from:2025 till:2030 text:(2025-future)
bar:5 color:tan1 from:2008 till:2030 text:Mosinee (2008-present)
bar:6 color:tan1 from:2008 till:2030 text:Northland Pines (2008-present)
bar:7 color:tan1 from:2008 till:2030 text:Tomahawk (2008-present)
bar:8 color:tan1 from:2010 till:2030 text:Rhinelander (2010-present)
ScaleMajor = gridcolor:line unit:year increment:2 start:2008
Membership map
{{OSM Location map
| title = Great Northern Conference
| coord = {{coord|45.36611|-89.6169}}
| float = left
| zoom = 8
| width = 600
| height = 320
| mark-title1=Antigo
| mark-coord1 = {{coord|45.1339|-89.1753}} | mark-description1=Location:
| shape-color1=#6f2c3f | shape1=n-circle
| mark-title2=Lakeland Union
| mark-coord2 = {{coord|45.8866|-89.7058}} | mark-description2=Location:
| shape-color2=#000000 | shape2=n-circle
| mark-title3=Medford
| mark-coord3 = {{coord|45.1418|-90.3652}} | mark-description3=Location:
| shape-color3=#d50032 | shape3=n-circle
| mark-title4=Mosinee
| mark-coord4 = {{coord|44.7942|-89.7085}} | mark-description4=Location:
| shape-color4=#582c83 | shape4=n-circle
| mark-title5=Northland Pines
| mark-coord5 = {{coord|45.9363|-89.2528}} | mark-description5=Location:
| shape-color5=#005eb8 | shape5=n-circle
| mark-title6=Rhinelander
| mark-coord6 = {{coord|45.6481|-89.4000}} | mark-description6=Location:
| shape-color6=#00843d | shape6=n-circle
| mark-title7=Tomahawk
| mark-coord7 = {{coord|45.4769|-89.7104}} | mark-description7=Location:
| shape-color7=#ffc72c | shape7=n-circle
| caption = Location of Great Northern Conference full members:
| auto-caption=1
| wrap=nowrap}}
{{clear}}
List of state champions
= Fall sports =
| class="wikitable"
|+[https://www.wiaawi.org/Portals/0/PDF/Results/Cross_Country/State_Records/bteamchamps.pdf Boys Cross Country] !School !Year !Division |
| Tomahawk
|2008 |Division 2 |
| Lakeland Union
|2016 |Division 2 |
| class="wikitable"
|+[https://www.wiaawi.org/Portals/0/PDF/Results/Cross_Country/State_Records/gteamchamps.pdf Girls Cross Country] !School !Year !Division |
| Medford
|2018 |Division 2 |
| class="wikitable"
|+[https://www.wiaawi.org/Portals/0/PDF/Results/Swim_Girls/State_Records/teamchamps.pdf Girls Swimming & Diving] !School !Year !Division |
| Rhinelander
|2020 |Division 2 |
| Rhinelander
|2023 |Division 2 |
= Winter sports =
| class="wikitable"
|+[https://www.wiaawi.org/Portals/0/PDF/Results/hockey_boys/State_Records/teamchamps.pdf Boys Hockey] !School !Year !Division |
| Tomahawk
|2025 |Division 2 |
| class="wikitable"
|+[https://www.wiaawi.org/Portals/0/PDF/Results/Hockey_Girls/State_Records/teamchamps.pdf Girls Hockey] !School !Year |
| Central Wisconsin Storm
|2022 |
| Central Wisconsin Storm
|2024 |
| class="wikitable"
|+[https://www.wiaawi.org/Portals/0/PDF/Results/Swim_Boys/State_Records/teamchamps.pdf Boys Swimming & Diving] !School !Year !Division |
| Rhinelander
|2023 |Division 2 |
= Spring sports =
| class="wikitable"
|+[https://www.wiaawi.org/Portals/0/PDF/Results/Baseball_Spring/State_Records/teamchamps.pdf Baseball] !School !Year !Division |
| Antigo
|2019 |Division 2 |
| class="wikitable"
|+[https://www.wiaawi.org/Portals/0/PDF/Results/Golf_Boys/teamchamps.pdf Boys Golf] !School !Year !Division |
| Lakeland Union
|2024 |Division 2 |
| class="wikitable"
|+[https://www.wiaawi.org/Portals/0/PDF/Results/Softball/State_Records/teamchamps.pdf Softball] !School !Year !Division |
| Mosinee
|2014 |Division 2 |
List of conference champions
= Football =
- 2008 Lakeland & Antigo
- 2009 Merrill
- 2010 Antigo
- 2011 Mosinee
- 2012 Medford & Mosinee
- 2013 Medford
- 2014 Merrill
- 2015 Antigo & Medford
- 2016 Antigo, Medford & Merrill
- 2017 Antigo
- 2018 Ashland
- 2019 Medford
= Volleyball =
- 2008 Merrill
- 2009 Merrill
- 2010 Mosinee & Tomahawk
- 2011 Tomahawk
- 2012 Rhinelander
- 2013 Tomahawk
- 2014 Tomahawk
- 2015 Medford
- 2016 Medford
- 2017 Mosinee
- 2018 Mosinee
- 2019 Mosinee
= Girls Swimming & Diving =
- 2008 Colby/Abbotsford
- 2009 Ladysmith/Bruce/Flambeau
- 2010 Ladysmith/Bruce/Flambeau
- 2011 Medford
- 2012 Lakeland
- 2013 Ladysmith/Bruce/Flambeau
- 2014 Tomahawk
- 2015 Tomahawk
- 2016 Tomahawk
- 2017 Tomahawk
- 2018 Tomahawk
- 2019 Rhinelander
= Boys Soccer =
- 2008 Northland Pines
- 2009 Northland Pines
- 2010 Rhinelander
- 2011 Northland Pines
- 2012 Rhinelander
- 2013 Northland Pines
- 2014 Lakeland & Rhinelander
- 2015 Rhinelander
- 2016 Rhinelander
- 2017 Rhinelander
- 2018 Northland Pines
- 2019 Northland Pines
= Boys Cross Country =
- 2008 Tomahawk
- 2009 Lakeland
- 2010 Lakeland
- 2011 Lakeland
- 2012 Lakeland
- 2013 Lakeland
- 2014 Lakeland
- 2015 Lakeland
- 2016 Lakeland
- 2017 Lakeland
- 2018 Medford
- 2019 Tomahawk
= Girls Cross Country =
- 2008 Tomahawk
- 2009 Tomahawk
- 2010 Tomahawk
- 2011 Tomahawk
- 2012 Tomahawk
- 2013 Lakeland
- 2014 Tomahawk
- 2015 Lakeland
- 2016 Lakeland
- 2017 Medford
- 2018 Medford
- 2019 Medford
= Girls Tennis =
- 2009 Columbus Catholic & Lakeland
- 2010 Rhinelander
- 2011 Rhinelander & Columbus Catholic
- 2012 Rhinelander
- 2013 Rhinelander
- 2014 Rhinelander
- 2015 Rhinelander
- 2016 Rhinelander
- 2017 Antigo
- 2018 Rhinelander
- 2019 Rhinelander
= Girls Basketball =
- 2008-2009 Antigo & Merrill
- 2009-2010 Medford
- 2010-2011 Lakeland
- 2011-2012 Medford
- 2012-2013 Northland Pines & Medford
- 2013-2014 Mosinee
- 2014-2015 Lakeland
- 2015-2016 Mosinee
- 2016-2017 Lakeland
- 2017-2018 Lakeland
- 2018-2019 Rhinelander
- 2019-2020 Rhinelander
= Boys Basketball =
- 2008-2009 Antigo
- 2009-2010 Antigo
- 2010-2011 Antigo
- 2011-2012 Antigo
- 2012-2013 Rhinelander
- 2013-2014 Rhinelander
- 2014-2015 Rhinelander
- 2015-2016 Mosinee & Rhinelander
- 2016-2017 Medford
- 2017-2018 Rhinelander
- 2019-2019 Mosinee
- 2019-2020 Medford
= Boys Wrestling =
- 2008-2009 Mosinee
- 2009-2010 Merrill
- 2010-2011 Medford
- 2011-2012 Tomahawk
- 2012-2013 Tomahawk
- 2013-2014 Rhinelander
- 2014-2015 Rhinelander
- 2015-2016 Rhinelander & Tomahawk
- 2016-2017 Medford
- 2017-2018 Rhinelander
- 2018-2019 Medford
- 2019-2020 Medford
= Girls Hockey =
- 2008-2009
- 2010-2009 Central Wisconsin Co-Op
- 2010-2011 Central Wisconsin Co-Op
- 2011-2012 Stevens Point/Rapids Co-Op
- 2012-2013 Marshfield & Northland Pines
- 2013-2014 Northland Pines
- 2014-2015 Waupaca
- 2015-2016 Northland Pines
- 2016-2017 Northland Pines
- 2017-2018 Lakeland/Tomahawk Co-op
- 2018-2019 Northland Pines
= Boys Hockey =
- 2008-2009 Lakeland
- 2009-2010 Waupaca
- 2010-2011 Waupaca
- 2011-2012 Northland Pines
- 2012-2013 Northland Pines
- 2013-2014 Antigo
- 2014-2015 Antigo
- 2015-2016 Antigo
- 2016-2017 Antigo
- 2017-2018 Northland Pines
- 2018-2019 Northland Pines
= Gymnastics =
- 2008-2009
- 2009-2010
- 2010-2011 Antigo
- 2011-2012 Stevens Point & Rhinelander
- 2012-2013 Stevens Point & Rhinelander
- 2013-2014 Stevens Point
- 2014-2015 Stevens Point & Chequamegon
- 2015-2016 Rhinelander & Stevens Point
- 2016-2017 Ashland, Mosinee, & Stevens Point
- 2017-2018 Stevens Point & Rhinelander
- 2018-2019 Medford, Marshfield & Stevens Point
= Boys Swimming & Diving =
- 2011-2012 Rhinelander
- 2012-2013 Lakeland
- 2013-2014 Lakeland
- 2014-2015 Shawano
- 2015-2016 Rhinelander
- 2016-2017 Lakeland
- 2017-2018 Lakeland
- 2018-2019 Rhindelander
= Baseball =
- 2009 Merrill
- 2010 Merrill
- 2011 Rhinelander
- 2012 Rhinelander
- 2013 Antigo
- 2014 Antigo
- 2015 Antigo & Mosinee
- 2016 Antigo
- 2017 Antigo
- 2018 Antigo
- 2019 Medford
= Softball =
- 2009 Mosinee & Merrill
- 2010 Mosinee & Medford
- 2011 Mosinee
- 2012 Mosinee & Rhinelander
- 2013 Mosinee
- 2014 Mosinee
- 2015 Mosinee
- 2016 Mosinee
- 2017 Mosinee
- 2018 Mosinee
- 2019 Mosinee
= Girls Track & Field =
- 2009 Tomahawk
- 2010 Mosinee
- 2011 Lakeland
- 2012 Lakeland
- 2013 Lakeland
- 2014 Tomahawk
- 2015 Lakeland
- 2016 Lakeland
- 2017 Lakeland
- 2018 Medford
- 2019 Medford
= Boys Track & Field =
- 2009 Merrill
- 2010 Lakeland
- 2011 Lakeland
- 2012 Lakeland
- 2013 Lakeland
- 2014 Lakeland
- 2015 Lakeland
- 2016 Lakeland
- 2017 Lakeland
- 2018 Lakeland
- 2019 Rhinelander
= Girls Soccer =
- 2009 Northland Pines
- 2010 Northland Pines
- 2011 Lakeland
- 2012 Rhinelander
- 2013 Rhinelander
- 2014 Rhinelander
- 2015 Rhinelander
- 2016 Rhinelander
- 2017 Rhinelander
- 2018 Ashland
- 2019 Ashland
= Boys Golf =
- 2009 Mosinee
- 2010 Antigo
- 2011 Rhinelander
- 2012 Antigo
- 2013 Antigo
- 2014 Lakeland
- 2015 Antigo
- 2016 Medford
- 2017 Medford
- 2018 Lakeland
- 2019 Lakeland
= Boys Tennis =
- 2010 Antigo
- 2011 Rhinelander
- 2012 Rhinelander
- 2013 Antigo
- 2014 Rhinelander
- 2015 Rhinelander
- 2016 Rhinelander
- 2017 Rhinelander
- 2018 Rhinelander
- 2019 Rhinelander
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.greatnorthernconference.org/ Great Northern Conference (official website)]
{{Wisconsin high school athletic conferences}}
Category:Wisconsin high school sports conferences