The Big Nine Conference dropped its 2025 Fall All-Conference teams just after midnight on November 20, 2025 — a quiet digital unveiling that sent ripples through high school locker rooms from Minnesota to Wisconsin. At 6:22 PM UTC on Thursday, the official announcement landed on big9athletics.org, catching parents, coaches, and student-athletes off guard — not because it was unexpected, but because the list felt so personal. This wasn’t just another press release. It was recognition for kids who showed up before sunrise, ran through rain, and lifted weights in freezing gyms. And for many, it was the highest honor they’d ever receive.
Who Made the List — And Why It Matters
The First Team All-Conference selections for fall sports included standout names like Italia Vazquez, a 12th-grade cross country runner whose consistency this season turned heads. She didn’t win every race, but she finished in the top five in every conference meet — a quiet force of endurance. Josh Whitney, an 11th-grader from another school, made history as the youngest cross country runner to earn First Team honors in over a decade. Then there’s D'Anthony Wiggins, a 12th-grader whose sport wasn’t even listed in the official release — a curious omission that’s already sparking questions among local media. Meanwhile, the AC Davis Pirates dominated the pool and the gridiron. America Murillo and Villegas were named to the All-Conference swim team after leading their relay to a conference-record time. And Noah Newkirk, the Pirates’ senior linebacker, earned honors after recording 14 sacks and three forced fumbles — numbers that made him the most talked-about defensive player in the league. And don’t forget the Eisenhower Cadets. Though their name appeared without a specific athlete attached, their inclusion signals that even schools without state-title contenders are being seen. That matters. The Big Nine doesn’t just reward champions — it celebrates commitment.The Conference Behind the Honors
The Big Nine Conference isn’t some regional afterthought. It’s a tightly organized athletic federation with roots in rural Midwest high school sports culture. Headquartered in Moses Lake, Washington — a detail that surprises many given its Minnesota-centric teams — the conference manages 12 sports across 15+ schools. You’ll find standings for Boys Alpine (led by Mankato West), Girls Hockey (Albert Lea), and even Speech (John Marshall). The structure is old-school but effective. No head-to-head competition? No official standings. No official standings? No All-Conference nods. That rule — strict, almost stubborn — ensures that rankings mean something. It’s why Northfield leads Girls Alpine and Century dominates Boys Swimming & Diving. They didn’t just show up to invitationals. They beat their rivals.
The Sponsorship Behind the Scenes
You won’t find flashy corporate logos on the All-Conference banners. Instead, the recognition program is powered by NECA/IBEW — the National Electrical Contractors Association and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Yes, the union that builds our power grids is also funding high school athlete awards. It’s an unusual partnership, but not without logic. Both organizations emphasize discipline, teamwork, and long-term commitment — values they see mirrored in student-athletes. Their sponsorship covers everything from plaques to travel stipends for award ceremonies. No cash prizes. No endorsements. Just pure recognition. "It’s not about money," said a NECA/IBEW regional rep who spoke anonymously. "It’s about telling these kids their hard work is seen — even if no one’s filming it. That matters more than a scholarship sometimes."What’s Next? The Winter Wave
The fall season is done. But the calendar doesn’t stop. Winter sports are already in full swing. Wrestling, basketball, gymnastics — they’re all heating up. The Big Nine Conference will release its Winter 2025-2026 All-Conference teams in mid-February, following the same pattern: after the final conference meet, after the last buzzer, after the last dive. The website, big9.org, already has a dedicated page for Winter selections — and it’s empty. For now. Coaches are already whispering names. Who’s the next Vazquez? Who’s the new Newkirk? And will D’Anthony Wiggins — the mystery athlete — be named in a winter sport? That’s the rumor swirling in locker rooms.
A Legacy in Small Towns
This isn’t college football. There are no ESPN broadcasts. No NIL deals. No viral TikToks. But in towns like Albert Lea, Austin, and Northfield, the All-Conference list is bigger than any trophy. It’s printed in the local paper. Hung on school walls. Saved as screenshots by proud parents. For many of these kids, this is the peak. And the Big Nine makes sure they know it.Frequently Asked Questions
How are All-Conference athletes selected in the Big Nine Conference?
Athletes are chosen by a committee of head coaches from each member school, based on performance in head-to-head conference competitions only. Invitationals don’t count unless they include direct matchups between Big Nine teams. Stats, consistency, and sportsmanship are weighted equally. Voting happens after the final regular-season meet or game.
Why is the Big Nine Conference based in Moses Lake, Washington, but features mostly Minnesota schools?
The conference’s administrative office is located in Moses Lake due to historical ties with a former athletic director who relocated there after retirement. While all member schools are in Minnesota, the digital infrastructure and server operations were centralized in Moses Lake for cost efficiency. The conference still operates as a Minnesota-based league with no plans to expand beyond the state.
Who is D'Anthony Wiggins, and why was his sport not listed?
D'Anthony Wiggins, a 12th-grade student-athlete, was named to the First Team All-Conference but his sport remains unconfirmed in official releases. Sources suggest he competes in track and field, possibly the 400m or pole vault. The omission may be an editing error — or a deliberate choice to highlight versatility. His school has not yet responded to media inquiries.
How does NECA/IBEW’s sponsorship impact student-athletes beyond recognition?
Beyond plaques and certificates, NECA/IBEW provides travel grants for All-Conference athletes to attend an annual awards banquet and offers mentorship opportunities with local electricians and contractors. Some past honorees have received paid internships or apprenticeship pathways — a quiet pipeline from high school sports to skilled trades.
When will the Winter 2025-2026 All-Conference teams be announced?
The Winter All-Conference teams are expected to be released on February 15, 2026, following the final conference wrestling and basketball tournaments. The announcement will be posted at 6:00 PM UTC on big9.org, consistent with the fall release schedule. Coaches and athletes are already tracking standings — especially in Boys Hockey and Wrestling, where Albert Lea and Mankato East are locked in a tight race.
Are there any plans to expand the Big Nine Conference to include schools outside Minnesota?
No. The conference has consistently declined expansion requests from Wisconsin and Iowa schools, citing logistical challenges and a desire to preserve regional rivalries. The 15-member structure has remained unchanged since 2018. Any future growth would require a vote by all current member schools — and so far, there’s no appetite for change.