COLUMBUS - The Heartland Athletic Conference will be welcoming a new school into its ranks next school year.

It was announced in a press release Tuesday that the conference voted unanimously to add Columbus High to the HAC beginning in the fall of 2020.

“The current members of the Heartland Athletic Conference are excited to unanimously admit Columbus as they will be a great fit to our outstanding athletic and academic traditions. We look forward to the positive impact that Columbus will make in an already competitive conference.” Zach Limbach, HAC President, and Lincoln East Athletic Director shared.

The HAC recently expanded to 11 schools in 2017 with the additions of Kearney, Norfolk, and Lincoln Pius X to the conference that already included the six high school in the Lincoln Public Schools system (East, Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, Lincoln High and North Star) Fremont, and Grand Island.

“The Heartland Athletic Conference provides Columbus with tremendous opportunities for quality competition and growth in all sports and activities, while renewing some of our historic rivalries. Columbus High School has a rich history of outstanding athletics and academics and we believe this membership will only elevate this profile.” Tim Kwapnioski, Columbus High Director of Activities added.

The Discoverers will leave the Greater Nebraska Athletic Conference that currently includes Hastings, McCook North Platte, and Scottsbluff.