Hastings will be returning to the Battle Creek area schedules on a much more regular basis for the first time in 22 years.

The Hastings Public School board on Monday approved the move for their athletic programs to begin participating in the Interstate 8 Conference beginning in the 2016-2017 school year. The approval came following a 6-1 vote among the board.

Hastings High School, known as the Saxons, will become the newest member of the Interstate 8 following the current school year after Charlotte chose to return to the Capital Area Activities Conference after a two-year haitus. The I-8 began in 2014 with eight members, with Charlotte as a founding member.

It is the first move for the Saxons since 1995-1996, when they left the former Twin Valley Conference to join the Ottawa-Kent Conference. They played in the OK White division for the first six years before playing in the OK Gold since 2001.

Hastings will see familiar former Twin Valley foes in the I-8 with the move, as the conference also is home for Harper Creek, Marshall and Coldwater.

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