The Xavier Saints will be moving down in baseball and boys basketball for the 2013-14 school year, which may help them move up in the postseason tournaments.

The Saints have dropped from No.48 in school population to No.52 for next year, which is significant in the world of Iowa high school athletics.

The top 48 schools compete in Class 4A in baseball and boys basketball, so the Saints will be dropping from Class 4A to Class 3A in those two sports according to preliminary enrollment figures compiled by the state.

The final numbers could change a little for 2013-14, but there's a significant gap now between Norwalk at No.48 and Xavier at No.52 on the list.

Norwalk is projected to have 625 students in Grades 10 through 12 next year, compared to 536 for Xavier. Western Dubuque is No.49 with 577 students, Denison-Schleswig is No.50 with 572 students and Boone is No.51 with 563.

Changing classes is nothing new for Xavier.

"We're right on that bubble, and have been the last seven, eight, nine years," said Mike Winker, Xavier's athletic director. "There's been about 10 schools that we've all watched closely the last 10 or so years."

It's not always true, but the competition in Class 4A is generally stronger than the competition in Class 3A in the postseason tournaments. As a member of the Mississippi Valley Conference, the Saints will be able to test themselves against 4A competition during the regular season in baseball and boys basketball before falling back to Class 3A for the tournaments.

"I think because we play predominantly an MVC schedule in all of our sports, our kids are mentally and physically prepared to play at the highest classification," said Winker. "I think if you have competitive teams, it is the best of both worlds."

The Xavier girls basketball team benefitted from a similar situation this past season. The Saints faced a heavy Class 5A schedule during the regular season, then dropped down a class and captured the Class 4A state title.

The Xavier football team will remain in Class 4A next season, despite the drop on the enrollment list. The Saints agreed to play in the 4A postseason when they joined the Mississippi Valley Conference 15 years ago, regardless of how many students they have.

None of the other Metro schools sit on the bubble. Linn-Mar is ranked No.9 in enrollment, Kennedy is No.10, Jefferson No.17, Washington No.22 and Prairie No.25 to remain firmly in Class 4A.

Marion High School ranks 66th to remain snugly in Class 3A. Cedar Valley Christian ranks 356h out of 373 schools and plays in the smallest class.

The enrollment figures are based on the annual BEDS documents compiled by the state.

Winker said bouncing around from class to class in various sports can be confusing, but he has no complaints.

"I think we're happy the way the system is set up," he said. "I think it's fair and consistent. I think by doing it every year, you have the most up-to-date numbers to use with what the classification should be."