More road trips into mid-Missouri.

That is what will be in the cards for Vienna High School student athletes with their departure from the Gasconade Valley Conference to begin their membership into the newly formed Show-Me Central Conference (SMCC) that took effect July 1.

This move will affect all sports and activities that Vienna is involved including scholar bowl and band.

While Vienna will not be competing with Belle for any more conference titles in the foreseeable future, they will still face each other whenever possible for Maries County bragging rights.

Joining Vienna in the newly formed SMCC include Chamois, Tuscumbia, St. Elizabeth, Jamestown, Calvary Lutheran, Bunceton and Prairie Home.

Chamois, Tuscumbia and St. Elizabeth came from the old Show-Me Conference while Jamestown, Calvary Lutheran, Bunceton and Jamestown joined the SMCC from the old Cooper County Athletic Association (CCAA).

Vienna City Park will play host to the inaugural SMCC Cross Country meet this fall while Russellville High School will serve as host to the first-ever SMCC track meet in the spring of 2025.

Vienna’s departure from the GVC leaves only five teams in the conference which include Belle, Steelville, Cuba, Bourbon and Viburnum.

Softball in the new SMCC could be highly competitive.

For years, Vienna and St. Elizabeth have faced off in numerous district championship games, now they’ll be battling each other for SMCC titles.

Jamestown could sneak into the title picture also after coming off their first Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Fall Softball Championships appearance in school history last fall.

Softball in the GVC could realistically move to the spring season.

Belle and Cuba are both slated to play this fall while Steelville and Bourbon have played in the spring for a few years now.

In order to have a conference schedule, Belle and Cuba may have to make the move to spring softball joining Bourbon and Steelville.