The West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission has announced the Class AAAA and Class AAA winners of The Health Plan Champions Cup, recognizing the top-performing high schools for excellence in both athletics and academics.
In Class AAA, Herbert Hoover earned the girls’ title while Ripley won the boys’ championship. In Class AAAA, the Morgantown girls and Wheeling Park boys were given the crown.
CLASS AAA GIRLS: Herbert Hoover finished with 678.5 points after state runner-up finishes in volleyball, swimming and track. The Huskies also had a sixth-place finish in cross country, were a state semifinalist in softball and reached the state quarterfinals in tennis.
Hoover finished nearly 100 points ahead of the field, claiming points in all but three sports.
"We are extremely proud of our young women," said Herbert Hoover High School Principal Michael Kelley via news release. "They demonstrate daily what we expect of Hoover students. The character they display in the hallways, the classroom, at practice, and on the field of play is symbolic of what makes Hoover a special place."
Elkins was the second-place school among the AAA girls with 582 points after a swimming state championship. Weir followed in third at 573.5 with a third-place softball finish. Bridgeport had 489 points with its volleyball title and East Fairmont totaled 484.5 points with its soccer title to round out the top five.
Among the complete totals, area schools in the top 10 alongside Hoover included Winfield’s 391.5 mark to finish ninth.
Point Pleasant finished 14th with 290.5 points, Wayne finished 17th with 285.5 points after its basketball state championship. Sissonville and Ripley finished 19th and 20th respectively.
CLASS AAA BOYS: Ripley scored 668 points to claim the title among AAA boys. The Vikings won a state title in baseball to close the year, certainly a boost.
Along with baseball came a third-place team finish in golf, a fifth-place team finish in wrestling, a quarterfinal showing in basketball and tennis and a regional finals appearance in soccer.
Ripley was over 88 points ahead of the field, earning points in all but four sports.
"Ripley High is honored to accept The Health Plan Champions Cup for Boys AAA," said Ripley High Principal Jeffrey Banton via news release. "Our teams performed very well, but more importantly, they excel in the areas of academics, sportsmanship, and character. We also wish to thank the parents and families for being an outstanding support system for these student athletes."
Up north, Fairmont Senior finished as the runner-up with 579.5 points. The Polar Bears were state semifinalists in football, basketball and baseball while also placing fourth in wrestling and sixth in swimming.
Frankfort followed in third at 497 with a football state title in Class AA and runner-up finishes in cross country, track and baseball.
Bridgeport finished fourth at 494.4 with state championships in football, basketball and swimming.
Point Pleasant rounded out the top five with a total of 487 points, highlighted by state titles in wrestling and track and a semifinal showing in soccer.
Elkins had state titles in swimming and cross country and finished with 484.5 with Hoover close behind at 482 to round the top seven.
In the rest of the standings, Nitro finished 14th with 288.5 points, Sissonville followed right behind with 283.5 points for 15th and Wayne totaled 193 points for 20th.
CLASS AAAA GIRLS: In AAAA, Morgantown totaled 880 points by recording points in eight of nine sanctioned sports. The Mohigans won a state title in track and field while finishing as the runner-up in volleyball, basketball and tennis. Morgantown also had a third-place finish in cross country, was a state semifinalist in soccer, finished fifth in swimming and was a regional finalist in softball.
"What a great accomplishment for our student-athletes to be recognized with this overall championship," said Morgantown High School Principal Paul Mihalko via release. "We are very proud of all of the hard work and dedication of all of these Mohigans!"
The Mohigans finished more than 200 points ahead of the field.
In second was University. The Hawks were champions in cross country while finishing third in softball, fourth in track and seventh in cheer. UHS also scored points in volleyball and basketball due to its regional appearances.
Area schools were highlighted by Cabell Midland’s third-place finish. The Knights were led in points by a softball state title while securing runner-up points in cross country. Midland received points in all but four sports and tallied 584 total points.
George Washington finished fifth with 485.5 points, led by soccer’s runner-up finish. Huntington placed 10th with 381.5 points, led largely by a state title in tennis and a runner-up finish in track.
Hurricane placed 13th with 293 points, securing a cheer championship to lead the way. Spring Valley totaled 290.5 points for 15th thanks to its girls basketball title. St. Albans was 16th with 289.5 points.
CLASS AAAA BOYS: Wheeling Park scored more points in more sports than any other AAAA school to secure its title with 853 points. With 10 possible sports, the Patriots scored points in all but two of them, basketball and track.
Park was a state semifinalist in soccer, finished fifth in cross country, finished sixth in both wrestling and golf, finished eighth in swimming and were regional finalists in tennis and baseball. The Patriots also reached the quarterfinals in football.
"We’re incredibly proud of our student-athletes, coaches and staff across all our boys' sports programs," said Wheeling Park High School Principal Meredith Dailer via news release. "This award is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship they demonstrate every day. "
Hurricane finished as the runner-up with an impressive 788.5 points. The Redskins were state champions in tennis and baseball while also securing runner-up totals in golf, soccer and track. Hurricane also finished seventh in cross country and reached the second round of the football playoffs.
Morgantown took third with 769.5 points after a runner-up finish in baseball, a semifinal showing in basketball and a fourth-place finish in cross country.
University’s state titles in cross country, wrestling and track helped it finish fourth with 687 points.
George Washington finished off the top five with 680.5 points, finishing as state runner-up in basketball and swimming.
Cabell Midland finished 10th with 486 points, claiming the golf state title and a cross-country runner-up mark. Huntington finished 13th with 471 points. Spring Valley finished 14th with 379.5 points.
