For the last five years, Bridgeport High School has been determined to be the best prep athletic program in Class AA by the Charleston Gazette-Mail’s Excellence in Sports Awards. The program allows schools to earn points for where the finish in the top eight places in the sports recognized by the WVSSAC.

 

This year, the GMEISA has some competition. MVB Bank is having the “Champions Cup,” which not only uses a similar scoring system on the sports end to determine the top program in West Virginia, but alos by utilizing graduation rates.

 

The Champions Cup, which is presented by the WVSSAC, is listed as the program honoring schools for athletic and academic achievement. And the honor will be awarded to the top program in all three classes on in both boys and girls for a total of six winners.

 

The good news?

 

Through the state championship swim meet (state wrestling results are not included), Bridgeport was doing extremely well on one side of the equation and strongly on the other side.

 

“I’m pleased for our student-athletes and our coaches,” said BHS Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Matt DeMotto. “It a reflection of their hard work.”

 

Pre-wrestling, the Indian boys were listed as the top program in West Virginia. The Indians had a total of 466 points, which was ahead of Fairmont Senior and East Fairmont with 388 and 370 points, respectively. Lewis County in fifth place (268) and Elkins in sixth (261) means that five of the top eight ‘AA’ programs – and four of the top five – come from the Big 10 Conference.

 

The girls’ standings are consistent through swimming. Robert C. Byrd, which has state titles in cheerleading and soccer already to their credit, are in the top spot with 464 points. Bridgeport is in fifth place with 278 points.

 

Again, the top eight is dominated by Big 10 schools. Fairmont Senior is third at 381, Philip Barbour is fourth at 290, East Fairmont is sixth with 277 points, while Lewis County is in the seventh spot with 276 points.

 

The highest placing boys program has been the boys’ golf team. Fred Wilhelm’s squad came in third, while the football team finished – technically for points – in the third and a half spot as a semifinalist in the postseason. On the girls’ side, the cross country team took home a fourth place finish as the top finisher.

 

“What’s nice with this is that you have to be strong in multiple sports in order to be in the running. We don’t want to be known as a school that excels in just one sport,” said DeMotto.

 

Although there’s still basketball to go this winter and a full slate of spring sports remain, the academic equation is based on graduation rates. BHS has typically had strong graduation rates.

 

“Our graduation rates have been every strong for years,” said DeMotto. “They are usually among the strongest in the state.”

 

To see the standings in all three classes and a complete breakdown on the scoring system, click HERE to read MetroNews’ report.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows BHS sophomore linebacker Trey Pancake, while Indians long-time golf Coach Fred Wilhelm is shown in the middle. Bottom photo shows girls cross country standout Julia Muller.