From the Bench: Is Bridgeport the Top Sports Program in Class AAA? Numbers are Out in Recent Ranking
By Jeff Toquinto on July 20, 2025 from Sports Blog
Who had the best Class AAA sports program during the 2024-25 high school calendar year? And by best, I am talking about the programs for the boys and girls combined.
One would think Bridgeport is definitely in the running. After all, there were several state championships this past school year, including more than one dominant showing.
In all honesty, I did not break it down with a calculation I came up with. Instead, another group did the chores. The WVSSC did the honors with The Health Plan Champions Cup, which “recognizing the top-performing high schools for excellence in both athletics and academics,”
according to the WVSSAC’s release on the standings.
according to the WVSSAC’s release on the standings.
So where did the Indians finish? Well, they were not the top programs in either the boys or girls standings, which included points on several fronts – including the previous year’s graduation rate (which was perfect for both the boys and the girls).
On the Class AAA boys’ side of things, Bridgeport finished fourth with 494.5 points despite capturing three state championships. The Indians won titles in football, swimming, and basketball, yet there was not enough dominance for the Tribe to take the top spot as the standings also include significant points for regional appearances.
Ripley proved to be the winner, and by a fairly comfortable margin on the boys side. The Vikings finished with 668 points.
It was not state championships the led to RHS getting the boys title, but rather consistency in multiple sports. The team was the baseball 
champion, the third-place finisher in golf, fifth place in golf and wrestling, and earned points in basketball and tennis, as well as soccer. The team earned points in all but four sports.
champion, the third-place finisher in golf, fifth place in golf and wrestling, and earned points in basketball and tennis, as well as soccer. The team earned points in all but four sports.
Also, ahead of Bridgeport in the battle with the boys was Fairmont Senior (579.5) in second. Frankfort finished third (497) in the standings. The Tribe managed to edge out fifth place Point Pleasant (487).
On the girls’ side of things, the Indians also came in fourth place. The Tribe totaled 489 points with championships coming in volleyball and swimming.
At the top for the girls was Herbert Hoover, who again, finished comfortably ahead of the field with 678.5 points. The Huskies were able to get the crown despite not winning any individual crowns in a poll where consistency across the board is critical.
HHS had three runner-up finishes. Those came in volleyball, swimming, and track and field. Along with that, the girls had a sixth-place cross country finish, made it to the state semifinals in softball, and were a quarterfinal participant at the state tennis tournament.
Fellow Big 10 Conference team Elkins was the runner-up in the standings for the girls. They finished with 582 points and were followed by Weir with 573.5. The Tribe was just ahead of another Big 10 school, East Fairmont (484.5) to round out the top five.
By finishing fourth on both sides of the gender ledger, one would certainly believe the Indians would be in the running for the best overall score by any single school. While definitely in the running, Bridgeport missed out on the top spot.
Herbert Hoover, who was tops in female sports, finished with 1,160.5 points. Along with the 678.5 points for the girls, the boys collected 
482 points and finished seventh overall.
482 points and finished seventh overall.
As for Bridgeport, the Indians finished as the overall runner-up. The Tribe collected a combined total of 983.4 points.
Bridgeport High School Athletic Director Tom Sears was pleased with the Indians and their showing this past school calendar year.
“Obviously, it once again is an example of how Bridgeport High School excels not just in the classroom but on the field. When you talk about rankings, you have to talk about our titles this year,” said Sears. “Five of our teams won state titles and that’s impressive. They continue to hold our programs to a standard that has become an expectation, and that’s not easy to do.
“When you look at the rankings, of course, we are striving for the top spot and to be one spot off is humbling and rewarding,” Sears continued. “We’ll take it, but we’re also considering our season as one of the best if not the best because Bridgeport walking away with five titles in 2024-25 may speak a little louder because most coaches and student-athletes will tell you that is how things are measured. Still, this is a good reflection on our program and a lot of other programs in (Class) AAA.”
As Sears noted, While BHS strives for the top, do not shortchange the consistency across the board needed to finish runner-up. The standings showed 29 AAA schools for boys and 30 for girls. Topping all but one is impressive.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows the BHS football team celebrating their title, while the second photo is of the boys hoops team. Third image shows the volleyball team celebrating as they captured the school's second-ever title this year. Photo below shows the boys and girls swim teams after their title runs.
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