The VHSL announced the 2023-24 National Guard Cup winners this week and Auburn High School once again took the Class 1 win.
The award, presented by the Virginia Army National Guard, is for year-long athletic and academic success. Familiar faces returned to claim trophies.
Western Albemarle in Class 3 led the way, earning its ninth overall Cup and third in a row, while Auburn in Class 1 claimed its sixth consecutive Cup and seventh overall. Poquoson in Class 2 earned its second Cup in four years, and Battlefield in Class 6 earned its second Cup in three years. Schools claiming Cups for the first time include Atlee in Class 1 and Independence in Class 5.
First awarded in 1990, the Cup represents 35 seasons of excellence. Six Cups are awarded for academic activities and athletics in each of the VHSL’s six enrollment classifications. The academic activities winners were announced on June 12.
A point system determines the winners based on overall performance in VHSL state championship competitions. In athletics, first place earns 50 points, second place earns 45 points, third place earns 40 points, fourth place earns 35 points, fifth place earns 30 points, sixth place earns 25 points, seventh place earns 20 points, and eighth place earns 15 points. Schools earning the League’s Sportsmanship, Ethics, and Integrity Award earn 50 points each.
Auburn tallied a total of 402.5 points with 150 in the Fall, 45 in Winter and 207.5 in the Spring. Galax was second with 232.5 points and George Wythe third at 210.
Radford High School finished third in Class 2, behind Poqousun and Bruton.
Christiansburg was 10th in Class 3, and Blacksburg was second behind Atlee.
Staff report
