The Virginia High School League has announced the 2024-25 National Guard Cup winners, presented by the Virginia Army National Guard for year-long athletic success.
Familiar faces returned to claim more trophies. Western Albemarle in Class 3 led the way, earning its 10th overall Cup and fourth in a row, while Auburn in Class 1 claimed its seventh consecutive Cup and eighth overall. Atlee in Class 4 earned its second straight Cup, and Robinson in Class 6 earned its second Cup in three years and fourth overall. Schools claiming Cups for the first time include Floyd County in Class 2 and Kellam in Class 5.
Locally, Lord Botetourt finished 12th among 43 Class 3 schools that scored points during the school year. The Cavs had 102.5 points in the fall, put 50 on the board with a girls state basketball championship in the winter and added 22.5 more in the spring for a total of 175. Western Albemarle smoked the field with 720 points, outscoring runner-up Spotswood’s total of 327.5 by almost 400 points.
In Class 2, James River finished with 60 total points for 22nd place among 43 schools to score. The Knights had 37.5 points in the fall and 22.5 in the winter, then failed to score in the spring.
Floyd County, a fellow Three Rivers District member, finished with 415 points to win the Cup by just 12.5 points over second place Clarke County’s 402.5. Two other Three Rivers schools finished in the top five as Glenvar tied for third with Poquoson with 375 points and Radford was fifth with 305.
First awarded in 1990, the Cup represents 36 seasons of excellence. Six Cups are awarded for academic activities and athletics in each of the VHSL’s six enrollment classifications.
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.
