Knights, Colts win respective conference crowns for overall athletic success

The North Carolina High School Athletic Association, along with Wells Fargo recently announced the final standings in the Wells Fargo Conference Cup competitions for the 2017-2018 sports season.

The Wells Fargo Cup award, sponsored by Wells Fargo, recognizes the schools that achieve the best overall interscholastic athletic performance within each of the state’s four competitive classifications. It is a companion to the Wells Fargo Cup and recognizes schools with the best overall interscholastic athletic performances within individual conferences. Wachovia, now Wells Fargo, has sponsored the conference awards program since 1980.

In most conferences, points are awarded based on participation and standings in conference play. Each conference determines its own method of awarding points. Conferences are listed alphabetically by classification.

Rocky River 2A

West Stanly actually stood in second place after winter sports behind conference rival Mount Pleasant. The Tigers led by a half-point 48 to 47.5 after winning wrestling and placing second in men’s basketball. The Colts in the winter won women’s swimming, tied for first in women’s basketball and finished second in men’s swimming.

The Colts rallied in the spring season after sweeping the baseball and softball championships, and tied for second place in men’s tennis and men’s golf. West Stanly finished with 79 points, two better then Mount Pleasant, for the school’s second straight conference cup.

Central Academy placed third after winning the women’s soccer and men’s golf titles with 65.5 points for the year, followed by Forest Hills (53), East Montgomery (49.5) and Anson County (44).

“We couldn’t be more proud of the outstanding effort our student-athletes and coaching staff exhibited this past season to win the Wells Fargo Conference Cup for a second consecutive year,” West athletic director Daniel Smith said.

“This outstanding accomplishment signifies the hard work and sacrifice that everyone associated with each of our athletic programs puts forth on a daily basis. I’m excited to watch our athletes and coaches compete for three in a row during the upcoming year.”

Yadkin Valley 1A

When the conference standings were released for the YVC Wells Fargo Cup after winter sports wrapped up, Gray Stone led by 35 points over West Montgomery. The Knights had swept the swim titles as well as a women’s basketball conference crown.

The Knights built on that lead in spring after claiming two YVC championships: women’s track and women’s soccer. Gray Stone also placed second in men’s tennis to finish with 725.5 points.

North Stanly came in second overall in the Cup standings, winning men’s tennis with a second-place finish in women’s track.

North Moore was third with 647.5 points, followed in the standings by South Davidson (622.5), West Montgomery (590), South Stanly (572.5), Albemarle (457.5), Uwharrie Charter (445) and North Rowan (415).

“We are proud of our student-athletes and coaches,” Gray Stone athletic director Jeff Morris said. “The effort they have put in to grow and develop is truly remarkable.”