CHICKAMAUGA, Ga. - Gordon Lee High School capped off its most successful athletic year by being named this week the GHSA Class A recipient of the Director's Cup, an annual award given to one school in each of Georgia's six classifications.
Schools earn points based on each sport, boys and girls. Gordon Lee, which finished 13th a year ago, amassed 1,188 points to easily outdistance runner-up Holy Innocents', which had 992.
An award also is given to the top boys' and girls' program in each class, and Gordon Lee was the girls' Class A winner after earning state championships in softball and basketball. The Trojans boys finished third with state titles in wrestling (both dual and traditional) and golf.
The school had state-runner-up finishes in baseball, girls' track and cross country to go with a third-place finish in girls' golf and fourth places in competition cheerleading and girls' tennis.
"Obviously, it's a great accomplishment for our school and is a reward for all the hard work put in by our athletes and coaches," associate athletic director Greg Ellis said. "It means a little more in that we earned the award over some strong private schools."
Private schools First Presbyterian Day, Darlington and Pace Academy followed Holy Innocents' in the final standings. Trion, with 725 points, finished 12th overall. Private schools dominated the next three biggest classifications. Westminster swept all three awards in Class AA, as did St. Pius X in Class AAA and Marist in AAAA.
"This is a very tough award to win, so it says a lot about our overall program," Gordon Lee wrestling coach Brent Raby said. "We've never really come close, so most people up here aren't even aware of the award. Hopefully it won't be the last one we win, and I know the wrestling team is looking forward to doing our part again next year."
Among other northwest Georgia schools, Dalton had the best showing, finishing fourth in Class AAAA. The Catamounts placed second in the boys' standings with the girls finishing sixth.
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296.