Sierra Lutheran (Class 1A), The Meadows (2A), Boulder City (3A) and Reno (4A) are the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association’s Award of Excellence in Academics, Athletics and Citizenship champions for the 2016-17 school year.
The NIAA, the non-profit governing body of high school athletics in the Silver State, began the Award program in 2001. The scoring system awards points to member schools based on their varsity teams’ performances in the classrooms, at the sport venues and in the Citizenship Through Sports initiative.
Each of the three major categories in high school activities — academics, athletics and sportsmanship — are weighted equally, and boys and girls programs are combined in the standings table. Spirit and student council / leadership points were added after the conclusion of the winter season. Points were deducted at the conclusion of the spring season for ejections and other acts of unsportsmanlike conduct.
The NIAA honors the winning school in each classification by presenting it with a championship banner and commemorative trophy. The NIAA office staff, Board of Control members/liaisons and member schools consider the Award of Excellence to be Nevada’s top overall sports competition.
Sierra Lutheran captured its first award championship this year. The Falcons scored 1,870 points. Pahranagat Valley (1,645) placed second, Wells (1,400) finished third and Whittell (1,290) was fourth.
The Meadows captured its fourth consecutive and ninth title overall. The Mustangs recorded 2,641 points. North Tahoe (1,900), Yerington (1,783), Needles (1,445), Lincoln County (1,390) and Incline (1,200) rounded out the top six places.
The Battle Mountain High School wrestling team became the winningest program in state history with its 17th championship back in February at Spanish Springs High School in Sparks.
In addition, during the winter season, the Battle Mountain girls basketball team was third in the academic state championships with a 3.67 GPA Only North Tahoe (3.89) and The Meadows (3.81) were higher.
The Lady Longhorns' softball team posted a 3.61 GPA to be second, only to The Meadows (3.71).
Eddie Morfin won an individual championship at the NIAA State Track and Field Championships in May at Foothill High School in Henderson.
Boulder City made it back-to-back banner years. The Eagles tallied 3,386 points in winning their eighth award overall. Truckee (2,165), Virgin Valley (1,985), Pahrump Valley (1,915), Spring Creek (1,720), Moapa Valley (1,585) and South Tahoe (1,580) completed the top seven finishers.
Reno took home its third title overall. The Huskies scored 3,540 points. Bishop Manogue (3,135), Faith Lutheran (2,740), Palo Verde (2,590), Douglas (2,495), Centennial (2,465), Galena (2,150) and Bishop Gorman (2,100) rounded out the top eight finishers.
For more information about the NIAA’s Award of Excellence in Academics, Athletics and Citizenship program, please contact Donnie Nelson at (775) 453-1012.
