CVHS, Santiam Christian awarded the Oregonian Cup

For the second year in a row and the third time overall, Crescent Valley High School was awarded the Oregonian Cup in recognition of its high level of accomplishments in academics, athletics and activities such as band and choir among 5A schools across the state.

Tuesday’s announcement by The Oregonian newspaper and the Oregon School Activities Association — joint sponsors of the awards — also included Santiam Christian, a giant among small schools. The Eagles reclaimed the Cup in the 3A division after finishing second last year. Santiam Christian has won the cup eight of the nine years since the prize began in 1999.

Schools in each of the OSAA’s six classifications from 1A to 6A earn points throughout the year based on their participation and finish in state championships and for Top 10 finishes in the OSAA Academic All-State Program which recognizes the grade point average of the school’s athletic teams. A sportsmanship component is also considered. Schools are awarded points for each season when no athletes is ejected from a competition.

Crescent Valley earned 4,667 points compared to the 4,633 points earned by Hermiston High School, the runner-up. Corvallis High School was awarded 3,483 points and placed sixth among the state’s 40 5A high schools.

The Raider girls swimming team took first place for the second year in a row and the girls cross-country team placed second in state. The girls tennis team and both the boys and girls golf teams finished third in state.

The CV baseball team grade point average of 3.65 was ranked first among 5A schools and the school’s band, orchestra and choir all had top three finishes in the OSAA’s state music competition.

“It is a remarkable accomplishment to win the Oregonian Cup for a second year in a row, and for a third time,” said Crescent Valley principal Cherie Stroud. “I appreciate this award because it combines athletics, activities and academics throughout the year, making this award something in which most of the student body contributes.”

The Santiam Christian Eagles scored 3,920 points. In state competition, they finished third in volleyball and choir, went to the semifinals in boys soccer and baseball and reached the state playoffs in football and girls basketball. They led the 3A classification with the highest grades posted by the girls soccer, volleyball, football, boys basketball, wrestling, choir, softball and girls track and field.